mytrilife

ITU World Long Course Championship 2006 Race Report

After traveling to, but not competing at, the ITU LC World Champs in 2005, I was determined that I would get myself a spot for the 2006 edition. I have always wanted to compete for Canada, and I thought the distance was just about perfect, 4km swim, 120km bike, and 30km run. Also known as the “O3” distance (triple Olympic with shortened swim), or the “Nice” distance, I felt this distance was suited to my abilities and my training schedule. It also took place November 19… at the end of the North American season, so I had no reason not to get some solid training in.

I secured my spot at the Victoria ½ Iron. While I didn’t have the best race there, just completing the course was enough to get on the Canadian team. Each country is allowed 8 competitors per age group, and none of the age groups was completely full. After finalizing my flight for Australia, I contacted Triathlon Canada, paid for my race fees and uniform and was ready to go.

THE COURSE

2 lap swim in Lake Burley Griffen central basin. Great views of the parliament and various capitol landmarks.

4 lap bike around the capitol, including a tough but short climb out of Coppins Crossing each lap. Some duller highways, a few pretty scenic sections, and right through the center of town past parliament.

3 lap run – starting/ending at transition in Commonwealth Park and running along, and around the spectacular National Museum of Australia.

MORNING

04:00 - the alarm went off and I was running around at top speed trying to get all my stuff sorted.

04:45 - taxi arrives to take 6 of us from U of Canberra to race site

05:10 – arrive at race site. Temps are a bit cool, but rising fast. Put on sunscreen (not enough!)

06:00 – bike is ready, warm-up complete, put on wetsuit and wander down to watch elite start

06:30 – elite men start, looks pretty aggressive!

06:32 – elite women start

06:35 – age group women start

06:40 – men 40+ start, I jump in water and swim the 250m to the start line. Water temp is perfect for racing… about 17.5C.

06:45 – WOOT! Air horn signals the under-40 male start. The large start line allows plenty of room. I set off at a steady-pace… trying to hold back.. long swim ahead

SWIM

Lap 1 – very hard to site tiny yellow and white buoys, I go a bit off course, land-marks are decent though. Foot cramps at 1900m. shake it out and continue.

Lap 2 – haven’t had anyone to draught for most of the swim. Legs are full on cramping now.. arrgh! I try to kick more… it makes it worse. I start to pass the slower 40+ men and a few women.

I leave the water… in about 1:10? Finish the long run (400m) to transition. Plenty of bikes gone… but no worries, I didn’t expect to be tops in the swim. Sun has fully risen.. it’s going to be a hot one.

BIKE

Lap 1 – getting into nice rhythm about 5km in, I notice my chain is skipping. Damn. I put the connector link on backwards. Easy fix, but have to stop, lose about 45 secs as I switch it. I get going again, and notice draft marshals are out in force, eager to bag their quota of penalties. A little nervous about picking up a penalty in the tight field, I push it a bit to keep passing. I think I burned a few too many matches here and would pay for it later.

Torbjorn Sindballe RIPS by me, with Kieren Doe close behind. Torbjorn (the eventual race winner) commented after that it was one of toughest courses he’s ridden. It’s definitely tougher than it looks on paper. Kieren DNF… probably not a good idea to try and stick with Torbjorn!

Lap 2 – Starting to find a rhythm. It sure is getting hot, air is calm. Wish we had some wind. Notice plenty of people fixing flats… lots of tiny thorns out here, not a good course for clinchers. Brand new tubulars keep me rolling. Legs aren’t feeling that good… heavy and almost like they will cramp. I pass Heather, she isn’t smiling, looks to be toughing it out though.

Lap 3 – The wind I wish for arrives. Hot and dry, straight from the north… feels like a furnace! I stay low in the bars and make progress to the back side of the course. I wish there was no wind now! A pack of European pro’s lap me, the only blatant drafting I saw out there. Finish my last bottle and toss it passing transition. Water and V energy drink to get me through lap 4.

Lap 4 – legs feel like crap! Yes… went too hard early on. I back off and try to recover for the run. I pound my can of V. I have no sugar the last 20-25min of the bike... I should have grabbed some Enervit at the last aid station... oops! I drink my water... feeling weak.

I slowly dismount and jog into transition. The pavement is rough chip-seal and hot… tough to run on. Ouch! 3:48(?) bike time.

RUN

Lap 1 – Right away I know things are bad. My legs are on the verge of cramping and I can barely run 5:30/kms. I know I'm low on calories, and probably electrolytes as well so I start pounding the Enervit. Temps are now in the high-20’s or maybe over 30. There is little shade. I'm regretting forgetting my salt tabs in Canada.

Lap 2 – things aren’t going much better. I get plenty of cheers from the Canadian spectators. I keep seeing Heather on the out and back sections at the same point, keeping pace about 4km’s behind. One of the Euro pro's from the earlier draft pack on the bike passes me on his final lap.... he cuts a corner on the course right in front of me. Wonder if he found a way to cheat in the swim too?

Lap 3 – I start to revive a bit, don’t know if it’s the Enervit, coke, or just knowing it’s my last lap and I can get out of this hot sun! I walk the last hill at 4km to go… my legs cramp when I try to run it. I keep my speed on the downhill and suffer to the finish. It feels like I’m moving so fast, but really I’m just a bit faster than before.

Run time.... 2:45? I'll take it! Honestly... I was surprised I didn't walk the whole thing. I don't think I've felt that bad on a run since my first Ironman in 2002 where I went in way under-prepared.

I cross the finish line with a Canadian flag in hand, and make a quick beeline to the nearest shade. Surprisingly, I’m 4^th Canadian across the line. Overall time was a couple seconds over 8 hours. I have a nice sunburn and a few aches, but I don't feel nearly as bad as after an Ironman.

A very fun time, I wish I could compete next year in France, but my funds probably won’t allow it. Found it tough to train for a late season race, I just wanted to rest and relax with everyone else during the fall. Now, 3 weeks of almost ZERO training to recover and get ready for next season.

posted by Greg @ 12/07/2006