Wednesday 15 July 2009

IM Switz Analysis

Results for Hawaii roll down are up for Switzerland. I missed a slot by 15:13, the slowest M30-34 qualifier doing 9:14:09
I just compared it to Arizona last year where I was 14:43 away from qualifying, with the slowest M30-34 qualifier doing a 9:34:13.
Taking into consideration a puncture (which according to my Garmin had me stopped for 4 mins) I just need to find another 11mins and I might get that slot.
Another 8 months of training, a good day and maybe it'll be third time lucky at Ironman NZ next March!!
May as well target sub 9 to be safe !

Monday 13 July 2009

IM switz

I'll write a proper report later. But for now just a quick one to thank everyone who supported, on the course and especially all those that mailed, text and posted on our forum.

Offered 9:29 with a puncture on Friday I would have taken it. But offered 34th in AG I might not have been so keen. The standard yesterday (maybe helped by some drafting) was incredible. I had a slightly ropey swim, hitting T1 in 63mins, a quick transition and I picked up a puncture at 15k on the bike. 4mins later I was off again and the rest of the bike was good. A great course of decent hills and mega fast pancake flat lakeside.

Off the bike in 5:06 (about 6:12 on the clock) I hit out at 3:10 pace. This lastest two miles before I setled into 3:15 pace which seemed sustainable. Bumped into Justin Webbs teamate Tim Bishop (Optima Race Team) half way into the 2nd lap (of four) and we ran together for nearly 10miles. Thank Tims, without you I would have almost certainly dropped off more. Tim ran off about 20miles and in the end took me for just over a minute. Well done on the Hawaii slot mate.

The last 10k were pretty brutal, the last 5.5 were impossibly hard - sorry Ed there was no chance to enjoy them! Bu I was really chuffed to dip under the 9:30 mark.

In the end I would have needed to go 9:08 to be guaranteed a slot. So even without the bad swim and puncture I would have been lucky to get within 15mins of a slot this time.

Not sure yet what's next. A week or so of R&R and a 'fun' trip to the Ventoux and I'll start making some plans. IM NZ is looking good for next spring!

Thanks again everyone. Lxx

Saturday 11 July 2009

Ironman Switzerland T - 14 hours

Another easy day today, plenty of fluids and time off my feet - I could get used to this.

We took an easy swim in the lake this morning and it was clear and warm. Nice place for a bun fight!

Also got driven around the bike course by a teammate. It's a cracker. 30k flat along the lakeside. 35k of hills including a couple of decent 5k climbs and then fly back down to the lakeside for another 20k of flat apart from a short sharp ascent of 'heartbreak hill'. And repeat.

The bike is checked in and nothing more to do but gather my bits for the morning, eat some more pasta and get an early night.

Don't forget you can watch my progress at Ironmanlive.com and I'll post an update soon as I can.

Cheers for all the good luck msgs.

Laurence

Friday 10 July 2009

Ironman Switzerland T - 2 days

Arrived in Zurich yesterday. All is well. After a small bag mix up (all my fault) I got to the hotel, set the bike up and went for an easy ride and run.

In contrast to Arizona last year I am not feeling the same amount of pressure for Sunday. I'm genuinely excited about the race. Obviously there are the normal nerves and desires to just be started, but all that's normal.

The course looks fantastic, a warm (ish) clear lake swim, moderate ride - on great roads, and a pancake flat run around the lake.

I'm feeling as strong as ever. So fingers crossed I can do myself justice out there.

Laurence

Friday 3 July 2009

New Garmin 310XT

Many thanks to Paul at Garmin UK and Jo at sweatshop for helping me source one of the new Garmin 310's for Switzerland next week. Waterproof and with a 20hr battery life I can take it real slow!!