The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge
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so, conditions deteriorated as the week went on, wind came up, and there was even some showers Saturday night.
When i got up Sunday morning, and heard the wind, i started to get nervous, but by the time i set up my bike transition i was alright. Seas weren't choppy, but there was a rolling swell (unusual for up here). Joined the massive swim line about 2/3rds of the way back, and was actually excited when it was my turn to go (high 5 for the announcer on the way past). Felt good doing the first 1oom out in to the swell, but when i turned to go along the beach, the swell and the current knocked me around a bit, and it took a while to get my rhythm again. I knew about 200m along that it wasn't going to be the 40 mins i hoped for, but that actually relaxed me, and i just did it. Only got one whack in the face, which was a bonus. Have to say, i think i actually enjoyed that swim, despite how tough i found it. Out of the water in 46 minutes, which i am actually stoked with (pretty much everyone i spoke to, no matter how many events they had done, reckoned their swim was 5 mins longer than expectation).
Out of the water feeling really good, slight cramp in my calf, bit light headed, but not blowing too much at all. Transition was weird, as there were not many teams with the same person doing the swim and the bike, so i was getting ready pretty much alone.
On to the bike, stayed in a low gear for longer than normal to get the blood to my legs and stretch that calf out, but settled really quickly. Plan was to ride within myself until i got to the turn around at 30km (which meant half of the hilly section was done) but still got there quick thanks to the wind. Turned around and the wind instantly smacked you. But what a beautiful scenic ride. Loved it. The range was tough, but the upside was hitting 64km per hour down one side. With the wind, and not having tri-bars, i knew i wasn't getting a 2.45 time, but was determined to make 3 hours. In the end came back in 3.06, which meant i was inside my ultimate goal, which was both my legs done in less than 4 hours.
Mrs Mariner smashed the first 15km of her run, but hit a serious wall after that. But running that red carpet, and crossing the finishing line together was one of the best things ever.
It was tough, but i have to say i enjoyed it. So many people, everyone out there to do their best against themselves, not each other, it was a great day to be a part of. To ride back in to the Esplanade, and the crowd was awesome, and i was a little jealous of the runners who get to do their whole leg through a party, with people cheering the whole way.
I am giving serious consideration to doing the 70.3 solo next year.
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@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
so, conditions deteriorated as the week went on, wind came up, and there was even some showers Saturday night.
When i got up Sunday morning, and heard the wind, i started to get nervous, but by the time i set up my bike transition i was alright. Seas weren't choppy, but there was a rolling swell (unusual for up here). Joined the massive swim line about 2/3rds of the way back, and was actually excited when it was my turn to go (high 5 for the announcer on the way past). Felt good doing the first 1oom out in to the swell, but when i turned to go along the beach, the swell and the current knocked me around a bit, and it took a while to get my rhythm again. I knew about 200m along that it wasn't going to be the 40 mins i hoped for, but that actually relaxed me, and i just did it. Only got one whack in the face, which was a bonus. Have to say, i think i actually enjoyed that swim, despite how tough i found it. Out of the water in 46 minutes, which i am actually stoked with (pretty much everyone i spoke to, no matter how many events they had done, reckoned their swim was 5 mins longer than expectation).
Out of the water feeling really good, slight cramp in my calf, bit light headed, but not blowing too much at all. Transition was weird, as there were not many teams with the same person doing the swim and the bike, so i was getting ready pretty much alone.
On to the bike, stayed in a low gear for longer than normal to get the blood to my legs and stretch that calf out, but settled really quickly. Plan was to ride within myself until i got to the turn around at 30km (which meant half of the hilly section was done) but still got there quick thanks to the wind. Turned around and the wind instantly smacked you. But what a beautiful scenic ride. Loved it. The range was tough, but the upside was hitting 64km per hour down one side. With the wind, and not having tri-bars, i knew i wasn't getting a 2.45 time, but was determined to make 3 hours. In the end came back in 3.06, which meant i was inside my ultimate goal, which was both my legs done in less than 4 hours.
Mrs Mariner smashed the first 15km of her run, but hit a serious wall after that. But running that red carpet, and crossing the finishing line together was one of the best things ever.
It was tough, but i have to say i enjoyed it. So many people, everyone out there to do their best against themselves, not each other, it was a great day to be a part of. To ride back in to the Esplanade, and the crowd was awesome, and i was a little jealous of the runners who get to do their whole leg through a party, with people cheering the whole way.
I am giving serious consideration to doing the 70.3 solo next year.
Amazing effort mate! Enormous respect.
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Well done that man!! funny how you really need to have that first race to really know wtf is going on! That experience will make heaps of difference for future events.
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It's a bit weird at the moment. The event is done, and i am sort of feeling a little lost. Now what do i do?
Back at the gym for the first time since the start of May. Muscles have actually had to get used to lifting again, i am pretty sore.
So, to keep myself focused i am on the lookout for events to do. There is a ride from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation that looks pretty cool, might do that. Have to decide whether i do the 90km, or the 180km that my mate wants me to do with him. 180km on a bike sounds pretty tough (apparently a decent climb in the middle of it, short but steep). It's not until October, so i have time to prepare. 180km would be a good challenge.
And it is still looking like the misso and I will do the Port of Tauranga half in January. And if so, i guess i should stay in the pool, because my swimming needs to speed up.
Not sure about you blokes, but at 40 it's hard to be motivated to train without a goal.
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@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
It's a bit weird at the moment. The event is done, and i am sort of feeling a little lost. Now what do i do?
Back at the gym for the first time since the start of May. Muscles have actually had to get used to lifting again, i am pretty sore.
So, to keep myself focused i am on the lookout for events to do. There is a ride from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation that looks pretty cool, might do that. Have to decide whether i do the 90km, or the 180km that my mate wants me to do with him. 180km on a bike sounds pretty tough (apparently a decent climb in the middle of it, short but steep). It's not until October, so i have time to prepare. 180km would be a good challenge.
And it is still looking like the misso and I will do the Port of Tauranga half in January. And if so, i guess i should stay in the pool, because my swimming needs to speed up.
Not sure about you blokes, but at 40 it's hard to be motivated to train without a goal.
Staying in decent shape and setting a good example for my boys is a decent goal I reckon
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@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
Not sure about you blokes, but at 40 it's hard to be motivated to train without a goal.
Definitely agree. I've not touched my MTB since doing the AMB100. My training is entirely devoted to Master Games and after that the Coast to Coast.
I'll need to find something else after that. Training for the sake of training after decades gets tiresome. Utterly boring.
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@antipodean is that the South Island Coast to Coast? I actually looked at that the other day. It's a possibility for next year (albeit a remote one)
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Yeap, that's the one.
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@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
Yeap, that's the one.
okay then i am super interested in your journey for this one.
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There's the small matter of recovering from bicep femoris tendinopathy and a torn tendon in my wrist. So training is very limited at the moment. Can't even use the rowing machine.
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@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
Not sure about you blokes, but at 40 it's hard to be motivated to train without a goal.
Definitely agree. I've not touched my MTB since doing the AMB100. My training is entirely devoted to Master Games and after that the Coast to Coast.
I'll need to find something else after that. Training for the sake of training after decades gets tiresome. Utterly boring.
You guys clearly don't fight with your wives enough. That's my daily motivation - GTFO of the house for 30-60 minutes.
I'm only averaging 100 kms a month at that though, so training for a half or full marathon would probably get me going a bit more, to be fair.
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@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
There's the small matter of recovering from bicep femoris tendinopathy and a torn tendon in my wrist. So training is very limited at the moment. Can't even use the rowing machine.
are they wanking injuries? they sound like wanking injuries
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@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
There's the small matter of recovering from bicep femoris tendinopathy and a torn tendon in my wrist. So training is very limited at the moment. Can't even use the rowing machine.
are they wanking injuries? they sound like wanking injuries
Will you be proceeding with his caution and advice?
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@hooroo said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
There's the small matter of recovering from bicep femoris tendinopathy and a torn tendon in my wrist. So training is very limited at the moment. Can't even use the rowing machine.
are they wanking injuries? they sound like wanking injuries
Will you be proceeding with his caution and advice?
of course, this is serious blokes advice for those of the middle age
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@mariner4life bicep femoris is hamstring, so it would be quite the session.
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@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@mariner4life bicep femoris is hamstring, so it would be quite the session.
what ever blows your hair back man.
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Any particular aspects of lifting appeal? Or might have good cross over for swimming/riding??
I've been chasing certain lifts or mini-targets either weight or rep wise. But I know what you mean about some kind of goal.
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@paekakboyz to be honest, my gym stuff is something i do for vanity, and for strength that helps me swim better.
I do lighter weights, and 3 sets of 12-15. Trying for endurance as much as anything. Not interested in size (luckily, genetics is a hold-back there!) just like looking lean and strong.
Also do a fair amount of core work. My back started to stiffen on the ride, so if i am going to add a run to this shit, i need my back to stay loose. Figure having a stronger core has to help.
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@mn5 said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
@mariner4life said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
It's a bit weird at the moment. The event is done, and i am sort of feeling a little lost. Now what do i do?
Back at the gym for the first time since the start of May. Muscles have actually had to get used to lifting again, i am pretty sore.
So, to keep myself focused i am on the lookout for events to do. There is a ride from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation that looks pretty cool, might do that. Have to decide whether i do the 90km, or the 180km that my mate wants me to do with him. 180km on a bike sounds pretty tough (apparently a decent climb in the middle of it, short but steep). It's not until October, so i have time to prepare. 180km would be a good challenge.
And it is still looking like the misso and I will do the Port of Tauranga half in January. And if so, i guess i should stay in the pool, because my swimming needs to speed up.
Not sure about you blokes, but at 40 it's hard to be motivated to train without a goal.
Staying in decent shape and setting a good example for my boys is a decent goal I reckon
This. So much this.
Was at a family reunion years back and one of my cousins (who was about 40) was too much of a fat carnt to play soccer with his kid. This was despite him pleading with him and trying to drag him off his arse. I vowed then and there not to be THAT dad.
I should also add that with their mother's Viking blood my boys will be much taller than me (eldest is already as tall at 12) so I need all the help I can get.
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@antipodean said in The rebuild of M4L and a new challenge:
There's the small matter of recovering from bicep femoris tendinopathy and a torn tendon in my wrist. So training is very limited at the moment. Can't even use the rowing machine.
Not nice. How did those injuries come about?
