Ironman Australia, 2009 – Misplaced Delusions of Grandeur

Port Macquarie, Australia is a very beautiful place.  The race is well run and the course is excellent – albeit a bit hilly.

The funniest thing happened on the bike.  As I have mentioned before (here) performing math functions in the head while in these races is nearly impossible – even single digit addition.  So get this: I am feeling real strong on the first of three bike loops.  Almost no one has passed me and I am flying.  I look down at my bike computer and see that I am moving along at 22mph at that moment … but have averaged just over 24mph so far!  I was giddy.  I contemplated what it would be like to finish the 112 mile bike leg of the race in well under five hours and how even the pros behind me would be miffed at this performance.  A few minutes later, my speed is still hovering around 22mph yet my average speed was up around 25mph.  How this happened I was not sure … but so it must be as the computer does not lie.  So I continue to quietly chuckle to myself about my extraordinary power.  Soon I see my average speed is almost 27mph.  Now this caused me pause.  It was like a riddle.  How could this be?  Wait a minute … I look closer at my computer and see that this incredible average speed was really “total distance travelled!”  What an idiot.  I flip the computer display over to average speed to find out my real average speed … 19.5 mph!  Ughhh.  This, I must admit, broke my will.  The next 2 hours I coasted a lot and averaged about 16mph.  What a loser.

Here a new swim tip for hackers: When you are near the back of the swim you will find some people swimming the breast stroke.  Remember to avoid these folks.  Their frog-style kick can deliver exceptional beatings to your head.  I was reminded about this 2-3 times in the first 20 minutes of this race.  As I reflected on this over the next few miles of swimming, I was quite sure this was karma caused by my inappropriate behavior during the UK Ironman (ref: Kick to Kill).

On the subject of deadly: While driving around we discovered a giant spider (at least 3” leg span) climbing down my window inside the car.  Knowing Australia has lots of deadly critters, I was quite panicked.  The good news is … I was able to use the map to throw the spider out the window.  The bad news is … I threw the map out the window.  Michelle says “Needed map!”

Actual Important Things If You Are Going To This Race

1. Make sure bike has no dirt on it when you land in Australia.  They will check your bike tires at Customs at the airport to see if you are bringing dirt in.  Getting your bike quarantined would be bad.

2. Be prepared for hills on the bike, humidity, and maybe some rain.

3. I recommend you get in the water and swim a bit up the river before race day.  There can be strong currents.  During my test swim (that made my arms sore because I had not swam in months) it took 45 minutes to swim up the river and 15 minutes to swim back down.  Had I not tested the water, this might have spooked me race day.

4. The road is a bit rough in places on the bike course.  And due to the rain, there were a number of folks with flats.  So I swapped out my tires for thicker ones and rode with 110 PSI and had no problem at all.

5. I learned to drive on the left side of the road for the first time.  Although this had always been a fear, this is a great place to learn.

6. Watch for spiders and get two maps.

 

RELATED POSTS:

Hacking the 2008 UK Ironman: Kick to Kill

Malaysia Ironman versus South Africa Ironman – “Tastes like Mango”

Hacking the 2007 Brazil Ironman Triathlon in Florianopolis (May 27, 2007) – Strategy, Tragedy and 100% Pure Agava Tequila

Preparing for the 2007 New Zealand Ironman in Singapore?

Handicapped at the 2006 Arizona Ironman

Surviving the 2006 France Ironman and How Intelligent are Chimpanzees?

Dumb and Dumber: Consequences of the 2006 Silverman Triathlon

What sharks? Reflections on the 2005 Western Australia Ironman

Comments

[Brian Benz]

Good too hear you made it!

Re driving on the left - I learned a trick many years ago - try not to think in terms of left and right, but relationally. Just remember that you, as the driver, have to be situated nearest to the center line of the road. If you look out your driver's side window see the center line, you're OK, otherwise you're probably in trouble....Very handy for coming off one way streets, highway exit ramps, etc.

Once you've got that mastered, the hardest thing is the wipers where the turn signals should be.

[Mike Kim]

I came across your blog since I'm looking at doing the Port Macquarie IM in 2010 (if offered - I didn't see '10 registration up on web yet). I'd love to get more thoughts on the race and logistics if you don't mind. Thanks.

Also, very cool how you have completed several IM around the world. I'm looking at doing several international ones too (I'm in LA).