'02 Triple-Tri Report

The Triple Tri is a unique race in that it combines three triathlons back-to-back. All the bike legs involve off-road riding and two of the run legs involve off-road running. All the bike/run legs involve hills. The Triple is a big teams event – out of the 900 or so participants only 23 have elected to do it solo (19 male, 4 female). The rest are in teams ranging from 3 to 9 members. 

The morning started the same as all others on these long race days – with the alarm going off at 4am. [Tip 1: Start doing the early morning bike rides so that your body actually responds at this time]. It wasn’t long until the first thing went wrong. I won’t say what it was, but there’s a clue later in the report. I remembered the advice Rod Coy gave me before my first ironman race “Expect something to go wrong during the day, part of the test is how you cope with these misadventures” Rod said. (Needless to say I turned up at the ironman start and realised I’d left my timing chip back at the motel). 

05:30am Leg 1: Swim 1.5 Km

Lake Ginninderra was unusually clear (free of duck poo) and the water temperature was probably 20ºC. There’s something calming about swimming just before dawn and having the sun rise over the hills during the duration of the swim. Once around the peninsula, you head for the beach, emerging into T1. Off with the wetsuit and on with the helmet and shoes, eat a Growling Dog energy bar, and then on my way. As a solo competitor I was allowed a helper – very important as none of the legs start and finish at the same point. Luckily for me Ian (a friend from Canberra) had forgone his usual spot in a team of three to support me. 

06:00am Leg 2: Mountain Bike 35 Km

The start of all the bike courses are quick and easy following the cycle path. Passed MacDonalds (I had joked earlier about riding through drive-through and getting a sausage and egg macmuffin) After a couple of K’s the mountain biking begins – fire trail, single track, gates, fences, gullies and trees. About this time my watch starts beeping, reminding me to eat – down goes the first GU of the day (thanks Lloydie). [Tip 2: For long events I set my timer to beep every 20 minutes]

With Telstra Tower and Black Mountain looming straight ahead, the track drops (rapidly) down a walking trail then underneath a road bridge into Black Mountain Reserve. Pass one of the other solo competitors who has punctured [Tip 3: Pace yourself, don’t ride too hard, there’s lots more objects to puncture on than on the road]. The next few kilometres around the base of Black Mountain were great – fast, gentle downhill. This is probably the most enjoyable part of the race – going quick and the day’s still cool. Unfortunately this ends at the infamous "Push-Bike Hill." This is one long, hard walk. 

Finally I emerge onto the road. Back on the bike and ride to the summit of Black Mountain (812m) and the first aid station. They had no sports drink so I grabbed some watermelon. [Tip 4: Don’t eat watermelon early in an event it has a habit of repeating on you].

More downhill – excellent. At one point the expanse of Lake Burley Griffin is right before you – a fantastic view if you’ve got time to look. This track winds around the flank of the mountain, and after a few gradual rises and a descent comes to one very sharp left hand switchback!

Next it’s across both carriageways of Belconnen Way, and up a steep hill on the other side.

Then it’s some fast single track. After climbing a couple more fences and riding some more paddocks I come out somewhere in north Canberra and start making my way towards the base of Mt Majura and T2. It’s all flat and fast riding now but there’s no shade and the temperature is starting to rise.

07:55am Leg 3: Run 20 Km

Coming into T2 is fantastic – after spending the last 2 hours riding around in the bush by yourself it’s a strange feeling to arrive at T2 to see hundreds of people waiting for their teams to arrive. Solo competitors start the event 30 minutes ahead of the teams, so at this stage I’m still in the top 10 overall. After getting coated in sunscreen, the run beings. This track initially climbs quite steeply, then cuts back to the right and follows the side of the mountain then its uphill again. Cross the bitumen road and scramble up to the trig station. This is highest point in Canberra (at 888m). Then it’s: follow the road half way down the mountain, before heading off on a goat track towards Hackett Hill and then Mt Ainslie (843m). This trail offers the very best views of North Canberra, Civic, Lake Burley Griffin, Black Mountain and the Brindabellas beyond. It’s all downhill from here to the lake, passed the War Memorial and along Anzac Parade. While running along the lake’s edge I can see the lead competitors already well into the main swim. T3 awaits.

09:50am Leg 4: Swim 3.5 Km

I’m feeling alright surprisingly as I enter Lake Burley Griffin. Unfortunately the wind has picked up and its blowing straight down the lake. I guess it would be like swimming Bate Bay with a strong North-easterly blowing. Half way into the swim there’s an aid station at the National Library jetty so I stop to get a drink and consume another GU. The best part about this leg is that my helper is paddling along side on a ski and can help me navigate towards the Acton Ferry Terminal. Finishing this swim was a relief. My swim training had consisted of swimming 500m in the little pool at Caringbah every third day followed by some porpoising. I tried one swim out at Kurnell in my wetsuit but after one lap of the enclosure a coffee at Gypsy’s daughter’s shop seemed much more inviting. [Tip 5: Drop in for a coffee sometime at the Kurnell General Store].

11:00am Leg 5: Mountain Bike 40 Km

The second mountain bike course starts along the cycle path but then heads off road again into the pine forests (or what’s left of them after the Christmas bushfires). Next it’s up Dairy Farmer's Hill…and straight down the other side. After climbing another gate its off towards Coppins Crossing (lowest of the course – people who have done the Sri Chinmoy Long Course and Classic will know this causeway well). Across the road and into the bush again.

The climb commences towards Mt Stromlo (782m), time to get off and walk again.

At least at the top I know its downhill. This is probably one of the most deceptive parts of the course, it looks like an easy and quick downhill wheel drive track, but its got a sharp right hand hairpin turn, then lots of drainage 'bumps' and ruts. This section tends to claim a couple of wheels and collar bones each year. The riding is fairly straight forward from this point on. The biggest challenge now is not overheating. About half way through this leg I ran out of water and only had sports drink. The stomach can only tolerate so much staminade. Coming into T5 all I want is water – and lots of it. During transition Murray points out that the heel of one bike shoe has separated from the rest of the shoe, that’ll make the last ride interesting.   

1:25pm Leg 6: Run 12 Km

Heading out of T5 with a stomach full of water appears to be a mistake – I’m walking. The second run starts heading uphill towards Mt Taylor (855m). This is the steepest climb of all the run courses. One female team competitor goes passed me like she’s running a 5000m track session. At the top there’s some great views of South Canberra and the Brindabellas but I’m hardly in the mood to enjoy them – it must be 36ºC and there’s no shade. Once off the mountain its flat cycle path running all the way to Lake Tuggeranong (T6). About 1K from transition I pass the woman who passed me on Mt Taylor – she’d collapsed with heat exhaustion. The SES are waiting for an ambulance to arrive. [Tip 6: pace yourself, it’s all about finishing]. One good thing about the event is that your team can continue even if you don’t complete all the legs.

2:45pm Leg 7: Swim 1.2 Km

Time to get the wetsuit on again. [Tip 7: use a plastic bag on hands and feet and the suit just slips on]. As I head off to start the swim I notice Liz Keen looking fully recovered from Hawaii awaiting the arrival of her team runner. The wind is howling from the west and it looks like a storm is on the way. At least the chop is in the same direction as the swim. The legs are starting to cramp. At the end of the swim I’ve got to climb up a small ladder – it’s quite hilarious to be trying to climb this with cramped calf muscles. While getting ready for the next ride I see the familiar Cronulla Club gear with the SNAP Printing logo prominent. Good to see James flying the Club Colours! 

3:15pm Leg 8: Mountain Bike 24 Km

My bike shoe has been magically repaired (thanks to Murray and some gaffer tape). [Tip 8: Take Murray and gaffer tape next year]. Just as I start out on the ride, down comes the rain (+ thunder and lightning) I’m thinking “great, now I’ve got to ride an aluminium bike across an exposed ridge in a thunder storm – I hope my insurance is good for this”. The rain was a blessing, dropping the temperature to something bearable. Luckily by the time I’m climbing the hills again the storm is gone, just as quick as it blew up.

First its across a steep, rocky ridge and then along to Mt Wanniassa (809m). Then a very steep descent onto the next saddle followed by more downhill and then under Erindale Dr. Its uphill again to Farrer Ridge. This is a pleasant ride until I hit the climb. It’s time to walk again – this leads directly to the summit of Mt Stanley (841m) and is the steepest climb of the entire course. At this point I know the ride is almost done. There’s still a few more saddles to ride – but they are rideable. Finally it’s a steep descent followed by some enjoyable flat riding leading to a long pipe under Hindmarsh Dr. Yes, a pipe, not an underpass. This is a challenge for us taller riders. Many a rider has come unstuck in this pitch-black section of the course (go towards the light….). Emerging out the other side I’m at T8.

4:50pm Leg 9: Run 13 Km

The final run starts with a gentle uphill then turns left onto a more substantial climb – but at least I’m shuffling along.

First I make the climb to Davidson Trig (749m). Then the track descends before climbing again to Red Hill (720m). After this it’s all downhill until I rejoin the system of cycle paths to take me to the finish. Once on the cycle path it’s basically a flat 8K run. At one point I can see about 500m behind me and can see the procession of teams running me down. The run through Yarralumla is tree lined and enjoyable (as anything can be at this time). The final little rise behind the Yarralumla Nursery indicates less than 1 kilometre to go! I look at my stopwatch for the first time during the race – 12 hours 41 minutes. Finally the finish line at 6:14pm. 

Total time 12:44:21 – 6^th soloist home, some 2 hours and 20 minutes behind the solo winner Jason Chalker from Canberra (10:25:03). First female soloist home was Julie Quinn (also from Canberra) in 14:24:17.

Out of the 19 male soloists 16 made it to the finish. Out of the 4 female soloists 2 completed the course.

My Oz Ironman time was 10:46:26. The three times winner of the event (Canberra triathlete Paul Smith) does Oz Ironman in 8:50 and his course record for the Triple Tri is 10:33 so to be within 2 hours of my ironman time was an accomplishment.