Document Actions
Triple Tri Race Report 04
By Geoffrey Pell
Lead up
I suppose it all really started a few hours after finishing Forster Ironman. Mark Urquart and myself were standing around in the enclosed beach pool near the finish line and we started discussing our next goals. I mentioned that I wanted to do the Triple Tri, so I began thinking the best strategy to get me there to be able to complete the event.
Even though I had a base for training for Ironman, I figured I could only have a shortish break before having to train right throughout winter to get myself prepared. I also figured I best become a bit more proficient (confident) about my Mountain Biking Skills so did 11 or 12 Mountain Bike races over the winter including the 12 hour enduro event which gave me peace of mind I had that covered.
My running would have to improve, so with a focus on run training (originally planned to do Marathon in October) and dropping weight session at the gym, my running improved over the winter.I also had to qualify for Forster Ironman 05, so I leveraged off the training for this event to nick up to Forster and do the ½ Ironman and got my spot which also served as a good hit out for this event.
Leading up the event was less than ideal due to from about the start of September having some sort of chest/throat infection that constantly reoccurred throwing my training all over the place. Further, in the week leading up to the race, my knee started playing up big time, but luckily managed to come good in the last few days. This did start to play with my mind however (and during the event as well) as to whether the injury would flare up or not.
Barry Wales and myself drove up from Melbourne on the Friday and then met Bill Sinclair and Brian Curran who drove up the next morning. An afternoon was then spent navigating around where all the Transitions were which took ages and then went and registered which was pretty low key, although I did Race Number 1!! Then went back to the place we were staying and prepared all the stuff for the next day and went through all the instructions of what/where/when etc they needed to do on the day. Major logistical exercise this was!!
My approach to this event was not to race it, but just to finish it. Was not concerned about time or placings as I knew nothing about the course other than what I had read and a few snippets of info here and there. Therefore it had to be paced nice and slowly so as to not blow up to early especially when not knowing what was ahead other than distance to be covered.
The forecast (which I anxiously checked every day for the past 2 weeks) indicated it would be fine and 23, so that was good. A little concerned when reading a sign near the finish of the first swim that said “No swimming, green algae has affected this lake” – or words to that affect!!
This swim is in Lake Gininderra and only 1.5k is a nice little warm up. After 1 minutes silence, we’re off. The water temperature was OK, probably 18-19 or so and clear. Didn’t seem too dirty, but tried making a conscious effort not to swallow any water. Started off well just easing into it and swam on one guys toes for a few hundred meters, but then veered off course and I only noticed as I started swimming through reeds. That was a bit of a bugger as I then had to get back on course but the group I was with were a bit in front of me now. Eventually got around to the end the swim without too much fuss, but was surprised by my time of 34.05. I was taking it “real” easy but didn’t think that easy, as had done a similar time over 1.9k at Forster ½ 3 weeks earlier. Never mind.
The first few k’s of the bike were straight forward before a getting off road. The off road sections were quite straight forward with a few hills to get you started. Eventually I got around to the bottom of Black Mountain and saw this infamous “Push Bike”. This hill was certainly a beauty but not as bad as I thought it might be. I rode a bit and then thought, leave it go and walked up as it was a bit rocky. I believe a skilled rider should be able to ride up it if they weren’t racing the whole course. Up the top of this hill we get and then up a bitumen road to Telstra Tower and then back down the other side. There were some decent descents here where you had to keep your wits about yourself, but all negotiated safely.
The rest of this bike leg was pretty straight forward with a few undulations, plenty of gates to carry you bike over and then climb and some easy bike paths to finish up. Finished up fresh as can be and did this in 2.03.17. Satisfied with that as once again took it easy.
After another run/walk up and down Hacketts hill it was up to the top of Mt.Ainslie. Difficult terrain to run in here, but when at the top, the view of Canberra and Suburbs from this spot was one of the best views seen. When doing Triathlons, you don’t actually get to appreciate the surrounds, but this was the ducks guts. Schmick. The aid station at the top told me that it was only 3k to go, but I think that was a fib. Down the other side was very jarring on the legs and when down to the bottom, it was at least another 4k to the finish of this leg. It seemed to drag on and my legs were a little tired but still felt relatively strong. Jogged it real easy though not to spend energy early. 2.02.51 was what was recorded here. Once again, thought that’s probably about where I would be. As mentioned earlier, time was not important here, it was all about finishing, although you would take good times if they didn’t tax you too much.
After a bit of a breather, on comes the Wetsuit and its off into Lake Burley Griffin. Navigation was a bit of an issue at times here as I was swimming by myself for most of the way and the buoys were a fair way apart. Probably ended up doing a couple of 100 extra meters zig zagging around!! The first signs of trouble started early by getting plenty of cramps in the legs, especially when stopping to adjust the goggles. These seemed to subside, but then brought on a bad stich in the stomach and began to feel crook. It seemed just like last year when doing the Canberra Half Ironman, I must have taken a bit of water and got the “Burley Belly”. Swum to the finish on the hope that it would go away which it sometimes does. Time was 1.18.23 which was quite slow but not worried as took it easy again and included about 5 mins of previous transition.
When in Transition, I knew I was not feeling good and BBB support crew knew it too. Tried getting stuff into me but wasn’t interested in eating. Spent a fair while here in transition trying to settle down, so when this wasn’t working a “comfort stop” was required. Still no joy, so just took off on the bike hoping it would go away.
This leg was probably the easiest of the 3 bike legs with plenty of open fire trails through what was formerly the Stromlo Forest. As I was still in an ordinary shape, could not push hard so was a bit disappointed couldn’t make up some time. Climbing over the gates was very difficult here as well. Still managed to climb well not have to get off my bike and push except one bit when my chain fell off gearing down up a steep hill. It was here that over a period of 5 minutes I swallowed 3 flies. One was spat out and the others contributed to nutrition!! Probably not a bad thing because unlike the previous bike leg, nutrition went to a standstill except for the Endura in the drink bottles.
This bike leg took you to the top of Mt.Stromlo past the observatory and then back down the other side. It was pretty uneventful for the rest of the ride with a few single tracks here and there but mainly fire trails. Rolled into Transitions with a lot slower than expected 2.38.28 time and more concerning feeling no better.
The further I went, the further the realisation started to set in that I may not actually complete this event. If I had to walk it out like can be done in an Ironman I’d probably limp home, but the way I was feeling there was no way I’d be able to swim and ride again. Coming down the other side of the mountain was very depressing. Getting no better and Grim Reaper tapping me on the shoulder every minute or so telling me to give it away.
About ½ way down the other side, Brian Curran come riding up the bike path to see how I was and then a few minutes later Billy and Barry popped out from nowhere. I lay down on the ground for about 10 minutes and had an alca saltza they had brought along with some lemonade. Overheard a phone call Brian had with Bec Curran and just hearing his tone of voice and his “optimistic” description of how I was I then realised that BBB support crew knew I was well and truly stuffed. The lemonade enabled me to “release some air”. Almost on cue I felt a bit better, so I got up and said, I’m going to continue. Not giving up, they (organisers) can get me off if they want but not quitting on my accord. Carried the lemonade with me and the walk became a fast walk and then a slow shuffle before getting back to a training jog!! I was over the moon by this point of time as I felt like I’d escaped from jail (not that I’ve done that before). My legs were still in good nick and with that I should be able to finish this. So jogged the remaining 8 or so kilometres which was all flatish at about 5min/k pace and finished and next transition in 2.03.06. Pretty ordinary time, but that was the previous Transition and the other stops up and down that Mt.Taylor hill that was a bugger.
After sitting down and taking off my wetsuit, felt a bit crook again, which was a concern, but it was a different sort of crookness than earlier. Brian gave me some potato mash he scored at KFC somewhere and that went down great. Made me feel good again. Started hoeing the nutrition in and was good as gold.
The total time was 14.29.23. Wasn’t concerned about the time albeit slower than expected, was happy I’ve now completed it, paced it well and got through when on the verge of despair. I was also lucky the conditions were perfect. The awards then took place and all the team winners and all solo competitors received an award and gave a little yarn to the crowd. The final solo competitor come in half way through the awards to a huge ovation also. Just before the awards were presented however, the organisers asked everybody if they could sing a song. Wasn’t sure what was going on here, but off they (Sri Chinmoy team) all started bellowing out a rehearsed Congratulations song in accopela fashin sung with gusto and pashion. It effectively summed up how this team approach organising these events, i.e enthusiastic, laid back, organised and fun. A fantastic event put on and a great day.
Finally, thanks must go to Billy, Brian and Barry who put in a supreme effort supporting me on the day and without them would not have completed it, Andrew Sinclair for coaching/encouraging me to get to the start line, everybody I trained with on a regular basis and my wife Sharon and children for putting up with me and supporting me in the months leading to the event.
I suppose it all really started a few hours after finishing Forster Ironman. Mark Urquart and myself were standing around in the enclosed beach pool near the finish line and we started discussing our next goals. I mentioned that I wanted to do the Triple Tri, so I began thinking the best strategy to get me there to be able to complete the event.
Even though I had a base for training for Ironman, I figured I could only have a shortish break before having to train right throughout winter to get myself prepared. I also figured I best become a bit more proficient (confident) about my Mountain Biking Skills so did 11 or 12 Mountain Bike races over the winter including the 12 hour enduro event which gave me peace of mind I had that covered.
My running would have to improve, so with a focus on run training (originally planned to do Marathon in October) and dropping weight session at the gym, my running improved over the winter.I also had to qualify for Forster Ironman 05, so I leveraged off the training for this event to nick up to Forster and do the ½ Ironman and got my spot which also served as a good hit out for this event.
Leading up the event was less than ideal due to from about the start of September having some sort of chest/throat infection that constantly reoccurred throwing my training all over the place. Further, in the week leading up to the race, my knee started playing up big time, but luckily managed to come good in the last few days. This did start to play with my mind however (and during the event as well) as to whether the injury would flare up or not.
Barry Wales and myself drove up from Melbourne on the Friday and then met Bill Sinclair and Brian Curran who drove up the next morning. An afternoon was then spent navigating around where all the Transitions were which took ages and then went and registered which was pretty low key, although I did Race Number 1!! Then went back to the place we were staying and prepared all the stuff for the next day and went through all the instructions of what/where/when etc they needed to do on the day. Major logistical exercise this was!!
My approach to this event was not to race it, but just to finish it. Was not concerned about time or placings as I knew nothing about the course other than what I had read and a few snippets of info here and there. Therefore it had to be paced nice and slowly so as to not blow up to early especially when not knowing what was ahead other than distance to be covered.
The event
The Triple Triathlon is based in and around Canberra and involves 3 consecutive triathlons back to back. i.e 9 legs. The swims are in 3 different lakes, the rides are off road - Mountain Bike, and the runs are also predominantly off road – cross country. Each of the Transitions between each leg however were in different locations. Therefore a support crew were required to transport equipment, sort out nutrition and all sorts of other needs throughout the day. Barry Wales, Bill Sinclair and Brian Curren were the support crew and stepped up to the plate admirably. The start time was 5.30AM with 18 solo competitors and close to 150 teams comprising groups of 3 or groups of 4 to 9. The teams started a bit later, 30 minutes later I think.
Race Morning
The forecast (which I anxiously checked every day for the past 2 weeks) indicated it would be fine and 23, so that was good. A little concerned when reading a sign near the finish of the first swim that said “No swimming, green algae has affected this lake” – or words to that affect!!
Leg 1 1.5k Swim
This swim is in Lake Gininderra and only 1.5k is a nice little warm up. After 1 minutes silence, we’re off. The water temperature was OK, probably 18-19 or so and clear. Didn’t seem too dirty, but tried making a conscious effort not to swallow any water. Started off well just easing into it and swam on one guys toes for a few hundred meters, but then veered off course and I only noticed as I started swimming through reeds. That was a bit of a bugger as I then had to get back on course but the group I was with were a bit in front of me now. Eventually got around to the end the swim without too much fuss, but was surprised by my time of 34.05. I was taking it “real” easy but didn’t think that easy, as had done a similar time over 1.9k at Forster ½ 3 weeks earlier. Never mind.
Leg 2 35k Mountain Bike Ride
The first few k’s of the bike were straight forward before a getting off road. The off road sections were quite straight forward with a few hills to get you started. Eventually I got around to the bottom of Black Mountain and saw this infamous “Push Bike”. This hill was certainly a beauty but not as bad as I thought it might be. I rode a bit and then thought, leave it go and walked up as it was a bit rocky. I believe a skilled rider should be able to ride up it if they weren’t racing the whole course. Up the top of this hill we get and then up a bitumen road to Telstra Tower and then back down the other side. There were some decent descents here where you had to keep your wits about yourself, but all negotiated safely.
The rest of this bike leg was pretty straight forward with a few undulations, plenty of gates to carry you bike over and then climb and some easy bike paths to finish up. Finished up fresh as can be and did this in 2.03.17. Satisfied with that as once again took it easy.
Leg 3 20k Run
After another run/walk up and down Hacketts hill it was up to the top of Mt.Ainslie. Difficult terrain to run in here, but when at the top, the view of Canberra and Suburbs from this spot was one of the best views seen. When doing Triathlons, you don’t actually get to appreciate the surrounds, but this was the ducks guts. Schmick. The aid station at the top told me that it was only 3k to go, but I think that was a fib. Down the other side was very jarring on the legs and when down to the bottom, it was at least another 4k to the finish of this leg. It seemed to drag on and my legs were a little tired but still felt relatively strong. Jogged it real easy though not to spend energy early. 2.02.51 was what was recorded here. Once again, thought that’s probably about where I would be. As mentioned earlier, time was not important here, it was all about finishing, although you would take good times if they didn’t tax you too much.
Leg 4 3.5k Swim
After a bit of a breather, on comes the Wetsuit and its off into Lake Burley Griffin. Navigation was a bit of an issue at times here as I was swimming by myself for most of the way and the buoys were a fair way apart. Probably ended up doing a couple of 100 extra meters zig zagging around!! The first signs of trouble started early by getting plenty of cramps in the legs, especially when stopping to adjust the goggles. These seemed to subside, but then brought on a bad stich in the stomach and began to feel crook. It seemed just like last year when doing the Canberra Half Ironman, I must have taken a bit of water and got the “Burley Belly”. Swum to the finish on the hope that it would go away which it sometimes does. Time was 1.18.23 which was quite slow but not worried as took it easy again and included about 5 mins of previous transition.
Leg 5 40k Bike
When in Transition, I knew I was not feeling good and BBB support crew knew it too. Tried getting stuff into me but wasn’t interested in eating. Spent a fair while here in transition trying to settle down, so when this wasn’t working a “comfort stop” was required. Still no joy, so just took off on the bike hoping it would go away.
This leg was probably the easiest of the 3 bike legs with plenty of open fire trails through what was formerly the Stromlo Forest. As I was still in an ordinary shape, could not push hard so was a bit disappointed couldn’t make up some time. Climbing over the gates was very difficult here as well. Still managed to climb well not have to get off my bike and push except one bit when my chain fell off gearing down up a steep hill. It was here that over a period of 5 minutes I swallowed 3 flies. One was spat out and the others contributed to nutrition!! Probably not a bad thing because unlike the previous bike leg, nutrition went to a standstill except for the Endura in the drink bottles.
This bike leg took you to the top of Mt.Stromlo past the observatory and then back down the other side. It was pretty uneventful for the rest of the ride with a few single tracks here and there but mainly fire trails. Rolled into Transitions with a lot slower than expected 2.38.28 time and more concerning feeling no better.
Leg 6 12k Run
The further I went, the further the realisation started to set in that I may not actually complete this event. If I had to walk it out like can be done in an Ironman I’d probably limp home, but the way I was feeling there was no way I’d be able to swim and ride again. Coming down the other side of the mountain was very depressing. Getting no better and Grim Reaper tapping me on the shoulder every minute or so telling me to give it away.
About ½ way down the other side, Brian Curran come riding up the bike path to see how I was and then a few minutes later Billy and Barry popped out from nowhere. I lay down on the ground for about 10 minutes and had an alca saltza they had brought along with some lemonade. Overheard a phone call Brian had with Bec Curran and just hearing his tone of voice and his “optimistic” description of how I was I then realised that BBB support crew knew I was well and truly stuffed. The lemonade enabled me to “release some air”. Almost on cue I felt a bit better, so I got up and said, I’m going to continue. Not giving up, they (organisers) can get me off if they want but not quitting on my accord. Carried the lemonade with me and the walk became a fast walk and then a slow shuffle before getting back to a training jog!! I was over the moon by this point of time as I felt like I’d escaped from jail (not that I’ve done that before). My legs were still in good nick and with that I should be able to finish this. So jogged the remaining 8 or so kilometres which was all flatish at about 5min/k pace and finished and next transition in 2.03.06. Pretty ordinary time, but that was the previous Transition and the other stops up and down that Mt.Taylor hill that was a bugger.
Leg 7 1.2k Swim
Leg 8 24k Bike
After sitting down and taking off my wetsuit, felt a bit crook again, which was a concern, but it was a different sort of crookness than earlier. Brian gave me some potato mash he scored at KFC somewhere and that went down great. Made me feel good again. Started hoeing the nutrition in and was good as gold.
Off I went on the
bike and the first 7.5k was all bike path.
Was feeling like it was my first leg and I thought how good and easy is
this!! Anyway the easy bike section
suddenly turned quite hard with some rocky hills to climb. Eventually get to a section that was totally
unridable where you had to carry your bike up as you couldn’t wheel it up due
to the rocks. Was then at the top of Mt. Wanniassa.
Was very hairy coming down and was glad was feeling good again as would
not wanted to be taking these descents without full concentration. Up and down the other mountains without too
much drama (although it got a bit technical at sections) and it was a bit of
single trail towards the finish. There
were plenty of roos and rabbits bobbing around.
Also made one wrong turn near the finish, but that was easily
rectified. A great experience going
through the tunnel at the end. Time
recorded was 1.45.01.
During
Transitions, guts started playing up a bit, so after swanning around for ages,
took some lemonade and began by seeing by what was now a stock standard massive
hill at the start of the run leg.
Actually this one, Davidson Trig. Wasn’t that bad, but walked up the
steep sections anyway. The end wasn’t
far away, but I still had to go over Red Hill, which I knocked over soon
enough. Running down wasn’t fun on the
guts, but running on flats was not so bad.
Eventually got back down into “civilisation” i.e sealed roads and then it was all flat to slightly undulating from here on in. I’m gunna finish I thought. This is grand. Billy Sinclair popped out of nowhere and geed me along with Brian and Barry just around the corner. Knew I had plenty left in the legs, so upped the pace. Couldn’t believe how far it was though, it just went on forever. Then the finish was there. Couldn’t believe it. Came home in a storm and was told later I did the last 7k in 30 minutes. This well and truly tired me out. Got an applause from all who were around the finish line which was great. Not as big as Forster Ironman, but every bit as satisfying. The last run was done in 1.34.25.
Post raceThe total time was 14.29.23. Wasn’t concerned about the time albeit slower than expected, was happy I’ve now completed it, paced it well and got through when on the verge of despair. I was also lucky the conditions were perfect. The awards then took place and all the team winners and all solo competitors received an award and gave a little yarn to the crowd. The final solo competitor come in half way through the awards to a huge ovation also. Just before the awards were presented however, the organisers asked everybody if they could sing a song. Wasn’t sure what was going on here, but off they (Sri Chinmoy team) all started bellowing out a rehearsed Congratulations song in accopela fashin sung with gusto and pashion. It effectively summed up how this team approach organising these events, i.e enthusiastic, laid back, organised and fun. A fantastic event put on and a great day.
Finally, thanks must go to Billy, Brian and Barry who put in a supreme effort supporting me on the day and without them would not have completed it, Andrew Sinclair for coaching/encouraging me to get to the start line, everybody I trained with on a regular basis and my wife Sharon and children for putting up with me and supporting me in the months leading to the event.
