Swim, bike,run
 

A few of you may know, I work with people, in HR, mainly in organisational and people development. I use a number of NLP type theories and positive psychology, glass half full thinking etc.. I have always been fascinated by the power of the mind over the body and finding ways to test the theory. Endurance exercise being a good example.

So hear is my latest experience, Ironman New Zealand, whilst the bikes have been in storage.

Swim - 3.8k - (2.4m)

Bike - 180k - (112m)

Run - 42k - (26.2m)

I am no super star; I set a goal, trained from 15-30 hours a week over 3 months and got a result, simply through some discipline.

The winner did 8h20m, last place 17h15m.

I had my ass kicked by the whole range: people old enough to be my grand parents: people who looked like they couldn't be fit enough: male, female, young and old, able and disabled bodied.

Here's the story...

13 hours and 26 minutes of fun. Finished # 934/1450

" Athlete number 702, Chris Wood, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN'.

I have been inducted into the cult of Ironman, full of weirdo obsessive’s, who think spending an entire day exercising in their swim suit is a good idea.

Arrival on late Wednesday, first time to NZ, weird but good. Nice people, beautiful scenery, middle earth etc...Some great biking roads. Next time.

Thursday in Taupo, pronounced 'taawpoar'. Nice lakeside town.

Carbo loading party on the Thursday night. Maori Haka and culture show was amazing, guest speakers, dinner, 25 years celebrations, really emotional video of the 'ordinary people' who achieve the 'impossible' by completing the event.

Got sorted on Friday. Check in bike and race bags..

Up at 4.30am on Saturday morning. Breakfast.

A bit late getting to the water so missed the Maoris, who paddle a canoe in and do the Haka on the waters edge. Next time. They then lead the swim field out.

At the lakeside in rubber suit for dawn, 7.00am start. Good swim 1hr.14mins, nice, a bit cold.






Bike - started ok, then got 3!!!! punctures in the space of 45km, rubbish. That ****ed me off. Then I decided to eat, cue stomach cramps, aaaggghhhh, these lasted for an hour. Never try to eat something on race day that you have not in training. Schoolboy error.

Finished 7hrs and 4 minutes later, I didn't want to speak to my bike ever again.





Run, and run, and run, it got better, very scenic course around the lake, loads of people watching and enjoying it, that helps!

4hrs 44 minutes later, all finished.





I was tired and emotional by now...

Massage, food, bed....

So it was good. I will be back, having a practice go just encourages me even more to do it again properly.

So, what ever your goal. You can, if you think you can....

Well done Chris, quite an achivement

Your an absolute star Chris!

In fact anyone, i think Fil did, who takes something like this on has a serious task on their hands and I solute you for your efforts.

Only one of them would be fun for me, the first one, swim. The bike / run, no thanks...

One of our triathaletes tells me the transition is really painful and coming out the water then onto the bike, or the other one, your hearbeat hits the roof a few mins in??

Andy

Fantastic!!1

good effort there mister. I have done a few normal distance in the past and know how much that hurt so could never imagine doing an Ironman!

I need a new target myself to drive towards but can't decide what I can do that is achievable given the decrepit state of my body these days!

Wimp!!! - nothing to see here, move along ;)

Nice work.

By the sound of it , Sighning on must be the hard bit, You'll get no lip from me Mr Ironman, Sir,Hero, ---------- nutter Well done Chris

Wow, that's very impressive! Did you complete the full distances in training, or save it for the big day?

Well done...makes me want to get my finger out with my running :)

That is truly impressive

Hat well and truly off to you !

Nice one Chris, next stop - Hawaii!

Thanks all, much appreciated.


Only about 150km on the bike and about 30km running was max during single sessions in training. Any more you are doing more damage than good.

Peak at 30 hours of training, 300km bike and 70km run a week, and then taper over two weeks prior to the day.It does stretch your home life, you get used to getting up at 5am.

Only have to drop 4 hours to get to Kona!! FFS




Get out there folks.