MORE Hell in Paradise

Having the race out the way it was time for recovery as well as forget my sorrows of another mechanical malfunction (flat tire not bike failure) for this race season 2011/2012.

The new bike from Giant Ipswich is phenomenal, light and responsive and Shimano Di2 is awesome!!! It's a brand new store for Rod and Elton and having known Elton (only briefly) from Muddy and Ali's wedding so many years ago i appreciate them taking me on and helping me out.  For what this bike is and the price that Giant is providing it for i highly recommend them, Elton is a gem in the workshop also.

Anywho, after trying to have a bit of a sleep with muscles twitching constantly i laid restless for about 2hrs, at this point decided to watch some TV.  Bored still i lasted to about 6pm as i had an offer to join my neighbour up at the pool for happy hour.  William heads to Koh Samui every Christmas with his family and loves it at this resort, i can see why.

Happy hour as always brings generally 2 for 1 drinks (or 3 for the price of 2 at this resort) so i opted for the Beer Chang option.  Thinking nothing of it i had my second and was feeling fine.  William had invited me out to dinner with his friend Bryan and we had the hotel car take us to a wonderful restaurant called Orgasmic around neat Buddha Beach.

Set right on the beach it was not very busy being a Sunday evening. We had some started of Goat Cheese fritters and a calamari something.  Both were fantastic. For main i had King Prawn yellow curry with pumpkin and it also was fantastic with fresh large prawns.

Towards the end of the meal whilst William and Bryan finished their wine my palms began to get itchy and also my armpits.  We had organised for the hotel car to collect us again and headed back.  Constantly itching my palms i just thought i had been bitten by a mosquito so once back at the bungalow i held a cold water bottle to cool me down.

Minutes later my armpits were still itchy and could feel my face getting tight/swollen.  I looked in the mirror and noticed little raised red spots along my chin and cheeks and that my top lip was becoming swollen.

I don't have any allergies (that i have every experienced) so i started Googling the symptoms that i was seeing/having.  One thing came up that Alcohol Intolerance can just happen, no signs, no reasons just one day you have side affects that isn't being hung over.  Other than that it could have been the prawns or calamari as Bryan cant eat shell fish/crabs from Asia but back in Canada he is fine.

So i fluffed around a little more and got more concerned as i got up again and saw my face, lips, brow etc was all swollen and red marks around my neck and throat.  Walked down to the local pharmacy but that was closed then asked the front desk and pointed me to another pharmacy about 500m down the road, nup closed also.

Went back to the front desk and asked them to take me to the hospital.  Staying by myself was my concern that if anything bad was to happen during the night then it could have been too late, so up there i went.  Quick chat to the nurse and told her what had happen, jump on the scales (80kg, such a fatty after a race) and check blood pressure 140/80 which is high for an athlete but not uncommon. At this stage the swelling and itchiness had spread to my legs.

Next into the doctor (who she woke up) and explained what was happening, all he did was start writing a prescription and he said "yes allergy", ah thanks but DERP!!!

Some Anti-Inflammatory and stop itch tablets and they sent me on my way, luckily all of this was 2110 Baht (about $70) so wasn't too bad even though travel insurance is $110 with no excess, should i claim it?  Got back home and took the tablets, put on the TV to stay awake to see if it worked at all and was so tired that it had stopped within about 30mins to a level that i could sleep, that was about 1am.

By morning everything seemed to be back to normal and no further re-occurrences.  Still taking the tablets they prescribed and no alcohol whilst one them so i cant test the alcohol theory.  From this i can put it down to a few things and even a combination of:

• A big hot race day and very low immune system
• Alcohol intolerance or just to Chang beer
• Acute food intolerance to Prawns/Calamari etc
• Too soft for my own good???

Well its now relaxation time before stage two of the Thailand holiday which could end up more painful than race day, Jeff and BoBo's wedding in Phuket!!!!  Heading back to the mainland tomorrow Anzac Day and think most are arriving then or Thursday.

Hell in Paradise

Having only read that headline post race "Hell in Paradise" it really lived up to the name.

Arriving in Thailand for the inaugural (due to flooding last year) Koh Samui Triathlon (4km swim / 122km bike / 30km run) on the Thursday before the race i had time to experience the temp and humidity that was to be expected come race day. Set the bike up and went for a ride at 4pm on the Thursday to have a look at the hill that would be tackled.  It wasn't that bad during the afternoon, once i stopped only 8kms into the ride to register that's when the heat and humidity was noticed.  Instantly sweating profusely and couldn't believe the heat the body produces.

Back over the hill and it was a little like Cootha going up the Scenic Dr side, longish constant gradient then kick at the top for a total of 1km.  Come Sunday and 60km into the ride at 38deg heat i changed my thoughts...more on that soon.

Hydration was important even if you're not over here to race, constant water, banana smoothies with chocolate ice cream (best ever) and no beer. Koh Samui is so much nicer than Phuket, laid back with no annoying Thai traders pushing there trinkets onto you or screeching "Hello, sexy man" or "Very big man" that i had last time i was here (when i was a very big man).  I completely rate this part of the world now and would definitely add it to the will come back to locations.

Street vendor food is edible, they even have BBQ on little kayaks that cruise the beach or walk the beach an you can buy fresh fruit, BBQ fruit in front of you, cooked chicken skewers (well i didn't see many cats but think its chicken), best of all the banana pancakes.  I saw this in Patong Beach in Phuket before but not game to try it, here it just seems different.

Anyway, race morning, walked down to the race start about 1km from my tropical bungalow, this walk just reminded me of walking to rack my bike at  local race where you need to park kilometers from the venue, bike was racked on the Saturday so could ride it down. Set everything up, strap on spares (need to somehow test spares), pump up tires etc etc. Chat to someone who spoke English and find out anything i missed at the briefing, Yep!!!  There is a cup that was needed for the aid stations on the run, supposedly they do this at Embrunman and as they were the organisers decided on the same plan.  Here is David Dellow's (race winner) cup...unsure how long he carried it.

Once i found out about the cup I'd finished setting up and walking through the race in my head.  Drink, eat, drink, drink, cool down, eat, drink...you should get the idea.  So it was then off to race start and a quick swim to warm up.  The warm up was short and sweet as the water temp was about 30deg so it was more pleasant than standing on the coarse sand but still not that great. A quick wait and the women were off, there was about 25 women in total with the pro's being about half the field.  5 minutes later and we were in the water. Being about 50 men it was more like a local race than a larger pro race with contenders such as Faris Al-Sultan (former Ironman World Champ), Marino Vanhoenacker (current Ironman World Record Holder), Dirk Bockel (multiple top 10 finishers in Kona) and up and coming Aussies like Dave, Aaron Farlow and Ben Allen.  It's impressive starting a race with them, calm, poised and prepared, it's like they do it every day!!!

The swim was 2x 2km loops but sure it was longer as they wind had blown on side of the course further but for me it didn't matter it was still a long swim.  The course was like a trapezoid with the longest side 900m and its opposite a beach run of 150m (which doesn't count on the swim but does the time).  Being a 30deg water temp i needed a drink half way through and luckily remembered to leave a water bottle on the run leg, quick mouthful and then back in.  Not sure on my swim time but i think it was a 1hr 4mins as i remember looking up at the clock and it was at 1:09:xx when i ran into transition and we started 5mins after the woman.

Transition was slow as i wanted to get sunscreen and sun sleeves on my arms, drink some water and head out.  Once on the bike i started well, had a gel and some Gatorade.  I thought pre-race to fill both water bottles with Gatorade as I'd need electrolytes and my process was to finish one by the time i got the first aid station which was 20km in and then get some water, BAD MOVE. Finished both bottles just before the aid station and was really needing water. At that station i grabbed 2x water and 1x coke, one water went over me and drank some the other bottles into the biddons.

Its the first time I've had coke during a race and Muddy, Jiggles and Macca have all said it perfectly "Coke and water will get you through".  The first two aid stations i repeated the process with 2x water and 1x coke. At the half way point it was stinking hot and just needed a break so i stopped at that aid station and took on 2x ice sponges which went over head and shoulders, 1x coke, 2x water and 1x Gatorade. I felt like new, nice and cool and hydrated.  5kms later came the Cootha like hill from Thursday, it now felt like Beechmont (which i rode with the crew at Cycling Science in December).  It was a very lonely ride and this hill is where i saw and past only the 3rd person of the day, he was struggling which i understand completely.  This stopping now became my tactic to get through each 20km bracket. The locals were fantastic at each station, running out ready to give you what you need, helping however by emptying water bottles over you, taking pictures with you, getting bananas but they unfortunately didn't stop the cramps when you unclip.

Stopping at the aid stations was also for the Pro's...Faris Al-Sultan (former Ironman World Champ and 2nd place Koh Samui)

Little did i know that at the aid station at 100km was going to be the last i saw for the day.  I went round a corner in a small little village at approx 114km and my front tire was spongy, within seconds it was completely flat.  I wasn't running tubular so i stopped and changed it over, put a little bit of air into it and then inflated with CO2 canister, immediately it started leaking. It wasn't from the inside of the tire as i had checked this upon removing the previous flat but i pulled it down and checked again, no nothing inside the tire.  It was just to the side of the valve where they join it to the tire.  I hadn't had any issues with this before but i know plenty of people how have. Why today? Why in Koh Samui? Why, after a butt load of money spent on another race? Why not in Robina or Raby Bay, a local race that didn't have 14hrs of travel? Why my second long course race in 2 months with mechanicals?

Anyhow, another 1hr sit on the side of the road waiting for a ride back to transition, no food, no water in the heat of the day.  This was a little different than Falls Creek as i was only just starting the ride and then waited in the cold.

The new bike (Giant TCR SL0) from Giant Cycling World Ipswich rode seamlessly and I was set for an approx 4hr ride which was much slower than i was hoping for but considering the conditions on the day i was over the moon. Legs were feeling bad with cramps on the climbs and on the aero's so most of the 2nd lap was spent on the hoods.  I was looking forward to the run, wasn't sure if i could make 30km in that heat especially cause i didn't have my CUP!!! In transition my legs were feeling OK (the hour rest helped), the cramp feelings had stopped and the run could have been OK but once again I'll never know.

In the back of the ute on the way to race venue we drove past the run course.  We had just past Dave and he looked good but not sure how he was positioned, next only 100m behind him i saw Faris, i thought that could be the lead.  At the race venue and grabbed some food and water and sat down in the shade i bumped into Ben Allen (who flatted also) and had a brief chat about how tough it was out there.  Ben is an Xterra Champ so is used to some hard racing, maybe not hot but hard.  Then over the PA the announcers had indicated that Dave was in the lead and only a few kms from home. This was great news for him as it was an 800,000 Baht prize purse.  Dave crossed the line in 6hrs 11mins with second place only 1min 20sec behind.  It still amazes me that in such tough conditions these pro athletes stay within such a close range.  Caroline Steffen (Dave's girlfriend) also came in first for the women's race.

I grabbed a Songtaew (pickup with 2 bench seats like a bus/troopie) with my bike back to the hotel where i grabbed some lunch, koko banana smoothie (with chocolate) and then the air conditioned room.

It was certainly a tough tough day out on the course and if i had managed to make the run would be suffering for days with heat exhaustion, muscle fatigue and cramps.  Who knows though, I'd been doing some good training of late with my little buddy and sure her Jedi mind tricks of ice sponges and cold water would have got me through.

That was the end of one tiring race, however it didn't stop there for me this crazy Sunday in April...you can read more in my next edition

Such an odd feeling

It's a bizarre feeling, moving into a house where you would come and visit for a few hours and then leave.  Now you come here everyday and there is no-one home.

About 2 months ago my brother asked if i was stuck in my lease or i could get out of it?  At the time i didnt know much about why but i said yes.

He then told me that he was applying for a job in Kyrgyzstan, yep that's right Kyrgyzstan. I knew it was somewhere in the world but never heard of it before so it was basically the same as "Pin the tail on the donkey" using a world map.

After checking out some information on Wikipedia, i quickly learnt why...

It's not due to the wonderful temperature range of -26degC during winter or the 40degC high during summer, it's infact to do with one of their traditions Bride Kidnapping.

Anyway all the best to the entire family who have now moved into their apartment whilst they find a house.  The kids are excited, Paul's changing things at work already and Ellen has caught man-flu.

The odd feeling in this story is that i'm so used to venturing to Oxley to visit brother, sister in-law, niece and nephews.  The house is always noisy and there is always something being cooked or ready to eat.

What a change!!!!

Now its quiet and nothing in the fridge or pantry.

I took the puppy to West End for a coffee yesterday (she didnt want one) and she was more excited by the kids walking by than other dogs...poor thing knows something is up as well.

Oh well it has only been a week and now with a long weekend i've spent some QT with her and visitors coming tomorrow.  Next weekend will bring some more people and kids, hopefully she wont get too excited and knock them over.

Mooloolaba Triathlon and Aust Team Selection 2012

It's been a rather busy season for most Australian triathletes this year, with the 2012 World Championships being held across the Tasman Sea.  Only a 2 hour plane flight it seems as though everyone who races wants to go...me included.

This has made for a tough racing season with the really quick guys perfecting their race at multiple venues and distances around the country, the mid pack guys doing the same but generally having to race more than others and the new-comers to the sport saying "wow these races are hard".

I've had a pretty busy last few months and not really having a rest from last season as i raced Cairns Challenge in June 2011 and then focused on the World Champs in Beijing in Sept 2011.  After that i had a small rest and then started training again.

This year i have chosen to race only limited events and not many of the local smaller races, to try and save some money so i could spend it on travelling.  I travelled to Melb for Xmas and trained down in Blairgowrie, straight after went to Mt Beauty for a week of hills.  My goals for this year are long course races, Falls Creek (which I'd rather not mention) in Feb, Koh Samui 4/12/30 in April (2 weeks away), Pyrenees cycling adventure (not a race) in June and then Bussleton IM in Dec.

However, as Australian racing goes these days once a big event is over (Noosa, Mooloolaba, Port Mac IM, Melb IM, Busso IM etc etc) you need to book and pay for entry virtually 12 months in advance.  Lucky for me i enjoyed Mooloolaba last year as it was my first time at the event, so i re-entered for this season.

I felt good leading up to the race, as I've been focusing on longer intensity training i haven't felt as much speed as i had last year, however i know that I'm stronger especially on the bike and i had decided days before the race i was going to push on the bike and use this to my advantage.

Standard pre-race Mooloolaba, Saturday morning go for a spin then have a coffee, wait around socializing and looking at the hordes of lycra thinking we are all awesome, go for a swim and check out the current, water temp etc then time for lunch and another coffee, rack your bike and finally begin to relax and watch the Elite guys smash the course to bits.  All of this is generally done with a huge smile across your face, friends by you side and a few bottles of Gatorade.

The tradition continues, join "The Whippet", team Captain Mum, Craig and Hol for an early carb load and then chill out for the rest of the night whilst I'm bombarded with how I'm going to be destroyed by Muddy during the next mornings events :-)

Early rise to rain, lots of rain but then as we arrived at transition it all had stopped, a welcome relief for all.  Setup everything and off to watch the start of the Open field and lucky early waves.  The water was murky from the massive amounts of rain over the prior few days and the previous days sweep was still in play.  Some used it to their advantage and the weaker swimmers unfortunately suffered. The crowds are amazing, the types of people you would never expect cheering everybody who's anybody out of the water, up the stairs and down into transition, another reason why this sport is so good.

From the first wave we had about 2 hours to wait and watch, re-think a game plan or just take it easy. For once i actually just took it easy.  Normally before a local race i could pick the top 5 with ease and then try to slot me into the top 10 somewhere and stress myself out to the max by the time i got to the water for the start. "Swim hard and push the first few hundred meters, stay with Muddy (damn Muddy), run hard to transition, on the bike and push push push", that is generally my brain waves before the start and the nerves go skywards.

For this race i knew that we had many more awesome guys racing as they are all vying for 'double points' in the selection race for the ITU World Champs in Auckland 2012.  I didn't stand chance, even if i placed in the top 20 like last year i might get 5-10 points and that isn't going to count for anything.  Decision made, race my own race, don't worry about who is beside you or where Mr Muddy Waters is in the pack.

Starting gun went off and just over 100 of us went for it, i found some feet and stuck with them, they started easing off so i just found my own rhythm and swam my own race. Sighting the boys was the only difficult part of the swim, the sweep at the end wasn't too bad but the swell did pick up around half way.  I got out of the water and push the run into transition, hearing Lee on the side is always a great thing, didn't think about anything else apart from running at this stage. Transition was pretty quick and on to the bike and feet into shoes quickly so i could get up the hill.

(happy in the tailwind) and game plan was to push hard on the way out, then turn into the head wind and push hard on the way back.  Last year i struggled a little coming back into the head wind, it was stronger last year too, whereas i felt strong this year.  By the time i got to the turn it was less than 30mins and i felt good so i turned and pushed, at my amazement just after the turn Muddy was coming the other way...tick!!!  I had him out of the water, this happened last year too and he caught me at 25km into the ride.  Not this year, i held him for another 5kms so at 30km he went passed but not at pace.  We stayed with each other a little (without drafting) and then an accident a few bikes in front of him and we were together again.  Mud is strong so he eventually pulled away and ended up about 1min 20sec faster than me (and 1st in our AG for the bike) where i ended 13th and very happy.

The bike is for show (thanks Jiggle) and running is for doe, i cant run to make any cash. Off the bike and into the run, the first 1km is ok with the onset of the hill which you need to tackle multiple times, over the hill and both quads are telling me i had a great ride and that's the end of the race. I ended up stopping multiple times to try and rub them out a little to no avail. I kept seeing Superfish on the other side of the run course and i wasn't making any ground, he had a cracker of a race.

I finished with a high 43min run and shaved only 20sec from last years time.  Unhappy i didn't have a better time but over the moon that i raced my own race, had a good swim with no nerves, smashed the bike and without transition rode a 1:00:57.

Back training the next day (thanks Brad) and missing the festivities I'm now committed to focusing more on my weakness than my strength.  This last week has had 10km of swimming in 3 sessions and only 2 rides, hopefully i can keep this up with 2 weeks to Koh Samui my swim feels good.

Course Maps                      Course days before (by Drew Westbrook)