So who's doing it?
if i get through the training i'm in.

a few questions...

1. what time is sunrise in PMac at that time of the year.?

2. what time is sunset?

3. what are typical temperatures during the race? humidity?

4. what are the fastest typical descent speeds on any hills in the cycling leg? (scaredy descender here)

Hi Rohan,

I am also in for Port IM. Can't wait to get out there and enjoy the day. You are going to absolutely love it In regards to your questions.

1. Sunrise in 06 was around 6:00am I think. By the time the gun went off there was plenty of sunshine.

2. Sunset was around 7:00pm I think. I was somewhat delirious at this stage. I finished in the dark as did most of the field

3. The race temp on the day was in the mid 20's. Absolutely beautiful weather. Humidity was minimal also. Some advice I can give you is bring some warm clothes for the start and finish. It was really cool in 06. I ended up wearing my long pyjama's to the start and then jumped into my wet suit. If you remember, maybe a tracksuit that you can wear to the start and then put on after you finish.

4. There are some really really fast descents on the course. Don't let them freak you out. Do the best you can and stay in control. There are plenty of climbs also but importantly Km up Km of flat road. All in all the course will be your friend if you have the work.

Mate, congrats again for qualifying. Enjoy the journey to what will be an amazing day. There are plenty of guys on here who have heaps of experience. Feel free to send me a message if I can help.

Stay safe

I will be there in a cheersquad capacity (need to work on pom poms)

The website says that daylight saving will finish on the day of the race however I believe it finishes the weekend before, so...

Sunrise 6:07am (for a 7am start)
Sunset 5:50pm (therefore to finish in daylight you need to break about 11 hours)

See you there!

That can be arranged

There will be a few members of the cheersquad making the trek up to Port Mac again this year - looking forward to it

Okay, I am in too - just entered! Its my first time so I am feeling...petrified. But excited too. I am sure I will have heaps of questions as the weeks fly by (only 13 of em and counting).
Looking forward to sharing this journey with some fellow CoolRunners.

I may be there in cheersquad capacity too!

Looking forward to following fellow crs progress!

O

I'm in for the 1st of April, and there are only two goals
1. Finish
2. Get a Hawaii Spot

Rohan as to your descent speed question, there is a range of speeds depending on how hard you want to push but even if you just roll you will probably hit about 50kph on a few of the hills along flynns beach. if you push hard then 75+kph is doable and 85+kph was doable down Matthew Flinders before they made you go around the block. That said even now on this hill watch out on the descent as you have a left then right hand bends at the bottom and it is easy to overshoot the corner. My advice would be ride this section ofthe course before hand to get familiar with the road and this way you won't meet it face to face come race day.
If you haven't ridden this course then believe when i say whilst there are hills you will want to be strong on the flats as you will spend a lot more time out in the flat/undulating areas potentially in the wind than you will in the few km of hills each lap. So train appropriately and don't get too caught up inthe hills histeria.

I know a few other CR's waiting on their luck in the lucky draw so good luck to all of you!

Jen-runs,

I'll have to try and get the day off work to tag along on the cheersquad this year. I'm sure you could use all the help a local CR can give!!

kazz.

Excellent! The more the merrier - and louder

Congrats to all those who qualified for Port Mac......especially from doing Shepparton - what a day!

How can I find out how far I missed out on? (I did Shepparton Half)??? Is there a website somewhere...the results page will not come up and I don't think the qualifying spots are there anyway...

what about lottery spots? Is this on a webpage somewhere??

Hi Guys

Those times of day are about right. Interestingly, my goal time last year had me aiming to beat sunset, and to "beat the bats" (a local phenomenon you'll become familiar with when you get here). I didn't, and had to hitch up to a glowstick for the run home unfortunately. I finished around 6.50pm and picked up the glowstick about 40 minutes earlier.

Typically for that time of year, the weather on the day should be much the same as last year. However, strong winds are not uncommon (from both the nor-east and south) which can produce a headwind for the flat stretches on the bike.

Yeah, there's hills but almost 99% of competitors I talked to agreed the flat 20km return stretch of Cathie Straight was the hardest section of the 60km bike course - it's flat and dead and susceptible to winds. You'll get up to over 60km/hr on the descents in town and out through the ghost road. If you're really trying, you can still get over 75km/hr on the shortened Matthew Flinders Drive descent

All the best to everyone in their lead-up. Congrats to all those who've qualified, and best of luck to those still hanging on for a lottery spot. With less than 3 months to go, you'd also want to ensure you've started those pom-pom training drills by now ...

I think some people are embellishing the facts of this bike course. I ride the course 3 times a week on a slow training week. Some of those speeds are way over estimated. This morning I took particular note of speeds reached without pedalling. The most I got to was 50km/h down Mathews Flinders which is well under control. Theother hills would be 40 to 45 km/h tops. The only hill I actually cranked into was the one out on the Ghost road and I threw everything I had at it and only got to 60km/h. Without pedalling I reckon you would only get about 45km/h.
I would agree on the wind factor. Either way you will be riding head first into it on the Cathie straight either going South or North. My hot tip is to pace yourself into the headwind and then when you get the tail wind make 'hay while the sun shines' and go for it. I employed this method in the half ironman 2 months ago and pulled out a 2.41 bike ride which for me is impressive.
I know one thing and that is to not short change yourself on your bike training. I have ridden the 3 x laps here only once and believe me it hurts bad. Pacing yourself on the course is crucial to completing the full ironman distance. I saw heaps of guys going way to hard last year on their first lap and they paid for it big time later in the day.
See you when you come up. I am looking forward to it.

PM Dave, I am happy to prove there is no embelishment on the speeds quoted in my post, as I hit these speeds in the half up there in 2005. Race speedo showed max speed on the day as 85.6kph. Hence my line about "it all depends on how hard you want to push it" . I am talking about onthe bike here not the run

But yes the up hills and down hills are only a small part of it and the wind will be people's biggest challenge on the day. It will get up and hence pace and good race plans are essential if you want to acheive your goals on the day.
I also think that everybody should prepare for the hills more for the run leg than the bike as on the run the hills form a much larger % of the course than on the bike and the downhills will slaughter legs ifthe half is anything to go by, and my mate lives out on Flynns and I can't be seen walking past his place or I will never hearthe end of it

thanks for the answers to my questions.
don't think i will be hitting 80+km/h at any point.
my scaredymeter goes off well b4 then and the brakes are on.

ironman WA 12;30 lunchtime, Sunday, Channel 9 might be of interest to some of the readers of this thread.
(at least for melb and syd audiences)

sorry, but contrary to what was in the paper and on their website, channel 9 showed something about a paraplegic sailor. has an inspirational quality to it... but not what i was looking for.

Yep - no exaggeration. I had a max speed of 74km/hr from IM (even with the shortened MFD hill) & I'll regularly hit over 70km/hr on MFD hill each time I ride its full length - probably more evidence of my 80+kgs than anything else though You can get some good speed down Sea Acres, Flynns and Oxley Beach hills too if you want to push it.



Yep - that's the course's biggest tip. Prepare for the heat and the hills for the run. At least 40% of the run course is hilly & doesn't get a lot of shade from the afternoon sun.

what's this heat business? all the port macquarie tourism stuff goes on about what a lovely climate there is. no days over 27 deg or something like that.

The lottery results came in yesterday and I'm in! What did I put myself into? First time I could claim an ignorance, second time it must be pure stupidity Anyway, everyone I know got a spot. Hope none of CRs missed out. See you there.

Congrats again to Lezan. Hope to catch up this time. Also, a HUGE congrats to our very dear Aunty K who will also be out with us on 010107. Can't wait

Well, here we are on record.

I received my lottery spot as well, after missing out by one place in November at the Half.
Unfortunately (for my IM career) right after the HIM I promptly won a large work contract which prohibits me from getting in even half the training I need to get to the starting line.

So my hopes for the 3rd year in a row have been sidelined for now (Bussleton is looking like a faint glimmer of hope in the distance) and I will be only in Port in a spectating capacity. A very tough decision to come to!

However, my training buddy will be toeing the line for the 21st time! AK there for her debut, Miners for the sub 10 we know he has, and B+ getting to Hawaii. So the day will certainly have it's highlights... my money is on Lisa Bentley & Macca for six consecutive wins too.

Safe training.
B

Looks like I missed out.........but seriously, i do not have the time at the moment to train - my little boy needs his mum more.

I probably will do an IM one day (much to dislike of my hubby) but that will not be until my little boy in school, but hopefully I will be a mum again.........so.........

Anyway, congrats to all who received a spot - I met a guy at the pool yesterday who also got his lottery spot - good on him !

Go, go, go with the training and keep well everyone - I will following this post with interest and admiration for you all.

sorry to hear that DUR - but great news for Aunty, lezan, and a few other mates of mine up here who made it through too. Congratulations guys

As we said B, good news about the career, but (partly) bad news about missing IM this year. But just think about how much drinking you can do on my behalf when you're up here. Can't wait to catch up with you again. Couple of new cafes around here since you were last up, so bring your bike!

EDIT: In relation to your sub-10 suggestion B, I'm afraid to say you're dreamin (like seriously, particularly with the training I've been doing). If I just happen to be in same postcode when Rooster finishes, I'll be a very happy miner

QB, sorry to hear you won't compete. And everyone will miss this great bow at the finish line. gGad to know that you'll be on the cheer squad but!

Heading up in cheersquad capacity only. Still yet to organise accommodation, will have to do that this week.

nando

I'm out injured and rest of season is gone. No confirmed cause as yet but it's in my left hip.
So my 2007 goals are now dust.........mmm i think i will try it all again in 08

Still I will be up there having a holiday with my family and cheering on all the athletes on the day.

B+ I am so sorry to hear this news. I hope you come good soon.

Plu

commiserations. but are you sure that the entire year will be bad?

being injured in the past has changed my goals, and usually made me focus on shorter distance PBs.
anyway all the best with the recovery and reevaluation.

Really sorry to hear that B+. Hope it's not long till you're back into things.

At least you'l be able to keep QB company in the beer line

what food do they have at IMOZ?
reading the competitor info from 2006... because IMG haven't put up the 07 book, it mentions powerbars, cookies, bananas and limited supplies of gels.
i thought vegemite sandwiches were also on the menu. is this correct or not?

No vegemite sanwiches unfortunately, Rohan. PowerBars (choc and vanilla) on the run course and 3 gels in the athlete kits as well. Nothing other than Gatorade at the bike aid stations, as far as I can tell. Don't know about you, but I'll be making sure my bento box is well stocked before I get on the bike and that I've got a few more than the 3 gels in my run bag!

By the way, the '07 book is up on the web site now.

Cheers boys for the wishes.

Miners I've already been up on a recon mission and tested out several of your local watering holes at strategic points around the course. I can't run or ride but I can walk and stagger......

Rohan I will be back this year but my main goals will be moved to 08 and everything inbetween is just preparation and the journey.

My view is "better this than cancer" which a good mate of mine is currently fighting....keeps life in perspective. I've got an inconvenience not a sentence.

I won't be near QB Rumour has it that she could drink a fish under the table

B+,

Extremely disapointed for you mate. Good to see that you have life in perspective. I am sure 08 will be a huge year. Take care and hope to meet at Port

It sounds like the cheersquad list is getting longer and the competitors is getting shorter !!

Sorry to hear so many CR's can't compete but great to see you can still make it up to cheer on the others

Maybe we should have a hands up of the cheerers as well as the competitors!

kazz.

Rooster - we are all disappointed for B+ but knowing him as well as I do he will be back bigger & stronger than ever

Can't believe that it is not that much longer to go... checking out the course again recently has made me feel a bit more comfortable about the whole day.

Happy and safe training everyone.

Cheers, AK

I'm in again for a spot in the cheersquad of course.

AK, did I see you cycling down to Lake Cathie on the weekend just past? I did a run down there and back Saturday morning and there were certainly plenty of cyclists heading that way...thought I might have spotted you in one of the packs as I was heading back to Port.

Yep I was out there.

AK

by the way Rohan - haven't read the 08 booklet yet, but the only other food they offered on the bike course was a giant Anzac cookie at the aid station out the back of the Ghost Road. Nothing else offered other than an odd powerbar - and half bananas (which you may recall were in short nation-wide supply last year)

so as it stands, from coolrunner land.
correct me if i am wrong...

PARTICIPANTS
lezan
MissZoe
Rooster
Scotty D
Aunty K
Port Mac Doc
miners (how's that achilles?)
rohan (knee a little dodgy, but holding together)

SPECTATORS/CHEERERS
hamburglar
jenruns
owen
b+ (assuming no magic fix on hip)
queen b
nando

Add me

Rowan, please add Ellie80 & Portrunr to the list of cheersquad members. Owly might also be joining us

plaz is rad

Rohan, i am definitely a spectator/cheerer. Oficially withdraw in February so i have no option as my spot is gone.
But i will still be sampling the local product all week and getting a tan and a little holiday with the family.

Mark me down as a participant.....I'll be there for no 2 as along as this tired old body holds together for another couple of weeks !

cheers

Have a great race Hairy Legs.
Not racing this year, back agin next.

Good to see you over here mate

and yer Rohan - I'm still a starter. Gotta make the most of that $650 pasta night

Are all trannies looking around or what????

updating the lists...

PARTICIPANTS & RACE NUMBER
lezan
MissZoe
Rooster 559
Scotty D
Aunty K
Port Mac Doc
miners 887
rohan 396
hairy legs
plazbot (stray trannie popping over for 2 posts) 1246

SPECTATORS/CHEERERS
hamburglar
jenruns
owen
b+
queen b
nando
ellie80
portrunr
owl

You can also add Riggo to the starters list

And I'm sure Kazz will pop over from the bakery for a bit of pom pom waving

I've been flea dipped though. 3 and a bit weeks to go. Awsome.

you can add Paul Every to the list (#19-009 will be the race number he'll be wearing)

I'll be volunteering