No more putting it off, I've just completed the entry for my first IM. Look forward to catching up and meeting everyone in Busso.

Suzy; I know your not the only one in WA that hated Day light saving last year but I abousolutley loved it!! I work 8 - 5 every day and with day light saving it gave me a chance to do a couple of hours in the morning but in the afternoon gave me time to train straight after work but then still catch up with frineds for BBQ'a and hang out time in the sun light still. Yes for a couple of weeks do get slightly sleep deprived, but I found I adapted easy enough. It will be one hell of a duspute come end of the trial period, my vote is to keep it but I would put money on that it will get thrown out again.

Paddymelonpete; nice work in making the plunge.

Weather put the brakes on my training this morning, was planning 150kms on the bike but no!! Rain wind and more rain when I woke up, so came to work instead. Hopefully next weekend will be better for long ride.

Cheers

Welcome Paddymelon Pete. Great to have you aboard.

I survived Moore River Adventure Race yesterday in a little over 5hrs with no nutritional probs. I drank on average 700ml per hr but could easily have drunk more if I had room in my camelbak. Think i will aim for 1L per hr in future. The caffeine gels went down well but I can't really say I noticed any extra boost from them. Probably didn't take in enough carbs overall so will need to work on getting in more. Should be easier to do in IM with plenty of aid stations.

Met another girl at Moore River who's also doing Anaconda and then IMWA. Good to know I'm not the only crazy one here.

Happy training everyone:)

Great work Suzy on the MR Adventure Race, that would have been a excellent way to break up the repetition of just riding and running at the moment. Good to hear that the nutritional plan is working well for you.

Good job finishing Suzy and in a pretty impressive time, from my limited knowledge of Anaconda's (adventure racing).

My training does seem to be paying off, Had a Surf to Surf 10km Fun Run on weekend and knocked 4mins off my PB, so very happy with that. I have also been breaking my training up abit of late throwing in some Mountain Biking sessions on the weekends to help the normal grind of road cycling. Was a good change on the weekend mountain biking for 90mins with no cars anywhere to be seen just some great scenery.

I have 2 weeks to train before my first Olympic distance hit out for the year on 4th of November, that should be interesting.

Cheers

The latest revised list for you all!

IMWA CR Starters:

AuntyK
DazzaK
Muzman
runitloveit
Neavesy
Plazbot
Suzy
PaddymelonPete

Cheers,
K

Thanks guys but I was closer to the back end of the field rather than the front. With only 4 girls in it I was lucky to get 3rd and score a pair of hiking shoes & $150 (will replace the sunglasses I lost in the river crossing during the run leg).

Well done Neavesy on your new PB. All that hard work must be paying off. You should go well at Bunbury, it will feel like a warmup after all the long rides and runs. Good luck.

Suzy

Cheers Suzy, but not to sure about the hard work paying off. I haven't been no where near the same training as other people in this thread. So Bunbury Classic will still be a good hit out and even better brick session.

I had my first swim in the new V1 2XU Wetsuit today, well maybe not so much of a swim but more of a bodysurf at local beach, never could pass up a chance to catch a wave or two. Wetsuit feels really comfortable, great flexabilty through out and huge bouyancy as most new wetsuits these days.

I think i have got my outfit worked out now for the race, 2XU Long Distance Tri Shorts and 2XU Endurance Tri Top with Pockets. Hopefully I should be able to go through out the whole day with out changing and still be comfortable.

Cheers

Neavesy, that's very interesting.

I fully intend to get changed at every chance, if only the bottom half and my socks. Still undecided what top to wear as my CR tritop is getting bigger and bigger on me!

M

There's only one thing to do Muzman - order another (smaller) one

I also seem to be shrinking and I am now too small for my wetsuit! Trying to borrow a replacement in a smaller size!

Hmm.

Sounds like a B-grade horror flick -

"The Incredible Shrinking Triathletes"

Jen_Runs is right - I need to invest in another CR top.

Muzman; I understand how you are surprised by me saying im not getting changed, most people I talk about the Ironman say they get changed at every leg and I can understand why people do it, but I figure if I am comfortable then why worry about changing.

I also dont wear socks whilst on the bike; I find my feet stay alot cooler whilst riding with out socks, so i will only need to put a pair of socks on for the run so there for fresh socks.

Then again this will be my first Ironman so I might be making the worst decision ever, so i guess I will see what happens.

Cheers

Isn't it great to know, that you can eat what you like & not put on a pound

I love IM training

K

In my other IM's I've always gotten changed, but might just go the one set this time, saves a few minutes in transition. Normally I've gone for the super comfy bike nicks with proper chamois for the bike, then change into tri shorts for the run. But my new 2XU tri shorts look real comfortable even for a 180k ride. I'll probably still wear a bike jersey over the top of my tri top for the bike (saves on sunburn).

I always wear socks on the long bikes - don't want to risk any blisters, then fresh ones for the run.

OMG - I wish!!

Not the type of food I like to eat or the quantities I want to eat it in.

As a certified chocoholic, I have a 12-step plan - I'm never more than 12 steps away from chocolate at any given time.

- I love your 12 step plan Muzman. Think I'll adopt that one myself.

Just looking at the number of confirmed entrants and it's over 900 now.

I think this is the biggest IMWA so far - AND WE'RE A PART OF IT!!!

BRING IT ON!!!

Getting changed or not is a personal issue. i have raced Ironman and have used each method at different races and it doesn't really matter.
I would however strongly urge you all to change your socks before starting the run it is a bit of insurance against blistering unneccessarily.
Whether you change or not make sure you vaso up all chaffable areas either before the run starts or within the first 2 aid stations of the run. Groin and armpits are prone as are nipples. My first finishers photo ahs me crossing the line with blood trails down the front of my shirt, and i was very sore for several days after.

Gee Aunty for somebody who loves her IM training your sure keep hinting about how tired you always are...nodding off at work, oh by the way how is your tight ass?

I suspect theres quite a story here?? Over to you K...

Well... what can I say??

B+ - the butt is doing just fine, thanks for asking me

FP - shall speak to you later!

K

Muzman, Yes it will be great to be part of the biggest Busselton Ironman to date. Hopefully there will be a huge amount of crowd support around the course; last few years it has been seemed from my point of view prety quiet, But i think they have changed the bike coarse again to go into town even more this year, so hopefully that will get more some more noise.

As for diet's when Ironman training I am pretty well the same as Muzman again and on the chocolate ban wagon but then again proberly more Icecream then chocolate now I think about it, got to love Ice cream especially with chocolate topping!!!!

Cheers

FP

wt

Hey Neavesy

Have you got your post-race food sorted yet?

Here's mine -

Chocolate
Beer
Pizza
Double Whopper Burger
Ice cream
Donuts
Chocolate
Potato chips
Red wine

Not all on the same day though!

(Trying not to get ahead of myself, but my post-Ironman food looks remarkably like my post-marathon food!)

Hi guys,

Great to hear all your training is coming along - love the by-play on the shrinking triathletes, lucky you all have big hearts to carry you toward your goals.

Safe training and good luck, not far to go now!!

Cheers,

Danny

Muzman, my post ironman diet will be pretty much the same as my pre ironman diet, Seefood diet, if I see food i want I eat it.

But I will be definatley having a beer (Pure Blonde) with close friends that night hopefully with a finishers medal around my neck to thank them for putting up with my constant training latley. I have also been told that there are some wicked Waffles at the Busselton Ironman and go down a treat after finishing!! Apprentley the van has a heap of plates signed by Hawaii Kona Finshers. Not sure how I missed these whilst watching the past 3 years, but anyway.

Cheers

Hey everybody!

Entries close TODAY for IMWA so if you're wavering or haven't yet committed - DO IT NOW!!

It would be nice to have a neat, round 1000 entries there (984 at last viewing) although I guess not everyone will make it to the start line, sadly.

M

It is also great to see Craig Mckenzie, Pete Jacobs and Patrick Vernay signed up aswell. Plus the regulars of Mitch Anderson and Jason Shortis.

I think if Craig can put together the same race as Kona he will go very close to claiming the $50,000 for the world record.

Finally the Busselton Ironman has got some Professional Status, not taking anything away from Mitch adn Jason but I think the race needed some of the world's best to rock up to give it that extra kick.

Total entrant 989

With close on 1000 athletes its going to be cosy on the course. Looking forward to racing with so many after doing most of my training solo.

Did 5hrs on the trainer yesterday with Hardcore 100 DVD. I drank Energy Source Plus (the one with caffeine) and 1 caf gel per hr, about 300 cals per hr total. I gotta say I was buzzing! It was amazing the difference. Felt like I had pre-race nerves the whole time. Plenty of energy even at the end although my legs were getting fatigued. The downside was it took the rest of the day for me to come down off the caffeine. Not sure if I liked the heightened state for so long (felt like a druggie!)

So this morning on my long run I drank Energy Source Plus again but with normal gels. Again plenty of energy and alertness even at the end but without the high caffeine buzz. I think I prefer this to yesterday's state. Anyone else had similar experiences with caffeine?

1 week to Anaconda, then 4 weeks to Busso. The countdown is on.

Suzy

Wow Suzy, 5 hours on the wind trainer, now that's a solid session, I'm feeling a little underdone now

All the best next weekend at the Anaconda event.

Aunty K - Thanks for adding me to the starters list.

Whew! I'm glad you said 5 hours, Suzy!

I am a week behind my training schedule because of a race I did earlier in the month, and I was worried that I was too far behind, but I also did a 5 hour ride yesterday (on the road, though).

My last long ride will intrude into the first week of my taper, but that's OK - there's plenty of taper.

Very happy that I'm now getting these ginormous sessions under my belt.

Train safe, all.

M

Coach Troy says 3hrs on the trainer is worth 4.5hrs on the road. So I guess my 5hrs is worth 7.5hrs on the road. I do most of my rides on the trainer now as its really time efficient, and much safer, plus I can keep an eye on the kids. Daylight saving started yesterday... time to grin and bear it.

I am also glad to have got some long rides under my belt - including a godawful day yesterday of cyling hills in the wind and rain - funny how at the start of the year I couldn't ever imagine doing a 3 hour ride, now that would be an easy day!!

My post-ironman meal will be a beer and a hamburger - for some reason I always crave a hamburger after a big race day (well it does have protein and carbs!)

Safe training everyone - the finish line is getting ever so closer!

I LOVE daylight saving - means I can go out on the bike after work (to make up for the fact that I slept in this morning and missed my morning ride!)

Yeah, except I ride BEFORE work - and I start early - so I'm back to riding in the bloody dark again! And cold - runny nose and arm warmer time again this morning.

[Grumble, grumble]

Although it's not for long, and the trade-off is more light to run in the arvo.

Oh wow, is it really 30-something days to go?

I have booked my tour of the Margaret River chocolate factory post-race - hope they make enough that day!

Howdy All; I hope every one has adjusted to daylight saving and it hasn't iterupted your training to much, I missed a couple a early morning sessions but nothing major.

Had Bunbury Classic on weekend (First State Race for 2007 in WA) was a good day on coarse swim nice and choppy (but a breakground in Surf Life Saving made it fun), bit a of a head breeze on some sections of coarse but got the reward on the way back to the transistion and the run was great condidtions, really started to warm up towards end though. I personally was very happy with my race and time of 2.19:48 with a run split of 42.06.

Now I just have a few more long sessions to go and then relax into the Ironman.

How is every one else looking with only 26 days to go, does anyone else have a olympic distance race to have a good hit out in before Ironman?

Cheers

Well done Neavesy on a fantastic time and race

I know Muzman and I have the Penrith tri which is not quite Olympic Distance but almost 1k swim, 30k cycle and 10k run - it is on 17 November, and I have a cycling race this weekend, plus a few little cycling races during the week.

I have one more weekend of long running and cycling, then Penrith race and then TAPER TIME!!

Yep, sounds exactly like my plan. I have just entered the Nepean Tri as well. So i look forward to meeting some of you there. In fact, I was at the Regatta Centre yesterday for a Club race, and the water was beautiful, not cold at all.

With 26 days to go, i'm getting very excited!!

Cheers,
K

I forgot to ask if you guys have organised your pre-race / post-race massages??

I requested a massage on the Thursday before the race & received my confirmation for it today.

At $50/hour it is a bargain! you can find the info. on the IMWA website.

K

I have booked pre and post race massages! Love the $50 price tag.

I'm also getting excited!! And nervous!! And very very scared!! But also excited!!

Hey everyone

Gee - everyone sounds so "up" about the IM that is looming ever closer. That's good - me too!

I have my final 6 hour ride this weekend and my final 4km swim before taper. The long runs are over but if I feel as good as I did last Friday morning, I may well keep going for 35km this week! Then it's taper time. Gosh, I'm going to miss all that food

No massage planned as yet, I have to see my group training timetable before I can plan anything - I'm going with Tri-Travel so things are pretty much organised for me.

Looking forward hugely to Nepean and a chance to wear my new, flash red trisuit (BTW I oredred another Cool Running tri top in a smaller size to wear in Busso. How's the wetsuit situation, RILI?)

Train safe, everyone.

M

I thought I was done this week for long stuff with a 200 bike and 35 run. Seems not as my program arrived from the coach with a 130/24 brick this week Looking forward to taper I tells ya.

Had my last hitout yesterday at Anaconda adventure race in beautiful Geographe Bay (a bit further south than Busselton). Passed thru Busso on the way down and the water was looking great. Fingers crossed for a nice calm day on Dec 2.

I made the mistake of trying my lovely new hot pink 2XU tri pants and pearly white 2XU tri top in the race. Tip of the day - don't wear your fave new gear in adventure races. They don't like the p***kly bushes that tear at you on overgrown trails, or the mud you splash thru on the bike, or the rocky cliff faces you scramble down during the "run" leg. I've washed them twice and the mud has almost all come out.

Nutrition went well with good energy right through to the end, it took me nearly 6 & 1/2 hrs, but I was still strong at the finish. Pretty tired afterwards and a little stiff today. Should pick up by the end of the week ready for my last big weeks of training and then TAPER TIME. Yay bring it on!

Seems like evryone will be in taper at the same time, for the same length of time (makes sense, really).

Suzy, I hope you're right about the calm waters at Busso. The most waves I've seen lately is when a ski boat got too close on Saturday!

Hi all,

Have loved reading about your training and race prep.

Ive just volunteered to help out for Busso and am on the bike leg. Let me know if theres anything special i can do / bring / yell for any of you, other than a big fat cheer and as you come flying by

Goodluck to you all, i cant wait to be among the excitment of the race. Hope to one day be fit enough to give it a go myself.

All the best.

Muzman, thanks it was a good race.

As far as massages go I get to show off abit here, as I will have a massage therapist staying with me ffrom the 29th of November through to 4th of December so I and the other two competitors that are staying with me have massages on tap all week and weekend. Plus all we have to do is pay for his accomadation which is a bargain and he will givee us as many massages as we want. Another good thing he is my regular massage therpist so he knows my body and muscles and pain threshold so it will make me feel alot more confident when he says he needs to push hard to get out some soreness the day before the the Ironman.

I still have a 5 hour ride this weekend and 30km run next week plus 2 brick sessions (60km/10km) then taper with a time trial type of bike race which is part of a team relay on the 17th of November to keep me sharp.

Is anyone thinking about doing the Ocean Swim race the day before the Ironman, i am thinking about doing it to keep me using some energy otherwise I wont sleep the night before, any one else thinking this??

Cheers

I was also thinking about the 1km ocean swim on the Saturday as a bit of a hit-out in the water. As I'm not flying west till Friday morning the Saturday swim might be my only chance before the race. I'll wait until Friday afternoon before deciding. A flat smooth swim and cool day are on my early Christmas wish list. Fingers crossed.

It is all good thanks Muzman, a friend is lending me her (slightly smaller) one. Tried it on today and it fits great, so I am taking it for a test swim on the weekend.

I have one more 5 hour ride, and a few more longish swims, runs and bricks, but boy the week after Nepean looks pretty good!

Neavesy - are you trying to make us all jealous with your own personal massage therapist!

Muzman - can you take me though what happens with race numbers and changing clothes? From memory we have to wear a front and back number for the cycle and run leg? Do we just get one set of numbers? I was thinking of pinning them on my shirt to keep them out of the way, but I want to change my top for the run, and I also want to wear my fuel belt for the run - and I find if I pin my race number to my fuel belt it crumples up as I run - so frustrating!

I think I have my clothing figured out as well as my nutrition plan. Problem is that it has been so cold here I can't wear my planned cycle gear out for a training run - I was back to cycling in booties, long knicks, full gloves and jacket last week! Bloody Canberra weather.

Hi Runitloveit

We get TWO race numbers - One Avanti one which MUST be worn on the bike leg, on the back; and one Asics one which MUST be worn on the run leg on the front. So if you are changing tops you willpin the Avanti one to the BACK of your cycle top and the Asics one to the FRONT of your run top.

Easy!

I'm wearing a number belt as usual, so I must put the numbers on back-to-back and remember to flip them over and turn them to the front in T2,

Hope tis helps. You can't really go wrong because when you check in your ride and run gear on Saturday the volunteers should look hard at it and tell you what's what if you have it wrong. It is a DQ offence to have the wrong number so they check everyone's gear thoroughly.

M

Neavesy, congrats on a great race at Bunbury. You must be really pleased with your time. I am very envious of you having your own resident personal masseuse! Does he want any more bods to practice on?

I would be avoiding any organised race the day before IM because if you're like me you can't help but push a little bit harder if its a race. I will be resting up as much as possible the day before, maybe do a 15min spin on the bike and 10min jog to remind the muscles what they have to do. Then put my feet up and try not to think about the race cos I don't want to get nervous too soon.

RILI, if you are going to change tops then just pin the bike # to your bike top (back), and run # to your run top (front). Using a number belt plus a fuel belt might be too much around the tummy. Also you can still train in your race gear underneath all the warm layers if its too cold. You'll still know if they're going to chafe.

With the adventure races out of the way I can forget about the surf ski and the MTB for a while and just focus on Ironman. Only 2 more long rides and long runs to go. Woohoo. I've enjoyed only having an 8 wk buildup, not long enough to get sick of the training.

OK, thanks everyone for the clarification about numbers - for some reason I thought we needed both numbers (front and back) for both the cycle and run, but good to know that is not the case.

Race belt for numbers plus fuel belt on the run is too much stuff hanging around my waist, so I wanted the number out of the way.

Suzy - my thoughts exactly - have been using my race gear as my base layer, then adding on from there.

I will be having a short hit out on the day - a few short pick ups on the bike and a brief jog, plus a quick swim, but will be doing my best to stay calm and quiet!!