Hi AK

I'm experiencing separation anxiety - it's been more than 8 hours since I last saw you

I'm reserving my spot at the Kaehne campsite for run leg cheering - right next to the esky of course!

Six sleeps to go.

wt/kb

Yep, me too.

Your spot is reserved & waiting for you!!

See you in the morning for one last session at Homebush and one last session in Sydney.

How excitement!

AK

Hey Mango! Great Post! I have been following your journey and results, and I know you will perform beyond your expectations on the day!

I am starting my real taper this week. For me, it started last july/august when I bought the bike to do some cross training. Suffered a lot at my first tri at Port HIM in November. I committed to IM 2 weeks later after negotiations with my girlfriend (I should say fiancee as she accepted to become my wife in August 2009..).

The training has been very consistent in January and February, and saw tremendous improvement on the bike. I lost a bit of motivation then, and especially was getting tired of just training all the time. I missed racing. So I decided to do the Huski LC and also 6 Foot track, and I also did an ocean swim race just about every week end because I love them. I had a ball at all events. It took me a bit longer than expected to recover, and the last 6 week haven't been the most consistent, but I really enjoyed them!

I guess I have changed my approach, and see it as just another big race on the calendar. I know it will be tough, but it is also just another fun day out with 1500 people around you enjoying doing the same thing. I don't feel any pressure and feeling very relaxed and can't wait to get to the start line. I am not taking a bike computer and will not be looking at my watch until the start of the run. The best advice I think I got was that "IM is a running race with a swim and bike warm-up".

Anyway, I feel 100% and without any injuries so this is really good, the bike is getting serviced and I am looking forward to eating like a horse this week to carbo load...

See you there!

Hey Mango

Good read and glad to share in your excitement. You've been to Port before as a spectator and have some idea of the Ironman Atmosphere the Town generates. As a competitor, the nerves and excitement really start to kick in as you first arrive and wander around the Ironman Village and the Town.

To be part of what this excitement is all about is a great buzz. Lap it up. Come Sunday you will experience such great highs and probably some lows, moments will be forever etched in your mind.

Good luck to all other competitors too, especially the first timers. You are in for the something special. For those who will still be running in the dark (myself included), you may wish you could go a bit quicker and finish in daylight and avoid the glowstick, but take it from me, that is one of the things about ironman, when night falls and you are still out there, you are still a winner as long as you have given it your best. And remember, things may not go to plan. It may rain, you may flat. You can't control these things, just prepare for them and deal with them.

Supporters and spectators too, you are in for a long day and play such an important role. Make as much noise as you can for as long as you can. The latecomers need you too.

Good luck all.

I'm going to fusking pop!!!!

I just checked the 7 day forecast for Port Macquarie.

The forecast for Sunday is 24 degrees and possible showers.

wt

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

You are all amazing athletes to have committed to, and trained for, such a big goal. Go out there and show the results of all that training.

Nerves are good - it means this is important to you. Enjoy the highs and get through the lows. Keep moving forward no matter what, because things will happen that you haven't prepared for.

Smile for the camera at the finish line and listen for that famous sentence - the CR Community will be watching and cheering for you!!

All the best

Well this is all getting very exciting isn't it? Good luck everyone. I look forward to reading your race reports.

All the best to everyone doing IM , I shall be watching the webcast

Wonderful news Will. Congratulations to you both

... and probably all the better for it. If you're going to finish on the blue carpet for the first time, believe me it's hugely more rewarding doing it under the spotlights

Funny I was talking to Miss FHG about this the other day.

I said that if there was a highly unlikely, forget about it, remote possibility that I might end up finishing in daylight I would actually sit by the side of the road and wait for sunset just so I could fulfil my bright lights and blue carpet dream

Hey Will, that's great news about your engagement. Congratulations

So, when is everyone heading to Port ? I'll be driving up on Wednesday with Mini Mango. The rest of Team Mango will be arriving on Thursday.

I can't believe it is less than a week to go to the big day !! How exciting.

Mango I loved hearing your story and can relate to so much of it. It is amazing where it all starts.

I don't believe I would have even considered this event if it wasn't for Aunty K. Aunty K was so honest with her own journey and the highs and lows and and made me believe it can be possible for those who don't swim like a duck or cycle like Lance.

Also a huge thanks to LittleBlack Pug for the lend of the wetsuit. I took it out over Easter weekend and chaffed under the armpits Last sunday I went out again and by going back to my original swimmers rather than the tri top underneath I seem to have alleviated that. Milov was very kind too accompaning me on my first lap from Shelly to Manly even though we forgot to take goggles for him and he doesn't like swimming.

I know I can't believe I am still testing out and fine tuning my equipment but I finished the weekend feeling very happy.

I also took the borrowed bike out for its second ride of around 90km. It is lovely Cleats almost mastered. Can uncleat okay. I still have a little bit of trouble clipping in but can't see this been a problem on the day.

Now looking forward to seeing everyone up there.

Keep safe and well. It is all downhill now..

Also as advised I will amend my time to 14 hours but really I am not worried about the time just finishing and believe it or not I am actually looking forward to running in the night and finishing in the spotlights.

I think that is very true too. Under lights adds that "stadium" type feel and I also think the crowd has swung more into party mode (some fuelled by a few brewskies )

I'm heading up Thursday.

Hey Mango!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I see you sitting anywhere on race day waiting for a spotlight finish I will kick your Skinny Ass, all the way to the finsih line...

Way to much work has been done for you to be sitting around for an 1hr or 2 waiting for that.

I would expect a fast early finish and no glow sticks if recent training form is any indicator!!!

Same goes for you Aunty K........ I'll chase you like Idid last year up Flynns beach hill and I can run faster this year (no BEER)

Dam race is to hard to go any slower than you need to....

Hopefully I will stick my head in at Town Green at some point, still at the negotiating table with the family....gee Kids are tough nuts to crack......

Train safe

Great stories Mango and Will, I really enjoyed hearing about what has brought you guys to the start line of IM.

I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK to everybody here who is racing on Sunday. Even before running the race, I have enormous respect for you all having made the commitment and put in all the training to get to this point, it’s truly inspiring.

I was initially planning to volunteer so that I could soak up the experience (and possibly inspire myself for a crack at it next year…) , but it turns out that this is the weekend I’m taking my wife away for a mini-break for her 30th birthday so unfortunately I can’t be there in person to cheer you all on, but I’ll be sending all my positive thoughts to you all and I can’t wait to read all the race reports!

I'm gonna grab this opportunity, before everyone heads up to Port, to wish everyone GOOD LUCK in the Big Dance next Sunday.

To all my CR friends - I will see you there as I'm on cheer squad duty with CR cap and cowbell, but I'll also have a Forster Tri Club shirt on as a heap of my club mates are taking the plunge also (many for the first time).

Apart from them, I have made many friends at Ironman over my years as a volunteer and look forward to cheering you all down the chute till the cutoff fireworks (I have a leave pass and a late start at work next day).

Jen, WT, Kazz and the rest of the squad, I will meet up with you some time in the late morning, as I have a long run to knock over first.

All the best to everyone racing, my special thoughts are with the first-timers. Go, you good things!

M

ERB - that is very kind of you

I'm really looking forward to Sunday, can't wait to get to Port on Wednesday lunch time and just soak it all in once again.

B+ - I expect to have you running along side of me at Flynn's Beach with your big smile & cute comments... i'd expect nothing less Coach!

AK

Good luck to all you amazing athletes out there!

Will - I remember when you rocked up to the Striders 10km at North Head last year having ridden in from Bondi and got lost around Mosman! I expect a ride of that distance seems very, very easy to you now! (Congratulations on your engagement too btw!)

You are all tear-jerkingly inspiring and for those plodders out there who "dare to dream", you are all legends!!

Give it everything - you have a lot of fans on CR who are gagging for race reports!

Just make sure you buff up first, oil down your super manly chest, strap on the HRM, and run shirt-less around the IM bike leg - i.e. the way that all real triathletes train

Bugger, I forgot the coach is a regular poster on CR

Thanks for the vote of confidence coach but I'm trying not to get ahead of myself.


BREAKING NEWS: I just received a call from a business in Port Macquarie and I found out they have 'adopted' me for the IM. Miners and previous IM'ers would be aware of the initiative by IMG that local businesses are invited to adopt or sponsor IM athletes with posters of support and invitations to drinks, etc. Well, I have just received an invitation to drinks and nibblies on Thursday afternoon for a meet and greet with the staff.

How cool is that ?!! I almost feel like a pro with mandatory promotional responsibilities

have fun everyone!

you've done the hard work, now just think of it as another day out training, but with 1500 mates and fully catered!!

and smile, it hurts less that way

and I'm sure you all won't, but don't forget to thank the volunteers!!

p.s I might just have to join you next year, it's time for number 5, finally, I feel the itch....

I'm putting the final touches to my outfit...

I was expecting the tri-colours Will. I'm disappointed.

Don't worry Flake, I'm finishing the back.



I'm looking for a catch phrase. Any ideas? I was thinking of something like:
"You've just been overtaken by a snail and frog eater..."

"I carbo loaded on red wine and croissant!"

Back looks good. Good luck Will!

Awesome outfit will. Hopefully you can get a photo with Vernay (after he comes 2nd ).

I have decided I aint comin up this weekend. Too much happening over the next few weeks. I am pretty disappointed as I was keen to follow the fortunes of my CR and work buddies.

So good luck to everyone and hopefully I can join you up there in an "official" capacity in the next year or two.

I will leave you with a quote I read the other day - good one for CR's!

"Play it like a big marlin...let 'em run with the lure in their mouth. Set the hook when you hit T2 and start reeling them in"

Let me guess - accountancy practice? BTW B+ won't be the only one kicking your "Skinny Ass" (his words not mine) if you try that stunt

Edit: Will, that looks fantastic

Muz, I believe you have my number? I'll be floating around various parts of the course in a CR hat & Panthers tri club t-shirt

by the way guys. Forgot to mention that there's a group of us up here that swim the IM course every Thursday at 1.00pm. No reason we won't be doing so again this Thursday, so for anyone who's up here early enough you can join myself and a couple of mates for a cruise over the course (say about 1.5k-2k leisurely paced swim). Leaving from the IM swim-start behind the Country Comfort.

Unfortunately, I'll be working up till Friday so can't offer any other rides/runs during the day - but I'm sure you all have your own plans anyway. Mind you, for those who are up here super early, there's an easy 8km run starting from the Fish co-op at 5.45pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Deleted because I can't type when half asleep

deleted what exactly miss FHG?

btw - gorgeous day up here today and has been since last week Lots of unfamiliar runners out - surprisingly not many bikes.



Of course, 5 days straight of perfect weather isn't unnatural for Port (it's paradise after all), but has me worried about where it's headed

Incidentally, anyone interested in running the 5k Fun Run on Saturday?

Uh oh, I was planning doing a long run Sunday morning too.

Huge good luck and have fun to all the CR IMs, especially the first timers. It will change your life.
I have made to pact to stay at the finish until the very end because I missed it last year, and I CAN'T WAIT.

Best of luck to all the CR competitors, particularly my favourite Aunty . I will be keeping track of your progress of the weekend.

Miners, what times the 5km run on at and can you enter on the day.

Train safe

B+

The 5km fun run is on Saturday morning at 730am.

Entries close 5pm Friday 4th April however late entries will be accepted after this time but will cost you an extra $5.

Normal entry is $15.

Or you could just read the website

wt

Thankyou sweetheart

K

Hey Wildthing or KB or who ever you are?!?!?! I only read one website...this one

No chance of 5k to early for me, won't be up there till after lunchtime

Train safe

Has anyone received there 'Adopt an Athlete' email yet??

I just received mine & I'm happy to report that we will be visiting 'Cold Rock Ice Creamery' on Saturday just happens to be my favourite.

Cheers!

I'm already doing that!

Trouble is, it's the OLD IM bike leg. Pretty appropriate for an OLD triathlete.

I just thought I would check is anyone driving up on the friday and would have room in the car ?

I hired a car to go up but I am a bit concerned about driving back the next day after the event. Some people have been telling me horror stories about collapsing and needing drips at the end of the event.

I can get a lift back from a friend if I can get up there by my own steam. I wasn't worried at all but now I am starting to think I should be.

5 sleeps to go.

Geez Auntie, how did you score them?? Just you be sure to tell them that anyone wearing a Blue and Yellow cap is one of your nieces or nephews (regardless of age) and should be rewarded with free icecream...

Incidentally, for first time IMers, I'm not kidding about the guys you'll see out on the Bike course - happens without fail every year both here in Port and back in Forster. See how many you can count while you're riding into or out of town, usually on the first lap.

Report back and I'll shout a beer for any confirmed sightings (only counts if they have the shirt off AND the HRM strap on)

(this is what the blinged-up Tri-tossers from the 80s have evolved into)

I guess it wouldn't count if I spotted myself ?

sfGnome - i filled in the email & returned it to the organiser

ERB - r u not staying for the melt down party on Monday night??

AK

AK

I can't believe you got the cold rock icecream place - that's too funny and soooooo appropriate. The only person better suited would have been Helmet!

I'm with Gnome - we are all your very best friends and closest, dearest relatives and looooove icecream - especially cold rock, it rocks

wt

I know... I know... can you believe it?

Looks like the Cold Rock will be very busy with my new found family on Saturday afternoon

K

hate to rain on your parade Aunty, but remember Port is well and truly a Triathlon town now. Cold Rock is ALWAYS busy

Good luck everyone!! NTR and I will be watching for the results and updates

Aunty K - please give Deb a big hug for me and wish her luck. Mango - don't leave anything in the tank, of course I could just be saying that so Jen gets to drink all the champagne afterwards while you sleep!

Sleep? After your first Ironman?

Won't happen for a while, believe me!

ERB, I don't think you are going to be in danger of needing a drip.

Even if you do need one, you will feel better for it on the Monday. I've worked in the triage area at both Forster and at Port Mac and whilst I've seen and dealt with some pretty cactus looking people, a lot of them absolutely flog themselves in their race to end up in the medical tent. I really wouldn't worry about it too much for yourself. I will be at the finish line as a catcher so will be on the look-out for you coming in.

Main thing to remember is to try and get some good calories in on your bike which will help to sustain you through the run.