Ironman Austria 2008
Got to say 'iamtri' is a great idea. Facebook for Triathletes.... Well, here goes, my first post. Ironman Austria, July 13th is not long away. Lets get a thread going of stories, training, travel, aspirations and maybe we can all meet up for a coffee in Austria, pre-race.
I personally, although experienced in triathlon have approached Austria completely differently for 2008. From September 2007 to April 2008, I purely run. Several reasons, firstly, I am an ex cyclist and have 20 years turning the cranks in my legs. Secondly, my run has always let me down in an IM. Thirdly and more importantly, in 2007 I set myself a challenge to run 8 marathons in 8 days (blame Dean Karnazes).
So here I am, 5/6 weeks away from Austria and I feel unprepared. I am fit, no doubt! I also do not doubt I will complete the Ironman. It's just a question of 'how' I get from the start to the finish.
It is meant to be fun, isn't it ??? So, that is my plan. Take away the stress of trying to 'race' it and go out there and enjoy it.....
I personally, although experienced in triathlon have approached Austria completely differently for 2008. From September 2007 to April 2008, I purely run. Several reasons, firstly, I am an ex cyclist and have 20 years turning the cranks in my legs. Secondly, my run has always let me down in an IM. Thirdly and more importantly, in 2007 I set myself a challenge to run 8 marathons in 8 days (blame Dean Karnazes).
So here I am, 5/6 weeks away from Austria and I feel unprepared. I am fit, no doubt! I also do not doubt I will complete the Ironman. It's just a question of 'how' I get from the start to the finish.
It is meant to be fun, isn't it ??? So, that is my plan. Take away the stress of trying to 'race' it and go out there and enjoy it.....
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Austria Finish.jpg, 210 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on -
Gary, Ian here!!!
I am in Krumpendorf too.... details:
Hotel Gasthof Jerolitsch
Familie Schönfelder
Jerolitschstraße 43
9201 Krumpendorf/Wörthersee
Tel: (04229) 23 79
Fax: (04229) 237935
E-mail: hotel.jerolitsch@aon.at
Homepage: www.jerolitsch.at
As for your questions re aid stations, bike check etc...
Feed stations are 'Powerbar' and normally operate water, coke, powerbar, coke, water. They have gels, banana and a few other goodies. Plenty of stations on the bike and run.
Special needs is operated via electronic chip and works very effectively. When you approach special needs, they already know you are coming and have your bag ready for you.
In transition, your kit is in 'bags' : swim bag with cycling kit and bike bag with running kit. You rack your bike and drop your bags the DAY BEFORE the race at an alloted time slot. You can access your bike race morning to add bottles, check tires etc.. but you cannot get to your bags, so, don't forget anything.
Its beautifully organized and seamless in operation ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Peter Vaughan on -
But last year they ran out of gels, only one of two run stations had them. There was also a problem with distance markers on the run course, they went missing. There were only a few distance markers but that didn't really matter as each leg was 5 km out, 5 back so no real hassle. The lack of gels was a problem though.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on
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Peter, didn't know about that (gels). It's all relative to finish time I guess... if you are out there at the 14,15 and 16 hr mark, I guess they do run out. Thankfully I try to cross the line along time before that !!!
It always pays to be self sufficient in an Ironman. I try to be. Special needs is at a good point on the run and you pass it 5 times in total, so, I guess 'plan ahead' and remove any doubt that you may have.
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Permalink Reply by Susie on -
I most certainly will be still out at 16hr mark!!! so thanks for the tip-off about the gels.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on
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Thought you may like a look at this, very useful if you haven't been before !!
http://mile141.co.uk/triathlon/imaustria.aspx
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Permalink Reply by Susie on
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Hi, another newbie here going to Austria to hopefully become an Ironman.
Have been coached over 27 weeks now with Richard Allen and have improved my swimming ...7000m-9000m total over x3 sessions a week and only missed 1.
I swim at Bath uni 50m pool and it has been a very good place to train ....without any hassles!
Biking has improved as well but I have been unable to run consistently since last October and have carried an injury since...but hoping to power walk.
Driving over with husband from Bath on 5th and staying at Plattenwirt Hotel at the Europapark.
Very excited and looking forward to a good day.
CU all there.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on
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Hi all
Just loaded some photos from Austria on my profile page. Go take a look. Will give you an overview of the day ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Peter Vaughan on
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Ian,
I was a bit slow at Austria, 13:40, but I had done Roth 2 weeks before in 12:40, so I was happy with my times. Keep in mind that I am 55 and don't peak for any one race but cruise through the year.
I believe they should not have run out of gels by the time I went through as there were still plenty of finishers, and they should allow for competitors such as myself who are not guns.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on
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Hi all, race numbers are on the Ironman Austria website.
Mine is:
1678 610191 M40 Ian Corless
I arrive at Austria on Thursday evening and plan to register Friday morning between 10am-midday. If anyone is around and fancies coffee, may be we could un-officially arrange to meet at 12 (midday) at the entrance to registration.
How do we tell who is am 'iAmTri' ?? who knows..... but stand at the entrance and smile ;-)
Maybe we could do the same Saturday??
Saturday PM you will need to rack your bikes. Normally you have a time slot that coincides with your age/ race number.
If you cant make coffee or are just toooooo stressed, have a great race and remember, IT'S MEANT TO BE FUN !!!!
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Permalink Reply by Paul Hancock on -
Hi Ian,
Congrats on your finish.....would be interested to hear your thoughts on the race (esp the bike course) as it is one of my possibles for 2009.
Also how do you think your slightly unorthodox training pan out for the race?
Cheers...
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Permalink Reply by Ian Corless on
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Here is my blog from the race:
IRONMAN AUSTRIA
July 13th 2008
The alarm went off at 4am and surprisingly I had slept quite well for a night before a race. Our hotel has mostly Ironman competitors and supporters staying so the atmosphere at breakfast was quite quiet and thoughtful. It’s always a struggle squeezing the calories in at this time of day. For an Ironman I like to get in about 800-1000 cals, so that is quite a lot of food. Black coffee is really important too.
I was back in my room at 5am to get into race clothing and make sure I went through my pre-race checklists. I arrived at race transition at 5.30am. I checked my bike over, made sure everything was okay and pumped up the tires. Bottles on the bike, gels in my bento box and then it was a case of focusing on the day ahead.
Standing on the lakeside at 6.40am with 2500 other athletes always puts the day into perspective. I was nervous but focused on the day ahead. Before I knew it the horn blew and we were off…. I got battered for the first 400 m or so but then I found space and had a relatively trouble free swim. My biggest problem was my goggles. They just kept steaming up; a real pain. We swam out into the lake about 1800m turned left and went across the lake to finally return back to the beach and finish with the final 800m in the canal systems. The sun was in our eyes for all the return leg so that made sighting harder however when we got in the canal it was just a case of following feet. I had been worried about my swim as my neural leg problem can cause real problems in my calf’s resulting in really bad tightness and spasms. My plan had been not to kick in the swim and remain relaxed. It worked! I started to get a few twitches in the final 400m but it caused no problems. I had anticipated my swim to take longer and I was prepared to exit the water in around 1:15. I was really pleased to cover the distance in 1:06.
Into transition and it was a case of be quick but don’t rush. Wetsuit off and I just made sure I had everything I needed; helmet on, glasses on, bike gloves on and gels in my pocket. I quickly found my bike and was on the road in no time, transition was roughly 3 mins.
The bike course is two laps of excellent closed roads. All road surfaces are smooth and fast. Many believe the bike route to be easy but that is misguided. It’s undulating with a couple of tough climbs on each lap, total gain is appx 800m per lap. Gearing you need a 39x25 for the climbs.
Within 10 mins the rain came and it turned the road very slippery. As we approached any bend it was important to reduce speed. Those that didn’t hit the deck… I saw at least 4 crashes. My bike has been my strength due to my 20yrs cycling experience; however, in Ironman it has been my downfall. I normally ride too hard and then can’t run. My strategy therefore was to ride slower and run well. I did lap 1 in appx 2:38 and lap 2 in 2:42 giving me a 5:20 bike split. My back really bothered me on the bike and I had to keep stretching to reduce the fatigue. It worried me as I was unsure how it would influence the run.
I had another quick transition in T2 and was on the run course in less than 4 mins. As I started the run, the heavens opened; perfect. We had temperatures in the mid 20’s and a thunderstorm. I felt great on the run. I actually started too quick and had to adjust my pace at half way. The final 6 miles my hamstrings tightened and I had to adjust my running accordingly. It was pretty painful but one thing that running 8 marathons in 8 days taught me was how to run through the pan. I crossed the MDOT finish line in a PB 10:21. Completely elated.
I had approached this Ironman so different to previous times and the strategy worked so well (for me). Basically, I just ran and ran lots… up to 120 miles a week. I only started triathlon training 8 weeks before the Ironman relying on my running endurance. Cycling comes to me naturally and that soon came back. Swimming was a struggle but I was getting the feel back in the final few weeks. My swim split was actually only 2-3 mins slower than previous years when I have swum specifically for 6 months. It’s interesting. Certainly for myself, a run specific programme has made the difference between being ‘close’ to actually finally achieving my potential. Next time, maybe I can put the run potential with my bike potential and go sub 10 !!!
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