Ok, so have the goals for Vegas changed? Bah.. hopefully not… but I did do a Computrainer ride of the course on Saturday that confirmed what I already basically knew. This course is gonna be tough. Very tough!
Unfortunately for me, the 92.57km course (as per the description in the athlete guide converted to Google Maps) was proven to be a plus 3 hour course… close to the mark, but couldn’t quite get the bike up to the 30km/h average mark. Did I mention it was tough? 9 and 10% climbs regularly on the course make it a monster compared to most of the riding I do on the trainer and in and around the coast… even the famed Bobbin Head and Mooney hills seemed like mere sand hills compared to this beast. Blood hill at Calga (6%?) was the closest I could compare it with…
Fingers crossed though that it was just a miscalculation of the course and it doesn’t really come gift wrapped with all that rubbish in two Sunday’s time.
Gave the EJ suit it’s second work out and I am pleased to say I am unwavering in my support for the suit and it is on course for its Triathlon debut in the biggest race of my Triathlon career thus far. That’s a pretty big call I reckon… going head on into such a huge race for me as the Ironman World championship 70.3 with a brand new “never tried in a race” suit. More than happy to though as for the second week in a row I found the suit to be flawless. Completely comfortable from neck to thigh in a test that yielded a pacific ocean’s worth of sweat… no fans in Vegas = no fans in the Finesse Cycling studio’s for the man in the OJB in his prep for the big race.
Crucial error made in session though… forgot electrolyte drinks and had to purchase a couple of Powerades from the fridge. Normally a great tasting drop… however not to be consumed in training for the first time 2 weeks out from a major race when I have no intention of racing with it and being such a tough session.. I can only reiterate it wasn’t best to incorporate it for the first time. End result? Hahaha… I am pleased to the say the facilities at McDonalds West Gosford were clean and tidy and in perfect working order. I do apologise to the patrons of said family restaurant who, some of which, seemed to be taken aback by this strapping young man in his triathlon gear as opposed to normal Macca’s attire.
Props to Zim for dropping in to Finesse on his way home from his 120km “recovery ride” outdoors just as I was in the final throws of my sessions. The run invite was appreciated and I can honestly say you saved me from ruining myself with the stupid 20km I had planned off the bike. Hey, the way I died in Yeppoon 2 weeks back has had me questioning my run and I wanted to know I could still do it. Would have been stupid though as a) I was already ruined from the Vegas test and b) I know I didn’t complete the Yeppoon run to the best of my abilities as I was not well on the day. Anyway, it’s always good to the do the run with someone else as it keeps you honest and keeps you from deviating from what you are supposed to be doing… ie 90km ride with an easy 30-40min jog off the bike. Sure, we ran just under 10km still, but it wasn’t taxing at all so no harm done in adding a few minutes.
Not sure Eli appreciates the hard work I am putting in at training…. Here I am “playing” with him soon as I got in the door!
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