Well, I had a good hit out at Port. Drove up/back with Andy Sawatske from High Tide Photography who took some great shots as usual of the Port 70.3 athletes.
Race day came and had a couple of athletes I help out that were racing with differing objectives. It was great to see them both going well in the end with one having a great race dropping time on a build week towards Busso IM and the other placing 4th on only a couple of light jogs after a very bad lower leg injury.
Personally my race day went well in regards to the training and data collection for my build towards Port IM in March 2010. I got enough information to be able to find training grounds around the Newcastle region to suit the race and build.
I swam ok but at a comfortable pace so that I worked slowly up to the lead groups. Just couldn't bridge the last gap to the pro's who had a head start. Too busy in a wrestling match with people who do not know how to swim straight and draft properly. I was happy to lead the groups that I swam through and bridge up. Still work to do on top end speed but strength was there. Time to up the distances in training and get regular speed work in. Time: 23:49.
Slow transition, lost places, not normal for me.
Bike, aim was to sit in my wattage 290-350 with a comfortable heart rate. Took a lot of control as first part of course was hilly so had to back off normal pace and as such groups got time on me. However, sitting on the wattage I worked my way up through the groups into the top 10 and picked up a couple of pro's I couldn't shift. Slowly bridging up to main group in 3-8th positions when the CPU from the powermeter wasn't there. Had to do a u-turn and go looking for it, found it approx 1-1.5km back. This was the main reason for the race as I needed that information to train for the next 5 months. The CPU worked so I plugged it back in and got on with the job. This happened before the last portion of the first lap before the hills so a bad position for it to occur. Lost a lot of time [ post race checked my splits on CPU (2:25 including both transitions and continue over so approx low 2:20's) vs the race 2:32 so a good 7mins plus lost]. Sat on wattage and over next loop rode back up into the top groupings and back to near 10th?? Dragged a few people through but didn't worry just got the info. Passed a big pack that I dragged for a while with 20+ people in it to near the end. I was happy with the ride as was working but comfortable and a pace I could keep going for the IM.
Run, got off with a chance to consolidate top 10/15 overall and win age or stay with the plan and run IM pacing to get the training information. Sat at required 150-155bpm HR with the plan to test different drink combo's/salt each lap. In the first 2km I got swamped by guys from the 20+ group. It was hard not to go with them and 'race' but I was there for a different reason. Slowly I built into each loop getting faster (or it felt like it) with the same HR. Although I lost a large amount of placings, I got the information I needed re the HR vs pace vs course layout to train for the IM rather than flooring it for a placing with no help for the IM training. I could have continued running and completed a marathon at that pace. Time: 1:45. Overall time 4:41hr 56/750 [with 7mins (7-10mins actual lost) off from bike CPU lost = 4:34hr which would have got me a top 30/750 with a training day effort].
Nil problems after the race and some great information/baselines to focus for Kona qualification. For the fitness I have at the moment things are moving forward. I am racing Canberra 70.3 on December 13 and will be able to compare pacings and push harder as the fitness and body slowly recovers its normality/race fitness.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
Port Macquarie 70.3 this weekend
Hi Guys,
I head up to Port Macquaire this weekend for the half ironman triathlon. It is a bit of a fact finding mission and test run. This is predominately the identical course that will host the March 2010 Australian Ironman which I have as a major goal to qualify for the Hawaiian Ironman World Champs in 2010. Port Half traditionally has a good field with athletes building into Busselton Ironman in 5 weeks time or looking for points in the Australian Half Ironman Series.
With that in mind, I head to Port to try a few different things. I will be using a powertap and aiming to sit at a certain wattage to see how the body copes and what this means for my run off the bike. I am working towards full recuperative fitness by the end of this year and then a long lead in to the Australian Ironman in March. I will also try a wheelbuilder cover on the powertap and test if this is appropriate for the course and if it 'works'. This will an initial test run on the product so here's hoping there are no mechanical issues with it.
Port is normally a very wet and windy weekend but forecasts are for a hot one. I will push to see where the limits are in the swim and run. I am looking forward to a good hard hit out and then being able to analyse the data post race to develop some specific training for the March Ironman goal race.
I am also looking forward to seeing how the coaching guys go and touching base with my triathlon mates I have not seen in a while. I will touch base after the race.
Cheers,
Bevan.
I head up to Port Macquaire this weekend for the half ironman triathlon. It is a bit of a fact finding mission and test run. This is predominately the identical course that will host the March 2010 Australian Ironman which I have as a major goal to qualify for the Hawaiian Ironman World Champs in 2010. Port Half traditionally has a good field with athletes building into Busselton Ironman in 5 weeks time or looking for points in the Australian Half Ironman Series.
With that in mind, I head to Port to try a few different things. I will be using a powertap and aiming to sit at a certain wattage to see how the body copes and what this means for my run off the bike. I am working towards full recuperative fitness by the end of this year and then a long lead in to the Australian Ironman in March. I will also try a wheelbuilder cover on the powertap and test if this is appropriate for the course and if it 'works'. This will an initial test run on the product so here's hoping there are no mechanical issues with it.
Port is normally a very wet and windy weekend but forecasts are for a hot one. I will push to see where the limits are in the swim and run. I am looking forward to a good hard hit out and then being able to analyse the data post race to develop some specific training for the March Ironman goal race.
I am also looking forward to seeing how the coaching guys go and touching base with my triathlon mates I have not seen in a while. I will touch base after the race.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Maitland Triathlon Unofficial Results: 1st Mens 30-34 years, 9th male overall.
Hi Guys,
I completed my test event in Morpeth over the weekend made that little bit harder by attending the Mauling for Muscles black tie charity dinner for Muscular Dystrophy the previous evening. The triathlon incorporated a 1.5km swim, 55km bike, and 12km on/off road run. I decided to race on my road bike with powertap to record data to enable me to have working numbers for the half ironman races coming up. Results will be posted sometime this week but from the presentations I came 1st in the Men's 30-34 years division, 9th male overall, and first overall using a roadie ;) haha. I found that I can definitely make some big changes in the way I distribute my energy with large power ranges in the bike. I purposely did not hang in any groups taking a turn then sitting off the back to get an even power recording. I also noticed a big change in power legally drifting through a group of up to 150-250 Watts. Also the aero advantage of a tri bike compared to a roadie and the extra wattage needed was noticeable. Good points for the race were coming out in the top couple of the swim, a good consistent run that I was able to build on throughout, and no further problems to the rehab. I am now looking forward to banking some specific training and working towards the seasons goals.
Cheers,
Bevan.
I completed my test event in Morpeth over the weekend made that little bit harder by attending the Mauling for Muscles black tie charity dinner for Muscular Dystrophy the previous evening. The triathlon incorporated a 1.5km swim, 55km bike, and 12km on/off road run. I decided to race on my road bike with powertap to record data to enable me to have working numbers for the half ironman races coming up. Results will be posted sometime this week but from the presentations I came 1st in the Men's 30-34 years division, 9th male overall, and first overall using a roadie ;) haha. I found that I can definitely make some big changes in the way I distribute my energy with large power ranges in the bike. I purposely did not hang in any groups taking a turn then sitting off the back to get an even power recording. I also noticed a big change in power legally drifting through a group of up to 150-250 Watts. Also the aero advantage of a tri bike compared to a roadie and the extra wattage needed was noticeable. Good points for the race were coming out in the top couple of the swim, a good consistent run that I was able to build on throughout, and no further problems to the rehab. I am now looking forward to banking some specific training and working towards the seasons goals.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Update and New Partnerships Formed!
Hi Guys,
Well a bit of time has gone by since the last update. Things were going well for a bit and then I have had some set backs with the recuperation. I was still able to race the Worlds on very limited training and was happy with the result placing 18th in the Aquathlon and 9th in the Sprint. I lead the sprint for a large portion but the lack of running training let me down as I ran 3:30min slower than normal and lost out by 1:51min. I went for the win and could not have done anything more, so was happy with the result and getting through with no further injuries. I have picked up a few muscle imbalances from the bike crash and am now slowly working through these to get the body back up in shape. The major objective for the season will be Port Macquarie Ironman March 28 2010 and gaining my spot to the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in October 2010. I will be using cycling races and Half Ironmans to bring the body up to speed for an all out assault in March. I have already locked in the Port Macquarie 70.3 in November to test the course using a powertap for the first time and then the hard Canberra 70.3 course for a challenging race. I will look for more racing in the New Year in the lead up to Port IM with the Oceania Long Distance Champs as a probability.
Other great news is that I have formed two new partnerships. I am greatly appreciative of the support that they will provide:
The first is with Hunter Industrial Ceramics Pty Ltd (www.hunterceramics.homestead.com/index.html) who aided in providing the Giant TCR Advanced SL Team Road Bike for all my road racing, short course triathlon racing, and training. Hunter Industrial Ceramics are involved in quality on-site tile maintenance for the coal preparation industry, the use of wear technology in the coal mining industry, as well as servicing the grain handling and power generation industries. Based in Newcastle, they also service the Hunter Valley and Central Coast - with a newly opened Mudgee office providing further servicing options.
The second is with endurance Junkie (www.endurance-junkie.com). This is a company that will be aiming to develop, manufacture and sell multisport apparel that is world class in terms of quality, performance and design. I will be involved in the development, testing and marketing of this top-notch triathlon apparel and look forward to getting it on as many podiums as possible. A media release can be found on the endurance-Junkie website on our new partnership.
Next up is a mid-distance triathlon training race this weekend in Maitland that will provide a good baseline of where I am at for the start of the season and test how the recuperation is going.
Train safe,
Bevan.
Well a bit of time has gone by since the last update. Things were going well for a bit and then I have had some set backs with the recuperation. I was still able to race the Worlds on very limited training and was happy with the result placing 18th in the Aquathlon and 9th in the Sprint. I lead the sprint for a large portion but the lack of running training let me down as I ran 3:30min slower than normal and lost out by 1:51min. I went for the win and could not have done anything more, so was happy with the result and getting through with no further injuries. I have picked up a few muscle imbalances from the bike crash and am now slowly working through these to get the body back up in shape. The major objective for the season will be Port Macquarie Ironman March 28 2010 and gaining my spot to the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in October 2010. I will be using cycling races and Half Ironmans to bring the body up to speed for an all out assault in March. I have already locked in the Port Macquarie 70.3 in November to test the course using a powertap for the first time and then the hard Canberra 70.3 course for a challenging race. I will look for more racing in the New Year in the lead up to Port IM with the Oceania Long Distance Champs as a probability.
Other great news is that I have formed two new partnerships. I am greatly appreciative of the support that they will provide:
The first is with Hunter Industrial Ceramics Pty Ltd (www.hunterceramics.homestead.com/index.html) who aided in providing the Giant TCR Advanced SL Team Road Bike for all my road racing, short course triathlon racing, and training. Hunter Industrial Ceramics are involved in quality on-site tile maintenance for the coal preparation industry, the use of wear technology in the coal mining industry, as well as servicing the grain handling and power generation industries. Based in Newcastle, they also service the Hunter Valley and Central Coast - with a newly opened Mudgee office providing further servicing options.
The second is with endurance Junkie (www.endurance-junkie.com). This is a company that will be aiming to develop, manufacture and sell multisport apparel that is world class in terms of quality, performance and design. I will be involved in the development, testing and marketing of this top-notch triathlon apparel and look forward to getting it on as many podiums as possible. A media release can be found on the endurance-Junkie website on our new partnership.
Next up is a mid-distance triathlon training race this weekend in Maitland that will provide a good baseline of where I am at for the start of the season and test how the recuperation is going.
Train safe,
Bevan.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Recovery
Hi Guys,
Recovery is going ok. My skin has repaired well but the nerve and muscle injuries are taking longer than first thought. At this point in time I have been unable to ride since the accident. Running is coming along ok. Swimming is a work in progress.
I am still working towards being able to compete in the world championships in September. Unfortunately due to my injuries I have had to withdraw from the WTC Cobra Energy Drink Philippine 70.3 Triathlon race in Cam Sur. I was looking forward to this as I have won the last couple of major championships in the Philippines and really enjoy the challenging courses, hospitality, friendly locals, community support, and the amazing scenery. I had been mentioned in a few media pieces for the race and it looks like a good field for a first time race (Chris McCormack, Cameron Brown, Terenzo Bozzone, Tim Marr, Pete Jacobs). I wish the race a great start and I hope that I can return next year to challenge on Cam Sur.
I am also in the process of obtaining a new road bike after the last one was destroyed in the crash. I hope to provide an update soon and I am looking forward to getting out on the bike again and preparing for the worlds.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Recovery is going ok. My skin has repaired well but the nerve and muscle injuries are taking longer than first thought. At this point in time I have been unable to ride since the accident. Running is coming along ok. Swimming is a work in progress.
I am still working towards being able to compete in the world championships in September. Unfortunately due to my injuries I have had to withdraw from the WTC Cobra Energy Drink Philippine 70.3 Triathlon race in Cam Sur. I was looking forward to this as I have won the last couple of major championships in the Philippines and really enjoy the challenging courses, hospitality, friendly locals, community support, and the amazing scenery. I had been mentioned in a few media pieces for the race and it looks like a good field for a first time race (Chris McCormack, Cameron Brown, Terenzo Bozzone, Tim Marr, Pete Jacobs). I wish the race a great start and I hope that I can return next year to challenge on Cam Sur.
I am also in the process of obtaining a new road bike after the last one was destroyed in the crash. I hope to provide an update soon and I am looking forward to getting out on the bike again and preparing for the worlds.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Crash!!! Bye Bye Bike and Some Bark Lost.
Well, my bike decided that it wanted me to kiss some bitumen and I 'came a cropper' as the Doctor at the hospital described it. I fell during a cycle race at Minmi/Blackhill on Saturday (4th July). Well I didn't really fall but was more catapulted along with my bike head first into the lovely chunky blue chip bitumen we have here in Australia. After a small descent where the speedo got to 71km/hr a small breakaway formed on the corresponding ascent so I stood up and stomped on the pedals to bridge up. Unfortunately for me this stomp ripped the rear derailleur out of the back bike frame and I went straight into the ground head and elbow/shoulder first at a very high speed. I managed to yell out to the boys I was going down and sorry (hoping that I would bring no one else down). Luckily everyone else avoided the mess. I didn't break the chain this time (happened a little while ago and this was a brand new durace chain on).
I managed to get my wrist out of the way and take the brunt on my helmet, shoulder, elbow and hip. Plenty of bark off and my lovely new Team Newrad vest, winter long sleeve, bib shorts, gloves, helmet, undergarments, and shoes are destroyed.
The bike is DEAD. The front derailleur is destroyed, the back one is ripped out along with the rear of the bike dropouts and frame attachment, the frame has been cracked/snapped, the handlebars are bent and ripped to pieces, the frame is 'chunked' to pieces, pedals gone, seat dead, and the seat post is hanging by 2mm of carbon thatch to the frame. I am happy that the seat post managed to stay attached as last week a guy in the Tamworth race had a crash and his carbon seat post impaled into his thigh! Glad that was not the case for me. I am sure that there is other damage to the bike but really there is not many other parts to it. The only good thing is that Brad's crankset is untouched. So, I am now minus a road bike and out of any road racing until I can obtain another.
The doctor at the hospital said I had a small fracture in my elbow as well as an ulnar step (gapping in the elbow joint) with accompanying neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, hip, knee, shin muscle/ligament/tendon/haematoma damage with nerve problems in the ulnar and brachial plexus regions. My wrist and neck are cracking and popping, jaw now pops, and my elbow and shoulder are both 'gapping' out with weird nerve pain when I move them. So, not much damage done ;) . Luckily I heal well thanks to my mum's genes and I expect to make a quick recovery.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and offers of help. It is truly amazing the support being offered. I also want to thank Ben from 3 Bean cafe in Hamilton (and his son Jonas) for pulling out of their own races and taking me and my mangled bike home immediately so that I could get some aid. Also to David Turnidge and his lovely partner Lea for there help also. Plus Sam for having the pleasure of swabbing my road rash with nice antiseptic buds and taking no pleasure in my discomfort ;) .
Thanks must also go to the guys at Macquarie Physiotherapy for helping in diagnosis and continuing treatment of my injuries, Newcastle radiology for the prompt x-rays, Dr Minas Petrelis (Orthopaedic Surgeon) for future consults, and Frankie for her lovely hugs and magical healing kisses.
Will keep an update as I will be following an aggressive rehabilitation program to be able to race the Worlds in September and hopefully the WTC race in August. I have already gone for a couple of runs and the hips/legs seem to be holding up ok, but the arm is gapping when I run with some nerve pain.
Cheers,
Bevan.
I managed to get my wrist out of the way and take the brunt on my helmet, shoulder, elbow and hip. Plenty of bark off and my lovely new Team Newrad vest, winter long sleeve, bib shorts, gloves, helmet, undergarments, and shoes are destroyed.
The bike is DEAD. The front derailleur is destroyed, the back one is ripped out along with the rear of the bike dropouts and frame attachment, the frame has been cracked/snapped, the handlebars are bent and ripped to pieces, the frame is 'chunked' to pieces, pedals gone, seat dead, and the seat post is hanging by 2mm of carbon thatch to the frame. I am happy that the seat post managed to stay attached as last week a guy in the Tamworth race had a crash and his carbon seat post impaled into his thigh! Glad that was not the case for me. I am sure that there is other damage to the bike but really there is not many other parts to it. The only good thing is that Brad's crankset is untouched. So, I am now minus a road bike and out of any road racing until I can obtain another.
The doctor at the hospital said I had a small fracture in my elbow as well as an ulnar step (gapping in the elbow joint) with accompanying neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, hip, knee, shin muscle/ligament/tendon/haematoma damage with nerve problems in the ulnar and brachial plexus regions. My wrist and neck are cracking and popping, jaw now pops, and my elbow and shoulder are both 'gapping' out with weird nerve pain when I move them. So, not much damage done ;) . Luckily I heal well thanks to my mum's genes and I expect to make a quick recovery.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and offers of help. It is truly amazing the support being offered. I also want to thank Ben from 3 Bean cafe in Hamilton (and his son Jonas) for pulling out of their own races and taking me and my mangled bike home immediately so that I could get some aid. Also to David Turnidge and his lovely partner Lea for there help also. Plus Sam for having the pleasure of swabbing my road rash with nice antiseptic buds and taking no pleasure in my discomfort ;) .
Thanks must also go to the guys at Macquarie Physiotherapy for helping in diagnosis and continuing treatment of my injuries, Newcastle radiology for the prompt x-rays, Dr Minas Petrelis (Orthopaedic Surgeon) for future consults, and Frankie for her lovely hugs and magical healing kisses.
Will keep an update as I will be following an aggressive rehabilitation program to be able to race the Worlds in September and hopefully the WTC race in August. I have already gone for a couple of runs and the hips/legs seem to be holding up ok, but the arm is gapping when I run with some nerve pain.
Cheers,
Bevan.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
1st Tour de Tweed Coast General Classification
Hi Guys,
Just a quick update.
I won the overall/general classification in the Tour de Tweed Coast (Elite C) over the past long weekend. It was a four day tour stage race. It consisted of an individual time trial, a hilly stage race, a long stage race, and a criterium. I won the ITT on a roadie with no aero bars or aero equipment. I won the next hilly stage race which gave me the yellow leaders jersey. I then had to defend the yellow jersey for the last two stages which I was able to do by countering any attacks and placing second in both the long stage and the final criterium.
It was a great trip away, I learned a lot, had a fun time with the Team Newrad Gateshead guys, and was happy to win my first ever Tour stage race that I entered. Other great results for the team with David Witherden placing 3rd in the GC, 3rd in the crit, and 2nd in the KOM; Brad McDonald placing 3rd in the ITT and 4th in the GC, and Jason Cox placing 6th overall in the GC (all guys in Masters Men B).
Full report to follow, hopefully with some photos.
Cheers and thanks for all the support,
Bevan.
Just a quick update.
I won the overall/general classification in the Tour de Tweed Coast (Elite C) over the past long weekend. It was a four day tour stage race. It consisted of an individual time trial, a hilly stage race, a long stage race, and a criterium. I won the ITT on a roadie with no aero bars or aero equipment. I won the next hilly stage race which gave me the yellow leaders jersey. I then had to defend the yellow jersey for the last two stages which I was able to do by countering any attacks and placing second in both the long stage and the final criterium.
It was a great trip away, I learned a lot, had a fun time with the Team Newrad Gateshead guys, and was happy to win my first ever Tour stage race that I entered. Other great results for the team with David Witherden placing 3rd in the GC, 3rd in the crit, and 2nd in the KOM; Brad McDonald placing 3rd in the ITT and 4th in the GC, and Jason Cox placing 6th overall in the GC (all guys in Masters Men B).
Full report to follow, hopefully with some photos.
Cheers and thanks for all the support,
Bevan.
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