IronMan 70.3 lead up

Everything is now pretty much done in so far as training is concerned. I’ve had a really good couple of weeks including a number of brick sessions (mainly bike/run sessions) so I’m feeling confident. I’m looking to go under 5:30. 5:15 would be fantastic but that will mean I will have to “smoke” the run which is not an easy one. There’s a good 1.5km hill which has to be negotiated twice which in the past has left me walking.

I spent the weekend doing bike admin as I’m determined not to end up like IronMan last year. Just as well as on Saturday I punctured in the back wheel whilst testing out my race wheels (Zipp 606’s). I settled in to fix the puncture and believe it or not but the spare tube I had (with a valve extension on it) was too short – a replay of IronMan! Luckily I was not too far from CycleLab Westlake so I shouldered my bike and walked there to sort out the problem. It was clear that there was a problem with the wheels and not the road surface so I had them replace the rim tape and I collected my bike that afternoon (thanks to Dad and Mom for the lift home whilst my bike was being sorted!)

However, I was not happy with the valve extension which had been used so I went about replacing the tube only to find that with the new rim tape on taking off the tyre was extremely difficult. I ended up calling in the expert (Ian Seggie) and together we sorted out the problem. I hope that I have an incident free race on Sunday as it’s going to take some strength to get that tyre off the back wheel if I puncture – let’s all hold thumbs.

I popped through to Texas Peak to Marc and Rebecca this morning and collected some GU Roctane for race day – thanks guys – your product is tops and I couldn’t survive without it. My bike has just been dropped off with Focus.on.the.finishline (Paul and Kelley) who will be taking it to East London for me. Another great service for those of you who do not know about it – check out their website www.focusonthefinishline.co.za.

Now it’s time to start packing the car and we’ll be off first thing in the morning to spend a few days in PE before driving through to East London on Saturday morning.

Good luck to all those doing IronMan 70.3 and especially to those first timers – good luck Segg’s – the swim will be a breeze – no worries!

To end on a really good note. adidas Germany have very kindly come to the party and contributed the shortfall on what we raised at the IronMan in PE last year to ensure we hit the R80,000 target. This now mean that a whole bunch of young guys and girls from SCORE will be able to go on the lifeskills training course and ensure that we make a difference in the lives of those less privileged than us.

On a personal note – Mel I hope that things are going well with your new assignment in Switzerland – I’m sure it is a little colder than the 35 degree heatwave we are experiencing in Cape Town today.