Firstly I'd like to say how good of a job Helen and Gabby did with the inaugural Beachport Triathlon. I know firsthand what this can be like and they did such a good job. Things ran so smoothly and relaxed from a competitors point of view. I also know that it probably didn't seem like this from the organisers side but it I can honestly say that if there was any chaos it was not noticed by the competitors.
The race started slowly for me as I knew all week in training it had taken me a good 30 mins before I got any good results. So knowing this I started out wide and cut in towards the first turn I also knew that there would be a lot of guys die in the first 30m and I didn't want to get caught amongst it. I think I was about 4th out of the water after a very average swim for me.
Once on the bike I caught the first two in front of me by about 2km, then caught and took the lead in about the 5km mark and continued to push the bike hard.
On the run I had a goal to push it as hard as I could, in reality this didn't happen somehow I got my innersoles of my shoes all tangled up and it felt like I was running with big rocks in my shoes, hope I didn't lose too much time as I really wanted to do well with the short burst of running.
I was really happy to come across the line in first place as I had lots of my family and friends there watching so it was a buzz for me and them the way the race panned out. Also good to have a win this year as I got a few age group wins last year but nothing this year as the focused has changed.
Also the other success of the day was TEAM GILLIN, Bianca and her Dad did a team entry in the race with Bianca completing the swim and Mick the bike and run. For all interested Bianca only learnt to swim 3 months ago and Mick's only recently hit the fitness regime a bit more seriously. The whole race went well for them with only a slight hiccup from the bike dismount, predicted 1 minute before it happened by Nostradamus Dion Gillin from the sidelines. Even though they didn't get a placing I'm sure they're hooked and we will all hear about it for a little while yet, but that whats Triathlon is all about nothing beats being able to push your limits.
Once again great job by the organisers, great course and great atmosphere can't wait for it to come around again. With some better weather the possibilities are endless for this event.
I'll update about my training in a couple of days as it's been spread over a bit more than a week at the moment with all I got going on. In the middle of a big 3 days right now so will fill you in soon. Training like a pro at the moment (have taken a couple of days off work to get it all in).
Toby
28.2.10
21.2.10
Just Cruising
Things are still going along nicely with no real complaints to be made. I can't even think of anything that is exciting to write about on the training front with a pretty standard type week. The only interesting points where the effort required to get through the last 10km home of the 180km ride on Saturday, was pushing into gale force hot dry wind. This took it right out of me at the time but I surprisingly come good after a 10 minute hydration at home before heading out for a short run in the same conditions. But still felt pretty good during the course of the run.
Sunday was a bit bigger struggle had some heavy legs and I was really unsure if I could finish with my starting bunch during the Club cycling race, especially when it was going to be a hectic start with a good tail wind. To my surprise all went fine and I managed to stay in the bunch not a problem but I can't say it was easy.
Finished the arvo off by doing my long run, this run felt completely different to any other of my long runs as I was pretty tired and run down from the very start. This said I still felt good and was really enjoying it, I kept thinking to myself that this is as close as I'm going to get to simulating race day SO GET USED TO IT. Still one of the things I go by is 'Training to meet the demands of racing' and this was so true for me that afternoon.
Totals - Swim 10.5km Ride 440km Run 63km
Bit of a recovery planned for the end of this week before a sprint race on Saturday then got the last of the big stuff before starting the wind down.
Also think Sundays heavy legs had a bit to do with my change in recovery technique after Saturday's training. Instead of compression pants and couch it was Bus trip, Bar, Beer and torture my good mate Nathan, got to enjoy a good Bucks show! Looking forward to the wedding now where I'll be all done with my main bulk of training and can really enjoy my duties as part of the Wedding Party and help celebrate this special day for Nathan and Hayley
Toby
Also Ben I'll be looking to do 150km on the Monday after Beachport would be stoked for you to join me for all or part of it, probably look to start after 9am want to get a swim in first. Will also be looking at doing some K's on Tuesday if you keen then? If anyone else out there keen just post a comment.
Sunday was a bit bigger struggle had some heavy legs and I was really unsure if I could finish with my starting bunch during the Club cycling race, especially when it was going to be a hectic start with a good tail wind. To my surprise all went fine and I managed to stay in the bunch not a problem but I can't say it was easy.
Finished the arvo off by doing my long run, this run felt completely different to any other of my long runs as I was pretty tired and run down from the very start. This said I still felt good and was really enjoying it, I kept thinking to myself that this is as close as I'm going to get to simulating race day SO GET USED TO IT. Still one of the things I go by is 'Training to meet the demands of racing' and this was so true for me that afternoon.
Totals - Swim 10.5km Ride 440km Run 63km
Bit of a recovery planned for the end of this week before a sprint race on Saturday then got the last of the big stuff before starting the wind down.
Also think Sundays heavy legs had a bit to do with my change in recovery technique after Saturday's training. Instead of compression pants and couch it was Bus trip, Bar, Beer and torture my good mate Nathan, got to enjoy a good Bucks show! Looking forward to the wedding now where I'll be all done with my main bulk of training and can really enjoy my duties as part of the Wedding Party and help celebrate this special day for Nathan and Hayley
Toby
Also Ben I'll be looking to do 150km on the Monday after Beachport would be stoked for you to join me for all or part of it, probably look to start after 9am want to get a swim in first. Will also be looking at doing some K's on Tuesday if you keen then? If anyone else out there keen just post a comment.
17.2.10
Photos and Media from Geelong 70.3
I have been a very lazy WAG lately haven't I! Here are some pics from Geelong Half Ironman earlier this month. Above is Toby at the briefing the day before.
It is always pretty amazing to see all the bikes there, I guess with each one averaging a few thousand dollars there is quite a bit of moolah in the transition area...
Especially when you look at it from this angle!!!
Toby on his run leg. Probably the only decent photo I could get of him competing this time. Too many times I get the back of him or someone else, as mentioned in the article below. Tobys sister Kate and I were standing on the sideline when a journalist from the Geelong Advertiser approached us and asked a few questions about Toby to write a story on.
We were pretty surprised for it to have made page 3 of the paper the next day!! You can click on the image above to enlarge it enough to read.
The Border Watch also covered the story which was great for our local athletes to get some recognition. And back page!! Oh the fame.
A video of the day has been put on YouTube as well. If you look between 7:43 to 7:55 you will see Toby the man running towards the camera just as Crowie (world champion) is passing him. Enjoy the music!
And that is about it. I should have some more photos after the Beachport Tri next weekend - if you are even only half interested in triathlons I would recommend to do that one, such a great place and should be a fun day!
Ciao amigos.
Oh, and 36 days to go! Far out!
14.2.10
Just Another Week
Nothing too exciting to report on this week in the training department. Swimming was a little down on volume as i canned one of my sessions I had planned for after a massage, just too flat actually went home and had a nap. Running was just a matter of one foot in front of the other I could feel the fatigue every time I pushed some intensity except for my run off of the bike on Saturday felt pretty strong for the 40 mins I pushed. Then to top things off ran for two hours in continuous wind and rain on the Sunday. On the other hand the bike came up well the long ride I was good all the way through except for a 10 minute section where I got a bit hungry. Then backed up well at the Club race on the Sunday having a red hot go before the hill to try to break away and if not just get out of the way of everybody else so they can have the sprint for the line (I'm more than happy just staying on two wheels when the fields are as big as what they are at the moment).
Swim 9 km Ride 370 km Run 54 km
On a personal note I had some mixed emotions about the weekend, this is the first time since I started triathlon I have not competed at Kingston, actually Kingston was my first Tri. Also this meant not having another crack at a age group State Championship as well which I've won the last 2 years in my relevant category. It kind of goes against another one of my beliefs too which is I like to support local events as much as possible but this year I've got a plan and my eyes are set on a bigger goal. I like to get my inspiration for this mindset from the current World Champ Craig Alexander, in his last two times at Kona (which he's won) there was minimal lead up races with just eyes on the prize mentality. So at the moment I'm following his lead, at the same scale just a different level.
Made another trip down to Beachport for a swim, not for me this time but for Bianca. She's doing the swim leg as a part of a team with her Dad at the inaugural Beachport triathlon in two weeks time. Wasn't really the best day for it very windy and rough but at least it shouldn't be close to that bad on the day of the event so she is prepared for the worst at the moment. To think three months ago she couldn't even put her head underwater and now is attempting open water swims. It's a credit to her swimming instructor/Italian teacher/drinking buddy Toni on how well Bianca is doing.
While still on the Beachport theme I will be racing there in two weeks in front of all my family and friends, will be looking forward to see if I still have some short course speed. I'll be coming off of a recovery week so I should be in good condition hoping to find a new max HR. This will be the lead up to the biggest and key few days in my prep so if anyone is free on the first Monday and Tuesday in March I could do with some company on the bike got a fair few K's to do and any help is appreciated.
Toby
Swim 9 km Ride 370 km Run 54 km
On a personal note I had some mixed emotions about the weekend, this is the first time since I started triathlon I have not competed at Kingston, actually Kingston was my first Tri. Also this meant not having another crack at a age group State Championship as well which I've won the last 2 years in my relevant category. It kind of goes against another one of my beliefs too which is I like to support local events as much as possible but this year I've got a plan and my eyes are set on a bigger goal. I like to get my inspiration for this mindset from the current World Champ Craig Alexander, in his last two times at Kona (which he's won) there was minimal lead up races with just eyes on the prize mentality. So at the moment I'm following his lead, at the same scale just a different level.
Made another trip down to Beachport for a swim, not for me this time but for Bianca. She's doing the swim leg as a part of a team with her Dad at the inaugural Beachport triathlon in two weeks time. Wasn't really the best day for it very windy and rough but at least it shouldn't be close to that bad on the day of the event so she is prepared for the worst at the moment. To think three months ago she couldn't even put her head underwater and now is attempting open water swims. It's a credit to her swimming instructor/Italian teacher/drinking buddy Toni on how well Bianca is doing.
While still on the Beachport theme I will be racing there in two weeks in front of all my family and friends, will be looking forward to see if I still have some short course speed. I'll be coming off of a recovery week so I should be in good condition hoping to find a new max HR. This will be the lead up to the biggest and key few days in my prep so if anyone is free on the first Monday and Tuesday in March I could do with some company on the bike got a fair few K's to do and any help is appreciated.
Toby
7.2.10
THE RACE
To sum up from Sunday's race
This was the first race for me where the jellyfish have been an issue, a couple of times in the swim I put my hand straight into the middle of them. It affected me a bit more because I use a sleeveless wetsuit I copped a few stings along my arms but luckily none on my face.
The other issue with the swim is nothing unusual just part of triathlon and something that you just have to deal with. Getting belted in a field as big as what there was is just part of it all. I'm hoping the extra distance at IM should string the field out as it felt on Sunday the last 600m heaps of people dropped off and this allowed me to find some room and I seemed to just be flying past other competitors. With the couple of issues I had I still swam faster than I've done before for that distance so things are looking good in that department.
Got off to a great start on the bike, once out of the technical bit I started to make up heaps of positions and being able to make it away from the bunches. On the second lap of the bike myself and another competitor had a good pace going taking it in turns to keep the pace while still keeping the required distance apart. Then about halfway through this lap I looked behind me only to see a bunch of about 40 just riding in peloton formation, they just swallowed us up.
At this stage I let them know my thoughts and I tried to ride away from them. I could get 100m in front but then they would just swallow me up again. So I just sat up let off some more steam and dropped off of the back.
The more annoying thing was that the Tech officers rode with this bunch but they still seemed to do the same thing, also most of that pack comprised of all the guys that I put the effort in to pass at the start of the bike. Then to add even more frustration I only saw about three of that bunch in the penalty box on the way back. As far as I could see you could of let the first four or five guys at the front of the bunch off but booked the rest of them for some time on the side of the road. I could of rode at the front of that bunch quite easily but why do I want to give everyone else a free ride just to get run over when we hop off of the bike. Before the bunch came along I was on track for a sub 2:20 on the bike which would of set me up well for an overall PB.
Once I started the run I knew I was not on target for a PB so I decided then to make this a real life trial for Pt Macquarie. This meant trying to keep good form and control my heart rate at certain points so I can take on food and drink. I'm quite happy to report that this went to plan beautifully I was in control of things the whole way. I didn't get the time I would of liked but I was able to take many more things away from the run than a PB. I also got to run with Crowie for about 5 metres.
As you can see that my opening sentence sums up the race for me pretty well, so my 4:36:16 was around the mark but just not as outstanding as I was hoping for. Still plenty of good points to take from the race and now I'm truly focused for the training that's ahead of me as I'm sure that things won't all go my way in the main race either.
With my sisters Kate and Sally post race
My number one fanatic Mum listening to race review - note stopwatch necklace she is sporting
Thanks also to all the crew that turned up to cheer me on they even made it into the local paper [check it out here] and gave me a big rap. But the journalist mustn't of been able to fit in the description of what it was like to watch a race like this with Mum, either that or just didn't believe what he was being told. I definitely couldn't do all this though If I didn't have the support of all these people close to me they help make it all worth while I hope I give them just as much enjoyment from watching me.
Also a big congratulation to Penny, I've been coaching Penny towards this goal since October and it was great to see all her hard work pay off. We got a race plan together last week and it was great to see that work perfectly so she could achieve her goals. To put things in perspective in August of last year Penny was unable to fully complete a Half Marathon but yesterday she completed a 1.9 swim , 90km bike and 21.1 run. Testament to what hard work and a good outlook can bring, even better was seeing her do it in front of her Mum, Dad and Richard. Must of been a huge relief for Richard as he's had to live with all the hard work required to get there.
Well it's back to the massage table for me this afternoon so I can get back to the training and I'll keep you all up to date with things in the future
Cheers Toby
"I'm happy but not satisfied with the overall result"The swim started well - the extra distances and technique sessions I've incorporated into the IM training has started to show I felt really comfy and felt I was keeping the pace quite high. Things went downhill for a good 900m of the swim when I came across my first encounter with a jellyfish and when the competitors out wide made their line towards the first turning can.
This was the first race for me where the jellyfish have been an issue, a couple of times in the swim I put my hand straight into the middle of them. It affected me a bit more because I use a sleeveless wetsuit I copped a few stings along my arms but luckily none on my face.
The other issue with the swim is nothing unusual just part of triathlon and something that you just have to deal with. Getting belted in a field as big as what there was is just part of it all. I'm hoping the extra distance at IM should string the field out as it felt on Sunday the last 600m heaps of people dropped off and this allowed me to find some room and I seemed to just be flying past other competitors. With the couple of issues I had I still swam faster than I've done before for that distance so things are looking good in that department.
Got off to a great start on the bike, once out of the technical bit I started to make up heaps of positions and being able to make it away from the bunches. On the second lap of the bike myself and another competitor had a good pace going taking it in turns to keep the pace while still keeping the required distance apart. Then about halfway through this lap I looked behind me only to see a bunch of about 40 just riding in peloton formation, they just swallowed us up.
At this stage I let them know my thoughts and I tried to ride away from them. I could get 100m in front but then they would just swallow me up again. So I just sat up let off some more steam and dropped off of the back.
The more annoying thing was that the Tech officers rode with this bunch but they still seemed to do the same thing, also most of that pack comprised of all the guys that I put the effort in to pass at the start of the bike. Then to add even more frustration I only saw about three of that bunch in the penalty box on the way back. As far as I could see you could of let the first four or five guys at the front of the bunch off but booked the rest of them for some time on the side of the road. I could of rode at the front of that bunch quite easily but why do I want to give everyone else a free ride just to get run over when we hop off of the bike. Before the bunch came along I was on track for a sub 2:20 on the bike which would of set me up well for an overall PB.
Once I started the run I knew I was not on target for a PB so I decided then to make this a real life trial for Pt Macquarie. This meant trying to keep good form and control my heart rate at certain points so I can take on food and drink. I'm quite happy to report that this went to plan beautifully I was in control of things the whole way. I didn't get the time I would of liked but I was able to take many more things away from the run than a PB. I also got to run with Crowie for about 5 metres.
As you can see that my opening sentence sums up the race for me pretty well, so my 4:36:16 was around the mark but just not as outstanding as I was hoping for. Still plenty of good points to take from the race and now I'm truly focused for the training that's ahead of me as I'm sure that things won't all go my way in the main race either.
With my sisters Kate and Sally post race
My number one fanatic Mum listening to race review - note stopwatch necklace she is sportingThanks also to all the crew that turned up to cheer me on they even made it into the local paper [check it out here] and gave me a big rap. But the journalist mustn't of been able to fit in the description of what it was like to watch a race like this with Mum, either that or just didn't believe what he was being told. I definitely couldn't do all this though If I didn't have the support of all these people close to me they help make it all worth while I hope I give them just as much enjoyment from watching me.
Also a big congratulation to Penny, I've been coaching Penny towards this goal since October and it was great to see all her hard work pay off. We got a race plan together last week and it was great to see that work perfectly so she could achieve her goals. To put things in perspective in August of last year Penny was unable to fully complete a Half Marathon but yesterday she completed a 1.9 swim , 90km bike and 21.1 run. Testament to what hard work and a good outlook can bring, even better was seeing her do it in front of her Mum, Dad and Richard. Must of been a huge relief for Richard as he's had to live with all the hard work required to get there.
Well it's back to the massage table for me this afternoon so I can get back to the training and I'll keep you all up to date with things in the future
Cheers Toby
5.2.10
On The Way
It's the day before my main lead up race and I'm not feeling too bad. I haven't got that jumping out of my skin feeling which I really like to have before a race but hopefully that will turn up this afternoon. Have had a couple of good nights sleep so they should start to take effect soon.
The week started with some treatment to get ready for this weekend. Took me a while to start to get over that - it was a bit more intense than I've ever had before but I could feel the good it did. This weeks was a taper so I work on cutting things back to about a 1/3 of what's been happening and increase the intensity/speed of the sessions, with the main focus of the week being sleep.
Looking forward to tomorrow there is a big field which will help me get use to what's to come and have got a full family of support crew watching on, It's great having my sisters in the Geelong area for my accommodation needs.
For anyone interested the site for the race is here
They might be posting live times during the race.
Tomorrows race has the current IM world champ Craig Alexander racing. That's the cool thing about this sport, the armatures get to race alongside their sporting idols. There's not many sports out there that you can do this with, imagine how many people out there would like to play footy or cricket with the stars of the game. But I know I don't even notice them when racing I'm either in too much pain to notice or totally focused on my own efforts. I mainly like perving on their bikes in transition.
Got to get over and recover from this race as quick as possible. Have mapped out my plan up until the big day and its time to hit some serious stuff real hard.
Next post will be a full race report from tomorrow hopefully with mainly good things
Toby
The week started with some treatment to get ready for this weekend. Took me a while to start to get over that - it was a bit more intense than I've ever had before but I could feel the good it did. This weeks was a taper so I work on cutting things back to about a 1/3 of what's been happening and increase the intensity/speed of the sessions, with the main focus of the week being sleep.
Looking forward to tomorrow there is a big field which will help me get use to what's to come and have got a full family of support crew watching on, It's great having my sisters in the Geelong area for my accommodation needs.
For anyone interested the site for the race is here
They might be posting live times during the race.
Tomorrows race has the current IM world champ Craig Alexander racing. That's the cool thing about this sport, the armatures get to race alongside their sporting idols. There's not many sports out there that you can do this with, imagine how many people out there would like to play footy or cricket with the stars of the game. But I know I don't even notice them when racing I'm either in too much pain to notice or totally focused on my own efforts. I mainly like perving on their bikes in transition.
Got to get over and recover from this race as quick as possible. Have mapped out my plan up until the big day and its time to hit some serious stuff real hard.
Next post will be a full race report from tomorrow hopefully with mainly good things
Toby
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