The Bicycle Entrepreneur

TBE Employee finishes 6th at the 2008 Busselton Half Ironman

 

Mikey Gee's Busselton Half Ironman Race Report


I was really looking forward to this race after a disappointing season so far, but still a little nervous since I hadn't raced for 7 weeks. The swim started with a laugh as the pro field all false started as they tested the buzzer. When we got underway I settled into a pack quite comfortably, but messed up 800 metres into swim as I let them get away. Got to the beach on my own and was surprised that I hadn't been caught by the wave behind and by the massive crowd at the swim exit.

Onto the bike and I didn't feel great and my power output was low, but after ironman I have learnt to be patient and after my heart rate settled down the bike came good and I started picking off the other riders. I had moved into 7th early on the 3rd lap but was worried about my nutrition, as I decided not to pick up another bidon on the last lap.

Into T2 and my left quad cramped, just like last year. Started cursing myself as I ran off while looking for some salt tabs in my fuel belt. Noticed I had about a minute over Lajos and was worried as I wasn't feeling great. I got through 4 salt tabs and 500ml of electrolytes in an attempt to keep from cramping in the first half of the run. Glanced at my watch, 43min for 10.5km was 4 minutes slower than I was aiming for, but I was starting to feel better. Heading back through the crowd I was feeling really good and running fast, but heard Lajos was still running me down. I felt like I was getting stronger as the race went on and negative spilted a run leg for the first time.
I Finished in 4.06.41, 6th place overall and 2nd West Aussie :-).

A big thanks to Sports Fever, Swimsmooth.com, PursuitPT.com.au and TBE for their support this season and Congrats to Sean O'Neill (4th) and Lajos Varga (7th) in his first half ironman.

Happy Training

Mikey