Last year I was inspired when working at the Taupo Ironman, seeing those men and women of all shapes and sizes compete in what must be one of the biggest acts of self discipline and strength of character.
It wasn’t watching the magnificent super athletes power home, looking like they had been for an easy workout, but rather those who where competing against themselves and ticking off the bucket list.
So it was with fit of inspiration that I decided to enter the Taupo half ironman, however as I’m not a big swimmer or runner, I put together a team.
I quickly put the word out on Facebook and soon had some responses from a couple of friends and in no time at all we were discussing entry and names, loosely defining a strategy.
Our aim was to come in under 6 hours, and we broke it down to a 40 minute swim, 3 hour on the bike (me) and 2 hour run, the day dawned beautiful with little of the typical sou -westerly that Taupo can be known for.
John set of on his swim, and as it was his first open-water swim with 1400 other competitors in the water, he had a couple of moments of “wow there is a lot of people around me” had a look at the buoys in the distance and set off again. Coming out of the water in his 40 minutes and a quick jog up the hill to transition, I grabbed the transponder of his ankle and set off.
The team at the Taupo Half Ironman 2011
As I powered down the lake front I was aware to not go too hard in the first few kilometres, but then thought “what the heck” and powered along, trying to pass as many cyclists as I could. Heading up the Napier Taupo highway and then along Broadlands road, a light rain fell, but it wasn’t cold but was mindful of the white painted markings on the road.
To get through a ride that was 90 ks and with no drafting, I had set milestones, the major one was I wanted to achieve was I didn’t want to see the main riders coming back towards me before I had hit the 30 k mark (The solos start 10 minutes before the teams) & right at the 30 k zone, where drinks are handed out, I saw the lead guys coming through, this really was encouraging and made me power on a bit harder. I managed to pass a number of riders, and was always mindful of the anti-drafting rule, and at only one stage was I worried about this, as I approached a big group of riders, and as I started to pass a copuple of riders slowed and suddenly I was boxed in I had no real choice except pass closer than I wanted to.
No sooner had I passed and got some space the marshals came through on their bikes and suggested that I pull over to the left and move away from the center line. At the half way turn around I was delighted to feel a slight tail wind, and suddenly was up 4 kph. The run home was great and the bike felt light and powerful. The last 15 ks are probably the most tying as there is a climb, not steep or big, but after 70+ ks a hill is the last thing you want to see. But soon I was at the top and zooming down the hill to the lake front.
Powering along the lakefront was a great feeling, soon I was into transition, climbing off the bike and trying to jog to park the bike, and then run to Karina, passing her the transponder.
I was beset with cramps, but that wasn’t an issue, as I did my ride in 2.50 or 36 kph the fastest I have ridden without drafting. The Endomondo route
Karina finished the run, just as the sun was starting to really heat up and we crossed the line in 5.49 making the outing a successful day, and a very enjoyable celebration that night.
So if you are feeling like you want to do the half iron man in a team, I say go for it, the training for 90 ks needs a little bit of thought and dedication, but it won’t be as taxing as if you were training for the whole ironman.
The camaraderie of the team
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