The weekend past was the Aberfeldy Half Ironman and Scottish Middle distance championships. It was going to be my first middle distance race of the year and only really decided to do it to get some race practice for the ITU World Long Distance Championships in Perth, Australia on 25th October.
Going into the race I knew I was going to be on great form as I've not done a great deal of specific training for that distance but was still hoping for a good race. This was going to be my first race riding with my Powertap as I normally only ever train with it. However racing over that sort of distance (56miles) I felt using the Powertap to pace my race would be a great advantage. From some of the training rides I had done over the the past few weeks I felt happy that my target power of 215W would be about the right power to give me a good bike time without leaving my legs empty for the run.
The swim went fairly well, conditions were a little rough with the wind creating some chop, but nothing that would have a major affect on your time. I exited the water in 30mins and about 27th according to Linda, so I was in the mix with people I would expect to be.
On to the bike after a slow transition putting on socks, arm warmers and giliet to help keep the elements out. I was feeling good and sitting at around the 230-240W, higher than the average I was looking for but have to take in to account free wheeling and cornering so I aim at a slightly higher value than I plan to average. Going over schiehallion for the first time I was holding my own with only 1 or 2 athletes coming past me so I was feeling confident that my pacing strategy was going to plan. However on the decent and going around Loch Rannoch a lot of competitors back to come past me which really made me think that I had under predicted my pacing strategy. I decided that I was still only halfway round the bike so things could change, maybe these guy's have all gone out to fast into the head wind. I had to keep to my plan as if I didn't I wouldn't be able to say if it worked or not. And to be honest this race was all about trying things out in preparation for Perth.
When I hit the other side of the loch and got the tailwind, things began to change and I started to pick of a few riders, which really helped my confidence in my pacing. Apart from 2 riders catching me coming back over schiehallion I held my position from 30mile point home. Back to transition and ready for the run where I was hoping to run a lot of the Field down.
Unfortunately that was not going to happen this time. The first 2 miles of the run felt good, however I had a runner in my sights at this point and was planning on running him down, my legs however were not thinking the same as me. I was just struggling to keep any pace going, whether it was the lack of specific training or whether I paced the bike poorly, I think it was the former.
Any way the run was now all about getting it done, I still felt a 1:40hr time was possible if I could just keep fuelling and keep this pace. Unfortunately it was definitely not my day on the run, with about 5 miles to go I was starting to feel a niggle in my groin and it didn't go. For the remainder of the race I had to walk/ jog just to get to the finish.
Over all the race had it's good points and bad points, other than the groin injury I'm glad I did the race as it is a great race and venue I highly recommend it. From the outcome now where I am in terms of middle distance racing and now what needs to be worked on when I'm out on the Gold coast training towards Perth.
Edinburgh RC as a team had some great performances, congratulations to Ben 4th over all, unfortunately not able to defend his title from last year even with a quicker time. Dermott and Ali both had great races. Dermott all the best for your Ironman in a weeks time, if you race like you did at Aberfeldy you'll in for a great time.
As for myself and my groin, the ice bath I had after the race seems to have helped along with a few days rest. I've now swam and been out for a short bike ride and it feel ok, the test will be tomorrow when I go for a run, fingers crossed it will be all good.
