Busso Half Ironman - Final Preparations
Well, there’s at least 1800 of you out there competing in this event on Saturday 3 May at Busselton. Here’s how it looks from the start of the swim!
The town will be brimming with extra people from tomorrow to Sunday no doubt. My bike, ‘Sparkles’ (so named as the dude who painted the frame threw in some metallic flakes that sparkle) has just been serviced - a new chain, clean, ready to roll.
Paul at Bikeforce Southern River lent me his Orbea Opal with all the fruit (carbon everything, Campag Chorus, etc, etc). Not keen on giving his bike back. Ernie, my Colnago, has new Campag crank now so he will be readied for my winter commuting.
I’ve managed around 5 to 6 days of swimming recently. Just sets of 40 laps a session. Recently, tried to maintain 53 to 55sec per 50metres. Yes, slow as a wet week but swimming is a real challenge for me technically.
My quickest half marathon run time of 1hr 37min won’t be threatened as part of a half ironman. I’ll be happy with an effort close to 1hr 50min. With the bike, I figure anything better than 30kph will do (but I’ll hope to get around 33kph) for the 90kms.
Our support crew has been briefed, Wino’s in Margz may be the place to go on Sat PM after the event (well, someone stupidly put on the Margaret River Wine show at Cowaramup right in the middle of our race) - talk about divided loyalties!
The Geographe Bayview will be our digs for the event. The cycle commute yesterday, 30 April, was the last. It seems that the Busso Half Ironman should have been held on Mayday. There’s probably a common theme there with a lot of first-timers and those who may have under-prepared.
Dee and I went to see Frank Woodley at the Regal Theatre last Friday night. A bit of slapstick, improv and some funny lines. He’s a ‘work in progress’ as a solo act I think.
We’ve been trying the carboshotz electrolyte tablets just to get used to them. We will buy up on Enervitene (magic stuff) and some carboshotz gels and some gatorade. The qoleum cream will get good use on all 3 disciplines (swim, bike and run). I’ll try not to look awkward trying to unzip the wetsuit after the swim - won’t work though, I’ll still look awkward.
I will have 3 tubes, 6 super patches and have checked my GP4000 Continental tyres thoroughly prior to the race. Best of luck to all of us, first timers, team entrants, officials, volunteers, ‘draft busters’, supporters. Let’s hope for good weather and a real sense of personal achievement!!….and Carn the Blues for Friday night!!
And remember, stercus accidit!!
CHRISTO