Boik Hoik, Toim Troils….and other stuff
Saturday was time to ’show some’ in the group ride. Big welcome to this training update to Darryl Salisbury. He lives in Ranford and I see him pretty often on the cycle commute. Those of you that drive down Ranford Rd, he has the Ajilon cycling jersey. I’m sure you’ve seen him. Anyway, he posted a 4hr 50min effort at Busso HIM last year and his cycling form presently is honest and hard. It is always with some relief that we see Richard hasn’t joined in the group ride. Now, kudos to Richard for keeping us all honest but he was resting for the Freeway Bike Hike so we knew that would mean the absence of a few explosive efforts. We call it respite, Richard!!
I put in a few hard digs but was a little uncertain how much petrol to leave in the tank for Sunday’s 20km time trial at Champion Lakes. I know Nick and Craig were also saving a bit of petrol for their Freeway Bike Hike A group effort. Grant Alexander coming into some form. Both he and Darryl looking like starters for cyclosportif. I would say we’ll have at least 3 teams at this stage. I went to the team managers briefing last Wed.No other training for the day as I had some gardening and dog grooming to do (dogs don’t like having their hair cut with hedge trimmers…..only kidding, what do you think I am?)
On Sunday morning, I had honestly prepared myself mentally for a 41kph effort. I thought I had the speed and fitness for this. I did an arms workout early in the morning. I made my way to Champion Lakes and the State Dragon Boat champs were on. That put the kybosh on our swimming intentions. Brendan and Liz away early for their TT. I had Jessica Allen as my ‘minute man’ in front of me and Claire McLean one minute behind. Jessica got some more time on me but I held off Claire. My result of 30min52sec was just a touch under 39kph. My time in the 40kph club was all too brief.To be fair, it was hard down the Roe Hwy straight with wind gusting up to 35kph. Brendan and I posting almost identical times/efforts. He was the bigger man however and clocked off 2 x 5km laps of running straight afterwards. There were still 23 people in the 40kph+ category. I have to find my ‘mojo’ in these next 6 weeks.Honour roll now. Well done to Richard Kelly on placing 11th in the
Freeway Bike Hike. With a time of 1hr16min and an average speed over 45kph (topping out at 63.7kph) that was an effort to be very proud of. Also, kudos to Ryan Fynn for doing his first TT and finishing with around 41.7kph average. If you don’t mind, he also paired up with a friend to ‘win’ the inaugural 5 Dams 230km ride a week earlier with a time of around 7hrs 20mins. The Flying Fynn is back with a vengeance. I meant to congratulate Steve Dunn on completing the Kilimanjaro Marathon a few weeks ago. His 108th marathon now and one of his toughest, by all accounts. Jambo. Karibu, Hakuna Matata….and all those other African greeting words Steve. Continuing the same theme and Liz McSweeney pushing out a 16km run on Friday, a 100km cycling effort on Sat and a tough TT on Sunday at Champion Lakes….a bit of a leg injury but that hasn’t stopped her. It was this time a year ago that Shannon Arnott had a terrible injury in the Freeway Bike Hike. That made her TT on Sunday all the more remarkable going lose to 37kph. And Paul Prottey putting in a 30min16sectime- nice job from both of them.
Chris Roberts put in a 60km hike from Kalamunda to Mt Dale on Saturday…..just thought I’d mention it. Not a bad effort.
Shaun Lonergan rolled out with around 70 other Stadium tri club folk for a hard hills ride on the weekend. And his latest run effort at 4min7sec/km pace for over an hour. Nice job mate. Most of you will recall Shaun’s account of his first Avon Descent last year. A great story!
I’ll do running most lunchtimes this week and swimming on Tues, Thursday and on weekend. Dee, Mel, Matt and I are off to One Tree Bridge for the Easter long weekend, around 20kms East of Manjimup. These chalets (only two of them) made out of huge rainwater tanks. Like something out of an Enid Blyton novel. Right alongside the Donnelly River. Booked into Karri Valley Resort restaurant for my birthday dinner.
Life’s pretty good at the moment. I hope you are all fit, bracing yourselves for some honest training efforts, eating and sleeping well.I’m preparing myself for another season of ‘rubbishing’ as a Carlton supporter with Fevola gone. But Arsenal are going great guns (pity Man Utd won last night)
Belated congratulations to Peter and Caroline Clark on their Singapore Half Ironman efforts of 5hr 19m and 6hr01m respectively in that oppressive heat and humidity. Also to ‘muscles’ Steve Hammond and the other Steve on both finishing Ironman New Zealand recently.
What a storm we had yesterday in Perth. Up to $150 million insurance bill. I cycled home in between batterings and I’ve never seen the Freeway bike path strewn with so much rubbish.
Reservoir
CHRISTO