THIS IS WHAT PROS RODE IN THE 90's........

This magnificent machine belonged to friend Maureen Cummings, former elite level triathlete and world champ. It didn't look like this when I got it! Full chemical strip and every alloy part hand polished till mirrored. Spokes painted, top qual saddle fitted, exxy bar tape and 12mths later - voule'. Ready for eBay and helping daddy get his new Cannondale.

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“…..oh come on, I’ve done all the right things now hurry up….”. And other issues affecting the ‘Rusty Ironman’!

My wife god bless her started buying me Triathlon magazines recently. The first was in a birthday gift with a MTB magazine so the gift was half OK…and half not OK! Let me explain grasshopper – you see I haven’t picked up a triathlon mag since about 1995 which coincidentally was the last year I did a triathlon (sprint distance, Kurnell NSW – you know not near Kurnell but far Kurnell) and it was like going back in time.

Same looking mag with same looking triathlete megastar on the front cover giving out the same used and tireless advice as only someone who gets paid to train every day can give out.

For example, “…the ability to drink the right fluid and eat the right nutrition is the key to every athlete’s pre-race and mid race routine”. I think one of those gifted NRL commentators said something similar during the 1990’s, “…the one who scores the most tries will win this game!” – Life changing isn’t it.

I’ve since told mummy not to buy them anymore for those obvious reasons and the fact that really who wears a race suit and rides a bike that looks really fast but is also really uncomfortable? My guess is heaps. Another point I’ve taken in is that people are still enslaved to the triathlon marketing machine as they were in 1995 (not me of course, I was cheap and could ride a bike so I did OK).

My bro in law exhibited this phenomenon recently as seen on his Facebook sight that mummy showed me. I should point out that uncle heafy is actually an accomplished triathlete and can really swim and run as well as being able to sit on a bike. Resplendent in a sky blue 2XU (not a size) race suit was uncle heafy looking well – like everyone else! I can’t bag him as he was doing what everyone else does – dressing to the occasion! Anyway he did well and came out in front on the swim and then dropped his bottle which signed his death warrant.

Wifey pointed out that maybe I need to reassess the current climate – an environmental scan if you will. OK, OK I have done this and will stretch it to wearing compression shorts, a sleeveless super fabric top with a big zip for aeration, my 2XU shin guards of course because they actually do work, and shortly I will have a new bike that friend Huey has assisted me in obtaining through invaluable contacts (thanks mateJ). Better sell a few bikes quick.

But I’m definitely not going the race suit OK.

I’m three and a bit weeks post injury now and after taking two weeks off apart from treating the injury I stepped out feeling OK but went lame in the first k or two – but continued on for another 7.6km roughly just to make sure it didn’t come good – my physio wife and her welsh running corgi taught me that. Nice one.

So another week just went past before I did the right thing and went for a good long walk with my seven year old avatar. His piercing words from the shower still ringing in my ‘bad father’ consciousness – “Daddy we need some boytime”. Clone boy struck out well but quickly fell into whinging mode after about 2k. A smart trainer will always make the athlete pay for being subversive so his reward was to run for the same amount of seconds he made me wait for him. He knows Noosa Hill from the inland side is 1.1k – well he does now because I made him read the sign at the top when we got there. He can also add up 3.8 k as well (more signs) which by the time he saw mummy and sibling had turned out to be 6k – fantastic trainer that boy!

Parting words should be, “same circus different clowns” but instead I will finish with this – three months, one week – bring on the pain!

........AND INJURY REARS ITS UGLY HEAD

The curse of the athlete - the injury or in my case for about a week and a half - two injuries. First injury two Sundays ago I wheelbarrowed one and a half metres of soil and mary river pebble into a retaineir wall - badly strained back made worse by a couple of swim sessions. Injury two - second 15k run through the park in a week seperated by a couple of days and the last two kays I feel a tightening pain in the soleus (calf) and have to limp out of the bush.

Of course my trusty physio and wife immediatley provided first aid and initial injury management advice, "I'm going for a run" and that was it! Fortunatley ice paks for two to three days are not unusual so I did all the right things. Followed by tiger balm and light stretching and voule a week and half later I was on the fixie doing a couple of hours pain free, two days later another two hours on the steel stead - all good.

I don't mention the support from huey luey and duey at this point as I'm sure there thoughts were with me over coffee on the usual saturday morn run without me.

Important part of this story that I didn't mention was even though there was frustration and anxiety in that I couldn't 'train' and it was only about four and a half months to 'the race' - I didn't rush it. One of the benefits of being the 'mature age athlete' is that I've done the stupid things previously or have seen others do it and i know that its just that - stupid!

Competing is not to win but to complete! I wish I had said that but it wasn't me but happens to be the motto of QERA - QLD endurance riders association - well something pretty close to that. I know because my wonderful wife the super athlete has told me many a time whilst competing and us attending one of many horse events of years past.

My ethos is to enjoy training as its a lifestyle choice and to enter a competition is not to beat others or to marvel at those at the pointy end - its to push myself to limits otherwise not enjoyed and at the same time its an opportunity to play all day and not having my children jostling for attention - which is lovingly given always. Whilst out there its hard and punishing but afterwards there is always the next horizon to look towards - this time it just may be competing with the view from behind an IV drip. For the record I was a bag and half boy 17years ago!

I hope to test the calf tomorrow or Friday with a run and lets see what happens - if its no good well the bike and swim will get a smashing and i will treat and wait again.

My injury and time scale is somewhat less important at present as wifeys done the hip from some over zealous stretching and she is competing in the North Face 100 in May. With everything else life hands out - I am a long way from dire straits and at this time my thoughts are with my beautfiul wife who I know is pulling her ever greying hair out.

A word from the wise - don't push it, cross train and above all - remember there are very few elite athletes around and chances are you aren't one of them - look after yourself and enjoy the good times. If also else fails I recommend vitamin N - Nurofen.