Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne - Triathlon

The start was rolling and I seeded myself in the last zone 4. When the athletes were on the beach there was no real separation between zones and I ended up too far back. I don't think this affected my swim time though, I felt good passing lots of people and the field was nicely spread out.

Next time I would start further forward and get a better chance to draft.

The volunteers helped with transition which I wasn't used to and it confused me a bit. I took my time and made sure I had everything and sunscreen on arms and face. Toilet on the way to get bike and run through transition area.

Be ready with instruction for the volunteers.

The bike was a bit of an unknown as I hadnt done 180k in one go on my own before. I probably held back a bit and tried to concentrate on cycling steadily and eating and drinking every 20 mins. The wind played a big part and the tailwind seemed to turn into a headwind in the last 15km. Tried to use small chainring as much as possible in the last 5km.

Don't fall off the bike.

Volunteers helped again and I was ready with instructions. Took my time and made sure I reapplied sunscreen to face and arms. Ate a banana between getting off bike and arriving at T2. Visited the loo on the way to run course.

Nothing.

Started out a bit fast but settled into a good pace trying to keep the cadence up. Had a gel at the start then started eating bites of energy bars every 20 mins. Aid stops I took water and ice cubes to suck and whatever else I felt I needed. At special needs stop I had salted crisps and my thermal top which I didn't use in the end but I tied it round my waist. I focused on getting to the line 29k, then 36k, once there I felt like I had it done. I noticed that many people were walking and my goal was to keep running all the way to the end, which I did!

Try not to go too fast at the start.

Just grabbed gear, had a sandwich and came back to apartment for shower, dinner, bubbly and bed in compression gear.


Nothing on the day


Awesome course for a first full ironman. The weather was excellent on the day but I imagine it could be challenging weather if you're unlucky. The volunteers were all excellent and supporters along the way made it all the more enjoyable.