Starting my Journey to Hawaii^2 2005

A month ago I achieved my goal of qualifying to race in the 2005 Ironman World Championships which are held in Kona at the start of October. I'm also hoping to race the Olympic Distance World Championships which are in Honolulu the week before; hence "Hawaii squared"!

This is a pretty unique opportunity to race both events in Hawaii, since the Olympic Distance Worlds are held at a different location every year! I am at my best in the face of a challenge and when I get out of my comfort zone. This adventure will certainly fulfil both of those criteria!

About Triathlon

The sport is divided into Age Group and Elite / Professional categories. Age groups are divided into 5 year intervals and I've just moved up into the 30-34 category. This is often the largest age group and is certainly one of the most comptetitive; in big events the winner of 30-34 will often place amongst the professionals. In order to race as a professional, and be able to compete for prize money you need a license. This ensures a certain standard of racing but the age group system means that athletes can continue to be competitive for many years, sometimes into their 70's. Triathlon didn't exist when those people were my age so it will be interesting to see what the senior age groups are like by the time I'm 70!

During the 2 years I've spent in Australia I've committed a lot of time, energy and money to my racing and training and have become a "good age grouper". My best results are:

12th in 25-29 at Olympic Dist Worlds in Dec 2003 (Queenstown, NZ)

63rd (17th in 25-29) at Ironman Australia in April 2004 (Forster-Tuncurry, NSW)
5th (Winner of 25-29) Yeppoon 1/2 Ironman in August 2004
7th (Winner of 25-29) Gold Coast 1/2 Ironman in October 2004
14th (3rd in 25-29) at Forster 1/2 Ironman in October 2004

14th (2nd in 25-29) at Australian Long Course Championships in February 2005
Winner of 25-29 for Ironman qualifying series (on results Yeppoon, Gold Coast and Forster 1/2 IM)
33rd (8th in 30-34 and Kona qualifier) at Ironman Australia in April 2005 (Forster-Tuncurry, NSW)

Well I took most of April off training. My focus for May is to get back into my training with a focus on: establishing good daily routines, developing core stability and functional strength, maintining aerobic fitness and organising as much as possible for the next 24 weeks so that I can focus 100% once I begin my serious training in June. This term I'm also aiming to put extra time and effort into my job at NumberWorks, Pennant Hills.

Feel free to post any quesions or comments here... :-D

Pure Madness - "Drag Racing in NY"!!!

If you've ever wondered what a bicycle courier race is like then wonder no further!

Click HERE for the link if you've got broadband (or are just really patient!)

Thanks Nige for the link!

PS Look out for the guy riding fixed wheel and please don't try this at home!