Geelong Triathlon 2.80.20

As a lead up to Ironman Melbourne I did the Geelong long course triathlon yesterday. It was 2km swim, 80km ride and 20km run. Completed in 4:41 and still smiling! New best time, very happy and tired. 

Restwise helps me train harder and smarter

I’d like to offer my fellow triathletes a way to support my fundraising goals while at the same time discovering a way to train smarter. As part of my buildup for IM Melbourne I was introduced to a new tool for triathlon training called Restwise. We all know training is hard and sometimes it takes a lot of will power just to get to a workout, never mind get through it. Usually pushing through these tough bouts makes us stronger.

But there are also times when we are simply at or past our physical limit, and additional training will set us back. Restwise helps you figure out when to push and when to rest. It has been a big help to me over the past few months as I’ve driven myself harder than ever before. Have a look at my graph over January. I took it easy up until the13th due to those 3 drops and then I've been full steam ahead and getting great results.

The folks at Restwise have agreed to let me offer a 10% discount to my supporters and to donate 15% of any sales to my fundraising efforts. So you can subscribe help yourself and support my efforts at the same time. To learn more about Restwise go to the website. You will need to put “daxtri” into the coupon code box during checkout.

Charity Drive for Colitus

My beautiful wife, Amanda, has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis this year.  She has not let the disease stop her reaching her goals. I'm so proud of her running marathons and now doing triathlons. This provides confidence in other people with the disease that they can do it too.  We would like to make a difference with combating this disease by raising money to complete my first Ironman and finding a cure so people like my wife can stop suffering.

There is 8 weeks until the big race and I need to raise another $1k to hit my goal of $10 per km of the race (226.

Fundraising page 

I thought I would use this time to tell you about what we are doing, what the $$ will help with.

What are we doing to raise the money?
I am pushing my body and mind to try and complete my first Ironman event on the 25th March 2012.
We are asking people to donate at least $1 and post on their facebook page for others to help.Amanda is also racing in all the Active Feet triathlons on Melbourne this season to show that you don't need to let Colitis rule your life. She is very brave and we must ensure she doesn't have a flair up of the disease.
We are also thinking about an auction event for Tri gear if we can get enough gear from companies. All ideas are welcome to help raise money.

What will the money help with?

Making Life More Liveable

The 2 best things that the money we are raising will go to are:

1. Kids Camps! The next one is in Vic. It's very exciting. We are giving all CCA members in Victoria aged between 13 and 18 the opportunity to enjoy a FREE adventure camp in Mout Martha, VIC. All meals, accommodation and activities are included. Held over the weekend from Friday 20th – Sun 22nd April, this is their chance to have a great time away with other teenagers who understand exactly what you’re going through.

2. Research and awareness. Most importantly continue contributing to research in the hope of finding a cure.

Please help by donating at least $1 at Fundraising page  You can register using your facebook account and then post your donation so your friends know and might donate too.

Further Details:

CCA do not receive any government funding, we rely heavily on the support of members, community groups and individuals such as you to help us support and empower those living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
It is likely that you or someone close to you is living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is estimated that approximately 61,000 Australians have IBD, with more being diagnosed each year. It is estimated that this number will rise a staggering 23% by 2020. The cause is unknown and at present there is no cure. IBD often develops between the ages of 15 and 30 but can start at any age.

With your support, CCA can continue to raise awareness of IBD in the community, and fund research to help find a cure for IBD. Your donation will help us provide members, their families and friends with information, counselling and support services.

With Crohn’s & ulcerative colitis, the lining of one or more parts of the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. This can lead to symptoms that are embarrassing, painful, and can potentially lead to an early death due to complications. 47% of people diagnosed with IBD are at risk of a premature death due to complication from symptoms or treatments.

Symptoms can include debilitating pain in the abdomen, life threatening weight loss, frequent diarrhoea (sometimes with blood and mucus), tiredness, fever, mouth ulcer, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and jaundice.

IBD is a chronic condition and currently there is no cure.

Scientists don’t know exactly what causes IBD. Further research is needed to discover the cause of IBD, and help find a cure. Part of the important work that Crohn’s & Colitis Australia™ conduct is to raise funds for such research.

There are currently 61,000 people affected by IBD and predicted to rise by 23% by 2020. The onset of the disease can arise at any age, however symptoms typically start to occur between 15-30 years. It is more prevalent than epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema or schizophrenia yet there is limited public awareness. Part of the role of Crohn’s & Colitis Australia™ is to raise the profile and understanding in the community of the issues faced by those suffering with these conditions.

Brighton Tri and first long run on course

My Birthday Triathlon... We were both suppose to race this day but they changed the format. We had it all planned. Amanda would do the Active Feet and then I would do the Gatorade. This would work because one of us would be looking after our son Hugo and cheering the other on to greatness :-)
Alas, they changed the format, the both races were to be conducted at the same time. Nevermind, we will have lots of fun cheering Mum on and I can do a long run back from Mordi along the Ironman race path.
There had been no rain for a few days so the bay was relatively clean. The swim was open. First race with the swim and the waves were rough.Amanda was nervous so we stepped though our race prep. Take it easy to the first buoy and then start counting strokes to the last buoy then kick faster to get the blood down to the legs so she doesn't go dizzy when she stands up.
Bang! Easier said than done! She looked great in the water but a bit fast to start with. The waves were tough going but she pushed through, making us proud! Coming out of the water we had the cow belling going and cheering her as she stripped off the wetsuit and ran up the beach.
Transition was a fair way away so we missed her going out on the bike but camped on the side of the road to watch her flying past much faster than ever before! Good work!

We then ran to transition run exit and saw her take off like a rocket! Go Mum Mum Go!
She finished strong and learnt a lot about the technical differences in the swim and bike.

Ironman Melbourne Training Day with World #2 Pete Jacobs

We had a great day with World #2 Pete Jacobs and leading Ironman pro Leon Griffin for a unique training day focused on getting ready for the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship. The day included a 90km ride down to Frankston, breakfast, viewing of exclusive Hawaii footage, run technique session, race nutrition talk, lunch, swim session, awards, and prizes. I won one of Pete's racing tops which I will wear racing to give me inspiration.

Here I am in my Crohn's & Colitis Australia (CCA) singlet with Pete Jacobs  (Leon is in the background too).

The training day also raised funds for and support the work of the John Maclean Foundation, founded by legendary wheelchair athlete and Hawaii Ironman Hall of Famer John Maclean.

Here is Pete when we were down at Frankston Pier talking about riding position.

Elwood Tri

2nd Race for my beautiful wife. She what not happy that there was rain and more rain. On the day, there was more wind than rain but they still cancelled the swim and went for the run ride run profile.

It was a great day for cheering Amanda on since the transition area was compact and we could run from one area to another.

The gun went off and the girls were off and a cracking pace. We rang our cow bell and then ran to the swim entry into transition to see Amanda racing past some of the girls! Then Hugo and I ran to the Bike exit with lots of our own racing on the way.. Hugo won that one! :-)

Amanda looked good on the bike but the wind was strong. We went in hunt for a babycino and a coffee to wait at the bike entry with cow bell in hand. Then my little Hero needed to go to the toilet... let's go find a tree and then quickly back again... oops I think we missed Mum! Nevermind.

We run off to Transition Run Exit but we miss her again... Mum is sooo fast! Go Mum mum Go!

So off to the finishing chute! and we cheer her on with high fives and big hugs! Well done Amanda! Great work.

St.Kilda Triathlon

Amanda's first race of the season. Very excited and coming off the back of a marathon, she was confident to bag the run stage.

The week leading up to the race was a wet one. The big issue with that is all the drains drain into the bay. EPA reports their recommendation of swimming or not. They recommended not.

As disappointing as it was, I was happy that Amanda didn't swim and carry this risk of catching something from swallowing the water.

The swim became a 500m run, which was perfect for Amanda.

BANG.... they were off... Hugo and I cheers Mum on and then ran from starting line to the transition area to see her come in. Amanda was rocking it... coming 3rd into transition and 1st exiting... The bike is a leg that needs some training and Amanda had been focused on running so a few of the people past her on the bike. As she came into transition from the bike and moving onto the run, she flew by and kicked off the run in great form.

The run was over before it started, she wizzed past many competitors who passed her on the bike stage. She finished off the race is great form and a good position. Well done!!! Hugo decided he was first in his race so here he is on the podium. Amanda will be next!