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February 26, 2016

I am now a solid 19 months Post Op, July 2014, so its time for the update and antics I have been up to, plus results.

After an extremely careful, dedicated and slower than the norm recovery, I then ventured back onto the Triathlon “race track”, in December 2015.

First up was a near Standard Distance race of 1:300-36km-10km. I survived pretty good and managed an overall time of 02:11:37. There was very little pain or inflammation at all. The Swim was tide assisted, with a flat Bike and an undulating Run. Run time 47:52.
In early January I did a short local Triathlon and was amazed at how the hip and body relished it. Didn’t over-do it here, and just focused on getting the basics done very well. About 01:30:00 event time.

Then in late January I did a National N.Z. Standard Olympic Distance event. 1:500 – 39:0km – 10:0km. It was a flat, wetsuit Sea Swim,, 4 lap flat Bike and a 2 Lap flat Run. Overall I had a “blinder”, and again very little pain at all. Some minor discomfort on the 5hr drive back home. Next day 100% all good. I Biked a P.B. [ 65:00 approx] and the Run was just over 44:00.  Total time was a tad under 02:18:00.

2 weeks later my next event was the N.Z. National Sprint Champs of 750 – 20:km – 5km. This was to be probably my most hardest race in terms of physical and mental application. It was a calm as Lake Swim,[1 lap] hilly type Bike course [out and back] followed by an undulating Run, =2 @ 2:500km]. After a solid Swim, it was then a good, hard, honest “fast slog” on the Bike, and then a “punishing” Run. I say “punishing” meaning the fact that both of us leaders exited the Bike trans and onto the Run together, toes for toe. Still slogging it out at the 1st lap, 2:500km, I managed to then sneak ahead by a few metres and eventually held on to WIN by a mere 09 seconds. Overall time was just under 01:17:00. Run time was 22:05 !!!!.

Most satisfying to say the least was my HIP. Absolutely perfect, not a hint of pain or trouble. Also the 4hr drive home was not a worry. Next day, perfect on the Hip.

After my 3 National races, I then decided it was time to “pull stumps” and “park up” . I’m looking for longevity and quality racing from Hip, so think its an extremely wise move to take. It’s been a brilliant year for me, race wise, and I owe alot to my “better half”- the wife. I have had incredible support from my Swim coach, plus my Run mentor, who is also my Soft Tissue Therapist.

I would like to mention here my Surgeon who performed the Operation. Hugh Blackley gave me great, valuable advice on the re-hab. Its already paid huge dividends. Moral of the story – listen to the experts !!! and heed their advice.
We all heal differently, we all recovery differently, so no “shoe” fits us all. You have to listen to the advice, listen to your body and mostly all believe in yourself.

To my good friends Pat Walter, petemeads, arrojo, Woodstock Hippie, Matt Jersey, Howard Baker, THANKS a Ton everyone. You gave me the motivation to “get out there and do it.!!”.

As our Tri season is nearing a close now, I will be taking it super easy and just “ticking” over for awhile. I aim to fire up again in August, in preparation for another bash at the 2016/2017 Tri racing season. I cannot say much more and my activity is purely about Triathlon. Therefore I cannot comment on other sports. One major change in my training is that I now only Run 3 times max a week, being approx 1 @ 4km, 1 @ 7km and perhaps the 3rd at 9-10km. I do very little speed/rep work as well, just maintaining a “fast clip” when running. Oddly enough I progressed out of HOKA shoes, after 10 months. They gave me a poor landing and run technique,after watching accurate video footage.

Cheers to Ya All
Top Regards,
Kiwi Boy from Down Under.