06/16/10
Ironman 70.3 - Family Race Weekend
Ironman 70.3 Florida is the perfect spot to turn a triathlon race into a great holiday for the whole family, writes Certified ironguides Coach Alun "Woody" Woodward.
Category: results
Posted by: editor
Having been in the sport racing as a pro throughout Europe for the last 10 years I decided to change things up in 2010 and start my season with a race in the USA!
Looking at the race calendar I wanted to find an event that really stood out for me in terms of lifestyle and offering something for everyone. With a four-year-old son, Zack, Disney 70.3 in Orlando seemed to fit the bill and I decided to go for this.
As an extra bonus Felix Jaber, one of my athletes (LINK) whom you read about in the previous newsletter, was racing and bringing his family. It was a great opportunity to finally meet after having worked with Felix for more than a year online.
We were invited by Felix and his family to dinner on the Thursday before the race. In keeping with our nutritional advice, Felix chose Boston Lobster Feast. It’s a great seafood place that ensured we had our fill of carb-free, amazingly tasty seafood: we must have put away more than 20 lobsters between us.
Felix was a little hungry after spending the whole day shopping with his three girls. As I said this race location has something for everyone. Felix did, however, need to shop for a whole new wardrobe himself as yet again his clothes no longer fit him because he is still losing weight!
It was great to finally meet Felix and we felt part of his family from the first minute. Zack enjoyed his time with Felix’s two daughters and was already getting into another new language by the time we left.
RACE DAY
Race day started very early. We woke up at 4am to get over to the start and sorted in time for a 6.20am start. This was by far the earliest race start I have known! As a parent we spend all our time trying to get kids to sleep so it was strange to have to wake up Zack at 4am and he was not a happy bunny. We got organized as always though and ready with plenty of time until the start.
FELIX's RACE
Felix really smashed this race with a great effort overall. A special mention must go to a 2hr38 bike split! Finishing 103rd out of the 239 competitors in his age group was a great advance from his first 70.3 in Cancun six months earlier when he started out near the back of the pack. We continue to work towards the front and the big goal of an Ironman finish in Mexico this November.
It was great to be at the finish line for Felix with all his family. They are all so proud of him, of the changes he has made in his life and the level of performance he has attained.
MY RACE
This was a really enjoyable race for me but I was a little race rusty after six months off racing. Our winters in Europe are far too long. I ended up 11th in the pro race, a solid effort on a HOT HOT day. I learned a lot from this race and especially how effective filling a race jersey with ice can be on the run. On three-lap run course I struggled for two laps before using ice and very quickly returned to my normal run pace, so I know for next time to start this process earlier. I may have been racing pro for 10 years but we always learn new things!
POST RACE
On the Monday following the race both Felix and I had family plans. Felix took his girls on the roller coasters at Universal Park while I took Zack and Szilvi off to the Magic Kingdom. One final meeting for a traditional American breakfast at Denny’s before we both headed off home and had some bad food post-race, always important and following the 80/ 20 rule: we can be bad with our eating sometimes.
Alun ‘Woody’ Woodward, Certified ironguides Coach – UK/Hungary
http://www.ironguides.net
* * * Your best is our business.™ * * *
Looking at the race calendar I wanted to find an event that really stood out for me in terms of lifestyle and offering something for everyone. With a four-year-old son, Zack, Disney 70.3 in Orlando seemed to fit the bill and I decided to go for this.
As an extra bonus Felix Jaber, one of my athletes (LINK) whom you read about in the previous newsletter, was racing and bringing his family. It was a great opportunity to finally meet after having worked with Felix for more than a year online.
We were invited by Felix and his family to dinner on the Thursday before the race. In keeping with our nutritional advice, Felix chose Boston Lobster Feast. It’s a great seafood place that ensured we had our fill of carb-free, amazingly tasty seafood: we must have put away more than 20 lobsters between us.
Felix was a little hungry after spending the whole day shopping with his three girls. As I said this race location has something for everyone. Felix did, however, need to shop for a whole new wardrobe himself as yet again his clothes no longer fit him because he is still losing weight!
It was great to finally meet Felix and we felt part of his family from the first minute. Zack enjoyed his time with Felix’s two daughters and was already getting into another new language by the time we left.
RACE DAY
Race day started very early. We woke up at 4am to get over to the start and sorted in time for a 6.20am start. This was by far the earliest race start I have known! As a parent we spend all our time trying to get kids to sleep so it was strange to have to wake up Zack at 4am and he was not a happy bunny. We got organized as always though and ready with plenty of time until the start.
FELIX's RACE
Felix really smashed this race with a great effort overall. A special mention must go to a 2hr38 bike split! Finishing 103rd out of the 239 competitors in his age group was a great advance from his first 70.3 in Cancun six months earlier when he started out near the back of the pack. We continue to work towards the front and the big goal of an Ironman finish in Mexico this November.
It was great to be at the finish line for Felix with all his family. They are all so proud of him, of the changes he has made in his life and the level of performance he has attained.
MY RACE
This was a really enjoyable race for me but I was a little race rusty after six months off racing. Our winters in Europe are far too long. I ended up 11th in the pro race, a solid effort on a HOT HOT day. I learned a lot from this race and especially how effective filling a race jersey with ice can be on the run. On three-lap run course I struggled for two laps before using ice and very quickly returned to my normal run pace, so I know for next time to start this process earlier. I may have been racing pro for 10 years but we always learn new things!
POST RACE
On the Monday following the race both Felix and I had family plans. Felix took his girls on the roller coasters at Universal Park while I took Zack and Szilvi off to the Magic Kingdom. One final meeting for a traditional American breakfast at Denny’s before we both headed off home and had some bad food post-race, always important and following the 80/ 20 rule: we can be bad with our eating sometimes.
Alun ‘Woody’ Woodward, Certified ironguides Coach – UK/Hungaryhttp://www.ironguides.net
* * * Your best is our business.™ * * *