Journey of Iron

Running on the Beach

Phillip Gibb — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:52:03 +0000

It was surprising to see how I run in a straight line on the beach – almost as if I am putting one foot exactly in front of the other. Now I am wondering if that is correct – surely I am having to swing my legs around to get that right? Leading to an inefficient technique and overuse of the hips, hmmmm.

Two Oceans Half Marathon 2012

Phillip Gibb — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:25:34 +0000

This was always going to be a training run. Yeah right. While the goal was to complete the race injury free, I was never going to be able to set aside my competitive nature.
The day was going to be cold and wet, I had a big plastic bag around me just in case it started to rain while awaiting the start, the rain did not come then, it came later.
My goodness there were a lot of people.
And boy, was I grateful to be seeded into the ‘C’ group, even though that got a bit crowded. By the time I was settled in, I was looking out for the 1hr45min bus. The 1:45 flag was buried deep in a mass of people that I was not going to weave my way though, so I awaited for the start with the aim of catching up with them.
At 5 minutes to go I gulped down the BioGen Bio-Kick Energy shot and continued to keep myself warm.

The starting gun fired and we were off.
Darting my way through I kept my eye on the guy carrying the 1:45 flag. Boy, it was going to be a fast start.
It was quite dark to start off with, but that did not slow anyone down.
Somehow I managed to catch up to both the 1:45 groups and stayed with the faster that seemed to be aiming for a sub 1:40.
The Medacs Rocket Compression Socks that I got the day before were great, but they kept sliding down forcing me to pull them up in mid stride. This pulling caused them to tighten on my foot which was not so comfortable. However, they certainly made a difference because in the end I did not have the tell tell calf pain that I usually get after long runs.
Unfortunately, I paid for that. By the time the rain came down with about 11kms to go I was beginning to struggle. Letting the faster group go I held back for the slower 1:45, hoping that I would beat them to the top of the last big hills. That was not to be. I tried to keep up with them, but I let them go when it was obvious that I could still make 1:45.
The rain did bother me, but I still pushed through.
When I go to the stadium I remembered that I was going to finish the race on the same strip that I ran the day before in the 300m toddler dash with my son. That gave me the extra motivation to make the 1:45 with a good handful of second to spare.

At the end of the race I was so thrilled to see my wife there, alas the kids were not with here which was probably good since it was pouring with rain and freezing cold. Hanging on tight and shivering I sought out the tog bag tent to get my jacket and BioGen Recovergen recovery drink. After that – a Sports massage at the Medacs Rockets tent.
Awesome race, but I don’t intend to race it again – because next year it will either be the Trail race or the Ultra.

Compulsory Equipment Costs

Phillip Gibb — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:41:24 +0000

Call this half a rant if you will, but looking at some of the required equipment lists is completely demotivating. With some races requiring a small fortune to invest in. Granted the stuff should last long, but only because you need it 2-3 times a year. Never mind the fees for races.
Most of the stuff is needed for just in case. Just in case you find yourself stuck and the temperatures plummet or you are hurt and help is far away. I understand that, but it does not make it easier.
Case in point; I have a race coming up that requires a few items that will spiral me into debt, and just for one race that I might not do because of injury. So I am stuck, should I abandon the race or consider the purchases as an investment for future races? Only problem is that I not only have to motivate this to myself but also to my family.
So here I am:

Backpack – anything from R200 to R2000
Rain Jacket – R360 to R1500
Windproof shell – R300 to R500

And of course I have already made purchases for other things for short distance trail running.
No to mention that I need new shoes: R1200

Maybe I should just spend money on a LED TV and a sound system so I can vegetate in front of it, seems to be a cheaper option than pursuing the things I love.

Argus 2012

Phillip Gibb — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 05:48:55 +0000

The last time I competed in the Argus Cycle Tour was in 2004 – in a mountain bike, a not so light mountain bike. My time then was a reasonable 4:29:58. This year was going to be interesting since the training was way better, as was the Carbo Loading and nutrition, and I was riding a Road (racing) bike.
Fortune of fortunes I was able to negotiate my starting group from the back markers to the L group, effectively a 2.5 hour difference that would get me to the finish before the heat really hit (and boy did it hit hard).

My start time was 6:54am. I held back, looking for a group I could stick with. This took a while because everyone just blasted off. Anyway I caught up while slip streaming a tandem bike.
The kilometres went by quickly with Boyes Drive providing wonderful views.
At some random hill on the way to Simonstown I managed to bump into someone while trying to weave past the slower riders – certainly got the heart racing – however no one fell.
Winding around Misty Cliffs I was ever grateful for the group I was with even though I had to fight to stay with them when we filtered through slower groups.
When I hit the base of Chapman’s peak I asked someone what time they were aiming for; I was blown away – was I going that fast? Seems like I was heading for a 3hr 20min finish. So I eased up Chappies without much pain, at which point the concept of a group was lost.
I stopped at the top of Chappies to grab a drink of water and Powerade since my bottles were running low. After some brief sigh therapy I free wheeled my way down, saving some energy for the last hills.
The only hill that really pressed me was Suikerbossie, it seemed to go on and on and on, but powered by the ever present support alone the road I was able to make my way up without walking.
The rest of the way was at high speed as I made my way to the finish. At one point someone touched my back tyre, looking around to see that the person was ok I said sorry – for what it’s worth, the guy seemed to amped that he did not fall like he had a new lease on life.

The final stretch was hard, and a group passed me, but I made it in without feeling drained.
My time was awesome! 3 hours 32 minutes.
Wow.

Are You Ready to Go Minimal?

Phillip Gibb — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:21:51 +0000

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Motivation and Inspiration Video

Phillip Gibb — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:21:45 +0000

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Cheers Caballo

Phillip Gibb — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:29:02 +0000

It is so freaky to have just found out about someone only to read an article a week later that they have have passed away.
The dude sounded awesome; living the life he loved and running with pure joy.
It was in the book “Born to Run” that I found out about Caballo Blanco (Micah True, or whatever his name might be) and just 12 chapters in there is this blog post that he has gone missing, no man. For what it’s worth Caballo, cheers! You went down doing what you loved, and you have made a difference in many lives through it.
Trail running is a new thing for me, so ultra distance trail is a little bit out there for me, but you have brought it down to earth for me – that it is about the joy of it. So maybe one day I will be running a 50 mile trail; that day I will think back on you and give you another thanks.
Cheers man.
Here’s the first video I saw of Caballo:

My Son in his First Race

Phillip Gibb — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:11:58 +0000

Stephen in his first Argus – TriCycle Tour.
It was only a 1.5km but it was amazing. Stephen loved it big time.

Medac Rockets Compression Competition

Phillip Gibb — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:11:15 +0000

Medac South Africa has a FaceBook Comment/Like competition Where you can win Compression garments and a sports massage.
You just need to get the most likes for a comment you make on their wall.

I have made a comment: http://www.facebook.com/MEDAC.ROCKETS/posts/320901411304591

enter your own comment and/or like mine please.

The jury is still out on the evidence of compression, but I am pretty sure that they help.
Right now I am struggling with a calf strain that rears it’s head whenever I get past 20kms – which I can’t have happen often on my journey to do an Ironman.
So I am asking you to please help me out in winning the compression sox (1st or 2nd prize).
Can’t really afford to blast away money on every injury I get so I am keen to rather win them.

Here is a screenshot that shows where exactly to like if you are unsure. After going to the link.

thanks a stack

Training Update

Phillip Gibb — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:34:43 +0000

It has been a while since I have written something down, sorry about that.
The journey is still on.

What has been done

123km Reeds 99er

On The 11th February 2012, I took part in the 123km 99er. This was a big milestone for me because it was going to be my longest race.
The day went very well except for a few rookie mistakes and the rain. Next time I will not try skip from one group to the next.
I finished in a good time of 4 hours 15 mins.
However I was left wondering how on earth I would be able to run a marathon after that – refer to rookie mistake.
This race was to prove very influential in my Argus seeding even though it was a 2013 qualification race.

Love to Run 10km

14th February 2012. I love trail running. and here was a wonderful opportunity to take part in a race. My first was the First of the Summer trail series in Silvermine, there I struggled because of all the people in front of me on the narrow tracks. I also sprained my ankle;twice, hmmm.
This time I started in the front, ummmm, that did not work because we were sent the wrong way and had to filter into that masses in any case. Strambling to get back in front I twisted my ankle in the grass, arrrrrrrg.
After my ankle felt better(after hopping for a while) I high tailed it through everyone. Some of the ascents were challenging, but most of the race was on jeep track. The backend of the race was downhill and it went by like a tornado. Ok, a lot of people only did 8km because of a problem in the directions but I was still impressed.
Results: 47mins 16 seconds with an overall position of 27th. thats more like it

11 Global

On the 19th February 2012 I took part in the 11 Global Triathlon: 1.5km Swim | 40km Cycle | 10km Run.
It was great, ok maybe not the swim. Man alive the water was cold. It was my first swim in the ocean so I had already made peace that it was going to be difficult, but I must say that the kelp leopard crawling and sea water breathing had me wondering a bit. I boy did I wonder, I really need to get my own wetsuit and do more Ocean swimming – I tend to zig-zag a lot.
When I came out of the water the announcer was commending us on our times, oh I thought,really?
Getting to my bike I was motivated by the fact that there were still so many bikes left.
I took a moment to breath and then I gave it gas. Gunning it up and down the 4 10km laps I was only passed by a few hard-core looking cyclists in their super bikes.
Things were looking good.
Until I hit the transition. What? All the bike still here. No way that many people passed me or that so many people were still in the water, hmmm.
Anyway the run went very well, in spite of the fact that my stomach wanted to run along side me.
All in all I was impressed. The swim could have been improved by 10 mins, and the run by 5 mins, but hey I was not trying to kill my self.
Official Times

Swim : 00:25:45
Bike : 01:21:04
Run : 00:47:33

The PnP Argus Cycle Tour

11th March 2012. Wow. What a way to finish the cycling season (for me)!! I was able to motivate a better seeding because of my history and the difference the 99er made. I moved from a 9:24am start to a 06:55 start. Huge considering the heat and the riders around me.
My goal was 4hrs. Have take the route in a moderate fashion the week before I was a bit reasonable in my goal.
Maybe a tad bit to reasonable.
The start had me struggling to find a group that I could stick with. A couple times I had to scramble to stay with them as they filtered through slower groups.
At the top of Chapman’s Peak I realized that I was going to smash my goal so I jumped off and had a quick drink (also because I was very aware that my bottles were running low) and took the decent easy.
My finishing time was 3hours 32 minutes. Something I could never have imagined.
So training does pay off

The Path Forward

Running is my priority as I aim for my first ever Marathon in July (Knysna)
First up on that path is the 2Oceans Half Marathon (next year I intend to compete in the ultra)
The very importantly follows the JonkersHoek 30km extreme trail run. Important because I see this as an ultimate challenge. Trouble is all the compulsory equipment and it’s cost implications – I must still find a suitable hydration pack.

Further Forward

Of course I will be back for JailBreak, but this time the 70.3 version. Or if the talk is true, then the even longer version.
After that, God willing, calf willing and finances willing, IronMan SA in April 2013.