Rockman

[IceCreamMan]

I entered the Rockman ultra on 4 Dec. Never having cycled my MTB off-road more than 10 kays an never having done any kind of trail running means it's going to be a learning curve for me. I reckon I have the puff an enthusiasm just no experience an a very very basic mountain bike. ( Fuji Nevada 1.6) Bought some trail running shoes for the event.

 

Ultra is 1800 meter swim, 50 Kay cycle an 14 km run. Should be fun.......right? Looking forward to a strong swim, problem then is I will be a moving chicane on the cycle leg so hope the ous are gentle going past

 

Registration was smooth, very helpful ladies an the race pack ( goodie bag) is filled with products I will use like sun screen , 32gi products an the like. Thus far all good.

 

Looking forward to this, my first off-road event an first tri event since 11 global. The cut off times are generous an with it all being done at Heia a mechanical or physical failure means I don't have to walk far .

 

At registration they said after this event I will never do on road events again cos these are way more fun. ... let's see

[shaper]

Good luck and enjoy... will wait for the race report

[Fruity]

http://themechanicalmaniacs.com/gallery/albums/keitai/rockman1-20-1.jpg

 

 

 

Have fun, give it horns.

[IceCreamMan]

So far so good. Transition smooth. Looking at the run route I am gonna take strain I reckon. Heia really a great location, pitybout the politics.

[Pulse]

So far so good. Transition smooth. Looking at the run route I am gonna take strain I reckon. Heia really a great location, pitybout the politics.

Enjoy!

[IceCreamMan]

holy hell what a suffer fest for me. This off road thang is much more difficult than it looks that's for sure. Should of entered the dash and build experience but no had to go for the ultra and it bit me......hard.

 

Swim, went well. Tried a new sleeveless wetsuit and must say I prefer it infinitely to the ones with arms. Will use it for all compulsory wetsuit events going forward. Excited the water around 29:30 or thereabouts. I just paced myself to a fellow competitor and did not push too much. As it is I think the swim was a lil long but what the hell. Out the water in top 5 I reckon.

 

Onto bike where the wheels came off. Fell twice in the first 5 kays due to inexperience and being strong in the water put me ahead of the field that now put me under pressure to get out of the way so I stopped regularly and pulled over but I was burning big matches anyway. This mtb thing is tough. First lap in around 2 hours and I seriously considered calling it a day on the bike but heard cut off was 2:30 for the bike and it was only 10am so soldiered on. Mistake but live an learn. By now most of the field and the dash field had overtaken me so enjoyed the second lap much more. Was sweating badly and the one water point had run out of water, only sickly sweet g32 and pick n pay cola which was nice and warm but gulped down what I could. I was taking serious strain at theis point and just cycled as best as I could falling twice more an puncturing too. Cycle took me 4:25 in elapsed time. I took it very easy the last 5 kays as I was stuffed but also a lad got lost on the cycle so I said follow me. It was a blessing in disguise.

 

Spent 15 minutes in transition getting my run shoes on an deciding whether to carry on or not and eventually decided to start the run. First water point had no water cept the sickly sweet 32gi sachets so was forced again to drink it and pick n pay cola. Was bloating nicely. Lots of uphill so walked most of it. Second water point had water and this was the first water I had in about 2 hours. So drank loads. Carried on walking with the occasional run until I got stung by a bee at around 9 kays. Having previously had allergic reactions medic reckoned I was under enough strain as it is and best stop. I kinda welcomed that. So 5 kays from end I stopped. Got a sympathy medal though.

 

Running out of water was the only blight on an otherwise sweet event. I realise that proficiency in one area of tri does not necessarily carry to another . Will need loads more off-road experience on running an cycling before I attempt another. And deflate my tyres a bit too. And start off on the shorter routes, to hell with ego.

 

Got home and started cramping a lot, drank Sprite, appletiser, water etc. got on scale....even with all the crap I been drinking I lost 4 kilos which is around 4 percent of my body weight. At ironman I lose around 1 kilo over the day.

 

Anyway, was a suffer fest of note, but I gained a lot of experience and had an thoroughly *** time but will do another. Also my bike which is a cheapie was like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight. It also required some persuasion with a rock to get the front derailleur to work properly after one of my falls.

 

You ous that do multi stage events, severe respect.

[ScottCM]

Well done , out of curiosity, which sleeveless wetsuit did you get that is legal for wetsuit compulsory events? 

[IceCreamMan]

Well done , out of curiosity, which sleeveless wetsuit did you get that is legal for wetsuit compulsory events?

I got the Xterra Vortex. I believe that all sleeveless wetsuits are eligible for wetsuit compulsory races. Certainly have seen sleevless (Long john) at PE this year and it was declared a wetsuit compulsory event.

 

Gives me unrestricted arm mobility which is exactly what was needed. Given me a whole new view of wetsuits to be honest.

[mon-goose]

well done for going as far you did.

[BouncingBrain]

Wow 4kg lost! That sounds crazy.. hard luck, but kudo's on giving it a shot..

[ScottCM]

I got the Xterra Vortex. I believe that all sleeveless wetsuits are eligible for wetsuit compulsory races. Certainly have seen sleevless (Long john) at PE this year and it was declared a wetsuit compulsory event.

 

Gives me unrestricted arm mobility which is exactly what was needed. Given me a whole new view of wetsuits to be honest.

 

Thanks for the feedback, does it still manage to keep your core warm or would you have to go for sleeves to get the additional warmth?

[Stevo9119]

Well done. We did a loop there on Saturday and I was so glad that I did not enter the Rockman this year. Will enter next year for sure.

[Rocket-Boy]

Thanks for the review of the race Icecream, I always love your reports.

Its a pity I saw this thread today for the first time otherwise I would have warned you!! 

Its a completely different animal and going for a shorter distance is generally a better idea.

 

I have done tons of normal tri's but my first off-road one hit me very hard(and I like to consider myself a MTB rider!)

 

I find that you have to take the swim a little easier to be that bit more fresh for the cycle, which is difficult because swimming is my strongest leg.

[nonky]

well done!  that race report was lank funny - ok, maybe not from your perspective.

[MarkW]

holy hell what a suffer fest for me. This off road thang is much more difficult than it looks that's for sure. Should of entered the dash and build experience but no had to go for the ultra and it bit me......hard.

Swim, went well. Tried a new sleeveless wetsuit and must say I prefer it infinitely to the ones with arms. Will use it for all compulsory wetsuit events going forward. Excited the water around 29:30 or thereabouts. I just paced myself to a fellow competitor and did not push too much. As it is I think the swim was a lil long but what the hell. Out the water in top 5 I reckon.

Onto bike where the wheels came off. Fell twice in the first 5 kays due to inexperience and being strong in the water put me ahead of the field that now put me under pressure to get out of the way so I stopped regularly and pulled over but I was burning big matches anyway. This mtb thing is tough. First lap in around 2 hours and I seriously considered calling it a day on the bike but heard cut off was 2:30 for the bike and it was only 10am so soldiered on. Mistake but live an learn. By now most of the field and the dash field had overtaken me so enjoyed the second lap much more. Was sweating badly and the one water point had run out of water, only sickly sweet g32 and pick n pay cola which was nice and warm but gulped down what I could. I was taking serious strain at theis point and just cycled as best as I could falling twice more an puncturing too. Cycle took me 4:25 in elapsed time. I took it very easy the last 5 kays as I was stuffed but also a lad got lost on the cycle so I said follow me. It was a blessing in disguise.

Spent 15 minutes in transition getting my run shoes on an deciding whether to carry on or not and eventually decided to start the run. First water point had no water cept the sickly sweet 32gi sachets so was forced again to drink it and pick n pay cola. Was bloating nicely. Lots of uphill so walked most of it. Second water point had water and this was the first water I had in about 2 hours. So drank loads. Carried on walking with the occasional run until I got stung by a bee at around 9 kays. Having previously had allergic reactions medic reckoned I was under enough strain as it is and best stop. I kinda welcomed that. So 5 kays from end I stopped. Got a sympathy medal though.

Running out of water was the only blight on an otherwise sweet event. I realise that proficiency in one area of tri does not necessarily carry to another . Will need loads more off-road experience on running an cycling before I attempt another. And deflate my tyres a bit too. And start off on the shorter routes, to hell with ego.

Got home and started cramping a lot, drank Sprite, appletiser, water etc. got on scale....even with all the crap I been drinking I lost 4 kilos which is around 4 percent of my body weight. At ironman I lose around 1 kilo over the day.

Anyway, was a suffer fest of note, but I gained a lot of experience and had an thoroughly *** time but will do another. Also my bike which is a cheapie was like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight. It also required some persuasion with a rock to get the front derailleur to work properly after one of my falls.

You ous that do multi stage events, severe respect.

well done for trying... I did the dash and felt sorry for everyone doing the ultra. The heat was a killer.

[Purnjap]

As a runner/mtb this was also my first triahtlon. What suprised me was that even though you are walking dead when you finish, two hours later you feel fine. Must be because you worked a variety of muscles, as opposed to overworking one set of muscles during a MTB marathon or a tough trail run.