22.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 11:30 am by AB
Danielle checks in and provides us with some thoughts on the Jindabyne camp.
I received a good luck card in the mail yesterday for my Ironman adventure. It read, “Hard… but not impossible”. I think this summed up the hardest part of the weekend camp in Jindabyne – the 20km summit loop. If I had been mentally prepared for what was the “summit run”, where 7km of it was near impossible to run and the final 8km back to Charlotte’s Pass is the longest and hardest 8km ever run, where the body pleads you to stop and the mind says you can’t, then I think I would have handled the 2hr 50mins better. Or at least I would taken in more of the scenery and spectacular views.
Reaching Coach back at Charlotte’s Pass I needed a moment to compose myself, hold back the tears, declare I was never going to survive Ironman, wash down 2 hot cross buns with water before I was over my near breakdown and able to face the descent back to Jindy. I now have full confidence that fuelling on hot cross buns during the Ironman is the key.
This is just a small test of what I am going to face in 9 days time.
Day 1.
Reaching Dalgety (the town) on today’s wet ride I had not realised the hill we had descended some 15km back was the infamous “Dalgety Hill”. I am not sure what I was expecting but I was still waiting for something. After threatening Jon Howse that if he was lying to me and that if we saw another hill that I would not be a happy camper, Coach turned our group around and pointed us home via the same hill. “Hard… but not impossible”. Another battle of brain versus body. I am happy to say I made it to the top, without stopping and without resorting to the ‘Truck of Shame’. While renting a Truck of Shame is just plain cheating – JR!!!!
A quick run off the bike, green tea at Gloria Jeans and it was time to wetsuit up. After a quick swim to the island and back in Lake Jindabyne, it was time to shower and then the stretch session and finally eat and sleep.
Day 2.
The epic day – 2h15 climb up to Charlotte’s Pass – 2h50 20 km walk / run and a 1h plus change descent to Jindabyne. The weather gods were with us today – not a cloud, not a breath of wind and mild temps. Important when you are 2000m above sea level.
6pm: Dinner at the bowling club. I think we all got our monies worth at the unlimited salad bar. This was followed by icecream (a must) and then Grey’s Anatomy (a bigger must) and then lights out. Legs dead… tired.
Day 3.
Alarms went off to the sound of pouring rain, thunder and lightning. We decided to wait for coach’s call. “Meeting as per normal 7:30am in the carpark”. Out came all the wet weather gear for a amended 50mins out 50mins back ride. The rain had eased by 7:30am but roads were very wet.
There may have been a funny incident on the bike. I won’t mention names but it involved what we pieced together to be a case of too much soap in the washing machine, combined with wet weather, the friction of bike knicks on saddle causing a foaming / frothing backside. Amusing to those behind in the bunch. Yes, Steve Baker frothing is a severe sign of dehydration but it normally appears around the mouth.
Back to the hotel, shower and coffee at the bakery before heading home.
Back in Canberra and trying to recover and taper. I have been warned that with a reduced work load I need to also taper on the food intake to match this. Maybe I should have been told before I finished off Dwayne and Azza’s [Farlow] dinner on Monday night.
A fellow Ironman competitor Steve Baker has lend me the DVD’s from 2004, 2005 & 2006 Hawaiian Ironman’s. Who would have thought you would need a box of tissues with you to watch. I am not sure reality has set in that that will be me in 9 days.
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20.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 11:23 am by AB
The anticipation is building for the 2007 Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie. We are only 11 days away from race day, with Danielle now back from the mountains and beginning her taper phase. Over the next two weeks Danni will scale back the vast volume of training that she has been putting in so as to be ready to go at the start line on April 1.
From next Tuesday 27th March, broughton.id.au will be reporting live from Port Macquarie and will also be providing updates on www.tridents.com.au during race week and exclusively live on the 1st April.
Hopefully Danni will be dropping by soon to provide a first hand account of how she is feeling and how the big mountain weekend of training went.
Aaron Broughton
Team Danni #226 - Public Relations
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14.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 3:07 pm by AB
Broughton.id.au was stunned today when a co-worker of Team Danni #226 Public Relations Manager Aaron Broughton commented that the ironman was looking unlikely to go ahead given the cyclone damage in the area.
It appears that not only is the Herald Sun confused about the location of Port Macquarie (see posting) but also people who are supposed to be somewhat intellectual.
When Aaron asked what they were talking about they mentioned the cyclone danger that had affected Port Headland(!!!). This is despite Aaron making numerous mention that he will soon be taking holidays in Port Macquarie.
And i thought American’s were bad at Geography. For the record the following map shows the locations in question.
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07.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 8:24 pm by AB
Danni was shocked and dismayed today when she found out her remaining Ironman hero (and one of her favourite actors) Daniel MacPherson will not be racing at the Australian Ironman in Port Macquarie. “I am shocked and dismayed”, said Danni.
This follows Danni’s disappointment following the news that Chris McCormack would not be returning to defend his title. Danni had been looking forward to seeing former Neighbours star MacPherson out on the course at the same time and possibly attempting to track him down for a few photos.
“I was gutted when i learnt Macca wouldn’t be racing, but that pain was eased when I learnt Daniel was racing. Daniel and I have been tight ever since Susan [Madden] and I ran into him on the tube [London Underground].”
The Herald Sun is reporting today that MacPherson will be postponing a trip to the USA for work so that he can race in what appears to be his own rival Ironman at Port Douglas, Queensland. Sources tell Broughton.id.au that this could be the beginning of a super league style Ironman breakaway. However speculation is rife that only one race will survive. “We all saw what happened to the Great Lakes International Triathlon in Forster/Tuncurry, said an anonymous source. Broughton.id.au is also questioning whether the Port Douglas Ironman has the lucrative Hawaiian Ironman qualifying spots, one of which MacPherson is hoping to claim.
Broughton.id.au and Team Danni#226 is hoping that MacPherson reconsiders and chooses instead to come back to the fold and race in Port Macquarie. We are holding our collective breaths.
A reproduction of the herald sun article is below… (click picture to go to the Herald Sun website)
The text of the article reads:
DANIEL MacPherson won’t be going to America just yet to further his acting career.
He had planned to head to Los Angeles this year to have a crack at that market, but a mystery acting role may keep him here.
“There could be a job . . . just after the Australian Ironman, that will be based in Melbourne,” said MacPherson, who is an entrant in the Ironman championships to be held at Port Douglas, Queensland, at the end of the month.
“I can’t say much, but it will be great to be there.
“I had planned to go to LA, but just can’t seem to get out of Australia . . . I love it.”
Before the tough triathlon, at which he hopes to qualify for the Hawaiian Ironman, the Tripping Over actor will also compete in the celebrity challenge race at the F1 Grand Prix, something he’s wanted to do for years but for which he’s never had time.
He is most looking forward to racing, and beating, his ex-girlfriend, singer Sarah McLeod.
“We are still the best of friends, so it will be great to get on the track and have a good race with her,” MacPherson said.
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06.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 9:47 am by AB
Last night Team Danni #226 Public Relations Manager was able to take these exclusive pictures of Danielle in the final phase of training for this year’s Australian Ironman which is less then four weeks away.
Monday usually means the weekly Tridents Triathlon Club 32 kilometre time trial. Last night in what was possibly the worst conditions of the season - with the temperature in the teens, a frigid wind howling and some ominous looking clouds building at the back end of the course - only 3 Athletes braved the conditions. Danielle, Jason Pye and Elliot Gotovac proved that the biggest gains are made when your fellow competitors are huddled up inside sulking.
Danni said it was a good session and she was happy to get 70k under her belt in those conditions, although she mentioned that the incessant complaining from her Public Relations manager about it being too cold, too windy, how hungry he was and how the Public Relations guy should be following in a car and not on a bike were somewhat distracting.
Danni went on to add “Team Danni #226 is planning a 180k ride on Saturday and that if i have to listen to that crap all the way to Goulburn and back someone is going to get seriously hurt.”
Danni works her way up the 5k climb at the start of the course
Jason Pye paces Danni towards the top of the climb
Aaron Broughton
Team Danni #226 - Public Relations
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05.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 11:41 am by AB
Team Danni #226, wishes to congratulate Team Bike Mechanic, Aaron Farlow, who had a strong day out finishing 10th in yesterday’s Australian Triathlon Championships in Geelong. The race also doubled as the International Triathlon Union’s Oceania Championships.
Aaron finished in a time of 1:53:47 which was 1 minute 28 seconds behind race winner Brad Kahlefeldt.
Aaron didn’t let problems before the start bother him, as the starting pontoon collapsed under the strain of the 70+ triathletes crammed onto it.
Hopefully we can grab a few words from Aaron when he returns from Geelong.
Aaron Broughton
Public Relations - Team Danni #226
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02.03.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 2:06 pm by AB
Danielle with Public Relations Manager Aaron Broughton, Principal Sponsor Margaret Broughton from the Bank of Mum and Dad, and Housemate Katherine Baker.
Danielle getting the job done on the run
Danielle all smile in the finishing chute.
Aaron Broughton
Team Danni #226 - Public Relations
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28.02.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 12:14 pm by AB
Danielle has provided broughton.id.au with an exclusive race report from the Australian Long Course Champs in Huskisson, NSW. Read on Below.
The 2nd last stop: Australian Long Course Champs
Huskisson 25 February 5 weeks to the big dance.
The last chance for Team Danni #226 supporters to get in their supporter practice.
Huskisson looked like the perfect location for a weekend of triathlon, and the town was ready for us. Friday night’s Dinner at the RSL, watching the Brumbies lose on the big screen was not made any better as we all lost in the meat raffles.
Saturday: 8am Katherine, fellow housemate & triathlete romped it home in the Australian Sprint Distance Champs to finish a clear 1st. The weather was perfect and water calm. It was going to be a warm day out tomorrow if the weather stayed the same.
3pm: race rego / bike check in, thunder, lightning, rain, cold. Plastic bags over seats, tri bars
4pm: thunder, lightning, and rain.
5pm rain,
9pm rain,
2am rain,
6am rain.
I woke mum up at 5:45am to drive me the 10min walk to transition as it continued to rain. By 6:30am the rain had stopped and it was looking hopeful although still cloudy.
Now the swim - what I classed as my first proper open water swim.
The whale watching boat was position at the first turning boy – 750m off shore providing some lucky passengers with a great view of the swim. I wasn’t looking forward to the swim. Newspaper reports from Christmas had reported having closed the beaches in Jervis Bay on a number of occasions due to large numbers of sharks being spotted within metres of swimmers. Using the same tactics of the Gold Coast swim “They only go for the weaker swimmers and the ones with more meat”, I was ready to prove Andrew Terra wrong once again and survive the swim.
Wearing my Director’s brand new (yes, I cut the price tag off myself) 2XU wetsuit (yes, I have an awesome boss, who’s the same size as me) I was off. The water was that clear it made the Girls Grammar pool seem cloudy. For once I could see my full arm stroke and the persons 3 metres to the left. For the first 750m I debated whether this was a good thing. Did I want to see Jaws before he got me or not & I also questioned how hard it would be to evacuate the swimmers using only the whale watching boat.
I decided to as much as possible not look down in the water, rather ahead in the white wash of swimmers in front. Turning the first bouy I saw something on the bottom, to scared to take a second look I smashed it out for 15m before telling myself not to be stupid and convincing myself sharks preferred surfers instead, and there were plenty of them marking the swim course. I did however spot a stingray on my way back in some 3m below. I could bore you with more things that I thought about in my 36min swim, but coach might have something to say about what the bloody hell am I doing out there!
The Ride – 83km – 3 laps – passing the holiday house 3 times.
Ride was good, no wildlife to report on. The support team, had made full use of the prime location and AB was cooking up a storm on the BBQ. Any closer to the road and it would have been a hazard to cyclists. However the smell of bacon & egg muffins proved to be upsetting to some jealous triathletes.
Highlights: being overtaken by the lead vehicle – convertible VW and the pro males.
Great undulating course. Hats off to the road marshals who did a great job, including the one that pointed out I didn’t have time to be eating.
The Run – 20km – 2 laps.
On to the run leg I had Paul Smith pacing off me for a whole 10m before Rads had a go at him and he decided to let me be. It took a few kms to find my feet before I relaxed. Thanks to the cheer squad along the course. Turning the final turn around on 4h35mins I was hoping to go under the 5hr barrier. 4h57:56 final finishing time.
Extremely happy with the time and the race. Highly recommended race venue and race organisation. Receiving the finishes towel as I crossed the line made up for receiving a race t’shirt that said Sprint distance not Long course, not receiving the box of rice crackers because they were for males only and receiving the XL race shirt as they had given the Larges ones to the males. What they are trying to say is that all triathletes are fat, particularly the ladies – who don’t need the rice crackers.
As for doubling that distance only April 1 will know. If I don’t think about it too much – anything is possible.
Thanks to the support crew, and well done to the other Tridents on and off the course.
What’s next:Week 1: Recovery week
Week 2: Build week – including race distance ride 180km
Week 3: Bike Camp – Last Stop
Week 4 – 5: Taper / Race
Week 6: Recovery & get my Ironman tattoo.
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Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 9:26 am by AB
Team Danni #226 - Presented by the Bank of Mum and Dad wishes to announce the following appointments to the Team Roster for Ironman Australia 2007.
Major Sponsor: Mr Roger and Ms Margaret Broughton - Joint owners of the Bank of Mum and Dad.
Team Danni #226 is proud to welcome a leader in the family banking business on board as the major sponsor for 2007. Team Danni #226 looks forward to working along side Mr and Mrs Broughton and the Bank of Mum and Dad in 2007 and the future.
Mr Broughton said, “we are pleased to continue out commitment to Team Danni #226 and sport in general. We have been associated with Danielle for just under 27 years, and while the relationship hasn’t always been easy; it has been beneficial for all involved.”
Ms Broughton noted that, “We sponsor several athletes but by far Danielle is our most successful.” Ms Broughton went on to deny rumours that they were considering cutting another athlete who has a history of underperformance, injuries and constant battles with racing weight. “The particular athlete you are talking about finished 2nd in the Canberra Cycling Club D grade Crits last week, we haven’t given up all hope just yet.”
Bike Mechanic: Mr Aaron Farlow joins the team as Bike Mechanic/Fluffer.
Aaron brings a background in Triathlon and machinery to Team Danni #226 His expert chain cleaning skills will ensure that Danielle’s Giant Carbon TCR Zero will be running as smooth as it can come April 1. Aaron was a shock selection for the position. It was rumoured that several of the selection committee were not happy that Mr Farlow resided outside the ACT and in particular Queanbeyan. Broughton.id.au understands that the Chairwoman used her powers to appoint Farlow.
Mr Farlow commented that being appointed to Team Danielle was a dream come true. “It’s been a long time since I can remember being awarded such a lucrative position, not much happens in Queanbeyan and any excuse I have to spend time in Canberra is a major plus.”
Danielle Broughton has informed broughton.id.au, “I would like to confirm Mr Farlow was appointed ‘Bike Mechanic’ after being fired as Team Dietician. I think history was on the verge of having the first person train for Ironman who actually gained weight.” She went on to add, “I like my meat & 3 vegetables, but 3 meats & 3 veg is too much! On a positive note he did have the icecream stocks on par.”
Rumours indicate that Mr Farlow will be prevented by Team Danni #226 from driving his Holden Ute to Ironman. This is to avoid a clash with sponsors the Bank of Mum and Dad who had problems with official Team Danni #226 cars having NSW number plates.
Team Danni #226 will be making further team member appointments in the coming week.
Aaron Broughton
Team Danni #226 - Public Relations
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25.02.07
Posted in Triathlon, Sport at 1:31 pm by AB
QUICK UPDATE:
Danielle has finished 11th in the 25-29 Age Group completing the 2k swim, 83k bike and 20k run course in a time of 4:57:58.
More on this soon, with a race report from Danielle herself.
Aaron Broughton
Team Danni #226 - Public Relations
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