Top Tips for Ironman Port Macquarie

My top tips for Ironman Port Macquarie

Following the popularity of my China post- I’m now going to give you tips for all the races I’ve done. Actually I’ve never raced the Ironman at Port. I missed one race with injury, and then illness, and then I think I decided it wasn’t meant to be.
But I have been in Port for every one of the 5 Ironman races, raced the 70.3 4 times and the Long Course Champs here numerous times. I think I know Port!

So anyway, I’m going to share with you a little inside info…This post is geared towards those who’ve never raced Port before. If I help just one person…

Training prior to race day

If you’re arriving in Port during race week, do your taper sessions out on the course as much as possible- even if you’ve raced here before.
BUT- riding or running the undulations is going to tax you- much better to save those parts of the course for race day itself. Choose the flatter sections- even if it means getting in your car.

Swimming- you can swim on the course in race week- there are usually some markers out- if not- get there around 7am and there will be plenty of people to follow.
If you want to jump in the local pool- there’s nice outdoor 50 and 25m pools on Gordon St in Port Mac.

Riding- you can ride on the course prior to race day, but be careful of the traffic, and chose quiet times.

Run- easy to jump onto the run course since it goes straight through town- where most accomodation is. As I said- chose the flat sections in race week!

Food in race week

Since most athletes racing IM Australia are Aussies, it’s easy for you to eat the foods you are used to in race week. Port Mac has a big Coles, Woolies and an IGA, and a fair few restaurants and cafes- depending on what you like/budget. If you can self-cater in race week- even better.
After traveling to Port for the last…7 years in a row, sometimes twice a year, our favourite cafe is Crema. It used to be under the Rydges, but has moved to a bigger space where the  Starbucks briefly was on the cnr of Clarence and Horton Sts. Great coffee, brekkies and lunches- and free Wifi. We spend a lot of time in there!

Post race day breakfast is the biggest social occasion of the week! The atmosphere is soooo different from 2 days earlier. I love this day. Great brekkie spots are Crema, The Corner Store, and the Pancake Palace-I’ve been told but never been. Or anywhere where you see a big group of hobbling, smiling triathletes:)

Race course

I think 99% of you will have either raced here before or been to check it out. If not…

the swim…be prepared for one of the roughest swims in Ironman. And I’m not referring to the chop! I mean the mass start and the shape of the course make it quite “aggressive”. If you’re concerned about it- start to one side- so that you can avoid it as much as possible. There can be a current in one direction, so be prepared for it feeling harder and slower in one direction, but you’ll fly in the other.

Bike. This is quite challenging one- a mix of undulations and flats, a real power course. The road is really quite bumpy in sections- chip sealed. If you’re attaching anything to your bike make sure it is REALLY firmly attached. The road is always strewn with gas, tires and gels!!
If you’re new to the Port course you should check out Matthew Flinders so that it’s not a surprise on race day:) Very short but vertical so you need to be prepared in your smallest gear.
In past years its been pretty drizzly on the bike- even cold. Make sure you pack arm warmers and a vest in your T1 bag just in case.

The run is another challenging one- but the times amaze me every year- they’re always quick! There are some beautiful sections of course taking you along the beach with some great views. You can have one of those “ahhh how good is this” moments.
Some race days have really heated up by this stage in the day- max 30 I’d say.
(this week the forecast shows min 15- max 28 and clear sunny days! Awesome!)

Race Day

This race has been run by the legend Kenny Baggs for donkies years. He is one of THE BEST race directors in the world. He has you covered! The race will run like clockwork, and all you have to focus on is yourself. The aid stations are fantastic and the volunteers are pros!

There will be heaps of spectators out there to give you support when you most need it. It’s certainly not a lonely course, and being a large field of athletes and a mass start you’ll likely have company the whole day.
Pete Murray and the finish line will be urging you home…

There’s only one person responsible for your success and that’s YOU!
Make sure you’re well prepared and organised this week because it will fly.
Enjoy the butterflies, they’re just energy waiting to bust out! You’re fit and ready and you can stand on the start line feeling confident, relaxed and focused.

I’ll leave you with a great quote by Johan Bruyneel on Lance Armstrong;

“I didn’t need to see the figures tracking his speed or calculating his watt output or any of the other important training markers. I’d seen something more important: belief”

I’ll be working all week in the expo on the Trigger Point Performance stand, so come and say hello!
We’ll be having Belinda Granger on the stand on Saturday, so come and have a chat and  get a signed photo of the 3 x Ironman Malaysia Champ, and perhaps even Luke McKenzie…will announce times soon.

Enjoy and good luck.
Charlotte

P.S Go ahead and leave comments if you think I’ve missed anything you’d like to share…thanks.