Hammer Nutrition Australia

Photos & Race Report from Michelle's Half Ironman Win

As mentioned below, our sponsored athlete Michelle Wu won the Canberra Half Ironman on the weekend as an Age Grouper!

Check out race pics and report below:

Michelle's Canberra Half Ironman Report

The Swim

I was in the lead bunch of about 5 other girls for the entire swim, bunny hopping between the feet of one girl, then another!

Eventually one chick got away, leaving 4 of us, exiting the 1.9k swim in 29:30min. A nice long 400m run to T1, wettie off and out for the 93km hill fest!

The Bike

My biggest queries pre race were:

1. how hard to push on the bike leg,
2. whether I should ride conservatively and save pennies for the run, or “just GO FOR IT”,
3. and how much to eat.

Loaded with 6 gels on the bike (in the end taking 5), I chose the later, riding pretty much like I would in an Olympic distance race!

I had allowed 3hrs for the ride (about 1hr each lap). First lap went by in 55min, as did the 2nd. 3rd lap however I was starting to feel the pinch of the hills, going round in about 58min.

Much to my surprise, I passed 2 of the Pro Females on the bike leg! Either I was having a great ride, or they were having a bad day. Turned out that I had a pretty strong ride with the 4th fastest split of the Females in 2:51hrs.

Nicely under my target of 3hrs.

The Run

For the first time in a race, I opted for socks on the run. Everything was wet (me included!) so on went the wet socks and shoes – an almost guarantee for blisters! However, I was fortunate to not get any.

My pre race goal was to run 4min/km pace.

It seemed a little ambitious at first, but I knew it was definitely possible given I was in the best run shape of my life. A lot also had to do with how well I fuelled myself on the bike!

Thankfully I had taken in enough gels (thanks Hammer Nutrition!) and had the fuel required to hold that pace.

Every km was marked on the run course, and as each km ticked by, I was actually going just under 4min/k. I felt really comfortable on the run, maintaining a constant pace throughout.

Though breathing hard, but in control, I had plenty of cheering on the flat run course which was fantastic.

The Finish

The finish line was pretty emotional.

My first HIM, and by far the biggest race I’ve ever won!

I had 4 interviews post race and I didn’t even know who the people were! (Apart from the Canberra Times newspaper). It was pretty cool though.

Congrats to the handful of Tridents who also toughed out the long wet day!

I may have won the race, but in my eyes you’re all champions too for getting to the finish line, whether you struggled up Coppins for the 3rd time, or cramped or suffered on the run.

Well done for hanging in there!

Thank you too for all the Tridents out there cheering despite the crappy weather! Especially for the bunch at the top of the Coppins climb (you know who you are!).

You’re a funny lot and made me laugh!

Finally, thanks to super coach and Raeleigh for believing in me.

Michelle

Labels: endurance nutrition, michelle wu australian duathlon champion, Sports Nutrition

posted by Hammer Nutrition at 3:57 PM 0 comments

Speaking Of Wins - Michelle Does It Again!

One of our favourite Hammer sponsored athletes - I know we shouldn't have favourites, but she's just so nice! - Michelle Wu has done it again.

Yep, Michelle has taken out the 1st leg of the Australian Triathlon Series in Nowra in a time of 2:07:14.

A great time for the Olympic distance Tri.

Smashed Through 40 Min for 10 KM Barrier!

Michelle sang the praises of her new Orca Apex 2 wetsuit, which you'd need on a cold Nowra morning.

She felt great on the bike leg and came into the last transition in 2nd place.

Michelle absolutely smashed her previous best in the 10km run leg with a sizzling hot 36 mins 39 seconds to take a pretty easy win in the end (she would never say that, of course!).

Michelle has never run a sub-40 minutes for 10 km before in a Olympic distance tri, so to absolutely smash through that barrier was a big thrill for her.

Here's what Michelle wrote to me:

"I'm over the moon to have finally cracked it - in a big way!)

1st overall female, 7th overall (including the boys!), total time 2:07:14 hrs - a PB for an Olympic distance event! (and a 7min PB from last years race!)."

4 Tridents In Top 10

As usual Michelle, in her race report to me, mentions her team mates:

"Well done to all fellow Tridents who braved the tough course. I hope you all achieved your pre-race goals! 4 Tridents in the top 10! a great result for the club!"

"I Did It My Way"......Or Maybe Not!

The photo to the left is Michelle at the presentation about to launch in her very own version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

Or maybe not!

Well done Michelle. I'm not saying the Hammer Gels got you under the 40 minute mark but........ ;o)

Cheers

David

Labels: michelle wu australian duathlon champion, Sports Nutrition

posted by Hammer Nutrition at 12:09 PM 0 comments

Michelle Hammers Home For Big Win

Fantastic news with Hammer athlete Michelle Wu blitzing the field to win the 2007 Australian Duathlon Championship.

The rescheduled ITU Oceania Duathlon Champs (which were to be held in Newcastle in June) was held in Canberra yesterday.

This is how Michelle described the final run:

"I didn't really know how far ahead I was, so I just ran scared I suppose you could say!

Every incline though felt like a massive mountain, but I knew everyone was hurting too and in the same boat.

I ended up finishing a couple of minutes ahead of the 2nd female :-) Australian Duathlon Champion! wow!! pretty cool! :0)"

Congrats Michelle!

David

Labels: michelle wu australian duathlon champion

posted by Hammer Nutrition at 5:27 PM 0 comments