Hi All,
Well it was 28 August last year when I registered for the Melbourne Ironman which sold out in 5 minutes. Now seven months later the big day is nearly here.
Here is a summary for anyone who wants to follow my progress or support me on the course.
Online Tracking: http://ironmanlive.com/
My race number is 193. if this doesn’t work or there is a different site I would appreciate it if someone posts it on my facebook page as I’ll be kind of busy!
Facebook: http://facebook.com.chrisbellesini
I’ll have someone updating my status throughout the day with my progress so feel free to comment and encourage me as I’ll read the messages in the following days when I make sure I give my legs a well deserved rest.
Swim 3.8km
Start Time: 7:15am
Estimated Time: 1 hour 40 mins. Give or take 10 mins.
End Time: 8:55am
I’m wearing a red swim cap and short sleaved wetsuit. This is my weakest leg where I will start at the back of the field to avoid as much as I can started my race with kicks to the head! The majority of my swim will be breast stroke as that is what I’m best at and decided early on to focus on the ride and run as this is only 10% of the race. Cutoff time is 9:35am so plenty of room for error if it is a bit choppy.
Not really a spectator sport but as I’ll be the guy at the back of the pack in a red swimcap doing breast stroke you will actually be able to tell who I am easily I think!
Ride 180km
Start Time: 9:05am (after 10 min generous transition)
Estimated Time: 6 hours 30 mins. Give or take 20 mins.
End Time: 3:35pm
The ride is all about conserving energy for the run and the wind will be a big factor in how fast I go. It is more important to have a good peddle rate than speed so although I predict to do about 6 hours 30 mins, if there are strong winds or I feel I’m pushing a bit too hard the pace will drop off.
The only places to spectate the ride will be at overpasses on Eastlink or maybe at the Springvale Rd turn around. Not sure how close to Springvale Rd we will actually get. I will be dressed in gear as per photo with a Blue Giant Bike but as you can’t get close it will be hard for you to see me and vice versa.
Run 42.2km
Start Time: 3:45am (after 10 min generous transition)
Estimated Time: 4 hours. Give or take 20 mins.
End Time: 7:45pm
TOTAL TIME: 12 hours 30 mins
The good news is that the run is my strength, the bad news is that after already exercising for over 8 hours then I don’t know how the body feel setting out to do a marathon! The focus will be small checkpoints along the way and assessing how I feel. The aim is to get through the first half in reasonable shape at about 5- 5:30 per km pace but if I feel I have to hold back it is a long way to St Kilda so no point in burning out.
The second half could be anything. It may be that I can hold a reasonable pace or that I take the opportunity walk at drink stations to take on food and water.
If you are going to come out and support me here are some suggested points by Ironman Melbourne called live sites where there will a party like atmosphere!
Of course anywhere along the course it would be great so see some faces so feel free to find me out there, I’ll be dressed like I am in this photo. It is the official gear so might be others in same gear but my shorts will be short runners shorts not cycling longer one which most will still be wearing.
Keast Park Seaford 10km – 4:40pm
Pier Road Mordialloc 22km – 5:45pm
Green Point Brighton 32km – 6:45pm
St Kilda Sea Bathes 42km – 7:45pm
Note by the time I get here these points times could be way out either way so make sure you track me live or check out my facebook.
Thanks again for all the support!



