Michael Chiller is a triathlete we coached for several years.  He took an extended break a few years ago after a serious hip operation.

What was the reason for the operation, Michael?
The operation was to remove some bone from the left hip, remove two cysts, debride some cartilage, and drain some fluid.  It is true that my specialist told me I should not run without reconstructive surgery to the left, and perhaps the right, hip.  I used Pilates and core exercises to stabilise the area to reduce the impact and learned to run more on the mid foot rather than the heel.

Is it true you were advised never to run again?
I am sure my surgeon and specialist were just thinking of my best interests when they recommended that I did not continue running.  They just did not factor in the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties to achieve goals.

Kelly Cycle Coaching recently caught up with Michael and asked him about his final preparation and race report for the Cairns Ironman he recently completed.  Here is his report.

In the week prior to the event I was tapering as per the program but was not feeling very well.  I had an infection in the ear.  I had aches, pains, was coughing badly and had difficulty sleeping.  I started to feel better towards Friday before the race and attended at Yorkey’s Knob in the morning of Friday 3 June 2011 for a practice swim on part of the course.

The water was terrific.  I swam well and felt great.

On the Saturday I attended to the duties of putting my gear in transition having registered the day before.  In the afternoon I participated in the Junior Triathlon in the family wave with my son.  It was a 50m swim, 1km bike ride and a 500m run.  Liam and I did the bike ride on hired mountain bikes.  We both finished together where I was to finish the following day.

I slept pretty well and felt ok in the morning.

My parents came with me to the start.  I checked over my bike and pumped up the tyres.  I had replaced them the day before.  They held the pressure so I was confident that I had put them on properly.  I was worried about the other tyres as I had a puncture riding into Yorkey’s Knob during the week.  I put my frozen vegemite sandwich on my bike and got into my wetsuit.

Before heading to the beach I saw Mandy and Eliza.  On the beach I saw the whole gang.  I did a warm up of sorts and decided to put my swim cap over my goggles to ensure that they did not come off in the swim.  This turned out to be a good decision as not long after the start I was kicked in the right eye and the goggles needed adjusting but did not come off.

The swim start was hectic to say the least and I was in the middle of a big pack, unable to see much.  At one point a swimmer to my right yelled “rocks”.  We had veered off course a little and I headed to my left back to where I was going.  I mainly swam by myself after that but tried to draft whenever I could.  I was very relaxed in the water and was aware of the course well enough not to get lost, or head in the wrong direction. I was swimming with a good cadence and technique as the water was flat.

After the first lap I was feeling very good.  I had a joke with a competitor on entry again about doing it all over as the Half-Ironman race was sending off more swimmers.  This gave me chance to draft off some people.  The second lap seemed to go faster than the first and I was feeling good.

Transition went smoothly.  I had a good position and was fully aware of where I needed to go.  I did not change clothes.  I headed out on the bike happy and noted that I was almost 15 minutes ahead of my aimed schedule.

Heading to Palm Cove I spent some time whinging to a competitor who was blatantly drafting and I was pleased when he was dropped.  I took time to eat my vegemite sandwich and get some fluid into me before settling into the BCR and aero position.

The ride to Port Douglas was awesome.  The only thing bothering me was the lack of obvious toilets on the course.  I got to Port Douglas at about 10am.  I was thrilled to see my name on the big screen when I turned.

Riding back was hard as there was a head wind and it seemed that the hills were worse on the return.  I was travelling on well though.

At the top of Rex’s lookout on the return to Port Douglas I stopped to go to the toilet.  When looking at my clothing I noted a lot of salt and realised I was dehydrated.  I had been taking on a drink bottle at each aid station but it was very hot so started ramping up my fluid.  I took a little while to get that going.  On my exit from Port Douglas again I felt great.

The ride back was hard as the hills seemed to hurt a little more but I was comforted by the fact that I was eating well and drinking heaps.  My back was sore and the hills helped give me time to stretch but I could feel myself slowing down.  I was satisfied though that I was on track.

Riding into Yorkey’s Knob was awesome, especially as I realised I was 25 minutes ahead of schedule.  I was worried about the run.  It was very hot and I started to worry about my ability to run the whole way.  I started making calculations in my head about the pace I could sustain.

Transition was very smooth and I exited just over 3 minutes later feeling great.  I was struggling on the run but ran all the way to the first aid station not really finding a good rhythm.  I decided to walk through and after the aid stations to ensure that I ate and drank properly.  I covered the first part averaging about 5.05minpkm and was happy with that.  I did decide though that I would use a run and walk strategy, depending on how I felt.

At about 10km’s I noticed that I was happy with the food and drink at the aid stations and that my nutrition was annoying me in my pockets.  I decided that I was not going to use it so I put it all in the bin.  New plan.

It was really hard running along the freeway but my run and walk plan was working well.  When I was running I was at 5mins per km and then obviously slower for the 500m that I would walk.  On some occasions it would be longer if the walk happened to coincide with the aid station.

When I got to the start finish line and saw my family I was excited but feeling terribly.  Not mentally though.  I continued my run walk plan and noted a vast improvement in both my physical and mental condition.  I was running with good pace and walking faster.  I was happy at each aid station and following the same plan.  When I got the first white band I was overjoyed.  Every lap I went to the toilet.  Although it took time, I felt better.

The MTC crew cheering me were great as were the other supporters.  I started to understand that I was going to make it so started making calculations to try and finish in under 11 and a half hours which required a run of under 4 and a half hours.  Watching my Garmin I carefully paced myself, running a little further each lap.  I then realised that I would make it and decided that I would run the last 2 and a half kilometres from the second last aid station which was a just after getting my last band, the red one.  So I walked after the last aid station to the 40km sign and ran the rest of the way.

I was feeling good and I was running at around the 4.50 to 5min km pace.  I felt so good.  I realise that I perhaps could have given a little more earlier and finished 5, 10, 15 mins earlier but I was happy this way and it was working.

My clothing was good for the day so that went well.  My food intake was good and I probably could have avoided carrying the excess weight with me.  I was able to monitor my condition during the race and react to changes in my situation.  This led to the change in plan drinking and eating wise.  Luckily I had already considered a number of plans before the race so just went to the next plan.  I was fortunate not to get sick on course so that plan was not needed.

Overall I felt that it went really well.  My equipment went well except for the Bento box on the bike that kept slipping.  My plans went well and I was mentally able to adapt to the conditions.  Whilst I did not have 100% confidence in my ability to run the whole marathon, I felt good about the prospect of running and walking.  My only thought about that was in relation to pacing.  I only know one pace.  I find it hard to run at a slower pace.  This might have been better than running and walking.  If I could have ran at 6mins per km the whole way, then I would have finished around the same time but would have ran the thing.  Nevertheless, I am extremely happy with my swim, pleased with my bike and satisfied with my run.  If you look at where I finished, I probably could be justified thinking about it the other way, and that is a good thing.  I was 196th overall for the run, 218th for the bike and 404th for the swim.  So theoretically, my run was the best, bike second and swim worst.  This is not how I see it though and that is why iron distance racing is different for everyone and why I judge myself on my own effort.

Could I have done better?  Perhaps.  Do I care?  Absolutely not.

So there you have it.  Another moment in time that shows me that I can accomplish things that are amazing if I just give myself the chance.  I am just so pleased that I completed what I planned and involved my family in that process.  The training and racing was hard but worth it.

Swim 1.12.19; bike 5.44.17 and run 4.25.15.  Overall 11.29.52 T14.51; T2 3.08.

Thanks again.

Michael Chiller