Archive for March 8th, 2010

I asked JP to write a snapshot of his day for those back in Perth and similarly to those who spent the day driving through New Zealand…here it is!

After a 5 year hiatus from Ironman it was now time to have a crack in the old-snoozers age group. At least that it was I had planned.

On March 6, 2010 it started with a 5.00am awakening, 6 weetbix and 3 no dose tablets to try and wake a body that had been tired all week.

A mate of mine from NZ, Andy, came down from Auckland to fill the role of Ray who decided that he needed to run a marathon the same day, rather than to help an old mate get a spot on the big island. As a non-racer Andy was asking some helpful questions but also making some interesting statements, ‘Geez, you’re looking flat today?’, and ‘How do you think you’ll go?’, and ‘You probably should have flown in earlier?’… Bascially, everything you don’t say as a spectator.

Into the car, headed to transition to hear the beautiful voice of Ironman (Mike Riley), quickly followed by a bang and a blown tyre…..(fortunately not mine). What seemed like minutes later I was hirded into the cattle gate, to walk to the swim start, with the words of my children still in my head, ‘Why are you in New Zealand Dad’ and ‘Are we going to Hawaii?’

After an 8 stroke warmup, we were away and 1.03 later I emerged from the water with 50% eyesight due to an allergic reaction to the anti fog in my goggles. I now couldn’t see. This wasn’t the perfect start! With one eye closed and the other doing it’s best to find the way, I resembled Mr McGoo in transition.

Onto the bike with the plan to have a conservative ride. At the 145km mark all was going well (As good as it can with a 40km/h cross winds, one eye and a retro bike…) until an overzealous official pulled me over for a gel wrapper falling out the back of my jersey. A polite conversation and 4 mins penalty on the side of the road, had me thinking, ‘It can’t get any better than this!’

I then rejoined the race with a fire in the belly and 35km of headwind.

Pleased to be off the bike on a personal worst time 5.13+4 I now had time to make up on the run. During my 5 years of retirement I forgot how hard Ironman can be… I was questioning whether I had made the right decision. After a brief internal discussion and the thought of going over 10 hours it was time to get the race face on and attack the marathon.

First 21km well…1.39 split and feeling pretty good, onto the 26km mark I was gently reminded via a massive cramp that this Ironman caper still hurts. Having done a number of Ironman (8) races I knew it’s a game of mental toughness.

Through to the finish in 9.52 and 11^th in the age group and although disappointed with my performance, I knew I had come through as best I could given the circumstances. With a trip to the medical tent and hospital for treatment on the eye, I now looked like Captain Feathersword sporting n eyepatch.

Now, it was going to be a nervous wait to the Kona rolldown as there was only 9 spots available in the 40-44 age group, finishing 11^th there was still no guarantee.

I am pleased to say I picked up my place to race Ironman Hawaii. I now have the opportunity to test my myself against the best athletes in the world and celebrate the occasion and a well earned family holiday with Wendy, Samuel and Isabella!

Looking forward now to getting home and having an easy month of training and then starting my preparation for Hawaii.