Ironman Australia holds some mixed emotions for me, some for really good reasons and other for "smart" reasons!
Firstly, I wanted to explain the reasons why I didn't start. I went to Port with a very mixed mindset of wanting to start the race or not. I did really want to start and do the race with many close mates, a boys weekend away with an Ironman race, what more could I ask for??
On the other hand, by not racing, I wouldn't risk upsetting the virus that I was getting over and potentially delay my Kona preparation by anywhere up to 3months post race. I decided to go through my normal routine, register, check my bike in, carb load etc and just see how I woke up race morning. This was my plan that I had discussed with Andrew for the previous few weeks. I had more to loose than gain from this race.
So, landing in Newcastle on the Thursday evening, the 5 of us, Scott, Steve, Ronny, Benny and myself had accommodation organised and took the opportunity for a good night sleep before we convoy down to the home of Ironman Australia, Port MacQuarie.
Arriving on the Friday, getting our apartment, everything was as normal. I actually enjoyed these few days before the race compared to Melbourne as I felt like it was an Ironman, Melbourne just didn't have the same feel for me.
Fast forward to race morning, once I woke, I just knew that I shouldn't race. I felt really sluggish, tired and something just told me to enjoy the day. So I did just that. Remember this blog: Prepare to Succeed, Don't chase the fail? Well that is what my mindset was about. Do this race and risk putting myself so far behind for no reason then ego, or rest and get my body/health right for the start of my Hawaii build.
So, Nathan (younger bro) and I went to the swim start with the boys and did our bit as supporters to help where we could. A few nerves from the others, but I knew and said to Nathan that I had made the correct choice.
It would have been easy for me to suit up and go out and race, it was harder to make the correct decision by not starting. The hardest thing was seeing my bike still waiting in T1 after everyone had collected theirs, usually mine is pretty close to being first in T2, not getting packed into a truck and transported to T2.
So we set up just up from the turn around point on the bike and saw all the boys go through. Little did we know, that Andrew, Billy, Mitch & Greg made a surprise visit to support which made our group even more vocal.
By the end of the day and many cold ones later, I could not have been happier about my decision. I am still giving my body a chance to fully recover before I put it through another serious Hawaii prep however I do know that when I commence it, I will be ready.
Putting on my coaches hat, I had 4 athletes race Ironman Australia, 2 first timers, a newbie to me and an old friend and training partner.
The 2 first Timers, Tim Tingiri and Adam Kelsall, both had outstanding races and had a wonderful experience through their first Ironman Journey. I know that both learnt a lot from their first race and might just have even caught the bug called "Ironman"!
Adam Kelsall, who has had an endurance back round through some silly sport known as 24hr mtb had a race to remember with the following stats:
Swim: 1:00:58
T1: 5:28 (I might have to ask how many course he had to eat in T1)
Ride: 5:47:14 This was our plan to set him up for a solid run.
T2: 3:07 (must have been excited to start the run)
Run: 3:41:12 (not bad for a guy who only started running consistently 6months ago)
Overall: 10hr 37min 59 sec
From where I watched, he smiled all day and soaked it up, an outstanding first Ironman!!
Tim Tingiri also had a great race and learnt a few lessons he can take with him moving on.... Main lesson.... Ironman isn't easy and if is was, everyone would do it. Tim was a little hard on himself post race, but after explaining the significance of his achievement and what he put his lovely wife Deb through ;-) I think he got it!! Great effort mate.
Swim: 1:10:36 The guy couldn't even swim 1k 1 year ago, amazing turnaround. We both thought a 1:20 was the time that he would do.
T1: 3:21 Impressive
Bike: 5:59:24 Same deal as above, coming in very raw, still a good time
T2: 2:07 - Nailed it
Run: 3:56:26, not as fast as we both thought, but still a great first up Marathon off the bike. A bit of experience and nutrition, things WILL be quicker next up!
Overall: 11hr 11min 54 sec
Benny Robinson had to withdraw through injury after the bike and by the emotion he showed he will be back faster than ever. Was cruising after a 1:05 swim and a 5:20 ride, injury took hold and the unfortunate DNF prevailed.
New comer to me (after IMMelb) James Monahan was backing up after Ironman Melbourne only 6weeks earlier where he went 10hrs 12min put him through a run focus for the 4 weeks we had and got his run time from 4hr 6min to 3hr 47min and an improvement overall by 10min on a course where the winning time was some 30min slower.
Big signs to come from James as with a full year under his belt with the right focus, there WILL be only 1 result.
Now onto what I enjoy before the Ironman races in Australia, my little "tip the a/g winners". At Melbourne I managed to tip 5 a/g winners and was determined to up this at Port, maybe not as much as I did though.
From this blog, the below was the result of my tipping:
Matty Burton 1st 18-24 M
Alicia Johnson 1st 18-24 F
Matt Craft 1st 30-34 M
Leanne Southwell 1st 40-44 F
Angela Clarke 1st 45-49 F
Stephen Bingham 1st 50-54 M
Leanne MacPherson 1st 50-54 F
John Hill 1st 55-59 M
Nance Cullen 1st 55-59 F
Ron Wilson 1st 60-64 M
Karly McKinlay 1st 65-69 F
Michelle Mitchell 1st Pro W
Throw in Matty Burton to be 1st a/g across the line I think that I had a good day!
Other honourable mentions:
Paul Roberts 2nd 25-59 M
Kristy Craft 3rd 30-34 F
Catherine Theile 2nd 35-39 F
Helen Freer 3rd 60-64 F
Guy Vernay 2nd 65-69 M
Ah the fun of it all, next predictions for me Ironman Cairns!!
To rest and recover!
X-Man
