Luke McKenzie, What the heck happened in Melbourne?

Thursday 03 April 2014
Good question! Unfortunately I didn’t have the day I wanted which really started right back with my crash in training two weeks ago. I wasn’t able to swim much leading into Ironman Melbourne and in reality I suffered in the race as a consequence. Swimming in my wetsuit on race day I had trouble with my injured arm and the further I swam the more it began to hurt and I lost time to the main bunch. Things were made a lot worse when as I was rushing to get my helmet on my head I pulled the buckle off the strap. Noooo!!!

I spent roughly 2 minutes re-threading it while the transition emptied around me. I got on my bike and it clearly wasn’t right and I was trying to fix it on the move then all of a sudden it all came undone again and I had to pull over. Missing parts of the buckle now and with the strap fraying at the ends it was a nightmare and I thought it was the end of my race. By this stage even the leaders of the women’s race had past me and they started 3 minutes behind us! Lucky the tech support on course stopped and we were able to use cable ties to get it useable and me back on the road. I lost a further 8 minutes in this drama but can’t thank the people that helped me enough.

I had my work cut out for me but I was determined to make the best of the day even though I was way out of contention. I was still able to ride 4 hrs 25 minutes (The time recorded on my Garmin minus the stops) which is something good to take away from the day and I ran my way from 21st off the bike up to 13th by the end with a sub 3 hour marathon. I finished in 8 hr 28 mins which was respectable considering the days circumstances. Some days the cards aren’t dealt in your favor. I will learn from the experience and continue towards Kona later in the year which I have now validated for with my finish on Sunday.

I have to thank Beth and my family for amazing support on Sunday. I was determined to make them proud no matter what the outcome and I think by finishing the job under the circumstances I did that and myself proud. Onto the next one!
Luke McKenzie


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Patagonman

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

Oxman

North Canterbury, New Zealand

Fodaxman

Nova Veneza State of Santa Catarina, Brazil

HercUlean Triathlon

Konark, Puri, India

Challenge Israman

Eilat, Israel

Saharaman

Taghit, Béchar, Algeria

CHALLENGE Sir Bani Yas

Sir Baniyas Island, United Arab Emirates

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Ironman Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman African Championship

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Ironman Taiwan

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Ironman Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

Ironman Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria

Clash Daytona

Daytona, FL, United States

BergMan 113 Kolhapur

Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Rotorua Suffer

Rotorua, New Zealand

Alpha Win Sarasota

Sarasota, FL, United States

Tauranga Half

Tauranga, New Zealand

Half Camino de la Costa

Viedma, Río Negro, Argentina

Coles Bay Half

Coles Bay, TAS, Australia

Challenge Wanaka

Wanaka, New Zealand

Tweed Coast Enduro

Pottsville NSW, Australia

Husky Ultimate

Huskisson, NSW, Australia

70.3 Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain

70.3 Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

70.3 Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

70.3 Acapulco

Acapulco, Mexico

70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta

Indian Wells La Quinta, United States

70.3 WORLD CHAMPS WOMEN

Taupo, New Zealand

70.3 Florida

Haines City, Florida, United States

70.3 WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Taupo, New Zealand

70.3 Pucon

Pucon, Chile

70.3 Oman

Muscat, Oman

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Cozumel Latin American Champs Pro Preview

IRONMAN Cozumel Latin American Champs Pro Preview

Friday 22 Nov 2024 [Triathlon News]

A Late-Season Destination Race in Paradise Cozumel is not only a beach-goer's paradise, but it’s also a seasoned IRONMAN host city. Off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, the area has over 14 miles of reefs for exploring, plus archaeological ruins, a national park, and endless expanses of turquoise water and white sandy beaches. more

CHALLENGE Family Season Finale Challenge Florianopolis

CHALLENGE Family Season Finale Challenge Florianopolis

Friday 22 Nov 2024 [Triathlon News]

One of the final races of the 2024 triathlon season, the sold-out Challenge Florianópolis, will take place on Sunday, 24 November, on the scenic coastline of Santa Catarina in Brazil. The event brings together a strong field of Brazilian and American athletes alongside over 1,100 age groupers, promising exciting competition in both the men’s and women’s races. more

Double Olympic Champ Alistair Brownlee Calls Time On Triathlon Career

Double Olympic Champ Alistair Brownlee Calls Time On Triathlon Career

Thursday 21 Nov 2024 [Triathlon News]

British double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee has announced this morning his retirement from professional triathlon, following his podium finish at the Dubai T100 Triathlon World Championship Final on Sunday. more

Marten van Riel Supreme In Dubai To Win T100 World Champs

Marten van Riel Supreme In Dubai To Win T100 World Champs

Sunday 17 Nov 2024 [Triathlon News]

Marten Van Riel defied the intense heat and then outran the world’s best triathletes to win the inaugural T100 Triathlon World Championship Final and take the first-ever T100 Triathlon World Championship Title in commanding fashion this afternoon in Dubai. Van Riel chalked up his 3rd T100 win from 4 T100 starts and make history – following victories in San Francisco, Ibiza and now Dubai – earning $301,000 in prize money along the way. more

Taylor Knibb Dominant In Dubai To Claim T100 World Champs Crown

Taylor Knibb Dominant In Dubai To Claim T100 World Champs Crown

Saturday 16 Nov 2024 [Triathlon News]

Taylor Knibb delivered a flawless swim, bike and run performance to win the inaugural T100 Triathlon World Championship Final and take the first-ever T100 Triathlon World Championship Title in dominant fashion, despite the sweltering heat in Dubai today. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.