I flew from 11 hours from Maui to Honolulu to Auckland, laid over 7 hours, then flew 8 hours to Perth on November the 1st -hoping to start my Australian campaign at the Aussie Championship in Mandurah. Unfortunately, that much time in the germ tube and airports meant that by my second day in Australia I went down for the count. Five full days of illness and inactivity followed, which meant I missed the event altogether. I was devastated. I think I was the worst homestay athlete ever given all I did was either sit on the couch or in bed all day. My hosts Jamie, Nicky and Robin were gracious and did all they could for someone wracked with fever and crawly skin – they loaned me four seasons of Game of Thrones. Now I am all up to date – bring on Season 5! J
Needless to say, I was extraordinarily hungry to race in Ballarat the following weekend but honestly, my mental game needed a tuneup. The leadup was not good as my body was still sick and flat so I didn’t have the workouts I normally use to fuel some confidence. I really didn’t know what to expect. However, I got the mental kick in the pants on race morning when I was faced with the possibility of NOT RACING AT ALL. I will tell you what, when an opportunity is taken away, you suddenly discover just how bad you want that opportunity and what you would do if you had it back again. This was an excellent prerace realization and I am sure it was why I was as strong as I was on the day. What do they say, 90% mental and the other half physical?
The swim was held in Lake Wendouree, an Olympic rowing venue from days gone by that has become home to numerous beautiful black swans. Ironically, I described the race as a “black swan event” the day before. A black swan event is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight.
There was a terrible storm rolling through Ballarat the night before, complete with frightening thunder and lightning. I don’t know if it was the fact my bike endured a lightning storm the night before or not but when I got to the bike in the morning I discovered the bike did not work. Black swan event –it was an absolute freak occurrence.
So as I stood fretting about the possibility of flying all the way to Australia to have no opportunity to race, the brilliant Matt of Cyclescape Trek Store Ballarat worked his way through the problem. Having the opportunity presented back to me was invaluable. Suddenly I was going to make the most of every single minute. When the soldier shot the gun to start the race I was completely immersed in the process of racing. I got a bit confused on the swim course (it was not complicated but some wind chop made the teeny buoys kind of hard to see) but still managed to lead Maddie out of the water for my third Blueseventy swim victory of the season. In transition, I took my sweet time putting a lot of clothes on while Maddie roared out onto the bike. It was freezing. It was also wet, which meant I took the first lap very slow as my crash the week before 70.3 worlds has turned me into a fraidy-cat in wet conditions. I decided that lying on the ground is slower than taking a corner slowly.
The bike course went out along the Avenue of Honor, a stretch of road lined with trees planted for fallen WW1 and WW2 soldiers from the town of Ballarat. The course also went through beautiful Victoria Park and Ballarat Botanical gardens, areas with beautiful war memorials and art. The run was on a tan track that circumnavigated the lake, dedicated to Olympic hero Steve Monghetti. The town really appreciates heroes from all walks of life and to do this race in November shortly after Remembrance Day was a sobering reminder of the history of sacrifices that allow us to live our lives the way we choose.
It took me until about 15kms to find the front of the race. It was so cold in the wind both on the bike and on the run that for the first 6km out onto the run my legs were threatening to seize up and cramp. Cold weather is difficult for running fast and I couldn’t feel my feet in the Asics despite putting socks on. Despite the leg pains I went out the first 6 kms in under 4:00 pace thinking it was going to be a breeze- before hitting the headwinds. At that point I stopped looking at splits, ate another Powergel, and pumped my arms harder. It wasn’t going to be my best ever splits on that day. Running across the finish line was the best feeling in the whole world and the crowds were amazing.
Congratulations to Madeleine Oldfield and Mareen Hufe for second and third on the day and to Jessica Mitchell and Kirsty Hallet for rounding out the top five A pleasure to race with you all.
Ironman events are absolutely fantastic. The races are always hard, competition and course inclusive, but the satisfaction of doing your best on the day is immeasurable. I am so stoked to have the fastest swim, fastest bike and second fastest run on the day to a flying Jessica Mitchell.
So that makes three half Ironman wins in one season. I am looking forward to one more in two weeks before I come home to plan for 2015. One thing is for sure, I just have to remember the feeling I had when I considered not being allowed to race on the day to know I would rather give it everything I have, with what I have on the day, than not have the chance to try at all.
Thanks to the Trek Store Cyclescape in Ballarat for saving my race for me. Thanks to Chris at Monza Imports for loaning me Powertap wheels and a Cycleops trainer to use while I am here. Thanks Trek Bikes and Trek Bikes Australia for making me part of the family. Thanks Shimano, Bontrager, Champion System, Rudy Project North America, Powerbar, Powertap, Asics, Cobb Saddles, Frontrunners Westshore, Synergy Wellness, and USANA. See you all in Sydney for IM 70.3 West Sydney!