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 Swim
Comments: For the first 200m it was a bit of a battle to find one's own space. I tried to keep with Liane but she did a bit of weaving that I wasn't prepared to do. How does 1:16 go by so quickly?? We had a current swimming towards Settlement point. I was in no mans land for probably 300m and then I kept finding feet and people to pass. Swimming back towards the IM village was a touch harder but I had a well established draft by then. I really thought I should apologies to the guy because I tapped his toes far too many times. I can't believe he wasn't kicking in retaliation. Like I did, except all it got me was a pulled leg and then some cramp! Was surprised also to have my left arm pushed down when there was plenty of space. Apart from that, an enjoyable swim (yes, you read that right Paul). So incredibly happy to have gone under 1:20. What would you do differently?: Swim more than once a week? Could not be happier with this effort.  Transition 1
Comments: Gosh, this felt slower than 6 mins. I was almost pulled off the chair when it came to taking my wetsuit off. Was happy that I'd chosen my 2XU endurance singlet and that I'd bought arm warmers just in case. Didn't start with them on because I was interested in getting some sunscreen on, which I decided to rub in about half an hour later. What would you do differently?: Probably should have baby oiled my wetsuit arms and legs to assist in removal.  Bike
Comments: The lap looked a bit like this undulating uphill, steep downhill, flat (headwind), undulating downhill, turnaround, undulating uphill, flat (tailwind), mother of a hill, undulating down. Repeat x3. Lap 1. Rode well within my limits, but kind of deviated off my nutrition plan when at 30mins at the first aid station they were offering ANZAC biscuits. I had to have me one of them. At 45min I had 1/3rd Powerbar and started my nutrition that way. Not long before the turnaround I saw Laura & Liane, so I wasn't that far behind. But I wasn't planning to catch them either. Had a chat to a woman who kept repeating to me, that swim had to be long, that swim was really slow. I said, I was pretty happy with my swim. She shook her head as if I was wrong. Whatever. Then I came across a guy whose top said: SWIM, BIKE, WALK and in red KNEE RECONSTRUCTION. Turns out his ankle had given way about a week or so ago and he'd hurt his knee in the process and was going for a knee reco after the race. My hat was off to him. He replied anyone who finished the race was a champion in his eyes. He ended up passing me not long after. The first attempt at the mother of a hill (MOAH) was tough. I almost didn't have enough momentum and nearly came off my bike. I almost cried when I'd made it to the top. But I knew the run back into town was pretty easy and that I'd get some cheers from my Mum. Lap 2. I spent most of this lap drinking, but also trying to wizz on the downhills. I wasn't successful at all. Nutrition was going to plan and I was happy with how easily I was hydrating even though it was coolish with rain. At the turnaround I'd done 90km in 3.5 hours. I was right on track and feeling good. Keep this up and I could go 7 hours as predicted. Coming back on the flat was pretty easy, I was in aero and a guy rode past telling me to sit up so my back could be used as a sail. I thought that was some good info. I'd sit up and take it easy for a bit, get down in aero and then have another little break. I was well prepared for the MOAH at Matthew Flinders Drive this time. And as luck would have it there was only me going up at that stage so all the cheers were for me. ME!!! They just lifted me up. Lap 3. Heading out of town I stopped for a quick wizz. It was kinda nice to get off the bike and I felt good getting back on. This time though the wind had picked up, particularly along the flat and I felt like I was going backwards. Speed dropped 5km/hr for that section. Uh. Hard work. Had some company up the MOAH which I was thankful for. I did fear I'd give up and get off. Alas not. The thought of getting off the bike propelled me back into town. 15mins before the end of the bike I took a Gu & two panadol. See I thought there was something clicking on the bike, but it turns out it had been my knee the whole time. *Shudder* What would you do differently?: 5 mins off my goal time, on a tougher course than I could have ever imagined. I'm happy. I had no back pain and no knee pain (just grinding/clicking). Very lucky indeed. I just need to get stronger on the hills if my time is to improve. Transition 2
Comments: I left my shoes on the bike, but didn't do a proper dismount. Felt pretty good to get off the bike and even better to have a change of clothes. 2XU compression shorts & brooks capped sleeve t-shirt were thrown on. I SportShield'ed my inner arms to stop chafing and I was off.  Run
Comments: So while I was directed ok out of the change tent, there wasn't much direction going on for when I hit the course. I just had to hope like hell I was running the right way. Not before I took my five packets of Gu out of my back pocket and stashed them around my body so they wouldn't bounce against my back. I finally found a volunteer, stopped and asked her if I was running the right way from the change rooms. I was. Phew, I could relax. Trotted off to Settlement point, where again I saw Laura & Liane just before the turn around. At that aid station there was a familiar face. We'd met Warrick through the 'Adopt an Athlete' program that Laura had signed up to. He asked how I was going and if he could get me anything. Yeah! Jelly beans! He gave me a cup. I threw the black ones and go on with eating the coloured ones. It was flat all the way back to where my coach was standing. I was just enjoying a different activity, watching all the people runners & spectators alike. I was determined to run 2 laps of the course before I started walking hills. I managed that. I did walk aid stations because I was going to be a touch underdone on nutrition because I thought I'd dropped a Gu (turns out I hadn't). Lap 2 I told the woman who gave me a scrunchie that I'd been waiting a long time to see her. I stopped for the bathroom, I was given glow sticks and I was getting lots of comments about my top. Go Pinky they'd yell. Didn't they know it wasn't pink, it was sorbet??? As a girl out on the course (one of 250 out of ~1500) there was plenty of support. It was amazing. Lap 3 At 10km to go it got hard. At 7km to go when I had a bit of a chat to my Mum it got even harder. My legs were just aching and I knew I had a fair bit of uphill to get through. I couldn't do it, I couldn't run up those hills again, so I walked up them and ran any downhills or flats that I encountered. I got the coke into me to give me a lift but it didn't quite work it's magic. Running along the breakwater there was a lightening storm going on out at see. The bright lights of the finish line seemed so far away. Evey spectator I passed had something good to say. I was almost in tears knowing I was so far, but so close. 200m before the finish chute was my coach. I ran at him sobbing. We hugged for a while. I don't think he could say much either. When I let go he said go and find your Mum & enjoy the finish. I thanked him. I jogged down the blue carpet blinded by the bright lights and kind of startled by all the cheering and noise. I could hear my club mates cheering me on, but I was afraid of missing my Mum. There she was, half way down. Again I threw myself at her and starting sobbing. She let me go and as I crossed the line I heard "Caroline you are an IRONMAN... Caroline's 29 from Elwood and she's a Forensic Photographer, I bet she see's some interesting stuff..." I was handed a towel, had a medal put around my neck and wad walked to the medical tent. I must have been horribly stinky! What would you do differently?: Not cry my way up to the finish line! Oh and work on my running. Hills at Kew blvd will be my friends. Post race
Warm down: No medical assistance required I took a bottle of water, I couldn't handle the thought of sweet fizzy stuff. Hobbled to the massage queue. While it was nice to have another sensation other than pounding through my legs and lower back, I was a touch disappointed with my rub down. But hey, they were volunteers. They did an awesome job all up and tried to thank as many as I could. They were all very gracious. I got my finishers t-shirt and put that on with my arm warmers that I'd run the day with flapping at my side. At last they came in use. Then it was time for food, I wanted ice cream so badly but I was too cold. So I managed a bread roll and a mouthful of pasta. Then it was off to find my support crew, who did a fabulous job. What limited your ability to perform faster: The usual: talent. Event comments: I finished the race in much better condition than I had anticipated, I just didn't think it would be so emotional. It's a tough course without a doubt, but I wouldn't change anything about my day. Thank you to everyone who offered me support and words of encouragement, you were all in my thoughts during the day. Overall Pos: 1218 Gender Pos: 162 Category Pos: 24 Last updated: 2008-03-02 12:00 AM
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Australia
IMG
19C / 66F
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 1218/
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 24/29
Alarm went off at 4:30am. Can't say I slept really well so having the extra hour due to daylight savings finishing was a bit of a bonus. The most refreshing thing was that I felt ready to race, I felt as though this IM was within my reach. Phew.
Had laid all my clothes out the night before and had written myself a checklist with inane things like eat muffin with honey, drink juice, take banana for walk. Which meant I should eat it on the way. It was mainly so I wouldn't forget my Powerbars & Gatorade that spent the night in the freezer.
Was ready to leave with Liane & Michel at 4:50am. It was cool and wet. Only to get wetter as rain pelted down as we were walking to transition. Nothing holds water quite like a polar fleece!
Huddled in the registration tent until the rain eased a little and then scurried to our bikes. I packed my bento box and next thing I know Michel is pumping up my tyres. What a gentleman! I felt like such a girl. Oh wait, I am.
Then it was back to complete mission: wetsuit. Not easy when you're wet. Slathered self in body glide, got wetsuit on and tried to ignore the fact that it was irritating my neck and inner aspect of my elbow.
Met Rachel outside the compound, happily posed for photos in my wetsuit (I must be nuts) with the Shepard's Warning Sky behind us.
Found Coach Andy for a hug before we crossed the competitor only line. Hugged each other and yellow caps (read slow swimmers) Liane & I headed into the water.
We bobbed about for what seemed like ages. Then the anthem was sung, then the cannon went. Holy Crap! Is that the start??? Where's the warning??? SWIM!!!!