IM New Zealand on this Weekend

Stephen and Bella Bayliss both won Ironman South Africa last year and are going to compete again this year on the 5th of April. 

They are great to watch.

Enjoy the race.

What is your race number?

Hope weather is perfect for you, nutrition, hydration, sodium intake all are great and you don't cramp and have an awesome race!!!!

Have fun out there

Thanks guys. My race # is 688.

The weather forecast earlier in the week was atrocious (?), but it's looking a bit better now. Looks like it will be wet and windy through to mid afternoon, but backing off as the day goes on. Who really knows!

I've been a bit stressed the last few weeks with cramp in my peak week (thanks heaps for the advice Kathy), never making my scheduled longest runs, a cold-like virus I still can't shake, and the typical taper feelings / behaviour. It's screwed with my confidence a bit, but as others have pointed out I've done the best training I could so now it's just time to get out there and enjoy it. That's what it's all about for me.

See you all again when I cross that line and come back as an Ironman!

Cheers

Gerrard

Good Luck Gerrard.  I have a tenative plan to race New Zealand in a few years.  Japan this year, China next, and New Zealand the following.  I haven't checked your logs but do you have a time your shooting for?  I'll be watching and i'll keep an eye out for you. 

Like you said, you've done the work now relax and have fun and as briancd's gel flask said -"Don't be afraid to let it hurt a little bit more"

Wow - is there a master plan to have raced all IM's around the world at some stage? I can't even contemplate beyond my first one at the moment!

I've got a goal in mind but I ain't telling anyone!  Survival is the first priority so I'm taking a relatively comfortable pace into the bike and run, and hoping to have something left in the tank to push through the hurt later on the run. I'll be really happy if things go well and I can achieve a MOP finish.

Time for some sleep now. The car's all packed and we're off in the morning. 

Cheers for all the support. There'll be a race report when I get back.

Gerrard

Oh yeah and 2 more amazing things to watch for in the race:

1. 70 year old Tony Jackson (#101)
   
2. 66ish year old Mike Ramsay (#102) 

Note the special numbers for these guys. Both have COMPLETED every single IMNZ race previously. That's right. Not only have they made the start line every year for the last 24 years, but both have managed to FINISH every time too.

Last year Tony was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given only 6 weeks to live. 12 weeks after the operation he fronted up and finished IMNZ #24.

Bloody incredible guys, and a huge inspiration to everyone.

I'm hoping I'll still be mobile enough to make it back to the finish line and watch them both come in towards the end.

Gerrard

Like Gerrard I'm a first timer to IM, but have made it to Taupo already! I was lucky enough to have a relaxing journey here, and have been able to chill out a bit this afternoon/evening.

Taupo is full of Ironpeople and the atmosphere is amazing - I had no idea just how great it would be. Tomorrow, Friday and Saturday can only get better as all competitors have to register tomorrow so town will be filling up.

My supporters arrive on Friday which gives me time to keep soaking up the energy from all the other competitiors, and still be able to escape for some quiet time when I need it.  I have a good book, and some DVDs for just such a time if necessary!

Gerrard - I'll keep an eye out for you over the next couple of days and on the course!

Cheers
Andy (#831)

Good luck Andy, we'll keep an eye out for you too!

Gerrard, i'm trying to take advantage of living in Okinawa, it's giving me an easier flight to some amazing IM locations.

 Good luck guys.

Good luck guys! I'll be waiting eagerly for the race reports! IM NZ is on my list for next year! 

fingers crossed you have awesome weather and awesome races!

shelly123 - 2009-03-06 6:59 AM Pros started 15 minutes ago!!

I'm having a hard time finding the athlete tracker.  Can someone post the link?

I found it.  

Nice work BT'ers, you guys hung out near each other throughout the day.  Congrats Ironman (s).

Gerrard -

Andy -

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the good wishes and support. Just got home tonight and am still on a high. This was just the biggest buzz I've ever had. Need to catch up on sleep now but race report to come soon.

Gerrard