I would like to start by thanking my very patient husband and daughter, Stuart (for a fantastic program and loads of patience with me) and everyone that I spent time training with. You are all amazing and I enjoyed every minute on the bike in the wind, running in the heat then the dark and swimming in the cold pool. With out all of you I wouldn’t have had the race I did or enjoyed the Busselton ½ Ironman nearly as much.
Race day … where to start, perhaps with the air rushing out of my back tire at 6:30 am after trying to pump them up in transition. This was followed by a frantic call to Stuart come help me are you in transition yet? When he arrived pump pump pump yeah everything’s fine you are good to go no flat tyre. Obviously I cannot use a tyre pump. While he was busy doing that I was crying on Donna and Max’s shoulder from the stress of it all, which also made me feel much better. Once I composed myself and everything was fixed up it was off to find the family at the tent and climb into my wetsuit. With race briefing underway Helen and I went for a dunk to at least get wet before the start then we hung out in the sea of white caps watching the guys head out.
The swim, what can I say, maybe oh s**t jellyfish got my face but otherwise flat, calm and perfect for swimming (I often wonder how jellyfish find me, because guaranteed if I am in the water a jellyfish will find me. Almost head to toe neoprene plus cap and goggles but they still got me the little pricks). Anyways … back to the race, I found my groove quickly in the swim and felt comfortable the entire way, which was a surprise. I even had loads of open water for much of the way. When I got out and headed towards transition I took a look at the watch and almost fell over when I saw the time. About 8 - 10 minutes faster than expected – off to a good start but the family were not expecting to see me yet as evidenced by their shocked faces when I ran past. I was thrilled to have the swim done and the nerves were gone.
Once on the bike it took almost 7.5 km to get comfortable and to a place where I wasn’t drafting or riding in a pack. This was frustrating but what can you do. After this point I found 2 other riders 1009 and 1079 with whom I rode the rest of the course with (outside the draft zone of course). The 3 of us jockeyed in front and behind each other the whole way but never lost sight or touch. The great thing for me was that they were in the 30-34 and 35-39 age groups so I was motivated to keep with them and try to get ahead. Needless to say the ride went much quicker than I thought it would and yes it is as flat as everyone says it is. So ridiculously flat, but on the bright side not much wind that morning either.
In transition I was feeling great and on the way out thought awesome only 21 km to go no problem. I love to run; it is my thing so off I went. My first trip past the sea of red at the tent brought tears to my eyes all that cheering and support was awesome! The run went by very quickly and only on the last lap did I start to feel some fatigue in the legs but by then it was so close to the finish that I didn’t care and I loved every minute of it. In the finish cute I was so excited to have finished you couldn’t get the smile off my face and to hear the announcer say your name as you cross the line is a moment I will probably never forget. I was also over the moon with the unofficial time on my watch of 4.43.31 it greatly surpassed my goals and expectations for my 1st ½ Ironman. The passion for the distance has been ignited so watch out! After hanging out at the finish for a few minutes collecting myself, drinking about 10 cups of water and having my favorite post race food – a banana I headed out to find my family and the Eclipse crew. I was so excited to find them and all the congratulations for finishing and having a great race were fantastic to hear. It was also awesome to see all the others who had already finished and hear from them how well they had done.
I spent the rest of the day hanging out at the tent cheering others on and enjoying the whole race atmosphere. I have never been to anything like it.
Finally after returning to the hotel and getting showered and cleaned up I headed out the door again with my family for dinner when Stuart called to see if I had seen the results. I hadn’t so he informed me that I had done well and made the podium. I think I asked if I was third but honestly don’t remember and he told me I had won the age group. Then I freaked out with excitement and to this day a week later I am still smiling and giddy with the accomplishment.
1st ½ Ironman, 1st place in age group and 1st place medal for State Championships it truly doesn’t get much better. I will race this distance again no doubt about it, very likely Ironman in December as well. See you all out there and well done everyone. It was truly a fantastic day.
