IRONMAN TAUPŌ 2019
I have no idea what to write... I have typed a hundred different descriptions and captions under these images but nothing does it justice. The feelings and emotions of running down this red carpet after 10 and a half long hours are something I just can't put into words.
3.8km Swim - 51.14
Lake Taupō is one of the most incredible places to start a race. The water is crystal clear and 10min before race start was dead calm. The breeze picked up a little on the start line making the first 1.9km a little choppy. After sitting in about 3rd up the first leg with 2nd place off to my right (he followed the buoys while I took a slightly more direct route skipping a few odd ones) I eventually caught and passed him to round the first turn around mark a good 50m in front of him. At this point, I had a good glimpse of first place now heading downwind to swim finish. He was roughly 150m in front of me (must have gone out HARD) over the next 1.9km I gained back a good 125m and finished roughly 24 seconds behind 1st place. Coming out of the water I felt fresh, I had energy and was still pumped to come out feeling awesome. The 600m run up to T1 is a feeling that I will never forget, both sides of the chute lined with people cheering and clapping. I was stoked to see Mum and Dad, excited to get stuck into the bike. 1 sport down 2 to go.
180km Bike - 5:39.11
I grabbed my beloved 1989 J.Foster tri bike and headed out for two trips to Reporoa. Coming out of transition in the top bunch surrounding by $50k worth of carbon I was humbled to hear someone say 'Holy shit, look at that beautiful bike!' The next 5 and a half hours for me was all about pacing. I had ridden this course four weeks prior so I knew a few things to expect... The roads are rough with constant small undulations and false flats. My game plan was simple.. 96rpm all day, eat and drink constantly and let the legs tick over, no quad load. It's a long day, stay fresh. I set my Garmin to only show full screen my cadence and I just stuck to it, I would love to have the data on how many times I shifted gears over the 180km, all to keep it at the magic 96rpm. The first 45km felt good, a subtle tailwind all the way out. The wind gradually picked up throughout the ride with a fairly decent headwind all the way home for the last 45km. Luckily for me, I had my incredible support crew come out and find me on the ride, nothing like seeing the people you love dearest when you're out the back of nowhere pedalling your bike :-) 2 sports down 1 to go.
42.2km Run - 3:51.06
The part that makes me the most nervous. I typically swim around 4km per session and ride around 120km every weekend. However, I can count on one hand the times I have ever run over 20km. Throughout the bike there were some ups and downs, overall I finished feeling relatively strong all things considered, ready to get stuck into this run. My plan was relatively simple. Walk every aid station, and stick to my target pace of 5.05min/km... and for the first 21km, this plan worked flawlessly. I felt strong, I felt long... at 22km however, all things changed. The funny thing about the pain cave is it's infinitely deep... there is no bottom. I went as deep as I ever have been before, with both my hamstrings and quads tightening against each other until my run became more of a hobble... Though I stuck to my plan... walked the aid stations and well.. just keep running. For the last 6km, my coach Nathan rode behind me, with constant words of encouragement. For 6km I said nothing, I held back tears, tears of pain, tears of accomplishment. I approached Nathan a year prior weighing just shy of 90kg and told him I wanted to do Ironman NZ 2019, having him there beside me for those last few kms, now weighing 78km and in the worst pain of my life was a truly special experience, one that will be with me forever.
Ironman NZ 2019 - 10:31.26
I talked to many people about Ironman, everyone has a story. A reason why they did it, how they did it, how you should do it.. however one thing they all say is how incredible it is to run down the red carpet and hear those words. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling... seeing my friends and family on the side is something that I will never forget. I felt as though we had done it together... They were there the entire day, spread out through the course, always being there exactly when I needed them. Thank you.
Amy - Thank you so incredibly much, an Ironman may look tough, however, what this incredible woman has achieved in the same year all while putting up with my training is beyond impressive. I love you so much. Thank you.
Mum and Dad - My biggest sponsors and my biggest supporters. There is no way any of this is possible without you. Years of sacrifice taking me to swimming, and looking after me through multiple broken arms from cycling... Thank you for always being on the sideline, through every race rain hail or shine.
Nathan Richmond - Thank you for the stories, the constant guidance and specifically for the last 6km.
My incredible support team - Lizzie, Kelsey (my amazing photographer for the day), Wendy, Andrew, JJ, Alastair, Jerina, Rieke, Dane, Sarah, Jock, Lyndsey, Hannah and Fred (the muffin man). Thank you all so incredibly much. You got me through this.. each and every one of you. Thank you.
See you at the next one! ;-)