Port Macquarie Ironman March 28th 2010

Taking the positives!!

I had such a great build to this race, my training, racing and tapering were all going well.

I felt the best mentally and physically for the Ironman and I was quite confident within my ability. I hadn't raced an Ironman since Western Australia 2007.

The night before the race I couldn't really sleep. I was excited, nervous and ready to roar. The alarm went off at 3.30am so I had my breakfast, got my nutrition ready, stretched and did my core exercises to wake up my body.

I got down to transition very early, got my bike all sorted and headed back to the car. I laid down in the car going over my day ahead, mentally preparing what I wanted to do.

It was still dark at 6.30am. I had Nikki fit my Blue Seventy wetsuit on, and I ran down to the water to warm up. I did my little warm up swim and was lining up with all the other pros.

Staying focused we were told by the paddle board guy to get back. The current was pushing us forward and nobody responded. We had a false whistle blow and some of the pros went. I missed the lead pack. Not panicking, I swam with open water for the first lap and a few age group athletes swam through.

Heading back after my second lap a guy swam past me and kicked me in my face with his heel. My goggles started to leak and my face was numb - I didn't feel it but could tell I was bleeding.

Exiting out of the water in 49 minutes I put my hand to my face and blood was pouring out of my nose. I grabbed my bike bag and ran into a few guys heading into the change tent. I got some gauze and stuck it up my nose while I put on my helmet, glasses and race number.

Running out of the tent, I threw the gauze away and blood resumed pouring out of my nose. The reaction from the crowd made it sound like it looked bad. Whilst I was riding I squeezed my nose to stop it from bleeding and tried to wash all the blood off my bike and my body. I eventually managed to stop the bleeding though I had a bit of a headache. I felt great otherwise and powered on the bike catching Rebekah and Amelia, then Carrie. I tried a new nutrition plan that worked well.

Carrie and I kept switching the lead and putting time into the other girls. I had a quote sent to me that morning"Clear the mind and you'll be set free" - MARK ALLEN from Timmy Reed (Thanks Tim it helped me on the bike.)

Carrie broke away with some guys on the third lap and I struggled against the head wind coming back into town. I still rode a solid bike in a time of 5hr 5min.

Belinda was in the tent whilst I got ready for the run, complimenting me on how much I have changed (She's an inspiration to me) and believing I can race well.

My legs didn't feel the best and my head had started to pound. I ran out in 2nd with Carrie 3.5 minutes ahead.

I slowly built into my run taking in fluids and keeping myself cool.

I was running well, still trying to find my legs but my headache got worse. The crowd was soooo supportive and lifting my spirits. I stopped to walk, started to get emotional, then I started to run again.

I got to the 8km mark and broke down and had John Mergler give me motivation to get back to it. I also had athletes on course encouraging me to keep going. There were supporters everywhere cheering me on so I had a little walk, then a little run.

I started to get my running legs at the 11km mark and broke down again. Amanda Balding and Alice McClure were also motivating me to keep going so I started again.

I got through the 14km mark with my head feeling like it was going to explode. I had my son Josh, my Dad's partner Amanda and her son Bryce cheering for me as well. I hit the bridge at the 15km mark and dropped on the grass in the shade. Thanks Danny and Tony for trying to help me.

My day had come to an end, heading back to the medical tent with Kate Patterson trying to cheer me up, and the doctors helping me to keep cool and hydrated.

Things like this happen, and it is how we deal with the situation that make us stronger people. I have gained so much from this experience for next time and I know what I am capable of. Patience is the key and I know that one day soon I will have an Ironman title under my belt.

I will have a bit of 'time out' now and look forward to racing the Busselton half in 5 weeks.