Ironman Canberra 70.3 December 11th

Unfinished business!

After having a string of tough races this past month, my patience had started to wear thin. I knew that something wasn’t right.

So after racing in Shepparton four weeks ago, I had a blood test.

The results showed I’d had a bout of glandular fever and my iron levels were rock bottom. My doctor’s orders were: rest, recover and double my iron dose.

It took a few weeks to get my health back to where it should be but the time it did improve, there was no point in trying to train more ahead of Canberra. The sessions that I was able to finish completely wiped me out. Two hours was the maximum I could train in one go.

Heading into Canberra last week, I was over the year and I was so unmotivated to race.

My partner Aaron was kind enough to help me get my mind back into gear. Two days ahead of the race, I finally was getting excited. I decided that not only was I going to race, I would race to win.

I knew it would have come down to tactics on race day, and with my strong swim/bike combo I had to have a big enough lead to take the title.

The day before the race my son had his school awards in Moss Vale where he won an award (academic not sport like his mum). I am so proud of him.

After the ceremony we drove to Canberra, arriving a little later than planned. But we were there in time to catch up with sponsors, register and check in my bike.

Once organised it was off to the hotel for my final preparations. After having an great sleep, I felt unreal and ready to race. As I was setting up my gear in transition, my front tyre exploded. I didn't panic as I knew I had time to change it and still be ready. (Typical for something to happen to me before a race.)

The water was unbelievably flat and warm. We headed in and were set to start at 6.25am. I knew I had to swim as hard as I could to the first buoy and then see how I was feeling to get into a good rhythm and then swim the last 300m a little harder again.

I came out of the water with Adam Holborrow and I was top six overall, not too far from the leading men. Heading into T1 I had my change over, and was off with no other girls in sight.

With the three loop bike course ahead, I had planned to find my rhythm in the first 30min, then make my move. The wind started to rise and the rain started to fall, but funny enough it made me stronger. I LOVED the hard conditions.
I started to feel really good after the first loop and got stronger. I was flying past age group athletes. I wasn't sure how far of a lead I had but I didn't care. I was there to win!

I knew Michelle Wu could run and would be chasing me down. Once I was on the run I settled into 4-4.05min km pace. I managed to hold this pace for 8km and and ran through 10km in 41min.

Knowing Michelle was chasing and feeling hungry to take this title, mentally I was going through so much hurt (as well as physical).

Between 12km and 17km I almost stopped. I was hurting. But knowing my son Josh was there cheering and waiting at the finish line I didnt want to let him down. By the 18km mark I started to pick my pace up and finished the last 500m in tears!

It was a very emotional win for many reasons, but an awesome way to finish my 2011 season.

The amount of support I have had this year from family, friends and sponsors has been overwhelming. I wouldn't have been able to achieve what I have without it.