Ironman Western Australia Busselton Race Report

Ironman Western Australia Busselton Race Report

The Day is Sunday, 4th December 2011.
The time is 5:30am.

The Pros has just the race proper.
We, the Age Groupers will be starting off at 5:45am.
Lining up at the shores, we were still having a whale of a time, chatting and taking photos.
If there is any anxiety, no one is showing it.
The entire year's training has come down to this very moment.

When the cannon goes off at 5:45am, Struggling Sean and I exchanged the three simple words "This is it!" and we are off!



The sea was calm and I did not had a hard time doing the swim and sighting.
A kilometer later, things changed drastically.
The currents started swirling and I got swept towards the jetty.
After doing tons of zig-zagging fighting the sea currents, I decided to just do my preferred swim stroke, the Breast Stroke for the rest of the swim.
Making the 1.9km turn at the end of the jetty, I was dismayed not to see many people ahead of me.
Soldiering on, I counted down the buoys towards the Swim Exit.

Coming out of the sea, I was delighted to see that I did a 1:48h Swim!
To my supporters, I finally got myself on the scorecard! *Phew*
One down, two to go.

Did a 11 minute T1 before I am out on the bike leg. :)
Luke McKenzie overtook me on the very first turn. =)
I am riding with the pros out of the bike leg!
Surreal!

Given the three days of acclimisation, I was aware of what we are up against.
Hot weather with horrific crosswinds.
Given my lousy swim timing, I did not have a lot of riders in front of me to overtake.
First order of the day was to overtake 4 cyclists.
Plan was to overtake the last rider, and keep the 12m non-draft distance.
But as things turned out, plans never quick work out the way you wanted it.
Three official marshals drove past in quick successions and I was kinda forced to overtake the remaining 3 cyclists. Crazy, simply crazy.

Turning into Coast Road, I am able to see those riders who are within 10km ahead of me.
It is awesome to see fellow Singaporean friends racing with you.
Given that cycling is my best discipline, I always had this strategy to kick some serious asses.
Sorry guys, I know all of you will kick my butt during the run, so let me kick your ass first. :p

First loop was pretty decent but I started feeling some butt sore during the second loop.
Decided to take a pee break to ease the butt and the pain on the left foot.
It works! The strategy worked well!
The noon sun is up and I soon find myself squirting water over my head and face.
This practically happen for the next 90km.
Given Singapore lousy track record, I find myself loading up on water before the last loop.
5 full bidons!!!
My fear was totally unfounded. Busselton support is simply awesome! Kudos to the guys.
We were blessed with some overcast during the third loop.
Did a second pee stop just to ease the butt.
Given that my longest ride was 155km during BnB, I was intrigued to know what will happen beyond the distance.
Am glad I finished the bike with 9:03 on the clock (Pro timing).
At the very same moment, Luke McKenzie completed his race in 11th place.

The bike catcher took my bike. (Sure feels like a pro! Cheap thrill! Haha!)
Jogging towards T2, I feeling awesome. I know I nailed the race.
Given that my PB in a marathon is 8:09h, I know I have to PB my marathon to complete within the 17 hours limit.

Deep down in my heart, I know I can do it...
Keeping in my heart all the advices I get from my wonderful friends, I started on my marathon.
Plan, Hydrate, Nutrition.
One km at a time.

Walking is impossible. Your legs is still in spin mode, so I start with a slow trot.
By now, I am already sick of gels, cola and Gatorade.
It is just plain water and a gel every hour.
Every few kilometers, I will do a system check to ensure that no cramps are surfacing.
I keep my mind busy by calculating the distance I need to cover and the pace required.
The average pace on my watch seems stuck at the same timing.
It is either my pace is so darn constant, or the needle is stuck...
Wait... this is a digital watch, it can't be stuck...

With 2 hours to go before 17 cut off time, I am surprised to see that there are 800+ finishers. Half the field are still out there.

It is nearly 9pm and I have 10km to go and I am starting to feel sleepy...
Gosh... this is a bad time to wind down the system...
Then I realise why... I have been up for the past 18 hours and my body has been working non-stop for the last 15hrs...

I had two huge blisters on the ball of either foot but somehow the mind manage to switch off the pain. EAT THE PAIN...

With 500m to go, you can feel the electric atmosphere at the finish line even though you cannot see it yet.
Straighten my bib, zipped up my JoyRiders jersey, I ran the last 100m to the Finish Line.
Pete Murray was there to shake my hand and annnounced "You are an ..."
"IRONMAN", the crowd echoed!!!

A dream has been accomplished...
Now for lots of rest... =D