Well ticked the IM box. 226km is a long way in the course of one day, also didn’t help when my calf played up at the start of the run. Back in 2013 Ollie and I had a chat which I said never will do an Ironman. Ollie said one day which I said no to. Ollie your a judge of good character one day has happened.
My Ironman journey started some 2 years ago with the build of Busso for Pam while I complete my 3rd half Ironman in 1 year. I had never cycled 200km in one day, I had a great year of racing in 2017. While at Busso I got accepted to race offshore; I loved seeing on TV - Escape from Alcatraz and wanted to do it years. The plain was to race an Ironman in 2018 but the call to San Francisco was too great so I went there and punched that ticket which was an amazing experience and one I wish to do again soon. I raced Sunny Coast half Ironman then started build with Pam for her second Busso Ironman I started to think about what’s next. Pam and I had a amazing time at Noosa and continued the build Busso and Western Sydney half Ironman for me. Western Sydney was one week earlier than Busso so it worked out perfect. Western Sydney is an amazing race but it was a hard day for me. That’s where I officially said I was done with this distance and retired from half Ironmans.
At Xmas time I had a chat with Pam and Ollie to discuss the idea of racing Cairns Ironman. With the nod from the coach and my main training buddy onboard we slowly started the 6 month build. Unknowns to me could I run more than 24km in one hit could I do the distance slow and steady was the approach. Pam, Fik and I started looking at endurance events but as training. We did what seemed like crazy things to others but little tests for us. Swimming at Half Moon with the crew all 3 of us qualified for the Rottnest 20km swim. We swam at Mount Martha Mad swim on Australia Day. Lots of long swims with and without paddles to build strength which paid off. Bike rides 100km plus Dandenong hill work. We rode to Emerald lake we saw Puffing Billy before moving back to beach rd rode and our TT’s. Fik upgrade her bike and joined us, sometimes joined by Jane, Jemma and Greg K to keep us all honest. Pam and I remarked when we made it back to Point Nepean which we had been there before we are at the edge of the world a quote given by Brett to Point Nepean.
Sunday’s gave away to endless loops from Brighton Baths to St Kilda to emulate the course. Some people must have think I was nuts running up and down the same old beat path but it’s race simulation. I recall doing my final 34km run thinking I feel some what good and this will be done.
Where there road blocks yes weather was one we swapped our Saturday Sundays programs a few times. Finding time is another basically giving up your weekend for months. We lost a friend Michelle in a tragic accident which was hard on those knew her well. These tests make you mental strong. Ironman is not easy it’s meant to be hard.
Over the course of the last few days people have said to me it’s your first full. They all are surprised I haven’t done one yet. Well I have now and sorry to all those who I kept in the dark wanted to make sure I could do this. For record I hadn’t registered when you asked.
Thanks must go to the follow people
All my TA buddies and my friends for support and comments on the way and other the last few days. To the cairns crew thank for your support today . 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♀️
Peter and Half Moon crew thanks for the swims 🏊♂️
Greg Kaan and Stephen for you on going support and comments on rides and at work. 🙏
Kirrily for our chats and strength during our hard time. She may be gone but never forgotten. 😥
Sam thanks for letting Pammy doing these crazy adventures spending countless hours away from you plus getting me home today.
Ollie and Michelle thank so much the program the build was perfect. It works people! ✅
Andrew for all those Wednesday afternoon swims🏊♂️
Jo and Andy wasn’t expecting to see you here but thank you 🙏😊
Fikriye thanks for our rides, swims, laughs and breakfasts. 🚴♂️😂
Pam thank you buddy for 3 plus years we have been teaming up and doing crazy weird fun stuff together. The countless hours of training chatting supporting each other. 🙏👊
Will I do another one..... right now it’s beer and rest time. Race report tomorrow. 🍺
