Ironman Western Australia, Busselton 2009.
For the first time in 6 years, it was not my day in Busselton…
This was my 6th year in a row racing in Busselton. I’ve never had a bad race here, so I’ve come to consider this to be “my race”. It’s where I had my breakthrough as a Pro, coming 2nd in 2005, inspiring me to go after an Ironman win, which I finally did in 2007. In 2008 I returned as defending Champion and that too was an amazing experience. I wanted that “winning feeling” again, but in 2008 I had to settle with 2nd.
I love this race because it has taught me so much, and I’ve grown mentally and physically. It’s really special to me because of that. I can see how far I’ve come.
This time round I was at the end of very long year of racing. I raced 5 Ironman and 5 half Ironmans in 2009. It was a bit of an experiment, but also “living the dream”- To travel the world and race as much as my body would allow. I really wanted to race regularly and give myself the chance to see if I could back up and be competitive. I was excited to be having a break after this one. It’s hard to explain, because I felt really fit coming into the race, and not over-cooked at all. I was in great shape for an excellent race. I felt confident and excited to be racing on my favourite course, in my favourite race town! Busselton makes me feel like a celebrity.
I was enjoying the lack of pressure on my shoulders, but didn’t realise that it was perhaps to my detriment. I didn’t have the same burning desire to win. It’s crazy because there were plenty of reasons why a win would have been fantastic- the money alone! All I can say is that on the start line there are a lot of us that are pretty similar in ability and fitness and on the day the one who shines often just wants it the most. I think getting into the “zone” for the 5th time this year, and getting into the hurt box, was just too hard. I was telling myself “one more time”, “you can make yourself hurt for one day”. But my focus was shocking. I think I was in the zone for the first 20kms on the bike and then was off with the pixies! I had an awesome frame of mind prior to the race, but it deserted me somewhere out on the bike course. I still feel that physically I could have done it. I recovered really quickly post-race. But mentally I just couldn’t.
Lack of focus led to lack of concentration on the basics- taking notice of how I felt in regards to hydration…which led to a headache…towards the end of the bike I couldn’t get enough fluid in- I had a constant thirst, and that’s how I felt for the entire run, seemingly regardless of how much I put in. Heading out onto the run my time was still respectable. I was off the bike in 6:05. There were 3 girls ahead, 2 of whom were I think 6 and 7 minutes up the road, quite catchable I thought!
But Busselton was hot this year- damn hot! High 30s or 100f. The hottest year we’ve had there- made worse by no daylight saving this year for the first time too. We were all moving slower this year. There were 15 girls on the start list, but 5 DNS, and 4 DNFs. Makes me feel slightly better:)
So I didn’t catch any of the girls in front of me. I have to congratulate Christie Syms and Sarah Pollett who took 2nd and 3rd having breakthrough races. Gina was the only one to not get caught by the age group packs, so she rode strongly, solo all day. She won the race on the bike this year, and was deserving of the win.
One of my highlights of the day was running up to Tim Berkel, who was walking, on our 3rd and final lap. I asked him to run with me, and he said “I would if I could”…but not long after I passed him he ran up on my shoulder. I was happy to have company in my suffering, and I think he was too. Running along with Tim was hilarious! We passed a group of young girls, screaming “Woohoo Tim”, wearing “We love Tim Berkel” t-shirts. I asked him who they were, he replied “no idea!”:)
The last lap was like a victory lap, thanking everyone for their support- except for one thing- we didn’t win:) We crossed the line together, happy to be finished, emotional and disappointed all rolled into one.
Another highlight was seeing one of my good friends and training partner out there absolutely on fire. Stephen Gage did a 49 swim and then rode like a demon, to be one of only a couple of age group men to ride the whole day solo. He was the 2nd age grouper off the bike. Seeing him doing so well gave me a big boost. I didn’t know till the finish, but unfortunately gut problems struck him down on the run. He has a scary fast race just waiting to be unleashed! His wife Danielle completed her first Ironman, and hasn’t said “never again” as she predicted pre-race! Woohoo!
Another good friend and athlete to watch out for is Ollie Whistler! I knew he was going to have a great race, and he did before he collapsed unconscious due to dehydration:) At just 21 years old he has plenty of years to get it right, and look out when he does! It was awesome to see him mixing with the big boys.
So for me now its Christmas break. I spent a luxurious week in Bali, with no laptop, no training, no tri-talk- it was heaven! Now I’m learning to surf and enjoying a total break from triathlon until the New Year. I need to re-charge the batteries so that I can come back stronger. It’s a funny feeling- getting unfit- to eventually get super-fit- but it works!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Cut loose and enjoy the holidays.
Charlotte
please wait a tick 
