Kona- What happened?

This has been written and re-written a few times now.
I’ve decided to cut the fluff and just tell you the nitty gritty- what went wrong!

But before I do that, I have to say that this week has been a bit of an eye-opener…
I had a terrible race, and yet the congratulations have still been coming in. I feel really fortunate to have such amazing support from sponsors, friends and fellow triathletes. When I have a bad race I feel that I’ve let everyone down, and so to still get such encouragement is really more than great.

Our housemate, little Downsey, made us this celebration cake! Once the cake is demolished the hula girl is going on her car dash to motivate her to get to Kona in 2010

I’ve been continually reminded that the journey was amazing and that these are the golden years that I will look back on.

So, I think my downfall on race day was simply dehydration and sunburn. Maybe I was complacent after coping so well in the heat in China? I made some mistakes that seemed pretty innocent at the time, but came back to bite me…

I exited the swim in some good company; Linsey Corbin, Natasha Badmann, Sandra Wallenhorst and Tamara Kozulina etc. But after some shocking gear changing from me, the group got away on the short climb up Palani. Once a group gets a gap its next to impossible to get back on. So for the first part of the ride I was heading along the Queen K solo into wind. It did seem windier than usual early on, but as with most days in Kona, you don’t know where it’s coming from and I was still able to ride through it at a good pace. But solo on the Queen K is not where you want to be…

When Erica Csomor came past at a good pace I was really determined to stay with her (legally- just for clarification!). To have someone to pace off and get a bit of protection from was great. Erica was 4th in Kona last year and a strong runner, so if I could stay with her on the bike I would be in a good position I thought.

Anyway,..Erica was going through the aid stations pretty quickly, and I grabbed what I needed, but no more. I needed the “more”. I felt great, I was confident, fired up to stay with Erica,…I tried to grab an extra bottle a few times at consecutive aid stations and sent them flying- I wasn’t prepared to slow down too much… In hindsight it was a silly risk that cost me.

I lost Erica just before Kawaihai, but I was ok with that- we were now on the climb up to Hawi and there were now a lot more riders coming through- the top age group men. I rode conservatively to the top, and was feeling ok.

But on the way down from Hawi (a little over halfway) I was losing ground. I was being passed continuously, and I didn’t know why. I think at this point I had a think about what was going on and realized I needed to drink more. Now that is easier said than done! Once you’re dehydrated and feeling “funny” you don’t feel like drinking- you feel slightly nauseous, and your brain isn’t functioning properly! As well you’re grumpy and negative- and it’s pretty easy to start on a downward spiral…

I felt like I rode from Kawaihai back to T2 just “riding it in”. Mentally I had given up. When your mind is strong you can do amazing things. But mine had turned to mush. We had headwinds all the way home. I did get the fluids in gradually and by T2 I was good to go again.

Something a good friend Teresa Rider said to me before the race sprung to mind. “Set and forget”. Once you’re done with the swim-forget about it. Once you’re done with the bike “forget about it”. So I forgot about it, and focused on the run. I knew my goals were out the window, but I could enjoy myself, encourage friends, and still have a good run.

I had a fantastic run along Alii Drive and back, I was on pace- 7.06 /mile according to ironman live, but then my pace gradually slowed for the rest of the race. I was just having trouble picking the legs up! They just weren’t responding.

When I saw Craig Alexander coming along the Queen K in the lead it was very very cool! I veered over towards his side of the road to give him a big cheer. I was fortunate to do some training with Craig in the month leading up to the race- he’s such a nice guy, totally understated and relaxed, but the absolute professional. So I was really happy for him, it brought a tear to my eye. It’s quite an experience to witness the motorbikes, the hover of the helicopter, and wonder about how many people around the world were watching him right then.

My other downfall was my sunburn. I was tanned from being in Hawaii already for a month. I was wearing factor 70. I thought I would be fine. I remember in T2 I was asked if I wanted sunscreen and also asked if I wanted a cold towel on my back- I said “yes” but not sure to what- I was taking whatever they were selling! So I got the wet towel- which I reckon wiped all of my remaining sunscreen off! I’ve never had such bad sunburn in any race before. Even my arms have peeled.

wowzers! yeowch, (pls excuse the coin slot:))

I thought I had to make a massive improvement on last year to get in the top 10 this year because the field of Pro women was so amazing. But in fact all I had to do was the same as last year. That time would have been good enough for 10th this year. It’s pretty ironic that I thought I needed to take a risk, to put it all on the line. But really I just needed to do what I usually do- race sensibly and solid. Last year I missed the top 10 by less than 2 minutes and I worked out that I probably could have made that time up just in transtion. So this year I decided not to wear socks at all on the bike and I skipped long compression socks for the run since they take so long to get on. -My transitions were awesome!!

So what have I learnt from all of this?

• Stay hydrated! Be sensible. In Hawaii there is no room for mistakes.

• Banana Boat makes the best sunscreen for Ironman athletes! Factor 50 is excellent- and make sure you say YES when offered sunscreen in T2.

• The mind is a powerful beast- be kind to it and feed it well.

“The mind is the athlete, the body is simply the means it uses.” Bryce Courtney.

• I have some amazing sponsors and I’m really fortunate.

• I really love what I do.

Lots more to say, but really need to get this posted!

Home on the Sunny Coast after 5 amazing weeks.

Charlotte