Well, Ironman 70.3 actually.
Well, Ironman 70.3 actually
Published Monday 29 June 2015
There's been a lot written and a lot more said about the effect and impact of the Cairns Airport Ironman and 70.3 events on the Douglas Shire (and Port Douglas in particular) and I've been asked very recently to pen a few words about an "athlete's actual involvement in" the event. Now, that question assumes that I consider myself an 'athlete' which I most certainly do not.
I started my involvement in planning and training for the 2015 Ironman 70.3 about 5 years ago, when I was assigned to point duty - as a Police Officer - at the intersection of Port Douglas Road and Captain Cook Highway. Unfortunately, none of the athletes came through that intersection, so I had to wait until following years to see these world class athletes come into Port Douglas via Old port Road. Now, I've got to go steady, because they're not all 'world class' athletes, you know; they're people just like you and me, young and older, slim and overweight, male and female of all shapes and sizes on bikes that range from $500 clunkers to $15,000 machines that will easily cruise at 60km/h and above. But back to the story.
So, I saw this vast array of athletes, and I thought, "if a 130 kg guy can swim 3.8km, ride 180km then run 42.2km, surely I can"! That's where the germ of a thought started and I watched the event again the next year and decided maybe I could commit to a training regime which would allow me to complete a 703. At this juncture, I'll explain what the "70.3" means; a 70.3 competition includes a 1.9km ocean swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run - a total of 123 km, or 70.3 miles. That's the equivalent of Port Douglas to Cairns and return (to about Yule point) on water, bike and feet, in less than 8 hours. The Full Ironman covers 140.6 miles!
Jess Coleman's 2015 Ironman Tribute to all Competitiors
So, with some trepidation, I signed up for a course of instruction and training with a well-known outfit. The cost? About $1,300 including the fee to enter the event. My training started in January, in the heat of the wet season, and continued on, through cold and hot, wet and dry, dark and light, with a structured programme that took account of my age (61), level of fitness (pretty ordinary), aims and abilities as well as having to fit in with work and other commitments.
Needless to say that I, like, I am sure, a number of my training partners and people across the broader training spectrum felt at times that I wanted to give up, that I wasn't worthy of the company of these elite athletes that take ironman literally, in their stride. So I took some tips from people who'd been there before, and kept at it, kept spending the money to buy the clothing, to see the physio when the need arose, to buy the sports supplements so important to proper nutrition, to buy the runners and shorts and singlets, the decent floor pump for my bike, the new tyres and tubes, the bike servicing, and all the add-ons. I already had a very good bike so I was in front there, I suppose; I was also a pretty good road-rider back in the day, so that wouldn't be a problem now, would it? I'm only 61!
Anyway, the training continued, my life revolved around the alarm going off somewhere between 4am. and 5 a.m. to train, be it swim, bike or run. And remember, I paid good money for the right to get out of bed well before the sun rose! Come "Race Day" as I can now call it, because I've competed, I was ready for the event and ready to do the best I could do, to pay back the coach and all my supporters for their invested time in the group, and to pay back my wife for the broken nights, early mornings and cash-flow issues!
Into the water, it's only 1.9k - what can wrong? Not much except the occasional kick on the head or some swimmer grabbing your feet because they can't see you through the murky waters of Palm Cove. Out of the water in the right time, onto the bike, too long in transition but onto the bike, can't get my right shoe done up properly, stop after a couple of km's, get off the bike, adjust the shoe straps, back on the bike for what my coach had called the 'rolling hills' to just north of Yule Point.
No problem, light tail wind, get there in pretty good time, feeling great at the turn, hit Yule Point on the way back, wind hits you straight in the face, suddenly I'm doing 11km/h instead of 36; then I realise "maybe I should have taken it a little easier on the way out". But the wind's not bad, so it's steady as she goes, climb the hill out of Turtle Cove, climb the hill to Rex Lookout, forget to take in the view from that spot, roll down the hill to Wangetti at 60km/h+ and it's all good; climb the hill to Buchan's Point and you're on the home stretch. The light but steady rain sets in around Clifton Beach and continues through the detour through Smithfield and Yorkeys all the way to Cairns. Light rain? yeah. For 20 km - may as well be heavy, I soon weigh several kg more than when I left Palm Cove.
Onto the Esplanade in Cairns and the crowd is going nuts on both sides of the street. perhaps an 'athlete' is right behind me? I glance back, there's no-one there! The crowd is cheering me on - Mr Nobody has people cheering and I feel great, though my legs are spent and I'm a little saddle sore, but the crowd's roaring so I slip on a bigger gear to show them how them how well and old fella can ride, then, 200 metre from the end of the ride there's a ringing in my ears - my swimming coach saying "during the last 2 km of your ride, slip on a small gear and just roll the legs over, get rid of the lactic acid build up and get some blood back in the legs. Too late for me, oh, well, I know I can run 21.1 km without too much trouble.
Run the bike to the transition, rack the bike, slip off the riding shoes, try to keep my feet dry in the mud and slush, slip on some socks and runners, tie them up nice and firm, slip on the bandana to soak up the forehead sweat and keep the sunnies clear, and head off, through the mud and slush, find some solid ground and...... nothing. The legs are like lead. I can't run 21.1 km. There's no way. And? It didn't get any better. I was broken. What had, during the ride, looked like a total sub-7 hour first ever Triathlon now was now at risk of blowing out to over 8 hours! Got to get going, lots of water, Endura, flat cola, watermelon, a few lollies and gels and get going. And, all the while, the crowd's urging Mr Nobody on! "Looking good, mate", "good on you mate" "keep going, you're doing well", and the like. To me!
So, I drag myself around the first lap, at the end of which I hear Ed Lukin yell out "go, old man"; flipped him the bird and kept at it, legs like lead. Keep going, pass a few, get passed by a few, and I'm about 250 metres from the Red Carpet when I see my No 1 Supporter, my wife Lynn, standing about 40 metres in front of me; I coast in towards her, touching the wedding ring which I'd had her sew into my jersey (just in case something tragic happened out on the course), clutch my darling, kiss her and remind her "I love you" and I'll see you in a few minutes, I'm nearly finish. Spring in the step for the last 250 m before turning onto the red carpet, 100 m of bliss, tired legs pumping as best they can, look up at the clock and know I've got in under 8 hours, over the finish line, wrapped in "the $400 towel" and have a medal - a MEDAL - strung around my neck, hug and thank my coach, hug Liz and Simon and get out of the way. I'm absolutely rooted, to coin a phrase.
What an experience!!
Would I do it again? Yes, I WILL. is the event worth the road blockage and detours for a day? Well, the athletes, as well as the Mr Nobodies, thank motorists for their contribution to this great event; Cairns and Port Douglas, indeed the Douglas Shire benefit big time from this world class event. It's here to stay, the Ironman. In fact, log on to the official website and register your interest TODAY for 12.6.16. I guarantee you'll take much more from involvement than you'll lose through a day of road closures; I guarantee you'll also be fitter for life by preparing for this gruelling event.
In summary, I got the job done; I had a great group of people around to help out with tips. It was - at age 61 - my first ever Triathlon and it was the Cairns 70.3. There are so many great athletes in the Douglas Shire, from Team Muppet, In The Zone, Team Carling and more. If you have the slightest inkling that "if a 61 year old Mr Nobody can do it, so can I" then ask around, sign up with a Team, and get into it. It's fascinating.