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Ironman World Champs, Hawaii - October 21st 2006Ironman World Champs - Kona, HawaiiOctober 21st 2006 Ironman World Championships 2006 was like a new experience. I returned to the Big Island of Hawaii after a couple of years of not competing. It felt like my first visit to the Kona as so much has changed there. I was looking forward to finishing my season off on a high note after many troubled races during the year so was hoping to finish in the top 10! My preparation had gone well but you always fell you could have done more!! Race day dawned and it looked stormy. I forced my breakfast down and headed to the transition where I got numbered and then headed to my bike were I realized I had lost my drink mix. My friend headed back to the condo to get my powder but I never caught up with him before the start of the race so I was down about 600cals which was not a good start. Despite this I had a good start and got to the turn of the swim in about 3rd place then I tried to make a break and it was pointless as the current was so strong I was going backwards, I came out with the large group and jumped onto the bike!! Straight away I felt very sluggish with no real go so knew it was going to be a tough day. I hung with the second group until just after the Airport and then was sort of on my own for the rest of the ride. I was happy to have known that I rode an honest 180km ride!! Glad to get off the bike after 4hr 40min I started onto the Marathon and my lower back was pretty tight but I was going along at a good pace so just keep pushing thru the pain. It was pretty tough on the run and I felt good until I hit the Queen K Highway I was cramping and it just took forever out there. I was glad to get to the Energy lab and run better in there where I was catching people and that made me pick it up a bit. Then back along the Highway I was cramping really bad but wanted to get finished. When I hit the final mile it was really cool, I flew home and to finish in less than 9 hours which was a buzz as I really didn't think I was going to be close. I learnt a lot out there and know that next year I will come back and really improve on my 36th placing!! I'm looking forward to racing here in New Zealand and having a much better 2007. Thanks for all your support over 2006 it has been a bit of a rough year for me!! Cheers - Rhodsey |
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