Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THANKS!!!
Thanks to all my supporting crew in my build up to Ironman.
Thanks to:
Bede
Mum and Dad
Kate, Neil and Marg
Laura, Chris and Paris
My coach John Newsom
Steve Guy and the crew from Alpe Gear, Kethy, Kieran, Raewyn and Graeme the other Alpe Athletes
Steve and the crew from Planet Cycles
Future Dreams swim squads
Walter Thorburn at Go2Max running squads
Bruce Baxter at SportsMed
You've all contributed in some way to making my dream a reality.
Now, what's next!
Thanks to:
Bede
Mum and Dad
Kate, Neil and Marg
Laura, Chris and Paris
My coach John Newsom
Steve Guy and the crew from Alpe Gear, Kethy, Kieran, Raewyn and Graeme the other Alpe Athletes
Steve and the crew from Planet Cycles
Future Dreams swim squads
Walter Thorburn at Go2Max running squads
Bruce Baxter at SportsMed
You've all contributed in some way to making my dream a reality.
Now, what's next!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Ironman New Zealand Race Report - 11.11...
Here is an abridged version - full report will be in our book!
This date is known as Remembrance Day in the UK. And funnily enough 11.11 was my Ironman time. Similarly it will be a day I will always remember....
I will try to describe for you the race in its entirety, but next to my wedding day, it was the most emotional day of my life. It’s now midnight, and my head is so full of emotions I can’t sleep, so I thought what better a time than now, to get my feelings down on paper (or a screen so to speak!)
My day started at 4.45am when I woke. I’d been tossing and turning all night, worried that I wouldn’t wake up. I had breakfast- white toast with peanut butter and marmite and a banana and half a powerbar, electrolyte, and a coffee.
Bede gave me a pep talk and drew me a diagram- see attachment to get me to use my head. It’s basically a matrix called the head, hands and heart model. The hands part being the skills, technique and training, the heart being motivation and desire and the head is how you put the two together and control your own pace, and race. It was exactly what I needed and showed me that Bede understood exactly what I was going through and why I wanted to do so well.
Bede took me down to the swim start and registration for 6am. I was bodynumbered – FB “F***in Brilliant” we decided for my age group and my race number 282- a great number seeming as I was born on the 28th.
I headed down to the lake, vas and oiled up and got into my suit. You could just feel the anticipation rising. Then the waka arrived and the powhiri commences. It was beautiful against the backdrop of a glass lake – I couldn’t have been happier. I’ve seen footage of 2 years ago when they canned the swim and I was horrified. I’d never had the lake so to my liking. All my other (I say all- three!) were pretty choppy affairs, which left me very demoralised.
The swim
So I found myself a position in the swim, about 20-30m back off the start line, so I could get some clear water. As I looked at the shores of Lake Taupo, I was overwhelmed. It was amazing just how many people had come to watch- wow. Taupo really puts on a great show.
The three light/three minute countdown started and bang, we were off! I found myself holding a good line against the buoys and following the line of the kayaks. I didn’t panic and settled into a nice smooth pattern. There was none of the usual thrashing washing machine like effort normally associated with a half or Olympic distance. I felt really comfortable and concentrated on technique and not worrying about the time. Despite a few zig-zags I reached the far end of the swim in just over 31 mins. The return leg was cruisey and for once I was enjoying a swim! When I came into shore and saw 1hr 6 mins I was flabbergasted! I had expected between 1hr 10 and 15 and piking a bit on the swim as in the last few weeks of training, I’ve slackened off on the squad training and missed a few swims! But hey, I’ll take my official time of 1hr07mins. Conclusion - have faith in yourself, relax in the swim, take a good dose of Rescue Remedy and you’ll swim better than ever.
I jogged steadily through the long transition and into the changing tent. I love this idea of having a personal tri-assistant! I dumped everything on the floor, they helped me dress and whisked everything else away! As I got to my bike, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of bikes in my age group which had already gone. Ok, so I’m still an average swimmer, but hey I had an awesome swim I was buzzing!
The bike
On to my bike and I took it really easy for the first 20 mins up the Napier-Taupo hill and Kiddle Drive. The aim of this is to get your heart rate back in the steady zone as coming out of the swim it’s normally reasonably high. I only took water on board and once my stomach had calmed down a bit I started on powerbars cut into thirds alternating with gels, Enervit and water.
My race plan was to hold back on the bike- the whole way, but especially on the first lap. This meant keeping my heart rate in the steady zone – 135 to 145 bpm. I only let it creep up to 155 on the climbs. This required a lot of discipline as it does mean people pass you. But it’s not a problem - just watch how many crash and burn on the run. Out to Reporoa, especially on the last stretch it was windy, cross and head winds. I made the turn around in 1hr 35 mins. The return leg to town was sweet - tailwind all the way. Deceptive though, as it would have been fairly easy to smash yourself on that leg if you didn’t play it safe. I made it back into town just on 3hrs. The rain was starting to settle in, making the roads hazardous, but the crowd were like nothing I have ever seen or heard. Everyone calling your name, gave you that little boost of energy to go into the second lap on the lonely road to Reporoa. The second leg did a funny loop off the main road, which I hadn’t done in training, so that was interesting, but it wasn’t much more than a steady climb.
The wind and rain were worse on the second lap, and I soon realised that I wouldn’t be looking at a negative split. The second lap is harder and longer apparently as well. So going out was similar to the first lap. I managed to pick up the pace, whilst still keeping a good 85rpm cadence in the big chain ring, and staying on the aerobars throughout.
The tailwind home was again a blessing. About 40km from home, I did however have a momentary lapse in concentration, and found myself rolling into a sand verge! I was a bit shaken up, scratched and (now the wounds have settled, quite bruised!), but I was far more concerned about whether my bike would still run. Luckily there was nothing wrong and my minor heart attack never eventuated. I picked myself up and continued on to finish strongly in 6hrs 5 mins. I was hoping for 6hrs 15 mins to 6hrs 30 so in the conditions, I was pretty pleased that my race plan of holding back came off.
The run
Heading into the run, another girl in my age group was hot on my heels, so I probably set off a wee bit too quickly. I got caught up in the crowds and the “I feel wonderful!” moment that I momentarily forgot that I had a four hour run ahead of me….
Hence coming to 5km, I had an annoying stitch! So I took on some water, did the hands over the head, breathe out slowly and lower arms technique but it took until about the 8km mark to come right. I was averaging 5min-5.15 ish kms, for the first quarter, but after a loo stop I kind of got confused with the timings….so I said to myself, right, I feel quite good, I’ve got a good strong cadence, people are commenting on how strong I look. I can do this! So I said right, you’re going to finish before 6.15pm. Sub 11hrs was not on the cards, and I wasn’t going to come close, so sub 11.15 would be a dream. Well I hung on in there and kept a really steady pace and finished the marathon in 3hrs 50mins. My race tactics paid off and I caught a dozen or so girls on the run. Thank goodness, it came off so sweetly! I finished in 11.11.34. And best of all I was 4th fastest in my age group on the run. Playing to your strengths is a great tactic.
Overall, I was 33rd female. Taking out the 13 pros, I was 20th age grouper. Out of approximately 265 female finishers, that’s pretty good I reckon. If I could swim faster I know I would be more competitive. I think I was something like 16th fastest in my age group in the swim, 9th on the bike and 4th on the run. I am the Hunter, I do practise the softly softly catchy monkey mantra. But it feels good to play catch up, rather than being the hunted. No girls passed me on the run, and I caught most of the girls who passed me on the bike on the first lap, on the second lap.
I was chatting to a Taupo resident later in the evening and she asked me, what was the hardest bit. I struggled to pinpoint any single point in the race. I was lucky, or maybe I used my head. I had confidence in my training, I followed and executed a good race plan, and my pace remained constant. Softly, softly, catchy monkey. So what was the hardest point? I know now. It’s overcoming your self-doubts when you push yourself beyond your longest training time. For me this came at about the 8hr mark, and an hour into the run. After most long rides, I always say, God I could never run a marathon now! Ironman is so different. You just do it, it feels so natural. Like Paula Newby-Fraser said (as we were told at the Pasta Party), doing an Ironman is like doing a really long training session with 1500 of your best mates - all with the same vision, to become an Ironman and to be the best you can be.
Well as for the marathon, I was running well, in fact better than I thought I would. All along I knew I wanted to run a good marathon time (4hrs), but you can’t help but think, can I keep this up? When will I hit the wall? You just don’t know. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is why the Ironman experience is so special and for me, utterly emotional. It’s something I can’t describe as I’ve never been there before, so I have no past knowledge, experience or words to justify how it feels. I was so close to tears at the 40km mark, a spectator told me not to cry! But that was how I felt.
Coming down the finishing shoot, I waited for the volunteers to put the ribbon up again, too right I wanted my moment of glory! I did it, Emma Hunter you are an Ironman! Yey!!!!
Once in the recovery tent I was really disorientated, massage, food, drink, duh..I didn’t want any of it, I just ran outside (literally I know stupid..) and gave Bede the biggest hug and kiss ever. I just wanted to let him share my experience and I burst uncontrollably into tears…
After all I have been through, following France, being sick, and coming through a real malaise, moving house, and finding a job, I have done it. I am an Ironman, those four words just sound so great.
I wanted to make my family proud of me, and show them that I could do something great. I hope they are now. I also wanted to do something for myself and I am proud of myself.
Would I do it again? Most definitely. Next year? No. Right now, it would be too stressful on my work and relationships to go through it again, not to forget the expense, and Bede is well overdue some weekends with me! I might now have to take up golf that’s all….
I found out on Sunday after the race that the two Kona slots were taken. Too right, so they should be taken up! I was still hanging out for a big roll down though. Not to worry, I wouldn’t really want to do Kona in my first Ironman year -far too much pressure. So I can set my focus on Perth, and Ironman may have to wait a few more years for me to return. I will be back next year I hope as a supporter for sure. It will be harder watching, knowing I would love to be out there doing it though!
The Awards dinner was really the icing on the cake. After presentations from the race directors and team, the age group placings were awarded and the pros got on stage. I was amazing to see the top ten of the Ironman world right there. Jo and Cameron gave excellent speeches and they were both really touched. Jo was pushed harder than she has ever been pushed before and it showed. She spoke about toughness taking over and I think she’s so right. 96% of starters finished- we are real tough cookies in NZ!
Seeing coverage of the event on television on Monday morning, they described the age groupers as the toughest athletes in New Zealand. For me, the age groupers are the backbone of the sport, especially the ones out there on the course in the horrific rain and dark nearing the cut off. I saw one lady finish after the cut off at 14 minutes past midnight, but she still did it, it was amazing.
Ironman is no triathlon. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a swim, bike, run, but it’s unlike any triathlon I have ever done before. The distance is one thing, but the amount, quality and level of training required to get there is crucial, the pacing, self-belief, and toughness are areas you will never delve as deep into in any other triathlon. I am proud to join the Ironman family. I am an Ironman!
This date is known as Remembrance Day in the UK. And funnily enough 11.11 was my Ironman time. Similarly it will be a day I will always remember....
I will try to describe for you the race in its entirety, but next to my wedding day, it was the most emotional day of my life. It’s now midnight, and my head is so full of emotions I can’t sleep, so I thought what better a time than now, to get my feelings down on paper (or a screen so to speak!)
My day started at 4.45am when I woke. I’d been tossing and turning all night, worried that I wouldn’t wake up. I had breakfast- white toast with peanut butter and marmite and a banana and half a powerbar, electrolyte, and a coffee.
Bede gave me a pep talk and drew me a diagram- see attachment to get me to use my head. It’s basically a matrix called the head, hands and heart model. The hands part being the skills, technique and training, the heart being motivation and desire and the head is how you put the two together and control your own pace, and race. It was exactly what I needed and showed me that Bede understood exactly what I was going through and why I wanted to do so well.
Bede took me down to the swim start and registration for 6am. I was bodynumbered – FB “F***in Brilliant” we decided for my age group and my race number 282- a great number seeming as I was born on the 28th.
I headed down to the lake, vas and oiled up and got into my suit. You could just feel the anticipation rising. Then the waka arrived and the powhiri commences. It was beautiful against the backdrop of a glass lake – I couldn’t have been happier. I’ve seen footage of 2 years ago when they canned the swim and I was horrified. I’d never had the lake so to my liking. All my other (I say all- three!) were pretty choppy affairs, which left me very demoralised.
The swim
So I found myself a position in the swim, about 20-30m back off the start line, so I could get some clear water. As I looked at the shores of Lake Taupo, I was overwhelmed. It was amazing just how many people had come to watch- wow. Taupo really puts on a great show.
The three light/three minute countdown started and bang, we were off! I found myself holding a good line against the buoys and following the line of the kayaks. I didn’t panic and settled into a nice smooth pattern. There was none of the usual thrashing washing machine like effort normally associated with a half or Olympic distance. I felt really comfortable and concentrated on technique and not worrying about the time. Despite a few zig-zags I reached the far end of the swim in just over 31 mins. The return leg was cruisey and for once I was enjoying a swim! When I came into shore and saw 1hr 6 mins I was flabbergasted! I had expected between 1hr 10 and 15 and piking a bit on the swim as in the last few weeks of training, I’ve slackened off on the squad training and missed a few swims! But hey, I’ll take my official time of 1hr07mins. Conclusion - have faith in yourself, relax in the swim, take a good dose of Rescue Remedy and you’ll swim better than ever.
I jogged steadily through the long transition and into the changing tent. I love this idea of having a personal tri-assistant! I dumped everything on the floor, they helped me dress and whisked everything else away! As I got to my bike, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of bikes in my age group which had already gone. Ok, so I’m still an average swimmer, but hey I had an awesome swim I was buzzing!
The bike
On to my bike and I took it really easy for the first 20 mins up the Napier-Taupo hill and Kiddle Drive. The aim of this is to get your heart rate back in the steady zone as coming out of the swim it’s normally reasonably high. I only took water on board and once my stomach had calmed down a bit I started on powerbars cut into thirds alternating with gels, Enervit and water.
My race plan was to hold back on the bike- the whole way, but especially on the first lap. This meant keeping my heart rate in the steady zone – 135 to 145 bpm. I only let it creep up to 155 on the climbs. This required a lot of discipline as it does mean people pass you. But it’s not a problem - just watch how many crash and burn on the run. Out to Reporoa, especially on the last stretch it was windy, cross and head winds. I made the turn around in 1hr 35 mins. The return leg to town was sweet - tailwind all the way. Deceptive though, as it would have been fairly easy to smash yourself on that leg if you didn’t play it safe. I made it back into town just on 3hrs. The rain was starting to settle in, making the roads hazardous, but the crowd were like nothing I have ever seen or heard. Everyone calling your name, gave you that little boost of energy to go into the second lap on the lonely road to Reporoa. The second leg did a funny loop off the main road, which I hadn’t done in training, so that was interesting, but it wasn’t much more than a steady climb.
The wind and rain were worse on the second lap, and I soon realised that I wouldn’t be looking at a negative split. The second lap is harder and longer apparently as well. So going out was similar to the first lap. I managed to pick up the pace, whilst still keeping a good 85rpm cadence in the big chain ring, and staying on the aerobars throughout.
The tailwind home was again a blessing. About 40km from home, I did however have a momentary lapse in concentration, and found myself rolling into a sand verge! I was a bit shaken up, scratched and (now the wounds have settled, quite bruised!), but I was far more concerned about whether my bike would still run. Luckily there was nothing wrong and my minor heart attack never eventuated. I picked myself up and continued on to finish strongly in 6hrs 5 mins. I was hoping for 6hrs 15 mins to 6hrs 30 so in the conditions, I was pretty pleased that my race plan of holding back came off.
The run
Heading into the run, another girl in my age group was hot on my heels, so I probably set off a wee bit too quickly. I got caught up in the crowds and the “I feel wonderful!” moment that I momentarily forgot that I had a four hour run ahead of me….
Hence coming to 5km, I had an annoying stitch! So I took on some water, did the hands over the head, breathe out slowly and lower arms technique but it took until about the 8km mark to come right. I was averaging 5min-5.15 ish kms, for the first quarter, but after a loo stop I kind of got confused with the timings….so I said to myself, right, I feel quite good, I’ve got a good strong cadence, people are commenting on how strong I look. I can do this! So I said right, you’re going to finish before 6.15pm. Sub 11hrs was not on the cards, and I wasn’t going to come close, so sub 11.15 would be a dream. Well I hung on in there and kept a really steady pace and finished the marathon in 3hrs 50mins. My race tactics paid off and I caught a dozen or so girls on the run. Thank goodness, it came off so sweetly! I finished in 11.11.34. And best of all I was 4th fastest in my age group on the run. Playing to your strengths is a great tactic.
Overall, I was 33rd female. Taking out the 13 pros, I was 20th age grouper. Out of approximately 265 female finishers, that’s pretty good I reckon. If I could swim faster I know I would be more competitive. I think I was something like 16th fastest in my age group in the swim, 9th on the bike and 4th on the run. I am the Hunter, I do practise the softly softly catchy monkey mantra. But it feels good to play catch up, rather than being the hunted. No girls passed me on the run, and I caught most of the girls who passed me on the bike on the first lap, on the second lap.
I was chatting to a Taupo resident later in the evening and she asked me, what was the hardest bit. I struggled to pinpoint any single point in the race. I was lucky, or maybe I used my head. I had confidence in my training, I followed and executed a good race plan, and my pace remained constant. Softly, softly, catchy monkey. So what was the hardest point? I know now. It’s overcoming your self-doubts when you push yourself beyond your longest training time. For me this came at about the 8hr mark, and an hour into the run. After most long rides, I always say, God I could never run a marathon now! Ironman is so different. You just do it, it feels so natural. Like Paula Newby-Fraser said (as we were told at the Pasta Party), doing an Ironman is like doing a really long training session with 1500 of your best mates - all with the same vision, to become an Ironman and to be the best you can be.
Well as for the marathon, I was running well, in fact better than I thought I would. All along I knew I wanted to run a good marathon time (4hrs), but you can’t help but think, can I keep this up? When will I hit the wall? You just don’t know. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is why the Ironman experience is so special and for me, utterly emotional. It’s something I can’t describe as I’ve never been there before, so I have no past knowledge, experience or words to justify how it feels. I was so close to tears at the 40km mark, a spectator told me not to cry! But that was how I felt.
Coming down the finishing shoot, I waited for the volunteers to put the ribbon up again, too right I wanted my moment of glory! I did it, Emma Hunter you are an Ironman! Yey!!!!
Once in the recovery tent I was really disorientated, massage, food, drink, duh..I didn’t want any of it, I just ran outside (literally I know stupid..) and gave Bede the biggest hug and kiss ever. I just wanted to let him share my experience and I burst uncontrollably into tears…
After all I have been through, following France, being sick, and coming through a real malaise, moving house, and finding a job, I have done it. I am an Ironman, those four words just sound so great.
I wanted to make my family proud of me, and show them that I could do something great. I hope they are now. I also wanted to do something for myself and I am proud of myself.
Would I do it again? Most definitely. Next year? No. Right now, it would be too stressful on my work and relationships to go through it again, not to forget the expense, and Bede is well overdue some weekends with me! I might now have to take up golf that’s all….
I found out on Sunday after the race that the two Kona slots were taken. Too right, so they should be taken up! I was still hanging out for a big roll down though. Not to worry, I wouldn’t really want to do Kona in my first Ironman year -far too much pressure. So I can set my focus on Perth, and Ironman may have to wait a few more years for me to return. I will be back next year I hope as a supporter for sure. It will be harder watching, knowing I would love to be out there doing it though!
The Awards dinner was really the icing on the cake. After presentations from the race directors and team, the age group placings were awarded and the pros got on stage. I was amazing to see the top ten of the Ironman world right there. Jo and Cameron gave excellent speeches and they were both really touched. Jo was pushed harder than she has ever been pushed before and it showed. She spoke about toughness taking over and I think she’s so right. 96% of starters finished- we are real tough cookies in NZ!
Seeing coverage of the event on television on Monday morning, they described the age groupers as the toughest athletes in New Zealand. For me, the age groupers are the backbone of the sport, especially the ones out there on the course in the horrific rain and dark nearing the cut off. I saw one lady finish after the cut off at 14 minutes past midnight, but she still did it, it was amazing.
Ironman is no triathlon. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a swim, bike, run, but it’s unlike any triathlon I have ever done before. The distance is one thing, but the amount, quality and level of training required to get there is crucial, the pacing, self-belief, and toughness are areas you will never delve as deep into in any other triathlon. I am proud to join the Ironman family. I am an Ironman!
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