Balmoral's Carly Phillpotts Hawaii Ironman 2010 Pre Race Report

26/09/2010 7:18:45 PM

Hawaii Ironman 2010: Carly’s Pre-Race Report

In 2007, after crossing the finish line on Ali’i Drive in Kona to complete my second Ironman, my mum asked if I would do another Ironman. I had really enjoyed doing Ironman, but my 12 months of Ironman training while working in an IT job with long hours had meant making a lot of social and relationship sacrifices had been made to get me there, and I wanted a more ‘normal’ triathlete’s life back. I later added that if I did change my mind, I would sacrifice work and resign to train full-time for the Ironman, so that quality time with my partner Lucas would be measured in hours instead of minutes per week. At the time, I didn’t think I would do another Ironman.


Only a year later, watching the run leg of 2008 Hawaii Ironman on the internet… I knew I wanted to go back. Another year later I resigned from my job to train full time for the Port Mac 2010 Ironman. I finished 3rd in my age group and 11th female outright. Luckily, it was just enough to get me a Kona spot, a reward for my decision to train full time. I arrived here in Kona in mid-September to give me plenty of time to acclimatise to the Hawaii heat and humidity, and also to relearning how to sail my race wheels in the notoriously windy conditions out on parts of the bike course.


My goals for race day on October 9 are the same as those in 2007; make it to the finish line in one piece and to enjoy the race day experience. If I can beat the sunset home, I’ll finish with a PB.


So what, other than a reduced bank balance, has 10 months of full time training meant? With more time for quality recovery, eating and sleeping, I was able to cope with a higher training load than in 2007 and so I’m fitter, healthier and hopefully on race day, faster. I also had more quality time to spend with my partner Lucas, although training 6 days a week still involves sacrifices. However, regardless of what happens on October 9 2010, one thing I won’t be saying is, “If only I’d had more time to train”.

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Kona Race Report Carly Phillpotts