Busselton Ironman (Western Australia) Race Report 2010 - Sarah Walker
This article was published in NZ Triathlon & Mutisport magazine, Issue 80 April 2011
Pre Race
For my birthday in January 2010 my husband presented me with an entry to IM Western Australia on December 5th later that year. It was going to provide good motivation through the winter months but as Christmas is a busy time for my husband and with the kids still in school I knew I would be heading over Busselton, WA, on my own. I like company, so staying on my own didn’t really fill me with enthusiasm. I’m also a bit needy in the technical department with regards to the bike. My husband normally looks after me but I was worried I would struggle with screws, gears, brakes and wheels. After a couple of false starts trying to organise sharing accommodation with friends from NZ, who had also entered, I emailed the Busselton Tri Club and asked if there was anyone local who could provide me with a billet. As it turns out the club has a history of hosting overseas competitors and they put me in touch with my host – Aidan.
Aidan was the host from heaven! Originally from NZ he’d moved out to WA about 10 years ago and he has done the WA Half IM. He had a vast amount of local knowledge, knew the course well and could offer technical support. I got airport pick up and drop off, chauffeured round the bike course, company when he biked with me on the bike course (and pointed out all the rough spots!!!), loan of a car, someone to compare triathlon training and nutrition with and post session protein shakes that I’d even share with Aidan when he’d been out and I hadn’t! I knew the local knowledge and support from Aidan was boding well for a good race but when he said, “It’s your race day. You let me know everything you need me to do and I’ll be there”, it was the icing on the cake!
Aidan was the host from heaven! Originally from NZ he’d moved out to WA about 10 years ago and he has done the WA Half IM. He had a vast amount of local knowledge, knew the course well and could offer technical support. I got airport pick up and drop off, chauffeured round the bike course, company when he biked with me on the bike course (and pointed out all the rough spots!!!), loan of a car, someone to compare triathlon training and nutrition with and post session protein shakes that I’d even share with Aidan when he’d been out and I hadn’t! I knew the local knowledge and support from Aidan was boding well for a good race but when he said, “It’s your race day. You let me know everything you need me to do and I’ll be there”, it was the icing on the cake!
Race Day
The IM start was just after dawn, at 6am, so we were up at 3ish. The swim is a straight out and back course round Busselton pier. Swimmers are corralled onto the beach on the left of the pier and you can either start in the water or on the sand. I got in the water and chatted to a guy for about 5 minutes which I find calms my nerves. A different story for him though – he was shaking really badly, if you’d squirted a bit of washing up liquid near him he would have lathered the water quite up nicely! “My god”, I thought to myself, “must be a first-timer!” but it was his third IM event. Takes all sorts eh? I was worried that starting on the right of the pier was going to be an issue for sighting, since I breathe to the right, but the tail of the pier curves to the right so sighting on the end of it was pretty easy. The water is quite shallow most the way and I didn’t feel the effects of the current or much of a swell till I rounded the end and headed back. Sighting was also more difficult and a couple of times I ended up in clean open water, no swimmers and the canoes not far away – a sure sign you’re not headed in the right direction!
After a short run up the beach and over some grass, the T1 tent was a bit of a free for all and I’m still not sure if it there was a male and female section. I just grabbed the nearest seat, stripped off and headed to the bike. The roads! - wonderful, smooth, straight, flat, blissful! Within 5 minutes I was, perversely, sadly thinking that the bike was going to be over far too fast – it was so enjoyable. To stave off ‘bike boredom’ I look around and take in the sights. The scenery at Busselton is really picturesque with loads to take in; beaches, rolling waves, open road, marsh land, shaded bush and farms. The 180km is a new three loop course so I got to see things three times over. It was also easy to break into small chunks – if there was a head wind I knew it would not last long and it would be balanced with a tail wind. The compact course meant that there were spectators all the way and the turn around in town was packed – plenty for the supporters to look at. To finish a 180km ride feeling not only exhilarated but also disappointed (that it is over) was a new experience for me! (Beats one of my training rides in October, on the NZ IM course, where there was rain and head winds on three out of four of the laps – think white waves on Lake Taupo!)
After a short run up the beach and over some grass, the T1 tent was a bit of a free for all and I’m still not sure if it there was a male and female section. I just grabbed the nearest seat, stripped off and headed to the bike. The roads! - wonderful, smooth, straight, flat, blissful! Within 5 minutes I was, perversely, sadly thinking that the bike was going to be over far too fast – it was so enjoyable. To stave off ‘bike boredom’ I look around and take in the sights. The scenery at Busselton is really picturesque with loads to take in; beaches, rolling waves, open road, marsh land, shaded bush and farms. The 180km is a new three loop course so I got to see things three times over. It was also easy to break into small chunks – if there was a head wind I knew it would not last long and it would be balanced with a tail wind. The compact course meant that there were spectators all the way and the turn around in town was packed – plenty for the supporters to look at. To finish a 180km ride feeling not only exhilarated but also disappointed (that it is over) was a new experience for me! (Beats one of my training rides in October, on the NZ IM course, where there was rain and head winds on three out of four of the laps – think white waves on Lake Taupo!)
Off on the run
Headed out of T2, the run course went up the main street, looped back through the bike compound and then out onto the beach front and then back into town for four 10km laps. The only hill on the entire run was the man made one at the finish chute, an irony that didn’t go unnoticed by the female winner, Kate Bevilaqua, who had a dramatic struggle, negotiating the 1 meter climb at the end of her all out race effort. Again the looped run course was superb, great aid stations, music, good support, easy to deal with psychologically – the only struggle was the 3km back to town into a head wind, with the pier in the distance never seeming to get any bigger – but hey, was only 3km and I knew the course was going to change pretty soon!
As with any race the finish is the best bit even if, as in this case, it includes a hill! Aidan was there at the end ready to attend to my needs – which were to shower, eat pizza and return to the finish line to support the other people coming through. We figured out that Aidan had seen me (and shouted!) at least 8 times during the race – it was fabulous to get that support and great for spectators. Returning to the finish line until the cut off was magic – total inspiration.
As with any race the finish is the best bit even if, as in this case, it includes a hill! Aidan was there at the end ready to attend to my needs – which were to shower, eat pizza and return to the finish line to support the other people coming through. We figured out that Aidan had seen me (and shouted!) at least 8 times during the race – it was fabulous to get that support and great for spectators. Returning to the finish line until the cut off was magic – total inspiration.
Post Race
I am UK born and bred but have raced under the Kiwi banner since my family and I emigrated here 8 years ago. I am constantly amazed by the friendliness of Kiwi’s and within a day or two of wandering around Busselton I got to know the ‘Kiwi contingent’ and ended up on a table of Kiwi’s for the pre and post race ceremonies. These were both well organised with great food, entertainment and a full on post race disco (there was even one guy in post race euphoria, fueled with a bit of the’ liquid amber’, doing break dancing! I would have paid good money to see how well he was walking the next day!). One of the most refreshing and humbling things were the speeches by the two winners. Kate declaring that she was desperate to win any IM race but to win one on her won turf was overwhelming and Courtney Ogden (men’s winner) thanking his sponsors, a bike shop, his physio, a chemists and his main sponsor – his wife!
After a day trip to Margaret River with Aidan I headed back to NZ with some great memories and experiences. If race day isn’t unbearably hot the WA IM course is a place to set a PB, an objective I achieved by knocking 30 minutes off my previous best time. The course is flat and fast and the people friendly. Being hosted is fabulous (my heart felt thanks go to Aidan) and it is something I’ll always consider for another overseas race, but next time I race in WA I race I’ve promised to take the family!
After a day trip to Margaret River with Aidan I headed back to NZ with some great memories and experiences. If race day isn’t unbearably hot the WA IM course is a place to set a PB, an objective I achieved by knocking 30 minutes off my previous best time. The course is flat and fast and the people friendly. Being hosted is fabulous (my heart felt thanks go to Aidan) and it is something I’ll always consider for another overseas race, but next time I race in WA I race I’ve promised to take the family!
Aidan Midgely - You Are An IronmanI have have kept in touch with Aidan, who hosted me for WA IM.
He was a Busselton Half IM veteran, having done the race many times. but he just had not quite mustered up the courage to enter the full Ironman event. He tells me that watching me race in 2010 inspired him to enter for 2011. I lived vicariously though his training during 2011 and all was going well until he came off his bike a few weeks before the race. He broke his wrist. He thought about pulling out but he didn't. This is my favorite picture of Aidan, looking a million dollars, coming in over the finish just minutes before the cut off time. Note the brace on his right wrist. Magic! |
Mere Mortal Coaching
Sarah Walker - Tri NZ Accredited Coach
Triathlon Coaching | Triathlon Training
Sarah Walker - Tri NZ Accredited Coach
Triathlon Coaching | Triathlon Training