On a weekend where all the leading up news headlines spoke of players spending too much time travelling and flying, some players of a different game travel by car for 12 hours and some by plane, train and automobile for 5. This is where the real men play…………
Sonja: We arrived on the Gold Coast on Friday morning, in time to pick Danni up from the train station near the race site. The race site Coomera Waters was in a housing estate - very enclosed, and on a man-made canal. Once we picked Danni up, we went to look at the course.
Danni: After a few tears and tantrums as to who was going to ride next to Danni in the car, and that was just from Sonja, we headed down to the transition to begin our lap of the course. Bike course looked manageable, basic 2 lap course with a bit of undulation to keep it interesting.
Then it was off to get something to eat and Stalking Encounter number 1.
Following Coach's guideline around proper fuelling and hydration on the Friday,
I headed into Subway over the Big Burgers Drive thru. Over placing my order I
had the delight of having a pre-race pep talk with Macca. If you've heard
Simon's version of the conversation, no I did not ask "So is it a foot long
Macca?". I may have mentioned that I would see him in Hawaii tho.
Sonja: Got up early Saturday morning to do a pre-race warm-up, sort out all our gear, and go back to the race site (about a 40 minute drive away). Our aim was to get there early, and get out early, to avoid the crowds - it seemed like everyone else had the same idea. By the time we'd registered, had a quick look at the expo, and then put our bikes into transition, we'd been there for hours, in the scorching heat (hoping that it wasn't going to be that hot the next day).
Danni: Stalking Encounter number 2 - now we have the picture to prove it.
After the 2km walk back to car, which we had accidentally parked next to Macca -
who was currently stretching after a warm up run, he insisted that he pose for a
picture with Subway girl & friend. He apologised for the fact that he was
dripping with sweat & Sonja replied with a huge grin on her face "No, no it's
fine". The thought of inviting him to our post race party did cross our minds
but it was decided that a) if we mentioned it was a 'Sing Star Party' he might
be turned off & b) it might look a bit too stalkerish, and might jeopardise my
chances in Hawaii.
After eating our way through bags of potato chips and pizza it was lights out at 9pm with alarms set for 3:30am.
Danni: Swim: It was a beautiful clear still morning with my wave starting at
6:13 am 2 mins ahead of Sonja. Despising open water swims I was keen to get this
over with.
Note To Self 1: Do not listen to Andrew Terra. I was now convinced the canal
contained the odd bull shark and that it was unsafe to do a swim course warm up
the day before due to this. So I was either going to have to swim like buggery,
remain in the middle of the pack (to avoid be targeted as the weaker one) or run
the risk of seeing something other than a fellow swimmer and then have to throw
myself onto a kayak.
Sonja: The swim was fine - plenty of people, due to the fact that the waves were only two minutes apart, but stayed pretty well out of trouble. Into transition, getting myself ready for the bike, I hear a "Hi Sonja", and look over to see Danni getting ready to get on the bike! I was out of transition with no drama, just ahead of Danni, with only a 90km ride ahead of me. It was a two lap bike course, and the first half of the bike was pretty good - there was a tail wind for part of the way - but it was definitely short-lived. The rest of the bike leg felt like a head wind the whole way! I'm sure there was a change in wind direction each time I turned a corner - basically my legs hurt for the rest of the ride.
Following the eating plan we discussed with coach, by the time I was meant to be having gu number three, I was feeling decidedly ill. Desperate to go to the loo, and thinking one more chocolate gu would make me vomit, I moved to Gatorade, in the hope that by the time I reached the end of the 2nd lap, I might be able to stomach another gu, with the thought of a port-a-loo in transition. Managed to stomach another gu, but had no power bar (explained below), and only half the number of gu's in my original plan.
I saw Danni both laps on the bike - we were pretty much doing the same speed - we were both being conservative, due to numerous warnings from AB, Coach, Karl and Rads - that if we thought we were doing the right speed, it was definitely too fast - advice that paid off. I was so pleased to make it to transition, and get off the bike - mainly so I could get to that loo (absolute bliss)! Headed out on to the run, knowing that Danni was close behind me.
Danni: Note To Self 2: Do not bother cutting up your power bar in bite size
pieces in an attempt to make it easier to eat. In warm weather it only creates a
golf ball size of sticky power bar. Also factor into your nutrition plan for
next race that a power bar can take 40mins to eat.
Simon's solution - edible gaffer tape.
Sonja: Run: I ran for about 3 km, feeling great, and then realising I was running too fast - made a conscious effort to slow my pace, so I could finish strongly. That was when Danni came blasting past me - we had a little chat, before she headed off into the distance.
Danni: Coming back in from the ride, the small but important cheer squad was heard. Consisting of Simon, Craig (who only came to go to Wet n Wild the following day) and 3 very excited and loud little girls. Passing the 1 km marker on the run I was told with good spirit that Sonja had one minute on me. I was still in total shock as to why my legs felt like I had just headed out the front door and not just off a 90km bike ride, I was keen to keep running as I passed Sonja as I was sure it would only get harder. Walked every aid station – shot of coke, shot of water, water for the face and a thank you, and before I knew it I was at my final aid station and homeward bound. It was all smiles for the final 100 meters to the tune of Shannon Noll ‘Lift’ - had somewhat imaged Celine Dion or Choir Boys – but that must be saved for Ironman. To know Sonja was 2 mins behind just proved that I have the perfect training partner in Sonja and I now just have to convince Simon to let her remain training when they return to Canberra in December.
Finishing Time: 5:40:58 Projected Finishing Time 6:00 +
Sonja: The run felt good for basically the whole way. Each aid station coke was consumed, along with a bit of water – kept seeing Danni each time I turned a corner, which was good. Managed to chat to a few people on the way, and even ran past quite a number. The last 5 km felt really good – I couldn’t believe that I’d actually managed to achieve my goal, and still felt good. I wanted to run the whole 21.1 km, I wanted to have a smile on my face the whole way, and finish at about the 6 hour mark. All goals achieved – finish time 5:40:19.
Of course enormous thanks to Simon (and kids), for letting me do all of that training, and coming to the race to support, thanks to Coach (for the program, and especially the encouragement in the face of self-doubt), Danni – for being the best person to train with (even if we do live 500kms apart). It was great to have friends there on the day – thanks Craig – lots of loud cheering goes a long way.
Once Simon gets over the last 4 month obsession, I’ll be planning the next one!
Danni: After finishing, hanging around, packing up etc it was food time and
Stalking Encounter number 3.
Still in race gear, covered in salt, sweat, dirt and walking with a limp we
headed to the fish and chip shop to see Macca looking fresh, rested, showered
and enjoying coffee next door. It’s amazing what a 13min lead on the swim start
can achieve. After a quick chat - yes it’s me from Subway and friend again, no
we are not following you, yes we still have Hawaii - it was home to shower, eat
and begin the rehydrating phase.
As the old saying goes 'What goes on tour, Stays on tour' and when Sonja's involved you know there's going to be trouble, wine, wine, female jelly wrestling and more wine and then it's all fun and games till someone gets hurt.
To say I absolutely loved it and I'll be back for more halves, is scary and sick but I am sure there's an Ironman in me yet.
AB can now relax, I won't be doing an Ironman before you, but I'll beat you when I do.
Danni and Sonja
