The G showed great improvement over his NZ effort (not hard mind you) and came in with a 12:42. A typical G swim and very measured ride saw him ready to make his move on the run. Well that's how it looked but it was not to be.
Ryan was set for a smoking time. All indicators were pointing to a very sharp time but a (and i'm sure he'll agree) disappointing swim time he was under the pump early. A great ride (well i think it was) had him back in contention for a 10 hour race if the running gods smiled on him. The run started out well but it quickly became apparent this wasn't going to be his day. 11:20 was on the timer when he ran under it. You have to feel for Ryan because he trained the house down for this race.
Cathy was the newbie and was very excited (understatement of the year) when we spoke to her the day before the event. Cath was in the water swimming for almost 2 hours before getting out on the bike. That's a huge effort. A steady bike saw her finish the ride in 7:08. Cath ran a solid marathon to finish the race in 14:43 and become an Ironman. Champion effort Cath.
There was another ex local Clem who raced and lets just say if he was a race horse you'd shoot him. Clem is one of those people that has natural talent, you know the ones all us ordinary folk hate because they just seem to do it easy :) Clem has had a checkered past with this distance and this year he really looked like qualifying for Kona; yes he's that good on his day. Anyway it was not to be with the wheels falling off during the bike. I have heard of unconfirmed reports of a small Asian man loitering near his bike in transition not long before the start of the race....I know he's signed up for Melbourne so maybe redemption awaits.
As I write this I know they are all at the Iroanman dinner and would be bouncing off the walls with excitement. All in all a fantastic effort by all.
1 comment:
Its all about the bike !!!!
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