Part 2 : The Big Run and Crowie

Ok so where did I leave off? Oh yea.......my legs! I got off my bike and I was so wobbly. Thankfully I had a long run through transition back to my rack spot to try and find my legs - there was a bit of a traffic jam of people racking bikes, running and trying to get through to their spots so I got to walk a little. Doing it in barefeet was much easier than with cleats on! All I could think of was Jess stacking it in transition so I was motivated to make sure I stayed firmly on my feet.
I took a bit longer in transition than normal - I decided to wear socks to save my feet and it was a good investment. By the time I finished the race my shoes were full of water from trying too cool down at the aide stations and looked like I'd just got out of the spa. My extra 30secs saved me a huge amount of pain. Finally, I was on my way out of transition an onto the run. I was so relieved! I'd made it through the swim and I didn't get a flat/crash/fall off the bike. It was the last leg that if worst came to worst, I could walk. I knew as I exited transition that I was going to finish. But it was a battle.

Normally I can push through the discomfort and find my run legs with in the first 2km. Not on Sunday. I ended up walking/running the first 2km....the "km to go" signs kept coming up and it felt like an eternity. What I thought must have been 2km was only 1.4km. I still had so far to go and it was really heating up. I got to the first aid station and threw cups of water over myself to try and cool down. I made a deal with myself to run to the next aide station and then I'd let myself walk a little. I did this for 3 aide stations....it was just so hot. Suffocatingly hot. At 3.5km mark it signaled the end of the first half lap and you got a scrunchy to count the laps - they also had ice spunges....my saviour! I shoved two down the front of my top, one down my back and one in my hat. I then squeezed gorgeous icey water over myself. I felt great! I was back! I ran the next lap......very slowly. I counted down aide stations and just kept moving. I saw my boy :) He looked as bad as I felt but he was moving and half a lap in front of me. He would catch me in 30mins on his final lap. Finally, more ice sponges....more water....more coke. Just keep going! Then I hit my final lap. As I was heading out onto the last lap my boy finished and I got to hear him being called over the finsh line. I was so proud. But I still had 7km to go. I made sure I ran the 2km past all of the crowds..........then I hit the quiet shady section and walked. I was back into running between aide stations, trees, lightpoles...anything to give me something to focus on. Because of the 2 days of rain and now the blaring sun, the ground was literally steaming. I struggled to breath at some points because it was so thick and humid. But, I kept going. I was 3km out and I wanted that finishers shirt and medal. I ran the last 2km........every lap I did when I got toward the finishing area the crowds were huge! Only 14% of the field were women so everyone was extra supportive of the chicks. There were lots of expat women as well who cheered me on "Keep going 62, you can do it! You look fantastic!" I knew I looked like crap and I knew my face showed the pain but I really lifted me. As I headed toward the final turnaround that would take me to the finish I saw my boy - he had his finishers shirt on, his medal around his neck and he looked like he was going to cry. He told me after I finished and gave him a big sweaty hug that he teared up he was so proud :)
I turned the final turnaround point and finally, instead of heading left and going for another lap I got to go right - to the finishing chute. They called me over the line and a cheer went up "Here comes Melissa Bird from Australia!" I was worried I would get really emotional and burst into tears but I was just so relieved it was over! Plus, if I cried I would pass out :) I got my medal.....they ushered me into the part where they take your timing band, gave me my shirt, some water and it was over. I couldn't wait to sit down and take my wet soggy shoes off.
My boy said he wouldn't ask me if I want to do another Half Ironman just yet.....I thought it would be the last thing I'd want to do but straight away I was planning for the next one and what I wanted to improve on. I think I'm addicted!

I had a great time in Singers.....would I do it again? Definitely but I'd probably be a bit smarter next time. I hadn't done enough long runs.....so the next 6 weeks are all about running and brick sessions. I want to crack 6hours in Busso and that time will come from improving my run and ride times.

We shuffled back to the hotel after the race, showered, recovered a bit and then headed out for a few beers to celebrate and dissect our race. By 8.30 we were fast asleep and totally exhausted. Monday was a veg day of more tri mags....they all seem to focus on the Ironman races. More beers and more tri mags and I started to think I might do the Ironman in Port Macquarie in 2011. Its exactly a year away....I know I could do the swim and the ride with some training. The run would be a battle but its in 12 months. 12 months ago I hadn't even done a sprint race and was scared of the startline washing machine. I was still rejoicing when I ran 8km and thought that was a big day. My Half Ironman experience has taught me that you are capable of much more than you think you are. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

So whats next? I'm racing in a short course race on Sunday as a recovery/brick session...because of the storms in Perth they might have to cancel the swim leg which is a bit of a bummer...it will probably mean a run/bike/run. But I'll get another swim cap and water bottle for the collection :) I was back in the pool last night - I didn't swim for 3 weeks before my race because of my shoulder. I fessed up to my swim coach that I was really confused about what I was supposed to be doing and my stroke was all over the place. He spent most of the 1hour session starting to rebuild my stroke so I can save my shoulder. I asked if it will make me swim faster and he said that it will mean I should stay injury free which will mean I can train 3 days a week and get fitter and faster. Wooo whooo! Thats what I wanted to hear. So I have 6 weeks to get my stroke fixed and get strong for Busso. I want to smash my swim time and get out at least midpack. That way I have the right technique for the offseason and I can invest lots of quality time in the pool.

Some other news..............we are moving back to Sydney in June. Mainly because of family reasons (kid issues for my boy) but also because we're sick of travelling so much. All the Half Ironman races except 1 are on the east coast.....my boy wants to try and qualify for Kona next year and its just not practical from where we are. My work is transferring me so its no biggie for me and my boy is in the final stages of recruitment for a job. Hopefully we get a final move date in a couple of weeks. We are heading back to Cronulla :) I'm so happy to be going back to the beach. The Cronulla Tri club is one of the best in the country and has produced some great triathletes (including Craig Alexander!). They do alot of group rides, runs and lots of duathlons over the winter which will be great for me and I'm hoping to have an offseason which sets me up for strong season at the end of the year. There is also a sprint series run just down the road over the summer which will be loads of fun! The tri club will mean we'll also get to meet lots of new people with a common interest and we'll learn stacks from them I hope.

So that's it - thats my adventure of last week and the start of the next chapter for me and my co-pilot :)

oooooh my Crowie story! I saw him about 5 times and that didn't include him going past me on the bike!! I was so starstruck...i wanted to say hi but I feel as though I'm imposing on him and everyone wants a little of his time. I was even in the elevator with him as we were staying in the same hotel. He lives just down the road from where we will be living.....I probably used to run past him all the time when I lived in Cronulla before and just never realised who he was. So that was my brush with fame :)