by Ben Lamprell

Don and I landed in the Sunshine state a couple of days before race day and started to sweat straight away.  The temperature is sooooooooo much nicer up there.  Every day started sunny, got to about 28-30 degrees and the nights were warm.  Perfect for partying  (this was to come after the race).

A good couple of days rest before the big day.  We hired a car, which was a classic 1980s Nissan Pulsar, and went to find out where this race was…..  after a short 30 minute drive we were there.  Checked in bikes, had a look at the swim course, and then went for a quick preview lap of the bike course.

Race morning was chilly, but still warm enough to wear shorts  (how good is that - 5 am in October and wearing

Ben
shorts?).  We placed out all the gear, nutrition etc, and headed for the race start.

The swim course was perfect - well marked out and easy to follow.  I was pleased with my swim, as I hadn’t done a great deal over winter.  Out of the water and a quick run up to transition over small rocks and rubble (ouch).

The bike course was also good.  A 2-lap undulating course with a nice flat middle section.  Out on course there was a lot of drafting and blocking going on, but it was good to see that the draft marshals pulled up heaps of people and warned many others.  Off the bike and was feeling good, as it hadn’t heated up yet.

DonWell, that was about to change.  Within the first 3 km of the run, the temperature must have risen about 10 degrees, because it felt like my head was going to explode I was that hot.  No shade at all on the run and I think it was 31 degrees whilst we were running.  (A bit warmer than the 15C we have been training in).  Anyway, I still ran and finished. 

We all waited around for the last finisher and then the Ironman spots to be announced.  This was the hardest part of the day, as we were all a little tired and sunburnt and the qualifying presentation wasn’t until 2.30pm.

To cut a long story short, Don did a PB of 5.16 and qualified and I also did a PB of 5.01 and qualified, so mission accomplished.  So for the next 3 days we drank beer and sat on the beach……………

All up, a good great race if anyone is thinking of going interstate and racing.

And Don's comments? "Perfect weather for a race. Swim steady; bike - good undulations; run - never felt better. This was the best I have felt in a long race, bring on Port Macquarie!"