My Ironman Experience - Julie Kerr

After winning my age group at Half IM in Busselton 2004, gaining a spot at Foster, but sleeping through the Rolldown I decided along with my sleepy friend Sue to do the IM in Busselton. Really this was my ego, I didn’t really give the distance much thought at the time.

With Budgie’s help we set about our 24-week training programme. I can say that I trained diligently throughout. Looked forward to Jurien only to have a flat back tyre in the first 5Km and not knowing how to change it was devastated. Shed a few tears while waiting to be rescued. Did the run anyway and had had a good swim so was happy with my fitness. Needles to say a good lesson was learnt as I am now quite good at changing tyres and wheels.

Unfortunately, just after this, within a week I was struck down with a virus. Rushed off to the Doctors. Filled myself up with anti-biotics and vitamins to no avail. Sick as. Left me with hacking cough. Budgie along with everyone else told me to take time off. 8 days off! Felt like a lifetime sentence. When I got back into training, no joking felt like I was at the very beginning. Continued on. Coughed so much on one run I ended up with bruised muscles between the ribs. Hurt so much I couldn’t drive an automatic car. Once again several trips to the Doctor. Was given the strongest anti-inflammatory tablets. Went off to Perth (I live in Kalgoorlie) to visit Budgie with my sad tale. He tells me I should be thankful for my good health and ability to be a triathlete. Humbled, he then sends me off to wonderful health shop at the Galleria and also to Jonathan Bell the Physio. Jonathan is fantastic. Sees me on a Sunday, gives me exercises and encouragement. At the health shop, another friend of Budgies gives me magic Chinese medicine – which taste foul. But I’ll try anything at this stage.

Back home to training. Not good! We are all now in taper. I feel that I have missed out on the really crucial work. The longest run on the programme – 3 hours I missed! I think I’m going to run 42.2Km? Decide not to think about it.

Everyone is wishing me well. Saying all the right things. “The rest will be doing you good. You’ve done all the hard work.” I’m thinking, “don’t think so”.

At this time we are running 20 minutes – easy 75% MHR. I’m running 20minutes and it’s B.hard HR 90%.

Trying really hard to stay positive.

We head off to Busselton. I kind of hint to my husband that maybe I’m not really ready. He is really not impressed, asking me “What! Are you mad?” Maybe! Be positive! Be positive!

Ladies breakfast was great. To see friends from Donnelly camp all with more encouragement. Felt OK day before at warm-up session. I was a complete mess on Friday and Saturday trying to get gear and nutrition right. I wondered why people stopped talking to me and were quite obviously avoiding me.

Did manage a few hours sleep. Stuck to my nutrition and breakfast plan. I was nervous but excited before the race. Remembered what Budgie said about looking back at the crowd as I waited for the swim start. I was kind of glad the water was rough as I come from an open water background.

My race plan was to stay positive and break the event down to sections: 2 laps in swim. 3 in cycle. 3 in run. This is exactly what I did. I didn’t think at all about the Kms. Too scary! So after 1 lap in the swim I felt pretty good. Nothing had gone wrong and I enjoyed the second lap even more than the first. I was wrapped when the announcer said I was 2nd in the swim. Wow! It was only later that I realised I was 2nd in my age group. The race is so well organized you really can’t go wrong. On entering the tent I was busting to go to the loo. Which I did. I was shaking so much I couldn’t get my gloves on. The volunteers were wonderful.

Finally, off on the bike I went. All three laps were a bit of a blur except I remember my chain came off THREE times. The first time I just stopped and put it back on. Not too much of a hassle. The next time was in the second lap (I think) except the chain had a little loop it it and my brain; not being bike knowledgeable couldn’t work out how to put it on. I did start to panic a little. All these cyclists going past me! My mind started to think “no place now.” No mechanics in sight! No knight in shinning armour to help an old lady! Then, I remembered about being “lucky to be there, I am 52 and only 5% of the population do triathlons in my age group. Enjoy the day! Stay positive!” Worse than this could be a flat tyre! Well, my chain came off once more and then I decided not to use small chain ring cause this is when it came off.

Besides this, I had a great ride. All up I lost about 10-15mins, nothing over a 12-hour event. I smiled all the way through the event. I really was enjoying the day!

Time to get off the bike was a bit scary, as I didn’t know if I could stand – but I did! Staggered towards the change tent, still smiling. Then off on the first leg of the run. I decided not to push the run and kept my HR down. Budgie said take the first few Kms to get into rhythm and then go for your race pace. This didn’t quite happen for me. I just travelled carefully, just being glad to be there. How could you not enjoy the day with all those great people cheering you on. Family and friends and complete strangers calling your name. One lap done. Two laps done and into the third. This was the hardest. The positive thoughts really had to happen. They did. My husband called to me that if I kept it up I should make it before the 12th hour. Wow! Could I do it? Yes, I can! I did! 11 hours and 50 minutes. What a buzz as I came through that finish shoot!

What an experience! “The pain won’t last forever but the memory will” How true is that? I said this to myself several times over that last lap. I’m still on a high. You really do learn so much about yourself on an endurance event like this. I am so pleased with myself for staying positive and for putting in the months of training that we did. Thanks to my training partner and good friend Sue.

Thanks especially to Budgie and the friends that I have made through my triathlon experience.

What’s next?

Julie Kerr