My Kona Experience, 2006
Julie Saunders

Having not had the best lead up to the race, I was glad when it finally came time to depart for Hawaii – no more time for anything else to go pear shaped! Due to the updated carry-on restrictions for American flights I had all my powders prepared for the flight, my empty water bottle for mixing, and was set to go. Unfortunately they were not even allowing us to carry empty drink bottles on board and were developing quite a stockpile as nearly every athlete that went past lost one. Piece of advice to travelling athletes: trying to mix drinks in the right proportions, during turbulence, in those tiny cups that they give you is not easy - half the powder ended up on my tray and in the aisle.

From the moment we arrived in Kona you saw people cycling and running everywhere. And, as I often think at Ironman events, I never realised that there were so many ridiculously fit looking people in the world. I must say, I felt quite out of place at times.

The days leading up to the race consisted of a number of events:
• Endless walks up and down Ali’i Drive
• Endless trips through the expo – you can never have everything you want
• Ensuring mum was bringing my pump – note to self: always have someone travelling after you to bring all those quite important items that you somehow manage to not pack (although it was in the pile)
• An earthquake – for which of course I had to be on the toilet at the time
• Swimming after the earthquake with a warning sign up saying, ‘Beach closed, possible tsunami’ – well, it did take me a while to decide to go in, but plenty of others were!
• Driving the bike course – one-lap courses seem soooo much further? And the sight of a wind farm just before Hawi (turn around town) did not fill me with confidence
• Athlete parade and carbo-party – I must agree with Sally’s report that soon you realise that this is the American champ’s not the world champs
• Training rides and runs – after not really being able to run or ride for the month prior, I was glad to see that I still new how
• Bike and bag check in – for which I nearly forgot my sports bra. That would have really got the crowd going with my white top!

Race day was then upon us before you knew it. Up early for some breakfast and the nerves started to kick in. We decided to start the walk towards town and get on the bus when it came by. I am glad that we made the decision to walk, as we made it all the way to town before we saw the bus. I don’t think that standing there on the road for fifteen to twenty minutes would have helped calm me down somehow.

After going through the usual check-in procedures it was time to join the queues to enter the water. Just as I left my bike though someone said that we could get in off the edge of the Pier. This was great – I got to sit on the edge of the Pier, not far back from the start line and watch the Pro’s head off. Then I could wait until just before race start time to get in the water and find myself a nice spot.

The race then began and it was all on. They say that there was a current, though I think that I was so focused on just keeping a steady pace that I didn’t seem to notice. I was very conscious of not wanting to push it too hard in the swim given that I knew I was going to need everything I had for the bike and run ahead. So when I got out of the water under an hour ten I was stoked – I had a good swim time and I still felt quite fresh. Transition went smoothly and I was soon off on the bike.

Now the thing that I love least about Ironman is the bike leg and the thing that I love the most (behind reaching the finish line) is getting off the bike! It all started out alright, although I had soon abandoned my nutrition strategy and swapped it to a carbo-shot every forty minutes and continual drinks the rest of the time. At each aid station I swapped any water I had left for a cold one, probably pouring half of it over my back rather than down my throat.

Soon enough I was at the turn that marked the start of the gradual 18 mile ascent into Hawi. I felt ok on the way out, but once I turned around, got back down the hill and had to start doing some work again I soon found out just how much it had actually taken out of me. Only managing to get in one real hills training session was definitely not working in my favour. The rest of the ride back home was quite a mental battle.

Finally though town arrived in sight (though I swear that on both the run and the ride you go through so many more sets of traffic lights on the way back than the way out). Ahh, to be off the bike – what a joy! Onto the run, my favourite part of the race. I started fairly strongly, probably from the exhilaration of being off the bike, and settled into making sure that I found a comfortable pace and enjoyed the race. My ankle was a tad sore, but once the rest of the body starts to hurt, you don’t notice the ankle!

Well the pace didn’t exactly last, but the enjoyment did (well most of the time). The run continued along its merry way until town was then once again in sight. That was when it began to rain. And it didn’t just rain – it poured. As I began to run the last part of the leg through town, the feeling of excitement and satisfaction within grew and grew and the rain didn’t bother me in the slightest – actually I think I quite enjoyed it – it is the things like that that make races that much more memorable. Zigzagging through the puddles and around the spectators (as the driest patches where often on the sidewalk) I reach Ali’i Drive and there was Gibbo waiting for me with my Australian flag and cheering me on. I don’t think that I really remember the finish to tell you the truth. I remember holding my flag up high and feeling so amazed by all that was around me and so proud, and probably relieved, to have finished.

The race itself was definitely the biggest mental, physical and emotional roller coaster of my life. I was on the verge of crying endless number of times:
• On the Pier before I even got into the water – I just couldn’t believe I was there, at the world champs about to start the biggest Ironman race there was
• In the water just before the cannon went – honestly, the atmosphere is so amazing and you just get so overcome by it all
• Who knows how many times on the bike
• And then when I reached town on the run and I knew I was nearly home and nothing could stop me now.

I will never forget my trip to Kona, it was amazing. If I ever get the chance to go back and try again one day I will feel very privileged. To all those who helped along the way, thankyou so much:
• Jules, Al and Deaks – I could always count on some company at training when needed
• Grant – thanks for the swimming sessions
• Total Triathlon – for building my wheels in two weeks that another company couldn’t manage in 7 months
• Bikeforce South Perth – for all my bits and pieces. I would always come out of that shop will a smile on my dial
• Hamish Osborne – for the last minute help with the ankle and the cortisone – how good is that stuff, def did the job (and I only had a swollen ankle for prob the next 5 days – but hey – I got through the race so can’t say that I cared about that in the slightest)
• The volunteers – these guys are just on a whole different playing field. They are truly amazing (one local even followed the AFL – although he did support Collingwood)
• Mum and dad – for being my support crew. Although we did end up on the wrong side of the road every now and then I could not have done it without you
• An extra big thanks to Budgie – thanks for handling my constant barrage of questions. For continually adapting my program to account for set-back after set-back and yet always having the confidence in me that I could make it through
• And last but def not least, to Gibbo – he put up with it all. The highs, the lows and the breakdowns that seemed never ending at one stage. I am just glad that for this one you got to enjoy the holiday and get some rewards for your efforts too.

And for all those who go to Hawaii in the future, it is the most amazing place in the world. Two must do’s:
• See the lava flowing at dusk in Volcano
• Go to Maui and watch the sun rise above the clouds at 9000 feet – this is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see (just take every single piece of warm clothing you own)

I guess the only thing left now is what to do next…