IRONMAN Western Australia

What a race at IRONMAN Western Australia.  I was privileged to be doing some work with IRONMAN Oceania... more of that later.  I have also had the pleasure of coaching several athletes competing during the weekend.

Its been a few days and I have taken some to reflect on how they went and what could I perhaps do better in the future to improve the athlete's performance.

So first up - all the F4L Triathlon & Endurance athletes competing achieved personal bests.  Massive performance from each of them.  And how often as a coach do you get to say that?

Proud of the athlete's I coach?  Yes.  Every single one of them.

Big shout out to Claire for smashing a personal best in the IRONMAN of 11 hours and 26 minutes, especially with the challenges we had leading into the race.  Well done.

I don't really want to list all the athletes, however, Ben put to bed his performance in Malaysia a couple of weeks ago as he doubled up with a solid 70.3.  It was not planned that way.  After Malaysia 70.3 he had an easier week and then I asked him, why not have a crack at Busselton, we know you have the form, your legs are feeling ok, you are going anyway?  He didn't make the decision until late, but he delivered a result on Sunday which he was proud of.

Darryl also got a personal best after some challenges leading into the event.

However, I think the athlete that stood out to me is Paul Garwood.  Paul is not on a program, but he trains with our squad regularly.  Paul was a guide for Darren Stevens who is visually impaired.  Paul had to guide him through the swim, then ride a tandem

I got to see first hand how much goes into organising an IRONMAN triathlon event.  On the Friday I was on stage with the legend that is Pete Murray, helping with a beginners Question and Answer Session.  As I often say to my athletes, no such thing as a silly question... if you are thinking it... someone else will be too!

Saturday was an early morning practice swim - the idea was to get used to swimming in race day sea conditions, trying to keep everyone relaxed and have a little fun in the process.  Couple of easy laps of the marked course and then a game of chase the ace with a Tennis ball.

The rest of the day was doing briefings for race day as I would be spotting the pro men in the IRONMAN.  And doing transition tours for some very nervous athletes.  You get asked some crazy questions in those tours... all I could do as a coach was reassure the athletes and tell them that tomorrow would be ok.  I did wonder at times...

And then race day...

Being out there with some of the best athletes in the world at this distance was quite inspiring (no I have no intention of doing an IRONMAN).  However, as a coach I could see so much going down.  Who looked good, who didn't, who was riding within themselves, who was hanging in there and who was starting to struggle.  Once these guys hit the run it was a really exciting race... even once Torenzo Bozzone had caught and passed Cameron Wurf, Cameron hung tough and stayed in the race.  Matt Burton's run for third was impressive and I absolutely got the impression that he raced his own race all day and kept his head throughout.

On the back of the motorbike, you can have short conversations with the athletes if they are willing.  Its obvious when this is the case.  Possibly the funniest comment was from James Cunnama.  He may have suggested that Jodie makes a comeback and he can be a house husband!  Not sure he really meant it but it was funny.

I also got to see the athlete's I coach and many friends out on the course offering encouragement and support.

And then there was the performance on Caroline Steffen in the women's race... nothing else to add to that really.