28 January 2012

Challenge Wanaka was one of the most exciting races I have been a part of and I am constantly impressed by all the athletes that take on the ironman challenge even if they are my competitors.

To change it up a bit, I’ve written my race report in third person. Yep.. probably a bit weird but I reckon the race reporting was a bit slack on the women’s side so I decided to swap my bike helmet and become a temporary journalist and give a bit more insight. I also decided to do it because I placed 4th again and it’s a bit boring writing blogs that are constantly based around  “…..and then I placed 4th”.

WINDY WANAKA CHALLENGE IRON-DISTANCE RACE.

Another 6:30am windy start to the Challenge Wanaka Iron Distance this year, certainly living up to its name ‘Challenge Wanaka’. Not only has the wind been known to literally blow riders off their bikes and bring runners to a stand-still in their tracks, but the race organisers add their own flare by throwing in some pretty solid hills over the 180km cycle, and 42km largely trail run, which includes a few solid sandy sections and of course more hills that make you weep a little bit inside.

Challenge Wanaka is a great test for any athlete wanting to go that extra mile to test their personal perseverance. It certainly is a tough course.

The supreme women’s race:

Nicole Ward and Gina Crawford powered through the 3.8km swim coming out of the water in just over 54min in unfavourable choppy conditions. Gina Crawford, with her sights set on winning her 4th Wanaka Challenge title immediately put the pressure on the bike to open a lead on the rest of the women’s field. 

After 50km the women were fairly spread out, Gina Crawford leading and well ahead after her strong swim and powerful get away, chopping her way through the 180km cycle.

Tamsyn Hayes (racing her first professional ironman race) and Candice Hammond appeared to be working together to close the gap on Crawford in 3rd and 4th place.  After aprox 70kms the two girls caught

Julia Grant in 2nd, who was racing her first ironman after previous success at ITU racing. Julia jumped on the chance to join the ‘pain train’ of Hayes and Hammond and the girls settled into a efficient rotation between them taking 5min turns in front.  After 110km the chasing bunch of three was only within 2:20min off Crawford, however word got to her that they were gaining ground and she had “better put her foot down” which is exactly what the determined Crawford did. Despite their combined efforts, Crawford showed the girls why she is 8 times Ironman Champion and managed to power away from the chasing group on her own, gaining another 2min on them in the remaining 70km.

Heading into the last 20km of the 180km ride, trouble had struck Tamysn Hayes’s flash as bike, worth more than a house in Raetihi as it started falling to pieces on the final hill climb. Her headset had come loose and bolts were seen rolling down the hill as she tried to maintain control of the situation.

“Have you got an allen key?” Hammond was heard shouting. “No! Hayes was yelling back. “But I have some cellotape that I used to tape my gels onto my bike, I don’t want to stop, so I’m going to use that to try and tape my head-set back on!” …….oh dear!

Julia Grant still riding with the girls, sensed the commotion going on and let her competitive instinct kick in. She made a decisive move and attacked for the top of the hill with Britta Martin who had ridden by-herself up to the chase group hot on Julia’s bike tyre. (maintaining 7 metres non-draft of course). Britta Martin recorded the fastest bike split of the day. An impressive feat in some gusty headwind conditions as she must weigh the best part of 45kgs.

Through transition, Gina Crawford had maintained her lead starting the 42km run, with a determined look that said only a steam train would slow her down. The mother of six-month old Benji was putting on a great performance in supreme style in her first ironman race after having a year off to have her first child.

Britta Martin establishing 2nd place, continued to work hard at closing the gap on Crawford, but ended up running exactly the same run time, 3:17 on a difficult course separated only by 5seconds (over42km) and 2:30min over the total ironman distance.

Meanwhile a race was unfolding for the minor placings behind the eventual 1st and 2nd, with Julia Grant holding 3rd, Candice Hammond in 4th and Tamsyn Hayes in 5th. In ironman it’s never over until it’s over and after 21km these positions had changed once again. 

Simone Maier a Wanaka based athlete and 2nd placer in Wanaka Challenge last year, had a bit of a slow start to the day in the swim, but gained momentum during the bike leg as was now in a full fledged ironman 'sprint' over the 42km run, determined to make up ground.

Coming from behind Maier had worked her way through the field and was now almost within reach of Hammond who had moved into 3rd place. Hammond appeared to know she was coming and was last seen cursing a few words under her breath as she turned to see Maier not running, but literally charging from behind with only 2km left to the finish line after a long day racing. Maier made the pass with Hammond attempting on hang on. Not only were both girls after the placing, but there was $2000 extra prize money sitting on the 3rd place getter.

Needless to say Simone Maier earnt her winnings for the day and only 57seconds separated 3rd and 4th position over nearly 10 hours of racing.

Julia Grant finished a very strong 5th a credible feat for her first ironman race on one of the toughest Challenge courses. Nicole Ward also came through the field after her strong swim and run to finish 6th, great effort

Tamsyn Hayes in 7th who spent a bit of time in the medical tent after the race suffering from severe dehydration, Aussie athlete Jodie Scott 8th, Jo Carrel and Sarah Richardson 9th & 10th.

Needless to say Gina Crawford has certainly set the benchmark on the Wanaka course undefeated for the 4th time. It’s going to take someone special to have a crack at beating Gina at what is becoming her home turf race course. It’s also great to see some new kiwi blood taking on the ardours event of Ironman, what an exciting women’s race!

Your reporter,

C Hammond.

THANKYOU to Anna Ward for having us in her very comfortable home in Wanaka and for introducing us to the best Cafe Wanaka  'Urban Grind'.

My partner Elliot completed his first Ironman with an incredible strong swim, outstanding bike and ...well we will just say he got through the brutal run. Placing 3rd in his age group. Solid effort.
Sara Hanning also a former rower from Wairau Rowing club (we have suffered alot together) placed 3rd in her age group and took over 90min off last years time. What a woman!

THANKYOU to Pene Smith, Roz Knox Heather and Raewyn Idoine and the other two members of the cheer squad who tried to out-cheer the 7000 supporters of local athlete Simone Maier who powered past me in the final stages of the race. I tried guys....you definitely helped and I loved the costume!

31 December 2011

I couldn't sleep tonight for some reason so I wrote this. Its about some experiences of racing ironman. (Just a note, the following is supposed to be taken tounge in cheek.)

"Ironman is a wicked sport and I hope to be doing it for a while,  but here is what you need to know before turning pro"

Very very few get rich off competing in sport. You are going to be on a budget, for a long time, ...potentially the rest of your life because while your friends are working hard to build up savings, buy homes etc, you are err.... "investing in your sport".

Your bike is not a bike. It is a torture machine. Riding in the time-trial position for hours on end is not natural. Your feet go numb, your legs will niggle, expect to get some sort of crutch rash or bruising, accept the lower back pain and tight neck because it never really goes away. Find yourself a good physio or masseuse.

Embrace the loner within you. It's going to be difficult to find training partners that want to cycle that long, run that far and swim up and down a pool that many times.

Some of your closest friends and family will never really understand why you do this sport. That's ok, these people are important, they are your key to distracting you from your (sometimes) lame life because they will simply enjoy trying to take you away from your daily routine.

It's normal to be so tired from training that you don't know what month it is, you struggle to hold a conversation and you don't know what happened to your friends.

Try and nab yourself a girlfriend or boyfriend or husband/wife before you start embarking on an ironman training regime. If you really commit to the training, it's better that they knew you before you became a celibate, fatigued, dragon lady/man. They will be more likely to stick with you in the hope that one day you become normal again.

Find a coach you trust and let them do their job while you do yours.

If you weren't really a consistent runner before you starting to run marathons in an ironman, you are probably going to learn the hard way about problems associated with eating too close to running, and what foods you can suitably digest before a run. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur during or after hard runs.

If this happens in public expect your running friends to understand and leave you alone. If your non-running friends find out, you will be mocked and stories of shame exaggerated in front of others. Take it on the chin. It happens.

There is no such thing as a public holiday nor a weekend off, in-fact a coach often see this as their opportunity to hammer you in training as if you do have work, they know you don't have to be there.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve, we've had a solid training week. I have a six hour training day tomorrow, the next day is a three hour run. I'm 27 and I'll probably be in bed by 9pm.

Its ok if you spend time in the fetal position on your living room floor. It's not ok if you start crying.

If you are fit, racing can be hard but exciting, euphoric, living the dream. Training can also be pretty alright but often it can get repetitive, boring, monotonous, hard slog. Its just part of it. Try to always have a goal not too far away.

Your supporters are as important as your nutrition. While you are out hammering the pavement achieving pb's, passing your competitors and thinking how great it all is, they are standing on the side line for hours on end waiting for you to swim, bike or run past. Yes they look very enthusiastic each time you pass them but secretly they may be getting a little bored inside. Its a long day for them as well.

Competing in ironman races only introduces you to more psychotic endurance freaks, Someone will always have swam faster, ran further, biked harder raced more. Don't worry about it..

Sponsors are awesome, I couldn't do this without them.

Human stamina is simply incredible. The hardest thing to getting fit isn't the physical exertion you have to undertake but the consistency of it on a daily basis.

Ironman is more than just a race it's a unique journey into one's development. Thought I'd finish on a cheesy note.

Candice

28 December 2011

I raced the Taupo Half Ironman last weekend and finished up with a 3rd placing behind Sam Warriner and Gina Crawford.  I am very happy to finish off the year with this result.

This race gave me a great perspective in reflection of 2011. Last time I raced the Taupo Half Ironman I didn’t have a coach or a solid training structure to go by, just this unusual feeling that I wanted to keep competing in ironman races.  After gaining a coach in December 2010(Keegan Williams), with a bit more of a plan, some painful sessions and and some good training guidance, some of my race times have improved by 30min from last year, so I'm pretty stoked with the progress so far.

I have loved the opportunity to train, race and travel to some great places around New Zealand and aboard. Hopefully 2012 will be another great year with a few more ironman races the odd marathon and whatever else Keegan decides to randomly throw in there …. 10km swim anyone?

Next race is Wanaka Challenge 21st January 2012.

2011 Results.

1st New Plymouth Half Ironman

9th Ironman NZ (1st 25-29 age group)

4th Challenge Cairns Iron-distance race

1st Cambridge Harriers Half marathon

4th Challenge Henley Ironn-distance race

4th Auckland Marathon

1st Coast Duathlon (14km, 80km, 10km)

1st Karapiro Half Ironman

3rd Taupo Half Ironman.

2nd Rotorua Half Ironman Team with Isak Meyer (Swim and Run)

23 November 2011

Movember has been a pretty full on month.

It started off with a 192km time trial around the Coromandel, followed by the Auckland Marathon the next day, then off to Gisborne for the Coast Duathlon, with the following weekend back home to race in the local Karapiro half iron-distance race.

Not to mention myself and four flatmates all turned a year older….although only my coach was willing to celebrate the big 27 with me, as he decided we would swim 10km in a 25m pool (that's 400 lengths!) which left me pretty hammered for the rest of the day…I’m not looking forward to what he will come up with for a milestone birthday three years away!

Running the Auckland Marathon was a bit of a last minute decision. The race had already sold out but a spare entry became available from Brodie and Alzelda Madgwick and I was given the option to compete. We decided I might as well make a good training weekend of it and treat the marathon a bit like an ironman race by cycling 192km time trial on Saturday and running Sunday.

So Friday night I was off to Thames to stay with the very welcoming Debie and Steve Driver.  Admittedly the K2 cycle race around the Coromandel was also on the same day, but being a road race I was not allowed to enter on a time trial bike. I started well before the race and simply treated it like a long loner racing day. I had the afternoon for a bit of R&R, then headed to Auckland to stay with Nola Idoine at the Sir Edmund Hillary Retirement Village to prepare for the run. With its great views, private gym, pool and good company, the Retirement Village has become one of my favourite places to stay in Auckland. Thanks Nola!

I wasn’t too sure how my body was prepared for the marathon on race morning, I had a 3am wake up for a 6:10am race start. Pretty early for the legs to be hammering the pavement, but being part of an event which has over 15,000 competitors over different distances creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere which not too surprisingly, wakes the body up. To cut a long run short, I ended up placing 4th in 2:56.58 which I was a bit surprised with! It’s been great to see some progress (thanks Keegan) as its 25minutes faster that I ran my last marathon (not including ironman racing) in 2009.

The Gisborne Coast Duathlon was my next weekend event. My sponsor Battle Hill Citrus Fruits are Gisborne based so the duathlon was a great opportunity for me and my partner Elliot to support a local event.  I was informed by the locals that this race was pretty casual and a bit of fun. Don’t let them fool you. It is incredibly tough and only really fun once you have crossed the finish line and your legs have stopped burning from all the hills!

This race has been run for 23years and in its heyday used to attract over 1000 competitors as it was the NZ Long Course Duathlon Champs. These days it’s regarded as more of a local race with around 100 hardy competitors but still competing just as hard. The race follows the road straight up the coast with a 14km run (hills) 80km bike (many hills) 10km run (basically all uphill).

The great thing about the Coast Duathlon is that the roads are fairly quiet and you are allowed a support person, ..well its essential to have a support person because there are no drink stations and being the east coast, the weather turns the heat on! Elliot is now training towards his first ironman in Wanaka , so my usual support person has resigned and dad got the call up to be our supporter and hand out drink bottles, set up bikes and running shoes in transition, and generally spend over four hours rushing up and down the coast between Elliot and I. Not an easy task, but dad did it like a pro.

Hugh Allison is the farm manager where I work, also came to compete and between Elliot, Hugh and myself we came away with the Open men, Veteran and Open women’s title. Although I finished a bit gutted at being beaten by both the boys…which will just stand as a bit of motivation for next year!

Thankyou so much to Darnelle Timbs and her flatmates for having us at your beautiful coastal house, and it was great to see Bess and Georgia Halley, looking good!

Following the Gisborne race, we came back home to Cambridge to prepare for the Karapiro Half (ironman) distance race. I was looking forward to this as it is always fun competing in local races and there is the advantage of knowing the course very well.  The swim in Lake Karapiro was pretty uneventful, I was stoked to be able to keep up with the front bunch coming out over 27min. The bike course was challenging, with a few flats but a lot of small hills over the three lap course which makes it difficult to get any rhythm, but is also a great test on the legs. Then there’s the 21km run to the finish. Pretty much all flat except a couple hills which you get to run up and down a few times! Race organiser Errol and his team did a fantastic job of running the event and I’m looking forward to racing again next year. I managed to defend the Women’s title from last year, so I will be working hard for 2012 to go faster!

That is racing done for a few weeks, with my next race being Kellogg Nutri-Grain Taupo Half Ironman on December 10th. Not too far away, but enough time to get in a few solid weeks training.

On an added note for those who have a bit of crazy in you, the Gisborne GWALoop is coming up on Janurary 21st. It is a 204km cycle race, but there are short distances or team options. I usually head over to compete but with a date change it now clashes with Wanaka Challenge. However,  anyone  that is a fan of the Coromandel K2 cycle race or competes in ironman…or is just looking for a great challenge with a good excuse to spend time at some of New Zealand’s best beaches afterwards, check out the website http://www.gwaloop.co.nz/gwaloop-cycle-challenge/

Thankyou also to Ray Sheldrake for adding some new photo’s taken while competing in the Coast Duathlon. Appreciate your work Ray!

26 September 2011

Challenge Henley is done and dusted, I finished fourth and a little disappointed but I gave it my best shot on the day.

http://www.challengehenley.com/

In contrast to the heat of racing in Cairns, Henley was very cold. I don’t think anything could have really prepared me for the swim at 15 degrees on the misty Thames river at 6:30am…. Gives me the chills just thinking about it again!

The first thirty minutes (or so) of the swim was ok, but after a while it really was starting to chill me to the bone and all I could think was ‘Get me out of this water!’  I definitely have a new understanding and respect for those who have swam the English Channel without a wetsuit, incredibly hardy people!

I found myself in a bunch of about five and just stuck with them.  Every time I looked up I couldn’t see anyone else in front of us, so although I found the swim pace a little moderate I decided to stick with them and hopefully not lose too much time on the girls who were in front.

Through to transition I had a worried moment when my leg cramped up so bad I couldn’t move it, not a great moment, however once I got some warmer gear on I hoped I’d be ok and I was on my way. 

While I was prepared for the cold after the swim, with arm warmers, a thick fleece shoved under my tri top and carrying a thermal top just in case, cycling into the wind in wet shorts and a wet tri top at 7:30am on a cold morning wasn’t a highlight! It was tough. After about 30min I stopped and put my extra thermal on. Although trained not to ever stop in a race, not even to go to the toilet, I was getting pretty desperate. My hands weren’t functioning so it took a few frustrating moments to get the thermal on, however I think it was worth it as afterwards I started to warm up a bit.

This was my fourth ironman race and it was by far the most honest cycling course in terms of non-drafting. Because the fast age group men had started with the pro’s most of them were out of the water and onto the bike before me and there was no chance of working within a group which often helps for some faster pacing. At each of the turns on the three lap course I could see the other girls in front and they were in the same position as me, just grinding it out alone. The course was also very hilly with long gradual climbs this also broke up any pace groups.

I slowly caught each of three girls on the bike course moving into first place, however I knew I would need a good buffer as I was well aware there were some quick marathon runners in the group and I needed the best head-start I could get!

Yvette Grice and I came into transition together and started off on the run, we ran side by side for a while, but after the 3km mark I noticed we were running around 4min per km pace, which would be ok for a half marathon, but not if I wanted to finish the marathon strong, so I backed off as I had a run pace I was supposed to stick to, unfortunately though I didn’t quite stick with this either!

There were a few lush grassy paddocks included on the run course and a few gravel section’s, hey it’s great for some variation but it’s definitely not my speciality and I think this threw me off a bit. My running in training has been better than what I reflected in the race and it wasn’t my overall placing but my run effort that I was most disappointed with.

With Yvette already in front I was soon chased down by Charisa Wernick and Louise Collins with little response. I just tried to keep running as strong as I could to get across that finish line.

Thanks to the very enthusiastic  support from my sister Brooke and friend Simone. There was also a lot of local support which was greatly appreciated by us foreigners on a tough course.

The Challenge Henley organisers and volunteers did a fantastic job for their first year in running the event, their friendless, enthusiasm and humor were great and I loved being a part of it.

Jill and Moria Russell were our home-stay family in London in the lead up to racing in Henley. They pointed me in the direction of the best local training facilities which made settling into the area a lot quicker and easier. Thankyou so much for your hospitality!

Thanks also to Brooke who got to experience the joys of supporting an ironman! Ahh… the early morning starts, the waiting ten hours for me to finish a race in the rain, awkwardly carrying a 20kg bike box and our luggage everywhere, and paying excessive amounts for airfares! Thanks for coming Brooke! You were fantastic!

There are many others who are supporting me weeks before the race begins, thanks for helping me get to the start line again:

Battle Hill Citrus Fruits, Paul Taitoko at Cape Physio (keeps me on my feet), Andrew Sheath at Hamilton Shoe Clinic, Graham Scott, Kevin Burgess at Amcal Pharmacy, Craig Albany, Andrew & Adele, Petal, my coach Keegan Williams as well as family and friends.

We are coming to the start of our NZ triathlon season and I’m really looking forward to hitting out a few half ironman’s with the next ironman not until January in Wanaka.

24th JULY 2011

Back into training, now working towards Challenge Henley on September 18th.

To keep me on my toes I will also be a participant in NZ Duathlon Champs in Taupo, which will be interesting. Not too sure how that will go as it will be a first, but looking forward to some racing.

The weather a couple weeks ago made life pretty difficult, heavy rain and gusty winds made me feel like I was training each day in slow motion, it wasn’t the most inspiring outdoor training experience. There is little option but to accept it and just get out the door.

I have been occasionally training with the Te Awamutu Swim Club under coach Craig Albery to work on my swimming. Besides mum sending me to some ‘learn to swim’ sessions when I was very young, and having a love for the beach, I've never had a specific reason to swim on a frequent basis in the past. So having switched to the sport of ironman a couple months short of my 25th birthday, my swimming ability has a lot to be desired.

I’m not ashamed to admit that the kids in the swim squad (who are half my age), literally give me a thrashing on these morning's. I do sincerely believe that these kids spend so much time in the water that they have partly evolved into fish, they are that superbly efficient.  I’ve resolved to just try and keep up with their 

 tiny feet for as long as I can before collapsing in a heap at the shallow end of the pool for a short break while they continue to lap it out. 

No, swimming isn’t my strength, however the odd moment of momentum which I occasionally feel keeps me motivated and hoping I will eventually improve. I can only imagine how awesome it must feel to be that fast in the water. 

There is one association I really don’t like about swimming, which is the ‘code brown’.  The code brown is notorious during school holidays. Considering the pool I use is nearly a 20min drive away (usually with a petrol tank that is on empty), to get to there and be told again ‘sorry just had a code brown, we have had to close the pool today’ is really frustrating, ...a little disgusting, a little funny, but also just frustrating. Code brown, if you haven’t guessed is when a (presumably) child feels relaxed enough, or is perhaps extremely scared from swimming into the deep end and has decided to release their bowels.

On another note, it has been an exciting month with my Coach Keegan Williams placing 3rd in the Roth Challenge (iron distance) race and Graham O'Grady competing in America with a 1st and a 4th in the 70.3, only one week apart.  My brother is also overseas working towards his sporting goals in the New Zealand Rowing team as part of the Men’s four. They will compete in the World Champs in Bled Slovenia, where all crews will aim to qualify their boats for the Olympics, so best of luck!

5th JUNE 2011

Ironman #3.

It was a tough in Cairns Sunday, however I am happy with my efforts in the Challenge Ironman distance race, finishing 4th with the Pro women.

Elliot and I arrived ten days early to acclimatize to the heat and I’m glad we did. Race day was a killer 30 degrees, I have never raced in conditions this warm before so it was a bit of a shock to the system.

I felt pretty relaxed and ready for this race.  Having the time in Aussie with no distractions in the lead up really helped. All I had to focus on Keegans training program, and make sure I was well recovered and fresh for race day to give it heaps.  I was pretty concerned about the possibility of local crocs being in the same water as the ocean swim race, that and stinger jelly fish! We were assured that the threats were pretty low however even a minor threat got the adrenalin pumping for me, that’s one way to get anyone swimming faster!

So 3.8km of thrashing it out in the water and onto the 180km cycle leg. The road out to Port Douglas was absolutely stunning and so smooth which made for some great cycling speed. We had the coast on one side and bush on the other. Couldn’t ask for anything better.

For the first 60km I was at it alone. The lead age group men would fly past me, but for most of it there was no one in sight. It gets pretty hard at time like these because you have no idea of your position in the race or how far ahead the other women are. All you have is road ahead and aching legs. Eventually a group of guys came past and what a difference that makes. Even though we have to maintain a 7metre gap (or risk 5min drafting penalty), there is still a great benefit of having someone those 7m ahead. Mentally it gives you a greater focus and it definitely breaks the head wind a bit. I can see the controversy that always applies with the cycle leg of ironman. I could not believe how close some people were getting within the drafting zone. Some guys were more like 1m behind another cyclist. That is just not ironman! There are technical officials on the course monitoring the daft zone and a few were pulled over.. However with the half ironman competitors also on the course at the same time some sections were getting pretty congested. Hopefully the race organizers will look at these issues for next year to make the course of a fair standard to all athletes.

 I came off the bike with legendary Rebekah Keat a few seconds up ahead. She went on to run a superb race and take the win. I was just ecstatic to have ridden with her! That was definitely the highlight of my race. Through transition from bike to run and Rebekah had literally sprinted away from me, I need a bit more time to run like that!

At around 6km into the 42km I was hit head on with the heat. Suddenly I wasn’t feeling too good. The first 20km was run on a state highway so we are talking hot ashphalt and no shade.  Aid stations were set roughly every 2km. This might seem pretty close, but I assure you it was necessary. The cups of ice were a lifesaver, I shoved ice everywhere!

I could see Belinda Granger up ahead on the road and I focused on slowly catching her. This was probably my second highlight as the pass moved me into third place woop woop! However I wasn’t quick enough to stick with Michelle Mitchell’s brutal pace and she flew past me not long after.

The following 22km was a three lap circuit up and down the water front. There was a lot of crowd support and a bit of shade although still bloody hot! Belinda and I were swapping positions a lot from 4th to 5th.  Having her there really helped me though the last stages of the race, if I dropped back she would take the lead, so I’d have to fight to hang on, then I would get a small surge of energy and try to get back in front. In the last 5km I just went for it. I loved the fact that I got to run with Belinda Granger as she is a very established ironwoman, however I really didn’t want this to come down to a sprint for the finish line, that would have been just torture!  I spent nearly 10years rowing, previous to the switch to ironman but I always treat the last 2km like a rowing race which means you have to make it hurt until the end! I was getting lightening bolts of cramp down one leg that I could feel coming on, however I managed to get across the line just in front. My finishing time was 9:43hr. A new PB, pretty happy as the cycle course was 3km longer than the iron distance of 180k.

My coach Keegan is planning my next race in a few months time, which I’ already looking forward to.

Thanks to Elliot the greatest supporter/training partner/cook/bike mechanic/map reader, etc  who came on the trip and helped me prepare.

New Zealander Graham O Grady was a machine on the swim and cycle for the pro men, great to have him over there in the lead up to the race.

Thanks to all of the support I have received and to those who have helped me get to the start line, couldn’t do it without you!

4 MAY 2011

I haven’t competed in any major races lately, just a lot of training. However I will be heading to Wanganui this weekend to race a 10km river run and do some fundraising for my Cairns trip.

I had swim training this morning, but my coach commented that I was swimming more like a grandma than my usual self and I was given the rest of the day off. Despite the tiredness I do see the big picture.  Times like these I call on my rowing back-round, which always confirms in my mind how hard you have to train if you want to achieve anything.  The killer thing with ironman is the sessions can be VERY long! 

There are a few people I would like to thank who are helping achieve my goals and take it to the next level. When I’m having a rough day your support gets me through it.

ANDREW AND ADELE WILSON

KEVIN BURGEES AT CAMBRIDGE AMCAL PHARMACY

PAUL AT CAPE PHYSIO IN TE AWAMUTU.  Paul = legend.

GRAHAM SCOTT

FERGUS KING

Only twenty days until departure. I’m looking forward to tapper week, whoop whoop!

Thanks again to everyone.

---

1 April 2011

Hi again. Plans are in place for Cairns and the nerves are already setting in.

My coach has me working pretty hard, but time is also flying, just over two months until race day..

This will be my first race as a pro woman, so I’m pretty excited, it will be great to see where I fit in.

I’m also s l o w l y working on my university degree and have started taking some courses in Sports Massage Therapy, of which once I’m qualified I’m hoping (it) will be a great occupation around ironman training.

Back on the bike….

Thanks for reading!

10TH MARCH

Despite the constant downfall of rain throughout the day, which left competitors and spectators drenched, I have to admit I really loved racing on the Taupo course this year.

The day started off as usual for me, running late to the start line. However fortunately my partner Elliot was there to help me get everything sorted.

I had a rough swim, I didn’t position myself well amongst the thrashing arms and legs and ended up between two bunches, not fast enough to keep up with those ahead and a bit faster than those behind,.. except for one particular guy that spent a lot of time tapping my feet, as much as I tried to be like a windmill in gale force winds with my arms, I couldn’t get away from him.  Rather frustrating! However I got through it. I was disappointed with my time upon exiting the water, but decided to put that behind me once in transition.

The night before the race I had received a text from some friends Andrew and Adele who had said “just enjoy it”.  I thought about this as I panicked my way in and out of transition. No point in stressing out before riding 180km.

Most of the ride is a bit of a blur…literally because I couldn’t see much out of my sunglasses due to the constant rainfall and condensation, probably not the safest way to ride!

Last year when I competed in ironman for the first time, the ride took me just over 6hours. It was painful. I don’t race with a speedo on, so it was just head down, eat, drink, retain seven metre gap between riders and hope to break six hours! I felt pretty good found a rhythm and zoned into it.

Back in transition after 180km I was pretty surprised to see a 5:15hr for my cycle time. Definitely underestimated myself there! Later we found out it was the third fastest time for the women, so I was pretty stoked. Thanks to my coach for all the training we did on the bike…not that I always enjoyed it!

Into the run and the spectators were fantastic. The amount of encouragement stopped me thinking how much my legs were hurting. Plodding along there were some exciting moments when I saw the pro men and women running in the opposite direction on the two lap course. Sam Warriner, Jo Lawn and current World Champion Miranda Carfrae were battling it out. Unfortunately Miranda and Jo had punctured on the cycle course so they were making up lost time, however all of them are a great inspiration to me. It’s pretty cool to compete in the same race and witness the calibre of elite women’s and men's racing.

The run is where the ironman kicks in. It’s where the real battle starts. Muscles seize up, dehydration sets in, minor hills suddenly feel a lot steeper, life generally gets harder! You just work through it one step at a time. With five km to go I extended my plod to a sub 5min per km (not exactly flying) and made sure I was going to cross the line having given it all I had left.

Nine hours and fifty-six minutes later I crossed the line in 9th place out of the women and first in my 25-29 age group. I was really happy with the result. My coach Keegan placed an impressive forth in the pro men another great result for him.

Next race is Cairns Ironman Challenge in Aussie, June 5th.

IRONMAN RACE 2011 ....from the desk of Candice Hammond

I’m really happy with the Ironman race in Taupo. My finish time was 9:56hr. I didn’t really have a solid time in mind that I had wanted to achieve this year, but I certainly didn’t think I could go under 10hours. So in that respect I am stoked!

New Plymouth Half Ironman Feb. 2011

Photos and quote courtesy Taranaki Daily News:

Hamond came up with one of the quotes of the day when asked about the cycle leg.
"I just went as hard as I could on the bike and hoped I could run."
Hammond said she loved the ride out to Rahotu.
"It was great with the tailwind, but it was pretty hard coming in. I just ran as hard as I could. It's not boring, it's beautiful. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone."
Not only did she win, she also picked up the fastest cycle and the fastest run.

Candice was the Ladies Winner of both the 2009 and 2010 Gwaloop Cycle Challenge events. A distance of 204km from Gisborne to Wairoa via Nuhaka and back to Gisborne via Tiniroto.