Well 2014 has started and, as Irongirl is still away in New Zealand, it's about time I added a new chapter to the ever growing blog collection.
Who can remember the very first ½ ironman that Toni entered a few years ago, where the only aim was to finish? Oh how times have changed.
But before I compare ½ ironman races, let's have a look back at the results of 2013, and where better to start than with me :)
I competed in a number of short distance runs ranging from 5 to 14km events. One particular event that I ran with our friend Mel, an experience that Mel may remember for a long time to come (enough said).
I also did two half marathons. The first was with Irongirl in May which we ran together the whole way and for the first time Toni broke the magical 120 minute barrier.
Then in October we both lined up for the second half marathon of the year and, as you would have read in previous blogs, Toni showed again her improved running ability and I set a new PB of 105 minutes.
Interceded with these events I also found the time to compete in two full marathons where I set a PB in the first of the year and stayed within 10 minutes of that PB on the second. So overall a pleasing 2013…
But there’s more.
Let's summarise Irongirl's exploits over 2013 (just the major ones):
Sydney City to Surf (14km fun run): PB Check
Sydney Half Marathon: PB Check
Blackmores Marathon: PB Check
Ironman New Zealand (the A race): PB Check
Ironman Cairns (the B race): PB Check*
*This wasn’t supposed to happen as the A race at IMNZ was the focus and IM Cairns was just to complete the distance towards the 12 races needed to get a Kona slot. (yeah right) :)
Not a bad year’s work!!
But now we come to 2014 and as you would have read in Toni’s previous blog, I gave the green light for Tauranga. As the year progressed from time to time I mentioned that I thought a sub 6 hour race in Tauranga was possible. However Irongirl brushed this off and just wanted to do a good race. ##
But let's look back a few years to that ½ ironman race in Lake Hood, just out of Ashburton, where Toni’s only focus was to finish inside the 7 hour cutoff, and finish she did, which led on to full Ironman and the rest is history.
The Tauranga half ironman was a different focus, not only to finish, but go out and give it a good crack. Toni and I even had the odd discussion about a top 11 finish, which would have meant qualification for the NZ age group team for the world long course champs in China later in the year.
So as you already know, the target of 6 hours was achieved and 11th place in Toni’s age division means potential NZ team qualification. Although it wasn't an option for this year, it's nice to know what’s achievable and, who knows, Irongirl may turn up at the Tauranga race again with the aim of qualifying in the not too distant future. :)
In the meantime I am at day 21 of the www.slowtwitch.com 100 runs in 100 days challenge, currently sitting just outside the top 30 (not that I’m competitive or anything) and Toni is content in the knowledge that another chapter in the ever growing Irongirl legend has been completed.
½ Ironman PB and sub 6 hours: Check/Check
Top 11 placing in age group and Tauranga ½: Check
Overall a pretty awesome start to 2014.
So the 2014 event calendar for Team Irongirl is pretty much set: a couple of fun runs, a ½ marathon, a marathon, and just a couple of Ironman events. And that’s just Toni’s schedule...
It’s going to be a great year. Why?
Because St Pete said so…
The end or just a new beginning.
## Have to say it, “I may have been proven right!!!”
No comments:
Post a Comment