Hi guys

Well some of you know already but yes this is what im aiming for this year,

I've been known to set slightly larger than normal goals lol. Well after doing one sprint triathlong my goal for 2009 is to complete Busselton iIronman.

I had planned to get into some serious ultra running this year but after being sick i just couldnt get the body willing to run more than 10 km without a struglle so i started swimming and cycling on the trainer to get fit.

At one stage i honestly think my running was getting slower lol. Anyway a series of events found me talking with a coach who really wanted to help me get to busselton. He has been amazing my program has pushed me without me over doing it and im feeling so much better.
My running is improving again and my swimming and cycling is gettign there too.

Mat my coach is a great guy He is helping me gain sponsorship so i can actually afford this little adventure. Its been a whole new experience. i recently did a radio interview which was cool.

People here have always said i have a story to tell and i guess now is th tie to tell it. I have always shied away from attention about my vision but over tha past months have found that it just makes it so much harder.

I never thought i'd get the opportunity to do a triathlon so much organising to do. but like the people here who have suported me with my running been there through the highs and lows i have found similar epople int he world of triathlon that really want to help me achieve my goals.

Ultra running hasnt been forgotten just put on hold for a year then it will be onward and upward Goal 2010 seems to be C2K thanks Brick for encouraging that one. So i guess Busselton Ironman could be considered base training for that lol

Anyway just though it was time to let the world know my plans after all I wouldn't be me if i didnt have some crazy goal in mind lol

I almost missed this post, Staypuff! I couldn't let it go by without adding something, though!

It will be a special event for all of us if you WERE to do Busso 09. I am planning to be there again, and I am looking forward to seeing you take the plunge.

More power to your mind, more strength to your legs, enjoy the whole journey.

You are an amazing person - can't wait to see you cross the line!

Muz

Thanks Muz

Training is goign really well. Ive gone from being terrified of open water to swimming 2.6 km and entering a coupe of open water races first this saturday with Kevin cassidy guiding.. am looking forward to it

Im feeling strong and am really enjoying the process of developing my cycling and swimming skills like running i started out with little and slowly am getting faster ad further.

I'll be in Canberra in a couple of weeks flying interstate alone frist time in a plane as well so that should be fun and doign the WAg womens tri up there. Was invited by the girls from FIt who run the tri as they have group designed to help people with disabilitys race.

FIt has also been generous enought o ffer to loan me a very nice race bike for the even and to do some trianing on later in the year. so if your in canberra come along and say hi and if you can support this group in any way i'd encourage they have been awesome.

Im really looking forwadr to coming west its going to be one hell of a ride and im hoping o tak as many epople with me as i can much more fun that way

Staypuff - this is a great race to enter. I've done 2 of my 4 IM's in Busso

I will certainly be travelling over again to do another.

If you need any tips, advice or a chat about the race, let me know.

AK

Thats fantastic Staypuff. Busselton is a great race to do, and the locals are really friendly. I'm thinking of doing it again this year too (did it 2005, 2007, so I'm due again in 2009!). It would be great to meet you there, along with other CRs. Train safe, and don't hesitate to ask if you need any help.

Suzy

Thanks guys

well i just had my first bike fit and cycling lesson. so i now know how to pedal.

Steve spent 2 hours fitting the bike then fittng the tandem to match he's marked everythng so if we need to pull it apart its easily put make where its needed.

I never realised how important the tiniest adjustment is to position both bikes feel so much better now. Cant wait for my nest windtrainer session so i can try it out.

He also tightened my windtrainer so now i have to work harder lol

I feel out of my element here and new to the forum. In short, my husband and I are thinking of traveling to IMWA in December..We have done IM in the US before but frankly are tired of the frenzy you have to go through to get into the races here in the US anymore. Seems this race (IMWA) does not fill up so quickly-what are the plusses and negatives? From what we can see, it looks like a beautiful venue and fairly "easier" course as far as IM goes..We are middle aged athletes and still love the training and racing in endurance events..
Any words of wisdom are welcome re: venue, accomadations, support, etc..
We are thinking of spending a few weeks afterwards traveling around the area, while we are there..Have been to the east coast of Autralia years ago but never to the western part.
Would love to connect with anyone planning on doing the race this year as well..
Thanks..

swtrigal, this has got to be one of the most lovely parts of western australia, full of very pretty wineries and beautiful beaches, great restaurants. I can highly recommend you stay around the Margaret River, Dunsborough, Yallingup area, and that you perhaps think about spending a bit of time a little further south, around Denmark if possible.

As far as accomm goes, there is a wide range depending on budget. Cape Lodge is worth a look at the higher end of the market and there are loads of guesthouse type places too. People rent out their holiday places around that area; a holiday rental group like Stayz would be able to help. There is also the option of doing a house swap but not sure what the situation is like for that.

As you have mentioned the course is nice and flat and kind, although having said that, I am not an ironmanner (just a pithy runner) so am only going on knowing the area.

serena

(edit: to add some links)

Swtrigal the south west of WA is a really beautiful area as SJ said, with its fantastic scenery, pristine beaches, wineries, forests etc so well worth the visit and a bit of time spent touring around after the race.

Busselton is a great race, but don't make the mistake of thinking because the course is flat it is going to be easy - it just means you're in the same aero position for a long time with little changing of muscle groups. Personally I've found a few undulations are good for breaking things up and giving the muscles a bit of relief. Also the course is prone to wind which usually increases during the bike leg, then seems to die off completely for the run making it very hot. But this is Ironman, we enjoy the challenge, and if it were easy everyone would be doing it!

Lots of accommodation in the area - have a look at www.geographebay.com for information. Probably a good idea to book early because it does fill up.

Plusses? - Great course, great location, easy entry, friendly atmosphere
Negatives? - there are none! (but I may be biased as a local)

Hope you do come, you'll have a ball. Keep in touch.

Suzy

Thanks for the responses so far-I do know that "flat' does not mean "easy."
Ironman Florida was flat and sea level. It was a very "boring" being in aero so long and flat bike but I ended up with a PR in that race.
When you say wind, how bad can the wind be on the bike? We have quite a bit of wind we train in here in New Mexico,esp. in the spring..Tough sometimes but character building!
thanks again to my friends across the ocean!

The wind isn't too bad, its just annoying when you're trying to do even splits for each lap but the increasing wind makes that near impossible (or maybe its just me slowing down each lap).

Busso is much more chilled than Port Mac, cant compare it to any other race, but i love the atmosphere. Its my fave race- I'm trying to figure out how I can get back there this year.