It was nearing the end of November and the Busselton Ironman loomed. After a frustrating couple of months with injury and illness I was unsure as to how I would perform in my first Ironman at Busselton. I had certainly heard many good reports about the course – being flat for both the cycle and the run.

We arrived in Busselton on the Tuesday prior to the race. There were no other athletes from the Illawarra there, but I met up with some friends from Victoria. This was great because it gave me someone to train with and also to go to the social functions with.

During the week we swam every day in the warm, clear water at Busselton Jetty and rode on the smooth flat roads just out of Busselton. This time was valuable to get to know the course and also being on holidays made for a more relaxed preparation.

The Busselton course had changed for the 2010 event. The swim was to be anti-clockwise around the pier and the run was a 4 lap course finishing in the centre of town. It was a great improvement for athletes and spectators.

By Thursday the town was buzzing with athletes – many very fit looking and riding veryexpensive bikes. Others were there for the experience and to compete in their first Ironman – there were 430 first-timers. The race organisers did a fabulous job with the race set-up and the events including the Carbo Party and the Presentation Night.

Before I knew it my alarm went off at 3am on race morning – the race started at 5.45am. I nervously ate breakfast and went through my race notes. It was the first time I had written a detailed plan including my nutrition. We arrived early at transition and I quickly set my bike up and headed towards the jetty.

The morning was clear and calm – it promised to be a great day as Mike Reilly and Pete Murray motivated the crowd before the start. We were called into the water – all athletes started together (15 minutes after the professionals). It was a beach start and we all had to self-seed, which worked well.

I settled into the swim and found my own space. After about 15 minutes I had a cramp in my left leg. After a quick stop to stretch I found my rhythm and enjoyed the clear water and I headed towards the end of the jetty. The return part of the swim seemed to go quickly (after swimming through jellyfish). As I exited the water I heard my name being called and saw Royce and a few others that I knew. After Port Macquarie this year (when I collapsed out of the swim) I was glad to have overcome that barrier.

As I headed out on the bike I remembered that the drafting zone had been increased from 7 metres to 12 metres. However not all went to plan in the first lap of the bike. I was penalised once for being within the 12 metre zone. I served my 4 minute penalty at the 30km mark. After this minor setback I was off again only to be penalised a second time at the 40km mark. This time I had actually passed another competitor but was penalised for waiting too long to pass! After this I was rattled and probably went fairly hard on the bike for the second lap. By third lap I managed to pull myself together and returned to my race plan and kept up a reasonable pace.

The start of the run is always painful and as I made the transition from bike to run I felt the pain. The temperature seemed to have increased as I went out on the first lap. During the first half of the marathon I concentrated on “fast- feet”and on getting rhythm and staying at a good pace. When I came into town at the halfway mark I checked the time and realised that I could race a 10.40 Ironman.

This realisation kept me going for the next 21kms. I started to pass people and was motivated by the crowd, who were very supportive. I actually enjoyed the final lap and took time to feel the atmosphere and recognise the spectators who had supported me throughout the race.

As I approached town for the final time I increased my speed but also took time to enjoy the finish chute as I heard Mike Reilly call you are an Ironman!

After the race I returned to the finish area with Royce and we enjoyed a drink and the atmosphere of the race as the final competitors crossed the line.

The race experience of Busselton was awesome and at the end of the race I was happy with how I had raced. I came fifth in my age group which was pleasing and I celebrated and enjoyed the company of the other athletes at the Meltdown Party!