Tri Alliance caught up with our Ironman athletes leading into Ironman Melbourne to share with you a quick and entertaining insight into each athletes preparation, challenges, expectations, advice for supporters and most importantly, how they plan on celebrating their achievements. We’ll share a group of athletes each day leading into the big race next Sunday 23 March. So come along and join in their journey….
MEET SOME OF OUR MALE FIRST TIME IRONMAN ATHLETES:
CHRIS MUTIMER (Mutes)
Race #/Category? #1721 – M45-49
How many IM’s under your belt? First time!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Backing up the training volume, day after day.
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Sharing the journey with TA training buddies
Expectations leading into the race? swim and bike well, then get through the run… and finish!
Your advice to your supporters? Say anything (encouraging!) to get me to the finish!
How will you celebrate your achievement? After spending time with my family for a change… very likely to get off the leash and get reacquainted with my old buddy….Jack Daniels!
BRAD RIDDINGTON
Race #/Category? #1755 M45-49
How many IM’s under your belt? First one!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Getting enough sleep. zzzzz
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Keeping up and meeting the training goals along the way.
Expectations leading into the race? No expectations, I just hope to enjoy the experience.
Your advice to your supporters? Any support will be greatly appreciated!
How will you celebrate your achievement? Spend up big in the expo tent. 🙂
CHRIS DIXON (Dicko)
Race #/Category? #359 and 30-34 Age group
How many IM’s under your belt? 1st Ironman and can’t wait for the challenge!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Training sessions that last for 6+ hours and backing up training days. ALSO, not being able to run for 8 weeks in the lead up to Ironman
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Enjoying the challenge of long and enduring sessions and inspiring my wifey
Expectations leading into the race? Im expecting to have a FUN and enjoyable day where I can challenge myself mentally and physically. Target Time anywhere between 10 – 11 hours (pending calf approval)…and try get home before dark!… Im scared of the dark! 🙂
Your advice to your supporters? Just getting out and saying gday will be a huge help. It’s always nice to have someone out on course to pep you up! Please do not mention my calf as I will be blocking this out!
How will you celebrate your achievement? Looking forward to getting over the finish line and having my wife, family and friends there to share this special occasion with me. Possible a nanna nap then a XXXL Espresso Martini with my man Ollie!
DARYL CLEMSON (Clemo)
Race #/Category? #1588 45-49M
How many IM’s under your belt? One after next weekend!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Not being able to have a normal social life, i.e. – going home early from social events because you need to get up at 5am the next day to train. Friends and family thinking you are a bit mad also..
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Going from ‘I cant achieve this, to yes I am going to achieve this’, also being as fit as you ever will be.
Expectations leading into the race? My goal is to finish and stick to my plan. I have a time in my head but who knows what will happen on the day.
Your advice to your supporters? Just be really encouraging, please don’t offer technique advice such lift your head or whatever.
How will you celebrate your achievement? Hopefully im in a condition to have a few drinks with my training partners, friends and family. Im also going to sleep till at least 7.30am everyday in April.
CAMERON MCCONVILLE (Cam, McConk)
Race #/Category? #1301 40-44M
How many IM’s under your belt? First IM!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Crashing on the bike last week and copious travel for work…
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Meeting and training with all the Tri Alliance crew!
Expectations leading into the race? It’s going to hurt!
Your advice to your supporters? Don’t say – “your nearly there”! (unless your in St Kilda!)
How will you celebrate your achievement? Double shot Skim Latte with fruit toast and Vegemite!!
BLAKE HENRY
Race #/Category? #179 25-29M
How many IM’s under your belt? First Ironman
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Managing Work, Family and training.
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Making new Friends and testing myself!
Expectations leading into the race? To finish without cramping or limping! Under 12hrs good, under 11hrs great
Your advice to your supporters? The Hair and the Rabbit! Fast run finish!
How will you celebrate your achievement? Maybe have an alcoholic drink for the first time in nearly 2 years! Take a Holiday!
ADAM MURONE 
Race #/Category? #849 35-39
How many IM’s under your belt? 0!
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Missing time with the kids and family
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Training with great people and eating lots of great food
Expectations leading into the race? Rely on the training to enjoy the race
Your advice to your supporters? (Most likely they will say) Move it along Pissant
How will you celebrate your achievement? Immediately – Rest, Soon After – Food and Drink, A bit later – Celebration drinks!!
MATTHEW FOX (Foxy – original I know!)
Race #/Category? #373 M30-34
How many IM’s under your belt? First Timer
Biggest challenge getting to this point? Juggling work and training commitments – not as easy as it looks! I’m taking a sabbatical for the next one (if there is a next one!)
Best part of the journey to Ironman? Constantly breaking down barriers, and learning that my limits are always beyond what I think they are.
Expectations leading into the race? Just want to have a solid race and to ‘enjoy’ it. Couple of niggles at the last hurdle which has affected my running so not trying to think of overall time goals.
Your advice to your supporters? Don’t tell me I haven’t got far to go, I can guarantee I know exactly how far is left. Tell me how ‘good’ I look instead.
How will you celebrate your achievement? Getting to know my friends again, with beer, lots of beer!
