3. ASH PURCELL – AMBASSADOR BALLARAT 70.3 RACE REPORT
My journey to long course triathlon began many years ago and as we finally drove into Ballarat my heart skipped a beat or two. Firstly because I was finally about to race a long course event and couldn’t wait for this to start, and secondly because I was a little anxious thinking could I perform when it counted, could I string all three legs and two transitions together, or would I completely bomb out and have to return home with my tail between my legs. As I finally spotted “The Van” and my team mates these fears completely vanished as I realised everybody was in the same boat. We all had done all the hard work, after all it was just, as one of the people I really look up to (Andy) put it, it was a fully catered training day.
Loaded with that info here’s how it went:
The swim was a deep water start swimming in lake Wendouree, a freshwater inland lake, having to go from zero to max effort in the space of about 2 seconds is deffinately something to be practiced. Luckily I did and wasn’t really phased by that. The swim course was almost an out and back with a bit of a diagonal return at the end. The thing that did require me to concentrate a bit was the first turning buoy was about 900 meters from the start and a bit hard to see, luckily Ballarat swim course is on the Olympic rowing course and has guide ropes under the water. Easy done follow the guide rope out to the first buoy turn and almost half way done. Yippee. The swim was completely uneventful but extremely enjoyable. Don’t look too closely at my swim times however. Exit the water on to T1
T1 was a typical transition that we had practiced a hundred times, just a few more things to remember. Having to gear up for a 90km bike meant enough nutrition for that distance, socks (sorry Greg), and sunscreen a must. A quick gel and out onto the bike course.
The bike course was awesome, except for the first few kms which were, as were warned about, very bumpy. Not much down in aero on these roads. Out onto the Avenue of honour we were greeted by a very generous tail wind which helped me to reach mid 50kms. That unfortunately meant a head wind on the way back severely reducing those speeds. To help get me thru the winds I just kept telling myself it was just another day on Beach road. There were also some Cold Chisel song coming out of my mouth that helped take my mind off the wind. I seemed to have some sort of mental edge during this time while others were struggling I was just doing my thing the wind didn’t seem to bother me at all. Its all good in the hood
T2 another gel rack the bike change my shoes and out lightening fast.
Two legs done what was I worried about just a half marathon to go. The run course is a three lap run around Lake Wendouree with a bit of a dog leg first just to get the lap distance up to 7km. My first two laps although not fast by any means consistent. It was my third lap where my race seemed to slightly unravel. My IT Band (left) was giving me a bit of curry. Dialling back the pace a bit for a few ks seems to do the trick. I was determined not to walk and there was no way I wasn’t going to finish even if I had to drag myself across that line. A quick bathroom break and I was back out on the course. I simply could not stomach any more sticky stuff in my gob so my nutrition strategy for the run was the black magic and water over my head at every aid station. This worked a treat.
Suddenly in the distance I thought I saw a TA race suit, one of the ladies, and I thought I would catch up to encourage her. Suddenly seemingly out of no where my pace increased markedly. As much to catch up to Liz as to finish as strong as I could muster. I ran past the TAJ for the final time and down the shute. This is the most incredible experience and for me was an emotional one. As soon as I saw my number one fan girl the tears welled up because I knew I had made her super proud of my achievement.
My most special thing about this my first half Ironman was my team mates who made it possible. They were the ones who made me look good, they were the ones who knew the pain but kept telling me I could do it, they were the ones who consistently trained with me and we have developed a life time bone with one another. During our build up to this, our first long course distance I would have done whatever it took to protect them and get them to the start line. Any one who has even the slightest inkling of stepping up to this distance you will not regret it.
The Ballarat Bandits will live on forever in my dearest memories.
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