First up big thank yous to everyone - I started a novel trying to thank everyone and Im sure I missed someone out but here it is for those of you who havent read it. Next week race reports and getting all the photos together in one place. Here it is a novel and a bit - 3.8km swim/180km bike/42km run - Ironman 2014! Yes I am an Ironman. Will post a post race blog in the next few days, but first I need to thank all my supporters. You guys were awesome, without you the day would have been a lot harder. Where do I start (sure I will forget someone, but will give it a go). A big thanks to my Mum & Dad (Lyn Carswell) for the entry (Ironman entry was part of my 50th birthday present), and for the support over the last 12 months, husband Zane who has had to cook dinner for the last few months, and my wonderful kids Steph Willis & Chris Willis (Ill forgive you Chris for moving to Australia 3 weeks before Ironman) & their partners Matt & Kate. Aquaplus CWB - where I work with an amazing team who never knew what Ironman was before I joined the team, and now know everything about Ironman! Trish Berry, Phillip Berry & Shelley Springer, Nana Spice & Poppy. May have driven Shelley mad talking about Ironman as she is moving towns:( And not forgetting AJ the gorilla who was on the bike course). All my Wednesday night MTB friends who have kept me sane and given me a break from regular training, and I have been able to relax, laugh and ride like a nana leading up to Ironman. From that group the 3 Js Julie Fisher, Janet & Jo, Penny Sander, Judy McKinley & Kevin, and Tony Lynskey who were out on the course all day cheering me on. My neigbour and fellow Ironman Steff Kidd - over a few wines we set an Ironman date, we have trained together, drunk wine, had IM chats, texted, facebooked and have become life time friends, and you nailed the run - Long time friend Christine Riddell Doug Green, Lucy Riddell-green, Cath Mott & Shannon - for years I have watched Ironman with them, and talked about doing it, and finally made the commitment and they were there to see it. Clodagh Nicolson, Rochelle Wolland and the boys, great support on the run course each time I passed them, Daniel Frost who has been my FB support over the last 12 months and lent me his newly purchased race wheel. My adventure race team mate Brendyn White and our amazing support crew Sherryn White - Brendyn has been the one that I have moan, groaned and celebrated every training ride with through FB, texting, and the times we end up in the same town. Lee-Ann Church, who was at the Reporoa turn around and (I wish I had her running legs). Lana Heaney (cousin) who travelled from Auckland with her friends Barbara & Ron (will beat you on the bike at the Rot Half Barb one day) you guys were great. Friends of my parents Bev Chisholm & Barry who have followed me on FB and came down to Taupo, Deirdre & Austin, neighbours and friends who travelled to Taupo. All these people dressed in green so they were easy to see on the course with signs and noise makers - you guys are great. The Roto-Neke group - you guys know who you are - we rock and the Roto-Neke house rocked all weekend - we are family. Im not going to name the next lot but the awesome support from the RATS Club and the awesome RATS support station, and Mexican wave on the run course, the Ironmaori to Ironman TOA group, you guys have welcomed me into the Whanau - and the January training camp rocked (nearly want to do IM just to attend the camp again - thanks Heather & Wayne), the Flavazum group but have to mention Doris & Max Bragg, and Knisha Ruland who took care of me in transition. All the volunteers who were out on the course including Jacky James and Steve and Katrina Grey who got me back on track with the coke at the Rainbow Drive support station. And the last big thank you is to my coach Zippy Hugh Bootten - without his coaching I may have been crawling across the finish - he got the training spot on so I finished and enjoy the moment and days that followed (who has had to read all my feedback some of which were novels, and I did try to do most of my sessions) All you guys were down in Taupo cheering me on, smiling, some competing. Then there is another big load of thanks to all my other friends and family who couldnt make it to Taupo on the day (Ill forget that you put Bruce Springstein ahead of me:) Bruce Smith) haha all good, I know you were thinking about me. And for all the texts, messages and phone calls I got wishing me the best - Thanks I would not be an Ironman if it wasnt for you all xoxo PS Hopefully I have remembered everyone and sorry if I missed anyone but let me know if I did. First missed person was my swim coach Henk - who has tried for the last 2 years to get some speed and technique sorted - I must have got half way there as I had a good swim for me in 1.23.37
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 19:04:23 +0000