1st 4:23:30
Swim 4th 29:50
Bike 1st 2:27:28
Run 1st 1:23:23
The siren goes. I run down the beach, start jumping over the waves then dive in and start swimming. Pro men and women start together. I'm now last. Yep, already. How? Geez I need swim lessons or something... I get smashed by a wave and dragged back then another hits me and almost stops me in my tracks. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" I sing to myself like Dory sings in Finding Nemo. I can see ONE cap up in the distance. Must be the second last swimmer. No-one behind me. Bugger! How embarrassing. I'm not just last. Im last by a long way. I have a nice paddle all by myself. After the 1300m triangle in the ocean I run out and up the beach, over the little hill where the commentator is yelling out each athletes name. "This athlete has no number" he says. Phew! That's why I forgot to get numbered. Then I run down into the lagoon for the final 600m straight across to transition. I'm not concerned I'm coming last, actually I'm pretty chilled out. Maybe because it's my last race of the season. Maybe because I know I'm in good shape (in the other two legs).
As I run out of the water I hear people yelling to me that I'm about 2:50 down. That's alright I think. I expected a lot more. Now my race begins. Now I become competitive, aggressive and know how to push my body. Less than 5km in I'm passing people. Alright, back in the race. By the time I reach the first real hill - a 21% incline at around 40km - I take the lead. By 50km I've picked up quite a few men as well as the lead media motorcycle. It's a bit like Forest Gump, the further I go the more 'followers' I seem to accumulate behind me. As they all jump on board I take them for a tour around beautiful Phuket. "...to your left you'll notice the stunning waters of the Adaman sea...and just up ahead on your right keep your eyes peeled for ever-enthusiastic primary school kids out cheering and jumping out of their skin...". Yes, things like this actually do run through my head. There's not a dull moment on this technical, hilly and soon to be drenched bike course. As I reach the last 20km the rain hits. And when it 'rains' here, it really rains! The final 15km is extremely hilly. Pretty much either up, down, windy or a combination of two. As you could imagine, I slow down considerably and play it safe. The up hill is steep but too wet to stand. I started out standing but soon my back wheel was spinning out so in the lowest gear I went, sat down and got into a nice high cadence rhythm. I actually really like hills. I guess my power to weight ratio helps a lot. It's not long before I drop my trailing 'tour group' and I pull into T2 alone.
I offload my bike to the bike catchers and run down to the change tent with my helmet still on my head. I never know the rules when it comes to helmet when bike catchers are involved... Can we take our helmet off and carry it to the tent or do we still have to keep it on? I'm not taking any chances, I keep it on. In the change tent I quickly up end my bag. Helmet off, socks on, shoes on then I run out with gel and visor in hand. The rain is easing but the course is well and truley soggy.
First we head out on the grass/sand track through the elephant park. Then we hit road for a couple of out and backs. Through our hotel where the friendly Banyan Tree staff are cheering us on. Past the wedding chapel, through the sand and out along the pot hole filled road, u-turn... Actually I'm not exactly sure of the order. This is the third year I've done this race (it was one of the first tri's I did) and I still couldn't tell you where exactly I went. It's good, you never know what's coming up next. At one point I passed Chris Lieto heading in the other direction. "Slow down" he yelled. "Your going to beat me". I gave him a laugh. Chris is an amazing athlete and great guy. He's had an achilles injury for I don't know how long and this is his longest run in a long time. He's out here to finish in one piece, not to break records. My second lap I'm definitely closing in on Chris. I can't see any other girls so I'm judging my pace off the guys ahead and behind. With just over a km to go I see Chris just up ahead. He stops to let me pass. "C'mon, run in with me" I say to him. He didn't wanna run in with Lucky, the baby elephant so politely declines.
First we head out on the grass/sand track through the elephant park. Then we hit road for a couple of out and backs. Through our hotel where the friendly Banyan Tree staff are cheering us on. Past the wedding chapel, through the sand and out along the pot hole filled road, u-turn... Actually I'm not exactly sure of the order. This is the third year I've done this race (it was one of the first tri's I did) and I still couldn't tell you where exactly I went. It's good, you never know what's coming up next. At one point I passed Chris Lieto heading in the other direction. "Slow down" he yelled. "Your going to beat me". I gave him a laugh. Chris is an amazing athlete and great guy. He's had an achilles injury for I don't know how long and this is his longest run in a long time. He's out here to finish in one piece, not to break records. My second lap I'm definitely closing in on Chris. I can't see any other girls so I'm judging my pace off the guys ahead and behind. With just over a km to go I see Chris just up ahead. He stops to let me pass. "C'mon, run in with me" I say to him. He didn't wanna run in with Lucky, the baby elephant so politely declines.
I hit the final straight. About 100m of nice blue carpet. I'm handed the Aussie flag which I wave over my head and then Lucky jumps in the race with me. We slowly jog down to the finish line together. She gives me a congratulatory tap and I give her a thank you pat. THEN out of nowhere her trunk moves right up to my face. She plants it smack bang on my lips and gives me the biggest kiss, sucking my lips off. My eyes open wide as I look to the media in shock. She then releases her trunk and looks at me with a quirky smirk. Lucky you're cute Lucky!
Phuket 70.3 is one race that will stay in my mind forever. The location is beautiful. The race is unique. The race organizers are like family. And the volunteers and locals are ever so friendly and helpful. We've all said it before but I'll say it again. This is truly the best race in the world. And it's not just the race that keeps me coming back. The place and people are amazing. It was such a breath of fresh air being around such happy and positive people. Some of the local people don't seem to have much more than the shirt on their back but they are so grateful for it. The workers in our hotel are the friendliest staff in the world. They don't hate their job. They are grateful they have a job. They don't expect a tip like some countires but they still go out of their way to be nice and helpful. They are always in a good mood. You can't walk past a staff member without them giving you their full attention, saying hi and nodding their head. I wish more of the world could see how amazing these people are and how much healthier and happier they are by just putting a smile on their face.
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