For those of you who have read my blog or even know me or of me via Twitter, Facebook, Thames Turbo triathlon club etc you may know that I have never done an Ironman (IM) distance race before. When Ironman announced a couple of years ago that they were going to hold a race in Melbourne, I was over the moon. Why? Well Melbourne is where I was born and bred and if I was ever going to race this distance, it was going to be on my home turf surrounded by the sea, family and friends cheering me on. I could not think of anywhere else I would like to lose my Ironman distance virginity.
In 2012, entries for the 2013 Melbourne IM race sold out in 4 minutes. This was incredible considering the race had only been held there 1 year before. So as you can imagine, I am thinking shit if the race sold out in 4 minutes last year, in order to secure a spot for the 2014 race I need to be mega quick at typing (thankfully I am).
Entries opened on 2nd April for Triathlon Australia members and general entries opened on 4th April 2am London time. Just before easter I paid $200 to Triathlon Australia so that I could obtain priority entry to Melb IM. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful on 2nd April at 2am London time, the allocation was exhausted within minutes of release. As you can imagine I was gutted. I didnt lose hope though as there was still general entries on Thursday morning 4th April.
That morning from around 12.30am a fellow #MX12 VIP member chatted with me on facebook chat ensuring that I stayed awake so I could enter. Thanks @AndrewMcKay, appreciated it. The time was drawing nearer and nearer, and at 1:59am when I hit refresh, the option became available to enter. I don't think I have ever shook so badly whilst typing my details ever! Each time I progressed to the next step I kept praying and crossing my fingers, until I got to the final page, I entered all the payment details and then clicked the complete button. During this time I closed my eyes and I am pretty sure I prayed.
When I opened my eyes I couldn't believe it when I saw, Congratulations, your registration is completed. I was shaking with excitement and fear of the hard road ahead and then like a saddo I started to cry. I wasn't crying because I was sad I was crying because I was over the moon to have gotten a spot, but mainly at the thought of knowing my mum, dad, sister, brothers, nieces, nephew, cousins, all my close friends etc are going to be there cheering me on along the course and at the end when I cross the line. I was overwhelmed by the sheer excitement.
To sum it up.................. I am entered in to Melbourne Ironman race for 23rd March 2014! I have hired a coach and we will begin work upon my return from my training camp in Italy at end of May; I have started to investigate the possibilities of obtaining some sponsorship to assist with newly fitted wetsuit, nutrition in return for exposure and other items (I would love a new aero helmet) via my blog and all social media streams accessible to me.
So the journey begins...............stay tuned, enjoy the ride. My blog is real and I will be always be straight up with everything that occurs, good, bad or indifferent.
Till next time
Toodles