Ironman Asia Pacific Championship - Cairns, Australia 🇦🇺2017

Ironman Asia Pacific Championship - Cairns, Australia 🇦🇺

Woke up 4:00 and tossed round till 4:30. Today is the day, of we go again. Ironman Cairns begins. Stretch, breakfast, pack, water and a walk to the bus. 5:30 on the bus to Palm Cove. Mark and I chatted on the way in, all was going smoothly. 35mins and we arrived.
Into the transition and all went well for both of us, tyres pumped, nutrition in and wetsuit on. Down by the beach we stretched, ate the last of the food, banana and dates and watched the sunrise over the beach.
SWIM
The water was brown and there were strong waves. The 70.3 started, the commentator announced it was time to start, into the pens, nerves built, the pros soon started. Ten minutes later, 7:45 we began, a single file start, a few minutes later and I was off. Running into the water I dived into the murky depth and began swimming over the waves.
It was a tough swim, being pushed around by the waves, sighting was difficult. Tried for the small mountain on the way out and the pier on the way back. 1hr 17mins, slow swim. Bad sign?
BIKE
Onto the bike, the battle begins. It was good to start, the road out of Palm Cove was rough, it was hard work. I became concerned as my legs shook over the gravel. About 20km in a hill arrived, the top of the hill there was a mechanic who was able to help me with my nutrition bag. Never try new things on race day, it slipped down annoyingly.
The nutrition bag fixed and then came the hill down. It was fantastic to go fast down. Rolling hills were fantastic, pushing down momentum took me up. It was really enjoyable, the ride out to Port Stephens was fast and along the coast. Port Stephens was lined with support and the turning point. Back in for the second lap and felt strong and enjoyed the hills again.
It was good on the return until about 40km out. The wind picked up, the roads turned rough on the way back into Cairns. Tired and tough was the journey. At about 5km out when I was slowly counting down the km an official ride up beside. There was no one round so I though I was fine. Then he said he was penalising me for passing on the left! I could not believe it, I was furious. A five minute penalty in the box, just before the finish. There was another five or six people there, all looking a little confused. Even the officials in the box did not seemed convinced.
6hrs 14mins including the 5min penalty. Into the transition and onto the run.
RUN
Thought it was four laps, but it was three. The first lap I found hard, still annoyed at the official, my stomach was also a little out. I should have had some salt tablets earlier as I could feel a little cramping coming on.
Running out by the marina and back, 4km passed by, then though town and out into the park with some zig zagging to make up km, it was running passed the hospital and past the Soccer field before turning back. 
Through the town and the crowds, many in restaurants and bars cheering the athletes and pushing everyone on. 
One lap down and I looked really forward to seeing Mark and having a chat. I did meet a guy who was racked next to me on transition, very friendly, I saw him with medical on the top of the hill of the bike. Chatting he said he had passed out and pulled out of the race.
Walking the drinks stops I continued on, it was dark now and the third lap bought a light sprinkle of rain. My run was steady and it was just one turn then the next. 3 or 4 km to go I picked up the pace, thought of Elle, Orlando and Sebastien and ran.
Through the last drink stop without stopping, into the town where people cheered and congratulated me. The finish arrived and I saw the lit up arch and took the right lane into the finish chute.
The chute was special, lights shone down a Long red carpet led to the finish and I charged on. The commentator called my name and as I finished spoke the words, “Benjamin Vella you are an Ironman!!” 12hrs 50mins and I had finished Ironman number nine.

I felt alright and went into recovery for a massage followed by some food, pene pasta with bolognaise sauce. I chatted to some people before going to collect my bike, gear and a gelato before going home.
Settled back home, a shower and then I returned Elle's call, it was wonderful to speak to her and she congratulated me. It was so good to see her. Her support is amazing and she had already helped organise Frankfurt. I am very lucky.
There was lots of nice support and messages on Facebook.
Mark came in an hour or so later, finishing in 14hrs 15min he had a good race and particularly good run. We had both reached our goal. 
Food and hydration, we watched the live stream at the finish line. 12:30 I went to bed.

Location: Cairns QLD, Australia

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