My mate has returned victorious from the Hawaiian Ironman. His eyes glimmered with sheer pleasure as he recounted the experience - Chris McCormack running past as they pulled into their accommodation for the first time, glimpses of Michellie Jones, Normann Stadler... the who's who of Ironman triathlon all on the hallowed turf of The Big Island.
And race day - it all went too quickly he said, although his finish time was a way off his fastest. Some of those back here had wondered whether he was happy with his day. (His text messages said he was happy... but was he REALLY happy??)
As I hung off every word, there was no doubt that he'd enjoyed every moment. His smile showed everything - and I bet it remains firmly planted on his face for weeks yet.
It reminded me of watching the race coverage online. As women's winner Chrissy Wellington strode towards the finish line the commentators focussed on the fact that she was smiling all the way, with remarks such as "doesn't she know this is supposed to hurt???"
It seemed to me that they were missing the point. Chrissy Wellington was about to become the surprise winner of a World Championship. What's there NOT to smile about?
The saying goes that you should stop and smell the roses - and I guess my friend took the time to do so this time. Chrissy Wellington, though, proved that you don't need to slow down to enjoy the scent of life.
Showing posts with label hawaiian ironman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hawaiian ironman. Show all posts
Mild mannered reporter?
Not much media coverage in Australia about the Hawaii Ironman but I'm happy to say that the Triathlete Chronicles' very own Athletic Powerhouse can be thanked for some of it!
Kudos to Beretts the sports guy on Sunrise for mentioning Macca's win in the 7.00 news this morning. Unfortunately the poor bloke struggled a bit when his co-hosts asked him a few too many questions about the event.
Athletic Powerhouse to the rescue... a quick tap tap tap on the keyboard and hey presto, in the 7.30 sports report he read most of my e-mail and thanked me for my effort! So not only Macca, but Crowie and the four Aussie girls that placed in the top ten got some well deserved recognition as well. Even gave a plug to the two Australian qualifying races, IMOZ and IMWA.
Glad to have been of service to the sport, but no, I'm not going to start wearing my undies on the outside...
Kudos to Beretts the sports guy on Sunrise for mentioning Macca's win in the 7.00 news this morning. Unfortunately the poor bloke struggled a bit when his co-hosts asked him a few too many questions about the event.
Athletic Powerhouse to the rescue... a quick tap tap tap on the keyboard and hey presto, in the 7.30 sports report he read most of my e-mail and thanked me for my effort! So not only Macca, but Crowie and the four Aussie girls that placed in the top ten got some well deserved recognition as well. Even gave a plug to the two Australian qualifying races, IMOZ and IMWA.
Glad to have been of service to the sport, but no, I'm not going to start wearing my undies on the outside...
His heart on his sleeve
Chris McCormack just won Hawaii! There's a great story behind this win, which Macca recently told on online triathlon forum, transitions.
The story is that winning the Hawaii Ironman has been a life goal since he was a teenager, when he and his best friend Sean Moroney, brother of marathon swimmer Susie Moroney, wrote a list of their triathlon goals. One of them was to win the Hawaii Ironman.
Sean has since passed away, but Macca still has that piece of paper where the dreams of two young boys with stars in their eyes are written. He's ticking off those goals one by one, and he reckons that when he's finished the list and retired as an athlete, he's going to frame the list to show his kids the importance of dreaming big.
I had a tear in my eye when Macca acknowledged Sean, which I presume he did privately when he looked towards the sky on crossing the line, but also publicly in his post win interview. It seemed to me that Macca's win was not only for him but also for Sean.
Now, I don't mean any of this in a saccharine kind of way. For mine, I witnessed a man expressing genuine emotion for his departed friend, and the dreams they shared 20 years ago.
Good on you Macca for wearing your heart on your sleeve.
The story is that winning the Hawaii Ironman has been a life goal since he was a teenager, when he and his best friend Sean Moroney, brother of marathon swimmer Susie Moroney, wrote a list of their triathlon goals. One of them was to win the Hawaii Ironman.
Sean has since passed away, but Macca still has that piece of paper where the dreams of two young boys with stars in their eyes are written. He's ticking off those goals one by one, and he reckons that when he's finished the list and retired as an athlete, he's going to frame the list to show his kids the importance of dreaming big.
I had a tear in my eye when Macca acknowledged Sean, which I presume he did privately when he looked towards the sky on crossing the line, but also publicly in his post win interview. It seemed to me that Macca's win was not only for him but also for Sean.
Now, I don't mean any of this in a saccharine kind of way. For mine, I witnessed a man expressing genuine emotion for his departed friend, and the dreams they shared 20 years ago.
Good on you Macca for wearing your heart on your sleeve.
What dreams are made of
The World Ironman Triathlon Championship is on tomorrow in Kona, Hawaii.
One of my dearest triathlon friends is there, after years of slogging it out for the opportunity to test himself on The Big Island. He finally won an International Lottery this year, and while it all came down to luck, in my opinion there is noone more deserving.
He's told the story that when he told one of his best friends he'd won a Kona Lottery, she'd misundertood and thought he'd won Lotto and screamed down the phone at him in sheer excitement. When he clarified that he wasn't a millionaire, but he was going to the Hawaiian Ironman, she cried because she knew that this meant more to him than any amount of money could.
He's won the peer voted Male Athlete of the Year for our Club for I don't know how many years in a row now. He applies himself to his training relentlessly, he races like a man possessed. He's been a mentor and inspiration to all in the Club who have followed his path into Ironman triathlon.
Tomorrow's race is what dreams are made of - not only for him but for all of us who dare to aspire to be the best we can be.
One of my dearest triathlon friends is there, after years of slogging it out for the opportunity to test himself on The Big Island. He finally won an International Lottery this year, and while it all came down to luck, in my opinion there is noone more deserving.
He's told the story that when he told one of his best friends he'd won a Kona Lottery, she'd misundertood and thought he'd won Lotto and screamed down the phone at him in sheer excitement. When he clarified that he wasn't a millionaire, but he was going to the Hawaiian Ironman, she cried because she knew that this meant more to him than any amount of money could.
He's won the peer voted Male Athlete of the Year for our Club for I don't know how many years in a row now. He applies himself to his training relentlessly, he races like a man possessed. He's been a mentor and inspiration to all in the Club who have followed his path into Ironman triathlon.
Tomorrow's race is what dreams are made of - not only for him but for all of us who dare to aspire to be the best we can be.
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