Kona Bound!

SO the big day is over, it came and went it what now feels like a whirlwind of swim, bike and run with a concoction of calories, caffeine and h20 thrown in to keep us going. The months, weeks and hours of prep, pain, sweat and endless changes of lycra paid off. The goal was to finish high enough in our age group, on the podium to grab a Kona slot, your golden ticket to race in Hawaii at the Ironman World Champs. You cannot pay to enter the World Champs you have to earn your right to race with the best.

As alluded to a few lines above team benben rocked it, nailed it, smashed it no matter how it’s written the results speak for themselves. Ben pulled out the most impressive debut ironman performance finishing 2nd in his age cat with a sensational 9 hours 25 mins. As usual the other half, this half of team benben bought up the rear a little later! My little legs bagged me the number 1 spot in my age group, crossing the line 1 hours and 12 mins after quick boy, 10 hours 37 mins for those who do not like math’s!

It still has not quite sunk in what we achieved on that day and what lies ahead. 12 months ago Hawaii was the stuff in dreams, today it’s a reality. We are now enjoying a few weeks of down time to give the bodies and mind a rest from our usual rigorous routine. Our rest period is being shared with my mum who made the journey over to be of our big day out. Talk of my mum she has also put pen to paper to make a guest appearance for the blog………….

Race day write up by our guest “author”, Mummy Benger / Jenny B / lead cheer leader
Back in December 2010 when Catherine and Ben decided to take a year out in Australia to become real athletes and train for triathlons it gave me the perfect opportunity to see them and visit the country.

Having arrived in Cairns on the 30th May 2012 and bought even more rain to have the sun shine on race day (3rd June) was perfect. It was decided not to watch all the bobbing caps in the swim, to pick out numbers 103 and 877 was near impossible. Just to add to all the “excitement” of the day I did not feel 100% about the recent crocs or shark sightings in the area, but I felt the Queensland Government had a duty of care!!
I was there at the beginning of the bike race, the male half of team beneben came into sight at 8.15am giving me a wave and looking confident in his sailfish outfit. Following up not so far behind, Catherine in her new Soas kit came into view concentrating very hard on the road ahead. Talking after the race she confirmed she heard me shouting her name before she saw me. It was about another 6 and a half hours before I saw Ben with his bright orange shoes running a steady pace on his 1st lap of 5 down the Esplanade. The atmosphere was amazing with hundreds lining the road, some in their fancy dress but all were shouting, clapping and giving encouragement to the runners. It was fun to watch the runners come through the aid stations grabbing their drinks or trying too! The aid was used to quench their thirsts and cool down their bodies.

Catherine passed me for the first time on her run at approximately 4 pm looking very serious. During those last 5 laps I did all I could to jump, wave and shout. As I walked down nearer to the finishing chute I saw Ben on his final few hundred meters looking happy with a look of relief as the end was in sight. I was there at the finishing line to see Catherine with her trademark sprint to the end.

It was an amazing day well worth the 10,300 miles / 16,500 km’s to be there and to be part of their day if only in a very small way. To know that they both have achieved their places at Kona was the crowning glory to the day. All their hard work and dedication got the results needed. It was a privilege to be there, thank you both.
Mummy B / Jenny B / lead cheer leader.

PS will I be at Kona?? Sadly not without sponsorship!!!!

Ben has written from the heart his version of events as the day unfolded, this day also marked the occasion of where he lost his ironman V plates. Damm no more jokes that he is only a half ironman!! His story telling can be found on his blogspot:

www.bwebeck.blogspot.com

Our break from training has not entailed sleeping and eating instead a whirlwind tour of Aus with the majority of time to date being spent in our “Jazzie” car. The Jazz has safely transported us (team benben, my mum, the bikes, the luggage etc) down the coast from Cairns to Coff’s Harbor. A few nights back in Coff’s with Ben’s mum and dad gave us just enough time to essentially unpack and re-pack! Giving mum a quick tour of what has been my home for the past 7 months, shopping for the next trip and eating lots of yummy food and dinners Ben’s mum had so kindly slaved away in the kitchen was also squeezed in to our pit stop. Fed, watered and the thermals packed we were back in the Jazz:
1st stop The Hunter Valley as per the request of my mum for wine tasting!!
2nd stop Sydney to do the sights
3rd stop Alice Springs to witness the Red Centre and see Ben’s sister Kimmy. This is where the thermals are required, it can hit a chilly -5 overnight bbbbrrrrrrr!!

As I type we are in our cozy cabin hidden amongst the trees in the stunning Hunter Valley. We have just enjoyed a fun day out of wine tasting and touring. A bottle of a favorite, a cabernet merlot from Piggs Peake was purchased to sink with what’s on the menu tonight, steak served with onions, mushrooms and garlic sweet potato mash. On that note I must attend to the wine someone needs to open it to let it breath!!!