Jason Page. Photo/File
Ironman endurance tested with weather to hold trump card
It will be summer's last stand today in Taupo but the strong contingent of Whanganui athletes say they are mentally prepared for the stifling heat at the climax of the 32nd Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand.
There is a possibility of the group coming home with several podium spots, naturally led by the professional Gina Crawford, who must solve the riddle of surpassing American Meredith Kessler, to whom she has finished runner-up for the past three years.
Crawford, who has taken up coaching with her experience of 13 iron distance wins, including the 2009 New Zealand title in the days before Kessler arrived, will also have other top competition in Auckland's Melanie Burke, and women who have international ironman titles in Amanda Sevens (USA), Michelle Bremer (Australia-based Kiwi), Mareen Hufe (Germany), Carrie Lester (Australia), and Lucy Gossage (England).
"Ironman NZ has proved a bit of a heartbreak race for me in the past," Crawford is on record as saying.
"The course doesn't particularly suit me. I will prepare well and not put too much pressure on myself to perform."
Having read those comments, Whanganui Multisport Club president Jason Page was worried Crawford seemed to be writing off her chances of victory against Kessler, who smashed the women's course record last year.
"If she has a good day, she'll go well," Page said.
Anything can happen on the Taupo course, although the veteran Page admitted that if Kessler fell behind due to a bike tyre puncture or some other mishap, Crawford would probably not feel like the true winner.
Page and Adam Holmes have been training hard amongst a Whanganui group which includes veterans like Barb Carson and Brian Scott, who will be looking for victories in the women's and men's 60-64 age group.
Carson, who has been training with Crawford in her bid to qualify for the world championships in Kona, got there last year through winning her grade at the Australian Ironman, while Scott is the defending Ironman NZ champion although he is satisfied with that title rather than carrying on internationally.
Page and Holmes were chopping up kindling wood for a pre-race barbecue yesterday, with the children and dog making a lot of noise in the background as the townmates congregate together.
"We're trying to make it a family sport," Page laughed.
He and Holmes are in the "pool of death" as their age group has a big gathering of 124 entries, likely to push each other to some quick times.
They, along with Page's fellow policeman Craig Jackson, have just set themselves the goal of beating their personal bests.
Page has set himself a finishing time somewhere between 9h 50 and 10h 10m, and is in much healthier nick than his 2013 and 2015 NZ Ironman races.
"In recent times I've had running injuries leading up to the last few I've done."
Holmes is also confident after their buildup.
"Training's been good, got some solid race distance behind us."
They are looking at temperatures which will be at around 10 degrees in the morning when they hit the lake, which will be getting warmer on the bike ride and then reflecting strongly off the tar seal by the final running leg, at around 26degrees.
"It will make it hot on the lungs," said Holmes, who wished there could be a diametric shift for a hot swim and cool run.
"That would be perfect, but nevermind."
Page is well aware that proper hydration will be the key, especially as you push yourself harder in competition than training.
"I paid the price on the first one I did because I didn't do [proper fluids].
"It's stifling on the run anyway.
"We've been there and done that, so it's not like we're new to it."
At the other end of the spectrum, good mates Clint Black and Mike Hos could be said to be preparing for a running race at Taupo by going for a swim and bike ride before it.
The pair, who travelled to Denmark in September to compete in the Ironman Copenhagen event, have not got in as much training as the others due to work commitments.
"Everyone knows each other, do a little bit of training together," Black said.
"[Page and Holmes], they'll be good performers in their age group, and Scotty and Barb will be looking at No1 or No2.
"The weather's looking really good, which is a bonus for the people that are doing well."
Hos echoed Black's assessment of their goals.
"I'm just going to this one to finish."
The race has drawn powerful professional field chasing nearly NZ$115,000 in prize purse.
Other locals taking part are first timers Alan Harrison, a previous IronMaori competition, and Erica Green, a Marton teacher.