Cycos Supporters are winners as well

Last year at Port MacQaurie at the Australian Ironman, our supporters squad outnumbered our competitors, and we had over forty competitors. The supporters put in so much energy that our competitors were lifted to a new level. The energy in the squad is pushed up by every member who contributes his or her little bit. It’s a seven hour drive to get from Brisbane down to Port MacQuarie. On top of that there are accomodation costs, meals etc. Anyone who was part of that supporters group had a great day, an exhausting day. It takes a lot of energy to be “up” all day long, cheering, ringing bells and having fun.  

Next weekend in Busselton, Western Australia, we are going to have a supporters group strong enough to be really noticed. The fathers, mothers, husbands and wives of competitors who are going to be on the course from five am to midnight, all have had to fly right across the country.  

Amoung our supporter squad, and I do say squad, because they have to perform a serious task. It’s not just like cheerleaders. These people are there at every ugly part of the day, as well as the good bits. This year three of our strongest, toughest competitors have been sidelined by injuries. Last year for the same race I had a fall off my bike three weeks before race day. I was unable to run on the day, so I became a supporter. The people who were standing around me couldn’t believe how many names I knew in the race.

Of our three super supporters, Benny Smith, a hard man in every sense of the word. Ben’s the sort of athlete who super heros are moulded on. He’s not the prettiest looking swimmer in the pool but he goes as fast as the best with sheer “manergy”. When we’ve had our club time trial series, Ben has won the mountain time trial up a twenty-six kilometer climb in one hour. He weighs around eighty-five kilos, not exactly a Pantani look-alike. About a year ago Ben had a cyst on a tendon in his knee removed, even though he’s done extensive rehabilitation work, it’s just not ready yet. Ben is one of the guys who WILL get his Hawaii Ironman finisher’s, special club jersey.   

Another of our supporters is already a Hawaii Ironman finisher, twice. Linda is the nicest lady you would ever meet. Always baking goodies, giving home made muffins and cookies out at the end of tough five or six hours sessions. Like most of our members, she’s an overachiever. She works in medical research, has two adult kids and is a fierce competitor.  Linda’s competitors are breathing a sigh of relief at the news that she’s not racing in Busso. She has been working hard and making good progress on her running but unfortunately she has a hamstring injury. Linda has already previously won the ladies 40-44 category in this race.

And last but not least, our Minnie. Cheeky, naughty Minnie has won the 18-24 cat in her first Australian Ironman, the next year she won the 25-29 category. She has two Hawaii finishers and enjoyed a podium finish on the lava fields. Minnie is making a comeback. After her previous Ironman racing career was put on hold because of career and location changes. She took up ultra running and has been Australian open 100km champion three times. This is hard on a body. Last year she decided to come back to a more balanced training regime after a long recovery from knee injury. We’re still searching for just the right balance of training to suit this tough competitor. Ladies in the 35-39 category will be happy to see her in her french maid’s outfit on the sideline. I’m sure many of the male competitors will enjoy her entertainment.   

These guys will have flown right across the country to support their mates. They’ll be there to encourage their training buddies and celebrate the finishers efforts. But, they’re there to learn, every Ironman race you watch, is an opportunity to learn something. Ironman athletes watching other competitors doing it well or doing it badly, will gain from the experience. It’s often very interesting to look from the other side of the fence.

Over the past couple of weekends we’ve been doing cycling time trials at the Port of Brisbane, a flat, windy venue which helps to duplicate the type of conditions very likely to show up on race day in Busselton. Our Ironchicks have been our timekeepers. Unable to be involved on their bikes, they’re applying their energy as supporters. They’ve shed a few tears, they’re not made of stone, but they’ve accepted where they are and moved on. They typify the spirit in this club.