44yo Ironman hopeful loses 20kg to conquer the gruelling triathlon
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A 3.8 kilometre swim, a 180 kilometre bike ride and 42.2 kilometre run; most people would not even attempt one of those, but hundreds are doing all three — back to back — for the Ironman Australia competition.
The gruelling triathlon is taking place today in Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
One of this year's competitors is local man Marty Haynes, who is attempting the challenge for the first time.
It is a graduation of sorts for the 44-year-old whose first involvement in Ironman Australia was as a volunteer four years ago where he helped athletes transition between each leg of the competition.
"Seeing the age groups and the shapes of the guys who were out there already, I thought 'Maybe I could do this as well', and that's where it all sort of kicked off," Mr Haynes said.
So he started training — losing 20 kilograms along the way — and successfully completed the half-distance Ironman event, known as Ironman 70.3, later that year.
Mr Haynes has since completed the event another four times, and has also competed in two Olympic-distance events as well as plenty of local club triathlons.
"I got a bit inspired by being a volunteer.
"I went on to do some 70.3 races and finally bit the bullet and decided to do a full Ironman," he said.
As he competes in today's 226km event he will be looking to those filling his shoes as a volunteer to keep him going.
"They definitely help you lift [your spirits]," Mr Haynes said.
"From the volunteers to the spectators, everyone's got a really positive, uplifting mood and it really helps you lift [your spirits] at those times when you're a little bit down and starting to lose a bit of focus."
Mr Haynes is hoping to complete the event in around 12 hours, but more than anything he wants to cross the finish line and hear the words all hopefuls long for, 'You are an Ironman'.
Months of preparation
Mr Haynes was sporty when he was younger but before he started competing in triathlons he had grown to 105kg.
Now he weighs around 85kg and has been training up to 20 hours a week in preparation for his full Ironman debut.
"I've been following a pretty strict program with a build phase for building up the distance in the swimming, the biking and the run," he said.
"Trying to stay free of injuries … that's always the hardest thing. Actually, making it to the start line let alone the finish line [is hard]."
Mr Haynes' wife Samantha, who competed in Ironman Australia in 2014 and 2015 has been a big help and will be supporting him today as well — after she runs her own Ironman 70.3.
"I've just given him advice as to what sort of food he should eat on the bike and how hydration is really important while you're out there on the bike," Ms Haynes said.
"Even though you're probably not feeling hot you need to make sure you keep hydrating for the run so you can avoid cramping."
Ms Haynes also helped prepare her husband for the lonely stretches of the 180 kilometre, two-lap bike ride between Port Macquarie and Camden Haven.
"That's where your mind can drift so just keep going," she said.
"On the run — the two years I did it — I fell apart on the third lap. There were some tears and a tantrum, so I'll make sure that I'm there for him at that point because I know how hard that lap is.
"On the fourth lap you're almost home and it's fantastic. You've only got one to go and you come home relatively strong on that lap," Ms Haynes said.
Advice from old hands
After finishing 10 Ironman Australia races and competing at the Ironman World Championships, Port Macquarie local, Pete Murray will welcome finishers in today's race with the words they all want to hear, 'You are an Ironman.'
In the lead-up to the race, plenty of first-timers have sought out Mr Murray's advice, who said nerves are natural and mental strength is just as important as physical strength.
"They're going to experience a lot of highs, and I'm sure throughout the race a lot of lows. That's what Ironman is about," Mr Murray said.
"There's going to be parts where they ask themselves, 'Why am I doing this?'
"Whether you do it in eight hours or 17 hours it really is insignificant at the end of the day. Just get the job done and get across the [finish] line."
Last year's winner, 37-year-old Laura Siddell, said the athletes need to make sure they enjoy themselves.
"Make sure you get across the [finish] line with a big smile on your face," Ms Siddell said.
"Feed off the crowd and feed off their energy, and make sure you're keeping on top of your nutrition and your hydration.
"Make sure you celebrate that finish line, because anyone who gets to the end of this race deserves that smile and deserves that medal."
What comes after Ironman?
After competing in his first Ironman 70.3 in 2014 Mr Haynes was certain that he would never do it again — but he did, so will he be back for Ironman Australia next year?
"I've vowed never to do one again and I stand by that this time," he said.
"It's just not for me. It's a great event and I take my hat off to people that have done it five and 10 and more times, but it's not for me.
"I'm just going to tick it off my list and that'll be it."
Despite being confident in his decision, Mr Haynes said he will continue to volunteer during the event to help competitors reach their own Ironman goals.
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