Hi Guys
Check out my new blog www.lauracwhelan.blogspot.com - you can keep track of my progress as I start the transition from age group racing to pro racing!!
Thanks
Laura
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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Thanks for visiting my blog! Here you can read about my build up to the Ironman World Championships in KONA, Hawaii. I will keep you updated on my training and progress as race day approaches!
What is KONA?
KONA is the defining race of Ironman distance triathlon and is the World Championship event in the Ironman series. To put it simply, for most endurance triathletes there is no bigger day in the sport than this one.
To get to the start line you must win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying Ironman events held around the world. Over the course of a year tens of thousands of triathletes try to get a qualifying slot and only 1,800 succeed. I grabbed my Kona slot at Ironman New Zealand in March this year.
Kona is flagged as the most difficult and testing Ironman course in the world due to its tough ocean swim, lava covered volcanic terrain and intense heat. Distances are the Ironman standard 3.9km (2.4-miles) swim, 180km (112-miles) cycle and 42.2km (26.2-mile) marathon run.
I am fortunate enough to have a month in Kona prior to race day so that I can familiarise myself with the course, altitude and 40 degree heat! You get one shot to race at Kona each year so I'm planning on taking the best shot I can!
To get to the start line you must win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying Ironman events held around the world. Over the course of a year tens of thousands of triathletes try to get a qualifying slot and only 1,800 succeed. I grabbed my Kona slot at Ironman New Zealand in March this year.
Kona is flagged as the most difficult and testing Ironman course in the world due to its tough ocean swim, lava covered volcanic terrain and intense heat. Distances are the Ironman standard 3.9km (2.4-miles) swim, 180km (112-miles) cycle and 42.2km (26.2-mile) marathon run.
I am fortunate enough to have a month in Kona prior to race day so that I can familiarise myself with the course, altitude and 40 degree heat! You get one shot to race at Kona each year so I'm planning on taking the best shot I can!
Race Schedule
Sunday 21 June 2009
Cairns Olympic Distance Triathlon
1.5km Swim, 40km Cycle, 10km Run
Sunday 12 July 2009
Run Auckland Takapuna
10km Run
Sunday 9 August 2009
Auckland City Duathlon
Run 5km, Cycle 40km, Run 10km
Saturday 10th October 2009
Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii
3.8km Swim, 180km Cycle, 41.2km Run
Cairns Olympic Distance Triathlon
1.5km Swim, 40km Cycle, 10km Run
Sunday 12 July 2009
Run Auckland Takapuna
10km Run
Sunday 9 August 2009
Auckland City Duathlon
Run 5km, Cycle 40km, Run 10km
Saturday 10th October 2009
Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii
3.8km Swim, 180km Cycle, 41.2km Run
Sponsors
Jeff Duval and Anne Fournier - EFRET
Jeff and Anne have sposnsored all the equipment I need to train and race at KONA. The most significant piece of equipment they have sponsored has been my cycleops powermeter. This is proving to be an invaluable training tool, ensuring that my power output and cycling efficiency is maximised.
http://www.europeantransportation.com
John Fay - Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre
I continue to be fortunate enough to have a sponsored membership to the Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre in Newmarket, Auckland. With a 50m pool and comprehensive gym I have the best facilities to improve both my swimming and strength.
www.theolympic.co.nz
Jeff and Anne have sposnsored all the equipment I need to train and race at KONA. The most significant piece of equipment they have sponsored has been my cycleops powermeter. This is proving to be an invaluable training tool, ensuring that my power output and cycling efficiency is maximised.
http://www.europeantransportation.com
John Fay - Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre
I continue to be fortunate enough to have a sponsored membership to the Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre in Newmarket, Auckland. With a 50m pool and comprehensive gym I have the best facilities to improve both my swimming and strength.
www.theolympic.co.nz
Blog Archive
Profile
Professional Crew
It takes a whole team of people to get you to the start line of every race in the best conditon possible......
Tony O'Hagan - Ironman Coach
'If it wasn't hard it wouldn't be Ironman'
I have been coached by Tony since September 2007. His training regime has seen me qualify in two consecutive years (Jan 2008, Jan 2009) for the New Zealand World Championship Long Distance Triathlon Team and this year for the Ironman World Championships. Tony is a coach highly commited to his athletes and getting the best out of them both in training and on race day.
http://www.challenge-yourself.com/
Tony O'Hagan - Ironman Coach
'If it wasn't hard it wouldn't be Ironman'
I have been coached by Tony since September 2007. His training regime has seen me qualify in two consecutive years (Jan 2008, Jan 2009) for the New Zealand World Championship Long Distance Triathlon Team and this year for the Ironman World Championships. Tony is a coach highly commited to his athletes and getting the best out of them both in training and on race day.
http://www.challenge-yourself.com/
Alison Rainbow - Results Nutrition Centre
I started seeing Alison in November 2008 and I am now considerably lighter and faster! The last 11 months have been a massive learning curve about what my body actually needs to perform! Alison has a huge amount of knowledge and expertise in nutrition and understands the needs of an endurance athlete (and the female brain!)
www.rnc.co.nz
Paul Harris - Strength and Conditioning
I've been working with Paul now for several years, initially to improve my running strength which soon progressed to overall conditioning and strength training for Ironman. He is based at the Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre.
physicaltrainer@ihug.co.nz
Tania Foote - Massage Therapist
I certainly struck gold when I met Tania in the pre race massage tent at Ironman New Zealand in 2008. Based out of the Health Zone at the Millenium Institute she is by far the best massage therapist I have ever seen!
Millenium Insititute 09 4772000
Dene Coleman - Physiotherapist
A fellow Ironman that understands both the needs and training schedules of an endurance athlete. Has successfully managed to patch me up and keep me injury free!
Shakespeare Road Physiotherapy - 09 4864652
Roger Gooch - Body Smart
I started working with Roger in May this year to improve both my activation and understanding of muscle patterning specific to endurance triathlon. I have been working on strengthening key muscle groups with Roger using a programme tailored to my specific needs. Roger is also a massage therapist and an oracle on all things related to Ironman!
www.bodysmart.co.nz