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There were about 375 people in the M30-34 AG and I was hoping to squeak a top 10 finish in my AG. I also dared to dream about a Kona slot. When they posted the provisional results, I was 23rd overall and 2nd in my mini-AG (M30-31). At that stage, I headed back to the hotel to pick up my passport and cash! I made it to Kona last year via lottery. I had entered the lottery AND been accepted before I had even done my first real tri. I knew that I was lucky, but did not fully realise the extent of my good fortune until after I raced in Kona. If you ever get the chance to race Kona then mortgage the house, do more than your share of housework for the next ten years, whatever it takes. The event rocks. Having raced once via lottery, I promised myself that the only way I would return would be to earn it. Secretly, I was afraid that I would never make it. To take the pressure off myself, I told everyone that I was trying to qualify in 2001 and even if I won a slot at IMC 2000, that I wouldn't take it. Fear again. Fear of failure, fear of not meeting my expectations, fear that I wasn't strong enough. I never considered myself fast enough to qualify at a race like Vineman, the competition was too tough, too fast, too experienced. So, seeing my name in #23 overall on the side of that yellow Ryder truck was a real kick for me. No one can ever take a race away from you and for one day I was truly fast. Even my pro buddies would have to admit that (they are Kiwis and a little stingy with the direct complements). I faced my fears and didn't let them get the better of me. THE WAIT - The race program said that the awards would start at 4:30 but a computer crash combined with several protests at the sharp end of the field meant that it was 6pm before we really started. I won a bottle of wine for finishing 3rd in the M30-31 AG. They read out the times for the M32 AG and I beat the top three guys. Then the M33-34 AG, third - beat him, second - beat him, first - beat me. Damn! But wait, he's not there to collect his booze. There is still hope. Three slots and I need one to decline. More tallying of results, more discussion about the protests... They read out the slots for the young guys. They come to M30-34. The first name is read - he takes the slot. The second name is read, Gordo Byrn! Yeah, baby - I jump up. He asks me if I want the slot and I say absolutely. March over to the table, slap down my $355 and get the forms to fill out. POSTSCRIPT - When they posted the official results, it turned out that I was 21st overall and 3rd in the M30-34 AG. I guess someone was DQ'd as a result of one of the protests. While winning the slot is a lot of fun (and carries great face), the best part about the race is that I finished mid-pack in the men's pro field. That is a real boost to my confidence. As a result, I have decided that IMC2000 will be the last time I race Canada as an age-grouper. Time to face down another fear. |  Oh Yeah! |