Posted: December 7, 2007

Triathlon: Charlotte Paul Wins IM Western Australia in record breaking time

I am still in shock.And I still have a smile on my face:) By Charlotte Paul To win Ironman Western Australia has been my overriding goal since I placed 2nd there in 2005. A breakthrough result at the time, it gave birth to the dream that I could one day win. This is a special race for me. I have always either done personal records or placed really well. I have only fond memories and 4th time round I was ready to claim the win! I came into the race fitter than ever, riding on the confidence of my first win at the Half Ironman, Port Macquarie just 4 weeks ago. As the year has progressed I have become stronger and stronger, breaking PR after PR in training. Until Port Mac, stomach problems had kept those PRs to training days only. My approach to training has changed since John Mergler, an Ironman and endurance athlete and mentor with over 20 years experience has joined my coaching team. Together, with my husband Kristian Manietta of TriSpecific, they have formed The Challenge Corp. This organization has developed revolutionary and exciting new training techniques and programs for the committed athlete. This year they have pushed my limits both mentally and physically and I have achieved things I never thought possible. I had felt like my progress had hit a plateau, so this was just what I needed to start moving forward once again. I knew I had a great race, just waiting to come out. I am so happy that it finally did come out, and I am not left forever wondering on the “what ifs”. I love this sport and I am motivated to train hard so that I can continue in it for a long time to come. I strive to be the best that I can be, and to really see how far I can go. Could I be the best in the World? Do I have what it takes? I started triathlon in 2002 by accident when searching for a running club. I was in a dead end job and needed to make friends after moving to Australia from England. My journey through the ranks has been life changing and I am not the same person who started the sport 5 years ago. On Monday I made a speech in front of 3000 athletes and friends, something you would have had to drag me kicking and screaming to do 5 years ago. The difference I guess now is that I believe in myself, and I have achieved something that I want to share. I said in a pre-race interview that the person who was most hungry for the win would be the most dangerous- that was me. So the day started as I intended it to finish. I placed myself front line in the swim amongst the men, and had the “this race is mine” attitude. I swam well I thought, really having no idea who was where. When I got out in 54 minutes with Lisa Marangon I knew I was off to a great start. I was in 5th spot. Onto the bike Lisa went past me, and I went with her for a while. She seemed intent on dropping me though, often looking round to see if I was still there. I made the decision to let her go, she was going too quick for me, and I didn’t expect her to be a threat on the run. I doubted this tactic later when I saw her catch up with the leading females. However I made the right decision. I even split the 3 x 60km laps, 1.40, 1.39, 1.40. I rode the first 2 solo, and had company from leading male age groupers on the final lap. Even so, I felt progressively stronger as the race went on. My mantra was working...”the longer it goes, the stronger I get” By the end of the ride Ali Fitch who had led the entire bike was less than 4 minutes ahead, followed by Lisa Marangon and Tereza Macel. I had pulled them back in, and better still I had overtaken Gina Ferguson who I knew was strong on the run. Bella Comerford another big threat was still somewhere behind me off the bike. In my T2 bag I had written my favourite line from Rocky, and the volunteer shouted it at me as I exited the tent “there is no tomorrow”! This was the best opportunity of a win I had ever had. I was in the perfect position, and I was not going to let it slip. I went off quick and felt really comfortable. I usually ease into the run, but not this time. I was in the lead by the 10km mark. Once there I just kept pushing. I could see Gina and Bella running well, and I didn’t want them to get anywhere near me. So I just kept thinking “there is no tomorrow”. “Do it now!” The final lap hurt like never before. “You know you want this, this one is yours”. My legs wanted to slow down but I knew I had to keep pushing. I know in Ironman anything can happen. So I didn’t relax until I had the finish in sight. My goal splits had added up to 8.59.30 and I thought that was a bit ambitious looking at it on paper. But, they are just numbers! In the end I was just 1 minute 30 off that goal time, winning in 9:00:55. At one point I did realise I could go under the 9 hour mark. But I was almost thinking “ now that’s just being greedy- your goal is just to win”. I was trying to do the maths to see if I could do it, and it seemed like I could. So I kept pushing...and pushing... But the legs weren’t really coming to the party. When I approached the finish chute, the 9 hours ticked by. Never mind- I had still won! With a PR swim, bike and run, and a 17 minute PR overall- I was happy! I always thought I’d be whooping it up when I won- but I was very subdued. I was absolutely shattered and there was no energy left for whooping. I had to wait for my husband Kristian to cross the line- not long though. He finished in 8:57 a massive 40 minute PR, 5th in 30-34, and claimed his first ticket to Kona. He was going nuts! On both counts. This was a very special day that I will always remember. Charlotte Thanks to my supporters; The Challenge Corp TriSpecific Hypo2 Performance Health, Newport Zipp HiFive Trigger Point Technology Compex Kestrel Clarence St Cyclery Nineteen Wetsuits Rudy Project Continental Nike Running Zoot Yankz Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest