On 1st November 2011, my Ironman journey began. After a month off, I returned to winter training carrying an extra 4kg but looking forward to punishing my body as I prepare for my most challenging race to date.
Ironman Austria takes place in the lakeside city of Klagenfurt, located in Southern Austria. The area is considered to be the Copacabana of the Alps and one of the most beautiful places in the world. Ironman Austria attracts over 2000 competitors and is one of only 23 official Ironman events globally. At a cost of 490Euros to enter I am hoping, on 1st July 2012, to have the race of my life.
Success at this event would be a qualifying slot at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, the most prestigious event of an Ironman’s career. With only 1600 tickets available for each Kona race, a total of about 61,000 triathletes will compete at the official IM events around the world each year to attempt to secure a place on the start line. IM Austria is one of the toughest events at which to qualify, with only 1.8% of all athletes competing quick enough to achieve a qualifying time. The average finish time across all qualifying events in my age group (female 35-39) is 11hours 12minutes 35seconds and in comparison, the winner of my age group in Austria last year who earned the World Championship qualifying slot finished in a time of 9hours 14minutes. This just goes to show what a fast race is created in Austria!
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