ASICS FrontRunner Mariella Sawyer won her age group at the recent IRONMAN 70.3 East London and finished third in the women's overall. The run leg, as always, was crucial. She fills us in"
DETAILS
Distance: 21.1km (two laps of 10.55km each
Total Gain: 282m
The cut-off time: 3hrs 15 minutes
Shoes: ASICS GEL-Noosa Flytefoam
Generally by the time you get onto the run leg of a triathlon your legs feel like they’ve been through a meat mincer. And that’s pretty much how my legs felt by the time I handed my bike over to the volunteer after a windy and rather hilly bike. East London IRONMAN 70.3 isn’t known to be a forgiving course, but rather as one of the toughest 'half ironmans' in the world. But we all knew this when we entered...
The first step after handing the bike over, is a wobbly run to get your transition bag which contains your running shoes etc. And then trying to put them on in a slight state of porridge brain as I like to call it. But luckily I managed quite well and on I went. The first few kms always feel easy and I always keep a very close eye on my pace to make sure I don’t go out too fast because this is where you can make, or break your run.
My legs didn’t feel as great as I would have liked but luckily they held it together and I moved along, counting the kms and making sure I got my nutrition in at every aid station.
I had never been so far in the front of the field, with only professional women ahead of me, so it was quite exhilarating and the support on the course was amazing!
I was very surprised when I saw the fourth professional woman ahead of me, and even more excited when I overtook her. But I must say, as exhilarating as being ahead in the field was, it was also rather lonely because I didn’t have other competitors around me, supporting one another.
Luckily on the second leg there was more company, which was amazing because you get to see what this sport is all about: Camaraderie!
As much as I was there to race, it is everyone around me that inspires me to be better and I love seeing everyone, my friends, winning at their own race.
It was a very special race and I cannot wait for the next one! Follow Mariella's journey on Instagram here.
