Former local world class triathlete Charlotte McShane is now officially an ironwoman, having recently completed the full ironman distance in her race debut in Cairns.
McShane crossed the line in 34th place overall and in 10th spot in the women’s division, completing the course in nine hours, 27 minutes and 59 seconds.
The race compromised a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bike ride and 42 kilometre run.
McShane took 59 minutes and 31 seconds for the swim, five hours, 17 minutes and
40 seconds for the ride and an impressive three hours, four minutes and 19 seconds for the marathon.
She competed in two Ironman 70.3 events in preparation which involve a 1.9 kilometre swim, 90 kilometre bike ride and 21.1 kilometre run.
The women’s event was won by American Jackie Hering (8.42.15), while the overall winner was another American Matthew Marquardt (7.50.41).
McShane described the event as the hardest thing she has ever done.
“I’ve gained a whole new level of respect for anyone who’s completed one of these, whether it took eight hours or 16, the distance is no joke,” McShane said.
It was tough going for McShane on the big leg, battling a headwind solo that felt like hitting a wall.
“At one point I looked down and my bike computer said 12 kilometres an hour, I started doing the math to see how long it would take to crawl, my legs had already checked out by then, the last 80 kilometres was a slow, painful grind,” McShane said.
She kept waiting for that magical “this feels good” moment everyone talks about but it never came. She’s not sure if that’s just ironman or if she was just having a rough day, but she guesses another one is on the cards to find out.
McShane was thankful for all the support, conceding it hurt so much but stopping never crossed her mind.
“I had so many people out there cheering me to that finish line,” she said.
The day after the event McShane wasn’t sure if she would ever do another one, mainly because she couldn’t imagine her legs ever working again, but now the dust has settled she’s already excited to build on everything she learnt.
“Putting it in perspective I came 10th in the pro female, it was my longest swim (without stopping), longest road ride and first marathon, so let’s see where this takes me,” McShane said.
McShane was inspired to get into triathlon when watching her dad, Frank, compete in the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii in 2001.
