IMC

[Big Sexy!]

Mina is taking it to the girls

the gaps behind her are

* ALISON FITCH (#68) at 6:55
* HEATHER WURTELE (#66) at 15:35
* LISA BENTLEY (#50) at 21:52
* DESIREE FICKER (#53) at 22:30
* SARA GROSS (#51) at 22:38
* ANDREA FISHER (#56) at 23:30

I love lovatos coments......preston trains with a very sucsefull squad that belinda also trains with.....they are always strong and out there looking for blood :-)

[jo]

Hi just got up and can't get ironman.com on I see Belinda is winning, but is there any news of Beck?

[doc]

no beckie  may

[Big Sexy!]

A big congrates to Mina for taking out another win.

and a very deserving one!  Marilyn is extra proud of you for taking the win at her dream race .

Chris and Marilyn XO

[fosdam]

Belinda winning time 9:17:58. To the crowd: "It was always my plan to have a good swim and rip that bike course apart," she said. "I had to concentrate coming in to town to stop crying, I was so emotional."

Also nice to see my pal Bryan win the men's

My 8th triathlon and first IM was IMC "1997" ... I earned a Kona slot ... I was so "green" I did not know what a "Kona slot" was I also turned it down ... I had learned to swim a year prior ... to complete a local "sprint" ... I had never swam open water without a wetsuit ... I confess I told everyone I turned the slot down because  "my year was 'complete' ... I had gone from 'fat/smoker' to 'IM Finisher' and  had met my goals" ... in truth it was fear ... fear of the swim in Kona ... fear of swimming without a wetsuit    ... 10 years ago, 1998, I raced IMC again ... and had a "dream day" finishing 32nd o/a at the age of 38 and took the slot in order to "face that @#$! fear". And a month later in Kona I put it behind me and fell in love with the island and  IMH.

I went back to IMC in 2000, suffered a mechanical and an on-course injury as a result.  A statement made by a friend ... days earlier ... echoed in my ears as I was roadside at mile 48 of the bike with a shattered hub and a bleeding body: "Their will come a point in the race where you must decide ... you will have to decide ... do you really want it? You will have to decide."  I wanted it. And took SAG support and clawed my way back to the podium.

I still want it.

In the years since there have been set-backs caused by accident and an occasional injury ... I confess to  cheating on my girl "traithlon" to play "ultra runner" or chase a few other "endurance distractions" ...  but ... I still want "it".

And although I find my heart and happiness racing in Kona ... the soul of "my racing" is still in Penticton.

I am missing Penticton today and I wish I was up there ... but I am also enjoying the nostalgia ... great days racing up there ... deep and lasting friendship formed ... such a special-special place.

Congratulations, Belinda, what a wonderful and special place to claim a win! 

[jo]

Hi all, just spoke to Beck and she double flatted on the bike course. Apparently there was section that had some thumbs tacks thrown on the course, and of course being Beck's race luck this year, she picked them up and the support vehicle didn't carry any 650 spares     But the good news is, she's all fired up for her next race.

[Mina]

Guys, first up I just want to send you all the biggest thankyou ever for the support and belief you all have in me as an athlete. My team and my coach are the most amazing people and I feel so honoured to be a part of it. I had probably the most amazing time I have ever had in the 28 IM races I have now completes. Yes it was amazing because I won but more than that, I had so much fun doing it. I loved every minute of the race- even during the rougher patches of my marathon. I had a fantastic swim and actually lead the second group. It was so funny for me to turn around and see so many pro men swimming on my feet- who would ever have thought!!! Then onto the bike and of course Doc and I had one goal here- to give it everything. I even told them at the press conference that my aim was to break 5 hrs (secretly I wanted more- I wanted the bike record). I thought it might not happen as the first 20kms I felt terrible and was vomiting and feeling lousy. But it didn't take long for the wheels to start turning and I just kept feeling stronger and stronger. The conditions suited me as it was quite windy. I was actually quite surprised to see my time at the end of the ride. Onto the run and I knew I had a huge buffer so I really took it easy- the first 21km was into a howling headwind- and I mean foul!!! I knew if I made it out to the 21km turn feeling OK then it would be a breeze coming home with the tailwind. Well it didn't quite work like that but once I knew that there was no chance of anyone catching me I shut it down and really savoured the win- coming back through town with about 2kms to go I lapped every bit of the crowd up- at the finish when I was interviewed I actually started crying- something I have never done before. Doc was right in his little story about me- this win meant so much more than just a win. I adore this sport and the lifestyle it has given to Jusi and I- I wouldn't change it for the world.
Thanks again to everyone for your kind words- they mean so much to me.
ps- Marilyn- now that I have two wins here, you can have this one!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Big Sexy!]

Hey BG,

You are an amazing athlete, but even more, an amazing person!!! I'm so proud of you!! XO

Congrates again,
 :-*Marilyn