An Enduring Ambition Gibbs Prepares For Hawaiian Ironman

Newcastle Herald

Saturday October 16, 2004

By JAMES GARDINER

NEWCASTLE triathlete Shane Gibbs will have one thing on his mind when he enters the crystal waters of Kona Bay, Hawaii, on Saturday to finish.

The Hawaiian Ironman is the ultimate endurance event on the planet.

Gibbs will be one of 1600 competitors to face the starting gun at 7am on Saturday.

What follows is a gruelling, energy-sapping test of the mind, body and spirit a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180km ride and 42.2km run.

For most, finishing the Hawaiian Ironman is victory in itself.

Gibbs, 24, arrived in Kona on Sunday, six days before the world champions, to ensure he acclimatised to the hot conditions.

But he admits nothing could prepare him for the pain his body will endure during the marathon, which will last for more than 10 hours.

"It will be an achievement just to finish," Gibbs said before he departed for Hawaii.

"I don't really know what to expect.

"Most people say you have to do five or six Hawaiian Ironmans before you get used to it."

Gibbs qualified for Hawaii after finishing third in the 18-24 years division in the Australian Championships at Forster in April.

It was the first time he had gone over the marathon distance and finished in nine hours 27 minutes.

"My legs were so sore I could not sleep the night after Forster," Gibbs said.

"This is going to be even tougher.

"I have worked closely with Steve Darracott, who has competed in something like 10 Hawaiian Ironmans.

"My plan is to try and break the race up in small sections.

"It is going to be tough, and I know there will be times when my body will want to stop. You have to try and forget about the pain, keep a smile on your face and push through it."

A former surf-lifesaver, Gibbs took up triathlons just two and half years ago.

"I got bored doing surf-club racing and became friends with leading local triathlete Boyd Conrick," he said. "My first triathlon was the Sparke Helmore here in Newcastle and have been hooked ever since."

Gibbs may be light on experience, but he has tried to make up for that through preparation.

His weekly training routine has consisted of 400km on the bike, 20km in the pool and 60 to 80km of road running.

"Since I qualified [for Hawaii], everything has been geared towards this weekend," he said. "I have always loved a challenge and this is the ultimate test."

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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