In at the deep end for Ironman

Alison King | 4th March 2010

IRONMAN NZ

Two years ago Deanna Hape was a non-swimmer, gazing in amazement at the "tots who were like fish".

On Saturday, the 44-year-old QE Health manager lines up with 1300 wetsuit-clad triathletes to compete in Ironman New Zealand - starting off with a 3.8km swim in Lake Taupo.

"I've been building up to this for so long that it seems like such a long time ago I did all the learn to swim stuff," Ms Hape said.

"It was terribly frustrating seeing all these little tots who were like fish, but I persevered and now I swim with the triathlon club swim squad. I've been swimming in the Blue Lake and the first time I was quite anxious as you can't see the bottom. It was a real mental thing but I have done it now.

"I'm not fast by any means but I know I can do the distance. I'll be so relieved to get the swim out of the way; I'm starting to feel really nervous but my anxiety is predominantly due to the swim."

Ms Hape is one of 11 Rotorua triathletes contesting the Ironman race and one of six tackling the long course triathlon for the first time.

The race, which has a 6.45am start for elites and 7am start for age group competitors, involves a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a 42.2km marathon run in Taupo.

Ms Hape has had the Ironman in her sights for the past two years. She went to watch last year and that confirmed her desire to finish.

"It was phenomenal to watch. All shapes and sizes do it. I had an image in my head that you had to be a sleek athlete [to be an Ironman] but you get all sorts of people doing it. I felt so full of admiration for some people who were obviously struggling.

"I've visualised my finish. I often think of that when I'm out running."

 Finishing an Ironman has been on Ms Hape's list of things to do after surviving a bout of oral cancer five years. She said it had spurred her on to do the things she had thought about doing.

"You realise how precious life is, but I don't even think about [the cancer] now.

"I forget I've had it."

She decided on the Ironman, she said, because "I wanted to see if I could do it".

Come Saturday she, fiance Ben Smit and coach Scott Donaldson, will find out if she can.

"I can't see myself doing another Ironman. The training has been so consuming you can't have much balance. I'm looking forward to spending weekends with Ben.

"We're getting married in August, so I can spend time planning that - I've been making lists in my head while cycling."

* Rotorua Ironstarters 2010: Jeremy Aldworth (M30-34), Ironman no1, Martin Carlyle (M45-49), Ironman no1, Clarrie Hall (M45-49) Ironman no1, Deanna Hape (F45-49) Ironman no1, Richard Holliday (M50-54) Ironman no2, Chris McGuire (M60-64) Ironman no11, John Molloy (M25-29) Ironman no4, Guy Nelson (M35-39) Ironman no3, Lawrence Oldershaw (MPRO), Ironman no20, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell (F30-34) Ironman no1, Charlotte Porter (F35-39) Ironman no1.