Jenny's back and she means business

by Laurilee McMichael | 3rd March 2010

IRONMAN

Turangi's Jenny Barnett has unfinished business.

It is to make the 17-hour Ironman event cutoff time and gain the Ironman finisher's medal that eluded her by just minutes last year.

Jenny, the 2009 Ironman tail-end Charlie, knows about a long day at the Ironman. Last year the 61-year-old was on the go for 17 hours and 13 minutes and displayed grit in spades to make it across the Taupo finish line shortly after midnight.

But alas, that extra 13 minutes meant although she completed the event and received a rapturous welcome as she ran down the finishers' chute, she wasn't counted as an official Ironman.

So she's back- stronger, fitter and more determined than ever this year she'll be clutching that medal.

Jenny says she has been training hard and noticing improvements, especially in her swimming technique.

"It's taken me over a year to perfect my kicking technique and with my running, I guess I've got stronger and I've learned how to pace."

Jenny says with one Ironman behind her, having previous experience is both good and bad.

"I completed last year so I know I can do it. But it's kind of scary because I just know that it's going to be another long day at the office."

Despite the huge day, Jenny says last year's Ironman went in a blur and the thrill of finishing more than made up for the endless hours spent biking, running and swimming in preparation.

She found the hardest part was just before the turnaround on both the run and the cycle (each consists of two laps), feeling tired and knowing there was still another huge lap to do.

"That's the absolute worst bit. Once I made it around, I thought 'okay, I've made it around, I'm going back out there again, go for it'."

There has even been an upside to being last year's "tail-end Charlie", Jenny says. People at triathlon events recognise her now and cheer their support.

Whether Jenny returns to Ironman in 2011 depends on how things go on March 6, she says, although she'll probably switch to the shorter distances.

At the moment though, she's focused on just one thing.

"I'm feeling so much stronger this year than I did last year and if the conditions are right and nothing untoward happens, I'll get my medal."