Langkawi Ironman 2005
RACE REPORT BY BELINDA HALLORANJust over two weeks ago IM Malaysia was not on the WTC race calendar and it certainly wasn't on mine. So to be now sitting here looking at my trophy for winning the 2005 Ironman Malaysia last Sunday feels somewhat unreal. It also feels a little painful because I hadn't been training for an Ironman.Still I had a choice in the matter after I was asked the question a fortnight ago - "what kind of shape are you in and are you up for an IM in 2 weeks?" Considering I gave birth to our first child 9 months ago and have only been back training for 6 months this question had me stumped. After consultation with my husband we decided it was worth the effort and the worse case scenario would be a great base to prepare for my other races later in the season. Unlike me, the race organisers of IM Malaysia had no choice. They were forced to organise the race in two weeks, after they won a court decision that meant the WTC had to honour their Ironman race contract. All this despite the fact that the region is still recovering from the recent Tsunami and that local business has dropped off by 90%. In Langkawi the ocean was reported to have come in up to half a kilometre inland. Is it any wonder that only 38 competitors, including 7 pro men and 2 pro females, turned up raced day?
It may have been an intimate affair compared to the usual 300- 400 competitors that race IM Malaysia, but the grace with which the race officials and volunteers went about their job to provide the competitors with a world-class race was outstanding. It was if they didn't care if there were 4 or 400 competitors as the quality of care was just the same.
As usual race day turned out to be the scorcher one can expect from IM Malaysia and from the start I knew it was going to be a tough. Due to the small number of competitors, the course was changed to consist of multi lap loops in all 3 disciplines. This meant the swim was two laps; the bike was 3 and the run 4 laps. For me the swim, bike and run felt pretty much the same the entire day - hot and unpleasant. The weather conditions got worse as the day progressed and like nearly all the competitors who arrived 2 days before the event, I hadn't had enough time to get acclimatised. On each loop of the bike the competitors waved at each other, not only to show support but to remind each other that we were not alone out there. Finishing the 180 km bike and exiting onto the run felt like stepping out of a hot room into a sauna. The heat was irrepressible. After going through the first 2 km in a time nowhere near the pace I had aimed for I decided that the focus should change to survival and most importantly nutrition and hydration.
As it was 4 laps on the run it wasn't long before I saw the male pros walking through aid stations, sheltering momentarily from the sun - great idea! So while the marathon was slow, I was happy with my performance and just tried to maintain a solid tempo and not succumb to walking. One competitor asked me why I was running when I was miles ahead of second place? The answer was simple - why be out in these conditions doing an IM any longer than you have to be! I had seen a small child sitting in a bucket near a house on the side of the road and I thought, "That is where I want to be - not here!!" So 10.5 hours later, 1st female Pro and 6th overall, I finished.
In this part of the world, this is the only race locals can afford to go to. The majority don't have the income to fly to races all over the planet. The organisers are trying to grow the sport by investing in a tri club and work hard to get business and government support of this major event. They are making the race better every year. Even with only 2 weeks to organise everything, they ran this event perfectly: the parties were held; the athletes were catered for; the aid stations were manned; and the course marked perfectly. And with only 38 courageous competitors battling in stifling conditions, great crowds of locals turned out to cheer us on. This is Ironman like it was originally intended! And despite the massive loss incurred by the organisers, by having to put the race on at such late notice, admirably they donated any income to the Tsunami aid appeal.
I am elated with my effort; proud of my fellow competitors and hopeful that relations between WTC and the race will recover so Ironman Malaysia can become the great race it deserves to be.
Finished 226,000 metres in 14 hrs 35 mins 25 sec 
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