Australian Transport Safety Bureau communications manager Carl Fellows has put his demons to bed after finishing the famous Hawaii Ironman on his third attempt.
The Ironman World Championship at Kona on Hawaii’s big Island is billed as the toughest one-day, multi-sport endurance event in the world.
Few athletes know the truth of this like Carl.
The Ironman comprises a 3.8km ocean swim, a 180km ride through Kona’s lava fields and a 42.2km marathon. It’s hot, humid and windy.
After twice not finishing the event, in 2004 and 2009, Carl completed 2016 Hawaii Ironman in 13hrs 1min, after struggling with stomach issues for much of the run.
“I really thought I had the gut issues sorted this time,” Carl said. “I had a great swim, was conservative on the bike but struggled right from the start of the run.
“I used a different electrolyte drink from my two previous attempts and spent time acclimatising in the University of Canberra’s environment chamber. I’d done the training and was confident I had covered all bases.”
After a 1hr 2min swim and 5hr 22min ride, the run turned ugly. Instead of a 3hr 30min marathon, the course proved character-revealing with Carl battling on for a 6hrs 25min marathon.
“I had issues as soon as I started running,” Carl said. “If my heart rate went over 90bpm, I’d start throwing up. So it was lots of walking and stopping. I also had back spasms which I think were triggered from the vomiting.”
Carl is a talented athlete who qualified for Hawaii after finishing third in his age group in 9hrs 37min at Port Macquarie’s Ironman Australia in May, including a 3hr 23min marathon. A time in the low 10 hours was a reasonable expectation at Hawaii.
But Hawaii is famous for chewing up even the best professional athletes.
“I think somehow I’ve upset the big island,” Carl said. “It doesn’t like me. This was personal. I finished, but I don’t think I’ll be back.”