Extra hurdle for triathlon
Daryn Wood
IT takes an iron will to finish one of the toughest endurance races in the world, and Walmer resident Ian Ross – who is about to take part in his ninth Ironman South Africa event – has just that.
Ross, 56, has a finisher's medal from every Ironman SA that has taken place and is looking to take one more medal home on April 14. But he will have an extra hurdle to overcome this year having had an arthroscopy for a torn cartilage on his knee last year.
The former General Motors employee has competed in 22 Comrades Marathons, 22 Two Oceans Marathons and has also finished the Marathon des Sables – a six-day, 251km ultramarathon held in southern Morocco. Ross is competing in the 55 to 59 age group and wants to finish the race with as little hiccups as possible. "I want to enjoy the day, stay injury-free, not get any punctures and finish before the cut off," he said. His best time is 13 hours and 38 minutes in 2011, but he struggled last year in the harrowing conditions with a slow 16 hours and 20 minutes finish.
Although he is an experienced long-distance runner, Ross said the run was not his strongest leg. "I find that after 180km on the bike I actually struggle to run, and this year post injury I will be walking most of the run leg."
Ross has avoided running during his training but spends time on the Orbitrek at gym.
All his swimming is done in the sea as he is allergic to chlorine, so it is subject to weather conditions.
His cycling routine consists of two long rides of around 120km a week and several shorter rides. He also spends a lot of time at the gym doing flexibility and core training, yoga, pilates and core classes.
Ross decided to get involved in triathlons after years of running because there were plenty of local shorter triathlons suitable for the novice.
"I was always last out of the water, but I usually managed to pass a few people on the bike and run stages. And, being an endurance athlete, I couldn't pass the opportunity when the Ironman first came to Port Elizabeth."
He said he really enjoyed the event and to "compete in such an epic sporting challenge and then go home to sleep in your own bed" is what motivated him each year.
When asked how many more Ironman SA events he planned to complete, Ross replied: "I will keep doing it as long as I continue to enjoy it and the body survives the training."