2010 Ironman Winner Mirinda Carfrae

At the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship, had an especially exciting women’s race. Three-time defending champion Chrissie Wellington had pulled out of the race when a case of the flu took her out of commission. Over the course of the day for 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles of cycling and a marathon run, two strong competitors would battle it out:  last year’s 70.3 world champion, Britain’s Julie Dibens, a strong cyclist and even stronger swimmer and Australia’s Mirinda Carfrae, the 70.3 world champ in 2007, a former basketball player who hadn’t start swimming until she was almost 20. Julie and Mirinda are friends as well as competitors and had cheerfully challenged each other in a contest for the most “Twitter” followers by the time of the awards ceremony.  Julie won the “twitter” competition by “about 100,” but during the Ironman, Mirinda kept up a steady pace and ran an amazing marathon in 2:53 (fastest Kona marathon time set by a woman), passing Julie at mile 16. The 29-year old Aussie finished the Ironman in 8:58—the fourth fastest women’s time in Ironman history and made it another first: a complete Australian sweep of the men’s and women’s titles at Kona as Chris McCormack joined her on the podium.

Our Interview with Mirinda (“Rinny”) Carfrae:

• I understand you played basketball when you were younger. Did you come from a family of athletes?

Yes I played ball from the age of 7 all the way through till I found triathlon at 18.  I wouldn’t say I came from a family of athletes, we were definitely all active growing up and played various team sports (mostly basketball) but I am the only one who is still into sports.

• How did you get into triathlons at age 19? Which was the strongest of the three sports early on?

My basketball team’s PT (personal trainer) was also a triathlon coach and through him I was introduced to the sport.  I guess my strongest discipline would have been the run, I picked that up really quickly, I guess you could say it came quite naturally.  

• You’ve been doing the long course (70.3) triathlons for some time—has the transition into the Ironman length been relatively easy for you?

Yes, I have been racing the 70.3 and long course distance for a number of years but have actually always had my eye on the Ironman, I just wanted to make sure I would be physically strong enough to race over the distance before I took the step up and for that reason I would say that the transition has been quite smooth..  In saying that though I do believe that the IM distance is where my talent lies. 

• Is there something in particular you do to strengthen yourself mentally and push through the pain?

Not really, I think just through all the training we do you kind of get used to dealing with a level of pain.  Also I go into a race expecting to face dark moments where the pain can almost be overwhelming, when you have been there in your mind it seems easier to deal with on race day.  

• Did you get a chance to watch some of the age groupers coming in late that night?

Yes, for sure! I love to head down to the finish line in the last couple of hours before midnight when the last few finishers are making their way to the finish line.  It always gives me chills to see their faces as they cross that line and accomplish their dreams.  

• How has your coach (Siri Lindley) helped you?

Where do I start? Siri has been my number one supporter over the past few years – my dreams have literally become her dreams.  She has put her heart and soul into my training program and we just make a fantastic team…  

• You’ve traveled the world to compete; do you have a favorite venue?

My favorite place to race aside from here in Kona, Hawaii, would have to be Phuket, Thailand – super fun race and always lots of mojitos to enjoy at the after party!

• Do you have any special pre-race rituals?

I don’t have any crazy pre-race rituals; I do have a routine that I go through before every race but nothing all that interesting unfortunately.

• Do you have a favorite after-race indulgence?

I love a big burger and fries or a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream..  

• What do you like about your bicycle? Do you do any other type of cycling in your spare time?

I love my little 47cm Cannondale Slice, the fit is perfect and I just feel so comfortable riding it.  Unfortunately I don’t do much other cycling, typically if I am riding a bike it will be the TT or road bike….  I figure I will have plenty of time to ride the mountain bike or cruiser once I retire from IM racing.  (In the Ironman, Mirinda was riding the women’s specific Cannondale Slice–whichis brand new for 2011.)

• What inspires you?

Growing up I was always so inspired by Michael Jordan – I actually still watch some of his videos.  But I guess in general it’s seeing any athlete accomplish the impossible or overcome adversity.