Hawaii Ironman Coverage 2011 Athlete Profile – Anthony Caiafa

Age: 55

Country Representing: Australia

Occupation: Dentist and veterinarian

Marital Status/Family: Married to Alison

Is this the first time you have been to Kona?

This is my first time racing on the big island although I have accompanied my wife several times when she has competed at Kona. I qualified at Ironman Korea (originally I was to do Ironman China, until it was cancelled at very short notice I may add). I did my first ironman at Forster in 2000 after being in Kona in 1999 just after the ironman event that year. My wife and I decided on the plane home that we wanted to do an ironman race. I had a hiatus from ironman for 10 years and decided to do Ironman China in 2010 hoping to get a spot for Kona. Unfortunately, I tore my plantar fascia in my right foot 3 weeks before Ironman China and although being in 2^nd place into the T2 transition had to hobble/walk the whole marathon in 7 hours 15 mins (the most boring marathon I have ever done!). I decided to have another crack at the ironman for 2011 and was fortunate enough to get the last qualifying spot in my age group in Korea.

Where did you qualify for Kona 2011?

I qualified at Ironman Korea. I had a very good race, although swimming is not my greatest leg, I managed to hang onto the feet of some faster swimmers, and this gave me a confidence lift to do well on the bike. The race started to hot up on the run with humidity and high temperatures taking its toll on a number of contestants. I have osteoarthritis in both hips and knees and I survive the run by taking celebrex anti-inflammatory drugs a week before the ironman. I made a pact with myself that I would run the first half of the marathon without walking and I nearly succeeded and got to the 19 km mark before doing a run walk for the rest of the marathon. The final 2 kms. of the run was downhill and even though my quads were burning, I decided to try to run the last 2 kms. This was a good decision on my behalf because I beat the contestant behind me by only just over a minute, which luckily got the final qualifying spot in my age group.

Tell us about your preparation for Hawaii.

I have been fairly consistent with my training (at least for me) in my preparation for Kona. It is sometimes hard to fit work commitments in around the training because I do travel a bit interstate which affects my training rhythm. I have not competed in any events prior to Kona. I have not done anything special re training in heat and humidity, although I was in Las Vegas in September and did get some training in the dry heat of Nevada.  I have had some Achilles niggles for the past 3-4 weeks but with massage and resting my Achilles (less running) I am hoping it will hold up for Kona.

What has a typical training week looked like for you in the lead-up to this event?

I do about 300-400 kms on the bike, about 6-7 kms swimming and only about 15 kms running due to the Achilles injury.

What excites you the most about competing at an iconic race like the Hawaii Ironman?

I am at an age now where I do not know whether my body can hold up to the riggers of ironman. What excites me about Kona is not the race itself(it will bloody tough)  but the fact that I was able to get there in the first place and when I walk around the town of Kona, I really enjoy the atmosphere, the friendliness of everyone and on race day, the support and encouragement of the supporters and volunteers (I really enjoyed 2010 because I volunteered as a bike catcher at T2 and was able to catch my wife’s bike when she came into transition)

Is there anything about the Ironman in Hawaii that makes you really nervous?

The main concern for me is an old injury flaring up in the run and not being able to finish. That is my worst fear.

What are your goals for the race?

My goal for Kona is not to come last in my age group and hopefully come in the top half of my age group. Either that or to finish close to midnight because the crowd support and atmosphere around this time is unforgettable.

What are you doing to relax after the race? Are you planning on a holiday in Hawaii post Ironman?

Unfortunately no holiday- straight home.

Tell us a little about your background?

I have been doing triathlons since the early 90’s. It started with duathlons (my first one was at Sandown racetrack) and then not knowing how to swim and starting from scratch with swimming- taking the big step of getting into triathlons including representing Australia at age group level in Olympic distance world championships.

How have you managed to balance the training for Ironman with your other commitments such as work and family?

I am very lucky that my wife also trains for ironman and so she is very understanding.  My job can be very tiring and some days the thought of training is totally foreign to me. I will never be one to put in the long hours into training (I know that I will never set the world on fire in triathlon). I do not have a coach and so coach myself which means I usually do what I feel like- I am not a hard coach and give myself plenty of rest time.

Ironman is always a balancing act between family and work but never lose sight or not recognise the people that sacrifice their own time to allow you to be an ironman.

Interesting Fact:

This will be my fourth ironman ever.

Thanks for chatting to us and best of luck for the race!

Do you have a friend or family member who has qualified for Kona?? We would love to profile them! Please have them email michelle@getsetupinsport.com.au