TT Hawaii Ironman Coverage: Athlete Profile - Karla McKinlay

Age: 65

Country Representing: Australia

Occupation: Anaesthetist (semi retired)

Marital Status/Family: Married (husband thinks I’m crazy) but have one fabulous supportive married daughter, who is coming to Kona with me.

Is this the first time you have been to Kona?  Yes

Where did you qualify for Kona 2011?

Qualified from Port Macquarie, 2011.  First time in 65-69 age group, and thought that I just might have the age group to myself, as I have so far been the oldest in my age group in the 60-64’s by a couple of years, and was unable to win those age groups!  However I found there were three entered!  Only two of us actually competed: having googled my opponent I was not optimistic, as she had considerably more experience than I, and had been to Kona on several occasions. I learnt later she was not interested in Kona this year, but I was glad I won the spot, by winning the event. I was behind after the swim, overtook on the bike x 2, the second time after a puncture and surprisingly increased the lead on my normally weakest leg, the run, with a PB for Port Mac (my third go) by about 90 mins.

Tell us about your preparation for Hawaii.

No triathlons, though I will attempt a PB in the Shepparton ½ marathon on August 28^th as a training run.  My previous Achilles Tendonopathy and Gluteal Bursitis have both settled, and I having lots of myotherapy and massage to keep it that way.  Apart from indoor running on treadmill, and riding on wind trainer, it is cold here in Shepparton.  I attended a great training Camp with TriSpecific in Bali in June and in Noosa a couple of weeks ago.

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

I swim 5x/week, three with my masters group, which is very important to me both socially and because they started me on the road to triathlon. Then I do two short runs, often on treadmill and one long run, so far long, is under 2 hrs, and two intense but shorter wind-trainer sessions and a “long ride” max to date 4 hrs. 2-3 Core/Strength sessions, plus a Pilates and yoga class.

My current coach is Kristian Manietta of Tri Specific, and for Kona he has taken me on his One-2-One programme, which I think is important as am so much older and newer to the sport than my local Triathlon Members, who are also very supportive. But Kristian has an “easy to hard” approach with shorter sessions than I was used to, always ending with the hardest bit last.  Injury prevention and nutrition are also important, and I spend a lot of time on Trigger Point rollers. All that, lots of feed back, and some positive thinking are keeping me sound and sane – I hope!

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

The fact that it is WORLD Championships.  I have been involved in other sports, but have never represented my country in a world event, even if it is unofficial and I won’t be wearing green and gold!

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

Yes I feel nervous about not coming up to expectations, both mine and those who have helped me get there.  “Falling in a Heap” as I call it.  I have been told “Not to Be Afraid to Fail” my experience and times are improving, but it will be hot, humid, windy and I am not sure how ready I am for all that.  However Cadel Evans has been an inspiration, and I have entered IM NZ and Port Mac again for 2012, to give myself another chance to qualify!  I also have a new TT bike, so I must be serious!

What are your goals for the race?

Just starting is a plus. I think of all the people who miss out by seconds, in age groups that are far more “competitive” than mine, and I feel it is a privilege just to be there.  So I set some more lofty goals, perhaps in order of possibility.  1 – Finish (Hope so) 2 - Make the Podium (Perhaps) 3 - Win my age group (Very Doubtful!) 4 – Under 14 hrs (a PB – for all my IM races – would make my day).

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

Have to dash back- am captain of my local golf club and I have end of season presentations to attend to!

Tell us a little about your background?

I was born in Prague, and ethnically am Czech, escaping to the UK in 1950. I graduated in Medicine in 1969, and started travelling; Gibraltar, through Europe, even Czechoslovakia, tip to toe in Africa, with working spells in Kenya and Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Migrated to Australia in 1977.  I have always enjoyed sport, going back to school days.  Dabbled in sailing, scuba, squash, skiing, trekked the Himalayas, climbed Kilimanjaro: more seriously I flew gliders competitively, and made the Vic State Veterans Hockey Team from 1998 for 10 year in a row.  Then I stuffed up my knees, and decided to try something with less impact and joined our masters swimming group.  There I met triathlete Carole McGregor and got talked into a mini TRI.  Running in a straight line seemed OK, so I bought a 2^nd hand Cannondale road bike, fitted TRI Bars and ran my first ½ marathon in Shepparton and the Melbourne Full Marathon – just to see if I could. MY first opportunity at a proper TRI came locally as Shepparton hosts a Half Ironman.  So Nov 08 was my first IM (and proper TRI) and as I had “ticked the box” qualified for Port Mac 09; this was my second event!  It was only ever meant to be the ONE full IM event, but it sort of snowballed and I got hooked.  I have now completed IM Port Mac in 09/10/11 and Busso in 10, (PB so far there) plus Shepp ½ x  3 & Geelong ½ x 1. Plus  a couple of sprint and Olympic events. 

What drives me? I often ask myself the same?  Why such an extreme sport?  Personally I NEED purpose, a goal, something to aim for, or I know my idle self would take over with obesity the inevitable consequence. I see a lot of unhealthy people in my job, not always but frequently, self-inflicted.  I hear the excuses tumble forth.  So while I can do, I will keep going, no retirement date set, I guess the body will tell me when it’s time to stop!  I’m an “endurance” athlete, not a “sprinter”.  Or so my friend Carole, who started it all tells me!

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

That’s the easy bit.  Hubby and I are friends but at present live apart.  Daughter is married and comes and “crews”.  She honeymooned in Hawaii last year and sussed out Kona – in case mum qualified! So I’m independent, working part time only.  No excuses!

Interesting Fact:

Don’t know?  Perhaps it is a bit unusual for people to start IM in their 60’s, with no background in triathlon, swimming, cycling or distance running? As someone said about Cadel Evans when he won Le Tour – “Age is no barrier” – well it’s true.

Good luck for the race Karla!

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