Toi Ohomai Kaimahi Preps for World Champs

Ten years ago, Shirley Day was filled with both excitement and fear when she signed up for her first half-Ironman event, now she is preparing to compete on the world stage.

The Toi Ohomai kaimahi is getting ready to compete at the Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii, next month and can’t wait to cross the finish line. 

Shirley, 60, says her first event, IronMāori (half Ironman) in Napier, was a massive step out of her comfort zone but once she had completed it, she gained the courage to enter the 2014 Ironman New Zealand. 

“It was about this time that I joined RATS. I have enjoyed being part of the club and being part of the regular Swim Squad on Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with Saturday bunch rides.

“There are so many hugely experienced triathletes in the club who have shared their knowledge and advice with me from my very first race in 2014 and continue to do so today.”

Fast forward to 2022 and Shirley showed off her endurance skills when she completed two back-to-back iron distance events in December, her tenth and eleventh respectively. 

“The first was the inaugural IronMāori Toa event in Napier, which I decided was going to be my training for IMNZ in Taupo the following Saturday.  

“IronMāori Toa was held in warmish but windy conditions.  My aim was to pace myself and to leave enough gas in the tank for me to line up at IMNZ.” 

She placed first in her age group and the following Saturday in Taupō she faced several challenges but managed to finish, ticking off the achievement of two back-to-back events in seven days. 

“The cold lake that day was a harbinger of the weather to come.  The weather threw rain, winds, thunder and lightning at us so it was a long slow ride. I also punctured on the last lap of the bike, somehow, I managed to change my tube despite frozen cold hands and fingers. I quickly discovered that I must have pinched the tube as the tyre kept deflating, eventually the tube blew out and I was left to ponder my options.  I decided I’d walk/run to the finish, thankfully a bike mechanic came along and got me road worthy again.” 

Shirley says a last-minute decision to go to Rolldown where the Kona slots are allocated was a sudden change to her wish to ‘retire’ from long distance triathlon. 

“My age group was one of the first off the blocks. The First, Second and Third place getters weren’t there, then I knew it was my chance to take part in the ultimate Ironman Race in Kona, Hawai’I, the home of Ironman.  I just about flew up to the stage when my name was called and collected my official ‘lei’ with a big grin on my face.”

Since then, Shirley has been heavily invested in training, wanting to give this opportunity to compete in the World Championships the respect its due.  

“Training through winter is tough, sacrifices are being made so I can train, recover and go to work. I know from past experience that the training is often harder than race day. I’m knuckling down and doing the hard yards so I can celebrate when I cross that finish line in Kona Hawaii.”

She says she’d like to thank the RATS Committee for sponsorship which has helped to cover some of the costs involved. 

“I’ll be proudly lining up on Sunday, 14 October, along with fellow Rotorua triathlete, Charlotte Porter, knowing I have the support of the club, whānau, friends, workmates and hope to do you all proud.”