| Ben Allen, soon to compete in the NIB Coolangatta Gold, seen here at ... Ben Allen, soon to compete in the NIB Coolangatta Gold, seen here at the NSW State Championships in 2007 |
Cadel Evans ignites Ben's burning desire for gold
8 Oct 2007 | Bernie Goldie
University of Wollongong student, lifeguard and surf lifesaver, Ben Allen has been "burning the candle at both ends "juggling his passion for both the Tour de France and his own heavy training schedule.
Allen, who competes for the Bulli Surf Club, has his sights set on winning this year’s gruelling NIB Coolangatta Gold Ironman race from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta and return on October 14.
Set to be one of NSW's leading contenders for the event, the University of Wollongong student has stayed up well past his bedtime watching the feats of Australia's latest sporting hero, Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans.
And the inspiration of the best-ever placed Australian has been well worth it.
Allen is convinced the amazing performance of the gutsy Northern Territory born Evans has certainly struck a chord as he prepares for an early race test on the Gold Coast this weekend -- round one of the gruelling 47.3 kilometre Anaconda Adventure Series, which has attracted record numbers in individual and teams events.
The Anaconda Race includes a 1.9km swim, 14km kayak paddle, 17km mountain bike and 12km run through the rugged Gold Coast hinterland and is billed as the perfect test event for endurance competitors in the lead up to the 46.65km NIB Coolangatta Gold.
The Gold, open for the first time to all-comers, includes a 23km ski paddle, 3km swim, 5.5km board paddle and a “killer” 10km soft sand run to the finish.
“The Tour de France is just an unreal sporting event but as much as I loved watching Cadel, it’s good to get my life back to a normal routine with the late nights taking a bit of a toll at swim training the next morning,” Allen said.
“Lance Armstrong has been my idol ever since I was young and now to witness Cadel (Evans) come from fifth last year to second overall has inspired me to train even harder and push myself to the limit at this year’s NIB Coolangatta Gold.
“Watching Cadel in some of those time trials push his body to the limit sends a shiver down your spine and it’s an awe inspiring sense that you know you can relate to, and call upon, when you’re putting yourself through the pain barrier.
“It’s fantastic for Australia and like the Olympics, where amazing performances make you want to get up and swim or run, the thought of Cadel putting it all on the line for his country is going to be a big help in personally overcoming the mental hurdles involved with the Anaconda and NIB Coolangatta Gold.”
Allen juggles a hectic lifestyle that includes studying for a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and working as a part-time lifeguard at the local pool on top of his intense training regime.
The 2007 Gold will be the third consecutive time he has contested Australia’s toughest Ironman event after finishing 10th in the race won by Zane Holmes in 2006 and made famous by the movie of the same name and the 1984 and 1985 winner Guy Leech.
Allen is confident that the Anaconda event will not only provide great race practice for The Gold but also give him a much deserved break from the rigours of constant training.
“I think to mix things up at this stage of your training preparation is crucial and having the Anaconda event is something different to really see where you’re at and keep motivated for the NIB Coolangatta Gold in October,” he said.
“The similarities between the two races makes it a great test and to have mostly the same elements of swimming, running and paddling is a bonus both mentally and physically to push myself to the limits.”
Convinced that it will be a case of third time lucky in the NIB Coolangatta Gold event, Allen is quietly confident of a strong showing in being among the place-getters back at Surfers Paradise finish line.
“I know I can match it with the best of them in the run leg, so for me I think it’s just a matter of not losing touch with the leaders in the ski and hopefully from there I can come away with the ultimate result.
“Studying to be a PE teacher I guess you have to have good time management skills to fit it all in and with that balance I feel my training sessions this winter have been some of the best of my life.”
And despite his love of the Tour de France . . . a good night's sleep has also been just what the doctor ordered as Ben prepares to push his body to the limit not once, but twice over the next three months.
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