Macca: Into the eye of the storm
By Jay Prasuhn
Oct. 20 -- As Australian Chris McCormack heads into his 2006 effort here in Kona, it's a seemingly new Macca. One that is less apt to make a sharp comment. One that is more analytical in his thinking, his speaking and his approach to the race.
After several years of misery on this island, Macca rebounded last year from a poor bike to record the day's best run and run himself into sixth position.
One telling event happened as he was at the Triathlete booth signing autographs. Hawaii Ironman legend Mark Allen walked up to Chris and took a photo. As McCormack tells it:
"That earthquake started it all. You know how zen-ny he is, but Mark Allen said it's a readjustment, a changing of the guard. Y'know, a funny story was at the booth and Mark came over and took a photo of me and I was like "mate, I've been taking photos of you my whole life, I wish my friend was here to see this!" He said "I've just got a very, very good feeling for you this year." Anyone else you'd just say, whatever, mate. But boy, I got a bit of a buzz from him. But I've gotta execute it. It's one thing to have a good feeling. I have a job to do Saturday.
Here's a few thoughts from Macca as he prepares to test The Grip's theory:
On changing his approach and respect for Kona: My whole way of racing when I first came here was to be aggressive right away, because that's how I'd won Ironmans around the world. Now, when you can run 2:40's consistently, why take that chance? This year I'll just sit there on the ride and bank myself on the run."
On his race last year and tactics for this year: Last year I had the worst swim of my career. Normally if I have a bad swim, I'm a minute behind Faris, but last year I came out with Michellie. I just felt flat. I was throwing up on the bike and giving up. Thomas Hellriegel rode up to me and I said 'I'm done." He said don't give up, just stop drinking electrolytes and drink Coke and water, c'mon ride with me." I got off the bike and felt wonderful. In a perfect world I'd have been in a front group, and that's where I aim to be this year.
The only person who can run with me is Cameron Brown. To me, he's my marked guy. He's been so successful here in the past. I want to do sort-of what Mark Allen did with Dave Scott. I don't know how to win this race, but I do want to do what the guys did who were successful. Mark swam with Dave, rode with Dave and ran with Dave. Cameron, the guy's gonna finish on the podium. History shows that. So I'm gonna swim with him, ride with him and run with him, and I'd back myself to outsprint him in the last mile if it comes to it. I just want to cross the line first. I don't care if it's one second, I've done it, and the monkey can be off my back. So yeah, those are the guys I'll be following.
But of course, evveryone knows me; I'll blow up. Yeah I finished sixth last year, but history says I won't finish. That's what they're hoping. I've done it before, but when you rely on hope, and you're hoping this guy blows up, that's not a good position to be in. You need to be sure you've done enough to win. That's the pressure I'm putting on them. They've gotta get rid of me, and they're gonna hope. "He should blow up now, he shouldn't be here." That's what I'm looking forward to.
On the remainder of the field: Cameron's my scary guy. Guys like Normann and Faris, the German press puts an phenomenal amount of pressure on them. They're the past two champions, but that pressure can make you do silly things. Someone like Cameron is patient, had a fantastic race at Frankfurt, he's confident, did only two Ironmans this year, he's fresh and eager.
On unusually stifling heat and humidity in Kona and how it might affect his strategy: "I think it's gonna be brutally hot. I think the last time it was brutally hot all the guys have run over three hours except for Cameron Brown, who ran a 2:58. At the end of the day the same guys are gonna be mixing it up. Cameron's proved he's strong. Normann's strong and Faris loves the heat. I've actually done a lot less mileage and have gone better.
On the tiny nuances making a big difference: All the little things have gone well. I got home for the birth of my second daughter Siena, the flight here went well, arrangements have been coming together well, been getting seated at restaurants straight away. All those little things. It all helps.
On the surprise of having his family there for this year's race: "It was great; I have a potential sponsor who did something great. I as thinking I feel bad that my family won't be there as I was coming over. They flew my father, my brother, my wife and two kids. I got off the plane here and got a call when I landed here saying 'we're coming up!'