January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Smith, Bordage have 'dream' finish in Brazil Ironman
Both women completed the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and marathon in under 11 hours to finish first and second in their age group (35-39) and qualify for the World Championships in Hawaii.
Smith and Bordage along with Julia Hawley and Jeff Conyers were among a field of around 1,300 competitors who took on the challenge in Florianopolis, the mountainous Brazilian island just south of Rio.
Bordage, who was competing in her first Ironman, said they had surpassed all expectations.
"It was incredible. We were both so pleased for each other. It's hard to put into words. You really want to do well and for your friends to do well. We all worked really hard and the result showed - hard work pays off.
"From a sporting persepective it doesn't compare to anything else I've ever done. There is nothing like it. It sounds strange but I would recommend it to anyone. You meet all these amazing, healthy, energetic, happy, positive people and the whole atmosphere is phenomenal.
"I was just elated when I crossed the line. You pump your fist, you're completely exhausted, almost delirious but you're just so happy to have done it.
"When I did the training I had a goal in mind to come in under 11 hours but I had no idea if it was acheiveable or not. To go there and have such a race was kind of like a dream come true. For Karen to win and us both to qualify for Hawaii was just amazing. I feel so lucky."
Bordage said she and Smith had trained together and with Julia Hawley frequently over the course of the 32-week training programme.
Bordage finished 18th overall of the women with Smith 15th.
Hawley was 43rd overall and 5th in the 40-44 age group. the other Bermuda competitor Jeff Conyers finished 21st in the 50-55 age group.
Bordage said jostling for position with hundreds of other swimmers in the melee at the start of the race had been the toughest part.
"There were 1,300 competitors jammed together for the first kilometer. It was just chaos, all you could see and feel was arms and legs and you couldn't really see where you were going.
"It was a bit unnerving but it's part of the Ironman. It's what you have to strive through. It was nothing like Harrington Sound, though!"
Bordage said Smith, who was still in Florianoplis last night, had a fantastic swim to set her up for the race.
She said she would now take a couple of weeks off from training before preparing to do it all again in Hawaii in October.
"I'll, for sure, take a few weeks off and then we'll have about 16 weeks to put a training plan together and get ready for the worlds."[[In-content Ad]]
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