By Michelle Pickles
Kiwi Ironman Cameron Brown is hoping a change in his training program will finally see him crowned world champion. At 40, tomorrow will be Brown's 12th attempt at the daddy of them all – the Hawaiian Ironman.
Brown's enjoying the scenery at sea level in Kona, on the big island of Hawaii. But the past eight weeks have been much tougher, in the altitude of Boulder, Colorado.
“The mountains are fantastic,” he says. “You can ride up to 10,000 feet and it is great trail running, easy to go out training. [There are] no excuses and it’s just sunshine every day. So if you're not training hard, something is wrong with you. [It is] great build up for Kona.”
Brown is a 10-time New Zealand Ironman champion. But the one he's always wanted – the world title – still eludes him.
He's been close though, with two second- and two third-place finishes at what's regarded as the toughest Ironman race on the planet.
“Last good race was 2005 when I was second and [I had a] bit of bad luck, bit of illness in those previous races,” says Brown. “I know I’m capable of being up there, [I’ve] just got to put all that great training into race day. I know I can be back on the podium if everything goes well.”
If he does, it will be further proof that age is no barrier for Brown.
“I didn't think I’d be doing this race at 40. I turned 40 in June and just keep getting better with age. I did my fastest ever time in Melbourne this year and I just want to have a great race.”
Maybe for Brown, life really will begin at 40.
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