SHANNON’S STAND
HE’S already regarded as the greatest ironman of all time but Shannon Eckstein says being able to train for the Coolangatta Gold has reignited his passion for the sport and could extend his career.
Eckstein had surgery in late April to ease the condition popliteal artery entrapment syndrome that caused cramping of his calves anytime he ran a significant distance and made the Gold an almost impossible challenge.
But with that condition eased, Eckstein has thrown himself into preparing for the 41.8km race and has loved the challenge.
“I could have done this race many times over the past 10 years but I’ve just concentrated on doing well for my club at worlds, at Aussies and the (Nutri-Grain ironman) series,” Eckstein said.
“It’s not to say that I’ve got no appetite for that anymore but last summer at Kellogg’s, I don’t think I got as hungry.
“I won the second round (of the Nutri-Grain series) and I didn’t really get that excited by it. And once you lose that, you’ve got to find new things to motivate you.”
Eckstein had surgery just days after the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships ended and immediately turned his attention to the Gold.
“I got the operation and started preparing for this and I’ve been motivated,” he said.
“I haven’t trained like this for probably five or six years and been dedicated to rehab and physio and getting everything done properly.
“It’s so hard to train for, I know that now.
“There’s so many more hours you need to put into this – I’m probably 4-5kg lighter than I was racing at last year just from the extra training that I’ve done for this race.
“I’ve built a big fitness base up now for the rest of the year and I even think I’ve got enough fitness to think about next year too, so it’s probably been good to get this renewed motivation for something.”
Eckstein has completed the Gold three times, finishing second, third and fourth but each time, he led the great race into the final run leg before succumbing to cramping.
“All three times I led pretty much halfway into the final run leg and my feet were numb,” Eckstein said.
But Eckstein is on track to line up on Sunday for a highly anticipated match-up with four-time winner Ali Day.
“If you look at history, the fastest run leg usually wins the race,” he said of the event his brother Caine won five times.
“Ali (Day) might just be too good. He’s got a pretty good record in races over an hourand-a-half.”