Running down the finishing chute having completed an Iron Māori event gives you a feeling money can’t buy – you have to earn it through sheer grit and determination.
The promise of that moment had been Sarah Wano-Hayman’s motivation and driving force through the toughest of training sessions – and one that lived up to expectations!
“When I ran down to the finish with my daughter, my neices and whānau friend it was everything I dreamed it would be, and more,” she says, the emotion thick in her voice.
“It was a mixture of relief, joy, pride, elation – just everything thrown in there with a fair bit of exhaustion on top too! What really made it was seeing the Taranaki Toa whānau right there cheering me on, just like they have been from the very start.
“It was very special, this whole kaupapa is very special.”
Sarah completed the quarter Iron Māori – a 1km open water swim, 50km bike ride and 10km run – in Napier alongside her husband Regan, dad Hayden, brother Wiremu, work colleague Alf (also Kaiwhakahaere of Taranaki Toa) and the rest of the Taranaki Toa team. You can read more about the kaupapa and the run-up to the event here – Triathlon is a team sport when you do it with Taranaki Toa – Tui Ora
It wasn’t just the finish that was emotional either – the start was, too!
“There were tears on the startline,” admits Sarah with a laugh. “I was just so nervous and all the doubts of ‘I can’t do this’ were running round my head. The buoy we needed to swim round seemed to be a very long way away and the whole thing just seemed to be an impossible feat to me at that point.”
The swim leg had always represented the biggest challenge for Sarah, but her training paid off.
“I felt strong enough to just keep going, although it was hard with so many other people all around you and legs and arms flying everywhere. But I held my space for the most part and the whole swim went better than I thought it would.”
Next up was the bike, and again the tough Taranaki training ground paid dividends.
Then it was the run – only 10km to go before the moment all Iron Maori participants dream of.
“There were three loops to complete, so that helped to break it up into bitesized chunks, and the whānau were there with signs cheering me on which was amazing.
“And then it was the turn into the chute and down to the finishing line. Alf had been with me the whole way round, he was just amazing, and he stepped back and said ‘go for it, take your moment’ and all of a sudden I’d done it. I’d actually done it. I was exhausted and elated and emotional, and it was the best feeling in the world.”
Next it was beers and feed before an early night, and a much-needed soak in the hot pools the next day!
Sarah completed the course in 4 hours 35 minutes. Husband Regan smashed it in 3 hours 15 minutes and dad Hayden was not far behind with 3 hours 52 minutes.
“I want to acknowledge and mihi Alf because he was right there with me the whole time, keeping me going and motivating me. I could not have completed it without him. In fact, I couldn’t have done any of it without him and his amazing Taranaki Toa kaupapa,” says Sarah.
The whole experience has been so amazing, in fact, that Sarah has already signed up for next year!
“Taranaki Toa has been the most empowering and inclusive thing I have ever done. Of course, it’s tough, and, of course, your body hurts sometimes, but what you get out of it is mind-blowing. I feel a confidence in myself that wasn’t there before.
“And doing it with Alf and the Taranaki Toa means you are set up for success every step of the way. I would encourage anyone, anyone at all to come and get involved.
“I never in a 100-years thought I would have an Iron Māori medal round my neck and look at me now – if I can do it, anyone can.”