"Marathon Mae" Palm, the 65-year-old Ironman legend, said she feels confident she'll set a new Ironman record on Sunday, Aug. 28. Palm will compete in the Penticton Ironman taking on a 3.86 km swim, 180.2 km bike and 42.2 km run, in under 13 hours and 16 minutes - she hopes.
Palm was three minutes shy of breaking the record for the 60 to 64 year age category last year, and now that she's in a new age category she's more determined than ever to get the record.
"Last time I stopped to talk to some girls!" she said. "I won't be rude, but I'll zip it this time."
But the road to the record is expensive, and it's just a step toward qualifying for the October world Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. Palm finished seventh in her category at the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in 2004, and plans to return this year, but the financial challenge may turn out to be bigger than any triathlon.
"Only lack of financial support will prevent me from coming back," she said.Palm desperately wants to represent her community and her country as the only Canadian world Ironman competitor in her age category. But the retiree alone couldn't afford the $575 registration fee for the qualifying Ironman nor the $610 fee for the World Ironman, much less the $1,200 to travel to Hawaii for an event she's being doing every year for many years. So Palm's fans - women inspired by her tremendous achievements - are stepping up to keep her running.
Karina Andru, Kim Fairall and Brenda Andres are promoting Palm on a local level. They've spent the summer creating a Mae Palm portfolio and website.
"We first met Mae while training for the Vancouver Sun Run," states the website. "Mae was our running leader and was truly an inspiration. This web site was created out of admiration for Mae Palm, for her achievements in the sport of triathlon and long distance running. We hope to help Mae continue to inspire others through her accomplishments by providing a venue for people to learn and share stories about her and to donate to her success."
Fairall is also sponsoring Palm with free massage therapy sessions.
Palm's dedication and success in the sport has also earned her donations from Sun Run clinic coordinator Anne Peters and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sports. But the one-time donations are not enough to keep the athlete on course.
"She gets little bits here and there, has tons of people that support her all the time and have for the past few years," said Andru. "But it's not letting her continue to do what she needs to do to train."
Palm recently had to replace her bicycle after discovering it had a cracked frame, and although Corsa Cycles is giving her a deal, $2,800 is still a hefty amount, and merely another bill that delays the purchase of a much-needed wetsuit and new running shoes.
"My wetsuit's got so many holes it looks like a sponge," she laughs, adding confidently: "At least in Hawaii I'll be able to just wear a bathing suit."
Individuals wanting more information on donating to Mae Palm's journey to the competition can go to the site at www.marathonmae.ca.
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