Gina in Kona!

Spear-Burrows runs, pedals, swims onto world stage
Published Friday October 7th, 2011
Competition: Grand Bay-Westfield woman will compete in Saturday's Ironman event in Hawaii

Gina Spear-Burrows was 12 years old when she resolved to be an iron woman.

Spear-Burrows is now in Hawaii preparing for the World Ironman Championship on Saturday. "I remember her saying I want to run in an ironman competition, and then she said when I run I don't want anyone in front of me," said Betty Spear, Spear-Burrows' mother.

She became a star track and field athlete and triathlete. But it would be just about three decades before the 46-year-old Grand Bay-Westfield resident would fulfill her own prophecy, capturing gold at the 2005 Ironman Canada 40-45 age group in her first attempt in a time of 11 hours and one minute.

"I was so proud of that, my head was in the clouds for about a month after that," Spear-Burrows said with a laugh.

Now she's about to embark on her fourth ironman competition. This time she'll be up against the best at the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday. She qualified for the 2011 World Ironman by finishing second in the 45-49 age class at Ironman Florida last November.

The mother of two has difficulty explaining why she's drawn to such an unfathomably grueling ordeal where participants must run 42.2 kilometres, swim 3.8 km and cycle 180.2 km.

"It's the pinnacle, to make to the world championships,'' she said. "I'm an endurance person; I enjoy the longer distance. It's my hobby and passion like anybody else's; just something I love to do."

Joining 1,700 participants, Spear-Burrows isn't putting any undue pressure on herself. Having to contend with scorching heat and relentless wind, she says she'll "run her own race."

"It's going to be brutal but I just want to enjoy it. I'll give it everything I have Saturday. This is the cream of the crop. But I'm trying not to get caught up in all of that."

As great a shape as she's in - she trains every day and maintains a strict diet - she insists the key to her success is her mental fortitude. Like in most sports, she says, the best are the head strong.

"If you're not having a good day, there's a lot of self talk. My last year's race I was just putting one foot in front of another but I managed to finish. This sport involves so much mental strength and stamina."

She also finds inspiration and motivation from her fellow community members, who urge her on in her preparation. Spear-Burrows, who's employed as a nurse, and her husband Earle, a physiotherapist and a fine ironman athlete himself, have led several recreational activities for residents in past years, like running and children swimming clubs.

Grace Losier, Grand Bay-Westfield mayor, said she's a huge fan of Spear-Burrows, adding the community role model has been an inspiration to her and countless other residents.

"She's obviously an amazing athlete," said Losier. "But look, they're always trying to find ways to make our residents healthier. They've done so much. What could be more admirable than that?"