Race 2: Australia - “The Surrender Test”
Race 2: Australia - “The Surrender Test”
On December 1, 2024, Race 2 of the Road to Six brought me to the stunning coastline of Busselton, Australia. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and the iconic Busselton Jetty, this course was as beautiful as it was demanding.
Finishing in 12:01:18, I pushed through heat, wind, and the inevitable mental battles that come with racing. Busselton reaffirmed that every step forward—no matter how hard—is a victory in itself. This race wasn’t just about the clock; it was about proving that persistence and heart can take you anywhere.
Two down, four continents to go. The journey continues.
On December 1, 2024, Race 2 of the Road to Six brought me to the stunning coastline of Busselton, Australia. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and the iconic Busselton Jetty, this course was as beautiful as it was demanding.
Finishing in 12:01:18, I pushed through heat, wind, and the inevitable mental battles that come with racing. Busselton reaffirmed that every step forward—no matter how hard—is a victory in itself. This race wasn’t just about the clock; it was about proving that persistence and heart can take you anywhere.
Two down, four continents to go. The journey continues.
LOCATION
Busselton, Australia
DATE
1st Dec, 2024
TIME
12:01:18
ABOUT THE RACE
ABOUT THE RACE
A Few Words from me
A Few Words from me
This race pushed me further than I ever thought possible, with some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever faced:
3-4 foot waves during the ocean swim
24 mph headwinds with gusts up to 30 on the bike and run
Sideways, pouring rain
From the very beginning, my mantra was clear: Surrender to the pain. Surrender to the journey. Believe in yourself more than ever before, and know that on the other side of the pain, you will discover what you’re truly made of… and who you really are.
Race 2 wasn’t just about enduring the race — it was about letting go of control, of expectations, and of the outcome. It was about showing up fully, despite the circumstances, and trusting that something greater could be found through the struggle.
The swim was brutal — the hardest I’ve ever faced. By the time I reached shore, I was over 40 minutes behind my expected time. I had swallowed so much salt water that the first 60 miles of the bike were spent dry heaving and gagging, fighting nausea while facing relentless headwinds. My carefully planned nutrition strategy went out the window — but I adapted. Despite the chaos, I managed to shave 15 minutes off my bike time from Race 1.
The run was another beast entirely. I hadn’t run since Race 1 due to a lingering injury, and my body reminded me of that with every step. Every mile was a fight — but I didn’t resist it, I invited it in. I surrendered to it.
“The Surrender Test” was about more than just racing.
It was about releasing the need for perfection and embracing resilience instead. It was about redefining strength — not as power over circumstances, but as grace within them.
Because on the other side of pain… there’s a deeper version of yourself — the one you can only meet when you’re pushed to your limit and still choose to rise.
This was “The Surrender Test,” and I’m ready for what’s next.
When people asked me if I was ready for this, I wasn’t sure. The truth is, the numbers didn’t add up.
I’ve never run a marathon.
I’ve never biked more than 90 miles.
I’ve never completed a half Ironman.
But on October 27th, I ran my first full Ironman in 12:18:17 hours, smashing my initial goal of 14 hours.
For years, I’ve craved the chance to push beyond my limits and discover what I’m capable of. Training gave me glimpses of that potential—countless 3 a.m. rides challenging my willpower. But deep down, I knew more was waiting to be revealed.
An Ironman is a test like no other: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. While every part of the race tests your mind and body, the run truly tested my soul. It was more than physical—it was a battle that pushed every limit, revealing what you’re made of when there’s nothing left but sheer will.
At mile 3, my right IT band seized, sending sharp pain through my hip and knee, making it nearly impossible to put weight on my right foot. At one point, my foot wouldn’t even lift off the ground. I limped 10 miles.
On October 27th, I discovered a version of myself I hadn’t met before—fierce, adaptable, relentless, and driven by an unyielding refusal to quit. She embodied every hard-fought lesson, moment of doubt, and ounce of determination I’d hoped she would. She accepted the cards she was dealt and surrendered to the process—proof that the battle scars, the grit, and the wildness within are what make the human spirit unstoppable.
As I write this, it’s been 1 week since the race. I’m a mess, but I feel more alive than ever. My lunch was a rotisserie chicken and cookie dough, I haven’t touched my accounting homework, and my face is breaking out. Three toenails are barely hanging on, and my gear smells like it’s been through a war.
But beneath the exhaustion is exhilaration. I’ve emerged from this experience changed, stronger, and more determined than ever. I’ve tapped into something raw, something primal. And I’ve discovered a strength I’d hoped I had. Now, I know.
I’m a fighter, a survivor, and a dreamer determined to become a world record holder. Watch me.
-Ariana
-Ariana
Redefine what's possible
Redefine what's possible
Every step of this journey is fueled by belief—belief in resilience, in dreaming boldly, and in rising stronger. Your support doesn’t just power my Road to Six; it helps inspire others to see that no setback is too great and no dream is too big. Together, we can prove that the human spirit knows no limits.
Every step of this journey is fueled by belief—belief in resilience, in dreaming boldly, and in rising stronger. Your support doesn’t just power my Road to Six; it helps inspire others to see that no setback is too great and no dream is too big. Together, we can prove that the human spirit knows no limits.
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