Vernon resident Shanda Hill is pictured during the cycling part of a Triple Deca Ultra Triathlon in Italy.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Facebook/ Shanda Hill Ultra Athlete
September 24, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Vernon’s Shanda Hill has been progressing through a Triple Deca Ultra Triathlon in Italy for just over three weeks and is currently in first place among the women, and fifth place overall.
The world-renowned ultra endurance athlete began the elite race on Sept. 1 in Lake Garda, Italy, that started with a 114 kilometre swim she completed in 96 hours, according to a social media page providing daily updates and photographs.
On Sept. 23, she completed the cycling portion of race, taking 19 days to cover the 5,400 km distance and was holding the first place position for the women and fifth place overall out of the 10 participants from around the world.
“After her first day off the bicycle, she is very cautious to avoid shin splints or blisters,” a post to her page reads. “Unfortunately, after hammering out 55 km, she is already starting to get blisters.”
She was treated to an ice bath on Sept. 24 to flush out lactic acid and other waste products and help speed up recovery.
“Shanda’s muscles go through micro-trauma, causing inflammation and swelling,” the post read. “An ice bath works by constricting blood vessels, reducing the flow of inflammatory agents such as too many cytokines, and easing soreness and swelling in her legs.”
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Hill is in the process of completing the final leg of the race, a 1,266 km run, and if she succeeds, she will be the first female in history to complete a Triple Deca, the longest triathlon course of the International Ultra Association attempted in human history and an equivalent distance of 30 Iron distance triathlons put together.
“Shanda is now preparing for an incredible 1,266 km run,” the Sept. 23 post reads. “The conditions at the run village are reportedly better, providing proper power and shelter. Shanda is looking forward to using her heated blanket again after enduring many cold nights without it.”
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Hill is already noted to be the first person to complete three Double Deca triathlons, while also having completed the Bretzel Ultra Tri Quintuple in France, with her finish time being 106 hours and 44 minutes.
The time limit for this race is 1,080 hours.
Go here to follow Shanda Hill’s race progress.
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