Hawaii ironman 2016: Mirinda Carfrae chasing history and new record in torture test

MULTIPLE world champion Mirinda Carfrae has revealed she will take career-best form into her quest for history as the first Australian to win four ironman world crowns in Hawaii on Sunday — thanks to one of the worst days of her life.

Carfrae believes being knocked from her bike while training three days before the 2015 event forced her to take a time out she would never have contemplated if she hadn’t been injured.

TURIA PITT READY FOR HAWAII IRONMAN

And it has left her feeling more relaxed, healthier and stronger than before any of her past seven ironman triathlons in Kona.

“I feel fresher and better than last year for sure,’’ Carfrae, 35, told the Daily Telegraph from Hawaii.

“I’m also flying under the radar a bit more than usual and really enjoying that

‘’I think now what happened was a real blessing in disguise.’’

While able to start, back pain form the crash forced her out of the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run race.

Ahead of this year’s punishment, Carfrae revealed she has ambitions to break her own marathon record in the elite women’s race by cracking two hours 50 minutes.

Carfrae holds the course record of 8:52.14 set in 2013 and the run record of 2:50.38 — a time better than all but two male competitors.

“It’s always been my goal to run under 2:50 in Hawaii,’’ she said.

“I’ve broken my own record five times here but I’ve always wanted to go under that.

“But that’s all about the conditions on the day.’’

Carfrae, Hawaii ironman debutant Mel Hauschildt and Annabel Luxford are Australia’s main chances in the elite women’s race.

Recently crowned world 70.3 champion Tim Reed, former Hawaii ironman silver medallist Luke McKenzie and Tim Berkel are Australia’s main hopes in the men’s race.

Carfrae said she is on alert for Hauschildt, a renown runner who has dominated half ironman racing since taking up triathlon after an injury plagued career as a steeplechaser.

“Her kryptonite has always been her injury list. But I know she is very fit and has been working very hard.

“It will be very interesting to see her race here.’’