Cairns Ironman: Brookes overcomes Guillain-Barre Syndrome to compete

A Cairns nurse has beaten her serious illness and adversity and is determined to do what she loves at this weekend’s Ironman.

A MEDICAL episode and subsequent diagnosis in 2018 had experts calling time on Kanimbla woman Susanne Brooke’s love for cycling.

However, the 48-year-old has bounced back and is more determined than ever to prove she can cycle again at the Cairns Ironman on Sunday.

Brookes was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome – a disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the nerves – on her birthday, Boxing Day 2018.

Being a nurse by profession, she knew the journey ahead of her would be tougher than any triathlon.

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Brookes was temporarily unable to move from the waist and elbows down, and required months of rehabilitation to walk again.

“I couldn’t use my hands, I couldn’t dress myself, I couldn’t open anything, I couldn’t do anything,” Brookes said.

“I started physio and occupational therapy, first I started with a walker frame, from there I used a walker for six months and then crutches for two months and now I’m walking.”

Susanne Brookess of Kanimbla will race in her first Ironman on Sunday, after battling Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Picture Emily Barker

Before her diagnosis, Brookes was set on attempting the Cairns Ironman 70.3, having been an avid cyclist most her life.

“I was told by my neurologist in my early days that I can’t ride my bike anymore,” she said.

“I said ‘just watch me’.”

Despite being able to walk, Brookes still experience shaking in her extremities, and in 2019 broke her femur while in the garden, taking her back to square one.

Six months later, she was back on her bike, albeit with the help of her husband and trainers from Studio A in Cairns.

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Brookes admitted she found cycling easier than walking in her current state, and had been traversing the tracks at Copperlode Dam in preperation for this weekend.

“Now, I’m at the point where I can usually get on my bike, and usually get off my bike,” Brookes said.

“I’m determined to do this because the goal was to do the half Ironman which I can’t do because I’ll never run again.

“But, I want to prove the orthopaedic surgeon and the neurologist wrong when they told me I’ll never ride again because I love bike riding – it’s my happy place.”

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On Sunday, Brookes will ride the 90km big leg of the Ironman as part of a team.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there and riding the course and going ‘I can do this’,” she said.

“I think it will feel a bit surreal, just being able to cross that finish line.

“The nerves are starting to play a role, but I know I can do it. I’ve trained for the last six months intensively for this.

“If something happens and people tell you that you can’t do something anymore, you might have to change your goal, but if you work hard enough you’ll get there.”

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CROWLEY, CURRIE HIT THE SEAS FOR RACE

THE picturesque, yet treacherous Cairns Ironman course is slated to give all competitors a run for their money this weekend, including previous champions.

Queenslander Sarah Crowler won the marquee Far North triathlon in 2017, but said the unique climate in the Far North made every attempt a mystery.

“On a world level, this is a very challenging race because of the conditions,” she said.

“With the headwind that picks up on the bike, you receive coming back from Port Douglas – that’s definitely something that you can fly around for the 100kms but then you’ve got to knuckle and get aerodynamic coming into town.

“The heat can play a big part too, if the cloud’s clear and the sun is coming right in on you it’s very challenging with the humidity.”

Group Oceania managing director Geoff Meyer with past Cairns Ironman winner Brad Currie and Sarah Crowley at the finish line for the Ironman Cairns. Picture: Harry Murtough

About 3500 participants are expected to suit up across the various races this weekend, 10 per cent of which will be from overseas and 40 per cent from interstate.

“It’s a regional championship so there’ll be people who are less experienced but also be a few people who have a lot of experience,” Crowley said.

“You respect all your competitors – it’s going to be an interesting swim and bike ride, then obviously with the wind and temperatures which can pick up during the race it’s all going to come down to the course.

“With all the spectators and fans, it should have a really good feel and be a great race.”

Fellow Cairns Ironman winner Braden Currie is heading to the starting line in Cairns fresh off his third place finish at the 2022 World Ironman Championships in St George, Utah via his home in New Zealand.

“It's definitely interesting because five weeks ago I was in the dry heat of Utah, back to New Zealand for cold and wet conditions, then to here within a month,” the 36-year-old said.

“So a little bit goes on, we do heat stress works, saunas and training … just coming here early gives me that time for my body to adapt (to the environment).”

Choppy conditions in the water on Sunday are expected to give competitors a run for their money, but neither Currie nor Crowley appeared surprised given their familiarity with the famous course.

“We do a lot of training off the coast of Queensland, we do maybe one swim a week in open water,” Crowley said.

“I think that’s going to help a lot with the conditions that we’re going to see.”

Both the full Ironman and 70.3 events (half-Ironman) will be conducted long into the night of June 12 on a course incorporating Palm Cove, Port Douglas and North Cairns.

“It’s a great and beautiful course, it’s quite scenic, diverse and interesting,” Currie said.

“The run in downtown North Cairns and across the Esplanade makes it a great run course that tends to roll by pretty quick.”

Originally published as Cairns Ironman: Brookes overcomes Guillain-Barre Syndrome to compete