PLUIMERS DETERMINED TO DISPEL DEMONS IN COOLANGATTA GOLD

October 29: Ironwoman Liz Pluimers will spend around three hours off the Gold Coast next weekend trying to dispel the demons that saw her get to within 20 metres of the finish line of last year's 30km Coolangatta Gold.

The recently turned 24-year-old collapsed into unconsciousness after falling to the sand with the finish line in her sights after looking to have a podium place sewn up.

She had suffered blood clots earlier in the year and doctors believed her condition plus exhaustion may have combined to see her black out.

Pluimers, one of Australia's most accomplished Ironwoman and a former Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Series Champion, was adamant she was not going to attempt this year's tortuous course of ski and board paddling, swimming and running from Kurrawa to Northcliffe and down to Currumbin and back.

"I was not going to do it but I had a few people talking to me saying you've been doing the training so you may as well give it a go," Pluimers said today, as she prepares for the November 7 race.

"Along with trying to get rid of the demons from last year it was only in the last couple of weeks that I actually decided to do it.

"Even though I'm still having my doubts, it is going to be exciting. I've done the race four or five times now and I've been on the podium every time except last year.

"But hopefully doing the race this year and actually finishing this time will get rid of those demons."

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Pluimers joined her school teacher boyfriend, Northcliffe Ironman Stuart Snell, who is also doing the race for the third time, at Surfers Paradise Public School yesterday.

And she was able to recruit 30 Year Two students who have vowed to help get her across the line.

"They said they'll come down and cheer me on next weekend and it will be good to have them down there to push me that little extra (over the final stages)."

Snell has been her greatest supporter and admits it took her a long time to come to terms with what happened.

"She's still trying to overcome those demons but I think racing this year is a really good decision," said Snell, who is also the Australian Champion Lifesaver.

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"It will put those things behind her. I said she can only do it this year if she does it with a smile on her face."