Australian triathlon star Mirinda Carfrae learnt the hard way last year that nothing is guaranteed at the Hawaiian Ironman.
Carfrae was placed perfectly midway through the marathon run leg as she closed on Great Britain's Leanda Cave.
The Australian, who holds the run course record of two hours and 52 minutes at Hawaii, would surely make a straightforward pass and continue for her second win at Kona on the Big Island.
Instead, Carfrae dramatically ran out of energy and ended up somehow holding off German Sonja Tajsich and American Mary Beth Ellis for third place.
Cave raced superbly and is the defending champion ahead of Sunday's (AEST) 35th edition of the Hawaiian Ironman.
"That's what I imagined when I ran up behind Leanda, that was my next move," Carfrae said of the expected pass.
"She ended up holding pace and I ended up completely exploding.
"Luckily Mary Beth had exploded before me, so we were both limping home that last 12 miles."
The 32-year-old had lost a bottle containing energy drink early on the bike and this came back to bite Carfrae hard during the marathon.
Carfrae now knows to have a plan B - she is far from the first triathlete to lose a drink bottle during the bike.
But she also drew encouragement from the mistake.
Since making her Hawaiian Ironman debut in 2009, last year was remarkably Carfrae's worst result at the world championships race.
She has finished runner-up twice and won in 2010.
"I take a lot of confidence (from) that last 10-12 miles," she said.
"I was really able to run on fumes and was still able to hold onto a podium (spot)."
Carfrae had a slow start to this season, but she has built her form and will again be one of the main favourites.
The women's race looks open because of doubts about Cave, who has struggled with a hamstring injury.
Ellis, another contender, is also racing only a month after suffering a broken collarbone.
Carfrae has moved back to her old coach Siri Lindley after an 18-month break and said working with the American again had been a significant boost.
"I don't regret spending those 18 months away," she said.
"I wanted to go away and seek some different advice, work with different coaches and even do it by myself a little bit," Carfrae said.
"(But) the underlying fact was I wasn't enjoying the sport as much without that team environment and that close circle of support.
"It's been better than it ever has before."
There will be 2000 starters for Hawaii, which is held in fierce tropical heat and consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run.
The men's field will feature Australian defending champion Pete Jacobs and compatriot Craig Alexander, who has won Hawaii three times.
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