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Forum: Triathlons and Aquathlons

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Gap tooth Gypsy

Jul 2, 2012 - 10:41AM

Ironman Nice Race Report

As its still fresh in my head, I thought is was finally time to write my first race report on my first Ironman event.

Preperations for Ironman were going well and I managed to stay injury free up to race day despite a bit of soreness in my right foot which K at mammoth Lifestyle had been looking after and had concerns that I may have a collapsed arch. Because of this concern, all run sessions were only ever taken up to a maximum of 2 hrs 30 mins/ or 14 miles.

The day before the race, I had registered in time and it was now time to rack my bike and bags ready for the big one. To say I was nervous was an understatement, I had never taken part in a sea swim before and the 15 minute sea swim I had done when arriving in Nice was not a good experience, I panicked because I knew it was the sea and the taste of the salt water made me feel sick...the thought of swimming in the ocean for an hr/ 2 hours and a cut of time of 2.15 was playing on my mind.

Race morming, alarm sounds at 4am (all three of them) and I beg the question that probably everyone asks themselves, 'what am I doing!'. Into transition and after writing on my hand the night before as not to forget, I proceeded to pump up my tyres ready for the race.

There was quite a build up to the start, music, mexican wave etc etc. Now really nervous the fact that all i'd managed to swim at Blithfield was the 1 mile circuit in cold choppy waves...how on earth was I going to make this.

Before I realise the gun goes, and I make my way over the hard cobbles on the beach and into the sea. Plan stick at the 1.28+ time gate and stay well out of the way, to my astonishment I was'nt the only one with the same gameplan.. luckily I escaped the goggle punching and swim hugging shinanagons.

The swim was going well and no panics! despite a bit of goggle leakage on the way out but managed to sort this with one final thump to the eye socket. The buoys seem to take forever, finally got to the furthest and thought, right after this the sea will carry me back...well it did until I realised I was being swept completlely the wrong direction..a change of tactic was needed and before I knew it I was heading back in the right direction. By this point the salt had made my mouth so dry, and the thought of the time ticking away was playing on my mind, i'd just got back into a rythum when I saw what I thought was a ball in the sea...no it was not a ball it was a jellyfish! ..that was the fastest 50 metres I'd ever swam! Before I knew it I had finished my first lap, and heading out on my second..the final push and managed a 1.36 Swim!

Feeling still fresh I opted to run up the ramp, if not only to look like I knew what I was doing, by transition I had to calm down and remind myself that this was infact an Ironman.

Out on the bike, and the plan was don't push too hard because there is a big hill coming in at the start..yeah no joke at 15% and knowing you've finally run out of gears, I begged the question..'whats wrong with me' 'have I done enough?' 'Why are girls passing me? I'm always the one overtaking them!' 'Is my break on?' then another pep talk, don't worry, let them go..you will be fine.

I was a little naive about the bike course and did'nt realise quite that I would be riding cols...6 infact, Alpe D'heuz all over again. I got into a rythum, pushed but comfortably as wanting to save my run legs..before I knew it I had also passed those girls by the way. The fast and sweeping switchbacks made up for all those hills and the the scenery was breathtaking. By 60 miles in, I was falling tired and wondered how I was going to make the run..I put my head down and rolled in to T2.

Out on the run and suprisingly my legs felt really fresh and all those horrible brick sessions had paid off. Strategy..run the 13 miles and see where I am at. Well this went fine, and for someone who is always being overtaken for once, I was doing the overtaking! the first 14 miles I'd clocked a 2.15 half marathon, but then disaster...my foot pain had come back and I was in agony...ok so a further pep talk, so you won't beable to run all of it...so...lets use goals, run to that 3rd lampost, then walk to the next third, then run again and so on..well this lasted for 6 miles, then I got bored and was in even more pain. the next strategy was run as much as you can, then have a big walk...this worked for a while but then my head was saying run and my feet were saying NO WAY! ..by now there was no feeling in my feet at all and the were just slapping the pavement.

I made the final turn and 3 miles to go I was at rockbottom, knowing that the clock was ticking away..everyone says they don't want a time for the first one, but secretly you know you do. I was hoping for around the 14 hr mark, anything over 15 I would'nt be happy.

On the final turn, I met up with a girl from Leicester tri club, 'Heidi' we ran together for a while and were talking a bit but she was out of breath and my pace althogh painful was still faster..I opted to leave her and let her run her own race. With 2 mile to go..again I stopped to walk, people on the course were few and inbetween at the far end and motivation was lacking.

All of a sudden I then heard a familiar voice..it was Heidi who ran alongside me and said 'come on' I began to run again and slowed my pace down so we could make the final leap together, her smile that she was reaching the finish line brought it back to me what Ironman should be about. I let her have her Ironman moment and then jogged the final stretch with my son Nathan.

I thank Heidi for giving me that final kick up the bum I needed. And the time? 14 hrs 24 mins..I was chuffed!!

Will I do another one? Yes I most definately will..as for the foot? it blew up like shrek after the event and I am seeking advise currently from the foot clinic..will let you know how this goes.

Conclustion..
The worst part: The smell and state of those portaloos, the I cant do its, the all self decency out of the window.

the best part about Ironman?
The feeling of acomplishment and all the hard training has been worth it, the emotions, the achievment, the atmosphere..the will I won't I do another...the tatoo???

Dr Angry

Jul 2, 2012 - 10:54AM