Where to start!
Do I start with how much pain I was in during the event?...Or perhaps how much pain I was in the day after the event?...Or perhaps I even just talk about the positive aspects of putting your body through such a long gruelling day, of which, there aren’t many!
My alarm went off at 4am. Breakfast was consumed, coffee drunk, car packed, spandex put on, teeth brushed (can’t train without clean teeth), nerves settled and we’re off to get our numbers tattooed on our arms and legs.
That done, it’s 6am and we are sitting in the car ahead of schedule….”that’s a good sign” I tell Doon!
The swim started with a foot to the face and a tug on my leg and continued that way for 3.8k. The entire swim was a battle which felt like it took forever, when in fact it took 54plus minutes. That done, it was time to move onto the bike…..
Running up the carpet through the transition, grabbing my bike gear bag, I wondered if the next two disciplines will go as quickly as the swim. They don’t!
Even though you would expect me to have a good bike ride, I never felt strong. I couldn’t find any rhythm and was amazed at how everyone seemed to be drafting. Every time someone went past me I would back off to the correct 7metres only to see a bunch coming towards me separated by only 1 bike length. A cold hard lesson….I have to learn to be sneaky and basically cheat. That’s what I would call it. I’m not sure I can do that.
The weather conditions were deteriorating as the day went on…the wind was picking up and rain clouds approaching. The last leg of the bike was hard. My legs felt empty and all I wanted to do was get off my bike. The thought that I would then be running a marathon didn’t deter me whatsoever. I’d just had enough riding.
So through T2 (I am working on the lingo) I hobble, ditching my energy bars and sandwich, feeling guilty that I only ate 3 bars and wondered when I would pay for that in the run.
Away I go….only 42 kilometres and it would all be over…my first ironman, but first a pee stop at kilometre 3, opps, and another more serious toilet stop at kilometre 8. (This is the point where Doon snuck past me unaware).
Feeling a little better I continued at my trot of just under 10kms/hr…and I just kept going and going…counting down the laps, and on the last leg home, counting down the k’s.
I took coke and water from the feed stations, alternating these with potato chips and chocolate chip biscuits. Is this what is means to be an ironman! (Can’t say I saw Jo Lawn tucking into the food on the tables).
I forgot to mention the all important 25k mark. This is the point where my legs decided to contract and stay that way. Every step after this point hurt. My quads were as hard and heavy as something that is hard and heavy!
10 hours and 33 minutes later I stepped across the finish line an IRONMAN. I received my finishers’ shirt and towel and proceeded to the chairs that were calling my name. A massage was on offer but that was the last thing I wanted, as my quads were going into shock and refused to be touched.
Doon had already had his massage and I hate to say it but was looking and walking surprisingly well. Jeff was there for me to lean on which I did wholeheartedly and we headed for a hot shower and some food.
Admittedly I am impressed with what I did. But honestly, I am more impressed with what everyone else achieved. At 10pm that night we went to support those that were still on the course. The wind had blown up a storm and the rain was falling heavily. Tree branches were broken yet people were still giving it their all to get to that finish line. The most amazing thing is the determination that was etched in their faces. They smiled at our cheers then put their heads down and fought into the head wind home. The last finishing time was 16hours and 51mins. Only 9 mins before the 17 hour cut off. That’s twice as long as Cameron Brown, so you could nearly say that makes them twice as strong. Congratulations to all that finished. It’s a surreal concept to think that one is an ironman.
Ps. I qualified for the Kona World Championships in my age group so have decided to give it a go. I have 6 months to sharpen up my run time, so if anyone is looking at running over the winter months then I need some training partners!!
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