_Team Manvers famous five, Daz, Paul, George, Damian and Andy all became Ironmen
on 10th July 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland.They caught the triathlon bug in
relatively recent times and quickly knew that they wanted to take on the
challenge of an Ironman event. One started in 2007 with a Sprint event in
Mansfield, two of them in 2010 with an Olympic in Leicestershire and the other
two at a Sprint in Nottingham in 2009.Varying training plans were pulled
together. Messrs Daz and Paul used a guru called Bob - secret plans were
e mailed out to them each week and Andy, Paul and George tried in vain to glean any information they could from the lads. George, our technical expert, devised his own "leave no stone unturned" plan after reading 90% of the worlds literature on triathlon. Andy and Damian used Don Fink's "Be Ironfit" book - living and breathing every word like disciples and spreading the message about "heart rate training" to anyone who would listen - which wasn't many. So the training began 30 weeks ago, just before Christmas. Daz, Paul and George were already training on a regular basis at the Team Manvers swim sessions and the Tuesday night winter runs. Andy joined them on the Tuesday runs and the banter and camaraderie started to develop. They ran through the deepest of the snow and the heaviest of the rain with just one day in mind - 10th July 2011. George and Andy also used Deano's Core workout sessions to get in shape. Manvers open water sessions started in May - all the lads made the most of our facilities and took part in these sessions on a frequent basis.They all entered the Beaver Half Ironman as a training race. The mythical Damian made an appearance and stunned the team with his cycling performance. Little did they know that he was about to be part of the 8 man winning "Race across America" (3000 miles non stop) team! All the lads came through the Half in good shape. and then got stuck in to the heavy 15 hour plus, peak weeks of training. So off to Switzerland. Zurich is beautiful, an old historic city with the gorgeous turquoise lake never far away and the snow capped Swiss Alps towering over you in every direction. Though you could have been forgiven for thinking they were in Rome, every meal they ate was some variation of pasta - the boys taking carbo loading to a new level. The team arrived on Thursday and were looked after for four days by Ken Glah's company. He has completed 60 plus Ironman events, won 6 of them and been to Kona 27 times in a row, including a 4th place finish. He answered the lad's every question and made the build up in Zurich a pleasure with far less stress than would otherwise have been the case. The bikes were unpacked and ready to roll for a last training ride on Friday morning. Up at 5.30am and off out on to the streets of Zurich, the boys made it through town, along the lake, past the Lindt Chocolate factory and up the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" - a short but very tough climb, that they would have to do twice on race day. The view from the top takes your breath away, looking down on the lake and the city. Mid morning and the boys were splashing about in the warm,
blue waters of the lake. The support crew enjoyed the beautiful weather and topped up their tans. Then to finish off the day a tour around the bike course, some serious climbs and descents - rather daunting, maybe they would have been better saved for the big day!Saturday was mostly taken up with race preparation - packing transition gear, final checks of the bike, prepping race food and drinks and finalising race strategies. The words of advice given to first timers that they kept hearing again and again - "if you feel comfortable on the bike, drop the pace off a little and then drop it off some more". The rest of the day was spent with friends and family, trying to relax, taking in some more pasta and even a glass or two of red wine to settle the nerves. Bikes were then racked at 6pm and it was off for an early night and a little sleep.Race day - up at 3.30 am, a breakfast of spaghetti, porridge and anything else that you wanted. Arrived at transition area at 5.15, in the dark, lit by huge spotlights. Set up the gear and the sun started to rise above the mountains, the lake looking like a piece if glass glowing orange in the morning light. Wetsuits donned, they headed off to the beach for the start. - 2000 athletes in a group about 300 yards wide and about 20 people deep. The Swiss National Anthem played and heart rates started to rise and the adrenalin started to flow. The pros headed off first and then 5 minutes later the hooter sounded and the masses hit the water. An amazing sight as a 4000 arms whirled through the morning air and churned up the serene lake. Two laps of the course including an exit, run (stumble for our boys) over a small island and re-entry in to the water. The bike route followed the lake for 30 miles with yet more stunning views. The town and the villages had awoken early and the support was superb, even through the smallest hamlets in the foothills of The Alps. Eagles, or was it vultures, flew high on the warm updrafts, cattle munched away on the lush grass, the sound of their cow bells echoing across the valleys. The lads hit speeds of 45 mph hurtling down the mountain roads. The final climb of each of the two bike laps was the aptly named "Heartbreak Hill". The road was filled with supporters, Tour De France style, bands played and commentators boomed out their encouragement via the loudspeakers. Fans yelled "hup, hup, hup ....super bravo!". The crowds on the run route were at their strongest and most vocal, which was just as well looking at the state of most competitors at this stage, including our intrepid five. The guys from Team Manvers all made it over the finish line, with their heads held high, before the lights went out at 11 pm, 16 hours after the start of an incredible day. Daz made it in 12.03, Andy in 12.29, Damian in 13.10, Puncture Paul in 13.32 and to rapturous applause George completed the set in 15.17.As the Ironman T-shirts proclaim - "Anything is possible".A few of the gents feelings after the race: Without the support crew and very understanding partners, Brigid, Vanessa, Jan and Katherine, this would not have been possible. The rest of the gang that travelled out to Zurich did a great job on race day - shouts of encouragement from your loved ones give a far better energy boost than any gel can ever do. Never again! Sadly no ...... talk has inevitably turned to "Where are we going next?". Austria 2013 looks a very interesting place to visit! The team aspect of doing this was superb. The dark, cold winter nights spent pounding the streets of South Yorkshire, much easier when there are a few of you with the same goal. The banter between these rather competitive folk. The support for each other, particularly when the occasional injury reared it's ugly head. The sharing of training tips. The encouragement of each other when one or other of the team started to struggle with any aspect of their training. The training races. It feels good, very good, to have committed to something quite challenging and have put in the time and effort to get the reward you deserve. If you want it enough, you can do it. At least two of the five couldn't even manage 2 lengths front crawl 2 years ago!.Go on .... you know you want to - anything is possible! Sign up for that race that you keep meaning to.Oh, just one last plea ..... those kids at Bluebell Wood would really appreciate your help - thank you. Daz, George, Paul, Damian and Andy
e mailed out to them each week and Andy, Paul and George tried in vain to glean any information they could from the lads. George, our technical expert, devised his own "leave no stone unturned" plan after reading 90% of the worlds literature on triathlon. Andy and Damian used Don Fink's "Be Ironfit" book - living and breathing every word like disciples and spreading the message about "heart rate training" to anyone who would listen - which wasn't many. So the training began 30 weeks ago, just before Christmas. Daz, Paul and George were already training on a regular basis at the Team Manvers swim sessions and the Tuesday night winter runs. Andy joined them on the Tuesday runs and the banter and camaraderie started to develop. They ran through the deepest of the snow and the heaviest of the rain with just one day in mind - 10th July 2011. George and Andy also used Deano's Core workout sessions to get in shape. Manvers open water sessions started in May - all the lads made the most of our facilities and took part in these sessions on a frequent basis.They all entered the Beaver Half Ironman as a training race. The mythical Damian made an appearance and stunned the team with his cycling performance. Little did they know that he was about to be part of the 8 man winning "Race across America" (3000 miles non stop) team! All the lads came through the Half in good shape. and then got stuck in to the heavy 15 hour plus, peak weeks of training. So off to Switzerland. Zurich is beautiful, an old historic city with the gorgeous turquoise lake never far away and the snow capped Swiss Alps towering over you in every direction. Though you could have been forgiven for thinking they were in Rome, every meal they ate was some variation of pasta - the boys taking carbo loading to a new level. The team arrived on Thursday and were looked after for four days by Ken Glah's company. He has completed 60 plus Ironman events, won 6 of them and been to Kona 27 times in a row, including a 4th place finish. He answered the lad's every question and made the build up in Zurich a pleasure with far less stress than would otherwise have been the case. The bikes were unpacked and ready to roll for a last training ride on Friday morning. Up at 5.30am and off out on to the streets of Zurich, the boys made it through town, along the lake, past the Lindt Chocolate factory and up the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" - a short but very tough climb, that they would have to do twice on race day. The view from the top takes your breath away, looking down on the lake and the city. Mid morning and the boys were splashing about in the warm,
blue waters of the lake. The support crew enjoyed the beautiful weather and topped up their tans. Then to finish off the day a tour around the bike course, some serious climbs and descents - rather daunting, maybe they would have been better saved for the big day!Saturday was mostly taken up with race preparation - packing transition gear, final checks of the bike, prepping race food and drinks and finalising race strategies. The words of advice given to first timers that they kept hearing again and again - "if you feel comfortable on the bike, drop the pace off a little and then drop it off some more". The rest of the day was spent with friends and family, trying to relax, taking in some more pasta and even a glass or two of red wine to settle the nerves. Bikes were then racked at 6pm and it was off for an early night and a little sleep.Race day - up at 3.30 am, a breakfast of spaghetti, porridge and anything else that you wanted. Arrived at transition area at 5.15, in the dark, lit by huge spotlights. Set up the gear and the sun started to rise above the mountains, the lake looking like a piece if glass glowing orange in the morning light. Wetsuits donned, they headed off to the beach for the start. - 2000 athletes in a group about 300 yards wide and about 20 people deep. The Swiss National Anthem played and heart rates started to rise and the adrenalin started to flow. The pros headed off first and then 5 minutes later the hooter sounded and the masses hit the water. An amazing sight as a 4000 arms whirled through the morning air and churned up the serene lake. Two laps of the course including an exit, run (stumble for our boys) over a small island and re-entry in to the water. The bike route followed the lake for 30 miles with yet more stunning views. The town and the villages had awoken early and the support was superb, even through the smallest hamlets in the foothills of The Alps. Eagles, or was it vultures, flew high on the warm updrafts, cattle munched away on the lush grass, the sound of their cow bells echoing across the valleys. The lads hit speeds of 45 mph hurtling down the mountain roads. The final climb of each of the two bike laps was the aptly named "Heartbreak Hill". The road was filled with supporters, Tour De France style, bands played and commentators boomed out their encouragement via the loudspeakers. Fans yelled "hup, hup, hup ....super bravo!". The crowds on the run route were at their strongest and most vocal, which was just as well looking at the state of most competitors at this stage, including our intrepid five. The guys from Team Manvers all made it over the finish line, with their heads held high, before the lights went out at 11 pm, 16 hours after the start of an incredible day. Daz made it in 12.03, Andy in 12.29, Damian in 13.10, Puncture Paul in 13.32 and to rapturous applause George completed the set in 15.17.As the Ironman T-shirts proclaim - "Anything is possible".A few of the gents feelings after the race: Without the support crew and very understanding partners, Brigid, Vanessa, Jan and Katherine, this would not have been possible. The rest of the gang that travelled out to Zurich did a great job on race day - shouts of encouragement from your loved ones give a far better energy boost than any gel can ever do. Never again! Sadly no ...... talk has inevitably turned to "Where are we going next?". Austria 2013 looks a very interesting place to visit! The team aspect of doing this was superb. The dark, cold winter nights spent pounding the streets of South Yorkshire, much easier when there are a few of you with the same goal. The banter between these rather competitive folk. The support for each other, particularly when the occasional injury reared it's ugly head. The sharing of training tips. The encouragement of each other when one or other of the team started to struggle with any aspect of their training. The training races. It feels good, very good, to have committed to something quite challenging and have put in the time and effort to get the reward you deserve. If you want it enough, you can do it. At least two of the five couldn't even manage 2 lengths front crawl 2 years ago!.Go on .... you know you want to - anything is possible! Sign up for that race that you keep meaning to.Oh, just one last plea ..... those kids at Bluebell Wood would really appreciate your help - thank you. Daz, George, Paul, Damian and Andy
