10th July 2011
Zurich Switzerland - An Ironman Journey – George Williams.
41 weeks ago is when I started training for my first IM event, well actually it started the previous year when I tried my hand at a 70.3 event with a view to moving on to the full distance. It was never in my plans when I first started out 3 seasons previous, I thought Ironman athletes were mad, they still are, but I’ve joined that wonderful club.
Crossing the line to hear those words, George Williams, you are an Ironman, was in the end very special but I didn’t know that at the start of the day, more later.
A few statistics from the 41 weeks of training ..... 604 hours of training, 287,875 metres of swimming, 8191km of biking and 834 miles of running. None of this means anything until you cross the line and as I can testify from this race, you can take nothing for granted. You must get to the start line and then get to the finish line.
In addition to the actual training stats, you also need a support team, I have been incredibly fortunate in that my partner Jan and my daughters Rachel and Natalie were part of this journey, both on race day and during my training, putting up with my musings, rants and general training chit chat which is mostly boring, along with my many hours away from them in favour of cold and wet nights running, long days biking and early morning swimming. In addition to these I have been lucky in having joined a great group of triathletes at Team Manvers Tri in 2009. Being able to take part in group training sessions and learn from experienced athletes and coached sessions as well as having fun along the way was a very important part of my training, as was being part of a small team who were all sharing the same goal of 10th July, with Team Switzerland who are Daz, Paul, Andy, Damian and myself. Being part of this team, especially on race day was very important, thanks guys for a great day, and a memorable experience.
Race day, early rise at 4 am for breakfast and then head down to transition to prepare. With the bike being racked the previous day it was just a case of sorting the out the wetsuit, nutrition etc. It was just breaking dawn, so just enough light to get sorted. Soggy bike cover off, (overnight rain showers), kit laid out, it was time for final words of encouragement from family and fellow team members and supporters with lots of posing for photos too. Wet suit zipped up it was time to find the start beach.
With the Swiss national anthem playing it was time to appreciate for a few minutes the scene of the sun rising above the hills on the far side of the lake and the calmness of the water before the mayhem began. No nerves showing, just a calmness and happy feeling of at least making it to the start line after all the training before.
6.55am the pro’s were away and then at 7.00am the start horn was sounded and it was a mad dash down 10 metres of beach to hit the water. After previously testing the water at a swim on the Friday, I knew that the water temperature would be perfect at 21 deg. With very little chop, (light winds) apart from the churning of water caused by close to 2000 athletes all trying to fight for the same piece of lake. The first 100 metres or so was the usual heads up and dodge as many arms as legs as possible, but then ........ it all started to unravel badly. As usual in my races, I tend to have a few nervy moments at the beginning of the swim but usually after a couple of hundred metres I’m into my rhythm. Today though, wasn’t going to happen. I couldn’t get going, my heart rate was soaring and unusually I wasn’t able to bring it under control. I persevered, stopping and starting, trying to regain my breathing, but it still wasn’t happening, by now my brain was full of negative thoughts, so badly that I was just expecting a canoe to come and rescue me as I was by now just treading water, trying to recover, I felt I was only seconds away from a DNF. A canoeist paddled over and asked if I was OK and for some reason I said yes, he let me take hold of the canoe for a few minutes whilst I gathered my senses and catch breath. The first turning marker buoy seemed a long way off but I decided to give it another go and carried on swimming, but I could barely string together 50 metres of swim before having to stop to regain my breath again and expel lots of phlem from what I can only suppose was as a result of taking on board small amounts of the lake water. Eventually I got to the buoy, but I was clearly struggling badly and for a second time I felt it was going to be a DNF ..... but I still carried on, why I don’t know, believe me I was not thinking of letting people down or myself I was just wondering why, after all the training was I struggling with a swim that I had been more comfortable with all season! I regrouped again a couple of hundred metres from the second turn buoy, taking a few minutes again to calm down with the help of another canoeist. By this time the first of the pro’s were bearing down on me, I let them through and vainly carried on to the buoy and headed for the end of the first lap, I was just starting to get into some rhythm when the rest of the early leaders of the age groupers caught up, trying to keep out of their way wasn’t easy. Somehow I managed to get to the end of the first lap, this is where you exit onto a small island, run 20 metres and then head out again. With reaching the island in 1 hr 5 mins I thought, well at least see if you can complete the swim before a DNF. So I set off again, by now I was at least able to control the breathing and get into a proper rhythm, but my head had gone, so all technique, what little I have, was forgotten as I just concentrated on survival from buoy to buoy. I knew by the last buoy I would complete the swim, but by now my arms were tiring and was fast running out of energy, the occasional onset of cramp in the calves keeping me focussed somehow. I was very much aware that I must be the last swimmer and as I approached the exit I tried so very hard to catch a fellow back marker, but it wasn’t to be. I was helped out of the water, found my land legs, and to shouts of encouragement from my partner Jan I headed into T1 expecting to be told my race was done as my time was 2 hrs 12 mins !!! No tap on the shoulder from an official so I continued into T1 to strip out of the wet suit and prepare for the bike. As I headed out, I looked at the empty transition area, with just a few forlorn athletes still there the same as me. I got myself sorted and collected my bike to head out of T1. Jan and my girls Rachel and Natalie, gave me large and I mean large vocal support to the start of the ride, they had no idea what I had just been through but they knew something was wrong.
Well at least I had survived to tackle the bike, the first few turns of the cranks were steady but my legs were working! However I quickly found that the expected speed was not going to happen. Any real effort I tried to apply showed itself in my thighs, so I just relaxed, went up one gear to keep it easy and got my head down to see if there was anyone in front who I might catch. The sun was well up by this time and it wasn’t long before it had dried me out and I was comfortable. The city centre was quickly gone and I was heading south, alongside the lake at times, this was the longest stretch of relatively flat going, just short of 30k, so it was a long stint, this gave my mind plenty of time to try and work out what had gone wrong in the swim and why was I now not as quick on the bike as expected. It also allowed me to believe once again that I was in with a chance of reaching the finishing line. With my worst discipline out of the way, I was confident I should get to the end, I just had to make sure I could finish the bike before the 5pm cut off. That first stint I did manage to pass a couple of competitors, but it was a mainly lonely ride, however the lakeside scenery made up for it, some views were stunning and I could start to enjoy the race! I arrived at the first of the climbs after a little over an hour, a good 5 minutes or so slower than intended, but onwards and now upwards with something of at least an hour of climbing. The first series of inclines were not as bad as I envisaged, and I was able to spot some more back markers to target for trying to catch. However, there was still the BEAST to come!!! Surprisingly, the climbs were also a relief from the first 30k of flat road!! It was making me concentrate on what needed to be done. Eventually, after doing the allotted extra mile due to road works! A sharp right turn and I knew straight away I was on the BEAST, so it was head down, bottom ring and fortunately I had a 28 cassette which I definitely needed on this occasion. It was a relentless climb, switching back and forth in places, but it did allow me to make up some more places as I passed the occasional rider struggling more than myself! After a brief flat and downhill section after 4k of climbing it was part two of the beast with a final push of another 4k climbing to the highest point of the circuit, It was on this section that the leader of the race passed me with full motorcycle escort. Finally, I was there at the aid station, I had conquered the beast, at least once, I still had it all to do again, ouch!! So to the descent, which was the quickest part of the course, several sections being no tri bar allowed!! I know why, it was scary in places, again because of lots of twists and turns and this wasn’t helped by the occasional chasing pro’s cutting me up on one of the bends and almost taking me out via my front wheel. I didn’t know it till later but I managed a max speed of 40mph, which I was hoping to better on the second lap. Once I hit the lake road again, I felt I was back in the race as I was suddenly seeing all these bikers!!!! Problem was they were all on the other side of the road well into their second laps!! So, head down, back on the tri bars and head back to the city and the transition area. It felt good as I approached the transition, more spectators were making more noise, providing me with lots of encouragement, I managed to spot Jan and Vanessa, (Darren’s wife), they shouted loudly at me to get me to keep going, seeing them gave me a big lift to push onwards as it was time for the final climb of the first lap, the infamous Heartbreak Hill, which we had done as a small training ride on Friday. As I turned firstly right and then left onto the hill, I was almost taken out again by another leading contender, this time coming unexpectedly from my right but again nearly taking out my front wheel!! I needed all my cassette again, but I stayed in the saddle as I twisted and turned upwards, I reached the start of the final part of the climb and I could clearly hear the tremendous noise being generated by the supporters at the top, as I rounded the final kink in the road, I got out of the saddle for the final push and in the full glare of the midday sun, sweat coming from every pore by now, I met the crowds of supporters which were filling the road and at the front of them were Rachel and Natalie, (plus boyfriends) shouting and waving like crazy, the lift I got from that moment was tremendous, suddenly, Heartbreak Hill didn’t seem like much at all!!! Then the brief descent almost took me out, no tri bars again, however, as I took a left hander and went to the correct side of the road, a bump pushed me too close to the kerb, somehow I quickly freed up my shoe from the pedal in anticipation of having to fall to my right but somehow I arrived at a break in the kerb which allowed me to run up onto the pavement and back down at the next convenient break without falling or stopping. Phew, that was a close one!! But got away with it. Then it was back towards T1 for the start of my second lap!! Past a cheering Jan again. As I headed back out on the second lap, it all went quiet and lonely again, although I was starting to close in on a few more backmarkers. For some reason, my legs were starting to feel stronger, so I pushed on trying to catch the backmarkers. One of them was riding a flat bar bike!! And within 5 minutes of passing him, he zipped passed me again!!! What’s all that about? No problem, by the start of the first series of climbs I had taken him back and didn’t see him again. A brief stop for a banana, before tackling the climbs for the second time. I was still managing to catch back markers, especially on the climbs, but by now I was having to revise and revise again my expected arrival back in T2, with lap 1 done in 3hrs 30 mins I was hoping just over 7hrs total would be ok, but even that was about to be put in jeopardy as I could see in the distance as I was switching back and forth on the climb that the usual afternoon storm clouds were gathering, my worst nightmare was about to unleash itself upon me and the fellow back markers. I had managed to successfully negotiate half the initial climb of the Beast when the rain began. Unlike previous afternoons where the rain was generally light and lasted 5 or 10 minutes, this was significantly different, the wind picked up to fairly strong, which in places helped but for the most part was a definite hinderance as all it did was drive the ever increasingly heavy storm rain straight at me. The roads quickly became rivers and I quickly became extremely wet, still head down as I continued upwards, my thoughts turned to my fellow team members and wondering where they would be in this storm, still on the bike or probably on the run? It was a lonely and very soggy climb to the summit, the rain and wind persistent and unrelenting, by the time I reached the aid station I was colder and wetter than if I had just got out of the lake! The aid station was starting to be dismantled and packed away as I was one of the few bikers left not having caught that many in the end. The rain had driven away the supporters, but as I sat on my bike having another banana snack to regroup, the aid station PA announced my name, this reminded me it was time to press on and tackle what was now going to be a very treacherous and difficult descent, this was the scenario I was hoping to avoid, but the poor swim had put me in this position and I had to deal with it. It was still very windy and still driving the rain into me so as I hit the fastest part of the descent I had to keep scrubbing off the speed, even though this part was a straight section, there were bends at the end and I couldn’t risk going in with too much speed as there would be nowhere to go. As I approached the tricky twists and turns, I could see in the distance, the clouds were slowly breaking to the north west and I was hoping, seriously hoping that I might still end up with some sun again because the descent, rain and wind had taken its toll on me as my very wet body was now seriously cold!! The final sections of descent, my whole body was chattering badly with the cold, from hyper ventilation in the swim, to hyperthermia on the bike. The final few turns back to the main road, felt I was riding over cobbled roads I was shivering so badly both the bike and myself was shaking violently, but by now the rain and wind had eased so it was back to trying to concentrate on getting back to T2 via Heartbreak, not easy whilst I was still cold. As I reached the top end of the lake I felt I was part of the race again as most of the competitors were now out on their runs and the atmosphere from the supporters lining the course was really good. I pressed on, still cold, but warming up as the sun was starting to return. I passed the transition with all my supporters and plenty of others cheering me on. Just after this, heading to Heartbreak, all of a sudden, my bike was falling to pieces??? I looked over my shoulder to see what was falling off and saw it was my rear saddle bottle mount lying in the middle of the road. I had to stop to pick it up, couldn’t leave it lying there and managed to hang it on the tri bars till the end of the bike. Now it was time for Heartbreak one last time. Different atmosphere this time round, I suspect the rain didn’t help, but the summit was empty of all supporters, but as at the aid station on top of the Beast, the PA announced my arrival through Heartbreak. The descent this time was uneventful as I made sure I kept well away from the kerbs. A last dash back towards T2 beckoned. I was about to find out if I had any running in my legs. Quick change of kit and bike racked got me out of T2 just before 5pm. With the clouds clearing it wasn’t long before the sun was finally drying out my very soggy body. The Rachel and Natalie support crew were just past transition to cheer me onwards on my first run lap. Now I was amongst all the other athletes I really did feel part of the race and there were supporters all around the run course. The partners of Damian and Andy were at Ken Glah’s hospitality tent, shouting me on, and at various points around the course I finally managed to catch sight of my fellow team Switzerland colleagues where very welcome words of encouragement we given to me from each of them. Jan and Vanessa were positioned close to the finish line/turnaround point cheering me on whilst the Rachel and Natalie support crew were at a different place each lap, keeping me on my toes. I managed to complete the first lap running all the way but by now my quads were really hurting so it was time for a rethink and after the start of the day I had with my swim I thought it better that being so close to finishing it was better to conserve energy and ensure I got to that finish line so it was case of 10-15 minutes of running with 5-10 minutes of walking through the aid stations. The support on the run was tremendous with plenty of encouragement from complete strangers as well as Team Switzerland guys plus support team. Towards the end of the third lap, the light was starting to fade and so were the athletes, once again it was becoming a lonely race as most of the competitors were now finishing. As I approached the start of my last lap, my girls Rachel and Natalie, joined me on the run course to keep me going and give me wonderful support. They stayed with me for a couple of kilometres before leaving me to get themselves set up at the finish line. I continued on, chatting briefly to other back markers, all doing similar walk/run combinations, as we all encouraged each other to the finish. As I crossed the bridge at the top end of the lake, darkness was falling and the city lights were making this lovely city even more pretty, I knew now that I was only 20 minutes or so away from the finish. As I set about my final walking stint before the final 800 metre run in, I was joined by Darren who had already successfully completed his race. He gave me some wonderful words of encouragement which were very gracious and helped me to the finish line. As I hit the 800m board, I left Darren to start my run in, as I approached the final 100m the finish line in sight, the noise was tremendous, I had ignored this on my previous laps as I had to run past this to start each new lap, but this time I let it all soak in, with lots of high fives to the remaining supporters, lots of cheering, and applause, I ran towards the finish line with a barrage of photographers blinding me with their flash guns. I was going to complete the teams achievement and become the fifth to cross the line as Daz, Andy Damian and Paul had already done earlier. As I crossed the line, my name was announced, I was now an Ironman, after this morning’s start, this was unbelievable. With all important medal around my neck I walked over where Damian and Andy congratulated my effort and where first there were hugs and tears from my two daughters Rachel and Natalie and finally hugs and tears from my partner Jan. After this is was time to grab some food and slowly reflect on a day of very deep lows to a wonderful high at becoming an Ironman.
A few thankyou’s ......... To everyone who has graciously put up with my incessant talk of training, gadgets and bike routes, thankyou. To my support team throughout this past 41 weeks, Jan and daughters Rachel and Natalie. To the fellow athletes of team Switzerland and their partners for a brill experience both before during and after the event. Thanks to everyone at Team Manvers, a great club to be part of. Thanks to my Dad, shame you’re not here to see this.
Is this the end? No, this is just the beginning, I now have unfinished business regarding my swim so i will be attempting more Ironman events, but first a rest.
41 weeks ago is when I started training for my first IM event, well actually it started the previous year when I tried my hand at a 70.3 event with a view to moving on to the full distance. It was never in my plans when I first started out 3 seasons previous, I thought Ironman athletes were mad, they still are, but I’ve joined that wonderful club.
Crossing the line to hear those words, George Williams, you are an Ironman, was in the end very special but I didn’t know that at the start of the day, more later.
A few statistics from the 41 weeks of training ..... 604 hours of training, 287,875 metres of swimming, 8191km of biking and 834 miles of running. None of this means anything until you cross the line and as I can testify from this race, you can take nothing for granted. You must get to the start line and then get to the finish line.
In addition to the actual training stats, you also need a support team, I have been incredibly fortunate in that my partner Jan and my daughters Rachel and Natalie were part of this journey, both on race day and during my training, putting up with my musings, rants and general training chit chat which is mostly boring, along with my many hours away from them in favour of cold and wet nights running, long days biking and early morning swimming. In addition to these I have been lucky in having joined a great group of triathletes at Team Manvers Tri in 2009. Being able to take part in group training sessions and learn from experienced athletes and coached sessions as well as having fun along the way was a very important part of my training, as was being part of a small team who were all sharing the same goal of 10th July, with Team Switzerland who are Daz, Paul, Andy, Damian and myself. Being part of this team, especially on race day was very important, thanks guys for a great day, and a memorable experience.
Race day, early rise at 4 am for breakfast and then head down to transition to prepare. With the bike being racked the previous day it was just a case of sorting the out the wetsuit, nutrition etc. It was just breaking dawn, so just enough light to get sorted. Soggy bike cover off, (overnight rain showers), kit laid out, it was time for final words of encouragement from family and fellow team members and supporters with lots of posing for photos too. Wet suit zipped up it was time to find the start beach.
With the Swiss national anthem playing it was time to appreciate for a few minutes the scene of the sun rising above the hills on the far side of the lake and the calmness of the water before the mayhem began. No nerves showing, just a calmness and happy feeling of at least making it to the start line after all the training before.
6.55am the pro’s were away and then at 7.00am the start horn was sounded and it was a mad dash down 10 metres of beach to hit the water. After previously testing the water at a swim on the Friday, I knew that the water temperature would be perfect at 21 deg. With very little chop, (light winds) apart from the churning of water caused by close to 2000 athletes all trying to fight for the same piece of lake. The first 100 metres or so was the usual heads up and dodge as many arms as legs as possible, but then ........ it all started to unravel badly. As usual in my races, I tend to have a few nervy moments at the beginning of the swim but usually after a couple of hundred metres I’m into my rhythm. Today though, wasn’t going to happen. I couldn’t get going, my heart rate was soaring and unusually I wasn’t able to bring it under control. I persevered, stopping and starting, trying to regain my breathing, but it still wasn’t happening, by now my brain was full of negative thoughts, so badly that I was just expecting a canoe to come and rescue me as I was by now just treading water, trying to recover, I felt I was only seconds away from a DNF. A canoeist paddled over and asked if I was OK and for some reason I said yes, he let me take hold of the canoe for a few minutes whilst I gathered my senses and catch breath. The first turning marker buoy seemed a long way off but I decided to give it another go and carried on swimming, but I could barely string together 50 metres of swim before having to stop to regain my breath again and expel lots of phlem from what I can only suppose was as a result of taking on board small amounts of the lake water. Eventually I got to the buoy, but I was clearly struggling badly and for a second time I felt it was going to be a DNF ..... but I still carried on, why I don’t know, believe me I was not thinking of letting people down or myself I was just wondering why, after all the training was I struggling with a swim that I had been more comfortable with all season! I regrouped again a couple of hundred metres from the second turn buoy, taking a few minutes again to calm down with the help of another canoeist. By this time the first of the pro’s were bearing down on me, I let them through and vainly carried on to the buoy and headed for the end of the first lap, I was just starting to get into some rhythm when the rest of the early leaders of the age groupers caught up, trying to keep out of their way wasn’t easy. Somehow I managed to get to the end of the first lap, this is where you exit onto a small island, run 20 metres and then head out again. With reaching the island in 1 hr 5 mins I thought, well at least see if you can complete the swim before a DNF. So I set off again, by now I was at least able to control the breathing and get into a proper rhythm, but my head had gone, so all technique, what little I have, was forgotten as I just concentrated on survival from buoy to buoy. I knew by the last buoy I would complete the swim, but by now my arms were tiring and was fast running out of energy, the occasional onset of cramp in the calves keeping me focussed somehow. I was very much aware that I must be the last swimmer and as I approached the exit I tried so very hard to catch a fellow back marker, but it wasn’t to be. I was helped out of the water, found my land legs, and to shouts of encouragement from my partner Jan I headed into T1 expecting to be told my race was done as my time was 2 hrs 12 mins !!! No tap on the shoulder from an official so I continued into T1 to strip out of the wet suit and prepare for the bike. As I headed out, I looked at the empty transition area, with just a few forlorn athletes still there the same as me. I got myself sorted and collected my bike to head out of T1. Jan and my girls Rachel and Natalie, gave me large and I mean large vocal support to the start of the ride, they had no idea what I had just been through but they knew something was wrong.
Well at least I had survived to tackle the bike, the first few turns of the cranks were steady but my legs were working! However I quickly found that the expected speed was not going to happen. Any real effort I tried to apply showed itself in my thighs, so I just relaxed, went up one gear to keep it easy and got my head down to see if there was anyone in front who I might catch. The sun was well up by this time and it wasn’t long before it had dried me out and I was comfortable. The city centre was quickly gone and I was heading south, alongside the lake at times, this was the longest stretch of relatively flat going, just short of 30k, so it was a long stint, this gave my mind plenty of time to try and work out what had gone wrong in the swim and why was I now not as quick on the bike as expected. It also allowed me to believe once again that I was in with a chance of reaching the finishing line. With my worst discipline out of the way, I was confident I should get to the end, I just had to make sure I could finish the bike before the 5pm cut off. That first stint I did manage to pass a couple of competitors, but it was a mainly lonely ride, however the lakeside scenery made up for it, some views were stunning and I could start to enjoy the race! I arrived at the first of the climbs after a little over an hour, a good 5 minutes or so slower than intended, but onwards and now upwards with something of at least an hour of climbing. The first series of inclines were not as bad as I envisaged, and I was able to spot some more back markers to target for trying to catch. However, there was still the BEAST to come!!! Surprisingly, the climbs were also a relief from the first 30k of flat road!! It was making me concentrate on what needed to be done. Eventually, after doing the allotted extra mile due to road works! A sharp right turn and I knew straight away I was on the BEAST, so it was head down, bottom ring and fortunately I had a 28 cassette which I definitely needed on this occasion. It was a relentless climb, switching back and forth in places, but it did allow me to make up some more places as I passed the occasional rider struggling more than myself! After a brief flat and downhill section after 4k of climbing it was part two of the beast with a final push of another 4k climbing to the highest point of the circuit, It was on this section that the leader of the race passed me with full motorcycle escort. Finally, I was there at the aid station, I had conquered the beast, at least once, I still had it all to do again, ouch!! So to the descent, which was the quickest part of the course, several sections being no tri bar allowed!! I know why, it was scary in places, again because of lots of twists and turns and this wasn’t helped by the occasional chasing pro’s cutting me up on one of the bends and almost taking me out via my front wheel. I didn’t know it till later but I managed a max speed of 40mph, which I was hoping to better on the second lap. Once I hit the lake road again, I felt I was back in the race as I was suddenly seeing all these bikers!!!! Problem was they were all on the other side of the road well into their second laps!! So, head down, back on the tri bars and head back to the city and the transition area. It felt good as I approached the transition, more spectators were making more noise, providing me with lots of encouragement, I managed to spot Jan and Vanessa, (Darren’s wife), they shouted loudly at me to get me to keep going, seeing them gave me a big lift to push onwards as it was time for the final climb of the first lap, the infamous Heartbreak Hill, which we had done as a small training ride on Friday. As I turned firstly right and then left onto the hill, I was almost taken out again by another leading contender, this time coming unexpectedly from my right but again nearly taking out my front wheel!! I needed all my cassette again, but I stayed in the saddle as I twisted and turned upwards, I reached the start of the final part of the climb and I could clearly hear the tremendous noise being generated by the supporters at the top, as I rounded the final kink in the road, I got out of the saddle for the final push and in the full glare of the midday sun, sweat coming from every pore by now, I met the crowds of supporters which were filling the road and at the front of them were Rachel and Natalie, (plus boyfriends) shouting and waving like crazy, the lift I got from that moment was tremendous, suddenly, Heartbreak Hill didn’t seem like much at all!!! Then the brief descent almost took me out, no tri bars again, however, as I took a left hander and went to the correct side of the road, a bump pushed me too close to the kerb, somehow I quickly freed up my shoe from the pedal in anticipation of having to fall to my right but somehow I arrived at a break in the kerb which allowed me to run up onto the pavement and back down at the next convenient break without falling or stopping. Phew, that was a close one!! But got away with it. Then it was back towards T1 for the start of my second lap!! Past a cheering Jan again. As I headed back out on the second lap, it all went quiet and lonely again, although I was starting to close in on a few more backmarkers. For some reason, my legs were starting to feel stronger, so I pushed on trying to catch the backmarkers. One of them was riding a flat bar bike!! And within 5 minutes of passing him, he zipped passed me again!!! What’s all that about? No problem, by the start of the first series of climbs I had taken him back and didn’t see him again. A brief stop for a banana, before tackling the climbs for the second time. I was still managing to catch back markers, especially on the climbs, but by now I was having to revise and revise again my expected arrival back in T2, with lap 1 done in 3hrs 30 mins I was hoping just over 7hrs total would be ok, but even that was about to be put in jeopardy as I could see in the distance as I was switching back and forth on the climb that the usual afternoon storm clouds were gathering, my worst nightmare was about to unleash itself upon me and the fellow back markers. I had managed to successfully negotiate half the initial climb of the Beast when the rain began. Unlike previous afternoons where the rain was generally light and lasted 5 or 10 minutes, this was significantly different, the wind picked up to fairly strong, which in places helped but for the most part was a definite hinderance as all it did was drive the ever increasingly heavy storm rain straight at me. The roads quickly became rivers and I quickly became extremely wet, still head down as I continued upwards, my thoughts turned to my fellow team members and wondering where they would be in this storm, still on the bike or probably on the run? It was a lonely and very soggy climb to the summit, the rain and wind persistent and unrelenting, by the time I reached the aid station I was colder and wetter than if I had just got out of the lake! The aid station was starting to be dismantled and packed away as I was one of the few bikers left not having caught that many in the end. The rain had driven away the supporters, but as I sat on my bike having another banana snack to regroup, the aid station PA announced my name, this reminded me it was time to press on and tackle what was now going to be a very treacherous and difficult descent, this was the scenario I was hoping to avoid, but the poor swim had put me in this position and I had to deal with it. It was still very windy and still driving the rain into me so as I hit the fastest part of the descent I had to keep scrubbing off the speed, even though this part was a straight section, there were bends at the end and I couldn’t risk going in with too much speed as there would be nowhere to go. As I approached the tricky twists and turns, I could see in the distance, the clouds were slowly breaking to the north west and I was hoping, seriously hoping that I might still end up with some sun again because the descent, rain and wind had taken its toll on me as my very wet body was now seriously cold!! The final sections of descent, my whole body was chattering badly with the cold, from hyper ventilation in the swim, to hyperthermia on the bike. The final few turns back to the main road, felt I was riding over cobbled roads I was shivering so badly both the bike and myself was shaking violently, but by now the rain and wind had eased so it was back to trying to concentrate on getting back to T2 via Heartbreak, not easy whilst I was still cold. As I reached the top end of the lake I felt I was part of the race again as most of the competitors were now out on their runs and the atmosphere from the supporters lining the course was really good. I pressed on, still cold, but warming up as the sun was starting to return. I passed the transition with all my supporters and plenty of others cheering me on. Just after this, heading to Heartbreak, all of a sudden, my bike was falling to pieces??? I looked over my shoulder to see what was falling off and saw it was my rear saddle bottle mount lying in the middle of the road. I had to stop to pick it up, couldn’t leave it lying there and managed to hang it on the tri bars till the end of the bike. Now it was time for Heartbreak one last time. Different atmosphere this time round, I suspect the rain didn’t help, but the summit was empty of all supporters, but as at the aid station on top of the Beast, the PA announced my arrival through Heartbreak. The descent this time was uneventful as I made sure I kept well away from the kerbs. A last dash back towards T2 beckoned. I was about to find out if I had any running in my legs. Quick change of kit and bike racked got me out of T2 just before 5pm. With the clouds clearing it wasn’t long before the sun was finally drying out my very soggy body. The Rachel and Natalie support crew were just past transition to cheer me onwards on my first run lap. Now I was amongst all the other athletes I really did feel part of the race and there were supporters all around the run course. The partners of Damian and Andy were at Ken Glah’s hospitality tent, shouting me on, and at various points around the course I finally managed to catch sight of my fellow team Switzerland colleagues where very welcome words of encouragement we given to me from each of them. Jan and Vanessa were positioned close to the finish line/turnaround point cheering me on whilst the Rachel and Natalie support crew were at a different place each lap, keeping me on my toes. I managed to complete the first lap running all the way but by now my quads were really hurting so it was time for a rethink and after the start of the day I had with my swim I thought it better that being so close to finishing it was better to conserve energy and ensure I got to that finish line so it was case of 10-15 minutes of running with 5-10 minutes of walking through the aid stations. The support on the run was tremendous with plenty of encouragement from complete strangers as well as Team Switzerland guys plus support team. Towards the end of the third lap, the light was starting to fade and so were the athletes, once again it was becoming a lonely race as most of the competitors were now finishing. As I approached the start of my last lap, my girls Rachel and Natalie, joined me on the run course to keep me going and give me wonderful support. They stayed with me for a couple of kilometres before leaving me to get themselves set up at the finish line. I continued on, chatting briefly to other back markers, all doing similar walk/run combinations, as we all encouraged each other to the finish. As I crossed the bridge at the top end of the lake, darkness was falling and the city lights were making this lovely city even more pretty, I knew now that I was only 20 minutes or so away from the finish. As I set about my final walking stint before the final 800 metre run in, I was joined by Darren who had already successfully completed his race. He gave me some wonderful words of encouragement which were very gracious and helped me to the finish line. As I hit the 800m board, I left Darren to start my run in, as I approached the final 100m the finish line in sight, the noise was tremendous, I had ignored this on my previous laps as I had to run past this to start each new lap, but this time I let it all soak in, with lots of high fives to the remaining supporters, lots of cheering, and applause, I ran towards the finish line with a barrage of photographers blinding me with their flash guns. I was going to complete the teams achievement and become the fifth to cross the line as Daz, Andy Damian and Paul had already done earlier. As I crossed the line, my name was announced, I was now an Ironman, after this morning’s start, this was unbelievable. With all important medal around my neck I walked over where Damian and Andy congratulated my effort and where first there were hugs and tears from my two daughters Rachel and Natalie and finally hugs and tears from my partner Jan. After this is was time to grab some food and slowly reflect on a day of very deep lows to a wonderful high at becoming an Ironman.
A few thankyou’s ......... To everyone who has graciously put up with my incessant talk of training, gadgets and bike routes, thankyou. To my support team throughout this past 41 weeks, Jan and daughters Rachel and Natalie. To the fellow athletes of team Switzerland and their partners for a brill experience both before during and after the event. Thanks to everyone at Team Manvers, a great club to be part of. Thanks to my Dad, shame you’re not here to see this.
Is this the end? No, this is just the beginning, I now have unfinished business regarding my swim so i will be attempting more Ironman events, but first a rest.
