Ironman Race Report

23rd July 2006

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Trek Triathlon bike

Well where to start really this report is about a journey to an event that is reported to be one of the toughest things that a human being can put themselves and there bodies through, so when a friend and I decided over a few glasses of wine to enter this event it seemed like a great idea, I mean a great idea sat in front of a roaring fire in his lounge in November, what little did I know of the event and the 6 months it would take to get there.

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Dave on the finish line

So this event well we entered an event that not many had heard of called the longest day. This would involve a 2.5-mile swim, 112 miles on the bike and then a run of 26.2 miles, which we hoped to complete in around 12 hours, which we had heard on the grape vine, was an average and reasonable time. The task ahead was to be no mean feat it would mean training for a minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 24 hours all while working full time, so it was a case of going out to train no matter what the weather on a few occasions I did a 3 hour ride straight into a 45 minute run before work which meant leaving home in the dark at 5 o’clock in the morning. But I wont go on about the training to much just to tell you it was tough to keep motivated for those 6 months but they led me in good stead to this the race day.

SWIM

Well it was up at 3.30am for breakfast of porridge and bananas at the tented village by the finish line we could see the torches of the other competitors moving around and we could hear them all chatting nervously about what the day would bring, then probably the hardest task I had to wake up my wife Maria to take us to the start at chasewater lake which was 30 minutes away from the finish but she got up and after a coffee became very upbeat haha.

So we arrived at the start having put our bikes into the transition area the day before to do a few final checks and don our wetsuits and prepare to enter the water at a little before 6am, the final race brief took place then we were ordered into the water to wait for the horn to signal the start, so a quick kiss for the wife and then in we go.

The hooter sounds and we are off for the 2 lap swim in the lake found myself in the lead pack and got settled into my rhythm my key points on the race plan were to take the swim easy so I wasn’t dead on the bike it was going to be a long day, second lap arrived and I found myself on the front of our little group which meant that I was working the hardest so I slowed down a little to hope that someone would come forward which they did to share the work, coming up to the end of the swim was time to kick the legs hard to get some blood into the dormant muscles ready for the bike, this saw me leaving the water in 12th position Maria shouting at me that I was only a couple of minutes behind the leader wow that was exciting. So it was into transition one wetsuit off helmet and bike shoes on then out to the bike past Maria again shouting “go honey go” and on to the longest part of the day.

BIKE

The plan on the bike was one of restraint this leg would be all about holding back, for the first 30 miles I would settle in to a rhythm letting my heart rate settle down and refuelling my body after the swim nothing but water for the first 30 minutes then eat or drink something every 15 minutes this was my mantra and I was sticking to it come hell or high water haha. So it was pretty uneventful for the first few hours passing through feed stations, grabbing stuff on the move, which was quite amusing at times I passed a few people a few people passed me that sort of thing, then at about 80 miles it happened people had told me it would and it did the traditional bad patch I felt like I was riding on tar but my speed was the same?? It was to describe it a low feeling, a time of doubt this kept up for about 5 or 6 miles then I heard my mothers voice saying “Go on kiddo you can do this go on get on with it” weird then I was out of it time to start pushing a little bit it was at this point I started moving through the field early pacing was paying off.
The final section of the bike was the hilliest part of the course with two testing climbs that were made especially testing with 100 miles of biking in the legs, i came into transition feeling good but i really wanted to get off the bike and for those who know me this is unusual,i passed the bike to one of the helpers then ran into the change tent,it was a rapid affair socks on trainers on hat on stuff a handful of sis go gels into the back pocket and off onto the marathon.

RUN

The run consisted of 4 out and back loops along a disused railway track which were just over 10km each again restraint was the key i had planned to go easy for the first 2 then if i felt good then go for a faster last 2 well that at least in theory was the plan.Anyone who has run off a bike will know the feeling that i am about to describe it was like having someone elses legs "bambi legs" I think is the common term used amongst triathletes i tried hard to settle into it but it took about 5km to really get my stride.I continued eating and by now was sick of gels and wanted something savoury luckily the feed stations had crisps and nuts so the went in to fuel the engine, so all was going well I saw Maria on every lap which spurred me on then about half way throuhg the third lap the wheels came off there was a big wall out there and i literallty hit it,i got to the turnaround and walked through the feed station taking on flat coke Maria came up and walked beside me she knew someting looked wrong she said "your alright love last one just push through it " I had to run off as i felt like crying wow where did all these emotions come from but it has to be said i was finishing this no matter what ok lets concentrate on this looked at my watch "ok if i sort it out i could do sub 11 hours" ok lets get on it as i neared the finish i zipped up my top put my sunglasses on top of my hat got to look good for the photo ran up the ramp and yes it was finished 10hrs and 53 mins after I started and did i feel good oh yes i was euphoric two helpers grabbed me and ushered me into a tent but I went straight back out to Maria for a long cuddle she whispered "Good job"

POST RACE

Well has it changed my life it has made me realise that if you apply your self you can achieve anything you want to,it has also made me realise that you need support from your family,work colleagues and employers so a big thankyou to all those that helped me achieve my iron dream and were there for me all the way through this experiance.Will I do anotherone haha just paid to enter ironman lazarote for next year so will keep you posted!!!!

FINAL TIMES

Swim 1.03
Bike 5.30
Run 4.17
Total 10.53