Long time coming but here is a fairly rushed race report for Ironman.
I've had some time to reflect on how things went and how I feel about that, but have struggled to actually find the time to put pen to paper as the expression goes.
Swim started prematurely with the pro's taking a false start and the 1400 or so age groupers following suit. I started mid way in the first wave behind the pros, not wanting to get swam over. Had a pretty smooth swim, except for one section around a buoy where I was pushed under the water. Tried to swim conservatively and not expend too much energy. Got out in 53 something.
On to the bike, and it wasn't very long before Tim came cruising past. Would have been nice to jump on his wheel but after Port Half, I wasn't going to do that. Managed to settle into a decent group and stayed with them for the first lap, although started feeling pretty bad coming back into town. Dropped off the back after the hill on Matt Flinders drive. Spent most of the second lap by myself until another larger group came through and I stayed with them. The third lap had a big headwind coming back into town, and I stupidly spent quite a lot of time at the front. Probably a little paranoid about being pinned for drafting. Got off the bike at 6:12, pretty happy with the time. This was pretty much where I had hoped I would be. All I had to do to finish where I wanted to was run a 3:35 marathon! Now, I don't know why I thought that wouldn't be very hard.
Started conservatively on the run, hoping to pick the pace up after the first turn around. But everytime I picked it up, I didn't feel very good, so I would drop the pace off. Decided to ignore the time and just run comfortably, with the ultimate goal always being to finish. I faded before the last turn around, with about 5km to go, on the hills. Dropped back and walked for most of these. Felt lightheaded at the second last aid station and struggled to not stop and sit down. Ran from the last aid station, knowing I only had about 2km to go, and ran pretty hard. Came home in 10:38, about 50 minutes off my target.
All in all, I have to be extremely happy with how the day went. I didn't cramp, I didn't vomit, the feet and knees stayed relatively painless and at no point was stopping even a consideration. The support from friends and the family was very special, the huge amount of Panthers/PIS supporters was phenomenal, and simply seeing another PIS mate running/riding and giving and receiving encouraging words the whole day is what it is all about.
Thanks to The Animal for the training. I know you know that I wouldn't have got to the start if you hadn't hassled me and offered advice the whole time. Thanks also to Shitkick. Plenty of shared training sessions and lots of discussions about how the race was going to unfold or how to approach each leg. The motivation that comes from sharing the experience with mates is invaluable. Thanks to BMMC. I would never have considered doing triathlons let alone Ironman if I didn't know you guys. Your advice and encouragement is appreciated, not to mention beer club.
Thanks to Rachel and the Kids. Not like they're going to read this, but I can't appear to have ignored them in my thanks. Put simply, I couldn't have had this experience if it weren't for Rachel's tolerance and understanding. She put up with a lot of crap. Looking after the kids pretty much by herself, looking after me when I was either sick or in a foul mood from training too much.
Trying to keep active post ironman. The training has well and truly backed off. Currently nursing a sore foot, so very little running at all. Rode Blayney to Bathurst with Dylan. Its a 110km road race. Thoroughly enjoyed it, even being dropped by the bunch, getting a flat tyre and pretty much limping home feeling utterly exhausted. Got out to Lidsdale, a fantastic course in the State Forest on the other side of Lithgow, for an 8 hour mtb race. Did it as a pair with my sister, Amy, where we came 5th in the mixed pairs. Very happy with how we both went, felt good despite having only ridden a mtb once in the last 6 months or so. Was very lucky to get to ride my brothers new bike, a very nice Specialized Epic S-works! Full suspension carbon fibre XC bike that is super quick. Looking forward to some photos.
Really enjoying doing stuff for fun. I figure I'm probably never going to be this fit again, so I should put it to good use. Pretty annoyed I can't get out and run, but should focus on getting better and doing some races later on. Will be back at the BMMC runs soon!
