Saturday, 2 June 2012
Final hour of Ironman Lanzarote
After the bath we went back out to meet the family - but first it was off for the food of athletes - Burger King - wow that was the best food I'd tasted for what seemed like an eternity :0)
We then went down to the finish line to watch the final finishers with Mam and Dad - we also got to meet the winners - Michelle Vesterby from Denmark - the girl whom I bumped into on the Wednesday before whilst cycling back to Club La Santa - she had kept to her word and won her first Ironman event - great show Michelle. And the winner of the Mens was Victor del Corral from Madrid - his first IM win too!!!!
Into the last hour of the Ironman - and the place was booming - and there was inspiration all around !!!!! The one's to remember were Javier - the guy with one leg who I had passed going up one of the climbs earlier in the day :0) he came running through just before the 17 hour mark - along with Peter Norman of Wrecsam Tri - the oldest finisher aged 75 :0) amazing, and then an english woman puts everything in to cross the line and then collapse with a finsh time of 16'59'58 - only 2 seconds to spare to complete an Ironman - she really had pushed herself in the last period to make it - ALL TRULY INSPIRATIONAL - and also signifies the Ironman mantra "Anything is Possible"
What a day, what an event - me and Jules - time for bed :0)
We then went down to the finish line to watch the final finishers with Mam and Dad - we also got to meet the winners - Michelle Vesterby from Denmark - the girl whom I bumped into on the Wednesday before whilst cycling back to Club La Santa - she had kept to her word and won her first Ironman event - great show Michelle. And the winner of the Mens was Victor del Corral from Madrid - his first IM win too!!!!
Into the last hour of the Ironman - and the place was booming - and there was inspiration all around !!!!! The one's to remember were Javier - the guy with one leg who I had passed going up one of the climbs earlier in the day :0) he came running through just before the 17 hour mark - along with Peter Norman of Wrecsam Tri - the oldest finisher aged 75 :0) amazing, and then an english woman puts everything in to cross the line and then collapse with a finsh time of 16'59'58 - only 2 seconds to spare to complete an Ironman - she really had pushed herself in the last period to make it - ALL TRULY INSPIRATIONAL - and also signifies the Ironman mantra "Anything is Possible"
What a day, what an event - me and Jules - time for bed :0)
Post race
Once getting through I managed to get down some water and get my medal - I had stopped sweating more than an hour before - so needed hydration asap. But first I wanted my t-shirt - and was also given my results :0)
With my finisher T-Shirt I then went on to get my bike - which had already been swiftly taken to Club La Santa. So it was off for a massage - in the tent there wasn't even a queue - so had a 20 min session to try and loosen my hamstrings, etc :0) Next stop the food tent for a great paella with a drink and some bread - and that was when I finally cam around - I was starving :0)
From there I came back through to Julie and sat down for a drink - boy was I glad to get off my feet :0) but needed a bath urgently as my under carriage was a bit worn from the up front position on the bike - ouch!!!!
So off back to the apartment for a bath and some more food :0)
After a long bathe - Julie's Estee Lauder 8 hour cream had to be used - for something I'm sure it was designed for - but I can tell you guys - it worked :0) as you can see by the smile on my face :0)
With my finisher T-Shirt I then went on to get my bike - which had already been swiftly taken to Club La Santa. So it was off for a massage - in the tent there wasn't even a queue - so had a 20 min session to try and loosen my hamstrings, etc :0) Next stop the food tent for a great paella with a drink and some bread - and that was when I finally cam around - I was starving :0)
From there I came back through to Julie and sat down for a drink - boy was I glad to get off my feet :0) but needed a bath urgently as my under carriage was a bit worn from the up front position on the bike - ouch!!!!
So off back to the apartment for a bath and some more food :0)
After a long bathe - Julie's Estee Lauder 8 hour cream had to be used - for something I'm sure it was designed for - but I can tell you guys - it worked :0) as you can see by the smile on my face :0)
Ironman Lanzarote marathon
Well getting off the bike I didnt feel too bad - but knew it was hot and hadn't been able to stomach any food for about 2 hours - so I had relied on sports drinks :0( so really wasn't sure how I would cope.
Anyway into transition and a pee stop again :0) once I started getting changed there was a german guy lying in the corner - the helpers said he just needed a sleep :0) did check on his times the next day to find out that he did have an hours kip - so had a transition time of 1'04 - that smashes my 23 minutes at Ironman Wales :0)
Anyway after a couple of gels and some water I was off - wow as soon as I got out the tent I knew it was going to be a tough few hours as the heat just hit me!!!!! The temps were now in the high 30s - not a place for a pastie Geordie.
Anyway off I trotted with my £2.50 Ironman Sahara hat on - great spot John !!!! My legs were certainly heavy - and since I had only did one brick session (on the Wednesday) since IM Wales, I really wasn't sure how I was going to cope. The first few miles my legs were REALLY heavy and just wouldnt get going :0( at 7 30s I was happy enough - but the sweat for pouring out of me so quick:0( I couldn't get liquids in fast enough. I went with the same strategy as IM Wales - with a walk through each of the Aid Stations :0)
After seeing Julie - and hyperventilating I really wasn't feeling that comfortable - but was certainly passing more people than were passing me :0) I also knew that I had just under 4 hours to complete the marathon to get under 12 hours - the goal I had set myself. Anyway the first 6 miles before the turnaround actually went ok and I just kept steady as I could, as I came back past Phil and Sue at 10miles, I wasn't feeling so good - and really really hot - but I knew I was nearing half way. I had slowed quite a bit from the first 3 miles - but kept it steady around 8 30s with the aid station walks getting longer. Anyway at the 12 miles I saw Julie and tried to smile - whilst making sure I wasnt seen with the sponges down my top ;0)
After the turn around at the finish line - I now knew I only had 2 10+ km loops to go - and just had to concentrate on the first - again by breaking it down to two sections - out and back. The out was getting harder and hotter - and seeing Mum and Dad was emotional again. But I just concentrated on my form and tried to keep a strong up right position and good feet turnover. At this point it was mainly flat coca cola that I was drinking along with the odd High5 gel that I had brought along . Going out to the airport turn I had to stop because of cramp in both hamstrings - the pain was massive but I knew I had to run it off or my race was finished - so I gritted my teeth and ran (waddled) for about 100m until it finally relieved -that was a relief!!!!! I was heading back to get my final band now - a guy from the Army give me a bit of a boost up saying we have 90mins to get back under 12 hours.
That gee up did seem to get me going for a bit - but the sweat had now stopped and my stomach wasn't feeling great :0( the run back to the finish line really was the hardest leg - as I didn't feel great at all.
The walks had grown longer and longer through the Aid stations, as I now tried bananas - and even the sports drink on offer (as well as the cola). By the turnaround at the finish line - I just had the out and back to do again :0) this was important psychologically now, I just had to keep it steady for about 11kms. It was a case of putting one foot in front of the other :0) I continued on and pushed and pushed. The turnaround at the airport was such a massive relief - I looked at my watch and knew it would be closer, so started pushing on again to make under 12 hours. There is such relief in knowing that you are on the final straight - so I just kept going- even running through food stations !!!!!!
As I got to the final 2km mark I knew I was going to make it and that gave me another boost - I tried opening my legs slightly more - I felt strong :0) now feeling good and knowing I was just minutes away from finishing Ironman Lanzarote. Into the finishers chute - the atmosphere was amazing and I was feeling great (as I was finishing!!!) and so happy when I saw the time. Considering the heat - I looked down to my watch to see I was going to complete the marathon in 3'40 - nearly as quick as I had done my only stand alone marathon at Amsterdam - the Garmin trace of the run is here
I had finished - now that I stopped I did not feel good at all, and needed water and something to eat urgently!!! I had finished officially in 11'52 53 seconds.
Anyway into transition and a pee stop again :0) once I started getting changed there was a german guy lying in the corner - the helpers said he just needed a sleep :0) did check on his times the next day to find out that he did have an hours kip - so had a transition time of 1'04 - that smashes my 23 minutes at Ironman Wales :0)
Anyway after a couple of gels and some water I was off - wow as soon as I got out the tent I knew it was going to be a tough few hours as the heat just hit me!!!!! The temps were now in the high 30s - not a place for a pastie Geordie.
Anyway off I trotted with my £2.50 Ironman Sahara hat on - great spot John !!!! My legs were certainly heavy - and since I had only did one brick session (on the Wednesday) since IM Wales, I really wasn't sure how I was going to cope. The first few miles my legs were REALLY heavy and just wouldnt get going :0( at 7 30s I was happy enough - but the sweat for pouring out of me so quick:0( I couldn't get liquids in fast enough. I went with the same strategy as IM Wales - with a walk through each of the Aid Stations :0)
After seeing Julie - and hyperventilating I really wasn't feeling that comfortable - but was certainly passing more people than were passing me :0) I also knew that I had just under 4 hours to complete the marathon to get under 12 hours - the goal I had set myself. Anyway the first 6 miles before the turnaround actually went ok and I just kept steady as I could, as I came back past Phil and Sue at 10miles, I wasn't feeling so good - and really really hot - but I knew I was nearing half way. I had slowed quite a bit from the first 3 miles - but kept it steady around 8 30s with the aid station walks getting longer. Anyway at the 12 miles I saw Julie and tried to smile - whilst making sure I wasnt seen with the sponges down my top ;0)
After the turn around at the finish line - I now knew I only had 2 10+ km loops to go - and just had to concentrate on the first - again by breaking it down to two sections - out and back. The out was getting harder and hotter - and seeing Mum and Dad was emotional again. But I just concentrated on my form and tried to keep a strong up right position and good feet turnover. At this point it was mainly flat coca cola that I was drinking along with the odd High5 gel that I had brought along . Going out to the airport turn I had to stop because of cramp in both hamstrings - the pain was massive but I knew I had to run it off or my race was finished - so I gritted my teeth and ran (waddled) for about 100m until it finally relieved -that was a relief!!!!! I was heading back to get my final band now - a guy from the Army give me a bit of a boost up saying we have 90mins to get back under 12 hours.
That gee up did seem to get me going for a bit - but the sweat had now stopped and my stomach wasn't feeling great :0( the run back to the finish line really was the hardest leg - as I didn't feel great at all.
The walks had grown longer and longer through the Aid stations, as I now tried bananas - and even the sports drink on offer (as well as the cola). By the turnaround at the finish line - I just had the out and back to do again :0) this was important psychologically now, I just had to keep it steady for about 11kms. It was a case of putting one foot in front of the other :0) I continued on and pushed and pushed. The turnaround at the airport was such a massive relief - I looked at my watch and knew it would be closer, so started pushing on again to make under 12 hours. There is such relief in knowing that you are on the final straight - so I just kept going- even running through food stations !!!!!!
As I got to the final 2km mark I knew I was going to make it and that gave me another boost - I tried opening my legs slightly more - I felt strong :0) now feeling good and knowing I was just minutes away from finishing Ironman Lanzarote. Into the finishers chute - the atmosphere was amazing and I was feeling great (as I was finishing!!!) and so happy when I saw the time. Considering the heat - I looked down to my watch to see I was going to complete the marathon in 3'40 - nearly as quick as I had done my only stand alone marathon at Amsterdam - the Garmin trace of the run is here
I had finished - now that I stopped I did not feel good at all, and needed water and something to eat urgently!!! I had finished officially in 11'52 53 seconds.
Ironman Lanzarote bike leg
Well I didnt have an issue finding my bike as I had came out of the water 1245th :0( so most of the bikes had disappeared :0)
Once on the bike I found the first few miles a bit of a nightmare - as I wasnt really right after the swim. Then it was a case of being caught in a lot of traffic getting out of PDC which slowed me quite a bit, especially on the climbs were there was no one past some of the slower riders with cars moving really slowly beside. The traffic up front with slower riders really did play a part in the first 30 miles where I was just trying to get past - certainly werent many coming past me - but there werent that many behind me in the first place. The first part of the race was also the main part for wind going up and over Fire Mountain :0( the views around were stunning though - and I gradually got into a groove.
By Club La Santa I did feel more comfortable - but needed a quick pit stop - which lasted longer than it should have ;0) anyway I knew the next 25 miles up to Haria and felt pretty good all of the way up and certainly put the bad swim to the back of my mind when I passed a guy cycling with one leg - really - what did I have to moan about ? nothing and that really did put it into perspective!!!! :0( gradually the sun was getting hotter and hotter as we climbed but I felt good and kept pushing - once at the top above Haria we had an amazing drop into the town - which you could really get the speed up.
After that though it was climbing again - and this time it surprised me as we just seemed to continue climbing - each time thinking I had reach the top. Once at the very top of the island, the views were simply amazing and after such a long climb there was an even longer descent but as the winds got up it did get a little hairy with the crosswinds catch the wheels. It did feel great as it did just seem to go on and on. I was told before the race that the last 30km was all down hill - I think they exaggerated - as from 15-30km we went over some real bad rough roads - which forced another longer pee stop :0( and then it was more climbing :0)
Once into the final 15 km it was mostly down, where you could get some serious speed. In the final few kms I came off a long single track road and joined the traffic - unfortunately I forgot they drive on the wrong side and was quickly forced across by a police officer :0) a real near miss. Anyway kept the pace into PDC
I certainly had picked up quite a few places on the bike leg (520th) finishing the 112 miles it in 6' 22" - which I was happy with but know the first 30-40 miles had cost me considerable time and also started so poorly because of my swim :0( anyway I was happy to be off and knew it was getting hot out there - as you can see by the pic above.
My garmin trace for the bike is here - although I forgot to turn it off so it went back to Club La Santa - seems to be ok up to 111miles - then goes a bit silly - so the overall times don't add up.
Once on the bike I found the first few miles a bit of a nightmare - as I wasnt really right after the swim. Then it was a case of being caught in a lot of traffic getting out of PDC which slowed me quite a bit, especially on the climbs were there was no one past some of the slower riders with cars moving really slowly beside. The traffic up front with slower riders really did play a part in the first 30 miles where I was just trying to get past - certainly werent many coming past me - but there werent that many behind me in the first place. The first part of the race was also the main part for wind going up and over Fire Mountain :0( the views around were stunning though - and I gradually got into a groove.
By Club La Santa I did feel more comfortable - but needed a quick pit stop - which lasted longer than it should have ;0) anyway I knew the next 25 miles up to Haria and felt pretty good all of the way up and certainly put the bad swim to the back of my mind when I passed a guy cycling with one leg - really - what did I have to moan about ? nothing and that really did put it into perspective!!!! :0( gradually the sun was getting hotter and hotter as we climbed but I felt good and kept pushing - once at the top above Haria we had an amazing drop into the town - which you could really get the speed up.
After that though it was climbing again - and this time it surprised me as we just seemed to continue climbing - each time thinking I had reach the top. Once at the very top of the island, the views were simply amazing and after such a long climb there was an even longer descent but as the winds got up it did get a little hairy with the crosswinds catch the wheels. It did feel great as it did just seem to go on and on. I was told before the race that the last 30km was all down hill - I think they exaggerated - as from 15-30km we went over some real bad rough roads - which forced another longer pee stop :0( and then it was more climbing :0)
Once into the final 15 km it was mostly down, where you could get some serious speed. In the final few kms I came off a long single track road and joined the traffic - unfortunately I forgot they drive on the wrong side and was quickly forced across by a police officer :0) a real near miss. Anyway kept the pace into PDC
I certainly had picked up quite a few places on the bike leg (520th) finishing the 112 miles it in 6' 22" - which I was happy with but know the first 30-40 miles had cost me considerable time and also started so poorly because of my swim :0( anyway I was happy to be off and knew it was getting hot out there - as you can see by the pic above.
My garmin trace for the bike is here - although I forgot to turn it off so it went back to Club La Santa - seems to be ok up to 111miles - then goes a bit silly - so the overall times don't add up.
Ironman Lanzarote 2012 - Race day
Well apart from been woken at about 2am by my sister calling whilst at a party with Paul Heaton, I actually had a pretty decent sleep and woke by the alarm at 4am. After getting up I swiftly polished off 4 muffins which was breakfast, along with a sports drink and a banana bar - whilst making sure I had everything that I needed for the day ahead.
Once down in transition it was a final prep of the bike with the food and drink - with the nerves really really kicking in :0)
Once in the wetsuit the nerves were now at another level. As you can see from my face.
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At this point I wasnt feeling good at all - and the confidence wasnt exactly showing - especially after my prep swim on Thursday :0( Anyway after a mad mad start where 1600 people surge into the water - I was finally able to put my head down once I got to the first buoy about 150m out - from there onto a left turn I gradually got into a rythym, not a quick one but a sort of rythym anyway!!!!! Once at the next turn about 1km down I really did start regretting not putting the pool time or learning from last years swim :0( Any made the first 1.2 mile loop in 45 minutes - not good although it did take 3 mins to get into the water according to my chip :0( things actually went from bad to worse though as I really did tire quite a lot on the second loop - and finally got out after another 48minutes - absolutely exhausted :0( a split of 1 33 - OMG what a F******* nightmare - but what more did I deserve after averaging less than once a week for 6 months!!!!! I vow not to race now until I can swim properly :0( Anyway on getting out I did see Julie and her dad cheering - and I was over the moon just to get out - so had a decent shower whilst removing my wetsuit :0) which added up to a rather poor 12 minute transition - but too be honest I was goosed!!!!
Once down in transition it was a final prep of the bike with the food and drink - with the nerves really really kicking in :0)
Once in the wetsuit the nerves were now at another level. As you can see from my face.
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Pre-race and the nerves really were setting in
Friday afternoon meant re-housing down in PDC - and that meant making sure I had everything for the weekend - including the bike - which was transported along with the other Club La Santa residents bikes in a rather unusual way (but efficient and effective - as it was waiting for me once I got down to the Start line).
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Once in transition it was a case of racking up the bike and bags - and now the nerves really are going!!!!! As I put the Slice in and make sure I know were I'm going after getting out the water, etc.
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Caught up with Mam and Dad who had found their local for the week :0) where Dad couldnt believe how cheap the lager was :0) just what I needed when stressing pre-race ;0) anyway caught up with Mam and Dad, and then went on too meet Phil and Sue for a bite to eat - where I had my traditional pre-race food of pizza.
After that it was back to the apartment - with a visit to the local supermarket to get some carbs for breakfast - which wasnt so successful :0( anyway it was a case of counting down the hours and some last minute prep for the morning, which obviously included last minute shave ;0)
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Once in transition it was a case of racking up the bike and bags - and now the nerves really are going!!!!! As I put the Slice in and make sure I know were I'm going after getting out the water, etc.
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After that it was back to the apartment - with a visit to the local supermarket to get some carbs for breakfast - which wasnt so successful :0( anyway it was a case of counting down the hours and some last minute prep for the morning, which obviously included last minute shave ;0)
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