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.
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