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2014-08-25 12:29 AM


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Subject: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Hello out there!
I finally finished my very first Ironman which was held in Denmark: KMD Ironman Cooenhagen 2014, August 24th. I'm still very high over my performance and I've only had a few hours of sleep.

My story started at last years Ironman Copenhagen 2013. I was admirering the atlethes at last years event and had the deepest respect for what they were accomplishing. On August 26th, 2013, I signed up for the Ironman Copenhagen 2014.

At the time I had done 4 marathons in 1,5 year (3 in Copenhagen and 2 in Berlin) and the longest I have ever rode a bike was 80 km. Swimming? Heck, I couldn't swim AT ALL! I signed up for a half year beginners swimming lesson (from September to December 2013). I was a complete disaster. Couldn't even get my head under water without panicking. I thought to myself: how am I going to cover 3,8 km swim? At that moment I almost gave up before my IM journey even began. But I kept coming back for lessons. Trained swimming 3 times a week, with bike and run included.

Fast forward to February 2014, I finally got the hang of the free style swimming technique. I kept training 3-4 times a week. NEVER missed a training session. Never. I wanted to learn this so badly. Once the technique was down I could crawl 25 m.. Had a 15 seconds break. Crawl another 25 m. Another 15 seconds break. And so days and weeks went by. I was starting to improve. 50 m. 75 m. 100 m without a break! Yay. I'm getting somewhere, I said to myself and to my wife. By May 2014 I was able to finally crawl 1,5 km without a break.

On June 22nd, 2014, I did my first 1/2 Ironman. Did the 1,9 km swim in 40min:25sec. My overall time was 5hrs:25min:13sec.

This was a turning point on my journey to the full IM distance and it gave me alot of confidence and a huge moral boost. I now had 2 months to go for Ironman Copenhagen. During July and August I swam 3 times a week, a total of about 8,5 km every week. I was feeling good in the water. One with the water. Confident.

August 24th. The big was finally here. One year of training, on the bike, on the run and certainly on the swim. I was ready. Mentally and physically.

I did the 3,8 km swim in 1hr:15min:30sec. My overall time was: 12hrs:44min:31sec.

I did it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: even if you aren't a swimmer at all. If you are a complete newbie as I was last year, just remember anything is possible! This is a lesson I will take with me through life.

Ironman has changed me.

Thank you for reading!

(English isn't my native language. Please bear with me).


2014-08-25 1:57 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
great story - well done - thats some achievement in one year!
2014-08-25 4:13 AM
in reply to: grahamclarke_6

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story

Fantastic - I did Copenhagen last year and loved it.  Amazing city.  

Did you see any jellyfish on the swim?

How was the wind up the coast on the bike?  

2014-08-25 4:17 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Thank you for sharing, this is an inspiration to me. Congratulations!!!
2014-08-25 6:08 AM
in reply to: Phebes

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Gratulerar

well done, fellow Scandinavian! (I assume)
2014-08-25 6:17 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Congratulations Ironman!

Great report :-)


2014-08-25 6:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Thanks fellas!

Dan, I actually didn't see any jelly fish, surprisingly. The water was great 18,3 degrees, the sun was up, overall a perfect morning to start the day.

The wind was a bit tough on the bike, sunny and 16 degrees.

Phebes, I'm glad this is an inspiration to you. I assume you are on your own IM journey and I wish you all the best of luck!

Rollergirl, mange tak
2014-08-25 8:58 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Great job Philip, having a good swim certainly sets the stage for the rest of the day. I'd like to do that race some day, hoping my company will send me to Denmark for business around the same time as the race
2014-08-25 9:50 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story

Great Job!! that's quite the improvement from complete beginner to sub 1:20 IM swim! You should fill out a formal race report and post a link here so that we can hear more about the specifics of how race day went for you.

Congrats again!

2014-08-25 9:57 AM
in reply to: phicon

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Subject: RE: Finished my first Ironman - my story
Originally posted by phicon

Thanks fellas!

Dan, I actually didn't see any jelly fish, surprisingly. The water was great 18,3 degrees, the sun was up, overall a perfect morning to start the day.

The wind was a bit tough on the bike, sunny and 16 degrees.

Phebes, I'm glad this is an inspiration to you. I assume you are on your own IM journey and I wish you all the best of luck!

Rollergirl, mange tak


Phicon, I just finished my first sprint tri and first sports competition. I'm 48 now. I would like to do an HIM when I hit 50
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