Ironman UK - TriathlonFull Ironman

Best swim I have ever had, by all reports the swim was long, various garmins have put it between 4.1 and 4.2 kms so very pleased with the time.

I felt very relaxed the whole way around (more or less) just cruised around at my pace, drafting now and then but mainly just swimming my own swim, really enjoyed it.

Getting in the swim was hard, the water was cold, and I had to get new goggles the few days before because I left mine at home. Had to tread water for quite a while before the start because I was one of the first few in the water... i was just ready and eager to get going.

Navigation was bit off, but the rhythm was good, i would rather keep the rhythm and swim a bit further in an event that long.

I have never seen mud like this before in my life... the whole site was a muddy field, running with the bike, getting changed etc was an effort. My feet were caked in mud as i mounted the bike, had to carry the bike out of transition so the wheels didn't get covered in mud, but i didn't mind too much, it was all part of the day.

It was a 500m run up hill on a gravel road to transition, so that took a good few minutes of this time.

not much, i did dally a bit, but i wasn't out to set any records

That was one tuff bike course, very hilly with a couple of really steep long climbs.

Lap one went well, the first climb is straight out of transition, there was heaps of support on this part of the course, people were 4 and 5 deep, yelling, ringing bells, banners, chalk on the road etc etc, very tour d'France, it was a great buzz... i managed to get up the climb fairly easily, didn't have to get in the granny gears just soaked it in a bit really. over the hill and the decent down the other side was FAST with a sharp turn at the bottom on to "the high" street... this part of the course was HARD, it was cold, windy, slow roads and very undulating, there was little rest for the legs for about 20km or so. Not many people here. We then sort of turn back on ourselves and head back through the green typical English country side, small villages, pubs etc etc, the support from l;ocals was amazing and spurred me on. I used this part of the course to make sure i got in my food and drinks. the last third of the corse wassimilar scenery, but started to undulate again, lots of support still but the course started to bite, the roads were slow and i remeber thinking that this is going to be a LONG day.

First lap was done in 2hrs exactly, a good pace and i had kept HR etc in check, i was pleased with the first lap.

The second lap was the worst, the climb wasn't bad, but i struggled on the cold windy section and started to let my mind wander, there were a few negative thoughts creeping in, but fought through them and just kept things ticking over. I took a corner too sharp on this lap and went bush for a minute or so, i think that woke me up. managed to keep it under control and luckily didn't puncture.

Second lap was just over the 2hr mark.

The third lap was hard, but i remember thinking this is the last time, 660km to go and i can get off this bike... i had had enough... the climb was painful and slow sapped every last bit of power out of my legs, i don't think i ever recovered from that last climb... there were people getting off and walking... I got over in the end, and enjoyed a powerbar and drink on the way down... i rewarded myself on the tough part of this lap with my snickers which i had been holding on to so i could have some "real" food, god it was good, savored every bite. It was a long lap and the climb really hurt my bike time, but there was still heaps of support out on the course and the lap went by what felt like quite quickly.

Third lap was done in just over two hours, but faster than the second lap, i managed to concentrate better.

I was so happy to be off the bike i was actually looking forward to the run... i shouldn't have!

Not much, i kept a good pace, stuck to my HR and cad, i think i should have done more long rides with bricks in training...next time...

Very heavy legs off the bike, and had to get through the mud etc again. My shoulders were very painful, but had left some nurofen gel in my run bag, so put that on and it relieved the pain almost instantly, uneventful transition really

Nothing, it went well really.

WOW, the pain!...

This was the hardest run i have ever had. The first 7 - 10 km went almost right to plan, i was hitting about 5:40/km and walked the aid stations getting in bananas, water and was feeling sore but thinking i could make it... then i hit a climb over a railway line (like the spiral paths over the freeway) it was very steep and quite long, started off with a slow jog, it ended up a slow walk and when i reached the top my thighs were screaming at me to stop... i tried to run again but failed, i ended up "staggering" for the next few kms with my mind in a very dark place, i was at the turn around point, knowing i wasn't even half way thinking how can i go on like this, i was seconds away from giving up, walking off the course and throwing in the towell... i looked at my watch and thought NO, bugger it, even walking/staggering at this pace i can make it under the 17 hour mark, the only way i am not finishing today is if they drag me off in an ambulance or i don't make the time cut off.

From then on it was hard, but i had it in my mind that i was finishing no matter what, i walked alot, ran now and then when it was flat, chatted to a few people and we spurred each other on for times, but i ended up getting a bit of a second wind and with about 10km to go was thinking if i can push i might get under 13hrs... it didn't happen though, but i did manage a consistant run walk pace through to the end.

I got through the last few corners and saw the finnish line and huge screen ahead, the street was lined 4 people deep for near on 1km it was an amazing feeling to run down that finnish shut giving high fives etc etc, i don't know where i found that last bit of energy from but it was there and i actually felt like i was running.

An amazing feeling to cross the line, and just a bit over 13 hours. Saw my wife and kids and dad, gave them a big hug, showed off my medal and felt such pain, but releif that it was over and i had done it!

Train off the bike and longer runs more often... i was under prepared for the pain!

They had a recovery area with food drinks, our dry bags etc... BUT.... we had to climb two flights of stairs to get to it, it was tough work.


The run... but it has given me hope for one more crack at an ironman and see what i can do now that i know what to expect.


Great race, tough course and great people. The support from the towns around the way and the finish area is amazing!

Tough Ironman but well worth the effort.