Race Report - Ironman Austria 15th July 2007
After some changeable weather, IM day dawned dry and slightly overcast (well it was still dark when we got up at 3.30am). Tyres were inflated and nutrition packed, bags checked, good luck messages passed around and we were in the turquoise blue Worthersee about to start IM Austria 2007. Two minutes to go the starter said, then immediately the gun sounded- what we had 2 minutes, was this it? Everyone swam towards the start banner and then kept going, it must have been the start. Better start the watch then and go for it. Having done the race last year and found the swim OK with lots of space I wasn't prepared for the crowding and bumping that went on this time, I kept thinking it would stretch out but that wasn't to be. After an eternity we reached the first buoy at 1500m which was absolute chaos getting kicked and swam over, in the end we just trod water and queued to get round. There were just 2 buoys to mark the whole 3800m course so sighting and keeping on course was rather difficult. After an age and not really knowing where I was going we reached the entrance to the Lend Kanal for the last 800m. All of a sudden the crowding got much worse as we are all squashed in to narrow canal, there was nowhere to go and people were hitting each other on all sides every stroke. I tried slowing down to let the aggressive people past but more were just behind so had just to fight through and eventually reached the exit and transition. With the bike came the sun. The bike course is wonderful (apart from the hills of course) but very scenic with great support. I took off a bit too fast but it's hard not to. The first lap flew, Glynis flew past at about 30 miles on a real charge, it was great to see a friendly face, and before long I was passing the kids and Ironman village for the second lap. The hills seemed much steeper that second lap and miles 80 to 100 went so slowly, it was getting really hot by then as well.
Now to run, well walk, to the change tent, some kind helper rubbed suntan lotion on me whilst I watched one girl carried off with heatstroke. Just a run left, trouble is it's a marathon. I didn't feel too bad and managed to find a rhythm. It was great seeing the kids, who had written support messages in chalk on the paths and Keith, Glynis, Jim and Helen Cane, whom many of you will know. I had forgotten how long a marathon could seem and it was a hard second half but I managed to run it all apart from a couple of aid stations, albeit slowly. I really didn't want to run the last 10k loop at all but somehow managed to dig deep and soon came within sight of the finish. Well you then had to do another 1 km loop before actually crossing the line!
The kids crossed the line with me just the wrong side of 13 hours and I was met by Jim who said he had to go to the medical tent NOW. So much for relishing in the moment! After some confusion we couldn't find the tent and managed to rest and refuel on our own. Jim had a great swim and a storming bike but blew up on the run and struggled home. Amazingly he finished 3 seconds ahead of Helen but didn't see her at the finish. Keith did a great time but Glynis was the star of the day with a huge pb and second place in her age group. It was big celebrations the next day at the awards banquet with a podium presentation. Unfortunately though she just missed out on the elusive Kona place.
I found out later that my chip hadn't worked so it looked like I didn't race at all. I have the finishers photos to prove it though. I did do it honestly!
All in all a great day.
Keith 11.20.02
Jim 11.58.03
Helen 11.58.06
Glynis 12.14.09
Lisa 13.01.22
Roll on IM UK!
Regards
Lisa
posted by Lisa on 17th July, 2007