Race Report - Ironman UK 2007
Well, it's all over now.
After 6 months of training, the job has been done, and oh what an experience. My family and I rammed the car full and went down to Sherborne early Friday afternoon to set up camp in the event campsite which is bisected by the run route. The dark storm clouds that hung over the town as we approached were just a warning of things to come.
Keith and Glynis had already been down since Wednesday and Jim and Lisa had arrived earlier on in the day. We all managed to set up next to each other and proudly placed the Eton Tri banner in our midst. By Saturday the rain and winds had set in and it was a thoroughly miserable day. The campsite turned into a huge mud bath and stayed that way for the rest of the event.
A muddy trudge down to the race centre took 25 minutes, and it was here that we registered and racked our precious carbon along with our transition bags. After what turned out to be quite a scary race briefing, I took the wise decision to go back to get a bike jacket to put into my T1 bag as warnings of hypothermia and DNFs were well heeded. Then back to the tent(the Greenoughs and the Irlams had the luxury of camper vans!) and to bed at 7:30 to try and get some sleep. I think I eventually managed about 3 hours, then was up at 3:15 for pancakes and honey. Jim and Lisa managed to get their camper off the site and drove down but Keith, Glynis and myself set off at 4:30 to walk down, in the dark and in the mud. I also met up with a friend that I had met 6 weeks previously at Cowman and we got to transition, suited up, and waited for the start.
As the light started to illuminate the grey clouds above us, we were eventually led down to the lake where we had a 200-300m swim to the start line. The start was delayed for about 20 minutes which had us all fretting but a couple of rounds of Oggy Oggy Oggy went round and made me smile.
The klaxon started and we were off. After several minutes of waterborne fighting, several more minutes of waterborne fighting followed. Any free space to swim in was shortly filled with more people spoiling for a water rumble but we all survived, just. As I was hauled out of the swim, my calf muscles immediately cramped but I was treated straight away and within seconds was heading for T1. A lengthy T1 to make sure I had my bike jacket on and out on the bike for 3 gruelling laps in cold, windy Dorset. I settled as quickly as I could and took it as steady as I dared for the first lap. The strategy was push it fairly hard on the down hills and on the flat but steady and smooth on the climbs to preserve the legs. The crowds at the Lyon Gate were a great sight and sound and kept us all spurred on. At the end of the last lap it was great to turn right back to the Castle rather than left again.
As I rode toward T2, an American alongside smiled an said '2 down, 1 to go' , yeah, only the marathon.
T2 was quicker and off on the run I went. I have to say that I felt surprisingly good and had to watch my pace to make sure I didn't blow it early. Towards the end of lap1 in the Castle grounds, I caught up with my Cowman friend who had hammered passed me towards the end of the bike. We ran together until halfway round lap 2 where he walked a feed station with me. I started running again but he was still walking. I didn't see him again and, sadly, he pulled out. After 2 laps it was out of the Castle and through Sherborne out to the A30 and the worryingly named 'Babylon Hill'. My legs were starting to cramp but by stopping and stretching for a few seconds before it set in properly, I was able to keep running for the whole race. I passed Keith going the other way, high 5ing as we passed and, later, Jim. After 2 laps of Babylon hell, I headed back into town and it was great to see Lisa going the other way.
With 3 miles to go I decided to go for it. With great shouts from the crowd I approached the Castle. High 5ing the marshals I got within earshot of the finish to hear that there were 2 minutes left to break 11 hours. I hadn't a clue what time I was on for as my stop watch had been knocked in the swim. Running up the finish chute I grabbed my children out of the crowd and made it over the finish in 10:59:32 I still can't believe it and am thrilled.
I missed Keith come in but caught Jim. The atmosphere was amazing. Hugs all round and grins from ear to ear.
Keith finished in 11:45:27
Jim finished in 12:22:09
Ernest finished in 12:32:56
Lisa finished in 13:17
Glynis finished in 13:25:31
The mad thing is that both Keith and Glynis, Jim and Lisa were all doing this just 6 weeks after racing Ironman Austria! Now that's what I call Ironman.
I later found out that Glynis was pretty much hypothermic after the swim and that Keith was treated after the race for the same thing. Mad.
Well my legs have now gone AWOL but the grin hasn't. It's time for some rest and, yes I'm sorry, but the tattoo is booked already. It is true what the Ironman tag says,'Anything is possible'
Simon
posted by Simon on 26th August, 2007