Wow what a weekend. Still amazed and elated that it's over and I got to the end!
My journey started on Friday. I packed up all my kit and drove down to Bolton arriving at about 9pm. I've started to take my own pillow when I stay at hotels for UK events as I have learned that an uncomfortable pillow can lead to a bad nights sleep. Sounds daft but it's now become one of my race traditions.
I got up at 7am on Saturday, scoffed some porridge and went to the Reebok where I met my friend Neil who was traveling up that morning. We got registered, had a quick look round the expo and then made our way down to Pennington Flash.
I had decided to take the opportunity to have a dip in the lake to get my bearings. I didn't like what I saw. The water looked quite choppy and when I actually got in it was like someone had turned on a wave machine. It turned out to be a good idea as at least I knew what to expect if the wind was bad on the day.
Got dried off and then sorted the bikes out and got them racked. It's always good at this point to see what kit all the other people have. Next we drove up to Rivington and dropped our run bag off.
It was about 1pm by this stage so we headed down to the Reebok, bought some nice food from M&S and then checked into our room in the Premier Inn. After stuffing our faces we went on a drive up the first bit of the bike course including Sheep House Lane. Neil hadn't ridden any of the course so was pleased to see that the hill wasn't as ridiculous as had been made out.
Finally on the Saturday we went to the race briefing, followed by pasta at Frankie and Benny's. Went back to the hotel and I was asleep by 8.30 and had a pretty good nights kip.
3am the alarm goes off. Aaaaaarrgh it's finally here, felt surreal knowing what was ahead and for the first time I felt a little nervous. Managed to wolf down some instant porridge and got my bags sorted. Headed out and was on the bus by 4.10. Lots of tired and apprehensive faces to be seen!!!
It was drizzling by the time we arrived at the Flash but my main concern was the state of the Lake. We headed straight down to the lakeside and it was a massive relief to see nice calm flat water.
Transition was bustling and there were a lot of people spectating. I got changed and before I knew it we were heading down to the lake for the start.
I got in the water and stayed pretty near the back. Didn't want any of the drama I had in London the week before. Wished good Luck to Neil and that's the last I saw of him until the loops on the run course.
Got into my swim ok and first lap was the fastest 1900m I've ever done. Halfway was 42 mins and my target was 1:30-1:40 so I knew I could relax and slow down a bit on the second half. Second half was much slower and I got home in 1:31:08, well within my target so very happy.
Bike was my bad point of the day. I set off with a time of 7-7:30 in mind but I just couldn't get into it. I felt the second half of the course was awful. Too many stop starts, turns etc and I just didn't feel like I was getting any pace at all. I suppose this happens every so often so I just concentrated on getting to the end and putting it behind me. Total time for the bike was 7:40:11.
After not enjoying the bike much I was a bit worried about the run. I didn't need to be as I felt nice and fresh from the outset. I started to take caffeine gels and drink coke pretty much from the start of the run. The first few miles flew by and before I knew it I was on the loops. It was about then that the rain really started to come down but I was in a good place and barely noticed it. Near the end of the first lap I saw Neil flying by on the other side of the road and that was good. I had been wondering how his day was going and it was good to see he was still running strong.
I was just coming up to the 15 mile mark when at the side of the road I saw my wife and Neil's finance. Obviously I thought I was hallucinating but they had decided at about 11am to drive from opposite ends of the country to see us finish. That was a real boost and made me more determined to get to the end. I got to about 18 miles running and then started to do a walk/run combination to get me to the end. I felt I had enough energy but my thighs felt like a horse had kicked them. I ran the last mile and I will never forgot those immortal words - 'You are an Ironman'. I was so happy and more so as I'd just beaten the 14 hour mark coming home in 13:55:27.
Neil came home in a fantastic time of 11:55 which was all the better considering he had 2 punctures and a bad crash, cutting his hands open!!
At the start I'd hoped for 13-13:30 but I can't complain - I got to the end, I have my medal, I am an Ironman!!!
. Good luck to all competing tomorrow, I'll be there watching from first thing!
