Pretty mixed day for me, will post a full report on my blog in time. Swim was slower than expected in 1:14, probably something to do with swimming 2.7miles rather than 2.4 according to the garmin, also prior to the race the biggest swim I'd done was the outlaw half, really didn't enjoy swimming so barely bothered this year. Pretty stupid really. Anyway, started right on the right hand side at the very front to avoid the biff that I got caught in last year which worked very well, but think I must have been all over the place on the second lap, particularly the last half as my goggles were completely fogged.
Out onto the bike and I felt horrendous for the first 20 miles before settling down, was ready to ghostie my bike and quit by that point. Had some odd groin pain, and couldn't really get my watts up. Eventually got going but made the mistake of trying to push it a bit and started trying to hit 200 watts most of the time. Felt good then up until 90 miles after that I was really struggling, watts and heart rate dropped right back and I was feeling sick, but trying to force food down as I knew I'd need it for the run
. Didn't enjoy the new course, far too bitty, and impossible to get any sort of steady rhythm going, much prefer the old three lapper I think, T2 was a big improvement though and had a cool atmosphere. Bike split was 6:12.
Out onto the run feeling pretty average but just tapped away, walking all the aid stations and the big hill, and a couple of bits in between. Ended with a 4:58 marathon and a 12:41 finish. A pb over last year by 40 minutes so pleased with that, but a fair way off my stretch goal of sub 12. Guess that's my own fault for no motivation and relatively poor training in what should have been peak weeks.
God I do love Ironman, what it feels like to complete and the journey I've been on having done two of them, but that's me done for a few years. Will stick to cycling and maybe sprints and oly distance for a while. I've no doubt I'll be back for more at some stage in the future though, possibly a nice flat European course would be cool. Need to lose another 10kg, as I'm not built to bike on hilly courses!
