I woke up just before my alarm went off at 3.50am. Down to breakfast 4.15am. Then the shuttle buses took us to the swim start.
I was booked on this race at the last minute with the lovely Ken Glah from Endurance Sports Travel. Ken has this race really sewn up, everything is exceptionally well organised. It was Ken that actually started this race when he set up his company in 2002, looking after athletes travelling around the world to race ironman.
It had obviously been raining all night and everything was soaking wet in transition but having bought a cover for my bike, was a shrewd move. I got the bike ready, checked the tyres were still inflated, put my little bike computer on the front (covered with cling film for the excessive rain that was still forecast all day) and my water bottles and gels. Good to go. I checked my bike and run bag were still in place from yesterday and then headed to the house Ken was renting about 500m from the transition and across the road from swim start. We were able to relax in the house (if I can call it that) and get our wetsuits on there.
We headed to the start line half hour before our female wave start time of 7.30am and the heavens opened, the skies became black and the mists descended.
When we were called forward lots of girls (who all looked super speedy) immediately ran in and crammed in a bunch to the right side. I took my place almost to the extreme left and wondered what they were doing. They would have to swim in a diagonal to the left side upon starting and we’d been told in the race briefing that we could swim either side of the yellow buoys but had to go round the red corner ones. So I opted to swim in a straight line out to the red turn buoy which was 1km straight out to sea. The only problem was it was so dark and foggy now, we couldn’t see it.
As I stood at the ribbon waiting for the klaxon I asked a girl in Spanish, how long now? She said about a minute. She said something else in Spanish which I didn’t understand. I just stood there thinking I hope that wasn’t important.
Soon, the klaxon sounded, the ribbon was up and we were off, charging into the sea like a bunch of possessed witches. The field was so spread out in the sea as no-one could see were the buoys were so I was hoping for the best and catching the slower guys from the waves in front.
I remember having a wee inside my wetsuit and swimming along in the sea thinking I’ve drunk so much beetroot juice recently that my pee was bright purple and I wondered when I got out and the wetsuit strippers pulled my wetsuit off, would all the white bits of my tri suit be dyed bright purple? It could be a rather embarrassing day if thats the case.
I eventually exited the water in 1:09. Not a great time but I’ve had worse. It would do. I ran up the beach, lay down on the mats and the strippers pulled the wetsuit off. I did a quick check, phew, white bits still white lol.
On to the bike and the heavens were really chucking it down on us. The course was a narrow road lane with guys in bunches blocking the way. Big puddles meant I hit a couple of cats eyes which really freaked me out. I didn’t want to come off. I made slow progress on the first lap overtaking the guys when I had enough room to make my pass. This made for a lot of surging from the legs. The second lap the wind was stronger and the way back across the island was into headwind. Wasn’t pleasant. It was dark, cold, rainy, windy and pretty damn miserable. The only supporters were the passengers of cars stopped on the highway because of massive road jams (caused by us lot). They were filming us on their phones and shouting lots of encouragement which was really nice. People stuck in traffic in London I think would be shouting something else.
My first 90km lap took me 2:45 and I’m a pretty consistent rider so I thought I was on for just over a five and half hour ride which would have been a massive PB for me. I was excited now.
But with the strong headwind on the return of the second 90km lap, my ride time went to 5:40. Still a massive PB in these conditions, I was really pleased.
Onto the run. And the hills came at km 6 and 8. They were buggers. Really steep. It was impossible to run up these so I opted for what I call the ‘monkey walk’. I was walking in fast, long strides swinging my arms wildly for momentum but it was working. I was striding past slower walkers. Running down them but not fast I completed the first 21km loop. I have no idea how long it took me, my brain was just as foggy as the weather now. Then there were two smaller loops, 10.5 km and 11.5 km. The rain kept coming. I didn’t know it was possible to rain this heavy for an entire day (and I come from Northern Ireland!!)
On the last loop I met a guy who was trying to do sub 11.30 hrs (he’d started at 7.05 am) and I was thinking I can get my sub 11hour ironman (having started at 7.30am). So we kept each other going while I was checking my watch and desperately trying to do the maths in my now very scrambled brain. About 3km from the finish, my new friend started to walk but I wouldn’t let him. I told him we’re too close, you walk now it’s all over, you can stick at least 20 mins on your time. I shouted ‘come on, come with me’ and he did. I bet he would thank me now although maybe not at the time lol.
Eventually we saw the constructed frame that said ‘FINSH’ on it, but it was another km to run after it. It felt like forever but eventually we saw the beautiful blue shoot. After such a dark day, it was extremely well lit and the atmosphere was carnival like, it was a great finish line, packed with lots of people. (probably avoiding the still pissing rain).
I was so glad just to finish.
I was disappointed with my marathon time 3:53. But the course is tough and those hills we have to go over twice which really slows it down. They continue for about a km each)
My total time was 10:51, a new personal best by 26 minutes. I had finished 4th in my age group, so close to my desired podium and two places away from the desperately desired Kona spot. (only two slots in my age group and there were no roll downs at the ceremony)
But nonetheless I have to take away a great bike leg for once and the fact that I’d come out of the swim in 7th and moved up the 5th on the bike and also a new overall PB time in awful conditions. And a fabulously massive medal.
The next goal – to get 20 mins off this time now if I’m to get near that Kona slot. Its obvious all the south Americans want to go to Kona too, no roll downs in the entire ceremony. It’s got be a straight up qualification here.