Not done a race report before, feels like homework-so put it off for a while, anyway here goes. 

Arrived in Klagenfurt on Wednesday evening after 3hr drive from Vienna, Hotel Plattenwirt overlooking the Ironman village and part of the run route. Usual preparation swimming a couple of times, run and cycle and buying Mdot stuff we didnt need. Completely psyched out as everyone else looked fitter, slimmer, taller, meaner, more focussed and had smoother legs than us. Decided to shave legs really even smoother, have severe haircut and resolved to wee on the bike to counter above.

Race day-this is what we had come for-it was exciting and we were nervous, but calm as all the hard work had been done, we were rested and ready.

Swim-a mass start involving 2500+ highly motivated type A people, all aiming for a tiny blue dot some 1500m into the lake. Nothing at Ellingham lake can prepare you for the flailing arms, kicking, pulling and bashing. I tried to sight every 3-5 strokes but could only see white swim hats, arms and churned water. After about 2500m, breathing to the right-see Jane swimming next to me breathing to her left for 2 breaths. The swim in Austria concludes with 800m along a shallow canal-much easier to swim straight, but a bit busy. 

M 1hr10, J 1hr14

Bike-2 loops, a fast course with smooth roads, steady climbs and long descents. Very pretty. 

M 5hr25 J 5hr39

Run-figure of eight covered twice with middle section around finish covered 5 times so brilliant for spectators. I felt ok for 500m then tummy cramps and leg dysfunction caused mental feebleness for next 10k. Absolutely decided never to do another a long distance event ever again. Why spend so much time training and dreaming about an event that is so horrible? It was so difficult to bother to keep making the effort to continue running. During this phase I saw Jane who looked great, 20mins or so behind me. Brilliant-she was having a fantastic race, but oh no-she might catch me as I was being feeble and sorry for myself. Things improved and was able to run middle portion ok. Last 8k hard as very tired legs but continued strategy of walking through aid stations although restarting running more difficult each time.

The Finish-something happens at this time to erase doubts fears and bad memories. Running the last few hundred metres clears the hurt and replaces it with good feelings. I could smile-beam, almost cry with relief and elation. Running the final 100m effortless-so why was the 1st 41900m so hard, is it really all in the mind??

M 3hr54, J 4hr00

Result-we both PBed in swim bike and run with overall times M 10hr 40, J 11hr 07. Massive thanks to Jon for his coaching expertise over the past 2years.

This was a great day for fast times on a fast course, so will downgrade expectations for Tenby. We would thoroughly recommend this event but it sells out fast.

Martin and Jane

Woops I hit wrong button, race report is on 'Race results this weekend' posted earlier this week