IM UK Race report

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This is my first race report so bear with me!

Having not done a triathlon (or any proper training) since Wimbleball in 2006 (have I mentioned that before?) and 2 kids later I thought that I ought to make an effort to get myself fit again. So, a few glasses of wine later, having never run a marathon or ridden 112 miles, I decided to sign up for Ironman UK. I also persuaded Gareth (Husband) that it'd be fun if he did it at the same time.

So begins the 7 months of training and eventually after lots of highs and lots of lows, race day arrives!

I'd already decided that I was going to start my swim at the back. I didn't think that getting a swift foot in the face would do my confidence any good. So, at 5.30 all 1300 or so competitors edged slowly towards the water. It took around 25 minutes for almost everyone to enter the water for a prompt 6am atart. I was just heading down the ramp after a good luck kiss from Gareth, when I was beckoned over to the TV cameras for a quick interview!

All of a sudden I was in the water, making my way towards the swim start (an extra 300ms away!) when the gun went off. So, I was actually right at the back.

I managed to avoid most of the trouble in the swim, and even patted a couple of chaps on the bum on the way past. I was helped out of the water after 1.26.54 which I was pretty pleased with as I had swam a little wide.

After a reassuring confirmation from the swim referee that I was okay to continue, I pottered towards T1. Without much ado, I found my bag and my bike and headed off to the start of the 112 mile bike.

IM UK has a bit of a reputation for having a slow bike course, so I was quite concious to take it easy for the first lap and see how I felt.  The first 35 miles were great, Loved the climbs and the decents but then things took a disappointing turn. I'd planned my nutrition carefully and planned to eat some of my delicious homemade flapjacks every 20 minutes or so. Unfortunatley, I'd made them way too sweet  and slightly undercooked, they were making me feel a little unwell. I then developed a killer of a stitch which lasted for about 50 miles and I couldn't eat a thing. I just hoped that it would pass before the run.

By about 90 miles I felt okay again, except that I still had 22 miles to go. They were a hard 22 miles! I kept checking my watch and still had plenty of time before cut off, so was fairly happy. From chatting to a few others on the course, we all felt the same!

Total time for the bike was 7hours 38

Off the bike and a bit of a John Wayne walk up to T2. Fairly slow change and toilet stop and on with the 26.2 mile run (?)

I'd decided on a run/walk strategy and having seen the first few miles that quickly turned into a "not running up hills" rule. Which I think worked quite well. 8 miles in, after a failry dull canal path, the run became part of the 6 mile loop which had to be completed 3 times. There was loads of support on the run which really helped keep me moving. Each loop ran past the finish line though, which was a bit of a tease. I think I saw the time 10hours 50 on my first lap, then 1152, then 1254 with one lap to go. I thought that if I worked hard I could make 14hours 30 which was the unoffical goal I had set myself (although 1659 would have been fine!). By the final lap my walking up hills rule was playing a bigger part and the term hill was now a bit dubious and included quite a few flat bits.

Beaming with delight after getting my third wrist band and knowing I had only 3 miles to go, I suddenly found some spare energy. I crossed the line at 13 hours 57 mins and 21 seconds. (4.34 for the run) Slightly confused but very happy. Gareth had to shout my name a few times before I could see him!( He'd already been there for over an hour).

I spent the rest of the night and the following day in my compression tights and today (2 days later) I feel pretty good and planning what to do next. Maybe Bolton again? maybe somwhere more local? Or maybe re-visit wimbleball?

Anyway, where ever I go next will definately not have another 5 year gap again as getting this fit from zero has been pretty tough but definatley worth it.

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Author: Liz Kemp - 02 August 2011 18:40