Ironman 2014 - 10 Years of Ironman in PE

[Andymann]

I had an amazing time - went down to support my wife, but took my MTB down so I was able to get out on the route on Sunday and get a first-hand experience. Must admit there were some poor guys who were really struggling in the wind! But what an event! Kudo's to all who finished.

 

And I saw tons of people drafting - at one stage a whole group came past. Looked like the bloody 94.7! I even saw the precious Prince being "escorted" - one bodyguard in the front and one behind with him nicely protected in the middle.

 

Best part is, she got that elusive Kona slot, so guess who is going to be doing some sympathy training with her for the next 6 months!!!

[SwissVan]

I had an amazing time - went down to support my wife, but took my MTB down so I was able to get out on the route on Sunday and get a first-hand experience. Must admit there were some poor guys who were really struggling in the wind! But what an event! Kudo's to all who finished.

 

And I saw tons of people drafting - at one stage a whole group came past. Looked like the bloody 94.7! I even saw the precious Prince being "escorted" - one bodyguard in the front and one behind with him nicely protected in the middle.

 

Best part is, she got that elusive Kona slot, so guess who is going to be doing some sympathy training with her for the next 6 months!!!

 

The Prince?

names otherwise it durrent happen

[jaxtun]

The Prince?

names otherwise it durrent happen

Bahraini princes - Nasser and Khalid bin something or other!

Bodyguards, own canoe for swim, motorbike for cycle - blah blah blah

[shawnvan]

Oh and on the topic of the roads, I found things fine on the day. When I drove the course I thought the surfaces would be sketchy, but they were better than expected riding on a bike.

 

For a race as important as Ironman you need to do race intel - ride or drive the course before, note where there are dodgy corners and speedbumps, and just be prepared. Even the write-up on the new course in the IM magazine mentioned all these things...

 

And the speedbumps? Guys, if you can't take the only two downhill speedbumps at 60kph in the aero bars, then don't. Slow down a touch and ride them in the drops. You won't lose any time, promise. I thought a lot of guys took a lot of risks taking the very fast downhill sections too fast in buffetting winds. Heard two chaps bumped going down Maitlands and one came off properly. Anyone else hear about or see this?

 

I think the race organisers need to be commended for how clean the roads were. I did not see any loose sand, glass, shapnel at all on the entire 90kms, other than the inevitable bombs, bottles and GU packets lying around and lost (or purposefully dropped?) by the competitors themselves.

[No Name]

Just spoke to a lady at the ironman office and she said that they are staying in PE for another couple of years. Not sure of the route. But hey, who cares. Just train more. :ph34r: And entries will open soon for next year.

[SlowUnsteady]

Wow.. That is a LOT harder than anything I've done before, long cycling events are nothing.

 

71 min swim (planned was 70 mins, and hope was for 65 or so, but the congestion etc limited that). The cycle was brutal, did 6h40 (aim was sub 6!!). Definitely think I could have had a better fit, and I think I spent too little time focusing on getting my power up before building endurance. Paced it well I think (though I spent the whole ride being passed by people, including those bunches. I did see one ripped apart by the refs who spent a good 5 mins thereafter giving out cards, so I think they were trying to police things). I always knew the run would be tough (ITB had limited my training), did the first 14km's at what I thought was my "banker" pace (84mins), but then stopped loving life (and the wind) and had splits of 1h40 and 1h43 for the next two laps to come in in 12h58.

 

Too long a race for me, though. I can see myself working towards a good 1/2 IM time in the future (time required is so much less, focus can be on more enjoyable training etc) but have my doubts I'd go for the full distance again. Nothing to do with the course, though, I thought it was beautiful (didn't feel dangerous at all, and I wasn't too displeased by the road surface which I'd expected to be much worse after all the warnings), its just too long a day out.

 

One thing that stood out though, the swim is WAY too easy relative to the other legs. I swam a bit at school (though nothing for the last 15-20yrs, when I've been cycling mostly), but even my friends with no swimming background thought it was a non-entity, its like a biathlon with a nice little warmup beforehand.

[shawnvan]

The Prince?

names otherwise it durrent happen

 

Hh Sh Nasser Al Khalifa. Did a proper time of 10h26 too. His brother not so good - think around 15 hours something...I saw them a few times on the weekend, cruising around with a bevvy of trainers and bodyguards, even had a personal film crew videoing him in transition before the race start. Didn't see them on the bike but on the run leg he just had a body guard following him on a MTB and another escourt of sorts running near him. Overall less intrusive than our own honourable ministers with their air of supremecy and 30 vehicle blue light brigades...

[shawnvan]

Interesting stats on the race for those statistically inclined:

 

http://www.coachcox.co.uk/2014/04/07/ironman-south-africa-2014-results-analysis/

 

Accoring to this the swim was faster than previous years (not suprising), and the bike and run legs were comparable to 2012.

[JGR]

Wow.. That is a LOT harder than anything I've done before, long cycling events are nothing.

 

71 min swim (planned was 70 mins, and hope was for 65 or so, but the congestion etc limited that). The cycle was brutal, did 6h40 (aim was sub 6!!). Definitely think I could have had a better fit, and I think I spent too little time focusing on getting my power up before building endurance. Paced it well I think (though I spent the whole ride being passed by people, including those bunches. I did see one ripped apart by the refs who spent a good 5 mins thereafter giving out cards, so I think they were trying to police things). I always knew the run would be tough (ITB had limited my training), did the first 14km's at what I thought was my "banker" pace (84mins), but then stopped loving life (and the wind) and had splits of 1h40 and 1h43 for the next two laps to come in in 12h58.

 

Too long a race for me, though. I can see myself working towards a good 1/2 IM time in the future (time required is so much less, focus can be on more enjoyable training etc) but have my doubts I'd go for the full distance again. Nothing to do with the course, though, I thought it was beautiful (didn't feel dangerous at all, and I wasn't too displeased by the road surface which I'd expected to be much worse after all the warnings), its just too long a day out.

 

One thing that stood out though, the swim is WAY too easy relative to the other legs. I swam a bit at school (though nothing for the last 15-20yrs, when I've been cycling mostly), but even my friends with no swimming background thought it was a non-entity, its like a biathlon with a nice little warmup beforehand.

Duathlon with a warm up

[Stiggy]

Wow, reading thru these testimonials gives me goosebumps and I'm almost a little emotional. The memories of sunday kept flooding back while reading everyone's account of the race from the 15hr finisher to the racing snake sub 10hr finisher.

Was healthy and wealthy enough to be able to compete this event in a reasonable 12h13.

Will have to slay my dragons and be back to break that 12hr mark!

 

Well done to all the Ironman and ladies who took part and finished on sunday.

It is a fantastic achievement!

Enjoy the rest and recovery

[DawieO]

Back in the office after driving back to Cape Town for most of yesterday. 8 hours in the car gives one lots of time to reflect on the race and bask in the afterglow of the event.

 

In terms of the swim changes to the race, I must say that I enjoyed the single lap much more than the double loop. I got into an easy rhythm which was easy to keep up and the bunches on the swim were quite constant and pleasant to swim in.

 

I do, however, think that the German statistician who told the organisers that the 90km loop on the bike wouldn't result in more drafting/congestion was probably at the Oktoberfest whilst doing his calculations.

 

I saw huge pelotons come flying past me, guys literally riding wheel to wheel. The referees seemed not to care as I saw them ride past these pelotons without blinking an eye. I didn't see 1 penalty being given out for drafting during the entire race.

 

The pelotons left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth when I was struggling alone into the wind, but I guess those guys don't mind admitting they couldn't finish an Ironman by themselves. Personally I'm not sure if I could look everyone in the eye after a race in which I drafted most of the way.

 

The support on the run by the crowds was absolutely fantastic, in my opinion even better than last year. It's a special feeling when people shout your name and tell you that you're looking good. I had a stupid grin plastered across my face for most of the run and tried to high-five as many of the kids as I could.

 

The volunteers were awesome. I'm amazed that these people come out and give up their free time to help a bunch of (sometimes ungrateful) athletes.

• The lady who gave me a leg massage was friendly and happy even though she'd been giving massages since 16:00 that afternoon.
  
• The young lady who greeted me with the space blanket and medal after the race who had been up since 5:00 that morning and had who been helping athletes right from the start.
  
• Every volunteer who stood out on the hot course for an entire day and indulged us wannabe "pro" athletes by allowing us to grab bottles on the go.
  
• All of the amazing people in the transition tents who treated us like royalty and helped us put our smelly, stinky clothes into bags without batting an eyelid and pretended we were all going for the win because every second counted.
  
• All of the rest of the volunteers who made it such a great day.
  

I can't begin to say thanks enough to those people who were willing to make it such a special day for all of us.

 

Thanks also to everyone who contributed their advice and opinions on this thread. Sometimes training for an Ironman is a lonely road, but this thread and the guys involved here made it easier for me by knowing you guys were all going through the same experience. Congratulations again to all of you who made it, even if just by the skin of your teeth.

 

So, it's off to the pool this afternoon to turn the arms over and have an easy session with no pressure for the first time in months. Then a massively reduced schedule to spend some time with the family, drink some red wine and be lazy over the winter months in Cape Town. And as soon as spring starts I'll see you all again in the 70.3 thread

 

word.

[dracs]

Not sure what I can add - but would repeat the following that have been said over and over above:

 

Great swim

BRUTAL bike (wind, road surface and hills cubed)

Incredible volunteers

Even better supporters

And a red carpet experience to make it all worth while.

 

Many dark moments for me - at times on the bike I just didn't see how my body would be able to cope with a marathon as well. In the end I trotted / walked / hobbled my way to a 15.20.

 

Still hobbling 3 days later - but on cloud 9. Awesome experience and best of all I learned a few new things about myself - and confirmed others about my supporters.

[No Name]

Entries are open for next year.

[Garfield2010]

Well that was fun! Cycled 40 minutes longer than last year even though I was much fitter.

 

Swam fast but I sighted the wrong buoy so I think I swam 5km in 01h15 which is not bad. 3 okes followed me in the water so sorry abut that guys.

 

It is impossible to prepare for that bike course when you live in the Free State. I didn't enjoy the new sections at all. I did a PB by 4 minutes and came in at 12h13. I ran 04h05 which I am very happy with and thus was my ultimate goal.

 

Personally I will not enter for next year unless they change the route back or I move to PE or the cradle .

 

I am not complaining about the difficultness as it is an Ironman but that cycling route is not nice to ride. IMHO it is outright dangerous. A TT bike and carbon wheels is not made for excessive braking.

 

Consider taking a road bike for that route.

 

Svan I guess our opinions are different but I believe the number entries will prove if the route is OK or not. IMSA is a business and they need athletes to make profits. I think they will struggle to get 1,500 entries for next year but we shall see.

 

After the shower and dinner I stood in front of the Summerstrand hotel (just before going back into town from the university) and supported the 16 hour + finishers. It was around 23h30. I saw a different side to IM. A lot of athletes told me that I can too do an IM next year and I felt to *** to tell them I did do it same day!!

[rudi-h]

Had a great day, very long one though...

 

Last time I participated was in 2011 (the easy year) but that time round I was so focused on finishing that I missed out on a large part of the "fun" of the experience. This time round I was a lot more relaxed (although not as fit) and made a point of just enjoying the race as long as possible.

 

The swim was pleasant although i'm not a good swimmer. Enjoyed the single loop, however I thought that they could have added one extra marker buoy on each of the long sections and also colour them differently that you can easily establish that you are swimming to the right one. Did a 1:23 a few minutes behind the middle of the pack

 

The bike was amazing. First loop was amazing and something that I'd love to ride again. Great views, tonnes of smiles and the surface (compared to Gauteng roads with potholes) was completely fine for me. Water points were great, except that I did not manage to get GU chomps until the final water station and I did bargain on these for my nutrition. Second lap was equally as scenic, but the wind did take a little bit of the smile off of my face. Finished in 6:55 just within the first half of the field.

 

I knew the run was going to kill me as I had a knee op last year and only have been able to run since December. None the less, I started with an easy pace and had a good run for the first 18km and must say that I really enjoyed it. The crowds, the fellow runners, the watertables, the ocean breeze... it was great! then the fatigue set in and I spent roughly another 4 hours with sore feet, chafed arms and a thinning field to drag myself to the finish the run in 6:09.

 

All in all a 14:28 which is almost an hour slower than my 2011 effort, but I had a lot more fun. Think next time round I'll do a LOT more distance running as to finish the run within the 4h30 mark with less pain, then the day will be really fun. Won't be next year though, have some other goals on the plate, but I'll be back for a 12h something finish in a few years to come.

 

Great race, great people, great vibe and just all round very grateful to be healthy and capable of taking part in such a magnificent experience!

[ZaRuK]

Congrats to all the Hubbers that took part! Always such an awesome event to be part of!

 

Was looking for an 11:30 this year but alas the cycle gods were not completely with me... and I ended up finishing in 12:12.

 

Managed the swim in 1:21. Much prefer the single lap swim course. Didn't actually feel too long.

Was going strong on the bike until the start of the new loop where I realised the "twang" I'd heard at the top of Walmer wasn't a stone hitting my rim but rather a snapped spoke. Had to back off the power as the rim was deforming a bit more then I'd like... carbon don't bend so lekker... finished up with a 6:07 bike. Also saw plenty of drafters on the course. Told one of the Bahrainian guys off aswell as I went past.

 

The run went very well. The supporters and volunteers really help! Managed a 4:30 and considering I detest running, this was a brilliant result for me.

 

I was still buzzing 2 days later... but I suspect that may have something to do with the 11 Roctanes, 8 Biogen gels and 17 anti-cramp tabs I took