Ironman 2018 - PE

[Warthog]

I had a good race given the hand that was dealt.Training was going well untill about 3 weeks prior to raceday when I got hit by a car on the bike.After being fetched by friends dropped off at Medi clinic it was a race against time to get to the start line.Broken wrist,finger,back muscles badly bruised and in spasm,problems with AC ligaments in shoulder joint,diafram in constant stitch,hip flexor damaged and multiple cuts and bruises later it was no training for the last 3 weeks.tried to swim once after 2 weeks and bailed after 75 meters.tried to run once and managed all of 350m.could not sit on the bike and only got onto the bike first time when going to rack the bike on sat.Not ideal.

 

I knew i was in for a very long day and so it ended up.Managed through the swim(have swum robben island before) the bike was killing me.In the bars the shoulder and back was hell.If I sat up the wrist took a pounding.So I ended up riding for 20 min got off streched the back and started again.That was my plan for the whole of the bike course.I walked from T2 for 2 lamposts and jogged 1 lamppost.I eventualy got to the finish line with about 45 min to spare.

 

It was a long day,but just glad it was not a DNS for me.

My hat is off.

[Imploder]

I had a good race given the hand that was dealt.Training was going well untill about 3 weeks prior to raceday when I got hit by a car on the bike.After being fetched by friends dropped off at Medi clinic it was a race against time to get to the start line.Broken wrist,finger,back muscles badly bruised and in spasm,problems with AC ligaments in shoulder joint,diafram in constant stitch,hip flexor damaged and multiple cuts and bruises later it was no training for the last 3 weeks.tried to swim once after 2 weeks and bailed after 75 meters.tried to run once and managed all of 350m.could not sit on the bike and only got onto the bike first time when going to rack the bike on sat.Not ideal.

 

I knew i was in for a very long day and so it ended up.Managed through the swim(have swum robben island before) the bike was killing me.In the bars the shoulder and back was hell.If I sat up the wrist took a pounding.So I ended up riding for 20 min got off streched the back and started again.That was my plan for the whole of the bike course.I walked from T2 for 2 lamposts and jogged 1 lamppost.I eventualy got to the finish line with about 45 min to spare.

 

It was a long day,but just glad it was not a DNS for me.

Holy Heck!

That is some kind of toughness dude! Congrats on the finish.

[Bloukrans]

I had a good race given the hand that was dealt.Training was going well untill about 3 weeks prior to raceday when I got hit by a car on the bike.After being fetched by friends dropped off at Medi clinic it was a race against time to get to the start line.Broken wrist,finger,back muscles badly bruised and in spasm,problems with AC ligaments in shoulder joint,diafram in constant stitch,hip flexor damaged and multiple cuts and bruises later it was no training for the last 3 weeks.tried to swim once after 2 weeks and bailed after 75 meters.tried to run once and managed all of 350m.could not sit on the bike and only got onto the bike first time when going to rack the bike on sat.Not ideal.

 

I knew i was in for a very long day and so it ended up.Managed through the swim(have swum robben island before) the bike was killing me.In the bars the shoulder and back was hell.If I sat up the wrist took a pounding.So I ended up riding for 20 min got off streched the back and started again.That was my plan for the whole of the bike course.I walked from T2 for 2 lamposts and jogged 1 lamppost.I eventualy got to the finish line with about 45 min to spare.

 

It was a long day,but just glad it was not a DNS for me.

Ysterman!

[reteid]

I had a good race given the hand that was dealt.Training was going well untill about 3 weeks prior to raceday when I got hit by a car on the bike.After being fetched by friends dropped off at Medi clinic it was a race against time to get to the start line.Broken wrist,finger,back muscles badly bruised and in spasm,problems with AC ligaments in shoulder joint,diafram in constant stitch,hip flexor damaged and multiple cuts and bruises later it was no training for the last 3 weeks.tried to swim once after 2 weeks and bailed after 75 meters.tried to run once and managed all of 350m.could not sit on the bike and only got onto the bike first time when going to rack the bike on sat.Not ideal.

 

I knew i was in for a very long day and so it ended up.Managed through the swim(have swum robben island before) the bike was killing me.In the bars the shoulder and back was hell.If I sat up the wrist took a pounding.So I ended up riding for 20 min got off streched the back and started again.That was my plan for the whole of the bike course.I walked from T2 for 2 lamposts and jogged 1 lamppost.I eventualy got to the finish line with about 45 min to spare.

 

It was a long day,but just glad it was not a DNS for me.

The expectations leading up to raceday was 13;30 to 14;00 depending on the weather which changed after the accident to I hope I make it to the strat to on raceday I hope I finish in time.Lesson in life always make the best of the hand you are dealt with. 

[mon-goose]

very well done reteid

[_David_]

Yes, bike was extra, 100 euro each way. I have asked KLM for a full refund of our initial tickets and the bike handling fee. Probably get shown a toffee but its worth a try.

 

Also, when we checked in at ORT the lady was not aware that I had pre paid for the bike, took 10 minutes to sort that out.  

 

At Amsterdam airport a lady came up to me as she saw my 2016 IM bag and asked if I had just been to PE. I said yes and she told me that she had received an SMS on landing at Amsterdam that her bike was not there. I had not received the SMS so did not think much of it. I received the SMS at Heathrow. Stand in long queues to try and sort it out.

 

At this point, no one seems to know where the hell the bike is. We wait n see.

 

My advice to anyone thinking of travelling with a bike, make absolutely sure when you book that you inform the airline and pay for it in advance. Try rather rent a bike at yr destination that take your own. If I had to calculate all  my costs getting my bike there and back it probably comes to around 7k. I could of rented a bike or even bought a bike for 7k. Live an learn.

 

The lesson I learned was to never leave anything in your rental car. Our rental car was broken into at the Pick & Pay after registration. Luckily the thief's only stole my bag with my race numbers, race chip etc...  could have been much worse    

[Jakopregop]

I was one of those standing in the penalty tent for 5 min.lap 1 guy passes me and after nearly taking out my front wheel when cutting across he immediately sat up and took out his waterbottle.I decided to sit up to get out of the draft zone,but in a very very very short time ref came by and showed me a card for drafting.When standing in the penalty tent I spoke to some of the others and it was unanimous that most of us offenders standing there were blown by the same ref.So be it.

At km 150ish, the long stretch up to the right turn and wind blowing down on me, a group of 5 guys came past me. Was thinking to myself that looks like nice drafting...the type you get in the Cradle.

 

As they came past me, a motor bike pulled in next to me and I thought here comes my penalty for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, this day is getting worse.

 

Luckily the motor bike slowly pulled forward and stayed with the 5 drafters for about 30secs before the ref blew his whistle. Was almost falling off my bike with laughter at the offender's gestures and unhappiness towards the ref. That athlete definitely didn't get an accidental penalty.

 

Sorry to hear about your penalty though, luckily I was spared.

 

AND a massive well done for finishing! wow

[IceCreamMan]

The lesson I learned was to never leave anything in your rental car. Our rental car was broken into at the Pick & Pay after registration. Luckily the thief's only stole my bag with my race numbers, race chip etc...  could have been much worse 

 

Sorry to hear man, that’s terrible. Musta caused you stress.

 

Did IM make you pay for the chip?

[_David_]

Sorry to hear man, that’s terrible. Musta caused you stress.

 

Did IM make you pay for the chip?

 

No they were very helpful replaced everything, just insisted that I go to the police and report it - was stressful 

[lurkerza]

Well done to everyone that took part and sorry this is so late as usual and so long and possible dreary at this late stage.

 

So after doing my first full Ironman last year with an aim of just finishing and setting myself a time to beat, I was rather ambitiously hoping for a few seconds under 12:30, to give me an hour improvement on 2017 (13:29:34). My self-training plan had gone well and my East London times showed I was far more prepared this year if my legs could last on the run without seizing up.  The plan was a 1:15 swim, 6:00 bike and a 5:00 run plus around 15 min in transition to give me a 12:30 (last year was 1:16 swim, 6:22 bike and 5:26 run)

Watching the weather forecasts that goal seemed less likely, given the strong easterly that was predicted from at least 2 weeks before race day.

 

Race day dawned (well a couple hours before dawn) and we were off to load up the bikes with our nutrition and then wait around till just before we were called onto the beach to don our wetsuits.  The swim chute was full of the usual overly ambitious self seeders trying to push their way to the sub 1 hour starting pen (why they feel they have a right to wait till the end and then force their way through boggles the mind!!) Anyway, pretty soon I was in the start chute to be sent on my way!

 

My swim went brilliantly and I was round the first buoy really quickly, then into the long straight slog out to the harbour, passing the farthest red buoy in about 32 min (at just over 1.9km I was already working out my Durban swim plan!). Then we headed towards the beach before the next long stretch back to the pier.  Always great to Paul’s voice as you approach the pier and knowing you are nearly there, passed the last red buoy and glanced at my watch I thought it said 1:15, which I was slightly disappointed with as I had felt like I was doing well.  As I stood up on the beach I looked at my watch again and I was on 1:08 which really lifted my spirits and then seeing my wife looking as happy as I felt with my time, waiting on the beach to see me out the water I was feeling incredible!

 

T1 was good, I had put glide on my ankles to help slip out the wetsuit which helped a lot! I had left my shoes on my bike and decided to rather put my socks on for bike and have a bit more comfort on that long ride and to save doing it in T2.  My bike was perfectly positioned on the end of the rack facing the transition exit so it was pretty slick!

 

The ride out of town was a bit congested and overtaking difficult, having to nervously cross the middle line to get round riders that didn’t bother to keep to the far left and were being overtaken by another rider, but luckily I wasn’t flagged!  I did have a referee ride next to me for a while out to schoenies, but he was watching another athlete who was pushing his luck!  He wasn’t carded but was given a stern warning.  I lost a bottle on the road to schoenies so loaded up at the water point and then climbed up to the top, passing a lot of riders and the route thinned out nicely now.  The ride out to the turn and back was uneventful apart from feeling the wind starting to increase and the legs burning a bit.  Made the turn in town and called for my special needs bag and restocked my nutrition to head out again, after a quick chat to the wife.

 

The second loop was all good but I was conscious of the wind and knew the last bit was going to be very tough so I backed off a bit. Made it to the far end and as you turned that wind hit you and your legs want to buckle cos they know the pain they are about to face!  Luckily once you head away from the coast there is a bit of shelter now and then to reduce the wind slightly, I was noticing guys starting to tuck in behind others and would hear the whirr of someone freewheeling behind me now and then.  As we were heading to the top of schoenies that long drag to the right turn there were three riders in a bunch ahead of me, the referee pulled up behind them and sat back to watch them for a while to see if any effort was made to make space between them.  They were oblivious to the bike and after about 2 minutes the ref then pulled up behind the last guy in the bunch and blew his whistle and flashed him his yellow card, cyclist wasn’t happy but he had been watching him for more than long enough. They slowed down to get all the details and I had to sit up and wait for this to be done as I couldn’t pass them without crossing the centre line.  Luckily the second drafter was flagged just after the right turn and the wide road allowed me to get round them all and crack on to town.  Finished the bike in 5:55 so I was well on track.

 

Racked the bike and hobbled across the rough tarmac to the bag rack and into the changing area.  Quick change and out onto the run with a very friendly chap, Bryan from Durban!  We started off nice and calmly taking note not to overdo the pace for the first few km.  At about 3km I was sent off and got onto a longer run/walk routine.  As I was coming back to the boardwalk I saw Ben Hoffman in obvious agony struggling to even walk.  His wife was walking with him encouraging him along – I really felt sorry for him but admired his determination as Kyle had already finished the race by this stage and there was no chance of him placing anywhere significant.  I passed my wife at 1^st avenue shouting her words of encouragement and headed on.  When I got to Admiralty Way I saw Richard Wright in his pink unicorn gear walking just ahead of me and took the opportunity to walk with him for a while and have a chat.  Such an amazing man and in just a few minutes of speaking to him you really feel like you have had a meaningful connection with a genuinely incredible person.  He soon sent me on my way with a refreshed outlook and it was back to finish my first loop.

 

Rest of the run/walk was its usual slog, spurred on by the supporters and seeing your fellow team mates passing by.  Saw Ben again hobbling the other way and watched the sun drop lower and lower.  By the time I was on my way up the hill before collecting my third band I kept telling myself just once more up that hill, then bit later, once more past the boardwalk (well in that direction), once more past the Radisson, once more up Admiralty! It was almost dark by now as I headed along marine parade and I saw guys still coming in off the bike – I kind of hoped for their sake that they would be pulled for missing the bike cut off or hoped that they had really strong runs as they had had a very long day out there already!  One more lap and I would be done – I had set my watch to show me my average pace over the run and I had been watching it steadily drop as I tired and I was working out that under 7min/km and I was ok!  Collected my last band and I knew it was just two park runs and I was done!  Saw my wife with about 7km to go and nearly had a seat on the pavement, but she told me to push through as I was so close.  I called for my special needs bag as I passed on the last lap and the volunteers had even opened my bag and had my jacket ready for me as I got to them.  When I put it on I bumped my watch and noticed that it gave me a total race time (I had read that this was useful and not many people knew how to get there but hadn’t bothered to find out) and it showed 11:36 with about 4,5km to go I thought if I could just push a bit harder I could be on for a sub 12! As I hit marine Parade for the last stretch back to the finish I was on 11:46 and it was time to leave it all out on the road and push to the line. 

 

Getting to the split and taking the finish turn instead of the lap is such a relief, that little downhill gives your legs just enough of a break to be able to take that make home straight look like you aren’t suffering as much as you really are.  I nearly decapitated a poor woman who was sprinting for the line as I went to high 5 my wife – SORRY!  Then it was my turn to high 5 Paul Kay and be announced as an Ironman! I then noticed my time on the clock at 12:02! (my watch had been on auto pause – EPIC FAIL!!) I was stoked anyway at smashing my 12:30 goal and managing the run in 4:44.  My nutrition worked well and managed to avoid any nausea or cramping, so most definitely a great day out for me!

[mon-goose]

love the summary lurkersa, not boring at all

[EmJayZA]

Well done guys. Loving these race reports! Gives me a little more motivation to join in next year. 

[Escapee..]

Love reading all the stories, really inspiring.

 

Congratulations to all!!!

[Escapee..]

love the summary lurkersa, not boring at all

 

+1 

Love the detail

[lurkerza]

To the guys that raced it last year - did you feel the support was noticeably less than last year?  Possibly due to it being my first and going a lot slower maybe I was able to take it in a bit more last year.  But have to say the volunteers were absolutely brilliant!  The dude at special needs shouting to us all "You aren't tired, you are Ironmen" was a legend!!!

[clivem]

I'll never forget the supporter on the run, on the right as you go toward the Radison, who had a board saying "If Trump can run, then so can you".  Quite inspirational as many people walked on that long drag.

 

My race report : A good day out as I achieved my race objective which was simply to "run" the marathon, which I did in 4h20!  No walking for me luckily.