 |
| Last chance for a dip before the big race |
No need for calm anymore. Use that nervous energy. Get ready to race.
I had lined up in the <1
hour zone of the starting pen for the rolling swimming start. I was really
hoping it would be broken down into further denominations: <55min, <50min
- I knew, that despite training for 57 minute pace all year, with the conditions
I would not be comfortably under the hour today. But here I was 3rd row of
people from the front, with approximately 700 rows of people behind me.
No pressure.
No pressure.
 |
| 2100 competitors line up on North Beach |
The weather seemed to have
worked out for us. All week the forecast had looked horrific (heavy rain, heavy
easterly winds - not good for an east facing swim course), but everything
seemed quite calm, and no rain forecast till later on the run. That said, the
water looked calm from the elevated streets of Tenby, but now standing on the
beach at water level, things looked a little 'turbulent' about a half a mile
out - a heavy swell flirting with the outermost part of the course. C'est la
vie!
2 minutes left. A handy
countdown clock right next to the pen told me so. I took off my goggles and hat
and put them on again. They just didn't feel right. No surprise there, in hindsight
- i had put so much body glide on my arms and legs (for ease of wetsuit
removal) and my neck ( to prevent wetsuit chaffing), i was as slippy as a
fish!. I wished Heather good luck, and got ready for the start. All silent for
the last 10 seconds ...... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
I don't know what the
starting sound was - all I heard was the cheer of 50,000 spectators, and I had
to focus on running out of this penned in funnel without falling over and
getting trampled. All I could see were the other heads in front of me until the
railings were gone, replaced by a line of life guards extending out into the
1st 10 metres of the sea on the left, guiding us in, and all of the sudden the
heads in front were disappearing as they dived into breaking waves. We
were into the wild now!
I was properly
shouldered by someone just before I entered the water. I don't know if I was
bumped off my course, too much adrenaline at this point to notice! I dived in
and started to swim, being careful as I sighted not to get the customary kick
in the face. It was surprising how congested it still felt! I guess everyone
coming out of the funnel was holding a narrower line. One thing I noticed
immediately when I started swimming was my left arm was completely dead. A dull
ache as it entered the water, and a limp feeling as I tried to pull and push
back... Shit! How the hell did that happen? Was it the shoulder barge?
Something else? Screw it,
had to carry on, I tried to find a rhythm with my one-and-a-bit arms and
focused on a slower stronger stroke, my left arm seemingly just flapping about
as a formality. I tried latching onto a few swimmers for pace and draft, but
there was so many to focus on (and a variety of senses of direction), so it was
hard to tell if I was keeping pace or not. At least the the water conditions
were manageable.... So far...
 |
| And they're off! |
I was starting to get some
semblance of comfort despite my left shoulder when, about 20m from the first
buoy, I was hit side on by what seemed like a rogue wave, as nothing followed
after. It was a bit of a shock, and a hint of what was to come. My swim hat was
starting to slip up my head, so momentarily stopped to fix it. I rounded the
large buoy, trying to keep one person between me and it, trying to avoid the
congestion at the pinch of the turn (in vain: still had some hands scraping
down my back and full on leg gropage going on. Thank god for my slippiness -
their grabbing probably shot me forward!). I was not prepared for what was
around the corner.
I rounded the buoy only to
be hit by a full on wall of water, it must have been a 2m swell, maybe even
more, every swell seems massive when your eyes are only at water level! We were
obviously aiming for a buoy, but the best way to sight for it was to look for
the lifeboat house behind it. Whatever about that: I couldn't even see Tenby! I
had to time myself to sight right at the top of the wave, and they were so big
and spread out, it was hard to match the rhythm, and I missed it a few times, dropping
back into a valley of water. I used the lifeguard presence and the surrounding
swimmers for more immediate reference for direction. I adjusted the swim hat on
my slippy head, again. Sure I could have just let the hat pop off, like I had
at the Long Course swim, but it was containing my goggles strap, and my goggles
were protecting the contact lens in my eyes, and I didn't want to take any
risks!
Luckily the roughness
dissipated as we got back into the shelter of the Tenby peninsula, about 3/4 of
the way between buoys. I settled back into a comfortable rhythm again, now
being able to sight way more easily. I rounded the 2nd buoy cautiously and back
towards the beach. This stretch was relatively pool-like and I tried to stretch
out the arms and get some pace back, though my shoulder remained a problem. I
exited the water to complete lap 1. I took a quick peak at my watch: 32
minutes, about 4 minutes off desired pace. Ah well, today was not going to be a
personal best kind of day!
 |
| Exiting lap 1 |
We ran off the beach and
through the railed funnel again before starting lap 2. Running on sand when all
your circulation is floating around your arms and shoulders is difficult and
unsettling. But the crowd was energising, a human corridor formed by rows of
people each side of the railing. These two things just about balanced out. I
heard a few people shout my name but I couldn't pick out any faces - just keep
running. I'm sure one of them was Rhodri from my office who was working as a
volunteer on the swims, but couldn't imagine who the other voices were!
 |
| And back in for lap 2 (Image courtesy of Il Mio Photography) |
The funnel spat me back out
into the sea and I was on lap 2 - it was a relief to be horizontal again!
Shoulder was still a problem, but I had accepted that now. The first stretch
was as before but less congested. I got the impression I was lapping people as
I approached the first buoy... I know the 1st guys in the rolling start entered
the water approximately 15 minutes before the last people entered but to be 1
and 1/3 laps in when some people were only 1/3 of a lap in was worrying.
I hoped they would make the 2hr 20min swim cut-off, but didn't fancy their
chances!
I rounded the 1st buoy, and
the big swell was still very much there! It wasn't so bad this time round now
that I was expecting it and knew when it would end. I still had to adjust my
swimming hat another 2 times here though. The 2nd time, a swimmer bumped into
me, and my hands slipped on my goggles - my goggles started leaking when I
began swimming again, so I had to stop again and adjust... Aargh! My lower back
was also burning in a big way as I arched my back to look over the large
waves.... Still a bit of a cycle and a run after this! Yay.
Into the calmer bit and
around the 2nd buoy for the final stretch of the swim. Again this was the
calmer stretch, but there was a bit of a spanner in the works. A spanner that
had no sense of direction, but was going enough of a pace that it was difficult
to pass him. It took some manoeuvring to get clear of him, or so I thought....
BANG!! A solid breast stroke kick direct to the side of my head. There was
ringing in my ears as my brain rattled in my skull. This guy was a real
nuisance. I had to stop myself getting really aggressive with him (had never
felt like that in any previous event), and tried to focus on just finishing the
swim.
I exited the water, still a
bit dazed, and headed for the zig zag ramps that take you from beach level to
street level, about 70m up. I heard my name again - definitely Rod that time! I
located my transition bag on the 1st ramp, calmly took the wetsuit off and put
on my runners for the run across town to the transition area. I saw Paul at his
prime photo spot at the top of the 1st ramp. I was tempted to stop and recount
that ordeal with him, but luckily momentum took me up and rampward.
Swim Course Flyby [click to go to link]
Swim Course Flyby [click to go to link]
 |
| Exiting the swim, a bit dazed after a solid kick to the face |
 |
| Wetsuit off and ready for a 180km bike |
 |
| "Oh yeah, my bike is 1.5km away on the other side of town..." |
I was actually worried about
the prospect of running up this ramp after a 2.5mile swim, but I needn't have
been - I seemed to bound effortlessly upwards, passing some guys on the way!
Maybe I had no feeling in my legs yet. I got up the street level and the
support was unreal. 8am on a Sunday morning and the streets
were lined with people, all cheering - amazing!! I heard another few voices
shout my name - no race number on display yet, so they must have known me.
Sounded like my housemate Flo but hard to be sure. Rounded the corner onto the
main street which led to transition. My transition bag, now with my wetsuit in
it, had no shoulder straps or cords, so I ran clutching it in one hand down the
street like some kind of crazed soaking wet Lycra-clad shopper. Jesus, I was
feeling tired now - feeling must be back in legs!! How on earth was I going to
run a marathon later today if I can't even run a mile across town?!
Into transition and I got my
run kit bag - I sat down and took my sweet time. Peak cap on, helmet on. Race
belt on. Calf guards on (no idea if these work or not in preventing cramp in
calfs which is never an issue anyway, but I got them free at the Long Course
Weekend, and I figured why not? Belt and braces and all that...). Leg warmers,
arm warmers? No, warm enough thanks! Socks on, shoes on. Rain jacket? Shit,
what was the weather like, I hadn't noticed! I decided no. Transition bag stuffed
into bike kit bag, bag thrown into drop off, and off I went.... What the hell
was I doing running in cleated shoes?! Clip clop clip clop, I adopted a running
style similar to what I'd probably have looked like running in heels for the
1st time. Worryingly, I pulled it off. I located my bike. Garmin removed from
watch strap and onto bike, gloves from handlebar bag, right good to go. Clip
clop out of transition and mounted bike like an old man. Boom, bike leg
started!
The first stretch through
Tenby was a bit cagey. The roads looked slick and slippy and I didn't want to
snot myself in front of all the onlooking crowds. I saw one of the local lads,
Alex W running in from the swim. He'd done a similar overall time to me on
the Long Course weekend, but his cycle was about 40 minutes faster than me - I
wondered when he would catch me.
 |
| On my way out of Tenby, trying to compose myself! |
I flicked on my standard display.
The heartrate flickered on, 90, then went blank. And stayed blank. BALLS. No
time to panic. I figured I would cycle by feel (high cadence, avoid burn in
legs) and things would sort themselves out. As I cycled out of Tenby, I
unzipped my tri-suit and tried licking my fingers and wetting the contacts of
my heart monitor. I tried to do this discreetly, in less crowded areas, as this
looks pretty weird and disturbing. No result. I cycled out into the country
roads, going by feel, but I could tell I was pushing too hard on the hill at
Penally - holding a low heartrate on any kind of hill is a real discipline, and
I could just about do it when I had a number to look at. This was going to be a
very uncertain cycle! 5km out of town just after passing under the railway
bridge, and I pulled over to try sort myself out. A support car slowed down
beside me to ask if everything was alright. At this specific moment I had my
trisuit zip down, chest exposed, two hands rubbing the area of my heart monitor
contact points just under my nipples. They didn't hang around for an answer!
Still no result. I was going to have to face the music and ride by feel,
something I exactly hadn't done in about the last year! Race plan out the
window!
All things considered, I
remained fairly calm. Just enjoy the day, see how it pans out, I thought. Not
every day you get to cycle on 180km of closed roads with throngs of locals in
each town cheering you on! I starting looking at the bike like a touring cycle.
Just take it all in, just enjoy the day.
Just take it all in, just enjoy the day.
Mercifully, the wind seemed
to be behind me, and after the initial lumpy stretch past Lydstep, it was a
relatively flat and pacey route all the way to Pembroke. The subsequent loop
out to Angle and back to Pembroke, despite 1 or 2 notable climbs, was also
(relative to the rest of the course) pretty flat, and my local stomping ground.
This worked in my favour psychologically with my current predicament and
allowed my to try find my natural rhythm, which admittedly I still struggled to
do.
Another bit of a downer on
this stretch was the sheer amount of cyclists constantly overtaking me. Due to
generally putting in a pretty good split on swim, but being a fairly average
cyclist, this is a common theme in triathlons for me, as the stronger cyclists
who are average or less than average swimmers quickly chase me down. As this
was an event of 2100 people as opposed to the 300 people I'm normally used to,
this was happening on an epic scale! It seemed like I was getting passed by 1
or 2 cyclists a minute (maybe not, but that's what it felt like!). I must say,
despite being in pretty good spirits, I found that fairly demoralising!
Splits were still looking
good though coming through Jameston, Manorbier and Hodgeston, and I tried to
focus on what I had trained for, not what everyone else was doing. Saw my
sports therapist Vicky while passing through Lamphey and then my work colleague
Mark and his family as I came into Pembroke - both mini boosts! Onto St
Daniels hill now - all the way down to the lightest gear trying to pedal with
minimal resistance, but I sensed I was still pushing too hard. Saw my landlord
Emma, and JJ and his fiancé Maria at the end of our lane - another boost as I
got to the top of the hill! I was into very familiar territory now, and very
comfortable with the climbs and descents.
A familiar face from the
Triathlon club, Jamie, passed me on the bike. We chatted a bit, I told him my about
my heart rate monitor woes. He nodded knowingly saying his had only dried off
now.... Aaah, so there was still hope! I looked again - it flickered a very
unreliable figure at me and went blank again - ah well I was onto a flat
section soon anyways. Another local lad, Shaun, passed me shortly afterwards -
his gel flask had fallen off his bike - looks like we all had our problems!
I was pretty comfortable
from there all the way out to Castlemartin, then the scenic drop into
Freshwater West. I was really looking forward to doing this section on closed
roads, but strangely I has actually held up by other cyclists as it got
slightly more congested there. Up Freshwest Hill, as slow as I possibly could,
then out to a mini loop of the town of Angle at the end of the peninsula before
heading back on the pretty flat ridge road back to Pembroke. This section was
back against the winds that had helped me out to Angle from Tenby, and had to
focus on not burning my legs out, feeling entitled to faster speeds on the
flat. I seemed to be finding my place in the cycle now, exchanging places with
others a bit more (though still getting overtaken a lot). One of the athletes,
a lady in full Union Jack kit, complimented me on my bike and kit coordination.
Why thank you!
Literally shot back into
Pembroke with the St Daniels Hill descent, we now had to go up and back down
the Main St
 |
| Coming out of the hairpin in Pembroke town centre, where I nearly forgot to keep pedaling! (Image courtesy of Il Mio Photography) |
Onward out of Pembroke and
back out towards Lamphey past the Feel Good Inc cafe supporters crowd. Heard a
few shouts for my name, was hard to pick faces out. I think I passed Heather
Rees at this point, I didn't chat - we were in a populated part of the course
and figured I would see her at different points of the course anyhow. Passed a
cheering Mark & family again on the edge of Pembroke before getting to
Lamphey to start the big loop. The properly hilly loop. The loop we have to do
twice!
Maybe it's the fact that I
always start my training spins from Pembroke, or that I'm so familiar with the
loop out to Angle and back, but I never really feel like I've started the
Ironman bike course until I've started the climb out of Lamphey up onto the
ridgeway. This is where the hills start to become unrelenting, where you have
to be really disciplined on the climbs otherwise you may be pooped before you
even start the second lap, let alone finish the bike with a marathon still to
do! This is why it was useful to have cycled this course so many times the last
year. This is why the bike course is considered to be the most difficult of any
of the Ironman events in the world.
The climb was very
disciplined for my part, I took it handy knowing there was a pacey stretch back
down into the valley to St Florence, and just one or two little lumps to get
over before Carew. I was definitely in a more distance cycling mindset now, 30
minute stretches feeling like 5 minutes, people who I'd been exchanging places
with an hour ago, where still exchanging places with me now.. Another local
lad, Neal passed me on the final hill before Sageston, just before the fast
stretch to Carew. We chatted for a bit, but he slowly pulled away, and I was
happy with my pace. It was a nice feature of this event, to have these little
encounters, even if it did mean they were all passing me!
After a fast stretch from
Sageston towards Carew, I checked my race time - I think I was making the
predicted times that I gave my family the night before pretty much spot on. I
wondered if they had made it to Carew with the park & ride after I left
them at the swim. Sure enough, there was my Dad right at the junction at the
castle, then around the bend were my sister and mum, absolutely roaring at me! It
really was a great boost not only to see them there, but also was great to know
they were getting around the course seeing these great locations as I see them.
Crossing the bridge I saw Paul, in a prime position for taking photos. I gave
him a smile and a wave, then immediately realised I should have been looking
more focused on the race for the photo op... Oops, I was never that cool with
cameras anyways...
 |
| Passing my dad (right) as I rolled through Carew |
 |
| Coming across the bridge at Carew |
 |
| Not looking nearly serious enough! |
From Carew to Crosshands is
pretty much a steady climb with brief respites to be had only on two wonderfully
fast dips (which only deliver you to the bottom of a long climb again). This
general area is known on strava as the 'false summits' and with good reason.
Lots of samey climbs and samey bends, no real landmarks, very hard to get a
feeling of progress here, despite having practised the course several times the
past year. All the same there were a few highlights - on reaching one of the
false summits, there was a mini peleton of life size straw men (in full cycle
regalia) on bikes lining the road on the left hand side. I could definitely
appreciate the effort put into them, but they were very disproportionate and
the weirded me out a bit. Well actually, a lot... On another summit, I'm
reached the top, zip down, chest out, and batteries treacherously empty. There
was a bevy of young ladies waiting at the top. One of them actually swooned.
This was followed by a series of chest hair related compliments being hurled my
way.
Batteries recharged!
Crosshands to Templeton was
a flatter pacier section and a good opportunity to get the average pace up. The
main highlight here was a supporters' couch raised up on a tractor at the side of the road
- now that's endurance supporting done right. From Templeton another long climb. This was
easier than I remembered it being in the past - maybe it was the support; maybe
I had just lost feeling in my legs! From the top it was a speedy, bendy descent
into the valley before a sharp climb back up into the town of Narberth ,
the high point
 |
| Endurance supporting done right! Eventual winner Jesse Thomas passing on his bike |
The support on the main st
in Narberth was fantastic and very welcome after that steep climb. Another
little reward I got coming out of Narberth was looking down at my computer and
seeing my heart rate figures smiling back at me. Yes! Back on track! It was
only now though I was getting a feel for the condition of my legs. They did not
feel nearly as fresh as I would have liked, and though I was still cycling
fine, was starting to feel the strain on each pedal stroke - something I had
not felt at all on my practise cycle two weeks previously. I was starting to
feel the effects of not being able to measure my efforts up the hills already.
Only 90km of cycling to go, and then a marathon ... No problem! Was mainly
downhill to the coast now anyways, then the 3 witches, then a very fast stretch
from Sandersfoot to Tenby then onto lap 2, all the same again except without
the Angle Peninsula. Simples. The return of my heartrate monitor was still
timely, but it was now for damage limitation rather than damage prevention!
Oh and about the 3
witches.... 3 consecutive climbs from 3 different bays on the coastline: the
1st climb out of Wisemans bridge, the steepest climb of the course, breaks your
body; the 2nd climb from Coppet Hall actually isn't that bad and fools you into
thinking the worst is behind you; en the 3rd climb out of Saundersfoot...
Well... It's nickname is Heartbreak Hill...
The descent into Wisemans
Bridge is quite a lot of fun, but nearly always spoiled by caravans and
tourists slowly plodding down the winding roads and sometimes stopping for
oncoming traffic - this was not a problem today, but caution and lack of practise
on this as an empty road got the better of me leaving me having to slow down in
a big way on the final few sharp bends to prevent a close encounter with the
stone walls on either side (not an unknown occurrence in the Long Course
Weekend and Ironman Wales). I noted corners of excessive caution for lap 2. It
was surreal seeing the normally bustling tourist car park completely empty, yet
somehow there was still a sizeable number of supporters at the pub at the start
of the waterfront. Then onto the climb. My heart rate monitor should have made
me behave, but I didn't - I was worried about my tiring legs failing at lower
effort levels so did what I had to get to the top. One of the guys ahead of me
had to get off and walk. I barely passed him before the top. Make no mistake -
this hill was steep!
Then following descent was
pretty sketchy, a very quick drop down to sea level via a series of ever
sharpening bends. Again, lack of practise on empty roads made me err on the
side of caution. No regrets here, the last bend was extremely steep sharp and
narrow. I was still going at enough speed to be shot half way up climb no. 2.
No difficulty here - just save the energy for Heartbreak Hill.
Saundersfoot is a very
scenic seaside harbour town, it's main street punctuated halfway by a
roundabout to the harbour and some zebra crossings before continuing onto a
sharp uphill bend onto St Bride's Hill, aka Heartbreak Hill. This set-up
generally makes for a pedestrian and vehicular obstacle course seemingly
contrived to dampen any momentum you have before allowing you to stagger up a
horrendous climb that never ends.
Not today.
Railings lined the main
street, holding back hundreds, maybe thousands of spectators either side of an
empty main street, a glorious runway, leading up to St Brides. The descent from
climb number 2 launched me up the main st. I heard familiar shouts to the
left among the crowds cheering, my housemates Flo and Alex - fantastic! I
rounded the steep corner with momentum I am not accustomed to, see my parents
and sister across the road. I gave them a smile and a wave. My mother was
roaring at me and made a stern gesture that I have some feckin climbing to do!
I kindly oblige. Who cares about race plans anyway? The crowd was immense, no
more rails, people spilling onto the road leaving just enough space for
cyclists to proceed in single file to a medley of cowbells, whistles and eh,
clappy balloonamajigs. It would have been an insult to them not to try my
hardest, which I did. I remember thinking, "I'm going to regret this
later...". I rounded the corner to see the noticeable pink of the Cr@p Tri
club supporters, a very social local triathlon club. They were great craic
altogether - one of the guys recognised me and a bunch of them starting oohing
and aahing at me building up to a crescendo of cheers. And with that I was
beyond the famously supported stretch of the hill, but by no means the end of
hill! Not as steep now, but very much still there, on and on it went, before
cruelly climbing more steeply at the last stretch, doubly cruelly lined by more
support meaning more effort.... Had to put on a good show!
I was completely pooped at
the top (how the hell was I going to do another 70km lap?!), but at least knew
it was a fast pacey stretch down into Tenby. Unfortunately the personal needs
feed station was located on this stretch, in area I would have rather been
building up momentum than slowing to a stop. A minor negative though - here I
got to completely restock my bike with fuel I had prepared myself the night
before: more brownies, more jellies, more energy drinks. There was still enough
of a stretch back to Tenby to enjoy some speed anyway!
 |
| Flying through Saundersfoot town centre |
 |
| Rounding the corner for St Brides Hill climb, still looking too happy for my own good! |
 |
| Time to put in a bit of effort for the crowds |
 |
| Still, would be rude not to smile! |
Passing through Tenby was
actually a bit of an anticlimax - unlike the Long Course Weekend which took you
right through the town centre, the bike course here skirted around the town
centre dropping down quickly to a heavily supported double roundabout which I
weaved through satisfyingly before getting fired back out into the countryside.
From here, memories of the
bike course are not so vivid - I had taken it all in on lap one and had lot of
distractions and distresses along the way. Now my heart rate monitor was
working again, and my focus was now on maintaining disciplined and getting this
bike course done. Tenby to Lamphey was tailwind aided loveliness. Lamphey to
Carew seemed to pass by without letting itself known, Carew to Narberth was
notable only by the fact that the course was lest congested and more spread
out, allowing me to take the more enjoyable descents and bends as I pleased.
This lap no longer held the theme of me being constantly overtaken. Everyone seemed
to be holding their place in relation to each other for the most part - I
seemed to have found my place finally in the flow of cyclists.
From Narberth onwards,
I was starting to feel properly spent. It was quite sunny and warm all day, and
I was worried I hadn't been taken on enough fluids, though strangely I was not
thirsty so also weary of over hydrating . At least I had ritually been
taking salt tablets on the hour every hour. My stomach did not feel good at all
- I was not sure whether I was supposed to be eating more or less. I was also
suffering deep throbbing pains in my big toe now - i didn't even want to know
what that was!
I pushed on through the
little hills and fast country lanes and flew back down the descent to Wisemans Bridge
I sped down the fast
stretch, past the personal needs station and back down into Tenby. The re-entry
into Tenby was not as expected. Again I was expecting to be brought into the
centre the Long Course Weekend from the top of the town, but I was led right
down to the double roundabout before having to climb into the city centre. The
climb was tiny, but in my state this was an unpleasant surprise! Back onto the
crowd lined streets of Tenby and I felt some energy creeping back. I saw
Paul and his camera again. Another smile and wave. Then same again, seeing
Vicki on the final stretch into T2.
 |
| Back into Tenby town centre to finish the bike leg, feigning everything-is-alright-ness |
Bike Course Flyby [click to go to link]
I dismounted and went to run
my bike in on my clippy cloppies. Nope. Hamstrings were so tight I could barely
walk! I hobbled my bike in and racked it up. I wisely stopped and took my
crossbar bag off the bike before leaving it behind. Jesus, my legs were in
a bad way! No stress though, I limped through the transition area in a daze, going through the motions, stopping to use the toilet facilities, then stopping
to take 1 drink of water, then another at a drink station just before the
transition tent and continued hobbling in. Here Alex W, who I had seen enter
transition as I started the bike, finally caught me.
Into the transition tent and
I got my run kit bag and sat down. A volunteer helpfully emptied the contents
onto the floor, and took everything I discarded and put it into the bag. They
had obviously been briefed that we would be massively dazed and disorientated
at this point. Everything they did was a massive help. Helmet and peak cap off,
visor on. Sunglasses left on. Clippy cloppies off, runners on. Energy gels into
back pockets. Race number to the front. Right, ready to go!
And then I just sat there,
for what must have been 10 minutes, eating brownies and jellies out of my
crossbar bag, all the while shaking my legs, wiggling my toes. Then, that done,
I threw my crossbar bag into the runkit bag and handed it to the volunteer. I
was just about to leave the tent when I noticed another feed station. Oooo,
some grapes! Mmmm, a banana! Okay, another water then. Cup of Pepsi? Rude not
to! It was an intense 10-15minutes of consumption, but I needed it to be able
to face the prospect of having to run a marathon! Strangely, despite all my
faffing, I met Alex again coming out of the transition tent. We were all in the
same boat here! A volunteer offered sun block which she put 2 lines of on my
neck (if I had any self awareness at all, I would have spread it around a bit,
but my mind was on other things now), and then we were out of transition and
onto the run.
 |
| Starting out on the run, salt from dried out seawater/sweat caked into trisuit, unrubbed sunblock on my neck |
Myself and Alex W had paced
off each other for a good portion of the Long Course Weekend marathon, and
coming out the starting straight of the run I assumed it would be the same
again this time around. However, I found myself pulling away from him as we did
the initial stretch of the run lap through the city centre. My legs actually
felt pretty good, all the faffing in transition must have made a difference!
The supporting crowds were immense. I remembered the day before, when the girl
leading around the transition tours said not to get carried away high fiving
the crowds as it tires you out - to hell with that, I couldn't help
myself!
I ran past the waterfront on
North beach (where the race had begun only 9 hours earlier) and out of the town
centre to begin the real lap, the part that most of the crowds don't see. I had
never ran this before, but as I had done it on the bike while practising the
bike course, I knew what was coming.
For those not familiar with
the run course, once out of Tenby, after a short dip, you run up a steepish but
manageable suburban road away from the town centre up to join the main road to
Saundersfoot which, you guessed it, is predominantly uphill. About 100 m up
from joining this road is the first feed station. After that you steadily climb
until you reach Saundersfoot roundabout, about 4km out of Tenby and then you
turn back on yourself, seemingly heading back to Tenby, but nope, you take a
left about it 100m down the road to go uphill again into Newhedges
where there is a second fee station, and also where you collect your little
coloured bands denoting which lap you are on. There is a feed station either side
of the road here so you have two chances to reenergise before and after getting
your armband. Then back to the main road and back down the hill to Tenby,
passing feed station 1 again on the way back. Down the steepish suburban road
back down into Tenby and then a mini climb before hitting North Beach
And all I had to do was run
that 4 times. Simple!
Lap 1: the first climb out
of Tenby was pretty handy. Like I said, my legs were feeling pretty good after
my fafftastic T2. Coming up to the 1st feed station, still full after my scoff
session in T2, I made a snap decision that I was going to have something
different at each feed station on the lap. At this one I opted for a banana. I
quickly realised I wasn't hungry yet so was now left running with a banana in
my hand for the next 3km. Hmmmm, fail.
Up towards Saundersfoot
roundabout and my running felt good, rhythmic and springy. I saw Peter Lloyd
ahead at the turning point and passed him by the time we got to feed station 2
(cup of Coke here) in Newhedges. He'd obviously smashed the bike leg though -
he was 1 run lap ahead of me. Me being me, I wondered how much I could pull
back over the course of the run. In hindsight, halfway into lap 1, this was
probably a bit naive! Back down the hill, past feed station 1 again (pretzels)
and down the steep hill, up the Croft and back still feeling good. Coming back
into the town centre I saw Paul with his camera, the 1st time I saw any of my
supporters group on the run. Yay! Then left, down the steep section of street
towards the personal needs station. Sure enough, my parents were there, to give
me a bottle of lucozade isotonic as I'd briefed them the night before. Sweet. I
was surprised to see Rhodri from my office manning the feed station with my
personal needs bag ready - he was obviously here for the whole day, fair play!
No need for any of my pre-made drinks now, so I just took a salt tablet and was
on my way. This would be the routine for the the next 4 laps.
Then there was the town
centre - wow! The streets were lined with people are cheering enthusiastically
and personably - my name was cheered with such familiarity that I was looking
for people in the crowd who knew me. It was hard not to get energised by this
level of support, it was amazing! It seemed like a fair old stretch through
town the 1st time around- rights and lefts, up one street, down the other. I
wondered when on earth I would be starting lap 2 but I enjoyed every second of
it all the same. It was such a boost to see so many people behind this
event and it's competitors - it really made a big difference.
 |
| Coming back into Tenby after lap 1, high 5's must be given! |
I got to the feed station at
the end of lap 1 not really needing anything, so made a gesture to one of the
kids to just throw the cup of water over me for refreshment. He must have been
very excited by this prospect, as he threw all 4 cups in his hands at me. It
was a lot more and a lot colder than I was expecting and I may or may not have
shrieked like a little girl, but it was refreshing nonetheless! Onto lap 2...
Lap 2 was great, running
still felt good, spirits were high, I went through all the feed stations
getting something different as before, gave the nod to the other local
competitors that I recognised. It was all a big happy uneventful blur of
"everything is going perfectly". I saw my housemates and sis on the
stretch into the personal needs station, cheering me on and taking photos as I
entered the town centre again, and I did what any normal person would do in
this situation - I did a silly dance and pulled a stupid face. I got to my parents and Rod at the feed
station and was in very good spirits - I think I said with tongue firmly in
cheek that I couldn't see what the big deal was. I knew I would regret
saying that later. Back through fanfare of the town centre again and onto
lap 3.
The half way point of my run
and my running split was bang on 2 hours, nicely on course for a 4 hour
marathon and a 13 hour ironman. I was not getting carried away though - I knew
my unmonitored efforts on the bike were going to catch up with me and it was
not long before they did. Just outside the town centre at the start of the big
climb, and my legs just said STOP. No notable pain or notable fatigue, my legs
just said I needed to walk now. So I did. I knew this was going to happen at
some point and I didn't mind. Just stretch the legs a little walking up hill
and then carry on. But my god it was hard to start running again! In the minute
or so that I had been walking my legs had turned into lead and I all of a
sudden felt like I was pulling a trailer behind me. I laboured my way up the
initial hill to the first feed station, but had to walk again. Well this was
the situation now, and I would just have to deal with it. Shaun Newberry passed
me, on his final lap. But when I started running I passed him while he was
walking. Overall his starting and stopping was working out faster than mine and
he slowly pulled away. The flattening out of the road towards New Hedges was
very welcome and I was able to 'run' again, though my definition of running was
becoming very loose at this stage. Turning at the roundabout towards
Saundersfoot, I saw that Peter Lloyd was gaining on me again (well, he was a
lap ahead of me on his final lap). I set myself the goal of keeping the
gap ahead of him for the rest of the lap, but could see he had still gained on
me slightly as I passed through New Hedges and got my 3rd arm band. I managed
to run continuously all the way back into Tenby, but Peter passed me just after
the croft. Fair play to him, he was still looking strong on his final
lap!
 |
| Brian's top tip: Don't let me notice you while you take event photos.... |
 |
| .... Or they will look like this... |
 |
| Coming through the town centre on Lap 2, still feeling good |
Passing through the town
centre the penultimate time was definitely reenergising, the cheering was
really making a difference now. I nodded to my parents at the personal needs
station that i would see them next at the finish line. Groups of lads were out
drinking on the street now, which could be quite a threatening sight, but
everything was quite jovial and in good spirits. The cheering was still very
personal too. Two kids starting cheering my name as I passed around a corner.
Then I heard one turn to the other and say "you know, I think Brian is my
favourite name"! Where did they get these people?!
I didn't walk as much as a meter through the town centre. High fives a plenty for any outstretched hand. Like Heartbreak Hill on the bike, it seemed like the polite thing to do! Running down Frog St past the De Valance cafe, I felt the presence of someone running right beside me, pace for pace. I looked to my right - it was Emma, my landlord. She had spotted me while sitting in the cafe and ran out after me. Again it was a great boost , before embarking on my 4th and final lap, but shortly after she left me to it, I got a bit worried. I really hoped none of the household would try run with me down the finish line (a disqualifiable offence) - I couldn't remember if I warned them about that!! Yup, in I was in the paranoid phase of my race now.
I didn't walk as much as a meter through the town centre. High fives a plenty for any outstretched hand. Like Heartbreak Hill on the bike, it seemed like the polite thing to do! Running down Frog St past the De Valance cafe, I felt the presence of someone running right beside me, pace for pace. I looked to my right - it was Emma, my landlord. She had spotted me while sitting in the cafe and ran out after me. Again it was a great boost , before embarking on my 4th and final lap, but shortly after she left me to it, I got a bit worried. I really hoped none of the household would try run with me down the finish line (a disqualifiable offence) - I couldn't remember if I warned them about that!! Yup, in I was in the paranoid phase of my race now.
 |
| Coming through Tenby on lap 3, kicking Shane Williams' arse (just don't check the final results.... or tell him I said that..) |
Lap 3 had been a 1 hour
20minute split. I was definitely falling off the pace, but it was great to know
I had broken the back of the run, and only one 10.5km lap to go. I made a good
effort at staying running as I climbed up the hill for the last time, but I'm
not sure what the point of it was. My km splits were noticeably dropping off
now. They were 5:30 to 6minute km splits in the 1st two laps, they
were now 7:37 and still slowing.... 8:13 ... 9:11... I
felt like I was running, but I may as well have been walking.
And something was going
wrong with me inside too. I knew I was spent. I knew I needed energy. But I
couldn't stand the thought of taking anything that feed station 1 had to offer
me. Not another pretzel. Not another energy drink. Not another coke. Not even
another banana. I had taken enough of everything today, and my body wasn't
going to have anymore of it. I decided I needed some jellies - those haribos
with the white undersides - they had saved my life at the long course weekend
and I needed them now. None at this feed station, they must be at the next one.
This wasn't about finishing anymore, this was about getting my jellies! I was
losing my mind...
It was getting dark now,
which was surreal. Had I really begun this just after sunrise? The combination
of darkness, harsh temporary lighting and the shuffling silhouettes of
fellow fatigued ironman made me feel like I was running in a zombie apocalypse.
My fading mental state didn't help this perception feel any less real.
Unfortunately the impending zombie threat didn't make me run any faster. I got to New
Hedges and got my 4th and final arm band. Yus. I must have spent about 10
minutes diddering between the two adjacent feed stations looking for jellies.
None. Balls. I took every variety of drink there was in what felt like the worst
possible order. I also took other random bits of food on and forced it down.
All downhill from here to Tenby! I had seen other people I recognised who had
stayed a set distance from me throughout were gaining considerably on me and
passing me. Pretty demoralising but nothing I could do about it. All finishers
medals are the same.
I could feel my body
systematically fall apart as I came down the hill towards feed station 1. My
right shin burned intensely. There was a deep pain in all my left toes. I couldn't
feel my right foot. My ligaments felt like they had been replaced with aged
duct tape. My lower back creaked under the weight and rotation of my torso. My
shoulder blades and lower neck felt like one single ball of throbbing tension.
I felt serious palpatations in my chest, enough for me to monitor my heart rate
closely and give me serious worry for about 2 minutes. I walked for a bit.
Compose yourself. I continued running, trying to keep momentum. Back down to
Tenby town centre and the finish line may as well have been in Cardiff
I rounded the the final
corner onto the red carpet. So many people! The crowds must have been 5 people
deep at least on either side of the barricades. I tried to spot my family and
friends, but the glare of the lights on the finish line was over powering.
There would be no sprint finish here, everyone following some unspoken
etiquette and running at equal spacing to get their own moment in the
limelight. And rightly so. I followed suit. It was exhilarating and exhausting.
I had so many original ideas for what I would do crossing the finish line for
the photo op, but that didn't matter now. Just 2 hands up in exhausted
jubilation. I got my medal from the mayor of Tenby, but that didn't matter either at this moment. The concept of medals felt so foreign to me at that very point in time,
all that mattered that I was not moving any more, nor did I need to!
Run Course Flyby [Click to go to Link]
Run Course Flyby [Click to go to Link]
 |
| Very close to my point of view as I came down the red carpet - epic! |
 |
| Exhausted Jubilation |
 |
| Having a good think about the journey I need to take over to the mayor to get my medal |
I spotted my family beyond
the barriers but frustratingly couldn't get to them without passing through the
athletes tent. In there I must have spent at least an hour between
disorientation, getting a massage, getting warm food and drink, bumping into
people I knew.... I almost forgot there were people waiting outside for me,
another place for me to be beyond this tent of disorientated lycra clad
zombies.
After some focused efforts,
my family fished me out of there, and we headed back home, picking up pizza on
the way home. One gesture of a celebration drink and off to bed for some well
needed rest. In all honesty the end was a bit of an anticlimax. I was expecting
some celebration drinks with friends, some drunken reflection. But I was simply
too exhausted. And so were my family after following me throughout the whole
day! What an effort!
With a decent nights sleep behind me. Monday was a day to look back on what I did. In all honesty, it did not feel real - it didn't feel like all of that had happened in one single day. It all felt like an age ago already. It was great to hear everyone's stories of how they followed me around the course, and it was also great seeing all the messages of support that had been posted on Facebook as posts about my progress were shared - I didn't realise just how many people were behind me on the day.
The swim was a disaster. The cycle did not go to plan at all. The second half of the run was pure torture.
It was the best day of my life.
Ironman Wales Video [click to go to link]
The swim was a disaster. The cycle did not go to plan at all. The second half of the run was pure torture.
It was the best day of my life.
Ironman Wales Video [click to go to link]
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