Melbourne Ironman March 24th 2013 – Reflections on the Day!
Sunday March 24 in Melbourne, it started with some serious nerves and ended with me completing my first Ironman and a week later I still feel excited about it. It was an extra special day as I was joined by Lorna and the girls, my brother Mark – Janine and their boys, long term friends Adam and Rob and the Tour de Cure team who’s important cause we participated for. On a day that included much pain seeing familiar faces made the experience so much more manageable.
Our day started in Frankston with the organizers announcing that rough seas meant the course would be shortened. So half an hour later than planned some 2,220 of us nervously entered a very turbulent sea to what quickly became a nightmare for some. To the spectators on Frankston pier we looked like a confused school of fish, making little progress with the 1.5 meter chop causing mass chaos. I had people all over me, some trying to swim over you, arms connecting with each other and heard more than a few shrieks of panic – it felt like 15 or so minutes till we cleared somewhat only to be swept down the beach on return leaving a 300 meter run back to transition for a mid field 32 minute swim in my case.
The run through transition to the change tent includes picking up your bike bag, finding a vacant chair to remove wetsuit, to dry feet and dress for the next 5 – 6 hours, in my case bike helmet and shoes, heart rate monitor under my Tour de Cure race vest, salt sachet, carbo gels and bars – off to the bike – a very slow 8 minute transition.
As I mounted my Specialized Shiv, a time trial bike that’s especially designed for this type of course I immediately was shocked to feel a cramping in my thighs which was more than a little debilitating. Rolling at just half speed I reached for my salt sachet and licked its contents, chased down by electrolyte and wondered if my day would soon be over. The many passing riders looked on sympathetically as I stretched and waited while riding slowly to see if the pain would leave me – and 20 painful minutes later it did and I set out to catch up all the lost time. I was so focused on catching up that David Shlager, a fellow TDC rider and training partner came from behind and said I had sailed straight past without even acknowledging him – we chatted briefly and wished each other a successful day leaving me to focus on my strongest leg, the bike.
The bike course had a beautiful fast surface but its openness meant that we also bore the brunt of the day’s heavy winds which blew at 20 – 30 kmh. Which meant my two outbound headwind legs were ridden at 29 kmh and the two back in at 39 and 34 kmh respectively. My Garmin regularly showed me holding 50 kmh plus and ultimately a 32 kmh average which was solid, though for perspective the pro’s were running some 25% faster.
My final lap was buoyed by Lorna and the Girls being on course with a “Go Daddy poster” which included much cheering, it helped me push on a little faster but I later slowed down a little in trying to keep some energy for the impending run. The bike and transition end in Frankston was greeted with Geoff and Callum from Tour de Cure, who witnessed my jelly legs and concern at the thought of starting to run 42.2 km’s.
Another long transition which my legs needed and a change of gear from bike to run and toilet stop – that good news as it meant I was drinking enough. The run started surprisingly well, I waved to friends Rob and Barb in Frankston and moved out at some 10.5kmh, feeling reasonably good though 15 km’s later in Mordiallic I was clear that it was to be a painful late afternoon to get home. Yes each 10 k’s saw my average speed drop by 0.5 kmph, and whilst I refused to walk fatigue was slowing the legs – definitely a mental challenge from 20 k’s.
My coach Brad Pamp has trained me for maximum boredom and discipline – so many intervals in the dark had been run early mornings on Alan Border oval, making the day feel at times just like another extended training session – “hold form and focus on moving” according to Brad’s pre race brief and that’s exactly what I did walking only through the aid stations to consume needed fluids and carbohydrates – my days run lasted 4 hours and 26 minutes for a 6.18 km average – not so bad after 11 hours with the heart running at 135 bpm.
The run home was helped so much by Lorna, Janine and the Girls who stopped every 4 or so k’s up Beach rd, Adam and Lianne were on course as was Jan Cameron from TDC some 2 k’s out. Jan completed IM last year and knew well I was in pain but was kind enough to run alongside for a few last words of encouragement.
I managed to sight the finish ahead of sunset with the added pressure of knowing that Lorna and the Girls would see me finish as their 9.00 pm flight meant a 7.40 pm car pick up but fortunately I ran through the finish just after 7.00. There was some serious elation and a period of surreal reflection on having finished but being so light headed that the next few minutes were almost frozen in time. Geoff from TDC was at the finish to congratulate me and take a photo of my medal being awarded by World Ironman Champion Pete Jacobs – lucky me. A few minutes later and Geoff was helping me to the ground as my legs gave way and the Girls watched on nervously through the fence.
So ambition fulfilled, thank you especially to Lorna and the Girls who put up with my falling asleep so early for so many nights. I learnt how adaptable the body and mind is to a challenge when well trained. And we competed under the TDC banner so thanks to those supporters who contributed to this very worthwhile cause.
There is another chapter to fulfill this year – Adelaide to Canberra with the TDC team on April 24, 10 days and 1500 km’s and a busy April fundraising and preparing the legs for a focused bike only program – it will be nice to be back in the peloton.
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