This time last week I was running a marathon, when I say “running” it was more like shuffling, but I was on my way to a 12:37 Ironman – my first one. My only one?
One week on I’m looking back at what went wrong, what I could’ve done to improve my time, what training should’ve been completed that would’ve prepared me better. Fact is I’ll never be happy with my performances, I’ve won stuff in the past and still thought I could’ve/should’ve done better – it’s in my nature to perfect those imperfections. These demons are there….all the time….every day.
There’s a lot of people out there who have helped me along the way to IMB2018. From the decision to actually do the hardest thing I’ve done (so far) to standing on the start line.
Suzy has been there from day one, I’d be stupid to ignore the fact that her involvement in triathlon long before I met her has somewhat swayed my opinion of the sport. Back in the days of just riding my bike I didn’t think it was my thing. Swimming was almost impossible for me and as for running – that was just something I did for a little while after the racing season just to keep a bit of weight off. She participation in Paguera 70.3 this time last year opened my eyes to the possibilities of me making a comeback to triathlons in 2018. My one & only year – 2015, when I tried the sport ended up with a few sprint minor successes’ and two Olympic distance flops so I just went back to cycling.
Suzy’s support throughout my training and just in everyday life has helped balance me and made realise what’s important. The “cycling bubble” I once was in has seemed almost alien to me in recent months and looking in on this sport it’s clear to see how horrible it can be if you’re not on the top of your game. Triathlon however, accepts all abilities and respects everyone, everyone sticks around for the last person to come home in a tri – no-one does that in cycling. These people generally get laughed at and told to train harder or ridiculed behind their backs – being on the receiving end since my decision to become an Ironman has made me realise how “up themselves” some people can be. Suzy has taught me to respect all abilities and for that I thank and love her dearly. I can’t wait for her to be my wife very soon 🙂
It goes without saying my immediate family have paid the price for my focused Ironaman training in recent months. My kids – Rosie & William have seen limited time of me as I’ve either been eating, sleeping or training!
My introduction to Beccles Triathlon Club & it’s members have opened my eyes to the relentless support and advice everyone is willing to give. Danny & Michelle Sayer, Sarah Heatley, Roly Shaw, Vicky Grice, Karle Howard, Darren Potter, Jo Fisk, Mark Dixon, Carl Prewer, Shaun Crowley, Jane Hunt, Ton Kingery, Phil & Nicole Goffin, Chris Bradford, Pete Burwood as well as many others – John Ohara, Keith John, Paul Wright, Beth Bell, Dale Skoulding, Mark Turner, Richard Hill, Mark Saunders, Ben Nicholson, Scott Walford, Mark Thompson, Andy Taylor, Lou Marsden, Nicki Hawkes, Lucy Johnston, Larissa Smith, Steph Hoyle, Rory French, Paul Lyon. They have all given snippets of advice & encouragement throughout this journey, without these people it wouldn’t have been half as smooth and enjoyable.
Then there’s my boss – Clive Julian at DAP. He’s been supportive throughout my triathlon journey. He’s even made DAP CC a triathlon club to help me, Steve Stringer and Liam Gentry compete in DAP colours. He along with club secretary Chris Thornton and his son Louis have always been keen to know how my training and smaller races have been going on. Some team mates have wished me well too so that’s pretty good.
Special mention goes to Kirstie Cooper who has fixed me both physically & mentally at times with her expert sports therapy. I’ve mentioned it several times in this particular journey but she has helped me put the world to rights in our massage sessions and I’ve come out refocused and repaired.
Marcus Nichols from Beccles Tri Club deserves a separate mention. His constant advice with all three disciplines including the 4th discipline – “nutrition” has made me the Ironman I am now. His ability to break everything down following a well-researched approach has helped me understand the importance of the many facets of this sport. His assistance in the river swims at Geldeston Lock and sea swims at Lowestoft Beach has helped with my swimming confidence. Little did I know he was actually looking for flights to come out & watch which was inspiring and humbling to know.
Neil & Jo Timms have been so supportive too – these are proper genuine guys with no agenda who just want me to do well – something you find very rare in this day & age.
There’s also Steve & Fran who helped me get the bike all sorted for the event. Suzy has also encouraged these guys to take part in their first triathlons too this year.
Roly Shaw & Jane Hannah deserve a mention as they too completed the IMB2018. Jane flew with a 11:28 – her 4th time at this distance. Roly did his 3rd – all three coming in under 12 hours. Both were great company leading up to the event and during our stay in Callela before & after the event.
Let’s not forget Cheryl (Suzy’s mum) and Roger (her partner) who turned up in Callela to watch me race – I was proper made up, Tears in my eyes to be sure.
The event itself….
Swim was horrific. My complete inability to deal with waves higher than about 2ft was completely exposed. The fact I couldn’t swim beyond 400m in May this year has made this a very steep learning curve, Carolyn Hatton’s 1-2-1 in the summer has opened my eyes up to my potential and this has taken to a level where I’m confident to go in any water/any sea and give any distance up to that 3800m a go whereas before I’d not even go in!
Cycling was controlled for the first half and then irratic, being at the back of the event once out of the swim made it easy for me to pass riders (1400 of them) throughout the bike leg. Once I got in & around riders of similar ability I got engrossed in the drafting that you could not avoid on that course, my power was smooth for the first 100km and then erratic – that’s what a course full of riders does to your cycling. I think if it was just one big course my power would be smoother throughout and more realistic. After my 5-min penalty stop I noticed the pace dropped but I still managed to stay above 20mph so not bad for my first 112m attempt.
The run was a voyage into the unknown. Fairly depleted I had to do a marathon! Even fully refreshed I’m not sure how I would’ve faired – my last one was back in 2001…on it’s own where I did a 3:42. The final time of 4:50 just showed how my extended walks in the food stations affected my overall time. What was first an anticipated 4:20 soon turned out to be longer after some bad food choices on the first 14km lap and then fatigue really stepped in at 30km and I just survived.
In short, my swim was affected by 25-30 minutes, as was my run and I should’ve concentrated on my own game rather than getting carried away on the bike. So that’s an hour in anybody’s book. With that “demon” in my head it’s a definite “maybe” to do another one and put right all those wrongs.
Training….
Swimming requires more work. I’ve always said to my clients I coach in cycling “two times a week maintains – three times a week improves” and I never applied it to this discipline. It was no wonder I’d come unstuck.
Cycling requires more work. Not necessarily a higher output – more wattage. I don’t think I can be stronger. What I mean is more longer rides and consistent power outputs at the weekends instead of choosing to go to sprint tri’s which are over & done with in 30 minutes.
Running just like all the other disciplines needs looking at. My longest run before IMB was only 29km and I don’t think that was long enough. Further to this I do think I’m capable of a sub-4 on the back of a long-distance event. So some speedwork and faster paced sessions are required.
See….NEVER HAPPY!
Footnote….
If I’ve missed anyone please don’t be offended – the list is long and distinguished and it’s highly probable I’ve missed someone 🙁