Saturday dawned cool and crisp with a hint of wind, but overcast and the sort of sky that hinted at rain ahead. We got up at 4:50 not in a great deal of rush, as a 7am race start was pretty late by our usual standards but still go there and into race numbering by 5:40 and out of transition by 6:15. This part of the day went smoothly to plan and after a couple of nervous trips to the toilet we walked down to the swim start area. We probably got here a little later than we had the year before but that may have been more a reflection of more people racing this year than last, but the start area was really crowded. There was excitement in the air but that nervous hush was also present with a lot of faces showing the strain or tension of what was ahead for the day. Into her wetsuit without issue and then with a kiss she was into the crowd to get warmed up and started.
Swim went ….
At the swim start I felt quite relaxed and ready the cannon went I found myself in the thick of it but everything was going okay. I appeared to get my rhythm rather quickly and got quite comfortable possibly too comfortable. At about the 2km mark I started swimming a little off course and tried to correct this and unfortunately swam right across the path of another swimmer putting additional strain on my right shoulder as I tried to pull through the water. After this collision I found myself not pulling through the water as efficiently. In hindsight I would have to say I stayed too comfortable in the swim. Out of the water in 67mins which is my worst ironman swim time but hey the swim is now behind me time to get out and ride.
T1
The 400m run was fine possibly helped get the legs ready. Out of the wetsuit without a hitch cycling pants on, socks / shoes next, grab gloves and glasses, helmet on and off I go.
Bike
I immediately got straight into my nutrition plan taking in a gel. Taking in a gel every hour, and drinking every 5 minutes. By the top of the first climb I had settled into the bike leg. I focused on keeping low heartrate (140-145) which felt a little too comfortable. Heading out towards Reporoura I was starting to develop stomach cramps and wasn’t sure if it was from a too concentrated Opti mixture (5 Scoops for 750ml) or the last minute option for going lemon / lime powerade either way I was increasingly losing concentration and as a result losing power. On the second lap I could no longer tolerate the cramps so I decided to stop for a toilet stop just after collecting my special needs bags. It was at this point I opted to ditch everything and take only coke and water but continue with the gels. I perceived but realised I was just turning the legs and my goal for a 5:30 bike was now becoming a …lets just get through the rest of this bike leg and hope we can run.
T2
Coming into T2 I was glad to see the back of the bike. The cramping had settled with another toilet stop. Time to run. Heading out I took in a rocket fuel and reminded myself of my mantra for the run…SMILE and Let It Be Easy
Run:
I set off ensuring my heart rate was below 140 for the first 5km. I then allowed my heart rate to creep up to 145. This is where my heart rate stayed for the next 12km. At each aid station I was taking in coke and water and this appeared to be working well so I ditched the excess weight of the fuel belt. I was pleased I was able to maintain a smile and concentrate on letting it be easy. It was about 17km mark when my body started sending me some not so pleasant messages. Initially I thought here we go the diarrhoea has reared its nasty head, lets hope I can make it to the toilet in time. But I was sadly wrong for the next period I was vomiting and I couldn’t control it. It was at this stage that I started walking and the smile was off my face. My stomach was cramping everytime I vomited. There was a couple of times towards the overbridge as I was heading back to town for the first lap that I had to take a seat while I vomited. At this stage I was getting rather cold and was starting to doubt my ability to finish this race considering I hadn’t even completed the first 21kms. The winds picked up and the rain was making me colder so I stopped at the aid station and asked for a poncho. It was there one of the medical staff personnel ask me to have seat for a while so he could check me over. It was then I realised it had been a while since I had put any nutrition into my body. He offered me everything from electrolyte drink to coke and water. I couldn’t bare the thought of putting anything into my body for fear I would only bring it straight back up. The medic reminded me that if I stop fuelling I am going to have to seriously consider calling it a day. This was not what I wanted to hear so I said "Thanks… I’ll see how I feel at the next aid station." It was then I developed a dependency on barley sugars for the next 20kms after the medic got me to at least suck on a barley sugar so that at my body will be able to absorb some sugars through my gums. My walk was getting slower, my body getting colder and my mind had gotten lost. I had decided to DNF and just walk home. I was just under 2km from the house when I was shivering uncontrollably and decided I need to get warm so I thought before you throw in the towel and DNF give it one more effort at running. I began to run and thought I don’t feel too bad and definately don't feel any worse so I kept running. I then told myself if you can run all the way back to the house you can keep going. I got back to the house and I could see the disappointment in Wayne’s eyes when I told him I have been vomiting and have just started running in an effort to get warm. Seeing Wayne definately me a lift as he reminded me that I have come too far to give up now. Not mention how I would feel the next day. This also got me thinking how am I going to tell the kids at school that I DNF when I am always encouraging them to challenge themselves and reminding them on the importance of finishing what you start. It was then I refocussed, brought back the smile and I decided I am going to finish. Today may not have gone as planned but one thing is certain I will get through this and with a smile. I felt I got my confidence back and I am glad to say that I ran the rest of the way setting little mental challenges along the way. I only wish I had gotten the mental strength a little earlier. Seeing Wayne for the last time before heading into town for the finish was huge relief. I was pleased that my mental strength allowed me to shift my mindset to a more positive head space and allowed the run to be easy. Wayne was surprised when he saw me smiling. I was heading home. My nutrition plan of sucking on only barely sugars and sipping on water at each aid station for the past 20kms was not what you would call ideal nutrition. Today’s journey was tough physically but mentally I feel I made a huge shift in controlling my positive headspace.
The finish:
To say I was physically relieved was an understatement. Not achieving my original goal “Sub 11hours” was disappointed so letting the clock tick over to 13hours didn’t bother me as I wanted to make sure I took the opportunity to find Wayne thank him for helping me to get not only to the start line but remind me of the importance of staying positive and in control mentally. His positive guidance and tough love is a pillar of strength. Mentally I am now so much stronger. Some days things don’t go to plan and I need to remind myself to stay composed, refocus and be prepared to take new risks. Today was one of those days it just took me a little longer to refocus!!! One thing is certain …”Some Times You Have To Have The Race You Don’t Want To Get The Race You Want!” I feel I got more out of this race mentally than any other race.
The aftermath:
The body and mind can be strong for so long, but once you reach that finish line it is sometimes unpredictable as to what will occur next. So often we have seen footage of athletes running strongly to the line and then collapsing just metres after it. I wasn’t one of them, but soon after when I was in the recovery area, the toll from the previous 13 hrs soon came to bear upon my mind and body. To say the time in the medical tent was pleasant would be far from the truth. In total I spent 4 hours from the time I finished till walking to the car with Wayne either in the recovery tent or medical area. The verdict, hyponatremia, or low levels of sodium. This had the effect of nausea, extreme shivering and high body temps, but the care and attention of the medical staff was excellent and with some drug injections and time to recover I soon felt well enough to get home. The next 24 hrs hurt, with a combination of aching muscles and still not feeling myself inside and ingestion of food was still really difficult. Upon reflection, this is the worst I have pulled up after a race and really shows the importance of getting the nutrition just right during the day.
Where to now: Well this is the 64 million dollar question. Lots of thoughts run through your mind after an experience like this. They range from “lets for IM Oz n 4 weeks time to get some redemption” to “I really need a break from this journey”. With a couple of days to muse over things, I am still very focussed on succeeding in my goal of reaching Kona. It is achievable and I will get there, but, and there is always a BUT, I need to take a step back and let my body recover for a while both in physical and mental aspects and then have a good hard look at what I need to work on moving forward. In Wayne’s words, I really need to go back to basics and learn how to run, so maybe that is as good a place as any where to start.
For now though, I think I may actually take the time to enjoy some the wine sitting on the top shelf of our fridge that has sat there idle for the last 4 months, anyone care to join me for a quiet drink?
The Spectators View (by Wayne)
To say I had high expectations for the day would be an understatement. I suppose once you get a taste of success you love to bath in it. I had in the time leading up to the race really focussed on being as positive about the outcome as possible and all the little things like motivational signs and quotes were my way of helping to build in mental toughness that, for mind, is one of the keys to success in this type of racing.
Even went to the trouble of putting up a few signs around our house, directly on the run course and also at one other key strategic point on the run course that Lisa and I had talked about as being something to focus on. Things like:
Champions expect pain, endure pain & never complain
There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it
In hindsight the day didn’t go to plan as I had hoped and in some ways this was disappointing but I was proud that Lisa made the commitment worth her efforts by finishing something she had started even when at one point it didn’t seem worth it. I believe that this will play dividends somewhere down the track as it is from these low points that we gather some of our biggest gains. The following comes to mind and is apt for this situation:
· Your greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up everytime we fail
Even with the setbacks of the day for Lisa, spectating is truly a privilege and I can highly recommend it to anyone keen in the sport. The day always has its ups and downs and Saturday was no different, but getting out there in the rain and wind and trying to cheer on every competitor is really great fun and fills your body and soul with great energy. I feel invigorated by the experience yet again and when you get a thank-you from complete strangers it really is a satisfying feeling.
Swim went ….At the swim start I felt quite relaxed and ready the cannon went I found myself in the thick of it but everything was going okay. I appeared to get my rhythm rather quickly and got quite comfortable possibly too comfortable. At about the 2km mark I started swimming a little off course and tried to correct this and unfortunately swam right across the path of another swimmer putting additional strain on my right shoulder as I tried to pull through the water. After this collision I found myself not pulling through the water as efficiently. In hindsight I would have to say I stayed too comfortable in the swim. Out of the water in 67mins which is my worst ironman swim time but hey the swim is now behind me time to get out and ride.
T1
The 400m run was fine possibly helped get the legs ready. Out of the wetsuit without a hitch cycling pants on, socks / shoes next, grab gloves and glasses, helmet on and off I go.
Bike
I immediately got straight into my nutrition plan taking in a gel. Taking in a gel every hour, and drinking every 5 minutes. By the top of the first climb I had settled into the bike leg. I focused on keeping low heartrate (140-145) which felt a little too comfortable. Heading out towards Reporoura I was starting to develop stomach cramps and wasn’t sure if it was from a too concentrated Opti mixture (5 Scoops for 750ml) or the last minute option for going lemon / lime powerade either way I was increasingly losing concentration and as a result losing power. On the second lap I could no longer tolerate the cramps so I decided to stop for a toilet stop just after collecting my special needs bags. It was at this point I opted to ditch everything and take only coke and water but continue with the gels. I perceived but realised I was just turning the legs and my goal for a 5:30 bike was now becoming a …lets just get through the rest of this bike leg and hope we can run.
T2Coming into T2 I was glad to see the back of the bike. The cramping had settled with another toilet stop. Time to run. Heading out I took in a rocket fuel and reminded myself of my mantra for the run…SMILE and Let It Be Easy
Run:
I set off ensuring my heart rate was below 140 for the first 5km. I then allowed my heart rate to creep up to 145. This is where my heart rate stayed for the next 12km. At each aid station I was taking in coke and water and this appeared to be working well so I ditched the excess weight of the fuel belt. I was pleased I was able to maintain a smile and concentrate on letting it be easy. It was about 17km mark when my body started sending me some not so pleasant messages. Initially I thought here we go the diarrhoea has reared its nasty head, lets hope I can make it to the toilet in time. But I was sadly wrong for the next period I was vomiting and I couldn’t control it. It was at this stage that I started walking and the smile was off my face. My stomach was cramping everytime I vomited. There was a couple of times towards the overbridge as I was heading back to town for the first lap that I had to take a seat while I vomited. At this stage I was getting rather cold and was starting to doubt my ability to finish this race considering I hadn’t even completed the first 21kms. The winds picked up and the rain was making me colder so I stopped at the aid station and asked for a poncho. It was there one of the medical staff personnel ask me to have seat for a while so he could check me over. It was then I realised it had been a while since I had put any nutrition into my body. He offered me everything from electrolyte drink to coke and water. I couldn’t bare the thought of putting anything into my body for fear I would only bring it straight back up. The medic reminded me that if I stop fuelling I am going to have to seriously consider calling it a day. This was not what I wanted to hear so I said "Thanks… I’ll see how I feel at the next aid station." It was then I developed a dependency on barley sugars for the next 20kms after the medic got me to at least suck on a barley sugar so that at my body will be able to absorb some sugars through my gums. My walk was getting slower, my body getting colder and my mind had gotten lost. I had decided to DNF and just walk home. I was just under 2km from the house when I was shivering uncontrollably and decided I need to get warm so I thought before you throw in the towel and DNF give it one more effort at running. I began to run and thought I don’t feel too bad and definately don't feel any worse so I kept running. I then told myself if you can run all the way back to the house you can keep going. I got back to the house and I could see the disappointment in Wayne’s eyes when I told him I have been vomiting and have just started running in an effort to get warm. Seeing Wayne definately me a lift as he reminded me that I have come too far to give up now. Not mention how I would feel the next day. This also got me thinking how am I going to tell the kids at school that I DNF when I am always encouraging them to challenge themselves and reminding them on the importance of finishing what you start. It was then I refocussed, brought back the smile and I decided I am going to finish. Today may not have gone as planned but one thing is certain I will get through this and with a smile. I felt I got my confidence back and I am glad to say that I ran the rest of the way setting little mental challenges along the way. I only wish I had gotten the mental strength a little earlier. Seeing Wayne for the last time before heading into town for the finish was huge relief. I was pleased that my mental strength allowed me to shift my mindset to a more positive head space and allowed the run to be easy. Wayne was surprised when he saw me smiling. I was heading home. My nutrition plan of sucking on only barely sugars and sipping on water at each aid station for the past 20kms was not what you would call ideal nutrition. Today’s journey was tough physically but mentally I feel I made a huge shift in controlling my positive headspace.
The finish:To say I was physically relieved was an understatement. Not achieving my original goal “Sub 11hours” was disappointed so letting the clock tick over to 13hours didn’t bother me as I wanted to make sure I took the opportunity to find Wayne thank him for helping me to get not only to the start line but remind me of the importance of staying positive and in control mentally. His positive guidance and tough love is a pillar of strength. Mentally I am now so much stronger. Some days things don’t go to plan and I need to remind myself to stay composed, refocus and be prepared to take new risks. Today was one of those days it just took me a little longer to refocus!!! One thing is certain …”Some Times You Have To Have The Race You Don’t Want To Get The Race You Want!” I feel I got more out of this race mentally than any other race.
The aftermath:
The body and mind can be strong for so long, but once you reach that finish line it is sometimes unpredictable as to what will occur next. So often we have seen footage of athletes running strongly to the line and then collapsing just metres after it. I wasn’t one of them, but soon after when I was in the recovery area, the toll from the previous 13 hrs soon came to bear upon my mind and body. To say the time in the medical tent was pleasant would be far from the truth. In total I spent 4 hours from the time I finished till walking to the car with Wayne either in the recovery tent or medical area. The verdict, hyponatremia, or low levels of sodium. This had the effect of nausea, extreme shivering and high body temps, but the care and attention of the medical staff was excellent and with some drug injections and time to recover I soon felt well enough to get home. The next 24 hrs hurt, with a combination of aching muscles and still not feeling myself inside and ingestion of food was still really difficult. Upon reflection, this is the worst I have pulled up after a race and really shows the importance of getting the nutrition just right during the day.
Where to now: Well this is the 64 million dollar question. Lots of thoughts run through your mind after an experience like this. They range from “lets for IM Oz n 4 weeks time to get some redemption” to “I really need a break from this journey”. With a couple of days to muse over things, I am still very focussed on succeeding in my goal of reaching Kona. It is achievable and I will get there, but, and there is always a BUT, I need to take a step back and let my body recover for a while both in physical and mental aspects and then have a good hard look at what I need to work on moving forward. In Wayne’s words, I really need to go back to basics and learn how to run, so maybe that is as good a place as any where to start.
For now though, I think I may actually take the time to enjoy some the wine sitting on the top shelf of our fridge that has sat there idle for the last 4 months, anyone care to join me for a quiet drink?
The Spectators View (by Wayne)
To say I had high expectations for the day would be an understatement. I suppose once you get a taste of success you love to bath in it. I had in the time leading up to the race really focussed on being as positive about the outcome as possible and all the little things like motivational signs and quotes were my way of helping to build in mental toughness that, for mind, is one of the keys to success in this type of racing.
Even went to the trouble of putting up a few signs around our house, directly on the run course and also at one other key strategic point on the run course that Lisa and I had talked about as being something to focus on. Things like:
Champions expect pain, endure pain & never complain
There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it
In hindsight the day didn’t go to plan as I had hoped and in some ways this was disappointing but I was proud that Lisa made the commitment worth her efforts by finishing something she had started even when at one point it didn’t seem worth it. I believe that this will play dividends somewhere down the track as it is from these low points that we gather some of our biggest gains. The following comes to mind and is apt for this situation:
· Your greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up everytime we fail
Even with the setbacks of the day for Lisa, spectating is truly a privilege and I can highly recommend it to anyone keen in the sport. The day always has its ups and downs and Saturday was no different, but getting out there in the rain and wind and trying to cheer on every competitor is really great fun and fills your body and soul with great energy. I feel invigorated by the experience yet again and when you get a thank-you from complete strangers it really is a satisfying feeling.
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