The Ironman Commeth.....slowly

Bambaata

yeah very good swim. was tracking you all day griffin. Congrats

Izoard

Congrats Griffin, you-are-an-Ironman!

Gagging to hear the story behind those splits:)

mitresize5

delighted for you griffin.

really looking forward to the report

griffin100

Thanks for all the well wishes. Just back in work today, wrote a long race reoprt and then managed to delete it whilst trying to post it:p Will try again tomorrow.

kennyb3

Use to do that myself a lot - pain in the nads. now use word and save regularly then copy over.

griffin100

Ok, second attempt at a race report. It’s gonna be a long one.................

Thursday
The day to travel to England had finally arrived. I had chosen the longer option of a taking the ferry as opposed to flying as this meant I could pack every piece of kit I owned into the car without worrying about extra charges, so I did. The fact that T1, T2, registration, race briefing and the race finish were all in different areas of Bolton meant a car was a must. After an 11hr journey I finally arrived in Bolton, tired, hungry and trying not to think about the fact that my long journey had still taken me less time that the race was going to. There were quite a few athletes in the hotel, all much fitter looking (i.e. skinnier) than me. My left calf and my hip were giving me some pain but I put this down as psychological. What was very real was my head cold which had turned into a nasty cough that had me bringing up copious amounts of phlegm – not good. A walk into downtown Bolton to get some sinutab and lozenges gave me my first impressions of Bolton – I now understand where the expression ‘’Its grim up north’’ comes from. Off to bed nice and early where I slept like a baby.

Friday
Headed off to the swim venue for a practise swim. Got out of the car to be met by a notice warnin of toxic blu green algae. Oh well, can’t be any worse than swimming in the Barrow can it? Swim was due to start at 9am, at 9.45am we’re all still waiting for the ok to get in. The organisers were waiting o the final ok on the water quality, not a good sign. Have to say when you see a 1,900m lap laid out like that it looks very long. Got talking to a guy who did the race last year and confessed my concern at my bike gearing. I had an 11-25 on the back and was still contemplating going to a 27 or even beyond. He persuaded me that this would not be necessary – if I could get my hands on the fecker now I’d kill him. At last we were given the ok to get in. Water was lovely and warm, dark green so that visibility was about 2 inches and full of a green granular material that I can only assume was duck crap. I swam about 1,700m. Felt good but I was pulling to the left quite a bit so made a note to make sure I sighted regularly on the big day.

Got out and went off to register. Received my ‘goody bag’ of an IMUK backpack and two key rings, €330 well spent. Back to the hotel for some more eating and sleeping and 5 minutes exploring the sights of Bolton.

Chest was still bad so went to bed on a mixture of sinutab and Heineken.

Saturay
Chest felt a lot better today. Racked the bike dropped off my blue and red bags and went off to the airport to collect the Mrs. An afternoon of more eating and sleeping followed by the race briefing that evening. Briefing didn’t tell me anything I didn’t know really except that everyone looked a lot fitter than me. We were informed that littering on the bike course was an instant DQ (I think someone did actually get DQ’d for this) and that there was a 4 strikes and you’re out drafting rule, which I thought was a bit generous. Back to the hotel for some more food and an anxious wait. In the end I went to bed at around 11pm, thinking I’d be up all night when next thing I knew the alarm was going off.

Race Day
3.45am alarm sounds (yes that’s 3.45 in the morning). I start to eat – couple of bowls of cornflakes, two bananas, lots of water and then I’m full – can’t get any more in – start to worry I need more but what can I do. Feeling strangely calm with no nerves. Taxi picks us up at 4.15am and we head to swim start. Check bike, put the good luck picture my kids had drawn me onto my bike (they drew me a helicopter to help get me around – how right they were) manage to get a gel and an energy bar down my neck and then before I know it we’re being asked to ‘parade’ to the entry point from transition. Kiss the wife goodbye and ponder the fact that I have no nerves whatsoever, I’m just keen to get going. Realise I can’t find the glasses table so have nowhere to put my glasses when I get in. A marshal takes them and promises to put them in my blue bag, which he did. The organisers are starting to panic. Its getting close to 6am and only half the swimmers are in the water. We’re being held up by people at the front holding back. Fcuk it, I push my way to the front and get in.....

Swim
I swim towards the start. I’m about 2/3’s of the way down the field. One of my biggest concerns for the swim was getting battered about at the start but there’s loads of room. In fact the only time I get hit is before the start when someone swims past me on the way to the start and elbows me in the head.

After a rousing blast of God Save The Queen the hooter sounds and we’re off. Ok, keep the stroke long, catch, pull back fast and long..repeat..sight every 2-3 strokes. Its going ok. Every so often I veer a bit off course but regular sighting brings it back. I start a cycle of sighting of a swimmer about 10-15m in front of me, catching up to him, picking a new swimmer, and starting the process again. Drafting is very difficult due to the zero visibility. Without my glasses some of course markers are difficult to see so I have to assume the guys in front are going the right way. Manage to take every turn within 10m’s of the turn buoys which is good. When doing so observe large numbers of swimmers cutting the corners inside the buoys. Goggles start to leak in one eye but its fresh water so no problems, I empty them once or twice. First lap goes in a flash, same with second lap. 200m from the end and I’m feeling good I’ve swum well within myself and have kept the heart rate low (based on feel), then disaster, cramp in my left calf. It’s too bad to ignore so I have to flip onto my back and stretch it out. It eases up quickly and I get back into my stroke. I’m getting out of the water when I step onto a large sharp stone that digs into the arch if my foot – I still have the bruise today. I look at the clock – 1.15. – happy days. I’d done a 1.21 in the pool in training so I thought I might be able to match that on the day but I was over the moon with my time. Swim position was 663 / ~1,100

T1
Up into transition for a long slow change. I had made the decision to take my time in transitions. Stripped off and put on tri shorts, bib shorts, t-shirt, cycling top, shoes, socks, arm warmers, HRM, sun cream- and then took most of the off when I decided I needed to have a pee. One of the highlights of the day was in T1 when a panicked chap started shouting ‘anyone got bag 182’ and became more hysterical as no one answered. Then someone said ‘mate, you’re 282’...’no I’m 182’...’well you’ve got 282 written on your arm’... I nearly wet myself I laughed so much. T1 14 minutes.

Bike
Feeling good, I set off at a gentle pace keeping the HR low. Over the speed ramps out of the park in which the lake was located and the guy in front of me has his under seat bottles and food ejected from the holders – hate that. The bike course was a 16 mile run out to the start of a 3 x 32 mile lap course. I did the first part at a nice steady pace. Then I started the first lap.

Each lap started with Sheep Lane, which was a leg sapping climb of about 2 miles with an increase in elevation of around 700 feet. It was tough but we were all fresh and there was lots of banter going up it. I was a little worried about what it might feel like by the time I got to lap 3. There was a short technical descent of the hill which I took pretty easy and then onto the course proper. The lap alternated between the windswept moors and urban areas. I felt good on the first lap but I was spending a lot of time in the small cog and out of the saddle due to the amount of hills on the lap. None were as tough or as long as Sheep Lane but they for the most part steep and seemed to come frequently. There were three big descents on each lap, one of the top of Sheep Lane; one long sweeping one on a good road soon after, and one steep one onto and over the bridge on a reservoir – serious speeds reached on this last one. I had been aiming to finish lap 1 with about 2.40ish on the clock, but it was 3hrs when I did. This is when things started to fall apart a bit. I knew at the end of lap 1 I was looking at at least a 7hr bike. I started to doubt my ability to do the marathon after so long in the saddle. Lap 2 was the hardest lap. Sheep Lane was a lot more difficult this time, a lot of people were walking, and it really took a lot out of me to get up it. I struggled mentally and physically in lap 2. At the end of the lap I did consider just cycling into T2 and binning it, but the parting words of my wife at the swim that morning came back to me....’if you don’t finish this after all the time and money its cost I’ll kill you myself’....and kept me going. The start of the third lap came around. I was sooo tempted to walk the Sheep Lane hill like so many others but I didn’t. I had so little power left in the legs that I ended up doing pretty much the entire hill out of the saddle. But then a strange thing happened, although I was slowing physically I started to feel much better on the third lap and I almost enjoyed it. Mentally I was still worried about the marathon though. After what seemed like an age I finished the third lap. There was still a bit to go to get to T2 but I had made it. 7.24hrs in the saddle to do what ended up being 115 miles. An hour longer than I had hoped. My bike split was my worst of the day, 741 / ~1,100. Usually my bike is my best split. What went wrong? Certainly I had missed a lot of bike sessions in the last few weeks leading up to IM, I had about 1,000km less in my legs that I should have had. I should have spent more time hill training, and I should have had better gearing on my bike. That said what it came down to was that I just found the course very very difficult. I don’t think I was the only one – less than 80 people broke 6hrs on the bike; less than 250 broke 6.30hrs. I had ate well on the bike, taking a gel or power bar every 30 minutes until around 6.30hrs when I couldn’t stomach any more and had kept my HR low, averaging 78% so I didn’t overcook it. Like I said, I just found it very difficult.
T2
At last into T2, which was in a school sports hall. I was surprised to see so many bags still here having assumed that I would be in the bottom few finishers. Again another complete change of clothes and thankfully a chance to address the stomach cramps that had been nagging at me for the last hour of the bike. Hence another 14-15 minute transition. I had changed into a tri suit with a short sleeve cycling jersey over this. The jersey gave me lots of pockets and protected me from the sun which was now starting to get very hot.

Run
I headed out on the run feeling physically and mentally tired. The first 3 miles of the run were a loop out of transition behind the school and were cross country, and I mean cross country – thick black mud. I walked the first hill and shuffled the rest of the back to the start of the loop. I managed to get a power bar into me on this bit of the run. Back at the start of the loop and I had some water at an aid station. I drank some Gatorade and almost puked, then I had some Pepsi.....it was like pouring liquid energy down my throat. I went from being totally drained to feeling great from one cup of Pepsi. I bounded off down the run route and did the first 4 miles at 8 min mile pace. I got to the next aid station where I had some more water, Pepsi and half a banana. I got a wrist band here which was a great boost. All I now had to was run the 7.4 miles into Bolton, get another wrist band, run back out to the aid station, get a final wrist band, and run back to the finish. I pushed on keeping the HR low and taking it easy. I tried to eat a gel but every time I put my hand on my pocket and felt one I started to retch...my stomachs way of saying no more gels. There were 2 steep hills on the approach into Bolton and I decided to walk these. I got to the turnaround in Bolton at 11.5 miles at 10 min / mile pace. I met my wife here which was a great boost and got my second wrist band. The run course took us right to the start of the finish chute before making us turnaround for the final 15 miles or so....cruel. At this stage I still felt great. I headed back out the course but then started to get stomach cramps. At about 13 miles I spotted a loo and was able to deal with the cramps. There were more hills on the outward leg of the course so I walked most of these, but kept going at a steady pace feeling good. I was still taking in water and pepsi but had stopped eating the bananas as at this stage they were soft and black having been in the sun all day and I couldn’t stomach them. I was very conscious of the fact that there were no pretzels of salty foods at the aid stations. I got to the final turnaround at 18.5 miles with my pace having slowed to 11.30 min / mile. I got my third and final wrist band and turned around for my last 7-8 miles. I still felt great despite slowing down. At about 22 miles I took a drink at an aid station when it finally happened, I hit the wall. I went from a comfortable shuffle to almost collapsing – I got dizzy, I felt weak, my stomach churned, my vision blurred. Feck it, only a few miles left....I started walking. I walked probably 1.5 miles and then I knew it was all downhill from there. I started to run again. As I approached the finish I got faster and faster. With half a mile or so to go I was in a group of 5-6. I sprinted ahead of these as feck it, I wanted to cross the finish line alone. I could see the finish line....the crowd was amazing.... I spotted my wife going mad in the crowd....I held my picture of the helicopter that had helped get me around the course....I put my cap in my back pocket....I straightened my race number and club jersey....I sprinted across the finish line....I was an ironman....I was fcuked 4.42hr marathon. I didn’t care. My split was 669 / ~1,100. I was 738th out of 1,054 finishers. I had kept the HR at 78%. 13hrs50mins35secs – an hour longer than I had hoped for but at that time I just didn’t care. My first words to me wife...’never again’.

I pretty much recovered now. The stiffness in the legs wasn’t that bad and I’m almost free of it now. The only lasting pain is from my foot where I stood on the stone exiting the swim. All in all it was a fantastic experience. Despite what I’d been told about IMUK and Bolton the organisation and the crowd support on the bike and especially the run was amazing. I was happy with my swim and run but disappointed by my bike. I know I can do a 6hr 180km, I just need to choose my next IM carefully. That’s right, despite what I said at the finish line I want to do another one. I’m half tempted to do Groomsport at the end of the month but I don’t think 3 weeks is enough recovery time...then again...anyone else interested?

Izoard

Congrats Griffin - cracking report!

Sounds like you had a few dark moments, but came storming through in the end...great race.
I guess IMUK lived up to it's tough reputation - think I'll be giving that a miss:)

All the best for the next venture, Ironman!

mitresize5

inspirational

metal dog

well done Ironman griffin & thanks for the log over the year

not much of an ad for Ironman UK (or Bolton for that matter) though - when the pros are all taking more than 5 hours on the bike you know its gonna be a rough day for us mortals

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Great trip report an inspiration, hoping to have a similar report next year when i do one:rolleyes:

catweazle

Well done Griffin, great report

Macanri

Man oh man oh man, that was brilliant. Congrats on your IM journey. Sounds tough. You showed real mental strength and determination.
I don't like the sounds of the swimming in duck crap infested algae, well done for swimming 3.8km through it.
Great report - and having to write it twice!

Abhainn

ah Jaysus mighty achievement there man. Fab report, it was almost as if I was there - without the pain of course.

shotgunmcos

Truly well done Griffiin100, I feel exhausted reading that report and now the IM scares 40 shades of sh!te out of me instead of the one! That paints a very real picture of the pain you feel in an event like this. A mate of mine did it too and he would agree with you that the bike course was just very difficult. Considering the PROs could not break 5 hours is saying something too :eek: Seriously well done for beating the demons on the bike.

I'm really interested though in the whole coke thing. I've hear a lot about cola or pepsi being taken in IM marathons. What is the purpose? It can't give you more than a quick kick but is it the psycological boost you get from the blast of sugar?

You are an Ironman and you thoroughly deserve it Chief

tunney

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Truly well done Griffiin100, I feel exhausted reading that report and now the IM scares 40 shades of sh!te out of me instead of the one! That paints a very real picture of the pain you feel in an event like this. A mate of mine did it too and he would agree with you that the bike course was just very difficult. Considering the PROs could not break 5 hours is saying something too :eek: Seriously well done for beating the demons on the bike.

I'm really interested though in the whole coke thing. I've hear a lot about cola or pepsi being taken in IM marathons. What is the purpose? It can't give you more than a quick kick but is it the psycological boost you get from the blast of sugar?

You are an Ironman and you thoroughly deserve it Chief

Cola is good for a few reasons:
* sugars
* caffiene
* aspects of it (is it phosporous? can't remember) help with cramps

I know in IM Austria for me cola was key to my rehydration and being able to get back running. For next time I'm going to practise drinking out of cups.

kennyb3

tunney wrote: »

Cola is good for a few reasons:
* sugars
* caffiene
* aspects of it (is it phosporous? can't remember) help with cramps

I know in IM Austria for me cola was key to my rehydration and being able to get back running. For next time I'm going to practise drinking out of cups.

+1, and if you watch the TdF you ll see most of them have a can at some stage during the day. If its good enough for them..

griffin100

Thanks again guys.

Despite being tough I would still reccomend Bolton as a venue for someone looking to do a 'cheap' MDot race. My biggest gripes were about all the different location of the various transitions, registration, etc (thank god for sat nav); the lack of portaloos on the bike and run course (I refuse to wet myself on the bike and peeing in peoples gardens is not the way to garner support for a race from the locals) and the lack of pretzels or salty snacks on the marathon. From speaking to other finishers the support levels were well up on last year and whilst its no austria or switzerland there was plenty of support out there, espeicially on the run. The tough bike is what it is; the duck toilet lake is probably as clean as the Barrow was for Triathy:D. The aid stations on the bike and run were extremely well stocked with drinks and gels / bars (apart from no pretzels).

The coke thing is funny. I dont drink tea or coffee but do drink a huge amount of coke so I thought coke would have no effect on me on the run. The feeling when I took my first slug at 4 miles on the marathon was amazing. I had hoped not to touch coke until the seond half of the run but I wouldn't have survived without it. As KennyB says if it works for the TDF guys.....

Izoard

griffin100 wrote: »

I’m half tempted to do Groomsport at the end of the month but I don’t think 3 weeks is enough recovery time...then again...anyone else interested?

The full IM distance at Groomsport? I'm still trying to get my head around how you would do an IM marathon on that crazy course.

I'm considering the half, but the free pass is likely to be a challenge:(

griffin100

The full IM distance at Groomsport? I'm still trying to get my head around how you would do an IM marathon on that crazy course.

I'm considering the half, but the free pass is likely to be a challenge

I'd have a bash at the full IM if it were 3-4 weeks later than it is. I dont think 3 weeks between my first and second IM races would be enough. I'm tempted by the half though, I reckon I'd be able to drive up from Carlow and home again in one day - its the only way I'll get a pass, if I mention an overnight trip I'll be shot