Events I've Done: Ironman UK 2015

After having to withdraw from Ironman Wales in Sept 2014, because the sea was too rough for me to swim in, I have trained hard, throughout the winter and spring regardless of weather. Finally the time came to put that training to the test, We travelled to Bolton on Friday 17 July Billy and I, we booked into the Premiere Inn near Macron Stadium, I was informed that there would be breakfast for athletes at 3 am on race day, "but you won't be wanting that will you" the receptionist said. "Oh yes I will, I'm competing too"I said. We off loaded our bags and bikes up in our room and went to register.

I got the lady to check a that all my bags were in the back pack, as at Ironman Wales I got back to our rooms to sort my transition bags to find I had a bag missing and had to walk over a mile back to registration for another, but this time all my bags were there, so that was a better start than IMWales.

We went to Bella Italia to book a table for Saturday evening and went to the athlete briefing.

New rules about penalties and the cut off times were explained.

Then we stayed for the pasta party

Next morning I awoke about 5 am as is my habit, I went for a short run to keep my runstreak going, I only did a mile for day 199. I ran around the shopping centre and was surprised to see lots of cars, it was the Next sale.

After Breakfast Billy and I headed for Pennington Flash to rack our bikes and T1 bags. We were hoping for a swim but by the time we were racked it was too late. I didn't like the look or the smell of the water, it wax a windy day so the water was choppy and there was green scum on the banks, yuk.

From Pennington Flash we drove Bolton centre to see the Ironkids. It was great watching such littlies running on the red carpet to the finish and proudly wearing their t shirts and medals.

Just before going for tea, we racked our T2 bags.

Then bed, an early night doesn't mean more sleep, not for me anyway, I tossed and turned the night away with the alarm going off at 02:45 so we could get breakfast at 03:00 and be sorted with bike bottles filled, nutrition checked white street ware bag checked for hat goggles and wetsuit and be queuing in the pouring rain for the 04:20 bus.

We didn't have to wait too long before we got a bus. The windows were steamed up but still I noticed that we passed Nicks Resteraunt twice, can't believe the driver didn't know where to go. Soon we pulled up by Morrisons and then had to walk to transition.

Thransition was busy with athletes taking covers off bikes, sorting drinks and nutrition, pumping tyres up, quint for the portaloos and wriggling wet bodies into wetsuits. I sorted my stuff, dropped my street wear bag off and queued for the loo. I chatted with Jill and set off out of transition, I saw Matt supporting in the rain and then found Billy and Martin, we chatted, wished each other luck and went our seperately ways.

The race start was to be a self seeded rolling start, I looked for 1 hour 25 to 1 hour 35 and joined the group. I looked around me and realised there were what looked like hundreds of people behind me. Panic started to set in, I'm used to starting at the back because of all the stories of swimmers being hit, kicked, dunked and sum over in the melee. I moved further back, to the back of my group, I needed to balence my fear with the frustration of getting stuck behind slower swimmers. I had a little weep, got away with it though as everyone around were in their own worlds of anxiety and excitement, but it eased the overflowing tension.

The Pro athletes were starting in the water and they would swim both laps in a similar time that I would complete 1 lap, I would complete 1 lap, I WOULD COMPLETE BOTH.

The klaxon sounded and we all started moving, away from the lake at first then turning and heading to the lake, the procession was slow.

As we approached the lake other athletes joined in and suddenly there was Jill, we walked and talked and I felt a bit calmer for a few moments but the lake was getting nearer, there was no way out. "Your time has started" said a Marshall, we approached the pontoon and I lowered myself in, hoping my goggles would not mist up as we hadn't had chance to acclimatise or dip our goggles.

The water felt initially warm, I had obviously been getting a bit cold standing around in the rain. I put my swim wide stay out of trouble plan into action, surprisingly I was in my own space from the start. Unfortunately on my last few open water swims I have suffered serious cramp, but I figured being on the outside I could grab a canoe whilst it passes if it happens. I swam between the first buoys and could just see the next one, it was still raining, the water was choppy but I was swimming, Swimming wide, there was no canoes, don't get cramp, don't get cramp, don't get cramp, I passed another yellow buoy and another, then after I had been swimming forever I spotted an orange buoy and could see the turbulence of swimmers turning left. I swam past the buoy and turned left, the water was no less choppy I tried to get closer to the buoys but I found myself constantly fighting to get towards them, left again and the rain came down, it hammered off my head like someone drumming their fingers on my scalp, it got heavier beating on my back and bum too as tried to sight and get closer to the buoys, I could see the Australian exit, one more left turn and I was there. I took it steady, avoiding the other swimmers, I was out, and running, just a short way.I left my goggles on I didn't want to break the seal as they had neither leaked nor misted. I saw Jill get in ahead of me. I sat on the pontoon and lowered myself back in not wantin to dislodge my goggles. I was now further than I got at Wales.

This time I planned to swim closer to the buoys as now I wouldn't get lapped, but still I felt myself pushed wide, the rain was battering me and bouncing so high, it was difficult to sight through the thick white mist of rain and the droplets they created as they hit the water. I fought onwards fearing cramp, hardly daring to use my legs as I finally had the shore back in sight. I was so relieved to get out of the water without getting cramp or even being touched by another swimmer.

Right, T1, it's pouring with rain and windy, I needed to get my gloves and jacket on, Jill was there too, we laughed manically at getting the swim done in decent time, now to get out and pedal as if our lives depended on it, I left first, stuffing a mini malt loaf in my mouth as I struggled to get cold wet hands into my gloves, I slip slided to my bike, unracked and ran to the mount line, the grass was a distant memory as the route was churned by hundreds of tyres and feet before me and was now a pool of slippy mud. On the tarmac I mounted up and rode as if my life depended on it.

My game plan for the bike was to keep nutrition and fluids up and aim for 15 mph average before Sheephouse Lane. I found myself passing other riders comfortably, the wind was strong but a couple of weeks ago it finally clicked fir me to use the Tri bars, it made a massive difference and I was at 15.4 mph av as I reached Sheephouse, the plan here was not to panic about pace, just to get a rhythm and keep it up to the top.

The supporters on route were great and encouraging, I was amazed how many people were stood in the rain to support. The NYPTri banners on the corner boosted me as did the guys in costumes at the top of Sheephouse.

Jill flew past me at this point, "Come on"she called back, " It's flat at the bottom" I laughed and chased her down the hill. A couple of miles later I overtook her, and spent the next 40 miles or so overtaking people, my mph had dropped due to the Sheephouse climb to under 14 mph, I fought to get it back up. Just as I approached Hunters, the othe big climb I reached 15 mph again but it was about to drop as I climbed the hill. On the road someone had written "Do it for the Hub" I work in the Hub so that made me smile. It was great to see Tracey, a Will and Sharon, jumping around at the top, and shortly after a little voice called " You took some catching" and Jill shot past me. Don't chase I thought, ride my own race. I did and soon was aproaching Sheephouse again, I couldn't get my mileage back up, I got to 14.2 but had a loo stop which dropped it to 14.1 mph av. By 80 miles my back wax hurting after so long in the saddle and being on the Tri bars more than ever before, I got fidgety in the saddle and I struggled to keep the pace, other riders were now overtaking me, but I got to Hunters and there were now a few walking up, but I trundled slowly up, Tracey, Will and Sharon were still there. Right only a few miles to go and it will be over, I was worried that my sore back would trigger my sciatica so stayed off the bars but maintained 14.1. I just could not bring the average any higher, but it was more than the 13.8 required to make cut off on the bike.

I arrived in T2 at the Macron stadium, there was Tracey and Will again. I racked my bike, ran (hobbled) into the tent, grabbed my bag and sat down. Who was there? Jill. Yey, we made it, it was gonna happen, we could walk the next section if we had to, we were laughing and congratulating each other. She left first for the run, I took my time, getting some water down me, some salt and vinegar crackers and another mini Soreen in me, and set off on the run. It had struck me when I'd arrived on my bike how many people were walking, well I wasn't going to.

It took a while for my legs to start working but I was running (slowly) getting water at each station. I saw Jill at the turn, she was looking good and a fair bit ahead, but it gave me an I dea of how far I had left till the turn. Soon it was my turn to turn and head downhill for a while another couple of turns and I was running by a little stream and there were baby ducks on it. It was quite open though and the sun was now beating down, it was peaceful though.

As I crossed the stream and turned back on myself I saw the amazing Sid, he was on a mountain bike and in a marshalling vest, not in a morph suit or riding a BMX. He told me he had seen Billy and after a little chat he went off to find Billy and let him know I was ok.

Sid raises money for Birminghams Children's Hosiptal with the Poppyfields appeal. He often does bar my stuff like completing Outlaw Long Distance Tri in a morph suit and this year he is attempting it on a BMX. Sid is a real inspiration an has literally inspired hundreds of people he has never even met to commit to some form of exercise and raising funds and awareness for the Poppyfields Appeal. (His niece Poppy is a brain tumour survivor).

http://www.poppyfieldsappeal.co.uk/

Soon my stomach started to cramp, I felt myself leaning forwards and had to force myself to run upright, my run was already becoming a shuffle. I was on the main run loop now, heading uphill, I kept looking at the athletes on the other side, running down. There was Billy, yey! we waved and called out to each other, then there was Martin, and Mark, and Jill, yey! I must be nearing the turn. I was music, nutrition, water, loos. I went to the loo, yuk the portaloo was not in a great state, then got some water, and some electrolyte. The electrolyte was horrid but it was warm so I knew I needed it. I took a few pretzels, Yuk they were like sawdust. I washed it all down with the water and trotted off downhill.

I had been running for ages, everyone around me seemed to have a band, I didn't have a band. Oh no! Had I somehow missed getting my first lap band? I didn't want to have to run more than I needed. I asked a man as he ran beside me. You go into town first and then you get your band outside the school. Few I hadn't missed it. It was nice running down, even with gut cramp, I saw the band station and then heard my name, Tim, Angela, Sharon, Matt, Sheena, Dave and John were there supporting, another boost, I was overwhelmed by the fact that people had traveled so far to support, but I was gutted to see John, He missed the bike cut off by a few minutes (blasted wind) He ran across and chatted with me a while. Soon I turned down a sharper hill, there was Jill, It can't be far now, round the corner, there was Billy, and Martin, and then I saw Tracey and Will again. Another sharp hill, short and potholy this time going up, and another feed station turn a corner and then there were massive crowds, strangers cheering me on and then I saw Alison and Pete in the crowd, another boost. I ran almost to the finishing chute but then had to turn away with ??? You are an Ironman ringing in my ears as I set off for my first band. Right, I have to make that turn two more times before I can turn left down the magic carpet. Best get a move on. The sharp potholy downhill was horrid on tired legs but not as horrid as the sharp 200 m hill round the corner, then gentle incline up to the school collected my band and ran on. I say run, but it was rapidly becoming a shuffle, and the stomach cramp was just so persistent.

I ran (shuffled) my way around the course, long incline, supporters, band, longer incline, water, cola (I couldn't manage the gels in my pocket, the thought of them made me feel sick), turn, cola, long descent, up the short sharp hill, more cola, crowds, turn, water and cola, down the short sharp, up the short steep and repeat x 3. It was starting to get dim as I left the finish chute behind me a third time. I entered my last lap, the crowds were thinning, I constantly thanked those remaining and all the marshals as I passed, I saw Tim one last time and thanked him, just before I collected my last band. I had seen Jill in the same places each lap, she too was now finding it tough with a bad stomach, but we smiled as we aimed for that finishers chute, although I was now quite hunched I forced myself to straighten up as I made that final turn and set off the 3 miles back to town. It was tough holding back the tears, occasionally they escaped, everyone was so nice and supportive, total strangers giving up their day to volunteer and support the athletes. Its funny really how I never thought of the distance at the time, just aiming from one point to the next. As I ran past the band station on the way home I collected a glow stick. Come on me, nearly there. I ran down the hill and walked that last nasty potholy hill telling it how much I hated it and ran again through the feed station for the last time, surprised to see a few athletes heading in the opposite direction with a lap still to do. I hadnt considered time up to this point, I just accepted that I would complete the run section. It felt as If I had been running forever. I turned the corner into Bolton town center, the barriers were nearly empty at first, then as I neared the finish there were more spectators and finished athletes, the noise grew, my legs actually managed to move a bit faster, this is it, Ive done it, finally I turned left onto the red carpet, between the screaming crowds I could here my name, but my focus was entirely on that finish gantry, I raised my arms and passed under it. Helena You ARE an Ironman.

I was given my medal which weighed down my tired neck and the marshall turned me to see Jill, Yey she was an Ironman too. She came across and we hugged and then went into the change tent. She had refused to go until I had finished. We had succeeded for our supporters and proved our doubters wrong. We didnt set any records but were by no means last either. Jill was fundraising for Winston's Wish

https://www.justgiving.com/J-Holt1

We were like kids, exausted but ecstatic. Billy came into the tent too. I got my t shirt, Jill got me pizza, it was a bit salty for me but I managed half of it, Billy got me cake, I even struggled to eat that. but 2 cups of coffee had me back on my feet struggling into my compression leggings and top and heading for the finish chute to cheer in the final athletes with Billy, Martin, Tracey and Will.