Challenge Copenhagen August 15 2010

A little delayed on the race report but I'm glad to say I finished the race, my first Ironman, what an experience!

Swim (3.8km)

Got to the swim start with time to spare only to find that my bike kit had been flooded, my cycling shoes and socks soaked through. Luckily I was wearing some running socks but this didn't do my nerves any good. As we all stood on the beach at the race start I began to think of all the things that could go wrong, I was very nervous especially since the weather was terrible and we seemed to wait for an eternity on to start the race. Once the starting horn sounded all these thoughts went to the back of my mind and I just began swimming as fast as I could. The water tasted disguisting and I had to stop a few times to gag which caused my goggles to leak. The support along the entire course was amazing, especially considering the rain and I heard my sister shouting over the top of everyone as I passed under one of the bridges. I felt like I was swimming slowly but exited the water in a very respectable 1hr 16mins.

Cycle (180km)

As I came out of the water I became dizzy which is to be expected but I attempted to run in a straight line and got through the transition in just a few minutes. The first part of the cycle was a windy section through the centre of Copenhagen. During this period I settled into a rythm. The next part of the course was very flat and followed alngside the coast. I stayed down on my tri bars and felt very good at this point. I was holding back but still going through the splits averaging 30km/hr. I kept this pace up for the entire first lap which turned inland and became surprisingly hilly. I concentrated on the road to ensure that I didn't go over anything that could cause a puncture and made sure I stuck to my nutrition plan. Everything went to plan, I never came close to cramping and despite seeing lots of puntured bikes on the side of the road, perhaps got a bit lucky and survived without any problems. I did get a shock on the cobbled sections of the course as I had not expected these to be so severe. The support here was fantastic but I did not enjoy cycling over the cobbles one bit. On the second lap I slowed a little along the coast where the wind and distance started to affect me and at one point felt like I may not be able to go the distance. I kept going however and picked up the pace as I returned to Copenhagen and the city. I completed the cycle leg in 6hrs 30mins but was worried about how my legs would react to running after cycling 112 miles.

Run (42.2km)

I didn't waste any time in the second transition and began the marathon very strong. At the first aid station I became desparate for the toilet and had to queue for almost 10 minutes which didn't do my time time any good but I didn't really have any choice in the matter. I the set off again at a steady pace. The support on the run course was absolutely incredible. The route took in all of the sights and every time I saw my family it gave me a real lift. This support kept me going for the first lap. On the 2nd lap I began to slow so decided to chat to a friendly chap called Nev to take my mind off things. It's amazing that so much of the race is mental but by the time the 3rd lap came around I couldn't keep up with him. I had a really bad period at this point and ended up using a walk run strategy. After eating every apple that I could find at the aid statons I perked up again and managed to run towards the city centre and the finish line. I shut my eyes and gave it everything to keep going and became very emotional as I knew I was about to finish. At the start of the day I honestly thought that I wouldn't make it but here I was at the finish line. All my family came over to congratualte me but I didn't really know what was going on and was completely exhausted. Crossing the finish line was the most incredible experience and made all of the training and build up worth the effort. I finished in 12hrs 45mins but for me the time is completely irrelevent, anyone who starts the race let alone finishes deserves a huge amount of repect. After years of training and dreaming of finishing the race I had finially done it. What a day!