Tuesday 9 September 2008

Ironman UK

Guys and Gals,

It took 12 hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds (if you're interested it was 1:02:35 for the swim, 6:29:26 for the bike and finally 4:31:27 for the marathon from hell).

The weather was atrocious and the Pros were posting times 20 minutes slower than normal. It was extremely windy, churning up the lake in one direction so I kept swallowing water (this must have kept me hydrated - every cloud....??). The swim course was very long and narrow, which had the psychological effect of making it look a very long way. And the very real physical effect of channelling 1600+ swimmers into a narrow space resulted in the entire first lap (about 30 minutes) spent being kicked, punched and swum over. Is the correct past tense swum?, it always sounds funny to me.

Anyway the winds meant the energy was sapped out of my legs by about 90 miles round the bike and the magic healing power of pepsi cola had to carry me the last 22 miles of the bike course. Oh yeah did I mention the course was hilly? The bike course was hilly. The course seemed to me to be morphing spontaneously as the race went along, hills got exponentially more frequent, steeper and longer as I progressed over the second and then third laps.

The run course was great. I don't even like running! It was a miracle I found I could actually run off the bike. In fact I was very glad not to be in the saddle as I just been 6 and a half hours in that position. The first 10 miles of the run were a dream, it seemed so easy. I was not going fast but I wasn't hurting as I imagined I would. The course took us through Sherborne town centre past crowds and through the castle grounds past more crowds - seeing people really lifted the spirits when the going got tough towards the end.

I kept eating and drinking disgusting sports gels, water, pepsi and pretzels at the aid stations. Miles 10 to 16 things started to hurt. I could tell I had been awake since 3:30am and I started to brood over all the rubbish little things that I tend to brood over. What they really need is someone at the aid stations to slap people round the face. This is what I picture as you go past....

Water?

"er, no thanks..."

Gatorade?

"er, no thanks..."

Slapping?

"yeah baby"

Anyway this is just a passing thought.

Between miles 10 and 16 I had to have a little walk as my energy started to fade. I would go past the aid stations but that pepsi buzz could not quite carry me to the next one.

The final 10 miles were surreal. I had to walk and jog whenever I had any mental/physical energy left. This was when seeing the official Oxford Tri Club Support Squad in the crowd each lap really helped. A big thanks for showing up. Really.

Anyway with two miles to go I thought to myself something like

"two miles to go"

which lead to this rather foolish thought

"I'll try and jog this last bit and ignor my body. Yeah."

which lead to my left calf going

"Oi mate!! What do you think you're playing at? Thats it I've had it. Go find yourself a new leg"

my calf was very stubborn about this. I had to walk the last two miles.

The finish was amazing. It was so loud. Everyone was going absolutely nuts. It was great. I tried a smile at the finish and found my face muscles were still obeying me. I got the medal, a photo and was pleasantly surprised to find the good people at Ironman provide beer and curry in the athletes area.

Next year I think I will stick to half IM (or under) distance races . The way I see it is you can do half as much training. I'm pretty sure that most coaches and sporty types differ from me on this opinion. Or I might try something different altogether. Who knows.

A VERY BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED ME. THE PEOPLE AT BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION WILL BE CHUFFED WITH THE CASH AND USE IT TO HELP PEOPLE N THAT. YOU CAN STILL SPONSOR ME AT www.justgiving/jamescurrie IF YOU WANT TO.

xx James xx

8 comments:

Le_Gore said...

Well done mate, sounds absolutely horrendous...you must look like (someone who is incredibly fit) now?
Hope your well.
Lee

Anonymous said...

Nearby mall Clubs Footwear is among the most leading promoting goods on-line. This makes certain that you discover your preferred pair on the internet that as well even though utilizing the added enjoyable of discount shopping. Sorts of plaza clubs on the internet that you can join by paying a nominal fee and obtain the membership.
With the rise of snow boots, in Australia surfing resort - Perth, UGG Australia brand's founder Brian Smith identified surfers would put on the snow boots ashore, which are not only comfy and warm, and whose thick wool can absorb the water on the feet rapidly with the objective of maintaining the foot dry. As a outcome, he introduced the snow boots to the California, United States. He [url=http://www.mpboots.co.uk/]cheap ugg Boots[/url]
produced the UGG Australia brand in California, where these womens winter boots created quickly.
They involve exactly the same sorts of mimicking expertise as cigarette smoking Uggs Uk Sale. Typically set on the full wide range of excess weight due to the reality they compromise their selves Uggs Traditional Tall. Does nicotine impact excess weight and fat fluctuation Tall Uggs.
1911 Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen Colonel equipped with full set of outdoor products and chanel handbags became the first particular person to successfully conquer the South Pole even cheap uggs y brand [url=http://www.dalinsell.co.uk/]ugg Boots sale[/url]
to the planet. Over the years Moncler has grown considerably as www.dalinsell.co.uk
a premium clothing brand that provides stylish and comfortable garments for guys and girls. it is no longer just for sportsmen but has been effectively-identified and loved by far more and a lot more ordinary folks.

Anonymous said...

just stopping by to say hi

Anonymous said...

look at ZVDlTDuQ [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/]top replica handbags[/URL] to get new coupon TvmzIAtU [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

you definitely love zeZIyCEw [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/]7 star replica[/URL] for more bTaBCVFN [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

look at HTzykPHa [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/]designer handbags for less[/URL] , for special offer KXYeUWbT [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

always i used to read smaller articles or reviews
that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading here.


Here is my homepage; weight loss tips

Anonymous said...

San Geronimo scar removal

my web blog: scarfixed.com