My first Ironman 2010 Busselton Ironman
Posted on by Gary Land
The morning prep was unlike that of a half Ironman. Pump up tires, fill water bottles, sunscreen and a HELL of a lot of Vaseline in all areas. I mean all areas. I didn't want any discomfort during the race.
I wandered over to the start and prepared myself. Dean was having slight troubles at the hotel checking out at 5:30am so I left my back etc at a stall, rang him and with brief words I was off to the start.
21.1 degrees the water was and I was the only person I could see not wearing a wetsuit. It was a little chilly but the nerves seem to numb me and I was use to the temperature from open water swims. I slipped my way through the field with weird gazes from the field and a few comments. "I'm allergic," "Oh I hope you can make it then!" it was amusing small talk. 3mins to start, I was oddly calm. Looking around I surveyed the 1000+ athletes surrounding me, the calm water and the thousands of spectators. This was it.
I burst of the bottom acceleration quickly to clear out of the group. It was a quick separation a group of around 20 of us. It was there I remained for the complete swim. At no point did I push or go out of my comfort zone. I decided to relax and take it easy on the feet of my competitors and exit with them. 5th in my age to be exact with probably only another 3 or 4 age groupers in our pack. Nice.
Running into transition I was preparing myself for the ride, 5 hours. My helper empty my bag and helped me with socks and helmet as someone else lathered me in sunscreen. Sunnies on, 2mins 58seconds and I was off on the bike. The first 15km was really about getting in the groove, flushing out the legs as they still felt heavy.
By the hour I started to feel good and slipped into the zone averaging 37kph. I made sure to drink as much as I could and fuel well, at least 4gels or power bars and hour was my plan. From water bottle full of Nuuns, back two L Glutamine and Gastrolite to be used throughout the race to prevent muscle breakdown and keep salt levels up.
60km 36.9kph average, I was hitting that target zone and feeling good. On the way in to town I noticed the wind had picked up a little so would have to watch that. by the 75km mark a group past me and I couldn't help but pick it up slightly. 12m is the legal drafting buffer, I will say I was at around 9 for a good 10mins. Sitting up to rearrange my gels from my back pocket I thought to myself I should drop off to the 12m mark when my good friend on the motorbike issued me a yellowcard. We spoke briefly, told him I knew what I did and asked where the penalty box was.
It didnt phase me much, I had done the wrong thing the penalty was deserving. at 93km I jumped off 36.2kph average I had slipped slightly but still feeling fresh. 4mins of standing. I think it was good for me, got to stretch out the hamstrings which where tightening due to the wind. My friend on the motorbike came back and complimented me on my demeanour, "You are the nicest person I have yellowcared today". I told him it was simple, its very windy out there, a lot of people will draft for some point even if its 2mins. I did the wrong thing, I deserved it. I think it was a good attitude to have, why let it have a negative affect on my race. Read More thanks Kieran Carrigan
