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My partner Adam and I had been on holiday about a month before but with 3 weeks back in the UK before the race I hoped to get in a nice final block of training. However within 24 hours of landing I was covered in a rash which a few days later became aches and fever. Being a typical triathlete I tried to ignore it, train regardless and hope it would pass. It didn’t and I felt worse. Long story short is 2 years previously I had picked up a bug (again on a plane!) and ended up with a cough that wouldn’t shift. I kept training and ended up breaking a rib from coughing so much. This time I tried to learn. I did manage some bits and pieces but with a week to go the Team Tissink orders were to rest completely. While this was less than ideal I knew it was the only chance of me getting better in time for the race. In the time I wasn’t training I decided to start reading a sports psychology book. Although I couldn’t train myself physically it felt good to feel I was prepping my brain for the challenge ahead. One of the chapters had me come up with plans for what to do if x y or z happened. While another taught strategies for “staying in the moment” on race day – something I realised I’d been previously guilty of not doing. Finally 3 days out I started to feel a little more human and 2 days out I got some energy back in my legs. The day before the race I did a little bit of swim/bike/run and actually felt great. After several weeks of not feeling I could run for a bus, I suddenly couldn’t wait to race. Natalie and Raynard sent me a race plan – swim and bike, yes, and then start the run at 5min/k – gulp! While I know I run that in training without a problem, I just had a mental block with my running and have never gone under 4 hours in an Ironman run (often not by a long way!) Being a strong biker always makes this worse as basically I feel like I’m being overtaken the whole time. I figured I’d see how I felt as to whether I’d give that a go or not. Race morning came and it was forecast to be unseasonably warm and humid (something that follows me to races!). I went to put everything on my bike only to find my bike computer decided to freeze. No amount of trying to reset it would work. I did have a watch but I can’t see it when I’m on the bike so it was going to be a stat-free day. The swim was uneventful. The drip drip of the rolling start meant it was pretty/boring so I was quite happy for it to be over. I only had time of day to go by but figured it wasn’t a particularly fast swim for me (1:04). Never mind, stay in the moment, on to bike. The bike route was fantastic. It was flat but very windy – 2 things I like on the bike! Unusually for an Ironman it wasn’t closed roads but they were for the most part very quiet so it wasn’t a huge issue. I wanted to run well and I was also conscious that I had no idea how recovered I was from being ill so I tried to stay focused on listening to my body. I wanted to make sure I was able to fuel ok and also keep my temperature down. If I didn’t feel on top of those I eased back for 5 minutes until I felt back in control. I knew I’d passed a few women but had no idea where I was in the race at any point but kept telling myself it didn’t matter as it was about getting the best performance I could regardless of what anyone else was doing (more from the psychology book). The bike went way too quickly – I’d of happily gone around again, but as I came into T2 there was a massive fanfare as they announced I was the leading lady with a 5 hour flat bike split. I was super surprised but fully expected a rush of girls to fly past at any second. As I started the run a “lead bike” came up behind and explained they’d be there with me until I was overtaken. I joked again that that wouldn’t be long and then reminded myself to focus, stay in the moment and ignore everyone else. I started off and got into a rhythm and then looked at my watch – spot on 5min/k. At this point it felt ok so I figured I’d go with plan A and see how it went. I ran through the first few aid stations but with the warm temperatures I knew I was going to have to start slowing down through them to take on enough ice and fluid. As it was a looped out and back course I did get to see all the other girls coming at me but for once I managed to block it out and keep my focus on my race. I’ve heard athletes talk about staying in the moment and finally I understood what that was. I did get overtaken at around mile 19 but stayed focused on my race. Naturally it was all beginning to pinch by this point but for as long as I could I just focused on my form and getting the most I could from my body. With about 3 miles to go my legs did start to go and so it became a war of attrition. The “2nd lady” bike man later told me I took out quite a few bollards in this period but I was mostly just focusing on how I could continue moving forward with any muscles still able to function. My legs just about held out down the finishing shoot before I flopped over the line. Although the pictures don’t show it I was delighted to finish with a 3:53 run (at last!) giving a 10:07:17 overall. To finish 2nd lady overall was a bonus and it also gave me a slot for Kona 2018, but in truth I was just delighted to finally give a performance I knew I was capable of. Thanks to Team Tissink for making believe I could do it. Plenty still to improve on as always but it’s nice to end the (northern hemisphere) season on a high. |
