Ironman UK - Violation of Rule #42
“A bike race shall never be preceded by a swim and/or followed by a run.” The Velominati
Sunday, 04 August 2013
The morning started with a 3am alarm call. All the work had been done. The training was complete. All the gear was in place. Tina had slept the night at T1. The running shoes were at T2. It was time for this year's Ironman UK.
The Ironman is an endurance triathlon, consisting a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 mile bike, followed by a 26.2 mile marathon. For the fifth consecutive year, Ironman UK was held in Bolton, Lancashire. Over 1,600 athletes had entered from 36 nations. It was truly an international field.
I had entered the event for the first time last year. 17 hours were available to complete the grueling course. In the eyes of the event organisers... to finish is to win. My time was 13:28:27. This year I was targeting sub 12 hours. And again, in the eyes of Ironman... anything is possible!
The Swim (2.4 miles)
The swim started at precisely 6am with a loud hooter across the water. Before you knew it, There were 3,200 arms and feet flapping in the water. Welcome to Pennington Flash.
Swimming in open water is brutal. Imagine swimming in a bucket of eels, with the odd elbow and ankle thrown your way. Revenge is sweet. When someone touches your legs, you kick that bit harder in the hope you make contact. Corning buoys is like cycling in a bunch sprint whilst going round a hairpin with your eyes closed. You have to hold your nerve (and hang on to your goggles). It’s not for the faint hearted.
36 minutes and I was out of lap 1. An Australian exit meant you exit each lap, cross a timing belt and then jump back into the water. Before I knew it, Lap 2 was complete and only 1 hour 19 mins on the clock. I felt fresh and was very pleased going into T1. Wet suit off. Chamois cream on. And to the bike. I was in 812th position.
The Bike (112 miles)
At last. This is what I had been waiting for. I’d ridden the course so much in training that I knew every pot hole, it's size and depth.
The choice of attire was simple. I would wear my tri-suit, a gillet, and pack an additional waterproof just in case. However, I was surprised at how little the other athletes were wearing. Perhaps its a triathlete thing. They have fewer grey cells and don’t feel the cold. I had trained in all weather conditions so I was prepared for the worst. I decided I knew the course better and the unsettled forecast would give me a home advantage.
The bike route heads from Penningston Flash to some of the most beautiful parts of Lancashire. On reaching Rivington (venue of the 2002 Commonwealth Games MTB and Road Race events), the route follows a 3-lap course, starting with Sheep House Lane, a 4km climb that takes in 200m of ascent. A fast downhill section and you drop into Belmont Village. A sharp left turn, you follow the A675 Belmont Road, through Abbey Village towards Preston. A left turn onto the A674 brings you back towards Chorley, through Buckshaw Village, Runshaw Lane, Eccleston (home of Sir Bradley Wiggins), Coppell, Atherton, Addlington and back to Rivington. Head down and continue for two more laps. The Ironman UK has a reputation for being a hilly course. Total climbing 2,200m.
In Ironman, the rules on drafting are strict. Athletes must keep 10m (6 bike lengths) between bikes except when passing. Failure to do so (and get caught) results in a 6 minute penalty, as race-favourite Harry Wiltshire and former modern pentathlete Greg Whyte later found out.
On the nutrition front, I had decided to be self sufficient with food and would only take on fluids. You typically burn 12,000+ calories during an Ironman event, therefore you need to consume as much as possible on the bike. I had taken three water bottles: one for fluids, one filled with tropical flavour SIS gel (mmm... 12 sachets all emptied into one bottle), and one bottle filled with energy bars with their wrappers pre-cut for quick consumption. This strategy worked a treat.
The feed stops were excellent. Traditional sportives could learn a lot from this event. Water bottles and rubbish are discarded 50m before each feed station. Fresh water bottles, isotonic drinks and bananas all presented to you as you slow down to collect (no need to stop on these events!). There was another rubbish area 50m after each feed station.
The crowds were impressive too. Every hill climb, junction and pub had high-spirited folk lining the streets. As the day progressed, the crowds swelled in numbers. Sheep House Lane was starting to resemble Alpe d'Huez and Belmont Village was it's Dutch Corner!
Experience plays a big part. Last year my feet hurt immensely on the final lap. I blamed my socks at the time. This year was different. I'd been training without socks (just like the pros), and had learnt to override the pain... shut up legs! I knew when to push. I would keep a high cadence and peddle at all times.
The final 4km section was clocked at an average 50.2 km/hr. Tina was flying. We arrived at T2 in 124th position.
The Run (26.2 miles)
Bike shoes off. Running shoes on. Savlon on. Check. More Savlon. Double check.
Leaving T2 was a gentle run through Horwich and towards Bolton town centre. However, on reaching 10km, you’re presented with a nasty little 10% climb... shut up legs! You then join a relatively flat 3-lap circuit, in and out of Bolton town centre. The run course works really well for athletes and spectators. You get to know the roads, the crowds, the feed stations and your position relative to the field.
Again, the crowds were impressive. Although rain was persistent and torrential downpours were present, it didn't dampen the spirits of the runners or the crowds. In fact it was ideal conditions for the run.
The Finish Line
It’s hard to explain what it feels like when you’ve put your body on the line for nearly 12 hours. You’re hurting. Everywhere. It’s emotional.
The organisers talk about a journey to the magic carpet. The final 50m is a red carpet that turns pain into pleasure. It’s a place where you’re able to high-five spectators on both sides of the crowd. You're overcome with joy. 12 months of training finally pays off. Over the loudspeaker you hear your name. “Robert Buckley. You. Are. An. Ironman”.
The men’s race was won by Daniel Halksworth, who held off training partner Stephen Bayliss to win in 08:45:48. The woman’s race was dominated from start to finish by Lucy Gorrainge to win in 09:29:12. My total time was 11:44:11 (46th in age category, 272nd overall).
Violation of Rule #42. To fully understand the consequences breaking The Rules, look no further than Stephen Rowe, who crossed the line shortly after 11pm... 17 hrs 13 mins after the start. Unbelievable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaAUWqdrA4k
Ironman UK inspirational trailer