It was a late decision to enter the SpecSavers IronMan in Port Elizabeth (PE). My main focus in December 2010 was to run sub 3 hrs 20 mins for the Dubai Marathon in Jan 2011. I was training hard with Abras and Creek Striders and doing some long rides on Saturdays with my friends Mike and Tania Atwell who were entered for SA. However as my work schedule reduced the opportunity presented itself- an event and the time to train for it. A discussion with Benny Walton at a Christmas party convinced me I should join Tri2A. A knock out flu bug in January meant I was a DNS for the Yas Tri (having racked my bike in the morning) and meant I missed the Marathon the week later. In the week of the marathon I staggered out of bed and met with Jason who I expected to tell me that attempting an Iron Man in 12 weeks time was likely to cause me some serious long term damage. He convinced me I could do it.
Rianca, Romy and I flew down to PE on Wednesday 6 April and luggage plus bikes arrived thankfully together. This gave us three days prep for the race. The accommodation was perfect: on the beach front, overlooking part the route and less than 1 km from the start. Great no stressing there! Breakfasted on Thursday under overcast skies and relatively calm seas watching lots of Germans/ Frenchies and SAFAs wandering in and out of the hotel in wetsuits going to and from swim practice. Got Athlete registration out of the way first thing on Thursday and bought a few of the must have Ironman souvenirs for post race bragging. Ran into Venny and Steve. Had a 5km jog in the afternoon to acclimatize and get the legs moving.
Thursday morning brought sun/ wind and 3 meter waves and fears that this race might just be about survival. Went for swim practice and was relieved that the water was not that cold. Battled out to the 300 meter buoy and literally surfed back to the beach. Through out the day watched with anxiety the sea get rougher and the waves higher. Picked up my bike on Friday from the PE equivalent of Wolfi’s (although much cheaper) and went for a 20 km cycle on the course. The road surface was so rough it was just not enjoyable. Decided that the risk of punctures was high and stashed two spares on the bike.
Saturday was 15/15/15 with the crew. Thankfully the sea was calmer and we had a “feel good” swim, gentle bike and easy run along the promenade. All were in good spirits and I just wanted to get on with it. The race briefing by the Race Director was really tough. There seemed to be a myriad of ways for being disqualified including littering. Talk of rats in the transition area persuaded me not to leave my nutrition on the bike overnight. Racked bikes in the afternoon and went for a Pasta meal with R and R.
Had a good sleep and was ready. With the Hafeet Camp, the Rak Half marathon and a good time over the long course in Abu Dhabi I discussed with coach that a target of 11 hrs 30 was possible. 1 hr 20 for the swim, 10 mins for 2 transitions and 10 hours for bike and run combo. With the goal of a 4 hour marathon or better. I would have to have the “perfect day” but it was possible. Coach expected 11 45.
Pumped my tyres and loaded “waitrose” onto my crossbar. Found a space at the 1 hr 20 min swim marker on the beach. Had a bear hug with Venny and wished good luck to Suz. I will never forget those moments before the start, the sun just rising; national anthem; a huge crowd and 1500 athletes waiting for the gun. I am not a swimmer so my strategy was to keep out of trouble and just enjoy it. The first lap went by in 44 mins. I enjoyed the run along the sand with the cheerleaders giving heaps of encouragement. Second lap was uneventful; managed some drafting and was out in 1 hour 30. Slower than expected but in good shape. Much to the amazement of a few other athletes I was helped out of my wetsuit and through transition by a young SA women in army fatigues (including putting my Gus and Bananas in my pockets). After burning my back raw in Abu Dhabi I was under strict orders from my wife to cover up with Sun Tan lotion (or never race again!!) So I got a fair covering of slip, slap slop and was on my way.
A benefit of being a slow swimmer is that you pass heaps of cyclists in the first 10 km of the race and that felt good. Reached the turnaround point and then disaster struck. I was overtaking riders on my inside but had not noticed a cycylist overtaking me. I didn’t drop back immediately and was “black carded” by a referee on a motor bike. Six minute penalty! (oh sh!T). I hadn’t even finished one lap and heaps of thoughts flashed through my mind; one more offence and I am out the race; all that training wasted; did I hear him correctly; can I appeal? Stopped at the Penalty Tent at the next aid station where they had no record of the offence. Decided not to challenge it and just take the medicine. So now had to cycle two and half laps without another offence or the day was over. My strategy was now to be very careful, total concentration, but try and make back the six minutes on the fast bits of the course. Thankfully the field had become strung out by laps 2 and 3, although my heart was in my mouth every time a referee’s motorbike went passed. On lap three saw Venny who branded me a “cheat” for drafting, caught up with Steve and Suz who all looked good. Emptied my waitrose trolley in the last thirty minutes of the bike and started to think about the run. After six hours I completed the most bone jarring, nut crushing cycle I have ever undertaken. The scenery was fab and it was on balance an enjoyable ride.
More Slip/ slap slop and was off on the run. I was in “my domain” but soon to enter un- chartered territory. I just did not know what the second half of a marathon in an iron man would look like. Many sages had said that an IronMan doesn’t start until you are 10km into the run. Coach had warned that you could lose an hour if you had start walking. Started out running 5 min kms and was trying hard to slow to 5 15/ 5 30 and get my heart rate down. For the first lap of 14 km I felt I was floating. I t was a great atmosphere; as we had our names on the bibs I got so much “come on David”- “looking strong” from the crowd. Lots of noise from the cheer leaders, smells of Boerworst on brais, and “Sultans of Swing” belting out from the Aid station on Marine Drive. Weather was good; sun shining and I thought four hours was looking good.
However, by the tunaround on lap two I was starting to struggle. Almost puked out a Gel and then decided at 20km it was triple coke and water to see me home. The kilometers between 20 and 30 seemed to tick over so slowly. Had brief cramp spasms in my calf and my right ITB was starting ache. Neck was sore from the bike and had to stretch every few kms but I never walked. The sun was setting and running around the back of the university and on the coast road it was getting lonely and chilly. Got great support from the two Claire’s outside the Radisson, Sarah and Noeline and Rianca and Romy and the Atwell boys. The turning point for me was reaching 32 km and knowing that there was only 10km to go. Yep can do that and started to pick it up- I could visualize running out and back along beach road from home to the Sunset Mall and pick it up on the way back. Managed to find the will power and energy to keep going around the university and then could see the Raddison in the distance and only 2 km from that point. Would go “all in” from there. The finish was a blur. I remember having a race with another guy who was also finishing strong, bumping elbows, the crowds were edging onto the roads by now and many were offering “cold carbs” as we went past. Two km, 10 mins: All over in ten minutes. At the entrance to the finishing chute my daughter Romy started running with me and telling me “ how proud she was” and that “I looked in good shape”. I had a nervy look over my shoulder to ensure whe was not blocking any other athletes. 11hours 45- finished. Take out a 6 minute penalty and I was 9 mins outside my hope for time of 11hrs 30. 4 hrs and 2 mins for the marathon. Coach predicted 11 45 so he was spot on.
It is just not possible to undertake these challenges without support mechanisms. Thanks to everybody in T2A for their advice and guidance during the build up and just knowing that the whole team was watching IronManlive was a great motivator- there can be no hiding. However I have to reserve the biggest thanks for my wife, Rianca, for her unequivocal support, encouragement and enthusiasm over the last three months. She only wavered once- when I heard her shout “Can’t you find a bloody hobby that means you don’t have to get up at 330 in the morning?” as I left for the IMSA team ride.
Can’t wait for the next one!
