John Franklin: Runner: Ironman UK Race report

A little later than intended, this is IMUK from my own eyes.

The weather in the preceding week had been dire, wind and rain had turned the car parks into quagmires on arrival and it showed no sign of letting up for race day. I registered on the Saturday and went through the obligatory process of checking all my transition bags 18 times. I had horrible images of getting out the swim and realising I had no bike shoes or getting to the run and having forgotten by gels. With the admin sorted and the briefing done I returned to the hotel to quietly brick myself in my room.

I don't think I've ever been that nervous. Anticipation is normal as you know a race is going to hurt but the following day I was about to undertake something I'd never done before, I really was going into the unknown.

6:00AM - 1500 neoprene clad athletes are grouped by the exit of transition resembling the throng amassed at a fetish convention. Thankfully it isn't pissing it down but the wind is strong and the mood is one of nerves. As we proceeded to the swim start half an hour late due to it not being light I remember one of the commentators talking about one competitors "thousand mile stare". Only once I was in the water did I realise he had been talking about me.

6:30AM - The hooter sounded and I went like hell to get onto someones toes. As with every swim once I found my rhythm I just needed to keep plugging away and ensure I didn't swim into the reeds. I was extremely happy to exit the water in just under the hour following a fairly cold but otherwise uneventful swim. Thank God for wetsuits!

7:30AM - Following a speedy(ish) transition I was out on the bike and 180km of rolling countryside awaited. On the route report for Tri247 I remember saying the hills didn't seem to bad. Sorry for anyone who took that to heart because they were bad, very bad. Laps 1 and 2 were OK, I kept the cadence high and took on a far bit of food. That said malt loaf just ain't as good when you have to force it down your throat. Lap 3 was hell, my legs went and everything dropped, the speed, the cadence, the HR and more importantly the will to live. I plugged on and eventually came back in just over 5h 45m. My target had been 5.30 so I was a little annoyed by later found out it had been a very slow day for all concerned.

1:45PM - The first 8 miles of the run were amazing, it felt easy, I was cruising at 8min/mile and was on for a 10.30 finish. I even gave the small Team John supporters club a thumbs up at mile 7. At mile 9 the wheels came off. The ghost of injuries past returned to haunt the last 16miles of my day. My ankle went meaning I had to change my run stride and about 1 mile letter my total lack of mileage caught up with me. The last 16 miles were my own personal hell. Everyone and there dog came past me and I moved from pushing for second in my AG (my perennial finishing position) down to 5th. A 4.04 marathon does not reflect my abilities as a runner and I am annoyed with the time but I have dealt with that and should have altered my race plan due to my injury. 99th and 5th in AG is OK but when the Kona slot went to a guy only 18 mins quicker than my hobble along marathon time I can't help but think how sweet it would have been to go to the big Island this year...

Overall it was one hell of a day. I was making plans for my next one less that 24 hours later when I hope everything I've learned will mean elementary mistakes can be ironed out. I've had to miss Rimini so am currently enjoying the off season but am meeting with my new coach to discuss what 2009 has in store.