since being diagnosed with Iron overload back in 2012, as a runner I was determined to fight this condition, I naturally gravitated to this event in the main due to its name sake but also the challenge of fitness and healthy body, I was unable to complete for a couple of years due to ill health, I signed up back end of last summer, bit of a gamble, unsure if I could achieve the training required.
The price was steep, no change from £300, but this was the event for me, winter training went well and I came through it without illness, first time in two years, 2018 looked positive, this was going to be the year.
i attended a briefing back in Feb that gave me all the info required, the rationale behind the move from Shrugbrugh. Approaching the race I was concerned about the lack of information until the race pack arrived in my inbox.
the registration and T1 &T2 set up is lengthy process, took up mostvof Saturday, but unavoidable, race day was a 03:00am start.
Swim leg was delayed due to fog, once going it was a rolling start, 2000 limbs everywhere, good job I train in similar open water sessions, it did not faze me, plenty of others were being pulled out, a PB for me!
Bike leg, flat they said! Undulating best describes the course, the hills the hills, after all it is iron man! Lots of crashes which made it slightly unnerving! All potholes were marked in orange which helped, the weather at this stage went full Balearics.Hot, Hot, Hot.
Run leg, actechnical course, not a fan, common in Triathlon though, 3 laps of Stafford, it worked out well, plenty of support, plenty of water stations, mixture of terrain too, just to break up the monotonous plodding, on this run, it was here I felt the pressure of achieving Ironman, plenty of vocal encouragement, support was incredible, some lovely lady stopped me to apply sun cream, she was like a guardian angel in blistering temperatures, the last lap was energy sapping, a sprint finish at the end made good a photo finish, loved the athletes area after that, a place to eat, drink and change before emerging into the crowds.
overall a fab event, it meant a lot more to me than anyone else, I am still unsure how I mustered the energy, during my training I could bearly move from my bed, I never followed a training programme, just listened to my body, day after day, trained, head down, took rest days as and when I was fatigued, I would encourage anyone to follow their dreams, accomplishment is one great feeling! Don’t hesitate, go for it.
next stop? The QE, ongoing monitoring for me I am afraid, also the chance to show of my shinny medal to the fab team at the liver unit.