This was my 3rd race at the Middle Distance and my first under the Ironman brand.
I woke at 3am, had breakfast, loaded the car with the white bag. Made our way to Weymouth, it only took 40 mins as the roads were empty and what cars we saw on the road were also going to the event.
It wasn't tricky to find my bike in transition, got the nutrition sort on to the bike, set the computer and made my way to the staging area near the swim start. The sunrise was amazing and the sea was the calmest i had ever seen at weymouth. I hugged mum, made my way to the pen for 45 min. The pebbles were nasty under foot, could have done with matting. The announcer was getting everyone pumped up as the pro athletes set off on the swim. Thunderstruck by AC/DC was pumped out of the very loud sound system as the rolling start got underway. We all minced along the pebbles till it was time to get in the water. I hadn't done a warmup in the water which left me a little nervous, this wasn't a problem as the water felt the warmest I had known it at Weymouth. Very quickly I got in to my pace only to be blinded by the sun as we made the long way out to the turn buoy. Luckily having many athletes around me I just stayed on the toes of them. The water was clear and it wasn't long till we were approaching the exit, I quickly checked my garmin and it was 46 mins. I made my way to T1 and got myself out on the bike feeling proud of my longest sea swim and the fact I had made cut off. My plan on the bike was to target 15-16 mph witch a cadence of 83-85 so not to kill my legs for the run,my nutrition plan was to have 2 pieces of power bar wafer every 20 mins with a power bar drink. This worked a treat and was the first time my nutrition plan had gone to plan on the bike. Normally I find the bike section a little bit boring but as I kept to my plan it was soon over much to my delight. The hills weren't any trouble as I gained many places by passing people. I was a little shocked after watching a guy crash about 10ft infant of me on a sharp right hand bend. I completed the bike in 3:33 with an avg of 16mph and cadence of 84. Once back in the transition tent I got out of my kit and in to my run kit. Put the Macmillan cancer support vest on with my name in large letters on the front. Made my way out onto the run route and was actually very surprised to find my legs with in 20 metres. I planned to do a sub 2 hour 13.1 mile run and to walk through the aid stations to drink a water and a coke. By this time it was hot and i had forgotten my P20 sun cream...nothing I could do now but run.My pace felt good as I approached the pair and grabbed a coke and water, it was amazing as I had loads of people shouting my name and kids wanting to high 5 me. As I passed the macmillan cancer tent for the first time The noise was brilliant. The laps soon ticked by and I was on my final approach to the pavilion, I saw many friends support the event and It was so great to have the extra encouragement. I glanced down at my watch and I saw I was going to hit a sub 2 hour run. I made my way on to the magic carpet, I ran up the carpet looking strong as I had the carpet to myself as I ran under the arch. Got my medal and checked my watch. 6:36. Boom a new Pb and I was totally made up.