IRONMAN UK,BOLTON 01/08/2010

WSW & TC member Alain MacPherson reports on his recent Ironman Triathlon performance:

Overall I am happy with this, the idea of a full IM was not the plan at the start of the year, only a hilly 70.3 !!, as I had only entered a day before, the entry deadline 5 weeks ago, this did not give me much time to get ready, but having done the 70.3 distance in June with lots of bad luck, I felt I could get something positive for my efforts.I had felt the experience at Wimbleball, would educate me well for even longer events.

With finishing, the first real target, a sub 12 was my realistic target on the watch, this was done with splits of, swim 2.4 mile 1 hr 16 min's, bike 112 mile 6hr 4 min's ( 101st ) and a 3 hr 58 marathon, a sub 4 marathon was always my target for a race like this, first time round, next time at this distance, I will be adjusting the marathon target.

Overall, delighted with swim, having not done sub 40 at middle distance, twice, I can have no complaints with 1 hr 16 for full IM, Whilst I got battered a bit at wimbleball, I was able to give something back this time round, Alternate breathing all the way, inc the 200m to the swim start. swim coaching at the pool in earlier part of the year ( thanks Chris ), with recent weekly visits to Gossfield lake, paid off at last.

Having left the lake, feeling much better and quicker than expected, I used a few moments in transition to prepare and make the 112 mile bike ride, more comfortable, this proved to be a wise move with a split of 6 hr 4 min's, on an undulating 3 loop course, the 1st loop being slowest, I felt a bit wobbly at 80 mile, but nothing a mars bar could not sort out, once I passed the ton marker, the marathon ahead, was getting some consideration.

The marathon course had very few mile markers, and started with 3 miles of woodland mud !!, the rest of course was also undulating, taking in gravel country paths along canal banks and a sight of the finish line atmosphere at maybe 11 or 12 miles  !! I only noticed the 4,10,15,20 and 23 signs !!! when I was climbing over the "marathon wall", I was hoping to see an 18 mile marker, or at least 17,  about 5 minutes later I stumbled across the 15 marker, I knew then I was in for some pain ( quite a lot ), On passing the 20 marker, the mind calculator was giving out bad sums, the watch was at 3hrs 8 mins, I had passed 10 mile at 1 hr 23, I had made the plan of walking through all  drinks/ fuel stations for the run, the only change I made about this was, at 20 miles, it was to take on even more at the next 2 stations, I was that well gone I was even eating  the skins of the banana's being given out !!

23 miles read, 3:35 marathon time, this was time to pull fingers out and socks up, from this point, the challenge was on, how much do you want it ?, I went into battle with every one I could see in front, the watch was soon at 3: 45 marathon time, a click to IM time and the carrot is there for an 11 30 IM, at 3 hrs 50 marathon time, I can hear the finish line, the pace is good, it's now hang on in there, time, I pass as many as I can, without reply, the next clock I see will be above the finish line !!

It's soon there, I pass the finish line on a time of 11 hours, 30 minutes and eight seconds, its the best sight in Bolton ( LOL ), the watch tells me, its a sub 4 marathon, but only just. I am pleased with the long days effort, I just want proper food and a pint of stella, I am also still standing, I see the other half ( Dawn ) in the crowd," wow, well done, Iron Man Al " she shouts, Dawn had stated on Face book I would not get below 12 hrs, she feared for bad luck, which could mean a bad winter !!, its not even 5 mins post race, and I mention " Next IM course I do will be Frankfurt or the 70.3 in Antwerp, some where flat and fast " In a polite way, I get orders to forget about racing, I tell her " No more this year " Yeah right" is the reply, followed about reminders of jobs to do.

With the cheque, cashed in, the next stop is the London marathon, inc build up races of course. 

Alain MacPherson