I'm still hot but very out of it and quite low I saw monique head for the finish and i'm aware now that i need to run walk to get to the finish... I don't have any run left in me. I jogged a bit and ran a bit, stomach still bad, been trying fruit and fed up with bananas and just water on the walk i had 3 gels up to 15k but nothing fo about and hour and my energy was seriously lacking

and then my hips just seized up and i ground to a halt - I shuffled on for a bit but knew i was done for, my biker tried to egg me on a bit, but i was absolutely finished and I wanted to just collapse, well throw up and go to sleep actually, but i just trudged to transition - i'd just run out of time, energy, legs and any kind of willpower keeping me going - lawrence of arabia still smiling but dragging a leg came past and i told him i was dropping out...

I'm back for the next instalment - pah to work.

Nessie, i'll have a couple of both if you don't mind. Do you want a cup of tea while i'm on my feet?

Bollox - I hadn't realised that last post was coming :-(

I can't cry at my desk can I ?

wow, well done zilla, this sounds like alot of pain that you carried very well.

I must admit, i felt better knowing that i'd stopped and not ended up on a drip (har har) and when i saw the supporters they were all really cool - lots of back slapping hugs - not good for sunburn but good all the same.

Still feeling sick i went to the medical tent on my way to get changed to see if they had something to settle my stomach

and they laid me down, took my blood pressure which was 90/65 (rather low!) and put me on a drip. It took them 5 minutes to find a vein - i said this is weird, normally they are just there standing out and the nurse replied "what's normal right now" good point but trippy eh?

Fantastic write up Godzilla, really gives a feel of what IM is like.

Ooh, yes please Dillo.

:o(

Even sad when you knew the ending, Amanda.

feck me Zill... Your perseverance is brill... I salute you.

met carl and Candy in the showers (note that was met rather than a meating) and saw JB and punch come in

Real respect to the rest of the pirates - There was a heck of a lot of pain being endured out there a lot of it with smiles and good humour...

I didn't push myself to the point of collapse, and there are a lot of if's for me as to what wen't wrong and why i didn't finish, but most of it came down to having a bad bike and thats down to injury and loss of the long and hilly rides in training for most part i think. my 8.10ish bike time wasn't a disaster in itself, but you need to be able to run to get to the end

Thanks guys - I'm going to get fitter lose some flab and get my short run times down for 2006, then in 2007 i'm going to come back and maybe slap the beast on the arse...

Hats off to you Zilla for carrying on as long as you did and for writing such an inspiring report...oddly enough it makes me want to go for an IM in 2006 even more...

:o)

That's fighting talk where I come from.

You deserve this.....



<MWAHHHHHHH>

[that was to Zilla of course]



[although there is something alluring about amanda's picture ;o)]

Ta guys this race report was bought to you at a cost of 35SWF

:-)

Fantastic zilla. Great report. I am in awe.

oh i forgot to say my special needs bag was open on one of the tables on the run course - i ran past it three times thinking what maniac brings cashew nuts, a boost bar, some crackerwheat, mini jaffa cakes, go gels and some mini jammie dodgers on a run course....


ahem

Godzilla,
You are a literary genius. Gripping stuff. You have set the standard for the other reports.

I have to say - being a pirate was great, if i were all misty and sentimental like Smithy is, i'd have to say i really really enjoyed this week. Pirates rule and i think they will be out in force on many an occasion.

Thanks Zilla. Commiserations for not quite finishing but what a fantastic effort nonetheless and as Amanda says, a truly inspiring report. I am in awe of anyone who indeed attempts an ironman, so hats off to you :)