What a fantastic day that was!
Organisation was outstanding and all the marshall and feedstation support was unbelievable. The Pirate feed on the bike was just such a massive boost that it seemes a bit like an unfair advantage.
The swim was a bit of a blur for me. I started at the back of pen 3 and still managed to get myself swum over twice. About half way down the outward leg, my goggles started to leak, so I adjusted them and they started to leak worse. In fact they filled up, and it didn't matter what I did with them after that they were constantly full of water. Fortunately with the lake being so narrow I could site on the vague outline of the bank so I did that. Every now and then I emptied them out, got a look forwards and carried on swimming. Finally came out of the water in 1:39 with my eyes stinging like crazy.
Sat in T1 listening to the commentator saying that there were people still in the water who weren't going to make the cut-off and decided I'd better get my finger out. Pulled on the bike gear and out to the racking area, pausing only to grab a handful of sun cream to slap over myself. Saw FB and Petal at the bike mount which was a nice lift.1 mile out on the bike I was still trying to decide if my eyes were ruined from the swim. Got myself settled then discovered that the blurred vision was being caused by a thick coat of sun cream all over the sunglasses. Pocketed the offending article and decided to continue. Key learning point for next time: if something ain't right, stop and fix it. By the time I reached T2 my eyeballs felt like someone had sandpapered them.
Really enjoyed the bike. I was passing people regularly, and hardly being passed. I kept giggling to myself and thinking "I'm actually doing an Ironman!" Pirate feed was brilliant, and special thanks to the lady pirate who scavenged me a couple of gels when the previous feed had run out and I was starting to worry a bit about the nutrition plan. Lots of wind, then some rain, then some hail then some more wind and finally back into T2 for a 6:40 bike split.
Another epic transition and onto the run. I was just passing the finish chute for the first time when Harry Wiltshire finished thus guaranteeing a cameo on the telly.Felt great till just about 16 miles when I just stopped running. I don't remember making a conscious decision to stop, it just happened. Mixed up run/walk for the remainder, chatted to lots of people on the walk bits, including VT'd who was still incredibly cheerful considering how uncomfortable he must have been. Finally into the last lap and down the chute, accelerating all the way up to warp factor 10 minute miling to go through the tape for a finish of 13:32.
Had a brilliant day, made better by the support. I felt like a pro athlete at times, even if I didn't perform like one. Mentally, 13:30 was my everything goes like a dream target and to be 2 minutes outside that with the wind on the bike course was really satisfying. Even better, I never had a moments' doubt that I would finish from the instant the gun went off. Must have got all the doubting out of the way during the week.
Thank you Pirates. You rock! Now all I need to do persuade the family that I need to do another one.
