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flyaway wrote (see)

Swim:  Drafted pretty much the whole way, most of the way up on the heels of someone with a helix wetsuit and blue Achilles tape. Every now and then, whoever this was would get annoyed at my constant toe-tickling, and swim off, but I generally managed to hunt him down again.

Hold on....helix wetsuit, blue achilles tape, swim finish in 1:19. I think " Achilles-boy" may just have been me. Glad to have been of assistance.  Shame you couldn't do the same for me on the bike

Golden Boots wrote (see)

 At IM Wales I had to urinate about 20 times on the marathon, this time I went about 8 times but on the bike. This is something I need to work out why, I didn’t drink excessively I don’t think,

GB That last sentence has got to be a joke right!

Great reports everyone. Loving reading them 

Arrived Saturday with Azattack and pitched up in the Pirate stronghold. Chatted with Meface and Cake and crew plus a few others, Great atmosphere on the campsite.

Swim:

Water stank like Sh*t and was glad to be on my way. Had somehow managed to mislay my new goggle so only had my old leaky ones but managed to sort them out after about 10 mins. Found the new ones in the bottom of the car when I got home on Monday! Swim felt OK if a bit more choppy on the way back but not too bad. On the return leg was swimming next to someone who was crouched down and walking. tried to shout "swim you cheating B***ard" at him but only succeeded in swallowing water so left him to it

Out of the water in 1:19 slower than last time but only by a few mins and felt OK

T1 was steady for me and was soon out on the bike

Bike training this year has not been as good as previous years so was expecting to average 16-17mph but the first loop saw me at 19-20mph and feeling good. The Pirate feed station was the best by far and raised my spirits no end but then soon after we turned in to the wind and the speed started to fall. Struggled from that point and apart from the second visit to the Pirate feed station found the rest of the bike tough. Saw TST on the roundabout with her very welcome smile. Chatted with a few Pirates along the way. Nearly knocked Muffin top off her bike as we both made a rush for the bananas at one feed station (Sorry again). Saw a couple of Pirates in dire straits at the side of the road which I guess must have been Capn Jack and Spongecake, Was glad to get back to HPP but had seen my 6:15 bike finish evaporate to 6:50.

T2 New socks, off with the bike gear, on with the run shoes and out of the tent.

RUN

The strategy was to run between the aid stations then a bit of a walk to take on nutrition. Set off down the lake and felt great but didn't realise till I headed back down the lake that I'd had a following wind. It was hard work starting the run again but I realised if I didn't start running again I would have an excuse not to get going again later in the race. Loads of Pirates on the course made it great fun but definitely some grumpy ones. Plenty of shouts and waves from the Pirate supporters around the course and they seemed to be everywhere. High fived Azattack a couple of times. Declined Cakes offer of a swig of the black stuff on the second lap. Traded places with Slimshady a few times and managed to sing him a little song as I passed him again on the final lap.Why does the last 200m seem so easy. Finished up the chute to loads of roars from the crowd and to look at my finishing photo it looks like I won the race. Finished in 5:00.

TOTAL 13:25

Satisfied and course tamed (on my terms at least). Only down side of the day was I missed out on the busty masseur  but I may well have embarrassed myself if she had picked me out of the queue.

Great weekend. Definitely one to remember but I've promised the wife no more long course for me.

Well done to all the Pirates you really made the event whether competing or supporting. Next year I may be back again as a supporter or even a relay team.

This years Outlaw journey began for me in 2010 when I finished the race after damaging my leg exiting the swim and struggling around the rest of the course. Although I'd finished in 14:40 ish I felt the race had beaten me and although I only intended to do one IM distance race the seed had planted that I should return to run the race proper. So I took a year gap and broke the news to my long suffering wife and kids that I wanted to enter in 2012. They reluctantly agreed and training began in December. All was going well until the end of April when my achilles started to play up and I ended up not running for 6-7 weeks. Managed to get my run up to 10 miles before the taper began but I knew it was going to be touch and go if I could make the run distance. So here is what happened..............

The pirate feedstation was the best feedstation by far, efficient, great support, lots of smiles and cheers and we got to visit it twice .... double bubble. Thanks to all involved.

All packed now. Only need to stick on the tattoo and I'll be ready to race. Setting off at 9:30 tomorrow, should take about an hour. Good luck everyone.