This time last year I had never done a half ironman (or half marathon) and last weekend I was on the Pro start line of Ironman Uk 70.3! They say it's the toughest in the world... Well it certainly is a tough one but as they say it’s the same for all of us. I was really excited about this race, I had been looking forward to it since Mallorca and couldn't wait to see the course and to race there. On race morning there was a little panic. As they were calling the athletes to the start and just as I was rushing to put my wetsuit on I realised that my number was missing.... And the panic begins, I start running around like a loon looking for help and recruiting some people to help me get a number sorted! (thanks to Jos ex Corley Cycles, and Tim from Compressport!)
Panic over and off to the swim start, I felt calm considering and have learned not to panic in the water and to just get on with it. Having a very short space between the pros and age groupers meant that some of us got totally beaten up within about 30 seconds of starting the race and continued to be beaten up until the end of the swim, taking on plenty of water!
Out of the swim and the plan was to have a swift transition and to get settled in on the bike. I started fairly fast but then settled in and after around 20 minutes caught one female then another at around 40 minutes, I knew at that point that I was in 4th so I just tried not to go too hard and kept a nice steady pace, just riding the hills the way I like to! (I do like my hills). Not long in to the second lap I passed Sam Warriner who had punctured, I tried to judge how long she had been there and it looked like she hadn't been there long so I started thinking I might not be too far behind the others.
On to the run and I started fairly steady and controlled, then towards the middle of the second lap I totally got totally over excited. I was gaining ground very quickly and everyone then started shouting and encouraging me which made me go even harder to catch the first two. Suddenly I was with the first two and started pushing on even more. A move I now regret as I feel it could have been what cost me the race. The sensible option would have been to sit behind, breath, control myself, take on some nutrition then make my move but instead the over excitement and my inexperience led to me hammering on. I took the lead as we ran up the very steep section of the course, Emma-Kate then came back behind me and was on my heels before she burst past me. At this point I tried to go with her but I had spent so much getting passed her initially that I was unable to go this time. I'm very happy with 2nd place in my first professional Ironman 70.3 competition and I feel that I have learned a lot from the experience. I loved the bike course there and would love to return next year if it all fits in to my plan. (well done to Lucy who managed to sprint her way in to 3rd In the last 500m)! I'm really excited about the rest of the season and I can't wait to get to my next race, challenge Aarhus on the 3rd of July!
Panic over and off to the swim start, I felt calm considering and have learned not to panic in the water and to just get on with it. Having a very short space between the pros and age groupers meant that some of us got totally beaten up within about 30 seconds of starting the race and continued to be beaten up until the end of the swim, taking on plenty of water!
Out of the swim and the plan was to have a swift transition and to get settled in on the bike. I started fairly fast but then settled in and after around 20 minutes caught one female then another at around 40 minutes, I knew at that point that I was in 4th so I just tried not to go too hard and kept a nice steady pace, just riding the hills the way I like to! (I do like my hills). Not long in to the second lap I passed Sam Warriner who had punctured, I tried to judge how long she had been there and it looked like she hadn't been there long so I started thinking I might not be too far behind the others.
On to the run and I started fairly steady and controlled, then towards the middle of the second lap I totally got totally over excited. I was gaining ground very quickly and everyone then started shouting and encouraging me which made me go even harder to catch the first two. Suddenly I was with the first two and started pushing on even more. A move I now regret as I feel it could have been what cost me the race. The sensible option would have been to sit behind, breath, control myself, take on some nutrition then make my move but instead the over excitement and my inexperience led to me hammering on. I took the lead as we ran up the very steep section of the course, Emma-Kate then came back behind me and was on my heels before she burst past me. At this point I tried to go with her but I had spent so much getting passed her initially that I was unable to go this time. I'm very happy with 2nd place in my first professional Ironman 70.3 competition and I feel that I have learned a lot from the experience. I loved the bike course there and would love to return next year if it all fits in to my plan. (well done to Lucy who managed to sprint her way in to 3rd In the last 500m)! I'm really excited about the rest of the season and I can't wait to get to my next race, challenge Aarhus on the 3rd of July!
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