The Race
After getting to bed at 9:00pm Saturday night the alarm went off at 3:00am but I had been awake on and off since 1:30am. I felt surprisingly calm. Unlike my fellow Amigos I am venturing into the unknown today. But I’m telling myself how well I have prepared and how my coach Paul Fleuren (Fluro) has laid great foundations for a successful day. First up job was to get some fuel in. I managed 3 Weetbix and yoghurt and a Sustagen Sport and milk. I needed a couple of attempts to wake son Sam up as he was very keen to come down to the start with us. After getting dressed for the day and picking up the bags and bike nutrition it was out to the car park to meet the other 2 Amigos Dazz (Darin) and Rat (Paul). The first thing I noticed on the drive down was that it wasn’t as windy as the previous few days, a good sign. Dazz was focused and in the zone. He has a big job today. A sub 10 race his target. But he still had a few good words of advice on the way down. We got into Transition just after 4:00am. It was lit up like a Christmas Tree. I was deliberately slow and methodical to keep myself calm. A guy in the next rack wanted to borrow my pump and I obliged. He had no idea what he was doing and when I went to use it the rubber seal was gone from the tip. The whole end had come off and was in the grass. Luckily I had a hands free head torch so could find all the bits and reassemble so I could pump up my own tyres. Thanks pal. Tyres pumped up, helmet on bars, nutrition squeezed into Bento Box and balance in helmet. Check, check and triple check. A few familiar faces racked near me so good to say a quick hello to a few. Always interesting to watch the faces of fellow athletes, some calm, some stressed, most focused. Some with tunes on….getting into the zone.
Paulie came by to check I was going OK. Once we had handed our street bags and special needs bags in it was time for a nervous wee and on with the wetsuits. The light was unveiling a nicer day. Some wind about but not too bad yet. It was warm already. The 3 Amigos started the march down to the start area. I couldn’t find Sam anywhere. We had a gel with 20 minutes to go to the gun. We stood on the beach just in front of the Goose to watch the pro’s. They all had a signature tune as they were introduced to the crowd. It was pretty cool. The whole area was packed solid with people. Athletes and spectators as far as you could see. Once they got underway at 5:30am we were allowed on the beach. We were about to go under the swim kite when Sam called out. He squeezed the crap out of me and told me how proud of me he was. He choked me up a fair bit. I walked in for a warm up swim. The ocean was cold and murky but it was good to turn the arms over and get a layer of water between my skin and the wettie. Pete Jacobs, Aussie pro triathlete and runner up in Ironman Hawaii this year I was in the water next to me with a board and head cam on. I commented on his transition from pro to media man/camera jockey. He was wishing everybody good luck. Back at the beach I cast an eye around the huge crowd assembled on the path wondering if I could spot anyone I knew to wave to. Very close to start now so Paul and I said our last farewells and I positioned myself as per Fluro’s race plan, on the right hand end. We were off. I waited back a little to let the crowd go then hit the water. I started nice and slow. I took a first sight and the water was like a washing machine. It was an amazing sight. I lined up the end of the jetty, the quickest way there. I wasn’t going to hug the curved structure and make my swim any longer. It was going to be long enough as it was !!! I was surprised how quick the swimmers thinned out and I was soon swimming with a small group trying to find a draught. The best thing was that I was calm and relaxed. The swell was getting bigger the further offshore we got which was making it difficult but not unmanageable. The water was murky but I’m sure I saw a big Ray at one point. Slowly but surely the end of the jetty loomed large and I was around the top m-dot buoy. After turning it became obvious there was a very strong current carrying me to the next buoy to the west side of the jetty. I felt like I had to put a lot more effort in to move back towards the jetty and pick up the next course marker. There was a decent swell running out there too and this time I was breathing on the weather side. The rising sun was in my eyes as well. However it felt great to be heading back to the beach. I kept breathing on the left as I was comfortable doing that. I got a few mouthfuls but nothing to panic about. After sighting and passing the next can the swell seemed like it was more behind me. The return journey seemed quicker and I got distracted with following other swimmers and sighting cans so before I knew it I could see the line up to the beach and hear Simon Beaumont’s commentary. I tried to kick a bit in the last 500m to get some blood into my legs. I took it easy getting out of the water. I didn’t want to leg myself with so many spectators looking on !!! A quick spy of the Garmin revealed a swim time of 1:31 which is what I had predicted. I spied Jenn and Sam and gave them a wave and a smile. It was great to see them for the first time. I was keen to wee so stopped at the toilets before going into T1.
After the never ending pee I ran into T1 and grabbed a chair. There to greet me was buddy and former Australian age group representative Ritchie Burnell. I don’t know who was more surprised him or me!!! He went to work on peeling off the wettie and I focused on getting my bike gear on. Out to the bike and on the road. The plan was easy out and water only for the first 20 minutes. It was great to be on the bike and hard to resist cranking it up. However Dazz’s words were ringing in my ear “ leave the ego at home ”. The road wasn’t as congested as I was expecting. It was warming up but the headwind out of town wasn’t too bad. My HR had settled to 144 beats. After 20 minutes it was into the solid food. I was maintaining eat every 20 min, drink every 10 min routine. I got to the turn along the Coast Road and took advantage of the tail wind and cranked up the speed for the same effort. Back onto Layman Rd and I was settling in nicely. My pace was 29k/hr for the first hour and I sooo wanted to pick it up !! Heading out through the Tuart forest I passed Rat going the other way. He looked like he was enjoying the tail wind. It was warming up so I used the water to wet my race suit (Fluro tip) and put some in the helmet vent to cool down the head. After the highway turn around I had the tail wind to town so once again used it. Fluro had said I should be needing to pee by the end of the first lap otherwise I was in trouble. No worries there because after an hour and a half I was keen and stopped at the second aid station on Tuart Drive. The Amigos support team were there in force at the Layman Road roundabout. I got a bit excited though and heard the cry of “stay left” as Mitch Anderson came passed me halfway through the roundabout . He was absolutely flying. Going into town the crowd was massive and this gave me a huge lift. I was very careful around the Queen Street roundabout as this would have been a huge embarrasement falling here in front of this crowd. Lap 1 done and feeling good. 31k/hr av for the second hour. Heading out for the second lap the headwind had definitely picked up. It was warming up too. I wanted to pick up the pace into the wind this lap. I maintained the solid food intake alternating Power Bars, Gels, Bananas and my vegemite sandwiches. I was taking a salt tab every lap as well. I maintained 30.5k/hr into the wind for the third hour and my legs felt fresh as. I was however getting “hot foot” and was getting sore on the outside of both feet from the little toe down to the heel. I was out on Tuart Drive again when I spied Dazz on the side of the road. Puncture….shit! He was going for sub 10 hrs so that would have been the end of that. I felt for him. I passed Rat again going back still looking good. The hot foot was getting bad now. I had popped 2 Panadol on the Coast Road but it hadn’t kicked in yet. I kept squirling my toes around in my shoes to get some relief. I tried to pedal by lifting occasionally instead of pushing down on the soles. I stopped for a wee again same aid station as the first lap and getting off the bike and walking relieved the pain for about 20k. I began to worry if this was going to carry through to the run….mental games.
Through the Layman Road roundabout again and acknowledged the Amigo supporters. Back into town with some more crowd support to soak up and the end of lap 2. With 120k done the legs were feeling good. This was a deciding point. I had to decide whether I was going to pick up the pace or ride conservatively for the next 60k. This was unknown territory for me being my first Ironman race. In the end I decided not to roll the dice and ride at the same pace. It was getting hotter and I thought that the wind would most probably drop out. I thought the run could be ugly. Dazza passed me just as I was thinking of seeing the gang at the roundabout. Good to see he was mobile again and was getting on with the job. I got in behind him till the roundabout where he stopped to say gidday to his family. I slowed up to chat to Jenn and Sam, told them I was feeling great and kept going. He passed me again near the Marina. Heading out on the Coast Road for the last time and I passed my old swim squad “Gumby “ lane buddy Gem Ivey . She was looking OK. Further up the road I passed another Gumby in Caroline Clark. Her and husband Pete have been living and training in Kunanarra and were excited pre race with the prospect of it being hot for race day. I was backing off the solid food now. A Power Bar was the only solid I had for the rest of the ride. I was still getting through 2 bidons an hour of fluid plus gels. The hot foot was still there but not getting any worse. Maybe the Panadol was kicking in. I had dropped one tab on the road and was regretting that now. I stopped to pee at the same station on Tuart Drive. The bikes were thinning out on this lap so I imagined the boys out running. I passed through the Amigo roundabout for the last time and into town. I was spinning fast now and stretching the hammies to get ready for the run. I managed to average 31k/hr for the last lap so was happy with that and the legs felt fresh as. The atmosphere was great in town now as all of the supporters were heading there. Into the dismount area where I got off the bike very gingerly so as not to fall over. I untwisted the Garmin and put it on my wrist and began a jog towards T2 to test the run legs. The hot foot had gone….yeah !!! I opted to stop for a pee and then into the tent for a change into the run gear. I laid all my run nutrition out whilst a lovely woman lathered me in sunscreen including my ears. It was great to be running and I took it easy and turned into Queen Street where the finish chute was. The atmosphere was truly awesome with people packed in and music pumping. I turned the corner to see Kat and Jack Geyer so went over for a high five. I got a huge lift right there. I remembered Fluro’s advice which was to engage the crowd, high five the kids, chat, smile and wave. This all takes your thoughts away from the pain. The plan was to go out easy and walk the aid stations to make sure I got fluids in properly. I planned to take a cup of water and a cup of Gatorade in at each station. To my delight they had watermelon at the first station. I remember reading someone’s race report from a past IM and they said how awesome the taste was so I was up for some of that. Running through the big carpark, the Equinox Café, and the Goose was awesome as the crowd support was huge. I acknowledged peoples support and said thankyou each time I got encouragement. After 5k I was feeling great. I was holding a good pace and my HR had settled. I was smiling. I got to the eastern turn around and got a boost from the Amigos support crew waiting there. It was getting warmer and the wind, although dying off, had also swung around to almost the northwest. With ice on offer at the aid stations I decided to take a leaf out of Macca’s book (Hawaii Ironman champion) and put a cup down the front of my tri suit to keep my heart cool. Another cup full went in my run cap. Post race I found out that Paulie had done the same. Heading back into town I passed some great support. The boys with the bar tables and cold beers, The Stadium Tri Club fancy dressers with the pumping music, I engaged them all, they loved it, I loved it. Back behind the transition tent and there on Marine Terrace I picked up my first black IM wrist band to signify the completion of lap 1. This was another lift right there. The first lap I did just under an hour at 5:28min/k pace, happy with that. I turned into Queen Street again adjacent to the finish chute and imagined myself running down it. I told myself how good that was going to be but I had to earn it first. The second lap I maintained the same aid station routine of water, ice in the kit, Gatorade, watermelon, get running again. It was heaving in town. It was great to have so much support from the Freo faithfull, Endurance Fitness swim squad mates, I thanked them all. I was smiling. Heading east out on the barren part of the course I was acutely aware that it was getting very warm. Athletes were walking already. I passed Bruce Bowman from swim squad walking. I asked him if he was OK but all he said was that he would finish. I passed Paulie running the other way, first time I had seen him on the run. He looked to be running bloody well. Great to see the gang at the eastern turn again, I waved my arms in the air in advance so they would see me coming.
The leg back into town seemed very short. I think because I have done 4 half IM’s on this course where this leg is much longer. The beer boys and the Stadium Tent warmed to me. I think they remembered my acknowledgement from lap 1!! The spectators were positioned in every square centimetre of shade now. A good indication it was warming up. Black wrist band no 2 was waiting for me and I thanked the young girl who gave it to me. Lap 2 was at 5:32 min/k pace, 2 hours spot on for 21.3k. Halfway through the run. I had been told that this is the critical point, this is where the race starts. My legs were feeling great though. The quads were just letting me know they were there, but not cramping. I thought they would be fine if I could just maintain my current pace. My feet were getting really hot and the balls of my feet were getting sore from the constant pounding. I took some precautionary Panadol after my “hot foot” experience on the bike. The goal I set myself was to maintain pace on the third lap. I also increased the salt tabs to 2 for this lap in case the quad soreness turned into cramp. I maintained the same routine for lap 3 nutrition, pace, cooling, support acknowledgement. I started on the coke. Time to get some simple sugars in. The jelly beans came out too but I found them hard to digest. Even the Gel Blasts were getting hard to eat. They went down OK but I found I needed to wash the sweet after taste away with some fluid. It was harder mentally going out to the barren end of the course. The attrition rate was high now. There were a lot of athletes walking. I was passing heaps of people. This is a good feeling. I passed Paulie again. He was looking great. Team Amigo supporters were there again at the eastern turn around. So good to see them. Heading back into town and my smile was fading now. I was engaging the crowd less and less and focusing more on my running. I felt my pace was slipping a little but I was almost back in town and decided to check the Garmin and do some maths. Shit….I had held pace for the third lap and was picking up black wristband number 3 on 3 hours even. This was 5:39 min/k for lap 3. If I could hold for one more lap I could go close to 4 hours for the run and go sub 12 hours for the race ???? Mmmm. Running down Queen Street again and I allowed myself a glimpse of the finish chute. I so wanted to be there. The run to the western most aid station was getting tough. I was still walking the stations but it was getting harder to get going again afterwards so I sensed I would make a change soon. I got to the big car park and passed Mark from swim squad who was walking. He was racing with torn meniscus in his knee and he knew he would be walking the run before the race started. I then recognised fellow Fluro athlete Tim Valentine from behind. He was walking….shit, tragic. Tim had done 9 hrs 43 min last year and this time he was out to beat that. He had smashed out a 5 hr bike split and started running at 4:15min/k pace until he hit the wall at about the 12k mark. I consoled him and urged him to just keep going. My smile was missing in action now. I managed thankyou’ s to the supporters now but that was all. I was headed out on barren land for the last time. I passed Paul yet again and he yelled out “just finish it off now”. Soon the eastern turn around came into sight. My feet were really sore now. The whole bottoms of my feet just felt like a bruise. Jenn was the only one left of the Amigo crew. I’m so glad she was there. I had a quick chat and she said just don’t stop. That jolted my memory and I decided I was not stopping at aid stations from now on. I came across “IronHoss” Andy Hoskins a seasoned IM campaigner on doing his 8th IM race today. He was walking and was telling me about how he had been chucking up the whole way. I urged him on and he started to run with me for a bit. Then he just took off towards town. No way could I go with him !! I was in agony with my feet for the last 4k. I kept telling myself the pain was temporary. I could not believe I was so close now. I thought I would be an emotional wreck by now but I was holding it together. Past the Stadium crew for the last time, around the back of the skate park and past the North Coast Tri Club tent. Into the car park where I yelled out to the special needs guys “ I won’t be needing my bag thanks” They didn’t get it though !!! I ran around the back of the transition tent and took my orange wrist band which identified that I was about to complete my fourth lap. I said to the girl “gimme me that orange one baby !!!!! “ I was so happy. I turned into Queen Street and could see the finish arch and big screen, so close. I was confused where you entered the finish chute and had to ask the athlete next to me. He says “near the Power Bar sign mate…I’ve got another one to go…” I thanked him and wished him all the best for his last lap. I entered the sacred corridor and saw Sam running along the fence. I high fived him. I saw Paul, Shells and the kids on the right I pumped my finger at them, I saw Jenn on the left, I saw heaps of people I knew, I saw……..the ramp ahead. I wanted to take my time and soak it all up but I wanted to finish as well. I don’t even know if I walked up the ramp or ran up it but I went under the finish arch to hear Pete Murray call out “Peter Jackson…..you are an Ironman” . I looked up at the sky and pointed. I acknowledged my Mum and Dad that were up there watching over me all day. This one’s for you guys.
Done and dusted with an official time of 12 hours 3 minutes and 25 seconds. A tough day at the office but I was a very happy man. Two ladies put a finishers towel around my shoulders and a finishers medal around my neck and escorted me to the athlete recovery area…..one on each elbow. I wasn’t going to collapse though, I was fine. They had some questions for me subtlely establishing that I was all there mentally I think !!! I turned down the offer of a massage and a visit to the medical tent. What a day. What a journey. It just seemed to go so quickly. It all seemed surreal, I don’t think it had sunk in yet.
I sat down in recovery and very slowly took my shoes off. I poured cold water over them. It felt so good. I couldn’t see Jenn and Sam in the public area. They probably hadn’t arrived yet. Paulie came in from watching me finish. We shared an Amigo hug for a job well done. 5 years since I watched him finish his first IM in Busso and 5 years since I thought to myself yeah…..I wanna do that one day. Dazz came through and joined in. More Amigo hugs. I know he didn’t have the race he wanted but at the end of the day we all finished well and were there in athlete recovery together sharing the moment…….The Three Amigos.
Reflections
Was I disappointed I didn’t go sub 12 hours ? sure a little if I was to be honest…..but I had such a good run, such a good day that I am just stoked to get that close. As I was to found out later in the day I placed 9th in my age group out of 40 starters, beyond my wildest dreams.
I totally miscalculated this campaign and what it would cost time wise, financially and in other ways. I found it difficult to juggle home, work and training. I need to learn to manage my time and achieve better balance in the future.
Acknowledgements
I don’t know where to begin my thank you’s. This is always difficult because there are so many to make and I may forget someone.
I would like to thank Jenn who has put up with so much. She has been running the household and working full time with precious little thanks. It has been a difficult time for her and I acknowledge that.
Phoebe and Sam. I know I haven’t been around much for you guys and when I have I’ve either been asleep on the sofa or eating the fridge out but your support has been fantastic and appreciated.
My good buddy Paul Manning whom I work with and train with. He is responsible for introducing me to this fantastic sport. Always there for me with advice and support. You’re a rock mate. I will never forget when he kept the secret of entering this race. Initially Dazz and I were going to race and Paul was going to spectate. As we talked it up in the months leading to entering he kept it quiet. Then on sign up day bang….he hits us with his entry confirmation email. Gobsmacked us right there mate…..
Dazz for his advice and technical know how as well as his training company and support. Awesome mate…it’s been a blast. I have learnt so much from you.
Paul Fluren (Fluro) supercoach. I can’t thank you enough for the fantastic preparation. What an awesome year of training I have had under your guidance. You have turned me into an endurance athlete mate. There were times I doubted your programme and said “I can’t do that crap “ but of course I could and did. It all made it so easy for me when it came to putting the icing on the cake.
Freo group one boys for letting me hang off the back most Saturday mornings and never doing any work. You are all fantastic riders and I have learned so much from you.
Phil Ingpen (Phabbie) bike mechanic extroadinaire. For the servicing and rugby dialogue.
The Runners World group for the bike training and general sharing and caring.
Brian Kempson my old swim squad coach for letting me come down and do open water swims with your squad for the last 6 weeks.
Tony Bence Massage Therapist to the stars of triathlon and Freo Dockers for keeping my legs fresh. Mate you always hurt me…..but you always fixed me too.
And to many others for their support and cooperation during this campaign. You know who you are.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone “
Neal Donald Walsch
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