This time last week we were in Port Macquarie relaxing after finishing the Australian Ironman. We drove up to Port in the pouring rain on the Thursday to find a very wet campsite. This was actually quite good as we were able to find a spot for our tent out of the water, when people arrived the next day it was not so obvious the best places to pitch. We went up a few days before the race so I could have a train on the race course and to soak up the atmosphere. There was some sun over those days but also a lot of rain so the transition area of the race got extremely muddy. At least the tent stood up to the downpours.
After registering, checking the kit in and the carbo loading I was ready to go for Sunday morning. it rained heavily overnight and I was up at 4am so not much sleep. But I felt reasonably good as I walked to the race start. The day started to get light when the professionals started at 5:55 and it was not long before I got into the water ready for our start. All the age-group competitors started together at 6:30 and we were postioned at the start by expected swim time. I was in the last group due to a slow time, which meant there were less people around to battle with.
The cannon went off at 6:30 and we were off, it seemed to be a few minutes of swimming before I even crossed the start line as there were so many people (1400ish). The river was extremely murky due to the rain and you could not see your hands through the water, but there was not too much current which was good. It was 2 laps around bouys in the river and actually went pretty well. A lot of bashing around with the others and I had my goggles ripped off twice, but nothing different to normal, then I came out of the water almost at my estimated time of 1 hr 15 mins.
A very squelchy run (walk) to the change tent and then onto the bike. The rain stayed off to start with and it was actually good fun as there were so many spectators cheering us on. I knew most of the course having competed in the Half Ironman there in November, but the extra added on was not very nice, hills and rough roads. There were 3 laps of 60kms and the middle one was in the heavy rain, which at least kept us cool. I passed Sarah and the kids at one point and got a big cheer even though they looked a little wet. I made sure I took in plenty to eat on the bike as I wasn’t planning on taking in solids while running. there were aid stations every 10kms which had bananas, biscuits as well as water and gatorade. So a ate lots of these and also had a vegemite sandwich I’d prepared and powerbars.
When I got off the bike after 6 hrs 30mins I was ready to walk the beginning of the marathon, but I felt good so went straight into a slow run. This was what I had trained for and I was able to keep this up all the way round the 3 laps of the run. I stopped at all the aid stations for drinks and energy gels and just kept a slow plod going. It was an amazing experience running past so many spectators. My name was on the front of my number so I was being cheered on by name, a bit disconcerting at first as I didn’t know my name was there! It got dark when I had about 7 kms to go and then it was a different experience as everyone was running with glow sticks.
As I ran into the flood lights in the finishing line I was Jack and Grace at the side so I stopped to give them a hug before crossing the line after 12 hrs 23 mins and 59 secs. Exhausted but still standing. Much to my relief I was led past the medical tent and straight to a massage. Then after some hot food I was out to find Sarah, Jack and Grace.
We went back to the tent, and after the kids were in bed, Sarah and I were sitting outside the tent and could see runners still in the race till about 11 o’clock. I was very impressed with my time as I thought I’d take about an hour longer, but it shows what you can do if you put your mind to something and prepare properly.
