Lanzarote 2014

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  • Friday morning, day before the race, and I jogged down to PdC to meet up with Littleclown, Hokori, Slag and Button Mushroom for a 7am swim. As it turned out only me and Littleclown were swimming. Wetsuit on and into the water to do an easy lap of the course.

    Now, I am always meticulous about applying lube when swimming in a wettie, as my neck does tend to chafe a little, seems that I wasn't meticulous enough on this occasion though.

    I did the lap in about 40 minutes or so, which is consistent with my (slow) training pace, so no probs there. The sea was crystal clear, and sighting was fairly simple so I was happy with that.

    My neck, however, was starting to hurt on the final stretch and by the time I was getting out of the water I could feel that it was red and angry even without been able to see it. A quick inspection by the fellow pirates, and seeing their pursed lips and sharp intake of breath as they saw it told me all I needed to know!

    I headed back my hotel and liberally applied antiseptic and germoline throughout the day. On reflection, I'm not sure whether this helped or made it worse, but by the end of the day I was in agony with it.

    Spent the morning building my bike, and after a brief disaster when one of my rear dropout bolts snapped and I had to source a replacement, she was together and ready for action.

    About 3.30pm, I headed back down to PdC to rack my bike and hang my bags in T1 and T2. The transition zones were a stark contrast to how they were first thing, from desolate to ram packed in the space of 8 hours. I chatted with the other pirates, also racking, for a bit then headed back to the hotel.

    By this stage I was really concerned about my neck, which was now an open wound and hurting like hell. Me and my boy took a walk to the chemist and bought some huge dressings to put on on it. I intended to keep the dressing on during the swim at least too, so also bought some KY jelly to rub over the dressing in an attempt to stop the wetsuit rubbing the dressing off whilst in the water.

    I was not confident this would work and I actually began to question whether I would make it through the swim. I then convinced myself that failure had become a possibility, which put me in a dark place. I have since apologised profusely to my wife for being so utterly moody and grumpy because of this.

    I ate, I went to bed early, I didn't sleep well, and I got up at at 4.30am to commence my big day.

  • First thing to do was eat. I'd prepared some some porridge made with almond milk the night before and left it to soak in fridge (thanks Meldy for the suggestion). I also had a mini banana maltloaf.

    Shower, brush teeth, apply fresh dressing to neck, dressed and out the door for 5.30am where I jumped in a taxi down to PdC. The area was buzzing already, and I began to feel a bit of excitement although still massively apprehensive about the swim.

    I racked my bike, pumped my tyres, and gathered my thoughts for a bit before spotting Slag and SA across the way racking their bikes, along with Littleclown and Button Mushroom on the other side of the fence. I went over for a chat (or, probably more accurately, a mumble, because my head was all over the place), before wandering down to the beach.

    Once down at the beach I dropped off my white bag full of "street clothes" and hooked with SA, Slag and Hokori for a natter before we headed to the swim start. At the swim start we saw old school pirate Bassi who kept us entertained as we counted down to 7am.

    The starting horn finally sounded at 7.02am (once the deflated starting arches had been hauled off the start line) and everyone descended down the beach towards the sea. We were already standing at the rear of the pack towards the right hand side, but even so I let people stream past me, so nervous I was about getting into the washing machine.

    I probably ended up entering the water long with the final 50 people, and continued to swim very wide of the buoys. Suffice to say, I had a fairly biff-free swim during the first lap. All throughout the first 20 minutes or so I kept feeling the back of my neck to check if the dressing was still there, which it seemed to be. After those first 20 minutes though I forgot about it and just relaxed into my stroke. Once settled into my swim, I focused more on the fish under the water and the various bits of floating debris (swim caps etc).

    I came out of the water after about 45 minutes. Hardly record breaking, but about par considering how far up the beach I'd started.

    As I left the water and ran across the beach for the second lap, a quick feel of my neck told me that the bandage had disappeared and my neck was now bare. Shit.

    The second lap, however, was largely uneventful; more fish, more swim caps, a little bit more biff and more neck rubbing. Out of the water in 1.24.

    Into transition, where it seems that I spent enough time to let SA overtake me, despite finishing ahead of him in the swim!

    I was busy trying to apply a further dressing to my neck before giving it up as a bad job and just asking the nearest volunteer to just slap on all the sunscreen on my neck that she could. Cue many girly screams......and I'm on my way up to collect my bike.

    I carried my shoes and socks up to the bike racking area, so took a load off once I'd reached my bike while I put on my socks and shoes. No sooner had I sat down than I hear shouts of "get off your arse!" from across the way. I turn round to see Little clown, button mushroom and Slag's daughter (who would affectionately come to be known as 'little slag') screaming this abuse at me. A flick of the rods, a turn of my heels, and I'm on my way on the bike course...

  • One word sums up the bike course.....amazing.

    I was told to split it up into three thirds (thanks SA/Rosey). Spin the first third, work the second third, and hammer the final third if there's anything left.

    I heeded this advice for the first 20 miles, but it it still seemed as though I was overtaking far too many people and I panicked that I was pushing it too hard. Then it clicked.....I was only overtaking so many people because I was such a crap swimmer!

    Even now, I'm still not sure of the names of the various stretches of the bike course, but the lunar rocks, the brilliant sea views, the fierce winds, the gut busting climbs and the terrifying descents and switchbacks are all exactly as I'd had them described to me. I would return to Lanzarote just to ride the bike course again, that's how good it is!

    Nutrition wise, I ate every 20 minutes. Conveniently I started on the bike at 8.40am, so on the hour and every 20 past the hour I had a Nakd bar, then on each hour I had two shot bloks. I drank two 500ml bottles of high5 zero every hour via my aero bottle up front. Because I carried all my own nutrition, and didn't rely on any of the on-course stuff (apart from water), I had a rather large bento box.

    Once Haria and Mirador were out of the way, it was practically flat or downhill back to Puerto del Carmen, and the majority of these return roads were seriously good fun. I clocked upwards of 47mph on the downhill stretches (having run out of gears) and averaged 35mph on some of the flats where the wind was favorable. Like I say, this is a seriously fun bike course!

    I came back into PdC clocking a 6.20ish bike time, which I was over the moon with. Into transition, for another manicure and blow dry before going out on the run....

  • T2 transition involved getting changed, but mainly lots more screaming as the German volunteer applied more sunscreen whilst proclaiming "you have no skin on zis part of ze neck..."...prod prod prod....ARGH!!

    Whimpering over with, I headed out for the run. By this time, it was pretty damn hot, about 28 degrees as I understand.

    Considering how I was feeling, I was fairly confident of a sub-4 hour run. Since taking up serious exercise a few years ago, running has generally been 'my thing' so I felt reasonably assured as far as this was concerned.

    The run didn't start too well as the moment I fired up my Garmin it stated "low battery"...fan-friggin-tastic....it would have to be judged entirely on feel, rather than pace or heart rate.

    Once out on the run it wasn't long before I arrived at the first feed station. This included the special needs station, at which Littleclown was diligently poised ready with my emergency shot bloks and ready to receive any special requests. At this point, I have to say a MASSIVE thank you to Littleclown for being the most brilliant IronSherpa, running alongside me at every pass making sure I had everything that if needed/wanted, going out to get special requests, and generally being an absolute star!

    The run consists of three laps, two longer ones which pass the airport, and one shorter one. This means that you run through Puerto del Carmen three time, which in itself is ace. The support is fantastic from everyone. However, being a pirate is something extra special. I would like to give special mention to Colt, who were bloody amazing supporters and participants, getting a shout every time we passed; Knutsford Tri, who yelled out on the run, and so many others who gave me a lift each and every time they shouted "pirate!".

    I was starting to get get concerned that I'd passed no other pirate on the run course after a while, but eventually passed SA and gave him a massive high 5 - cheesy but awesome!

    Getting the second arm band (after the second lap) was a good feeling, as I knew that only had a 10k to do. Having no watch though, I was clueless as to how I was doing for time. All I knew was that I felt ok and was able to push on at the same pace.

    On the final lap on the way out I spotted Hokori on the pavement walking in his street clothes clutching his transition bags, which could only mean that he hadn't made it. We exchanged a few words and said we'd catch up later. I was gutted for him, such a top bloke, he deserved to finish.

    I passed the final turn point and thought to myself "only a park run to go".

    I still felt good so pressed on and started to remove the various sponges that I had secreted in my visor and monaco....ya'know, to look good for the photos and all that. image

    As I approached the finish line I started to look out for my wife and children at the finish line, as one of the things that I was most looking forward to was running down the finish chute with them. Throughout my training, I had always envisaged crossing the line with my children, given that this is one of the very few races in which it is possible to do so. However, they were nowhere to be seen. I passed the finish line, elated, but disappointed to do it alone, if that makes any sense? Almost to add insult to injury, I dint think I got a finishers photo as there was a guy taking his time in front of me getting photos with his young lad. As I walked through the finishing area, I spotted my wife. She was on the wrong side of the fencing and wouldn't have been able to come down the finishing chute in any event. She was also sans-children; they were back at the hotel (with the in laws) having fun in the pool. As long as they were happy, so was I, albeit still disappointed they hadn't come to see me finish <img src=

  • Not sure where the rest of my final post went, but it was thanking:

    1) my wife and kids for putting up with me for the past 6 months.

    2) Super mentor Seren, for being just that.

    3) the SAs, for being brilliant and hosting the DIY HIM, and generally being lots of laughs.

    4) Supercaz, for being a top swim mentor.

    5) Colt, Knutsford Tri and all of the island of Lanzarote for being such ace supporters!

    6) Lastly, but certainly not leastly, Littleclown, for being a super hero out on the course, fulfilling the role of Ironsherpa brilliantly. image

    IM Lanza should be on everyone's to do list, in my humble opinion.

    oh yeah, pirates rock by the way!

     

  • Excellent report Pudge!  Don't worry about the kids!  They'll know the old man's an Ironman and a hero!  Well done on a brilliant result.  You put the work in and deserve all the plaudits!  Chapeau!

  • Mrs SAMrs SA ✭✭✭

    SA using Mrs SA's laptop

    Great report mate

    My race report is on its way, probably be Thursday after flying home tomorrow

     

  • Great report Pudge, enjoyed reading that over my Sugar Puffs this morning and huge congratulations on your performance image

  • Great report, hope your neck heals ok!

  • image Nice one Pudge. image

  • In the BlueIn the Blue ✭✭✭

    I miss the reports in the winter!  I'm wincing just reading about your neck, hope it gets better quickly.

    Good result and report pudge!

  • Yea great report pudge. Well done. !
  • Great report Pudge and well done mate, great workimage

  • good report......the neck explains a bit about the long transitions.......

     well done...you worked really hard and got the result you deserved......image

  • Pudge's neck has to be seen to be believed

    Maybe me saying to him on race morning " Pudge, why do you have a f***ing tenalady on the back of your neck" wasn't the best thing
  • mikasamikasa ✭✭✭

    Excellent report Pudge. Sorry to hear about your neck, sounds painful. Pirates are hardcore though!

  • MandMsMandMs ✭✭✭

    Great to read mate. Welldone once again.

  • Great report on a great performance. Well done Pudge, hope the neck heals quickly.

  • Well done Pudge! Great performance and a brill race report. 

  • Great report Pudge and a fantastic performance..I might try racing at something closer to your weight and see if that helps me next timeimage 

    Will cobble together a 2/3 race report over the next day or so

     

  • Mrs SAMrs SA ✭✭✭

    Pudge .... brilliant race report image      Awesome!!!  Great to meet you for a couple (and more beers afterwards) image

  • Race report on its way but it is turning into a piece of epic proportions

  • Dull reading alert .... have written up a partial race report as promised .. i hope my next one will be back to being a full race report .  This will all be a bit dull next to Pudge and SA's achievements but for what its worth..... 

    I entered this years race almost out of anger at myself for not finishing the marathon on last years. I knew that training time had been an issue for last years race and it was stupid to think this year was going to be better. But i am a stubborn bastard so paid my money anyway.

     

  • Race day morning

    Alarm set for 4, but as usual was more formality than requirement as was wide awake all night anyway. First order of business the application of the first layer of p20 .. then crack on with making brekky .. large bowl of porridge with jam. Mixing the hi-5 and zero bottles and packing them ready for pre race bike faffage. Squeeze myself into a selection of ill fitting lycra after lubricating my bits and bobs (hope no one was eating while they read this ).Couple of imodiums for safetys sake and its on with the wet suit.
    Ten min walk with Tasha (eldest child of Slag) to the start and crack on with pre race bike faffage. bottles attached , computer reset, tyres inflated, gels taped to the top bar.. ready to ride. Off to the beach to drop off the white bag and go for a wee .. i mean practice swim .. hit a small delay here in that me trying to do my wetsuit up turned into a bit of a spectacle , something along the lines of an overweight labrador trying to catch its own tail... after several minutes of unsuccesfully catching the zip pull and of being able to zip it a nice german lady came to the rescue... practice swim was lovely .. back on to the beach and i spot the pirate support posse , and join with Hokori, Pudge and SA for pre race pics. five to seven .. time to take our place at the back of the mob. Stand there with Bassy putting the world to rights and wondering if the inflatable arches , of which two out of three have now collapsed , will be re-inflated or removed , or become a total wipeout style obstacle to content with.


  • Swim
    The sounder goes and so begins the shuffle to the waters edge.. took about three mins to get accross the beach to the wet stuff but relatively little biffing in the first few hundred metres. Past the first turn and start catching up the breast strokers and the ones that already need a little rest. I thread my way through but after repeated kicks from some half wit that couldnt sight worth a toss or swim straight i had to resort to use of a somewhat more forecful arm entry on the next left stroke to help highlight his sigting error and encourage the use of a more direct line. I really like the lanza swim (not the start just the swim) .. there is so much to distract you from the actual business of swimming .. amazing schools of fish , divers , helicopters , the occasional jellyfish , the lead swimmer and his canoeist lapping you etc etc .. Lap 1 done .. gentle jog through the ozzy exit and back in for lap 2 . Am convinced i see Hokori get in the water a few feet in front .. i call out but he is in the zone ( or its not him ?) and doesnt react.
    Lap two much the same as lap one but with more fish and less zig zagging breast strokers and other annoying bastards. out of the water and off to T1

  • T1
    My T1 last time was a shocker.. so this time i didnt bring a book to read .Wetsuit off and bike kit on , copious ammounts of factor 50 and out the tent to run for the bike . . unfortunately despite managing a good wee or two on the swim my bladder decided that another quick stop was required before getting on the bike .. so an unpleasant detour to the portaloo's. Last year i made the mistake of running with the bike from racking to the mount line wearing my bike shoes ..its a long way from my rack to the mount line, so this year i decided it would be quicker to run barefoot and put shoes on nearer the line . i suspect it saved a few seconds but not much.. anyhow T1 fealt significantly slicker than last year .. and off on the bike i go

  • Bike
    Had decided that this year i would take the first 40k realy easy, spinning up all the ramps rather than pushing a bigger gear. Seemed to be going ok and was holding pace with people around me .. well apart from Hokori who blasted past me about 10k or so from the start. It was about now that i noticed the first of the omissions during pre race bike faffage .. the safety clip that locked the aero bottle in place wasnt there.. an oversight that would later bite me on the arse but for now its just an annoyance. Nice steady first 20k to the first feed station .. no issues , took on water and used the first of my gels .. onwards towards el golfo

    Horrible to see soooo many riders coming back from the el golfo loop , knowing full well that that they are some 20KM or more in front of you already but not to worry . Quite windy through this section , but beautiful views to keep you distracted. I am passed by Timmy G who had had a bit of a nightmare on the swim.

    High spot of this section for me was leaving the el golfo loop and seeing other riders still coming toward it .. some 20k behind me !! .. holy hell they really must have been shit swimmers.

  • The road through timanfaya is long , windy , uphill but somehow quite beautiful.. and i am quite happily singing away to myself to pass the time as i bimble along the road. (one advantage of being pretty much alone) The downhill section isnt quite as brutal as last year and although still a headwind it wasnt stopping you dead in your tracks. Feet are starting to ache a bit but otherwise no complaints.. i am about where i expected to be for the time , my nutrition was on plan , no mechanical issues all good.. onwards and upwards

    By about 70km my feet were really starting to hurt..intense pain across the balls of both feet and any attempt to move them in the shoes or apply the pressure differently resulted in cramping. When i reached the feed station at Famara i decided enough was enough and to break into the assortment of medication i carried with me, first of the cocodomols taken.. more to follow .. then codeine. Before the day was out i could have put lance armstrong to shame with the coctail of meds.

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