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Ironman Wales 2011
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And if anyone could have completed the run, it's you!
+1 ! You'll not catch me attempting this....I know my limits, lol!!!
Very, very well done to everyone for taking part on what was obviously an extremely tough course, and day. Seren, what a fantastic report, and so sorry you didn't get to do the run. Just shows how hard the course was that you and Barlos didn't make it to the end. Considering what you've achieved already this year, I hope the disappointment doesn't overshadow the successes
Well done all!
LOL LOL LOL!!! What you and Barlos do in your spare time is nobodies business HennyBatman
Go Pirates!
That was fun. The definition of "Fun" is officially extended to include any and all of:
- cheering wildly at Piratey people doing an awesome job on a horrendous course in horrendous conditions
- combining endurance supporting with Altantic swimming in the face of a force 8 wind (aka supporting at the finish chute!)
- being amused by Hope's son's excellent one-liners in support of random competitors (first prize probably going to "Dont worry, this hill gets flatter at the top" !!)
- Accidental support of anyone Spanish
- Piratey bike shop fixing on the fly by bassy
- Piratey finish chute aerobics, aka the poor chap who got tripped up by the camera man
- Being asked more times than I can remember "Where are you guys from?"
- Cake. More Cake. A bit more Cake.
- "Go Baby!"
- FatBuddha's finish line pint.
- Being asked by Garr if we happen to have a phone number for Garr's Mate Nige. (Surprisingly, no. I wonder who is more likely to?)
- That really cute guy from Argentina
- Pirates being officially The Best Thing Since The Invention of the Cafetiere.
Go Pirates!
I might go and snooze.....
I had my camera out and was taking lots of pics (I'm going to put them up on flicker to allow everyone access to download them, will let everyone on here know when I've done it) and my hubby was supporting with the aid of a cow bell
Whether you finished or not a massive well done to you. It was truely inspirational just to be a part of the day.
GARR:
Had a great day yesterday. I don't there is much to add to what has already been said.
The text I sent that didn't mean a lot was supposed to be preceded by saying that Bassy was doing an oarsome job of mending bikes on Wiseman's Bridge hill, and that when one guy had a knackered chain, and another had a knackered derailleuer putting them both out of the race, he at least managed to put the good chain on the other bike to get one person back in the race! All under scrutiny of an official, so all kosha. Top work that man.
Unbelieveable the number of people that managed to 'AHAAAARRRRRRRR!!!' on WmB, or even try to engage us in some banter.
I don't know about the other supporters, but I really felt it was the foreign Johnnies that got the biggest shock on the bike course. I don't think they realised there were big hills in Wales. It's not like Wales has reknowned mountain ranges, but the bike times show how hard it was.
Sorry the updates died out. WmB had naff all signal, so phones strained their batteries and died very quickly, then Tenby had virtually no signal either.
The weather... oh my word!
6am: Sunny and a bit breezy.
Morning: Windy!
Afternoon: Windy, overcast, and one shower of rain like God threw a bucket out of the window.
Evening: Wet. Very very wet. Oh, and windy.
The finish: I don't think I had seen rain that was TRUELY horizontal until this. Due to the gale blowing up the enormous cliff beside the finish, the rain couldn't go down, but went sideways instead.
Really sorry for anyone who finished late with little or possibly no support. It was merely weather conditions that stopped us hanging around. We were shivering, and we weren't in lycra, so I do sympathise.
Last night: Meldy, you're right about the weather. I had serious concerns the tent was going to take off at time. Hope decided to sleep in the car around 3am. Putting the tent down during that was... interesting!
I took a load of photos (as many of you know) and tried to get plenty of random, and not so random, pirates. I'll post a link to them once they are online, which could be within a couple of hours if Shannon can do it as soon as she gets in.
Many thanks to all supporters, and even more to the competitors for making the effort to acknowledge us, and more, when they saw us.
Garr
(Considering IMWales 2012)
Would be good to get a loads of us there to support (ill deff go if im not racing and dates dont clash with other stuff).
I should have also added to my report about the number of locals supporting on the bike course, I was quite surprised and it was great to see. Just imagine what it will be like as the race grows and gets under the local communities skin.
Go Wales
Great to see pirate spirit really coming to the fore in adversity in challenging conditions. Sounds a hell of a race, will have to think hard about never ever doing it, but other fish to fry before then though.
Great to see a couple of marshalls/spectators popping in. Re us thanking you (and its the same everywhere in Ironman I think, not just in Wales) but the competitors REALLY appreciate support. Until you've raced, and have been given a boost by someone who doesn't know you from Adam who could be being sensible and warm elsewhere, calling your name, or shouting well done, or clapping, or volunteering, you won't know how big a life it gives. Thank you.
Quality.
Hello you lovely lot!!
I've just read back. Thank you for all your support. There were times out there when it was hard going and reminding myself of the support both on the course and virtual helped me keep going.
So sorry for Alan and Seren, but how amazing to see you out supporting and smiling at us later. Thanks so much.
I'll do a proper report once I can think straight!
Had a message from 8iron, the swim distance was spot on 2.4 miles and the 1000m transition dash was knocked off the run.
What a day!!
Christine, thanks for your post. The volunteers were AMAZING, so cheery and encouraging and lots giving the Pirates a special mention. To keep so bright and smiley in such horrible weather isn't easy so thank you to you all!! The Pirate Ship of Fools WILL be back. I'm sure of that!!
As for me, well... my eyelashes don't hurt.
Christina, lovely post thank you ... that shows the right reputation for a Pirate gathering
Seren, sometimes there just isnt a reason and it just doesnt happen, you are a strong old bird and will bounce back i'm sure, keep head & heart together and the double will be a good 'un
Barlos ... recover well and bounce back Gaylord
Glad the supporters had a good time as well, hope the rest of the crew are not running round kiln park after stray tents !!
Huge congratulations to everyone - not the best conditions for a long day of racing, but the reward is extra big bragging rights!
Flyaway, my son really does have Pirate potential doesn't he lol!
He can't get his head around armwarmers, he kept calling them arm gloves!
hey guys, thanks for all the support especially in terms of the guys who were just supporting and not competing- I wasn't in a pirate top but was shouting "go pirates" every time I passed one (I was in an illuminous green tri- suit with blood pouring from me from where I came off on the bike at the bottom of a big hill near Narbeth and was bandaged up on the elbow and had massive cuts!) I also had a few good motivational chats with FB on each lap of the run which was cool and spoke to his wife in T2 and at the end.
I completed the IM UK in 2010 and that was a tough bike and I completed the etape in France this year and that was incredibly tough but I still wasn't prepared for the bike ride- Most people I was speaking to were saying that was by far the hardest IM they had done- I think IM Wales is going to be the one that people want to challenge themselves to.
Really inspirational to stay to watch the last guys come in and the last pirate (well done slag!)- Can't believe there was an old guy who finished who I saw as I was finishing my run and thought there was no way he was going to make it, but did with half hour to spare. And the amazing 61 year old who completed his 126th Ironman- Mental.
Just really, really disappointed I couldn't stay for drinks tonight and meet up properly! I'm definitely going to get myself a pirate tri- suit and enter the Outlaw though!
He thinks your ace Bassy!!
Reminds me of the cyclist with about 25 gels on a belt round his waist. I asked him if he had enough.... "Im saving them for the run" says he. Right.... so why are you carting them over 112 miles of hills first then?
Lol. Guess who forgot all her bike nutrition for the 3rd loop then?? It's not like I didn't spend enough time in T1!!
I'll be seeing YOU at Christmas young man!