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Rob Wilson - Ironman Lanzarote 2007
Preparation
I was a bit more relaxed about the lead up following my first IM at Austria last
year, and didn't really get into serious bike training until the weather
improved at the end of March. Swimming and running were both OK as I seemed to
keep the improvements from last year and just consolidated these with some
longer efforts, although I could have done with a few more 3 hour runs rather
than the standard 2 hours, but that was knocked on the head by illness in March
which stopped me building the mileage up. On the biking side I'd done some
pretty intensive training in April and finished up with a week in Lanza riding
the course to get a feel for conditions. That was the point when I decided
against using my new carbon TT bike as I just couldn't get comfortable on it and
knew it would be an ordeal if it was windy. Instead I'd stick with my training
bike and it's triple chainset for the big climbs, but get a 11-23 cassette to
make the most of the fast descents. I also swapped the Bontrager Hard Case tyres
for some Vitorria Corsa Evo CX which seemed a good compromise between
performance and puncture resistance also used my Powertap rear wheel so that I
could monitor the power I was putting out and avoid blowing up halfway through
the ride.
On arrival at Club La Santa I assembled the bike and went for a quick test ride
and all was well, apart from a tyre blowout which was quickly sorted. A few
quick lengths in the 50M pool in my wetsuit to check everything was OK (I meant
to do the Pit session before I went on Wednesday, but I was too lazy!).
Bike check-in was straightforward and transition seemed a lot simpler than at
Austria where I got a bit lost in T1. Had a quick chat with James and then back
to Club La Santa for an early night.
Race Day
Up at 03:45 for some muesli and a last minute equipment check. On the coach to
the start at 4:30 and get there around 5:15. Check over bike, fill up drinks
bottle and keep drinking energy drink. The time flies by and before I know it,
it's time to assemble at the swim start.
Swim
This is making me nervous already - 1000 people stood on the beach all about to
pile into the water. I stand halfway back on the right hand side to avoid the
crush as much as possible, James is there too so we exchange a few last words
and wish each other luck. Then off goes the horn and it's running down to the
sea to try and find a space to swim in. There's no space, but I jump in anyway,
trying to move myself forward. Arms and legs are everywhere and I just try to
stay calm and avoid any damage this early in the race. Eventually things settle
and I get into a rhythm until it all turns rough at the second buoy. This soon
settles down and I find a pair of legs to draft off and settle down, there are a
few bumps from swimmers doing there own random weaving course, but nothing to
serious. I then realise that I’ve forgotten to put lubricant around my armpits
and they are starting to chaff. Not a lot I can do about it, so I just
concentrate on a nice smooth stroke. Before I know it I'm in the home straight
of the first lap and I see an underwater cameraman who I wave at. It's then out
of the water check the watch (32:30 - very happy) and back in for a second lap.
I've lost my first draft, but soon pick up a second and before I know it I'm
running up the beach towards T1. There are showers on the beach and so off comes
the wetsuit and it’s time to pick up the bike bag and get changed. T1 seems a
bit frantic with not a lot of room to change. I carry my shoes to the bike not
wanting to repeat my fall as I tried to get my feet into my shoes while on the
bike at Austria last year.
Bike
I'm soon on my bike and charging out of Puerto Del Carmen, I try to hold myself
back, but the adrenaline is coursing through my veins and I want to race
everyone in sight. Luckily I soon settle and check my heart rate (132) just what
I wanted as I put out 230W. The weather is ideal, overcast with a hint of
moisture in the air as the westerly wind blows me down towards El Golfo. I then
realise that I've taken on too much fluid and desperately need a comfort stop.
There's a car park coming up that I've stopped at during training so it's a
quick dismount and then watch all those I've just taken overtake me again
Back on the bike and feeling great I approach an aid station, my plan was to
take on water to dilute the Powerbar concentrate I’d prepared, but after I take
on the water, someone’s holding out half a powerbar and for some reason I take
it. I’ve never tried one before and now I’m testing it during a race – not
clever. It’s disgusting, but I figure it’s calories and so struggle to get it
down. I'm soon leaving El Golfo and charging up the road towards the turn for
Timafaya. In my training week this was a real grind with the wind against you as
you struggled to make 10 mph. I make the turn and it's like a different course,
the wind is behind me and I'm cruising along at 15 mph, this is fun! Get
overtaken by an open topped beetle with England flags draped out the back and
vocal supporters shouting your name - this is great fun. Soon I'm through
Timafaya and racing towards Teguise, normally a real drag, but now a delight at
some points I'm in my top gear and feeling great, before I know it I'm starting
the climb up Haria (580M peak), its feels fine and I'm only pushing out 250W. I
reach the top and a little disappointed by the few people watching, but looking
forward to the descent to find out if my £20 carbon brake pads work!!! As I
approach the first hairpin I gently pull the lever and I slow reassuringly
quickly - the best £20 I've every spent. The rest of the hairpins go without
drama and I'm soon tearing down the final descent in top gear passing people at
40mph+. It's into Haria village and then straight back up and off towards
Mirador Del Rio. I’m feeling fine as this is the last big climb and there’s
plenty left in the legs. I reach the top and briefly admire the view across to
La Graciosa island before beginning the long descent in top gear. Eventually I
reach the bottom and turn towards Puerto Del Carmen which during training rides
had been a wind assisted pleasure, but now I was paying for the assistance
earlier and battling into the wind. It’s a long drag back and my legs are
starting to weaken. The Powerbar drink is becoming very unappealing and I start
taking on bananas from the aid station, again something I hadn’t done in
training! Finally I start the descent into PDC and after nearly missing a turn I
arrive on the seafront and approach T2. It’s with a great relief that I jump off
the bike and collect my run bag.
Run
It’s such a relief to get off the bike that I’m racing out of T2 and and all
thoughts of pacing seem to have left my mind. I do the first 5K in 26 mins which
is way too fast, but I don’t seem to be thinking rationally at this stage and
rather than thinking of slowing down, I’m thinking about whether I could do a
3:40 marathon! I see my girlfriend in the crowd and run over to kiss her, she
seems surprised at how good I’m looking at this stage in the race, but she was
soon to see the real me as the miles took there toll. With my mind not working,
my body takes over and successive legs get slower and slower as my body starts
to seize up. I’m taking coke, gels and water at every feed station and there’s a
very nice sea breeze for most of the run. I’m expecting a pan flat run, but
there are a couple of substantial inclines which seem to get steeper every lap.
I’m also starting to regret having taken on all the bananas as I now need
another comfort break. There are portaloos along the course, but most seem to
have people waiting, so I carry on, eventually I can wait no longer and head off
towards one. To my great relieve its empty and so I only loose a minute or two.
However my legs are not happy and by the last lap I am suffering, but with 3K
and 15 mins left I realise that I can get under 4 hours for the marathon if I
dig deep and run past the aid stations without stopping, so it’s head down and
drive up the last incline before the finish comes into view with 20 seconds to
spare!
Just after the finish the race director is waiting to give me my medal and shake
my hand – a nice touch. It’s then off to get a massage and some food before
climbing onto the coach back to La Santa. When I arrive I almost fall down the
stairs as my legs have stopped working, a feeling I will get used to over the
next two days.
Review
All in all a very well organised race and one that I’d recommend. The only
downside is that it’s early in the season which limits the biking you can get in
if you’re a fair weather cyclist like me.