The day started off with breakfast before a walk to the transition area to pump up tyres etc. After that we walked to the swim start and just sat around waiting for the time to pass. With about 20min to go I got changed into my wetsuit and handed my gear into the truck to be transported to the finish line. The swim was a rolling start which means you had to line up in sections depending on what time you think you will be doing. The time does not start till you cross the starting mat. So no need to rush. They say that it helps with faster times and less bashing each other but neither of that was the case for me. I kind of miss the mass start. Its more exciting I think.
Anyway the swim started well. I walked my way into the water and just started to swim. I felt pretty good after the first 400m. Then it was just swim like dory as much as you can trying not to think to far ahead. There were a couple of choke points on the swim where we are forced to come together. The first one some guy came shooting up past me and kicked me in the face. My goggles partly came off and I am sure I had his toe in my eye at some stage. So I took a few moments kicking on my back and adjusting myself again before putting my head back down and continuing. The worst part of it apart from the pink eye I was possibly going to get the next day was that he then slowed and I went past him. Then he would shoot past me and fall back again. This continued going on but I tried to keep my distance after that until he finally dropped off some time later. The swim included a weir crossing where they had steps climbing up and over it. I guess that was good as you could get out and break the swim into sections. On the way back the the course crossed a sand bank. At first I just saw some people walking along. I thought that's a little strange. I was trying to swim as much as I could until my finger grazed a shell and got cut open. I then stood up and walked a few steps until I could see it getting deeper. Just as I jumped back into the water I cut my little toe on another shell. So out of the water I could have a case of pink eye and two digits with tetanus.
Leaving the water I took some extra time under the shower. They did say that dry salt from the water could dehydrate you if you leave it on your body so I made sure I had a good wash. Transition 1 was good. I had learned from the last event to pack a towel so you can dry off a little and hide yourself if needed. I figured out the correct procedure for putting bike pants on slightly wet skin so there was no flashing at the volunteers this year. I also managed not to break any of my gear. Yay for the win.
The bike started out as I wanted. Didn't go out to fast but still had ok pace. The weather was cool and no wind. Yes the road surface wasn't smooth like you find in the city and that's ok. The problem I had was the potholes and patchwork repair work that you find all over the place. Some of it in rather dangerous locations. But this is the race so you keep pushing on. 80kms in and I felt good. About that time is when you hit the Mathew Flinders drive hill. Knowing that I have done it before I put it in the low gear, stood up and powered away. Yay I made it. Wrecked but I got up. I continued on to town but from then on every hill I hit I got cramps in my quads. The pain was not great but I was managing it. Only 90kms to go on the ride. By this time the wind had started to blow and it was a head wind on the way out. The rain came with it and it was a rather unpleasant ride after that. The wind seemed to turn mostly around for my return leg and I was starting to hate being out there. It was a slow and wet 90kms. I don't think anyone liked the conditions. Apart from the wind and rain it was a fairly uneventful ride. As I got closer to town I couldn't wait for the ride to be over. I remember the relief that I got from starting the run and knew I would feel that again.
Transition 2 was another uneventful stop. I left a lot of things that I didn't need. I came in soaked to the bone. But getting to change and having a towel was one of the best ideas I have ever had. I felt like $1. I would have said a million but that would be a lie. Anyway I was dry and off the bike what more could I ask for. I was still traveling ok. Time was a little slower but nothing terrible. I had some cramping when I pushed hard but I just thought that if I take my tablets and small running steps I will get there ok.
The run started and well. Sure I was only dry for less than a few minutes but I was on the run and I did have that happy moment of dryness. The run contains one hill and the rest is pretty flat. So I was kind of having fun., Yeah tough still but ok. At the aid stations I was trying to find something that I enjoyed. I had a lot of water and electrolyte drinks but the food was not being friendly. It was dry or terrible to taste. I like Vegemite but that on a stick was disgusting. I don't know how people do it. I forced as much as i could down as I hear its good for cramps but damn. Basically all food made me feel sick later in the run. About 7kms in there is a small rise. Its short and a nothing level change. I run up and then all of a sudden I get a new cramp at the back of my leg. This time it stops me. I stretch a little and then walk a bit more. Soon I am running again and remember to only take small steps. Keep the legs going but try not to use a lot of force.
On the second lap I am in pretty good shape time wise. I know I am not going to beat any records but its ok. About 16kms in I see Adam heading the other way. Not far from the far turn around and I joke with him to stop and wait. I know that he is way to far ahead of me to catch at this stage so I just keep moving. The next lap seems tough. The rain had stopped and with my shirt drying and the cold I had started to wear away my nipples from the rubbing. Not fun but not bad yet. I was not travelling fast but I had not seen Adam when I got to the last aid station before the far turn around. I asked for some band aids to protect my nipples. That didn't help in the end as I need to remember to dry off better as they will not stick when you are wet. Anyway I start to head off and I see Adam going the other way. While I was not going fast I was actually catching him. I put in a bigger effort and soon caught up. He was in pain. We decided that this run would be better if we did it together, It was good. We both helped each other to run when we didn't want to and also gave us a good chance to talk about life and laugh at some of the things we saw. So for the rest of my run we ran, walk and talked our way through the kilometers. I did need to stop for a bathroom break not far from the end. It was dark and if the other bathrooms were anything to go by this one I might not have wanted to see anyway. I don't know what I was going to get from it. Maybe hepatitis. I am going to need to rush myself to medical after this event. Near the finish I said bye to Adam as he had another lap to do and I headed up the red carpet. I was trying to high five everyone along the way. I crossed the line and gave a little heal kick. Not my fastest time but it was done. I was happy to get my second Ironman under my belt.
So with that it is the end of this chapter of my Ironman story. I hope you enjoyed version 2.0. Would I do another one. Hmm always hard to answer. That night and the next day I was a solid no. But then hmm something happens and you start to have ideas. There are a few things that might make me go back for another so I guess we will see.
