I travelled up to Nottingham on Thursday afternoon and camped until Monday. This was so I could get there and chill out for a couple of days before the race. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of myself for completing the distance. Lots of people thought that I wouldn't do it but to be honest non more than myself. I admit now my time isn't great but it's inside the cut of time of 17 hours so therefore it counts.
The swim 2.4 miles: My time 1:44:59
I very nearly got it to the water without my timing chip and had to run back to transition and get it. The organisers set up 4 bays fastest swimmers on the left then moving across to the right for slowest. I started in the slowest bay which also meant you ended up swimming further because of the angle. The lake was full of weed and at times you were fighting to get through/ over it. I got my first bout of cramp just after the turn round point thankfully nothing to bad but meant stopping to stretch before continuing. Mentally this was the hardest leg for me, knowing that I'm slow plays on my mind and with the weed I was convinced for much of the downward leg I was convinced I was going to be timed out. With about 500 meters to go I got a bad bout of cramp which wouldn't go away I stopped for a while trying to stretch it out. A kayak came over and offered his bow which I took while I stretched it out. During this time I could see the score board which had a clock on it it read 7:37. This gave me a huge boost I could see the finish and was well inside the cut off time. All in all I am happy with my time.
T1 My time :11:51, took the time to dry my feet properly and put on a dry top. Also applied sun block to neck legs and face but regrettably forgot my legs, more on that later.
Bike 112 miles: My time 7:11:15
The bike course was made up of an outward leg then 3 x 30 mile loops then a return leg. The bike was pretty uneventful for me, 2 thirds of each loop was quite comfortable for me but there was a lumpy section at the start of each lap which I didn't like. I struggle with rolling sections of road. Kept a decent pace throughout the course.
T2 My time 6:53
Standard T2.
Run 26.2: My time 6:28:33
I was shattered when I came out of T2 but set off trying to run but cramped in my thighs so started to walk to try and get the blood circulating again and clear some of the lactose acid.I pushed myself while I was walking and over the first 3 miles tried to run but with out success but slowly I was getting into a good rhythm while walking. On checking my garmin I started to realise that if I kept up this pace I would still finish inside the cut off. At this time this was what it was about for me I wasn't going to quit no matter what, if I timed out then fare enough but I decided during the first part of the run I would still be out there and moving at 11 pm.
I did the first lap which is the longest of 3 laps in 1:56 the second lap I did in 1:56 and the final one in 1:56. The first 2:95 miles out to the first loop I did in 40:28. This the thing that I'm happy about although I admit I walked the marathon I did it at the same pace through out the whole 26.2 miles. That's an average speed of 6.5 kmh.
I finished in a time of 15:42:47 not fast but well inside the 17 hour cut off time. I'm so proud of my achievement specially when I saw the colour of my thighs at the finish. I rather caught the sun even though it was cloudy most of the day. My own fault but I should have remembered to apply sun tan lotion.
This definitely added to the discomfort on finishing. I ached all over, 15 odd hours of racing had taken it's toll on my body but mentally I felt strong and had a huge smile on my face the whole way round.
The supporters and Marshall's were amazing they truly made it a day I will never forget. I thanked as many as I could specially on my last run lap. Today I still ache and the sunburn is pretty sore but I'm home now and waiting for the crash to happen I only managed 5 hours sleep last night hoping tonight in my own bed I will get a good nights sleep in.
Deep down I was never sure I would have it in me to complete this distance but I have to say I am an Outlaw :)
