The shuttle from our hotel to the race ite was pretty fast. In about 20 mins we were there. I had my iPod on with worship songs on. I would either be relying pretty heavily or even meeting my maker today, so I wanted to set the mood right.
Got to my bike and placed my snack bars, pitstop and water on to it, then got the tyres pumped. Since the race starts at 7, I had almost 2 hours to burn before the start, which I used a good chunk of to check out the pros (Macca especially) setting up their bikes. I had 2 squares of Ritter Sport Extra Fine 71% Dark Chocolate to give my body an extra kick.
Macca setting up his Specialized
Josh and I were supposed to meet Teryn before heading out to the lake to warm up, but we couldn't find her so we headed down ourselves. Waited a while before getting in, only to realise moments later that I had lost Josh as well. It would be more than 12 hours later before I see him again.
In order to skip the horrendously long toilet queue, I did my little business in the Lagener Waldsee hoping that will make the water a bit warmer. Since wetsuits and speedsuits were banned for the swim (water temp being about 25C), I was decked out in just a pair of trunks, and I could feel the water coming in warm and cold waves.
The race was to start from a water start, meaning we would have to swim out to a line of buoys and wait for the start signal. Teryn managed to find me near the front of the start. Since the rest of the athletes were moving in to the start line too, there was no way we could swim back through the throng of them to move to a less crowded position. Time to start was 7 mins. The crowd just kept closing in on us at the start line, and we were getting kicked and bumped around even before the start.
7 mins later, BANG and we started the race. The starting pace was frantic. I had people slapping my feet, legs, butt and back as everyone were eager to release all the pent up tension. A couple of hundred metres later I found some space, and legs to draft behind. This usually does not happen, and it was a welcome relief. I would follow a pair of feet for as long as possible, before letting it go, or going past the swimmer and finding a faster pair to follow.
2300 people swimming!
The swim was 2 separate loops, with the first longer than the second. I found my rythmn and glide very quickly, and focused to lengthening my strokes and controlling my breathing. After 59:51, I was out of the lake and ran up the loooonnnnng sandy shoreline up to T1 where I grabbed by blue transition bag and got to the tent to put on my tri suit (thanks to the volunteer who helped me), put in my gels, ran to my bike and brought in out of transition and onto the 185km bike course.
coming out the water
getting to rip it up with DD
Due to some road works along the bike course, there was a change to the bike course from previous years, which added on 5km more to the course. To Singaporeans, we would say that this is a good thing as we are paying the same amount for more (hahaha).
Started the bike at a steady 35 to 36kph. I was mindful to keep the pace steady and not over-extend myself too early. There would be alot more kilometres ahead to push myself. The route took us through downtown Frankfurt to the countryside. The first hill we hit was called "The Beast". Surprisingly, for people living in a continent full fo famous hills, most of the Europeans were pretty bad climbers. They were struggling up the long ascent while I passed them one by one. It was only on the equally long descents that they would zooom past me no matter how hard i paddle on the biggest gear. Somehow gravity works better for them.
"The Hell" was a short 500m uphill stretch that was on cobble stones. I now have newfound respect for the cyclists who do the Paris-Roubaix race. On the cobble stones it felt like my bike was trying to throw me off. I had to hold on for dear life while having to remember to turn the pedals to move forward. The spectators supporting there were amzing though. There were 2 dudes dressed up as the devil and I had fun making faces at them.
having "fun" at "The Hell"
The route through the countryside was full of ups and downs, and many stretches where it looked flat actually had a small incline that made me wonder whether it was the wind, the slight elevation or just me getting tired. I was getting overtaken on the left the nonstop at this point and I just had to plonk my head down and keep going.
The German crowds were really really fantastic. They were all over the place using noise makers, clappers, bells, loudhailers and whatever they could get their hands on to cheer us on. I lost count of the number of kids standing by the side of the road trying to get high 5's. This was most pronounced at "Heartbreak Hill" coming at the end of one loop. It was a straight ascent for a couple of kilometres that was lined with crowds. At some points I could not overtake the other riders simply because I wold ride into a supporter if I went out to the side to tried to.
The many loops of coastal and trainer rides I did for training really helped mentally. 2 loops with this kind of amazing scenery was nothing compared to the supreme boredom of those training sessions. I went out on the second loop still feeling pretty good at this point. My nutrition consisted of GU gels, Natural Valley Bars, and Shotz electrolyte tablets dissolved in water. Going out I was confident that if all went well I would hit my goal of finishing the bike under 6 hours.
At about 130km I was starting to feel a bit of fatigue. I took down another bar and gel to try to delay the onset of any potential cramps. One thing I had done was to write down the names of groups or individuals who had helped me along the way of this Ironman journey. Everytime I took out a pack of gel to down I would see the names, and remember what these people had done for me and what a blessing they have been in my life. It really made the ride more memorable and easier to get through this way.
After what seemed like a long while, I hit Heartbreak hill again. I just spun my way up past the people who were ahead of me once and got to the long downhill stretch that would bring me back into downtown Frankfurt and into T2 finally. The part of my body where the sun never shines was aching so badly at this point as the padding in my tri suit was ridiculously thin.
Having waaaayyy too much fun at Heartbreak Hill
I took quite a big risk by not carrying any spares but 2 Vittoria Pitstops. I saw some people by the roadside having to change their tubular tyres, something I was unfamiliar with and would be an instant game over for me if it happened. I am so glad to finish without any incident of note. I was prayed on the bike that God would keep us all safe for the bike and also to hold the weather up for us.In the end my bike time for the 185km was 5:42.
Finally turning into T2, I saw Luke's wife Karen, and surprisingly, Coach David. What was he doing there? He was all changed and carrying his camera. He was suppose to be out on the bike as well! Something must have happened. Turns out he had a case of hypothermia in the swim, could not breathe and had to dnf.
The volunteers at the transition helped catch my bike and bring it into rack it for me while I grabbed my red transition bag containing my socks, shoes, visor and more gels. Now this was the promblematic bit. Having been blighted by shin splints for the majority of the first half of the year, I had to take a slow recovery back to running fitness. My longest run was 14km just 2 weeks ago. How am I going to survive something 3 times longer after over 5 hours of swimming and cycling? I was going to find out. I said a quick prayer for God to grant me strength for the upcoming 42.2km, and also thank him for the weather He blessed us with.
My goal for the run was to run happy. I just wanted to feel comfortable and run my own pace. Surprisingly, the first 8km was pretty good. I was actually overtaking people and feeling very happy with it, and it showed as I smiled my way through. I even tried to make conversation with a guy running next to me (he didn't reply though, giving me a shag face).
Marathon up ahead!
Then I hit the wall early. My early strides slowed to a shuffle, and all the people I had passed earlier on were reversing the pass. I was just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. My core was in pain/stitching/almost-cramping so I walked at the aid station to down some water, coke and powerade.
At the third loop I started finding my rythmn again. I was so sick of gels that I was just surviving on the coke, powerade and water the aid stations provided. The spectator support was also incredible. They lined the 4 x 10km run route along the river and kept shouting words of encouragement, calling me by name cause of it being printed on my number tag. The sun was out, but the humidity was much lower than Singapore, so it was a comfotable temperature to run in. This was not the case for most of the Europeans as they were desperately grabbing cups of ice and sponges trying to cool themselves down. Every step now was pain. Blisters were forming especially on my little toe on the right foot, and every step I took made it ache more. The cobble sections of the road we had to run over certainly did not help as the uneven surface made it hurt more.
Pushing through......
After I got the scrungie indicating that I had ran 3 loops, I picked up my pace a bit more. I was really motivated now by the though of finishing. The fourth loop was just a blur as I pushed my way through, digging deep inside to tell myself to just keep going. The smile was gone as I gritted my teeth and just kept going and going. I though about the first Ironman Hawaii World Championship video I had watched. It was 2006 and Chris "Macca" Mccormack was chasing Norman Stadler off the bike. He pulled 9 mins off the lead and gave it his all, coming to just 71 seconds off to finish 2nd. That really inspired me to push through the way I had to.
There was a German wearing a green tri suit and green compression socks that I had seen during the bike and had been trading leads throughout the run. Now I caught him for the last time and pulled ahead. With the last scrungie, I was ecstatic and was focused on the last 4km for the finish.
Running down the finish chute was amazing. The crowd lined both sides of the finish chute and I cheered and highfived with them as I ran down. The feeling is really indescribable. As I reached the finish line I saw the time 10:45:52. I was quite shocked! I don't carry a watch with me when I race, so I had absolutely no idea what speed I was going. I crossed the line, thanking God. I then got down to roll across the line again in memory of John Blais (another inspiration of mine).
AMAZING German crowd giving the race finish a fantastic atmosphere!
I was still in quite a bit of shock at what had just happened, and it took a couple of seconds more for it to sink in. What I had once thought of as almost impossible, had dreamed of, had just become a reality. I almost teared just thinking about it.
Final results:
Swim 3.8km - 59:51
T1 - 5:11
Bike 185km - 5:42:01
T2 - 2:20
Run 42.2km - 3:56:29
Total - 10:45:52 13th in M18-24 Age Group
Thanks must go to God from whom all blessings flow. He had given me a love for this sport, then protected me while I trained for it, provided for me in terms of finances and material support, as well as great company to do this race with. Kept us safe travelling around, as well as in the swim and the bike. Hearing my prayer for strength and his healing hand while I ran 3 times my longest run, not letting my shin splints worsen, and carrying me through on wings like an eagle. All that I had, have and will do is due to His grace an mercy.
Thanks must also go to my travel and race companions. Josh, Coach David, Luke and wife Karen, Kok Sin and wife Agnes, new friends Teryn, Chris, Ram and Sean. To Just, my BFFLF for being my greatest supporter, Jiajie, Jason, Norms, Nicolas and the rest of the NUS Aquathlon Team, Tri 21 peeps for your unending support and well wishes. Soon Watt for the servicing and packing of my bike and loaning the excellent Easton EC90 Aero Wheels which brought me through Frankfurt and over the cobblestones. Macca and John Blais for the incredible source of inspiration you have been. My parents for the logistical support, as well as the many many many friends, supporters and well wishers, thank you all for all playing a part in bringing me through "The Longest Day of the Year".
Finisher Certificate and Medal!
Ironman!
