As you know I've just come back from Austria after competing in the
Ironman at Klagenfurt, so as a reply to all those who wished me luck,
or have emailed me about the result, I thought I'd write a quick
report. I know some of our ladies were thinking about a girl's trip
to Klagenfurt next year and I really can't recommend this event
enough, whether its the organization, the support or the fantastic
scenery that you see as you speed through the Austrian Alps, its a
fantastic race.
For me it started with a 2 day car journey, shared with my friend and
fellow competitor, Mark, arriving at our camp site at 1700 on the
Friday. The campsite was practically in the Ironman Expo, about 50m
from transition, and our tent was, more importantly, only 25m from
the toilets! after setting up camp we wandered around the expo and
set up our bikes. A free pasta party followed, with a fantastic
display of gymnastics by a danish group of kids, doing back flips etc
through the main marquee. As the sun was setting we rode one lap of
the run course, quite easily followed by the messages of support
sprayed onto the pavement.
Saturday started with registration and racking, interrupted by one of
the frequent thunderstorms and showers that were forecast every day
of the event. That afternoon we drove one lap of the bike course and
were introduced to the infamous (for us anyway) Ruppittenberg, or as
the English named it, Rupert the Bear. This it a sharp hill at 60km
and 150km on the bike course which gives the height required for the
long downhill sections of the course that make Austria one of the
fastest Ironman. That evening, a relaxing meal in the centre of
Klagenfurt was followed by a surprisingly good nights sleep.
Race Day
We got up at 0500, time for a bowl of Ready Brek and a cup of tea,
then it was time to go to the transition and load the bike. I'd been
training with High 5 gels and have never got on with Powerbar stuff
supplied on the course, so I would have to carry all my provisions
with me. I wanted to get my brakes sorted out as they were pulling,
so I joined the queue of racers with punctures and flats at the bike
repair tent. They couldn't help me, so I'd have to risk it. I donned
the wet suit and downed a Red Bull and joined the throngs making
their way to the beach. There was a bit of a bottleneck over the mats
that all had to pass over, so we weren't even in the water when the
gun was fired and the race had started.
The lake (The Wodersee) was, we had noted, a funny colour and I
wasn't looking forward to the swim, but as I entered the water I
realized why it looked wrong. It was so clean, not the usual green or
brown slime that you get at Southwater. The swim was a 1400m out,
following 3 buoys, then a left turn around a forth buoy another 100m
on, then back to the shore. to finish the swim you travel 900m down a
canal to the exit. The lake was fantastic with very little pushing
even though there were 3000 people in the water with you. Sighting
was fairly easy with large mountains on all sides and beautiful
castles allowing you to keep the swim distance to a minimum. The
canal was very crowded with lots of pushing and all you could do was
concentrate on a long stroke and accept that you weren't going to
improve your position.
T1 was pretty quick, aided by the fact that I had forgotten to pack
my sun cream, and then it was out on the bike. I settled down and
concentrated on keeping a low level of perceived effort for the first
lap. The course is closed road and the road surface is mostly smooth
and allowed for a fast first part along the lake shore. Mark ,
although having a slightly faster swim, was behind me, but caught up
around 10k. we cycled together for a couple of k, but were very wary
of the marshalers who, with typical Austrian efficiency, were
enforcing the no draughting rule very tightly. Mark dropped back and
I put my head down and set out to face the hills. The first hill you
reach is the Egg, a steep, short gradient that got you out of your
saddle and dropped your cadence down to 50ish in your granny cog. The
support though was brilliant with people all around the course. The
downhills were long and very fast, leaving me slightly worried about
my still squeaky wheel and my catching brakes. At you get to the 60k
mark you meet the Ruppittenberg for the first time. The crowds push
in and only leave you the space for your bike, all the time ringing
their cow bells and shouting "hop, hop, hop". It was fantastic and
you couldn't stop, even if you wanted to. A bloke had the PA going
and was shouting out encouragement (imagine Austrian accent), "I-ron
mans, I-ron womans, willkomen zue Ruppittenberg....etc". Over the
summit and I really let the planet X of its lease, making a top speed
of 69kph through the twists and turns of the Austrian Alps,
fantastic. The last 15 k was along the dual carriage way back to
Klagenfurt and lap 2. The second lap was a hard slog, with the
temperature rising to 29/30 degrees, but all you could do is
concentrate on your cadence and keeping hydrated and refueled. 180k
and it was back into transition and luckily (for me not her) a young
frauline willing to smear suncream on my shoulders. I threw on my
trainers and set of for the run.
The heat now was the biggest problem, with half the run unshaded and
the temperature still in the low 30s. My stomach was also giving me
concern with cramps, so I settled down to my target pace and tried to
re-hydrate when I could. I realized that if I wanted to get through
this that I would have to change my plans. I decided I had to walk
through the water stops so I could fully drink the water. I kept on
taking my high 5 gels and kept my required pace between the water
stops. The run initially goes along the northern shore of the
Wodersee then returns to the start before going into the centre of
Klagenfurt and around the Lingwurm ( a statue of a dragon in the main
square), past all the cafes and restaurants, before returning to the
start. You do this twice, before finally turning into the finishers
tunnel and the end. About half way round the clouds started to build
and the rain dragged the temperature to a more reasonable 26ish. This
gave me a new lease of life and even though the shower was short
lived I realized I was going to make it. Turning the last corner and
hearing the crowds at the finish was one of the best experiences of
my life. I took my time enjoying the crowds as I finished, which
unfortunately meant I missed out on a below 4 hour marathon.
Mark finished some time latter after being around 10k behind me on
the run, but shortly after 25k he started throwing up and was unable
to re-hydrate or take on any carbs, but finish he did, before being
placed on a drip by the medics. A real Ironman.
The results
3.8k / 2.4 mile swim 1:14:28
180k / 112 mile bike 5:49:20
42.2k / 26.1 mile run 4:00;04
T1 06:34
T2 06:27
TOTAL TIME 11:16:56
Thanks to all at MSTC who have helped me over the last 6 months
achieve my ambition of becoming an Ironman. To any body, who is as
fortunate as I am to have the time to train and a very understanding
family, I would thoroughly recommend this experience. I would jump at
the chance to do another, although I fear I will not be allowed to.
It is, I think, a once in a life time experience, but it is
definitely one that will rank up there with (in chronological order):
my first solo flight, my marriage and the birth of my children.
Now, bring on the Vitruvian!
See you all back training when the legs are working.
Jon
