Gearing up to Ironman 2012 with little training and a drive to compete in this event...here is my story. I only heard about IM for the first time a year ago when seeing the guys from my gym training for it, and then following race day online last year watching Chrissie and Raynard and i became inspired and decided then that i will be taking part at IM 2012.
My training for IM was nothing compared to what i wanted to do. Most weekends i work, lots of knee trouble this year with running and only got my bike 6 months ago. I have clocked about 600km on my bike which 350km of this was at races from 94.7 cycle challenge, BSG triathlons, Buffelspoort ultra and Joburg Triathlon with my furthest distance being the 94.7 cycle race. And on the running side, i hardly run, due to knee trouble and the furthest distance i have ever run before IM was 15km last year at the Colgate race. Swimming on the other hand is where i put my hours in with spinning classes and gym. Most people tried to stop me from going as they were convinced i would not make it. I knew i could do it...like the IM slogan stands... Anything is Possible!
Heading down to PE last week Wednesday it became real. Thursday morning we woke up to dolphins playing in the waves in Beachview where we stayed. It was a blessing most people said. Decided to cycle into PE on the official route and test it out before i join the guys on the first training swim at Hobie Beach. The cycle was amazing. Scenery was spectacular and the weather was fantastic. After a nice 40km cycle into PE, i got a flat tyre causing a wobble and a bail for me just at the BP station right after the IM bridge. Was so funny, and painful at the time. Could only be me, to bail two days before the big race and sprain my wrist and bruise my knee (the only knee i have as the other is messed when i run) :) With that said, i grabbed my bike and headed to the swim.
A little nervous as i have never swum (like proper open water swimming) in the ocean before, though i am a very strong and comfortable swimmer, i lined up with fellow IM athletes. The route was explained and off we went. I decided to not swim with my wetsuit. (i dislike the wetsuit - it messes up my stroke) I really enjoyed the swim. The sea was calm and not so warm but just right. :)
The Friday i decided to avoid cycling and just swim. Headed back to Hobie Beach, this time with my wetsuit. I decided to do a short swim, and not the full route. The water was once again stunning. Had breakfast on the beach which the next part was the highlight of my day. While having breakfast, a school of dolphins were passing in the bay, and with no hesitation, i ran to the the beach, cap, goggles and went in after them. I was a meter away, so close i could touch them. It was the best swim of my life.
Saturday came faster than the winds we experienced on Sunday - rushing around sorting out my bike and making sure i have all my kit and in the right bags. At this stage my jaw was sore from being clenched with stress. There is no turning back now. Cant tell you what was going through my mind.
Headed to Hobie Beach to get transition sorted out. Felt like a pro among the other athletes. They looked as nervous as i was. A year later of saying, i want to take part in Im and here i am...was unreal. There were talks of the race turning into a Duathlon due to the weather conditions. Just my luck if they did with swimming being my strongest discipline. As race day approached the next morning, the announcement was that the swim will not be canceled. Most fantastic news ever.
RACE DAY
Early morning Sunday, we headed to IM at 3am to get there early enough before traffic arrives. The wind was blowing insanely and it rained. Was so cold, i was looking forward to swimming, as i think the water was warmer than outside. With an hour to go, my mother urged me to wear my wetsuit and off i went to the start line right in front waiting to start. Found myself nestled between the men. Somehow i felt very small and short. Saw the Pro athletes lining up in front of me. Front row - awesome. :)
SWIM
As the canon went off to start the race, it was instant stampede for the ocean. Diving in was painful with the big guys swimming over me, grabbing my ankle pulling me backwards, and someone even gripped my timing chip. Was a brutal swim the first 1.9km, as the entire way you were swum over and pulled and people have no sense in direction as to where to swim...wow. I got cut off so many times. Second half was better, but the sea was more rough heading out on the long 800m stretch towards the harbour. Felt like a washing machine. But nothing compared to the first loop of being swum over. Didn't enjoy the swim at all. My time was 1;21;09 which is 21min slower than i am capable of swimming.
CYCLE
The cycle was interesting - as i jumped on my bike and headed out, i was welcomed with gale force winds of 80kmph+ blowing me sideways and with my level of cycling and always bailing i decided to go slow and not get blown over. Was so scary! The long uphill which is honestly not tough, but tough going against the wind was where i lost all my time. I'm fit for the distance, but not strong enough. I didn't want to push it as i still have medical concerns and a hernia which can play up at any time. The second loop was painful (never eat a potato on the cycle) Gees i thought my stomach was going to explode with pain. Was so close to calling it a day and ending my dream there, but heading towards the last 60km loop, my system sorted itself out. The winds didn't die down...it became worse as the day went on and so did the weather. My bike lifted a few times heading towards the sea side, then something remarkable occurred and that was my significant moment that kept me going- Heading towards the university i saw a rainbow over Hobie Beach...this lifted my spirit and i had tears. I have never cycled 180km before in my life. Years ago doctors said i would never do sport competitively again...but here i am - taking on Ironman. 8hours thirty with 19min to bike cut off i headed out for the run. This was where my race really started with knee trouble and the distance.
RUN
Heading out onto the course on the run, i knew i was somewhat amongst the last bunch. Everyone had one or two arm bands already. Felt so slow, but was amazed how great i felt for the run. I didn't think i would have been able to run after that cycle, but my first 14km went well (not fast, but well) Heading back to start my second loop, my dad said i wasn't going to make it and its okay if i stop. Suddenly i had all doubts in my mind and didn't know what to do. I carried on to the turning point where i was running with a few others who also were on their first /second loop, and thought to myself i should keep going. At 18km, i passed my dad again an said, I'm going for it, make it or not, i have never run past 15km before and I'm currently sitting on 18km into the race. With a huge smile he said...go for it! I ran up to 22km comfortably. Couldn't go faster as my knees were starting to pain. Cant afford to have them give in on me completely. I met a guy Theo, who i speed walked with the rest of the way and as much as everyone encouraged me, i wanted to encouraging everyone we passed and passed us to keep going. I tried to run, but my knees wouldn't let me...so speed walking was my only option. On my last loop, the weather took a nasty turn. It was raining, so windy, and we were all freezing out there. I was cold since 6am in the morning. There was no stage in the race i was warm. But i met so many inspirational people on the run, an that was the best distraction. Some people had tears they weren't going to make it. I kept encouraging them that with no doubt they would even though in my own mind i was convinced i was going to miss the cut off.
THE FINISH LINE :)
I don't know how i made the walk the last 19km with blisters and wet shoes in the cold, but coming in towards the finish line i couldn't stop smiling. I wanted to hear those words all day long after what everyone had been through...and then i did - CYNDI- YOU ARE AN IRONMAN. No one thought i would make it...but i did! I proved everyone wrong...even myself. Take those doubts and chuck them...Anything is possible if you believe you can.
A big thanks to everyone who supported me. My friends who stood by my side no mater what. My family with putting up with me and being there for me through it all. My team mates at BCC and everyone on the course who kept me going.You guys are awesome and i love you all.
An even bigger thanks to the Ironman Team for their hard work and for a fantastic race...no race compares to Ironman.
Also to all the supporters who stayed in the wind and rain from early morning till midnight. You guys pushed us to believing we can do it.
And here's to the Legends of the bay...Every athlete who made it, or didn't make it...you are all heroes for taking on this awesome race.
I will definitely be back next year with much more training behind me - like my friends say - I'm not crawling over the finish line...next time i shouldn't take it so easy. :)
