RustyMan to IronMan
It’s been staring at me, following me everywhere I go......Facebook,
Instagram, emails....there seems to be no escape......its mocking me, it knows
that no matter how much I fight it, it will win.....it always does.....
...the pain, the suffering, the hours spent training, the cost, the oh so expensive
cost....registration fees, accommodation, equipment all battering the credit
card. It's NOT happening, not this time.
Then somewhere in the back of my brain a small slither of light, memories
from other bouts of stupidity.....the sense of achievement, the feeling when
you cross that finish line, the crowds cheering...not only for the winners but
for me, the very average plodder who will still be going when the winner has
showered, changed and is onto his/her third pint (protein shake), and keep
going I will. The money raised for some amazing charities which have helped my
family and me and also good friends in some very dark times. I am so very proud
to support them.
That is why I know that despite everything it will win......
So what is it that is haunting me so? It is this.....
The Ironman registration.....ten
days until registration opens, then an email informing me its only seven.....you
can pay in installments.....it knows my reasons not to do it and it plays its
ace card to beat me to submission.
It shouldn't be such a dilemma, i've completed the Ironman 70.3 in Stafford
in 2016....1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. It was tough, but
an amazing achievement and event.....could I have done it twice? I doubt it,
especially the swim. But you train for what is to come and prepare for the
event whether it be a 10k or 100 mile ultra.....
I competed the Ironman 70.3 in 7 hours 32 minutes.....not a great time, but
not awful either. Well it can't have been, I got a medal at the end.....but I
know deep down my training was pretty poor for this, and will need to be much
better planned for the full Ironman.
Sadly, this is only part of the plan for 2018 as the 'Midlife Crisis' ramps
up....the aim to complete 20 challenges, many of which are part of my 'before I
die’ (or my body gives up on me) whichever comes first bucket list before I hit
the big 40 in December 2018..so next year is going to be the year of madness
part deux.....but more of that in a later blog…
So why the Ironman? It’s expensive, it’s busy, and it’s a
commercial pantomime …..BUT it’s the Ironman…it’s the pinnacle of endurance and
going beyond limits without heading to the wilds of the Sahara or the arctic. It’s
the dedication to train not just for one event to a top level, but three tough
disciplines.
I’ve been to watch a
couple of friends compete at the Bolton event and the whole atmosphere was
amazing, the grit and determination from the athletes competing, especially
those ‘plodders’ like me in the middle and tail end of the pack putting months
and months of training, sacrifice and dedication to come down to this one
day….legs screaming to stop but the mind telling them to push on, only a few
more miles and you will be an Ironman, the dream will be reality…… the time
taken might matter but that medal, that lifetime of knowing you did it is
priceless…….
My biggest issue is swimming. I can swim, I am quite a
strong swimmer, but I am all breaststroke and pretty slow. I’ve have had
lessons, but every time I try to get from one end of the pool to the other
using front crawl I slowly start to drown two thirds of the way across…..I can
cycle, not super-fast but with a bit more training certainly fast enough for
the Ironman and then running. I have done a couple of marathons hitting the
4.30 and 4.55 times, but then add it all together and it’s a different story
altogether. On the 70.3 my legs were shot, cramping as soon as I started to
‘run’. The swim and bike took everything and it was only sheer bloody
mindedness and the crowd which got me round….so I have an idea what is required
to complete the full, but then I need to times that by ten.
So we shall wait and see, will I or won’t I have dived
straight in and registered for the Ironman, but I think we all know what the
answer will be…..
Lakeland 50
Onto more pressing events, this weekend (28th –
30th July) is the Lakeland 50 and 100 event.
The Lakeland 50 involves running (walking) 50 miles from
Dalemain near Penrith to Coniston in under 24 hours. It is a beautiful route
and is a privilege to be able to spend so long walking in the lakes, but sadly
no pub stops on route! The camaraderie along the course from the other 50th
competitors and the 100 people running the 50 route as the second section of
their challenge is amazing…..people who have been running over two nights with
85 miles in the legs supporting those of us hitting our first night with 35
miles in our legs is pretty special, add the checkpoint crews who cannot do
enough to support and encourage us all along with the spectators makes for a
truly tough but special race.
This will be the 5th time I have competed in this
event in 6 years…..saying never again in 2013 after a horrific night of walking
with some shocking weather, but after a year spectating I was back in 2015…..I
first did this challenge as part of the year of madness in 2012, when I took on
12 challenges in 12 months joined with my very good friend John Wilkinson. I
was also joined in various challenges by some good but slightly crazy friends
helping raise lots of money for some amazing charities…
So onto 2017, I have completed this event in
2012 – 18 h 50
2013 – 17 h 31
2015 – 21 h 37
2017 – 21 h 31
This year my aim is to complete in under 16 hours, a big ask
but certainly achievable if my legs behave.
The weather report changes with each passing hour but as I type looks
dry for Saturday and Sunday morning….
So last thing is to wish all the best to all those taking
part in the Lakeland 50 and 100 and those supporting at the checkpoints, see
you at some point this weekend! But special best wished to Tim Ingram taking
part in the 50 and Jess Williams taking part in her second 100 after some
serious mental strength and dedication to reach the finish last year!
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