Ironman Nice 2012

Race plan: Take my time – enjoy it – and Finish! Race morning – First Ironman – why France? Maybe I should have gone for one with less heat and hills! Even Lance had pulled the plug! Start Lined up for 6.30 start at rear of field as sun came up – figured be clearer water and less boxing on way round! Pre-race nerves on beach disappeared as Team Hoyt (look up on Youtube) lined up just yards away - ultimate inspiration! Swim 1.19 Relief for feet to get off pebbled beach and into water. Med was like a warm bath – clear n calm blue water (bit like the Swilly – not!) - but spoilt a bit by sharing it with 2500 other thrashing people. When clear water finally appeared - started at back of mayhem. Had a pretty uneventful and even relaxing swim (apart from a few minor bumps). Picked way round slower swimmers and followed feet where I could - only real congestion at turns and before I knew it first lap (2.4k) was done. Then out over the pebbles again (ouch!) and in for second lap (1.4k). Picked up pace a bit till hit traffic in last few hundred meters before swim exit – next thing was being dragged out of water onto blue carpet by volunteer.

Bike 7.18 Plan was to take easy - spin up the hills and save legs for the run. My knowledge of the bike course was it's mainly up-hill for the first 70km and it was 'supposed' to be fast for the last 40km. First 20k flat – and then to the climbs – temperature by now in low 30s. Main climb (Col de l'Ecre) – 21k long grinding slog in brutal heat to the top was endless – only broken by cheering crowds at few small villages. Soon learned that looking up the mountain was not a good idea – seeing the snake of bikes in front climbing switchbacks forever upwards - Close as I’ll ever get to riding Tour de France! Monitored my slow (or what felt like backwards) progress as road was marked with kilometre intervals to top. Finally over the summit – fast descents and two more shorter and less strenuous climbs and the worst of the bike was over. The descents were great fun (fantastic views – pity had no time to take in!). I passed plenty on way down whilst trying not to think of the sharp drops over the side – and noted several ambulances with casualties and a few bikes in bits! Last 20k back to Nice were to be easy – and time to rest the legs. No chance – full on into a bloody headwind! Run 4:17 Finally on to what is normally my best bit! Temperature now in mid 30s – plan was to keep hydrated and cool – and walk only through the aid stations and showers. Course was out/back along the main promenade in Nice - four laps of just over 10k each. Taking easy on bike paid off - legs felt great! Crowds and volunteers were fantastic - began to knock off laps around the hour mark. Still running on last lap (at reasonable pace) – waiting for wheels to come off – but thankfully they stayed firmly on! Noted that around me there were now more walkers than runners – and the ambulances and casualties were numerous. Final lap done - and having passed finish chute three times already - it was now my turn to head for the finishing line – and with family in tow crossed the line in 13.17! Ironman France was very well organised and an experience of lifetime! Bike course was brutal – but in my book one not to be missed for the views alone! Now on to the next one!