Ironman South Africa 2013 - An Experience of a Lifetime!

 

Ironman South Africa became a reality for me in August last year when I took a bold (some may call it crazy) leap and pressed the enter button. From that day, I changed my lifestyle and it became all about the swim – bike – run! And as the months became less, I began to prepare more and more for the big day.

 

Ironman SA is not your average one-day event. It is a journey that has ups and downs, highs and lows. It is incredible. It is about entering into a world of open-minded, enthusiastic, great people. In fact, it's the people I met along the way that made this race so memorable for me. I was also very fortunate to have two dynamic friends, Dale and Gary, who entered the race with me and without their help, guidance and support, training would have been less bearable.

 

The race has a 17-hour time limit, but it is the six months before that defines who you are, how strong your mind will be and how you deal with the hiccups along the way. I had never swum 3.8 km, nor had I cycled 180 km or run a 42.2 km - but there's a first time for everything.

 

Port Elizabeth was transformed that weekend, with a number of events taking place. On the Friday night, we watched a friend, Sarah, do the Iron Girl, a 10 km run that kicked off the Ironman weekend. Now into its third year, this women’s-only event has become an annual fixture amongst the ladies and looked like great fun! The race briefing also took place that night and the vibe was amazing.

 

On the Saturday, Dale, Gary and myself, as well as my phenomenal support team (my mom, sister and good friend Sarah), headed to the beach for a pre-wetsuit swim. The water was a lovely temperature and helped to soothe raw nerves. At 3 p.m., it felt like I was handing my life over as I gave in my bike and athletic possessions, knowing that when I saw them again, it would be the big day.

 

I had a great night’s sleep and woke up on race day feeling positive. After an early breakfast, we made our way to the start, where I topped up my transition bags with nutrition and gave my tyres a last pump. Trading my warm clothes for a wetsuit, things started to feel very real. I waved goodbye to my support team and teammates, and headed to the water feeling inspired. I was inspired by the commitment and dedication I had put into my training and nutrition. I was inspired by athletes like Kevin Garwood, who was attempting to do the Ironman with his CP child Nicholas, as well as athletes like Hein Wagner and his partner Alwyn de Kock, who have one good eye between them.

 

I sang the national anthem with pride, said my last prayers and put a smile back on my face. "I train my mind, so my body will follow," were the words going through my mind as the cannon went off and about 1,750 athletes entered the water. It was the most athletes I'd ever swum with and I felt like a duck amongst seals. The first 400 m were tough and getting to the first buoy was a nightmare. As I got through my first lap I looked at my watch; 36:19 and I felt good. Returning to the water, I found the second lap to be a lot more enjoyable and was soon in a good rhythm. As I approached the last 800 m of the swim, I looked at the packed pier and could hear the announcers and crowd screaming. I had completed the first leg of the Ironman - a 3.8 km swim in a time of 01:16:59.

 

I headed into the transition beaming and began the transformation into my cycling gear, ready for the bike. As always, the volunteers were incredible and helped all the way. Cycling along the Marine Parade, I felt like a celebrity as I waved to the crowds that lined the road. Cycling has always been my strongest discipline and as I started the first of three 60 km loops, I couldn’t have asked for better conditions!

 

The first 10km included a gradual climb, but we had help from the wind as it pushed us up the hill.