Race day

I woke at 2:50 and headed straight down to eat. There was a quiet buzz in the restaurant as competitors sat and ate their breakfast. I downed mine really quickly then headed up to collect my gear, after nearly forgetting my wetsuit, I loaded up the car and headed for the bus which was 15 minutes away at the Reebok stadium. I was feeling pretty mellow and as I prepped my bike was starting to enjoy the atmosphere. At the appointed time I climbed into my wetsuit and headed with the crowd of 1400 to the waters edge. As we made our way into the water my confidence built. Every week at least 3 times a week I have swim 3k and so this felt very natural. Another swim, just a little longer with a few more people. I cant remember how we were signalled to start but one minute I was chatting to a chap next to me and the next second we were off. The swim was pretty easy with the exception of being ducked once by a big hefty chap. I felt good. The first lap was a bit of a bun fight but the next was great. It felt quick and when I checked my watch it registered 1hr 7:30 which I was pleased with. We headed into transition which once again was smooth and then out onto the road on the bikes. So far so good. The first 12 miles or so was heading out onto the main circuit which comprised of 3 loops of around 33 miles. I was happy and comfortable, eating well and taking on liquids. Pace felt fine although I couldn't tell my speed as my speedo had packed up. 

I had been on the bike or around 2 hrs  and was well into the first circuit, when I had to change to a low gear to attack a sudden rise, as I climbed out of the saddle to apply the necessary pressure I heard a loud "crack" and my left peddle went slack. I climbed off  expecting to see a broken chain, but instead found both peddles at 6 o'clock.

The left one swinging to and fro and in no way connected to its partner. I desperation I started running up the hill with my bike hoping to find a Marshall, but no luck. I kept on walking until after half an hour or so a friendly motorcycle policemen radioed the support team to send a mechanic. After waiting for 90 minutes at the side of the road no one came and I realised that race day for me was over. Eventually a bus pulled up that was collecting the "drop outs". I joined 3 others, 2 who had crashed and one who had thrown up and so packed it in. 

Eventually, after a long a tortuous series of lifts I ended up at the hotel, pretty fed up and wanting to put as many miles between me and Bolton as I could. I rang Jennie and explained the situation, she was very sympathetic and followed up with a text that suggested I make up my own Ironman and do it in a couple of weeks. My initial reaction was pretty luke warm but the idea is growing on me.
I was left with a bit of a dilemma. I wanted to collect my car from the Reebok Stadium but that was 5 miles away, but I didn't fancy getting on the shuttle bus with the other athletes. So I pulled on my running gear and headed out to make my own way. Without the Sat Nav I went a bit of a long route and it ended up as 6 miles, but it felt good to get running and it meant that I had at least done a bit of a triathlon. After collecting the car and packing it with my gear I was able to collect my bike and bits a pieces and I headed off down the motorway. I was making good time surfing through the various music channels when I happened across Take That. Not my favorite band, but it reminded me of something. A few months ago Kevin, one of my closest friends, died after a long battle with cancer. He was a pretty cool guy, into some interesting but mostly rocking type of stuff. However, at his funeral Ruth (his wife) explained that Kevin had always loved the song that goes something like "This could be the best day of your life" by Take That. This was the song that came on the radio and it made me think of him and how can choose to make this a good day, probably not the best day, but a good day. It occurred to me that it was up to me and how I thought about it. I have learned masses about triathlon over the past 7 months and even more today. I can use that. I am the fittest I have ever been. I can and will improve. The way this can be a good day, is if I make it so by "treating triumph and disaster both the same". This wasn't a disaster, no one died. It is data that I will learn from and tell stories about a long time into the future. Today I did not finish. However, I don't think I can call myself a triathlete without a D.N.F. in my back pocket. So now I have one, and for that I thank you Bolton. I am disappointed but not beaten. I will complete the distance one day, maybe soon or maybe some time in the future. PJH road to Ironman continues and who knows what is around the corner and I am sure I will be knocked back again but in the words of the band Garbage "The trick is to keep breathing".