IRON MAN SWITZERLAND: One down and one to go ….

Last week I completed stage one of the challenge, the Zurich Iron Man, my time across the finish line was 11.28.37 – over half an hour better than I had hope for, exhaustion doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel today!

The day started early with an alarm at 4.30am, a big breakfast and then down to the race village for 6.00, last minute preparations before being in the water and ready to go at 7.00.  The swim start was as manic as you’d suspect with 2,200 people starting at the same time, after a few minutes of punches, swimming over people, being swan over and generally not having much fun I found myself in some open water and got into a rhythm.  Note to anyone else who fancies trying this, if you find yourself in this position you are going the wrong way.  A few minutes later I was back in the thick of things and back on course.  My first lap was completed in 33.13 and the second which was 200m longer in 38.46 meaning I came out the water in a time of 1.11.59.  I actually quite enjoyed the swim albeit I was pleased to be taking the wetsuit  off and moving on.

I took my time in transition, changed into my cycling kit and hit the road.  The bike was always going to be my strongest discipline so I was determined to take things steady and save some energy for the run.  I got into a steady rhythm from the off and kept my heart rate low, the first lap in particular was about eating and drinking (both of which I am very good at).  At the end of each lap was an ascent of ‘heartbreak hill’ it was great fun, the closest you’ll ever get to being in the Tour de France with spectators parting the road in front of you, Charlotte even got a smile at the top of the climb.  I completed the first lap in 2.38 and set out for more of the same, the second lap being completed in 2.48 to give me a total bike time of 5.27.  No smile for Charlotte at the top of the climb second time round, just a grumble that I didn’t want my spare drink she had patiently been carrying for me all morning.  I was really pleased with the bike, a good time and I hadn’t pushed myself too hard, on top of that I managed to consume an energy bar, 14 energy gels and 2 litres of sports drink!!

Back into transition and ‘just the marathon to go’.  How hard can it be.  Well I set off again keeping a very close eye on the heart rate, my aim was to run a negative split marathon which means the second half is quicker than the first.  All great in theory but in reality I was nowhere near!  I slowed from 58 mins for the first 10.5k to 1.18 for the last.  I can’t explain how I felt during the second half of the run, there was just genuinely nothing left in the tank, no amount of energy gel, drinks, food could muster up the energy I needed to run faster.  I was fighting cramp from the halfway mark to the end and was about as miserable as you can get!  I saw Charlotte on the third and forth lap, on the third she offered to open me a gel to which I responded by shouting at her and on the fourth I just threw my spare food at her and didn’t say a word.

As I crossed the finish line after the 4 hours 39 marathon, I collapsed, a complete physical, emotional and mental wreck.  I did however manage to muster up some energy for steak and chips with my first beer in five weeks later in the evening – neither of which were finished, I really must have been tired.  A huge thanks to Charlotte who was on her feet from 5am to 11pm and who must have covered a marathon distance on foot to offer words of encouragement and carry my spare food/drink and later in the day carry me!

Today is slightly better than expected, I just can’t walk.  Still 23 days to recover before I head to the Himalayas for stage two!

A huge thanks to everyone who has sponsored to date, so far we have raised £3,955, I’m sure £5,000 can be reached before I leave for the Himalayas.  A reminder that all the funds raised go to the hospice LOROS.  The link to my fundraising page (which has more details on the charity and the second stage of my challenge) is:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyEggleston

Cheers!

Andy