THE RACE
Swim 2.4 Mile (3.8k)
What can I say?! Ironman Germany has to go down as one of the best and most memorable experiences I have ever ever had. The German passion and enthusiasm for the sport is unrivalled, and I revelled in the atmosphere that this passion generates. The morning started of with breakfast at 3.30a.m. & a little chat with John Woods, Breakfast downed & back to the room to get my swim gear & onto the bus with all the other Pulser’s & athletes. The swim portion of the race takes place in the “Langener Waldsee”, a popular recreational lake just 12km south of Frankfurt & you could feel the tension on the bus traveling, it was electric. As the bikes were in transition since Saturday it was just a matter of putting pressure in the tyres & getting my nutrition & drinks onto my bike. Finally the time drew closer to the start with the wetsuit on we headed to the lake for the start. It was like we were all heading to the gallows.
There was 12,000 spectators at the swim start & with 2,500 athletes on the water the atmosphere was amazing. Bobbing about in the water waiting for the starting gun was so nerve racking as you just wanted to go & then “BANG” we’re off & with people climbing over you & getting elbows in the face, head, body & kicked in the face but i fought my way clear after about 500m only to realise that my goggles had come loose in the melee & were filling up very fast. I kept on swimming as we had to exit the water after 2000m for a short 20m run to the second loop, when i got here i fixed my goggles & met John Woods & a little slagging & off we went again, i did not see any off the other lads & God knows where they were. The second loop was much easier as my goggles were on properly & no leaks. I exited the water in 59mins & all the many hours spent in the pool had payed off.. I was delighted with my time & just after me was John Woods in hot pursuit. I ran up from the swim exit & a quick wave to Leila & the other WAGS and into transition & grab my bike bag & into the changing tent where a volunteer takes your gear from your bag as you dry down, Bike gear on & a run to my bike, helmet on & myself & John Woods left transition together both in our Pulse Gear & out onto the roads.
Bike 112 Mile (180k)
| The bike course took all the athletes not only through the spectacular Downtown of Frankfurt but also through beautiful landscapes of the surrounding countryside for two 90k loops. The bike started of fairly good for me & i felt very comfortable from the start & just settled down & got into a nice pace. What can i say about the German’s..!! It was 8.30a.m. in the morning & every village we passed through was having a party of some sort with music blaring out from every bar & everyone seemed to be drinking it was not fair & thought to myself maybe I’ll stop & have one drink with them….. Nah I’ll have plenty of time for that later.. I did not see any off the other Pulser’s on the first lap & as John was just behind me when we left transition i was just hoping nothing happened him or his bike. After about 50k on the bike we hit one of the famous hills but it was not just any hill it was cobble stone & you had to hold onto your bike for dear life as you were bouncing around & it was not very comfortable on a saddle & later i was to find out this is where John did have a little trouble with his bike as all his new gizmo’s fell apart getting bashed on the cobble stones.
The crowds on the hill were amazing as they were on top of you & it was as close to the racing in the Tour De France I’ll ever get. After this hill it was fairly flat & we passed lots of towns finally we got to Heartbreak hill & it was “Heartbreak” hill again the crowds were amazing & literally pulled you up the hill over no problem & finally into back into Frankfurt & out again on the 2nd lap. The second was more the same as the first but i think the Germans were a little more drunk this time round. I still had not seen the rest of the Pulse gang but they were to feature later on. I got a little tired on this lap & took it easy as i did not want to blow up for the run that lay ahead of me. Finally i got to the 180k sign & finally off the bike in a time of 5hr’s 50mins & walked into transition & another volunteer takes the your bike from you & someone goes & gets your run bag. Into the tent and a quick change into my run gear & out onto the run & a quick wave to the WAGS again who were everywhere on the day. Run 26.2 Mile (42.2k)
The complete run course was along the river “Main” facing the skyline of Downtown Frankfurt. The run was four 10k loops & the crowds again here were amazing as they give you so much encouragement & they are calling out your name, as your name is on your race belt & knowing you were from Ireland also made them cheer you on more. I found the first 10k fairly easy & i had planned to try run each 10k loop in an hour & happy days the first 10k went to plan. Alas not everything goes to plan as my legs got tired, so on the second loop i walked a little & ran a little. But i found the third loop easier & got into an easy run pace & just kept plugging along & this is where Oran passed me & i met Mark strolling along happy in the fact he was on the run & off the bike & no matter how long the run would take him he was going to become an IRONMAN. Finally i was on loop 4 & Rodney caught up with me with 3k to go & we ran together for a bit but i told him to go on as my legs were just too sore.
Heading up the finishing chute has to have been the most memorable part of the day. There are stands build up on both sides of the finishing chute & all packed with the crowds going wild & music blaring, this is where i lapped it up & i don’t know where i found the energy but i sprinted up waving to the crowds & seeing Leila near the finish line gave me a bigger smile so a quick kiss & i riverdanced over the line. When the announcer calls out your name & says Derek McCabe you are an IRONMAN & it’s the best feeling in the world & you just think all the hard work has payed off. My run time was 4hr’s 59min & my total finish time was 12 hour’s 50 sec & i was over the moon as i never expected to finish in 12 hour’s, my goal was 14hr’s so finishing in 12 was a extra bonus. Now for a well earned rest for a few weeks before finishing off the triathlon season with a few races..
All the boys did amazing. John Woods 11hr’s 08mins, Oran Murphy 11hr’s 25mins, Eoin McDonald 10hr’s 47min, Derek Boyce 13hr’s 13min, Rodney Joyce 11hr’s 53min, Mark Kelly 13hr’s 55min.
Last but not least a BIG THANK YOU to all the wags whose support on the day was amazing, you know who you are. Also everyone form Pulse for there messages of support leading up to the day. Finally i personally want to thank my fiance Leila, as without her support the past 7 months i would never have gotten across that line let alone to the start..
Until my next IRONMAN
Cheers
Derek
|
