4 go to Wales and achieve, the story of Torocsc at Ironman Wales
The strap line often used by Ironman is "anything is possible" and on the 11 September 2011 Kat, Sarah, Karl and myself (Tim) definitely proved that by starting and more importantly completing the inaugural Ironman Wales facing a race distance of 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run , an extremely tough course and weather conditions that including the remnants of a hurricane (so windy) and for the run - heavy rain.
For all but karl this was our first experience of the distance which added to the sense of achievement.
A key part of the toro race team is the sense of collective achievement and support between the group and the emphasis on doing your own personal best which is so important given the many other commitments all team members have so i wanted to start this report with an overview of the race itself before talking about my own personal experiences
As mentioned, this was the first year of ironman wales and i think the organisers wanted to make an impression, the course was tough - a sea swim, a bike that featured 2400m of climbing with 2 - 3 particularly savage ones to be completed twice on the end of the bike loops and a marathon run that featured plenty of climbing and u turns etc making it tricky to get into any sort of rhythm
To add to the sense of occasion, the wind had been howling on the run up to the race and rain was driving, so we all feared the worse particularly for the swim and the bike which was pretty technical in places
the forecast weather caused the swim course to be moved across the tenby seafront to a more sheltered location although the waves would still be high and it also necessitated a (hilly) 1k run from the swim exit to the bike transition so additional arrangements were needed to rack an extra pair of running shoes after the swim exit to get to T1
Race morning dawned windy but thankfully dry although dark still as the team got to T1 at 5am to undertake a final bike check etc before heading off to the swim course which was still being set up as we arrived
i think it was fair to say a few nerves were in the air, particularly for the 3 iron novices as we wondered what the day would bring, how we would get through, would we make cut off times and how we would cope with the first obstacle of a pretty choppy sea swim
We had been warned to expect a cold sea (given the event was the first qualifier for the kona 2012 world championships athletes had been attracted from all over the world with 50 nations plus being on the start line most used to sunnier climates) so the gang of 4 decided that a paddle was in order to test the conditions, the water was ok and warmer than the lake we train in has been for a while and a moment of pure inspiration by sarah broke the tension as she volunteered to cheer us all up by being flattened by a wave, it made all of us laugh (particularly sarah) which was just what was needed at that time
the swim start was on the beach itself and at 7am the horn went off and 1300 maniacs (200 down on the list of entrants) piled into the sea for a 2 lap swim, having to jump over the waves probably looked ungainly but we were off!
the course involved swimming around 4 buoys and the swim to the first was a bit more sheltered and as such ok, before the bottleneck of the first turn caused a few pile ups, the swim to the second marker was much further out and pretty choppy (and seemed to get even more challenging on the second lap), the final part of the swim course was still tough but a little smoother before it was time to run out across the timing mat and back in again
All of the team did brilliantly to get through the swim and for at least 3 of us it was a completely new experience to swim in the sea let alone crashing waves! despite pre race angst none of the 4 needed to worry about the 2 20 cut off time in the slightest!
So job done for the swim, now a run up a steep zig zag hill collecting trainers on the way to run the 1000m to T1 being spurred on by huge crowds, a feature of the whole day, wales really did come out in force to cheer the race on and it was much appreciated
The bike started in the centre of the Town before heading out West to the farthest reaches of the Welsh coast before returning for 2 loops around the hilly countryside surrounding Tenby. The whole course featured very little flat sections made tougher by the strong winds which very rarely seemed to be in your favour
other features of the bike included cycling through a military firing zone, around small tracks on the peninsula of Wales, helicopters overhead for the tv cameras, but the really testing bit was the climbs on the 2 loops which got steeper towards the end of the circuit and hence later on in the race just as you were getting tired! The sun shone which was a relief as a wet road alongside the strong winds would have caused havoc on the many technical twisting decants
Yet again all the team performed fantastically to finish well within the 10.30 cut off time so we all entered the run knowing how long we would have to finish the event within the 17 hour cut off - which would prove not a problem for any of the team
The run was......hard ! 4 loops of just over 10k uphill on the outward lap with switch backs destroying cadence before heading back into the centre for a circuit around the many narrow streets (again undulating) and then head out again. The event had a big race feel with the enormously supportive large crowds and big tv screens relaying the action. The run featured much needed aid stations every 2k and the team adopted the tried and tested tactic of running between aid stations and then walking through the aid stations to ensure enough fuel was taken on board
As the run progressed, the rain started and turned persistent as the evening progressed to add to the still present wind
after the 4th lap the athletes had the pleasure of a finish along the promenade to take on the adulation of the crowd and finish on the red carpet knowing they have fulfilled the ambition to become an ironman (or lady!)
And all of the team did just that, despite the pre race nerves, team spirit remained strong as all waited to greet each other at the finished, cold wet and tired but happy, the look of happiness on sarahs face in particular will remain in the memory for a long time and all finished well within the cut off times
the toughness of the event was emphasised by getting on for 200 non finishers and the fastest time of the day of just over 9 hours being well above the usual ironman event winning time of 8 - 8.15
So all in all a great experience for all of the team achieving the personal goal of completing an ironman which was made all the more difficult by the challenging course and weather conditions
So stand up Kat, Sarah and, i guess, myself - we are now ironmen (and ladies) ! and of course to Karl who has the distinction of being a multiple ironman! we have trained for this moment for a year and without exception achieved
To add my own perspective, i found the whole experience amazing and humbling, you have to respect such a challenge and only a year ago i had never swam 4k let alone in the sea with such waves, i had not biked more than 75 miles or run more than 20 - individually let alone put the whole package together
my preparations this year have not been without complications although i took strength from completing the prague marathon on a twisted ankle and completing 2 half iron events
I approached the event not quite knowing what to expect and how would the body hold up, but i had followed the training plan for the year, carried enough spares to be classed as a neutral service vehicle after my Liverpool experience and if i kept breaking the race down into manageable segments then i hoped to get through.
i was pleased with how it went, my swim of 1 hr 8 surpassed my expectations coming out roughly half way done the field, i managed to pick up just under 250 places on the bike which i guess suited me more than a flat power course and managed an average of just under 17mph to complete the 112 miles in 6hr 47 and finished off with a 3 hr 53 walk/run marathon to gain a further 100 places to finish off in 12 hours 9 mins and a finish in the top third for my first race over the distance
i was pleased to feel almost human at the finish and the advice of the coaching team and other friends was invaluable in ensuring i took enough fuel onboard, paced appropriately remembering it is a long day although having piled that much energy food down me during the day i didn't get too much sleep sunday night!
i also decided to do the event for a cause close to my heart and through the fantastic and generous support of work friends and colleagues have currently raised getting on for £2000 for a particularly worthwhile cause (whose privacy I respect so please forgive me for not writing about), it helped made sure you kept going during the darker moments and made the experience all the more worthwhile
More important than my own performance was the success of the team, it adds so much to the experience including mark and family who turned to help and support , family and friends deserve a huge thank you for putting up with the training and tiredness and particularly being there to support during the race and all those who have contributed to getting me to the start in 1 piece including my physio frequently putting me back together!
As i started this article, this event and the teams success proves anything is possible so whatever your goal is, believe you can do, put a plan together, get the right advice adapt when it doesn't quite go to plan and go for it, you will be amazed what you can achieve!
Tim
