We drove up to Port Elizabeth on Thursday 22nd April, and then pre-swam the course on Friday 23rd. Saturday the 24th was a easy 1hr bike ride and then it was bike racking, transition bag packing and the race briefing.
Sunday morning was ‘go!’ time. We got to the beach fairly early, and once my gf and the little one found a place on the pier I wandered down to the gathering area and changed in to my wetsuit. The Urban Ninja walked over and wished me luck, (thanks bud) and then it was off to the beach. I lined up in the 90min area, not being the strongest swimmer and waited. National anthem was sung, and the cannon went “BOOM!”
Waited 15 seconds and walked in and started swimming. All went well, if a bit rough, and I was suddenly glad for the heavy swells I swam in Cape Town. My goggles fogged a bit up but it was manageable, and the first lap felt longer than I thought. Exited and looked at the Garmin, 43mins…woop! Second lap was more eventful as a Vaalie grabbed me when a wave dunked him a bit, but we laughed and I got out of the water at just over 1.5hrs. Exactly as planned and I was in to transition.
Grabbed my bag, emptied it and started changing. One of the friendly volunteers helped me and 7mins later I was out on the bike course. First lap went well, and I started passing riders from the get-go. I caught up to Brendan (one of my training buddies) and cycled with him for a bit trying not to break the rules of drafting. Close to the end of the first lap I said goodbye to him and put some pain down. Second lap went really well, and then I stopped for a quick kiss from the gf before doing my 3rd lap. Towards the end of the third lap I started getting a bit tired of the riding, and thinking about the marathon ahead. A full marathon. Fsck… Total riding time was 5h55min, only about 10mins slower than I wanted but I felt really good. This was also the last time on the day I was to feel good.
A friendly volunteer grabbed my bike and I grabbed my transition bag and a lady helped me go from cycling kit to running kit. Exit the transition area and felt a stitch on the right side. Couldn’t run. I walked trying to get rid of it, and saw my physio cheering next to the road. She nearly hugged me to death when she recognized me!! Some advice and the stitch slowly went away as I tried to keep going. Brendan caught me and we ran the first University section together, before my feet really started aching. They were becoming inflamed and I didn’t know why.
Run lap two went slow…very slow. I was walking, trying to keep around 9min/km but the pain was hectic and my mood took a dive. Not even half way, and what had started as a really good day had gone very bad very quickly! I stopped at my little support group, and my gf had phoned my coach asking for advice. I lay down and did some stretches, but it didn’t seem to help. I was in for a long day!

Not even 21km done and the thoughts of quitting entered my mind. Going through the University section I took two Myprodols and the edge went off the pain, and I walked, but now at 12mins/km. I felt sorry, not for myself, but for my dad, my step-mom, my gf, her daughter and my best mate who were all waiting for me. I was going so slow and wasting their time. I passed the 28km mark and shouted at Francois Ashton with his mic, saying “don’t allow me to quit!” Last lap, and I was back to walking at 9mins/km, walking on the outside of my feet. I had found some other people to walk with and the chatting helped with the pain. As I came past Francois Ashton I had regained some sense of humour (after hearing Jack Parow’s – Cooler As Ekke) I shouted “next time I see you, I’m going down the other chute!”. University dark zone came and I walked and walked and walked. The blister on my left foot popped, and it was now raw meat on raw meat rubbing. I hobbled, I grimaced. I was not quitting. Other athletes came past me asking if I was ok, said words of encouragement and motivated me. I saw the first big banner, walked past Franchois Ashton and got a big handshake from him as he got the crowd to cheer for me. I managed a hobble and saw my girlfriend and the little one waiting for me. They had waited all day and all evening. She gave me a huge kiss as I got there and said “you want us to go with you?” I said “yeah of course!” They had been there the whole day. They dealt with my mood swings and fatigue for the last six months. It was only fair I take them with me the last few steps!
You can see me crossing the line in this video (click the link!) In 14h36m47sec I finished IronMan South Africa. I got the medal, I got the t-shirt and I got the certificate!
Unfortunately my day was not over. As I went to the line to collect my bike and transition bags I collapsed shaking. 15mins later I was in an ambulance off to the medical tent. Diagnoses was hypothermia. While in the tent being warmed with space blankets and a heater the doctor also had a look at my feet. They drained the blisters, put some padding etc on and eventually I got home at 1am. Opened some cheap JC Le Roux, drank two glasses and slept! I was an IronMan.
…but I have unfinished business in P.E with that marathon…