Swiss Ironman 2007 – Peter Chapman
I took up triathlon around 3 years ago after a challenge from Louise and in the face of concern that I may have to buy new trousers to accommodate my expanding waistline. After a couple of competitions I was told by a friend to read the book “Not Normal Behaviour” by Stuart Staples and I suspect this is where the idea of doing the Ironman originated for me. I had never heard of it before then. I wondered was it something which I could do as well a just few months before my 49th birthday and with no particular sporting history in the last 25 years?
The UK half ironman seemed to go OK in 2006 and so I planned to enter the real thing in 2007. Of course one of the problems ( and benefits ) of ironman is that the competitions get filled very quickly ( I was already too late for Germany and Austria in August last year ) so I entered the Swiss in late summer last year well before the reality of what it would entail really set in. It was great that before long there was a whole tri-anglia team in place.
The plan was ( I thought) quite simple. I would continue training for 6 hours or so a week until Xmas and then start to very gradually increase the mileages. I had managed to build up the swim ( this concerned me most ) to 4000m in the pool before Xmas. I then concentrated on increasing my running mileages planning to reach around 20 miles in training by April, and then increasing my bike rides so that I would do a few 100 mile rides in May and early June. Apart from some plantar fasciitis ( which I ignored ) and some Achilles tendonitis ( which I didn’t and stopped running for a while – I scratched from the Ballbuster ) it all went OK. There was always the nagging doubt ( had I done enough ?) but the monthly pub meetings with the others reassured me. The longer rides and runs though were disruptive to family life and certainly in the last 4 weeks of training leading up to 2 weeks before race day I was managing 14 or so hours per week – not for me sustainable any longer.
Louise came out with me and supported for the whole long day (fantastic) and I was grateful to the others who took my bike out in the van. The day itself was superb. The swim was unrelenting mayhem for the whole 2.4 miles but an unforgettable experience. The bike was just great. 112 miles on smooth closed roads through open countryside in sunshine and I really enjoyed this bit though I am still suffering from some sunburn as a result of missing a bit on my lower back with my suncream. The support from spectators was brilliant. The run started out well also. I did the first 10.5 km in 58 mins and felt good but after the halfway point I realised that my legs were very tired indeed. This was unknown territory for me ( I had never run a marathon ) and not wanting to crash and burn I slowed down quite a lot though still managed to complete the marathon distance without walking which together with finishing under 13 hours was a particular aim. It had taken me 12 hours and 50 mins.
A small problem is that I cannot remember a huge amount about finishing – these memories seem blurred! I did manage to avoid an iv but was very interested to weigh myself on returning home the following day to find that my weight had increased from its normal 67 kg to 72 kg. Some of the others had had the same experience. I had certainly drank and eaten well on the bike and had managed to take on water and soup regularly on the run as well but despite this I can only think that my kidneys stopped working for a day or so and I had therefore retained some fluid which took a few days to get rid of afterwards. I was peeing well until halfway round the run but then cannot remember doing so again until almost 24 hours later!
I have no plans to do another full ironman but will continue with half and Olympic distances. I was pleased to discover that the Vitruvian still has spaces so have entered this in September – it’s a shame to waste all this effort on just one race!
Article by Peter Chapman
Page created: 4th July 2007
