My Longest Day

 By John Wallnutt – Ironman Switzerland

I’m not even sure I want to write this but here goes.

The last 8 weeks of training before the race had been going very well . Swim was on target, bike sessions were all being nailed including the Wicklow 200km in lashing rain, running was just about there after a minor injury. 3 weeks before the race I made a mistake and went and did a 10km road race up howth hill. I had promised  to support the event being organised by Suttonians RFC to take it easy on the run but my head had not told my legs and off I went at full tilt. 5km of up hill running later and I had a calf problem. This was to stop me from running for the next 3 weeks and that did worry me some. I missed 3 long runs in all but everyone was telling me it would be fine as the bike training would carry over. Loads of physio later and after Nessa made my leg look like a pin cushion it seemed  to be ready for running but at the back of my head I had my doubts it would last the run.

So fast forward to Friday 2 days before the race and myself  & Mags are in Zurich staying with Pat Grealy  and Anne his partner. Also staying with them was Derek Leahy. Pat & Anne live about 30 km from the start and beside the lake in a lovely small town. It was great to be staying him someone who knew where to go and how to get there as well as having another competitor in the race.  We cycled into Zurich and registered for the race and picked up all our free goodies. We also had a look at the swim course and on the way home on the bike went over heartbreak hill. No worries with that one as it was more for the supporters and I felt it would not cause me any problems. Saturday we dropped the bikes off in transition and then the countdown was on. Anne looked after us with perfect meals before the race and both Derek and I were very relaxed and full of Carbs. In fact we sat down and watched a movie that night. It was perfect prep for the race.

6am Sunday morning and we were in Transition setting out our gear.  I got sorted quickly and after having quick chats with Derek, Gus Barry ,Dave Kileen and Craig Molloy  I wished them all good luck and was sure we would see each other out on the course later that day. At 7am after having a dip in the 18 degree water I found myself standing on the beach on the front line waiting for the gun to go. I was reaslly looking forward to the swim.  No nerves, no worries, I knew at that moment I was as ready as I could be. 3,2,1 and we made the short dash and into the water , it all spread out within the first 500m and 66 minutes later I got out in 300 position . T1 went well , quick wave to Mags and Co and off up the road on my bike all  within 2 mins .  I settled into the ride, watching my heart rate drop and the speedo showing around 36km / 37km . I was relaxed and very happy with my swim and was ready to start my nutrition plan but all was about to change.

At 18km I punctured my front wheel, no panic, I had prepared for this event  as I was on tubulars.  The tubs were brand new and pumped to 170psi so getting a puncture was unlucky but it was a lump of glass that did the damage. What I had not accounted for was how well The Bike Hub in howth had glued them on. 15 mins later I had it off and got out my old prestretched tub and just about had that on when the bike doctor guys arrived. Unfortunitly they did not have any spare front wheels as they had already given them out. Bike doc took over while I calmed myself.  There is a saying ‘’If you want to do something right do it yourself’’  If only I had. Bike doc got the tub on and started to pump it up using my pump but 5 seconds later he snapped the valve and that tub was useless. Off came that one and on went a new one he had but with no glue.  The valve was not long enough which I had to show him but thankfully he had a valve extension. He put the extension on but in his hurry over tighten it and sheered the tread so now this tub was no good.  While this was all going on other bikes were stopping looking for help and delaying me more . At this stage we had to go back to my punctured tub replace it back on my wheel and insert foam sealer .  Finally 54 minutes later I was back on the bike.  I was pissed off to say the least as for nearly an hour I watched bike after bike go past and at this stage there not many left . Anyone with a 2 hour or less swim time had gone by me . I had a long chat with myself on the lines of shit happens  and time to put it behind you and I just about did.  At 32km after straight flat roads I hit a roundabout , banked into it after slowing down but not enough and the f**king tub rolled off the wheel and down I came. That was it, I was done !  I sat on the side of the road and if it wasn’t for a well organised steward  and fellow triathlete  who managed to get another bike doctor to me with a new wheel  I think I would still be there. 10mins later a new wheel arrived and on it went and I was off again but this time I just did not give a toss. All in all over an hour wasted but it had messed up my head and the nutrition plan and well, everything, it was going to be a longer day than expected .

The bike course is OK, not easy, not hard. It had a couple of long uphill drags with the ‘’beast’’ being the toughest. I generally was passing people all the time but to be fair it was the back of the field but it did help to keep me going. It’s a 2 lap course and on lap 2 with about 35km to go the wind suddenly picked up, the clouds rolled in and all of a sudden I was back in Wicklow on a windy day. Of course there was no chance the wind would be with us. Then came the rain with about 20km to go. Could it get any worse ?? I finally got to the end of the bike course and  pulled in to speak to Mags. Emotions were all over the place and the thought of doing a marathon was daunting. I remember saying to Mags that this had broken me and I was ready to throw in the towel . After a chat and a bit of soul searching I left to go into T2 with Mags words ringing in my ears…..’’You have done the training don’t let it go to waste, just get through the first lap’’ It proved to be good advice . She also shouted that Sio is texting me and says he will f**king kill me if I don’t finish.  Coming into T2 was one of the most depressing moments I have experienced in sport for some time.  No one else was there and most of the bikes were racked and it seem like there were very few empty places.   In the background  I could hear the pa announcing that  the 1^st man home was hitting the home straight as I was starting the run. It was pissing rain and I had 42km to run. I had done tons of brick sessions but I had nothing in my legs. The first mile felt like the 23^rd mile of a marathon, the one that really hurts but you know the finish is near so you push on. I had 26 of them to do !  I started to run then quickly that turned to jog,  that became walk / jog then  run /walk, then walk  then walk / run ……you get the idea, it was a mess.  My legs had given up and even though I was eating a 3 course meal  at the aid stations it wasn’t helping. I got through the first lap of 4 in 58minutes  and headed out on lap 2 knowing that if I got to  the half way point I could make it to the finish. While on lap 2 I meet Derek out there and he was flying but still slowed down and had a quick chat with me and then he was off again finishing in a club record of 10hrs 14mins. His marathon time was 3.18 and placed him 58^th in the run. Just proves life begins at 40 ( his is 46 ). And hats off to him because after finishing  and changing he came back out on course to cheer me on . 5 hours and 12 minutes  later I was still moving towards the finish line and I decided I would enjoy the finish shoot, take my time, aeroplane it , high 5 everyone and make the most of it. I had the finish shoot to myself and the clock stopped for me at 13 hours 29mins. I was an Ironman  but  I was bitterly disappointed with the time.  I collected my medal which funny enough is the same as the first place and the last place medal. I got my free towel, I got my free beer and I got my picture taken.  Job done it just took a bit longer than planned.

My mood did change the following day when I received an email confirmation that someone had privately  donated € 1000 for Crumlin Hospital which made it all worthwhile.   In many ways the finish time doesn’t really matter but finishing does ……………..but when I line up for the NEXT ONE I know I have a good chance of beating my time !!