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IM Barcelona 2015
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bryangiggsy wrote: »Paul are you saying it is impressive to go sub 10 in Barcelona yet come 50th in your age group?
I didn't mention anything about Barcelona in my post. I merely commented on the fact that the 4 I know of are quality athletes that train hard. I'd happily have taken coming 50th in my AG last year
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I didn't mention anything about Barcelona in my post. I merely commented on the fact that the 4 I know of are quality athletes that train hard. I'd happily have taken coming 50th in my AG last year
Apolgies if that last post came accross abrupt. If those lads went sub 915 id be inclined to agree. However if not to use a GAA analogy i think most of us are junior or intermediate players trying to break into the senior ranks.
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IM Barcelona Race Report
Didn't sleep at all going into the race. The Aussies had beaten England and Papa Joes bar was playing Waltzing Matilda till 3 in the morning, with tons of people celebrating late on - not good for twisting and turning in the bed. Felt tired and unmotivated at breakfast but met up with the Sligo heads to make our way to transition and the spirits lifted. Prepped all, visited the toilet, had a warm-up swim and then it was business time.
Swim - 1.04.06 (Overall 404, Div.90)
Went off in the 54-59min group, hoping to hold feet but they simply swam away from me in the first 150m, the swell made it difficult to latch onto anyone and i felt like i was swimming alone and going backwards. (Felt tired and defeated, convincing myself I was having a bad day). 1000m seemed to take forever. On the turn back parallel to the beach both the waves and the landscape made breathing to the left similar to the Holyhead ferry in a force 8, switched to breathing on the right only - problem solved. Woke up to myself at about 2500m, found feet and got motoring to the finish. Swam 3.95km on the Garmin (1.37/100m) - so know they're gains to be had here in the future.
T1 - 3.39 - uneventful and painless
Bike: 4.41.28 (Overall 111, Div.15)
Biking is my strongest discipline, so I was relishing this leg, I had a plan to begin with, but threw it out the window pretty much as the race unfolded. I was playing catch up after my swim, which turns out wasn’t so bad - as everyone swam slower than expected. I had test rode the course for 20 km 2 days earlier, so knew it was going to be fast. The roads rolled sweet and the sweeping bends just cried out for aggressive riding.
I made huge gains over the first 40km and spotted some of my Sligo Crew 600m up the road at the first switchback. I dug deep and caught the group, when I reached the tail-end – I sat up for a breather only to see that I had dragged a group of 20 or more with me. They engulfed me riding 2/3 a breast. I was disgusted and let them and the motorbike official that was trying to separate them by blowing whistles but with no cards that I could see know all about it. None where prepared or capable of continuing on with a pass and would just weave directly in front of you forcing you to drop back.
I went out the back and began a new pass, fecking each and everyone one of them out of it as I went. I got to the front of the group at the base of one of the inclines and put the power down. 2 French guys and a Dane came with me, we shared the work, up and over 1km at a time and we legally rode away from the pack. My 225W plan was now gone as my power figures where rising from doing major work at the front of the PaceLine, but I didn’t want to be dragged back into a peloton and run the risk of a card. Had read a piece about the latest trend to boss the bike and hold on for the run, this was going to be the new strategy.
I had fueled well on the bike but with 20kms to go I was starting to feel it in my legs. We had lost Thomas the Dane to a puncture, so it was myself, Frank and Sebastian all the way to the finish. I had taken salt tablets all race, so couldn’t feel any cramping just fatigue. There are over 40 roundabouts to be negotiated which breaks up your time trialling rhythm – so I would say this course could be ridden even faster. Lost my spares bottle at the last roundabout bunny hoping a pothole, the bang I assumed was a puncture, 3kms to go, ride on the rim I thought slowing over all the ramps and corners that line the last 2kms into transition.
T2 – 0.57 – no idea where the timing mat was but flew through this.
Run: 3.23.15(Overall 94, Div 16)
In my last few races when I have pushed the bike, I had suffered some cramping straight into the run, thankfully nothing here, felt good, stopped for a pee exiting T2, which I should’ve done on the bike (50s lost) felt good / lighter afterwards. I was running with a fuel belt which I ditched after 1km to the support crew, felt lighter again.
My crew had did some counting and I was lying 8th in category—(Dare to dream of the big island) First 10 km flew in and I was feeling great, right where I wanted to be – Ahead of where I wanted to be - 43.36, next 10km – 45.02, on the 3rd lap the sun came out and I felt my energy drain, also Gelly Belly was starting to take effect - next 10km slowed to 49.08.
The support from and for the Irish was immense but predominately on a 4km stretch of the loop, you had 6kms of lonely enough uneven terrain. I picked up a bottle of coke and faced into the last 10km loop, I knew I was going to finish but with the GI issues and over pushing the bike, my legs started to go and my pace was dropping and my original idea of a 3.10 was disappearing fast, I hadn’t walked at any point yet so just after the 5km to go mark, I walked my first aid station. Went to a port-a-loo, tried to pee and expelled a huge amount of toxic gas. Got out of the Portaloo and felt immediately better, GI issues eased.
Picked up the pace and a huge smile started to emerge on my face, I was going to finish this. Stopped with the wife and kids with 500m to go and gave hugs and kisses all round. Hit the red carpet with a clear funnel in front of me. Paul Rutherford you are an Ironman boomed out, hands to the sky, ecstatic at what I had achieved for my first IM race.
Finish Time: 9.13.25 (Overall 94, Div 16)
I’d like to thank all for the wonderful support during the day, we had 11 in my crew and probably 40 in total from Sligo who really did the Irish Proud with their decibel level after a long day under the sun, all the supporters than lined the course really did make a great effort and it was helped immensely.
16th in my category and 10mins off Kona – a better paced marathon and a stronger swim might’ve got me there. But as learning curves go - lots to take away. As for me I move up a category next year, my time would’ve put me on the top step of that podium, so I don’t think I’m done with IM just yet, the Kona carrot and a promise of a trip to Hawaii, might persuade the missus to let me train that little bit harder and longer next year. We’ll see..
I’m sure the majority of people who read these forums are happy for the 194 Irish who signed up and competed to the best of their ability in Barcelona. I know I am.
Peace Out.
Very good report BC. Good to know you are moving to the silver surfers category next year and out of my one Have you been biking a long time? Or did you do other sports before tri? 0 -
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