The Longest Day, 2004.

First how did I get to this point:

1) 1 year of triathlon (including a summer being injured)
2) 1 'official' sprint triathlon and a club Olympic.
3) Never done an open water swim
4) Never cycled 100miles
5) Never run a marathon

A colleague asked me why I was doing an Ironman and all I could do was quote the climber - George Leigh Mallory, who when asked why he was attempting to climb Everest replied "Because it's there". As soon as I found out about triathlon I became intrigued by Ironman
distance, it was so far beyond what I thought I would ever be able to achieve. In February this year I needed a target so get me
training so fairly stupidly I chose an Ironman. It worked though I did train!!

We travelled up to my parents on Friday night the car loaded with two bikes, lots of kit, a couple and a Frenchman who decided that
everyone needs supporting. It was a bit of a squeeze but Jen, Matt and I got there fine.

On Saturday morning we did all of the admin parts for the Ironman, the swim and T2 venue are in different locations so it was a bit of
a grind transporting bits of kit to where they needed to be. It was when I registered that I finally came out of the massive denial I
had been in, for the first time I got really scared, every one looked fit and calm and here was I "Mr. Clueless". Thankfully everybody was
really friendly and I had Matt and Jen calming me down every 5 minutes. We went to the pasta party and I got lots of advice from
multiple Ironman finishers, all of whom were massively friendly.

So Sunday morning 4:30 still fairly dark, I get numbered up, pump up my bike tyres and fiddle with last minute adjustments. The PA comes
on and they play gentle classical music, really not what I need. 5:50am we can get in the water they have taken off the Mozart and
put on some banging techno, much more like it!! At 6am the klaxon goes and this is it I am starting my Ironman.

The swim was okay, I got into a nice steady rhythm and because of practicing at Heron lake where the buoys are the size of footballs I
found it very easy to sight and swim straight. I tried drafting but it got on my nerves either the people where not swimming straight or
they were not at my pace so I just went on my own merry little way. I know I could have saved energy but I was happier swimming on my
own. I climbed out of the water after 1:20mins feeling very wobbly. I staggered to transition and started to get into my bike Kit. Lycra
and wet skin are the most sticky two objects in the world.

Out onto the bike, it was an 2 lap affair with the lap being about 34 miles and about 20miles to the lap and back (if that makes any
sense). I settled into a nice gentle pace and kept my HR at about 150 (which is low for me honest). Lots of people passed me but I
didn't care I wasn't racing I was finishing. After the half way point I think my pacing paid off, I became a lot stronger on the bike
and passed lots of the people who had passed me. I did the bike in 6:40hrs which I was really happy with. Especially considering I had
to stop 5 times to pee, yes I kept myself very well hydrated!!!!!

I came in to transition never more happy to get off the bike, for the last 20 miles I followed a terrible rain storm which had me
soaked and my feet squelching in my bike shoes. I wobbled into T2 and got ready for the run. The run was a 4 lap affair with each lap
being 10.5km. I set off after grabbing some nosh. I had planned to run/walk the marathon, not that there was much choice about that
decision by this time. The run was very long and you could tell people were beginning to hurt by this time. My mom and dad were
there along with Jen and Matt so at the end of each lap I got a cheer. I started the first lap running for 10mins and walking for 1
by the last lap I was walking for 10mins and running for 1. Yes, the wheels well and truly came off this train. Eventually after
about 6hrs I knew I was going to finish, I came onto the field at the finish and headed towards the finishers ramp. As I came over it
was the greatest feeling in the world, I had achieved it, I was an Ironman.

After a massage and lots of congrats from people I barely knew but were all really happy for me I got the nicest fattest burger you
have ever seen and a cup of tea.

My thoughts now I am an Ironman!!

You don't do an Ironman on your own, every person who helps, supports or guides you, is with you on the darkest parts of the day.
From the girl who ran after me to give me a piece of banana because I dropped the one I grabbed, to Jen who has been with me constantly
or Matt who to all purposes became my Ironman coach I owe all of them huge thanks.

Phil Ibbs  (Ironman).