So, I’m an Ironman. I know it because Paul Kaye said it. He’s the voice of Ironman here in South Africa. As you run down the red carpet to the finish line of an Ironman race, it’s announced “Geoffrey Smith, You ARE an IRONMAN”. Every age group athlete has fantasized that Ironman moment and hears those words in their head while imagining it over and over. On many long runs, bike rides, or pool workouts I played out the red carpet moment, crossing the finish, hearing those words. That moment would be an ultimate moment of this journey
My decision was made to register and commit to the training journey in August, 2016. I set the target, and set the height of the bar. In my 61st year I latched onto a hope with enthusiasm, excitement, and committed passion. I am blessed, lucky, and grateful. To have the capacity to latch on with such intensity, at this point in my life, feels really special. If you can put in the time for the training, you can do an Ironman. Since August 2016, I swam 150 km in 75 hours, I biked 3800 km over 224 hours, with an additional 40 hours on the bike trainer (while watching Netflix!) and I ran 610 miles in around 110 hours. I’ve committed around 450 hours to preparing for the Ironman! I know, because my “masters” over the months – my Garmin watch and Training Peaks app – don’t lie. My life was focused upon preparing for April 2, 2017. Lucy and Des laid out the path, I just needed to step up and do it! Race Day finally arrived on the morning of April 2! Rise at 3:45. Breakfast at 4:00. Two dozen wide awake athletes eating the hotel buffet, quiet silence permeates the restaurant. One guy orders an omelette with 10 egg whites! Seemed a little extreme compared to my plate of scrambled eggs and I chuckle to myself! He must really know what he’s doing!
My Quintana Roo triathlon bike moves beautifully on a slight downhill, with a tailwind! Perhaps I’m a stronger with a tailwind? I was satisfied with the bike ride, though I always believe I can move a bit faster.
Slipping that 4th band on was a defining moment. I was not returning to this end of the run course!
I was numb, nauseous, and fighting to stay coherent…..I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew my body needed to rest and my thoughts needed to be calmly gathered. The hug from Rhona and the photo with Corey……..made my day. If they hadn’t been there I’m not sure how I would have contained myself.
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Authors:Where Trifactri athletes get to tell their side of the Swim, Bike and Run Archives
May 2018
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