Jane Wiley – My Ironman World Championship Experience

• Posted onjofrancis
• in Race Reports, Website Articles
• onNovember 13, 2013
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The Ironman World Championships in Kona certainly lived up to all the hype that surrounds the event. I have never previously been to, and suspect I will never again be at, an event and town so focussed on one major event day – for a whole week. I arrived a good eight days in advance, which was one of my smarter moves.  Hawaii is so far away and seven days just wouldn’t have been enough.  I was welcomed by Endurance Sport Travel reps thanks to advice from Glenda Goscomb (Glenda is another thetrilife athlete and has successfully used this company for Brazil,Switzerland and Vegas). EST proved to be critical in ensuring a worry free and ultimately more fun event. They provided a morning buffet breakfast, organised shuttles everywhere and took us to all parts of the course for training. Through them I met a wonderful mix of athletes from all around the world, creating an instant social group with a common interest.

Kona is a small village of beach shops and restaurants, an area that comes alive in October. Dig Me beach is the pivot point where everyone goes first thing in the morning to swim parts of the course as well as heading out to the unique “coffee boat” where they serve up small cups of espresso before you swim back to shore. For several days we saw large sea turtles swimming around the beach and the water itself was full of the most beautiful array of pretty fish, like a giant fish tank. EST took us out to the famous Queen K highway, a stretch of miles and miles of undulating lava fields to experience the famous winds; cross winds, head winds and tail winds that suddenly change. We also had a trial of the “Energy Lab” which is something most fans of Kona will have heard about. It’s simply where the local energy generators are located however is infamous for being very still, stifling hot and one of the worst 4 miles of the run. Other pre–race highlights included the “underwear run” where Glen, a fellow club member bared all and I took lots of pictures! The “expo” with stall after stall of the latest triathlon kit, with many great deals on offer and “Pro Spotting” also provided an element of excitement, being where it was all happening!  I ran into Jody Swallow and James Cunnama, then Chrissie, Dave Scott and Tim O’Donnell. It was great to meet up with Jo Gundle, another athlete trained by thetrilife, and her husband Roger at the Parade of Nations. Unfortunately Jo had a severe foot injury so how she managed to achieve what she did, I don’t know!

The race start is one of the most emotionally charged in sport with helicopters throbbing overhead and the pulsating beats of drums from Native Kona’ites. 2300 bodies swimming out and back 3.9km was quite an experience. I was delighted that I could see feet to follow but once one was in a “group” it was impossible to move on. In T1, volunteers were in a mad rush to help, with two ladies grabbing my hands and taking me to a seat to get set up.  Somehow, whilst quickly spreading sun block on my face I managed to stick my finger up my nose then spent what seemed like ages stemming the blood flow. The first half of the bike was straightforward (and I have to admit a good tail wind) but then the return just got harder and harder as the head winds almost forced us back. We were all stretched out for miles battling the winds and the undulating terrain.  As I finished I could see Rachel Joyce in the lead at about mile 17 on the run, with Miranda closing in on her.

The first few miles of the run ticked off quickly as it was an out and back and one could see friends and competitors. Aid stations were every mile and always well stocked with ice, water, energy drinks and sponges. Ice under my hat, down my back, down my front and water/sponges everywhere else. Drink, drink, drink was my mantra and critical to finishing. By mile 10 we were back out, up Palani Hill and on the Queen K highway for 6 miles of gradual uphill which was where my paced slowed considerably and I really envied those heading down the other side. Into “the energy lab” where I was passed by another lady my age.  Up to that point I had passed quite a few of my age group having started 19^th after the swim. I briefly passed her as she stopped at an aid station but she was on a roll.

Jane Wiley and Chrissie Wellington Multiple World Champion.

Running back into Kona, I had started drinking cola, almost throwing it at my face and as dusk rolled in a thick fog of gunk clouded my prescription sun glasses.  As I turned the corner to the final finishing chute I really couldn’t see a thing with them on and unfortunately when I took them off, I couldn’t see either, so the last couple of miles were a blur, literally!  The crowds were immense and the sound of Mike Reilly’s voice announcing me, of 7OaksTri Club, Great Britain was a very emotional moment. I’d had a good race – it was hard and I’d gone as hard as I could.

Result:    Swim: 1:21 (19^th), Bike 5:47 (5^th), Run 4:07 (4^th) = 11:25.    7^th lady 55-60 yr age group

I have trained with Mike Redshaw since 2009 and we have learnt a lot together, particularly how to manage training on a tight schedule whilst also accommodating the normal juggle of a full time job and young children, trying to achieve the optimum work:life balance.  Also assessing how much training I needed or what type of training was best for me, and most importantly focusing on things like how to cope with hot weather conditions and nutrition. I have had some disappointing races in extreme heat but felt I was fully prepared this time. Tellingly I was 35 minutes faster in Kona than when I qualified in wet and rainy IMUK, whereas several friends were a lot slower in Kona than Bolton(some for reasons other than the weather, such as injury).

Thanks Mike and thanks thetrilife.com.

No Ironman on the agenda ….. well for a few years anyway!