Ironman Germany Sunday 1st July 2007
By Dawn Taylor
Well I did it. I crossed that finish line in 14
hours and 58 mins. It was an amazing experience.
I can truthfully say it was very enjoyable
although quite tough at times. I had prepared
everything it was just a matter of getting out
there. I had enough food and drink. Some would
say I had too much food and thought I was going
out for a picnic not an Ironman. But you can
never have too much food I just wanted to make
sure I did not run out. So I did take a little
more than most. I had put some food in my run
bag just in case I was hungry. I had Pringles,
Nuts, Carrot cake, two Mars bars, two Snickers
and not to mention the kilo of food in my
cycling top. Which consisted of nuts, promax
bars, gels and jelly babies, not to mention my
Ironman bag on my bike was full of the same? I
had three water bottles too. You cannot say I
wasn’t prepared. I was making sure I had energy
and was hydrated. To the start.
T
he
swim was the worst part of it. There were 2,300
people or so all starting off at the same time.
It was quite scary at times I thought I would
not be able to breathe. It did not matter which
way you turned to breathe you got a mouthful of
water from people kicking. I did breaststroke
for a while to get some space around me. I had a
little panic attack but knew I could not stop or
I would have been swum over. I kept saying to
myself you are not going to survive the swim,
all that training and you cannot even get around
the swim which would have been very embarrassing
as everyone at work said the swim will be no
problem to me. At the top end of the lake we had
to get out and walk on sand that was scary as it
was like quick sand your legs just disappeared.
I panicked at that too. I got my legs out at
quick as I could and just swam. I could not see
anything for a while which freaked me out even
more. Then back to the clear water. I have never
wanted a swim to finish so much. It was such a
relief to get out of the water. I walked all the
way up to the transition area. I think I was in
shock or surprise as I made it to land. I got in
to the transition area and could not get my
wetsuit off. I had to have two helpers to get it
off. Louise came in just a few minutes later.
She was soon ready and off to start the bike
leg. I was still getting changed. It is so hard
to get changed when you are wet. I had to have
more help. Finally I went to my bike. Oh no I
want to go to the toilet. So off I trekked to
the loo which was quite a way from my bike.
Transition time: 14 mins.
When
I got on my bike I felt much better. Steve was
there cheering us on and then I was off out on
to the road heading for Frankfurt. Going through
the towns and villages was brilliant, the su
pport
was great. They had a real party atmosphere. It
was really nice to hear them shout you on and
call your name. The kids were funny too they
wanted you to slap there hand as you past them
by which I
obliged, every one of them. The Hell which was
the cobbled stones was amazing as it was lined
both sides with people encouraging you up the
climb. I could not stop laughing it was so much
fun. The other hill which was well supported was
Heartbreak Hill. I could not see the road for
people it was incredible. As I approached they
made a little passageway for me to go up. To be
so close to people shouting and making loads of
noise was fantastic. I must admit I did not
think I would like it but it help tremendously.
I must have spent 10 mins on wee stops. I had to
find somewhere to go when we went passed the
fields. I had not mastered weeing on my bike. I
thought I would have trouble at the air stations
getting my drink and gels but I did not. You
just shouted what you wanted and they directed
you to it. I got quite good by the second loop
taking
two
bottles and gels at the same time. I just
managed to put everything in its place before I
lost control. I did have a little doubt coming
back in to Frankfurt about the second loop but
as I went through the crowds of people cheering
you on by T2 I just thought I have got to do it.
So I just said to myself if I get up the first
hill I will go to the next and so on. That got
me around the second loop and again the support
really helped I can say on the whole I really
enjoyed the bike. Two loops had gone and on to
T2. Even there, there was plenty of support
coming in to the transition area. Some one had
my bike and I went in to the tent to change.
This transition seemed better I did not waste as
much time. I still had someone to help me
change. Transition time: 4.21.
Then out on the run. I must admit I did not
think my legs would go but surprisingly they
worked quite well. The first loop was fine. I
even caught up with Nick, well he caught up with
me when I had just started out and he was on his
third loop I think. That was nice though running
a little while with someone you knew. Then Nick
raced on and I carried on plodding along at my
own pace. Then I saw Guy he ran with me for a
while too. That was great as well to see a
friendly face. He said I looked good but I think
he was trying to be nice
as
he could not really say you look like crap,
especially being my first loop. My plan was to
walk between the aid stations to make sure I got
my food and drink down me. It worked well. The
second loop was fine. Had to go to the loo
though felt very blotted? The toilets by then
though were not very pleasant but needed to go.
I just held my breathe and did what I had to do.
Felt better after that. The aid stations were
good and the people were very supportive. Even
the people along the river out for a nice
evening gave support. The third lap is getting
tough. I was getting fed up of the food and
drink. I had support from two English ladies
they were great. It was nice to know someone was
there waiting to support you. The only down side
was when people went passed you or you went
passed them I kept looking to see how many bands
they had on their wrist. Everyone seemed to have
more than me which was a little disheartening.
But I still carried on and soon found some
people with fewer bands than me. I kept looking
forward to seeing the Ducks and Geese who were
in one particular place on the river. They made
me smile and cheered me up again. By the fourth
lap I was really sick and tired of food and
drink I could not even stomach water. The
helpers would ask what I wanted and I said a new
stomach. I picked up my fourth band just 3 km
left which seemed to take forever. The people
around the course kept me going without that it
would have been even tougher. Eventually got to
the finishing stretch and it was fantastic. I
put on a last effort, a good finish and waved to
all the crowds and then crossed the finishing
line. I was so relieved and emotional. I was an
Ironman. It is such a funny feeling. It is such
an emotional feeling you are not sure whether to
laugh or cry.
Everyone was there waiting for me which was
great. My helper led me to the Athletes Garden
which was an eye opener. Nick says, we have a
surprise for you and there they were naked men,
and women. I was shocked. I am English we don’t
do things like that in public. I was too tired
for that sort of thing. I was a little spaced
out and the helper stayed we me for a long time.
She was nice. All the gang helped me. Nick had
his photo taken with me and the helper. Not sure
how that helped but he kept hold of his beer.
Steve got me some food; I could not take any
food though other than a small piece of melon
and a chocolate drink. Lucy got my bag. Louise
kept me in check and told me what to do as I was
just sitting there in a daze. Nick was concerned
I was going to fall off on to my head so kept
telling me to sit back. Not that it would have
hurt if I had have fell on my head. Tony kept a
watchful eye on me too. I think Nigel felt the
same as me well he looked like how I felt anyway
and he was quiet which was most unusual for
Nigel. What a weird feeling. I was sick though
could not keep it down. I felt better after
that. It is a great experience and I am very
pleased I got to do it. I still have to think
really hard it was me that did it. It does feel
like you dreamt it.
I think the only way I would attempt another one
is if I was a couple of hours faster as it is a
long time to be out there 15 hours. So on to
more training and more hill work.
Finishing Times:
Lucy Haywood 10:10.14
Nicholas Tomkinson-Hill 10:10.15
Louise Tomkinson-Hill 12:07.22
Nigel Winsper 12:39.50
Tony Symes 12:49.11
Dawn Taylor 14:58.03
14 Hours
58 Minutes
