Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon

Update June 2006

Having been persuaded to take part in this race, on arrival in Lanzarote I realised exactly why I had always avoided doing this event! The wind on the island seems to be gale force for most of the year. It’s very hot and the cycle route is mountainous over a barren, volcanic backdrop and complete with a poor road surface. Allowing time to acclimatise, (not), we arrived on the Thursday with Friday left to register and check our cycles into the transition area on the sea front at Puerto Del Carmen.

Our party numbered fifty five in total, with many of the fifteen fire service athletes taking their partners and families. A tour polo shirt had been designed which was bright pink and it made us easily identifiable around the resort. Our race clothing, which was also bright pink, would make us even more recognisable on race day.

Saturday morning saw us all walking down to the race start in darkness with some revellers just returning to their apartments at 05:45 hrs. Who was mad? Them, or us, and, at this time they promised to see us finish but were off to bed!

1006 starters saw the sun rise exactly at 07:00 hrs with the gun sounding the start almost simultaneously. The swim was a two lap circuit of 1.2miles; exiting the swim with a 100m dash between……………typically, the start was hectic with everyone running into the waves; battling for the same stretch of water. Second out of the water amongst our group was as good as it got for me; 1hr 3 mins for a “relaxed” swim. (Brian Butler, Oxfordshire 51 mins!)

The transition was again “leisurely” taking nearly 17 mins! Changing into full cycling kit and gratefully receiving two coats of sunblock from the many volunteers applying it from large buckets.

The wind throughout the cycle section always seemed to be in your face and the concept of cycling down steep descents was difficult to accept. The climbs were long and exposed and not for the first time I wondered, “Why I was here?”

Having trained to race the event within the limited time available, I entered the event with the attitude of “getting round”. Stopping regularly on the cycle for “comfort” breaks; a result of ensuring I drank enough fluid in the hot conditions, I would eventually drink twenty bike bottles of water; two from each aid station - a total of around 15 litres! I also managed to eat a bag of Jelly Babies, four muesli bars, a slab of Madeira cake and four bananas!

It seemed like forever before arriving back at the transition on the promenade. More than pleased to get off the bike, I had taken 7h 30mins for the bike and again changed leisurely into run kit, ensuring I was covered in sun block – again!

The run was four laps of 10k along the seafront which was served by many aid stations at which I took on water whenever possible. By this time though I couldn’t face any food. After lap one of a brisk shuffle rather than a run, I soon realised that I had to finish but wasn’t sure if I could maintain it by running. It became jog/walk and finally a brisk walk!! Our entire group were in bright pink and, due to the lapped run, we saw each other regularly, passing encouragement and latterly a wave of the hand to acknowledge support.

I finished the event at 21:46hrs, in the dark. The run had been close on 6 hrs. My overall time was 14h 46mins, placing 730^th from 880 finishers………………Not surprisingly, I was glad to finish, which was more important than the time, and meeting everyone in the post race area was more than welcome. This was the thirteenth time I had attempted this distance and one of the most memorable. Though having said that, I have decided to retire gracefully from this distance of Triathlon.

Many, many thanks to all the sponsors and Chris Rainford / Neil Mercer (GMC) for organising the whole trip.

Written by: Ian Garrod

Submitted: 9^th July 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor