Chris, Dom and I headed to Dorset to do a bit of Ironman spectating last weekend. Imagine Glastonbury with the mud but without the music and add in 1500 would-be ironman triathletes.....that was this year's IM UK! Foul weather all day Saturday and Saturday night meant a cold, damp and windy 4am wake up call on Sunday morning.
The swim start was delayed as some of the competitors were late as they couldn't park in the mud, but the race got under way at 6.20am. At least there was no mist to wait to lift like last time.
Paul came out of the swim earlier than expected in 1hr 8mins (I asked him if he had missed a bouy out!) and we also saw Patrick a few minutes behind. We then headed back to the campsite, grabbed our bikes and cycled out to the course, generally cycling in reverse to the competitors on the opposite side of the road which was a pretty cool way to watch the race. We saw Paul twice looking very strong and comfortable and saw Patrick and Mark briefly too. Got a bit wet and windy at the end of our ride but managed to get back to Sherbourne Castle in time to see Paul head out on the run, still looking remarkably composed and comfortable.
The wind really picked up then and it was quite cold. Luckily Paul didn't keep us waiting too long at the finish line coming in at 12hrs and 11mins. Not bad for a first ironman, on a difficult course in shit weather! Needless to say, he looked well chuffed. Patrick came in an hour or so later, and Mark an hour after that (by which point we were really cold).
A cool weekend in a mad kind of way, made alot easier by the kids being safely spoilt at my mum and dad's back in Surrey. Next Ironman stop - Western Australia!
