Ironman Lanzarote 2012. It went well! A long and hard day "in the office". 1 year older and 2 minutes faster. 11.30 today and 11.32 last year! Isn't it crazy having been out there between 11 and 12 hours and only a 2 minute difference?
Started with losing my earplugs in the sand this morning when I put the wetsut on - and without them I get seasick... Thank goodness I found them again right before the start.
A hard and chaotic swim due to 1600 swimmers in one wave. It got pretty crowded out there. So btw 5 and 10 mins slower than expected, but I was happy nevertheless - especially leaving the water and getting on my bike which is my strongest discipline. The bike went well but it's a bloody hard course - people say it's the hardest official IM course in the world due to the climbing, winds and heat. Conditions were great today and I was VERY happy finally breaking the magical 6 hour limit on this course - did the 180k in around 5.54 Including a 5 minute break at one of the aid stations.
Then back in town where I the marathon in 3.44 plus a total of 15 mins of stops at the aid stations drinking coke, water, gels, Red Bull... So that's the reason for the somewhat erratic run times some of my friends have seen online. I decided to stop and drink at the aid stations rather than run through them and drink on the go - to avoid wet running shoes which always gives me terrible blisters. Great to cross the finish line for the third time at this great and historic race.
I REALLY missed my family cheering today :-( It was just not the same - but nevertheless I really enjoyed it, perhaps except a few low points on the run, but c'est la vie!
I was very happy about my new Hyperkewl running hat which meant I could keep my head cool on the run today (quite a few people bonked and DNF'ed due to the heat which actually was not too bad today compared with how Lanzarote often is) and 55/12 as the highest gearing. Meant I could really power down the descents and on the fast straights.
My friend Christian had his Lanzarote debut today and found it very hard work. He never really found the rhythm on the bike and struggled on the run with cramps and dizziness due to the heat but nevertheless finished in an impressive 11.43 which is very good for a first attempt at this crazy race.