Quelle Challenge Roth Ironman

On deciding to enter the Roth ironman, I arrived in Roth via Munich three days before the race. We based ourselves in the city of Nurnberg which is about 22km from the race site. On visiting the race venue you knew a big experience was on hand. The expo centre had over 100 stalls with thousands of people milling around bikes.compression stockings,tri-suits and swim gear.The athmosphere was electric with the likes of Chrissie Wellington and Norman Stadlier happily mixing with the general public.

The unusual thing about Roth is that the run starts at a different point from where the bike starts so that meant two different drop off points for run gear and bike gear. Once that was out of the way it was just a case of waiting for the big morning.

We arrived on the morning of the race at the swim site which is situated at the Main-Donau canal, there were over 20,000 people at the start and to arrive early was very important. the elite sub 9hr category started at 6.30amand again something new to me was the wave start of different groups. My group was scheduled to go at 7.25am so I was already in race mode and a little nervous by 7am. At 7.20am we were called to start so I decided to drop my crocs off at my bike stand, on running back to the start disaster struck. As I came around a corner I stubbed my toes on a piece of concrete,looking down and seeing my little toe at right angles to my foot I knew I was in trouble. My wave had just started into the water and I found myself in a type of dream world. I pulled my little toe back into place and hobbled to the start only to confronted by a steward telling me that I had missed my wave,again instinct took over and I rushed passed him dived into the water and started swimming like a mother f======.

The conditions in the canal were perfect ,calm, clean and well marked.My mind at this stage was very confused as I couldnt believe what had happened to me,as well as that I thought I could be disqualified for having disobeyed a steward. I decided to finish the swim and see how I felt . I kept focus on the finish line and came out of the water in 1 hr 14mins, I didnt know this at the time. Just as I was coming out of the water a fellow competitior hit me on my damaged foot. I can only describe the pain and roar I let under water as scary.

In the changing tent I decided to put on my bike gear and see what would happen, however due to the swelling on my foot it wouldnt go into the shoe, looking around I felt quite desperate and called over a medic who did a fantastic job of strapping my toes,I then decided to take out my insole of the shoe and  my foot fitted.

The pain subsided slightly as I started on the bike course and what a course. The roads were  smooth, and fast, they were thronged with spectators all going bananas. The Solarerberg hill is about 15km into the cycle and what an experience, about 2km long and over 10,000 peolpe linining the side of the hill you literally were swept up the hill. Greding hill was a little different, a bit like the Windy Gap but longer and needed full concentration. The first loop I really enjoyed , the second loop was a little harder as the wind picked up.The aid stations were great as they had all the nutrition you required so it meant you didnt have to carry much.

Coming near the end of the cycle, my legs felt good but my back and neck were sore and the thoughts of the run and how I would cope were weighing on my mind.I finished the cycle in 6hrs 6 mins 

In the run transition area again I approched a medic who restrapped my foot, at this stage the brusing and swelling were very obvious, I gently put my runners on and headed out on to the run course. I was in trouble from the start as I could put no pressure on the front of my foot, I kept shuffling and hobbling until eventually 4km into the run I met up with my brother, I told him I did'nt think I could finish.It was at this point I was faced with the true reality. He took me to one side and explained in no uncertain terms that if I had to crawl I had to finish. I took some pain killers and headed into the great unknown ,the run course is amazing as it brings you through forests along the canal and through little villages. I kept urging myself on and eventually got to 25km.At this point a french competitor called Francois passed me with his arm in a sling, and we got talking and it turnd out that he had broke it near the end of the cycle in a fall. Well that was it for me " no surrender". I eventually got to the end, the hardest thing about the last 10km wasnt the foot but the continous cramping which were the worst I ever experienced, I had forgot to bring my electrolyte tabs on the run course which was a big mistake. I finished the run in4hrs 50mins.

At the end when I seen I had completed the Ironman in 12hrs 32mins I was emotionally overcome, I went to a quite place and had a little sniffle.

On reflection my experience in Germany were great ,the people , the country, the organization of the event were all fantastic.Its a race which would suit anyone thinking of giving ironman a go.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL THE LIQUID MOTION CREW WHO HELPED ME THIS YEAR AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PAUL AND SIMON WHO HAD TO LISTEN TO ME ALL YEAR.

Yours in sport,

James Geraghty

p.s . During the hardest parts of the race when I was struggling an image of my old friend Mick lyons kept popping into my head. I suspect he would have been pleased. 

July 17, 2009 20:48

James