Germany

I wasn’t too sure where to begin, so I suppose I’ll start at the beginning.
It was the month of February; we were down in Belleek running with David, Stephen, Paul, Robbie and Dessie. I remember upping the pace half way round and I got a pain down my right leg.
That was the start of my troubles, moving on months later after seeing chiropractors, massage etc.
I managed to control the pain with painkillers, I knew couldn’t shake it off, so I had to deal with it best I could.
On heading off to Germany I had my painkillers and my own strategy clear in my mind. I had trained hard for this, nothing was left to chance.
6 am on wet windy morning with David heading for Belmullet, we were ready for this.
Please bare with me on this; I have to tell it as it was.
If you’re ever looking for tips on travel, don’t ask myself, David or Stephen. They were totally chaotic.
After a long haul we got to our hotels, it was 10pm that night I didn’t feel well. I noticed I had a searing pain in my groin area. I thought a good night sleep is all I need.
After a disturbed night’s sleep, I woke up not feeling good, one of my testicles had swollen up during the night, and we found a doctor not far from the hotel.
He done an ultra scan and said maybe it was an infection, he gave me antibiotics and painkillers.
We got to Saturday and I didn’t feel well at all, I said to Maggie I cannot do this, I said why has the gods turned against me after a good cry and some self pity, Maggie said to me we will go to the transition and register the bike I might be better in the morning.
I want to say a big thanks to Stephen, David and Aaron, they put my bike together and offered me words of comfort.
We got to transition, registered our bikes and had a look around. The lake looked fantastic buoys you could see for miles, the whole thing was totally professional, I never been at anything like it.
Didn’t get much sleep that night, had the breakfast at 4.15 am and headed to the lake. My confidence was shook but I had to get on with it.

I put on my wetsuit, wished the boys good luck and done a few warm-ups, then the referee said one minute to go.
I felt ok totally relaxed ready for the off, the swim went really well, just one kick and the lake was lovely and clean. I kept going at my own pace, I kept thinking this is it The Ironman. Got out of the swim happy enough things were ok, the moment of truth was about to come could I sit on the bike fairly comfortable. I had to make some last minute changes to my clothing tri-suit etc.
I got out of transition still wary of getting on the bike, I got on the bike, Bingo all good no pain. The bike was a joy beautiful countryside, great support all through kept taking my painkillers and salt tablets very important thanks Brian. I kept thinking about something that Patrick Clarke said Ride by Feel and that’s what I done.
Coming to the end of the bike I started thinking about the run would things be ok, I still felt ok.
Got changed, started out on the run met my family and Arron at the start gave them the thumbs up, everything going ok.
The run wasn’t pretty, stomach problems were the worst. I thought I would get a 4.15 run but not today.I found your mental attitude is really tested, I never thought about giving up but my mind would wander and I’d start to walk and start talking to someone beside me. I sometimes lost interest, I had a t-shirt with Mick and my nephew Martin on it.
I know they helped me all the way. There are some things that stand out like I remembered on the run three Germans sitting at the drink station giving out drinks, and every time I went round they would call my name “Gerard” bowed and say respect, the last time I went around I stood at the table bowed and said thank you. The support on the run was unbelievable, everybody was fantastic shouting in German, it carried you through.
I got to within 2 k of the end and my son Jake ran with me to the finish line
I got over the line in 13.53 wasn’t sure how I felt, hugged my son Jake. Got my medal and didn’t feel too bad, I felt worse after Kenmare.
Had a shower, got my massage and met up with Maggie and son David. There were a few tears and hugs, I thought I’d done it I reached the Holy Grail of triathlons. I got no complaints i played the hand i was dealt.

Just a quick summary, thinking back to all that happend, the injuries, the setbacks, the chaotic travel arrangements, I'm very happy that on the day i had the strength to finish it. I was reading on the internet that a guy called Barry had problems just before the Ironman Zurich 3 weeks ago, he got infection and ended up in hospital, still brought his bike to transition but alas his bike was a lonely figure when he went to pick it up in transition a few hours after the start, Imagine how he feels.

2 weeks after doing it I'm still not right, I need to get my mo-jo back, I suppose it's time to heal the body now. Looking back I think myself and David overtrained. I would recommend do your winter base training and then a 12 week programme to suit your needs. I think we peaked in mid-June. There are so many people to thank, the pioneer of Ironman himself James. He took time out to phone us and meet us, and gave us lots of good info, especially a cup of coffee and a sticky bun on long cycles. 

To Paul and Mary for the piece they gave us on cycling more, to help strengthen the legs for the marathon. To Simon for the rub downs and listening to me whinging, to Finn for her total enthusiasm, to P.Clarke for meeting with us and his advice, to M.Hopkins for the bike and all he done for us, to Bernard for the bike case, to everyone at the club for their good wishes before and after, to everyone outside the club who were wondering how much we got for the competing thank you, to my wife Maggie especially thanks for listening to my constant whinging, for all the specials dinner, for listening to my plans when she probably had no interest.
Just a quick note, I remember going up the climbs at Walhalla, there was a sign at the top “Pain is Temporary”. It may last a minute or an hour or a day or a year but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place, If I quit however it’ll last forever.

Gerry

August 18, 2010 22:13

Gerry