Ironman Taiwan 🇹🇼2016

Ironman Taiwan 🇹🇼

Waking up at 4:00am we were fed dressed and downstairs and on the bus in 30mins. It was the pro bus we caught and there was a French guy living in Perth who had a bit to share about drafting from the Canadian two seats down that he blames for costing him his prize money. He told of the tough life of pros, having to pay there own way and race for the prize money. US$8k for a win.
Checked in and it was down to the beach, a quick swim and soon the pros were of, then the woman, followed by us. A rolling start into the ocean, it was beautiful clear water, over the waves and out into the ocean. The current was not too strong, it seemed to push at across the 600 meter top of the T swim and was against coming in. Two laps and all went well.
Onto the bike and I was moving well at 31km/h, eating well every 10mins, then my stomach started churning and consuming food became harder. The water bottles were only half full from the drink stops and the lids fell off. I began to dehydrate. The hot sun was harsh and I needed to stop at the drink stops a couple of times, first for a quick rest and fluid then because the stops were clogged with people and the drinks were not passed out.
The ride was three laps and hard worked, my six hours was slipping away, the avg speed went down 30, 29, 28….then 27.5km/h. I would exit the bike round 6hr 30mins and on the way in see the runners, slogging up a hill in the 2:00pm heat along the side of a prison wall with barb wire and a road. It looked like hell.
Into the stadium and transition and slowly the bike down and socks on. It was now into the sun to battle the marathon. 
One foot in front of the other, just two kms at a time, to each drink stops, then ice water, sports drinks, salt, whatever could be stomached and repeat. It was so very very hot, two 21km laps up and down a road with cars buzzing round. 
Hard work, the sun would go down and with it, the heat and I would continue slogging it out 2kms at a time. There was little to see except for the competitors who were each battling for the finish.
Five and half hours later I would enter still running back in sight of the stadium where a run down the back and down the stairs into the Ironman chute! Number 7 finished.
The food was inedible, feeling sick I lay down in the massage tent for an hour before my turn. It was very nice, even for the short 10mins and I felt much better afterwards. Picking up the shirt and my bags I rode slowly home. Hungry I headed downstairs picked up some noodles and ate before bed.
A call to Elle and Mark arrived, finishing his long 15:30hr day.
Bed…..…
Location: Penghu, Magong City, Penghu County, Taiwan 880

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