Ironman Africa Championship - South Africa  2017 🇿🇦

Woke just before 4:30 myself, before the alarms and with 8 hours sleep. Began the ritual, worried about my stomach, I was in the bathroom twice, had porridge, dressed, sun cream, chaffing cream, wetsuit, chip. Bottles in the freezer. Everything was going to plan.

5:00 out the door, walked to the start about 15mins, all was good there, special needs in, bike computer was on, wheels were still inflated. Bottles.....where are my bottles? They are in the freezer.....still time I walked back home and picked up the bottles from the freezer. Walked back again, put them on the bike and was set. Toilet break, wetsuit on and down by the beach for a stretch. No queues anywhere, the organisation is amazing.

The atmosphere was electric as African dancers and cheerleaders sang and danced, the sun slowly rose behind them and the ocean came to life.

Swim
Into the pen, I went for under an hour, seems impossible but I did not want to spend time swimming over people and the next was an hour to an hour and half. The men's pro group went of to a cannon, soon after it was the woman's. The day was calm and the wind did not look to bad, hopefully a good sign for the bike.

Fifteen or so minutes and the age groupers began 7 Athletes every 7 seconds. Even being in the front group, it felt like forever before I reached the start gates. A beep and I was of, running across the sand and into the water, the chill hot and then settled as the wetsuit warmed. The water was crystal clear, I enjoyed the buoyancy from the wetsuit, spotted the first marker and settled in.

It was a little rough as waves rolled over, but still pretty good. Stroke by stroke, I likely zig zagged a bit but generally was able to find each marker and swim straight. As I moved into deeper water the waves were not as impactful. Found some feet to swim on and pushed forward one buoy at a time. Three yellow buoys then a red marked the turn point. Another three buoys back and I could see the wharf and knew I was nearly home.

Had a gone really fast, under an hour? I seem to take over some people. Turning the last red buoy I swam to shore, nearly one leg down. My stomach was holding up, I felt good. Swimming the bottom came closer and I began to see feet as people stood and ran. Up I came from the water, 1:16hr......that was pretty rubbish, oh well all done.

Ran up to transition, did the swap of gear and began a slow trot to my bike. The fear of my day.

Bike
Tyres were still inflated, good news, ran out with my bike, mounted and began the ride.

Through the town, the streets were lined with spectators, then out along thedelight the wind was behind me. I felt good and was going at a decent speed, however people passed me continuously.

coastline and to my

The first section through to the turn along the coast was very nice, the right turn brought the hills. Down hear it was a grind to push up the hills but not to bad. End of the hills a left and this was the longest section and the part I did not drive.

Up and down hills, it seemed to go on forever, the 45km would just not arrive. Clearly I was slowing down, the conditions were good but I was just not fast. People continued to pass.

A windy section at the end brought me down to the coast again and the turn around point. I stopped for a short moment and put my feet on the ground. Bars were hard to eat. I kept trying to shove them in, though gagged a couple of times.

Next time, more carb drinks, though the lemon one I had was terrible. That was un-drinkable and I threw them out. Straw bottle and mixed berries, that sounds better.

On the bike I thought how unfortunate it was mum had been so terrible at home with Elle. She is turning more and more into the parts she does not like about Nana, ironic. I really hate her with her list of what she feels she is owed.

Time passes and I though about Elle and the boys. Eventually I reached the hilly section, but downhill this time so it was easier. Pushed along the coast and it was hard work with the wind, even though it was slight. It felt a Long way to go and still I was unconvinced I would finish.

Turning round, saw the pros coming in, so steady and solid, making it look easy. The second lap began and it was the same routine. As an Ironman first just before the hills I saw a guy dismount and have a cigarette.

I thought there was a problem with my bike as there was a constant rattling. Later I would realise it was the plastic Pump water bottles they were giving. The plastic was scrunching on the bottle holder.

I felt good, but still I was slow, slower than the last lap. But I felt I would finish.

Coming back down the coast, by some miracle the wind had turned and was behind me, the last 20km was a good fast ride home, but people still seemed to be passing me.

Into town and towards the drop of point. A German girl slightly in front slowed to the dismount area, then went straight over the handlebars landing on the tar road. It looked very painful, she was up straight away and did not seem to want any help or to talk to anyone. She ran of with her bike.

A walk to the bike drop off and then some time in the tent, slowly changing and preparing mentally and physically for the run. Slow swim, slow ride maybe the famed run course would bring more.

Run
Out onto the course, it would be four laps. It felt a lot like Busselton, the supporters were very vocal, were often drinking and having BBQs. It was split in almost half the course, out and back one way then out and back the other. The second half of the course is where the majority of support was.

I was running and walking the aid stations. Each stop I would work out nutrition, gel? coke? potato? banana? Definitely no more sports drink. The sandwiches with
marmite were also awful and only a once of.

Things were going pretty well, the first lap came and went and I pushed through to the second. By the third the sun started to set and that took away the heat but in its place was the proof the day was long and still there was further to go.

I did not feel like a fourth lap, my right leg was hurting and 10km felt a long way. I started walking a little longer at the aid station and walked the hills a bit. The last hill I walked up.

The signs kept changing 34km done, then further up the road 31km...think they were turned round, though it was something to whinge to myself about.

2km to go, I continued to push and then finally it came after 5 hours of running the turn to the chute. A burst of energy I ran down, a big smile on my face....."Benjamin you are an Ironman!"

Wobbly I stopped and took the survival blanket. I slowly left with my medal and found the massage tent. Again no queues and I had two young guys, who were students and the nearby Uni provide a 10min leg massage, which was heaven.

Picked up my finished shirt. Left my medal for engraving, then finally found the food tent. Two pieces of pizza a protein drink, an awful burger which I could not finish and a paddle pop, orange flavour. It was a nice after race meal. A hot chocolate and I was done.

Jumper on and I collected my gear and bike and walked then rode home. Job done!

A shower, then a bath with the bath salts for recovery. On the web I watched the last hour and half of the race.
Ironman Africa done! Great atmosphere and a really good day. Leisurely time, as I dragged myself round on the bike, looking at the stunning coastline. The run support was fantastic.

The guy who came in last, had a bet with six friends that if he didn't finish he would get a tattoo, if he did finish they all had to get a tattoo. He cut it very fine, 2 mins to spare. He was almost pulled, but argued to be allowed to keep going. A 73 yo came in just before him, he and one other guy would be the last.

A great day and glad it is down. Eight down.