The Day the Wind Blew and Blew

The alarm clock went off, but I had already been awake for 2hrs, listening to the wind smash the trees outside my window. 4:30am on 19th March 2006, and I knew it was going to be a very long day at the office. After the usual IM breakfast of oats, banana, PowerBar and coffee, I made my final toilet trip before venturing outside. As I walked out the door, the wind and rain hit my face. I stood there thinking "Keeto this may be a very kak idea this". Surely the wind cannot blow like this all day.......surely......well only time would tell.

The start area was abuzz with athletes and supporters alike. Still dark, so it was hard to see whether the wind was going to cause problems with the swim. Honestly, deep down I did wish that the weather caused the swim leg to be cancelled, and the format changed to duathlon, 14km, 180km, 42km. For sports research purposes, they weighed all athletes before the start. My 3 days of drinking and eating had resulted in a 3kgs gain....great,...nothing like an extra 3kgs to carry around.

I soon spotted Keith and Eugene (Padre Owen) in transition. The usual banter flowed before it was time to check my bike. Once all my nutrition was sorted, time for another toilet stop and last check of my transition bags. Saw a few of my Durban mates and had a chat to them. The windy conditions were as rare as body fat in Kona to them, so a few nervous remarks were made. I obviously didn't help matters when I stated that this was a "calm" day in PE, and we better hope the wind doesn't pick up. Think this came back to haunt me later!

By now it started getting light and I took a look at the sea, it didn't look too bad......no-one knew what surprise lay in store for us. As we made our way to the start area on the beach, the African dancers started doing their thing, which the foreign athletes loved. Some old ship was supposed to fire the cannon to start the race, but I heard nothing and then realised the race had started when the mass brawl ensued to get into the water. I felt that if I swum easy, I should look at about 66-68mins, but made a pact not to look at my watch when exiting after lap 1. As soon as we went round the 1st buoy the swells hit us. It was hard to even follow some toes, as one minute they would be in front of you, and the next they would be 5m to the right. The rest of the first lap was a constant struggle to find rhythm and power. Seriously at one stage I went round the last buoy and took 12 strokes and hadn't moved !! Exactly what a weak swimmer like me needs before 180km/42km !!

Exiting the water on lap 1, I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, and didn't look at my watch. Lap 2 was pretty much the same and I was thrilled to get out the water and what seemed swimming in a washing machine. Running under the clock I saw 1:16....oh sh*tballs, I knew it was going to be slow, but that was a joke. 10mins outside anticipated time. (only later did I realise even the Pro's were about 6mins slower) The long run from swim to transition allowed me to realise that the rain was starting to bucket down now. Could these conditions get any worse??

After changing into bike gear, off I went to my grab my bike. Realised that I made a mistake by not wearing socks. Within 200m I was soaked, head to toe, and the wind was howling. As we turned left up a hill and out for 25km along a stretch of road, it dawned on me,....the wind will be into us for the entire way out there. Feet frozen and very very grumpy, I put my head down to start the grind. The bumpy road surface meant water bottles were strewn all over the course. After 15km, my entire bottle cage had rattled loose and fell to the floor !! Great, one bottle cage left. Now I would have to make sure my drinking was spot on, otherwise I would be left with either water or sports drink. I settled into what felt like a good rhythm, only to be passed by 2 huge packs of riders. If drafting was ever going to have a huge advantage, it would be today. How do those guys wake up after IM and honestly say they did a 10h30 IM, knowing they drafted for 180km?? Where was Keith Buhr when we needed him??

About 3km after the turnaround I saw Keith, shouted some words at him, and all I got back was "I'm f****d". Oh my word, I hoped he was only going through a rough patch. Lap 1 done and it was back up the hill to start the 25km grind into the wind. By now I had lost any sense of humour, actually I lost that during the swim ! I turned around and found 2 AGer's on my wheel,...as if it wasn't bad enough them cheating,...but making me do the work...I told them exactly where I thought they were born, and increased my speed to lose them.

After the 2nd turnaround I saw Keith again and told him to hang in there. Didn't see Padre Owen, but then again for 25km I had my head down trying to minimise the drag my big ears were causing into the wind.

When I started lap 3, I didn't even take note of my splits, I just wanted this damn ride to be over with. I looked up at the hill and set my sights on the prison building, as I knew that was at the top (also because I spent a night there when studying in PE, long story). I went into a complete dwaal until I hit the final turnaround, knowing that within 30km this ride from hell would be over. With 5km to go, I saw my mate who was already 9km into the run......and he was flying.

In the last 2km, I made a conscious effort to get the legs spinning to prepare them for the run. Sadistic as it may sound, I was actually looking forward to the run.

As I dismounted, my feet were wet and now I had to run about 100m on tarmac to get my bag,....I was to say the least, pretty pi**ed off. Got into the tent, and took my time to dry my feet, put vaseline on and have a toilet break. As I was about to run out the tent I spotted Padre Owen.....yeah baby,....a running partner. Pain is always easier absorbed if you have someone to share it with. So I shouted to him "come on buddy, lets go run", he looked up and I swear I saw a grin !! I waited for him to do his make-up, brush his hair and put on deodorant :)) and then we ran out of T2 to all our mates going absolutely ballistic, that gave us a good start.

3 laps of 14km, I wanted to keep it in check for 28km and then drop the handbrake in the last lap if there is any gas left. Padre was commenting how sore his hammies were from pushing it on the bike. Another guy joined our bus and we ran through to the 1st aid station. I felt good, and Padre said I mustn't wait for him, so ran on. Making sure I walked the aid stations to get in coke & water and odd gel. The wind was still blowing, especially out near the University where there was no shelter.

By now the crowds had grown and the support was awesome. Heading back towards start area for end of lap 1 I was feeling great, but decided to keep pace the same. Lap 2 was much the same and didn't even know what my splits were, just running on how I felt. Saw Padre after turnaround, high five and we were on our way again. Saw Keith going the other way, we swapped words of encouragement and another high five. He seemed to be running alot better.

Then all of a sudden at 26km, my back seized up. There was no power going through my legs. I made it to the start of the last lap, where my mates were, and walked to stretch out my back. I had a choice, either walk/run the last lap and prolong the pain, or suck it up and get it over with asap. Right, a bag of jelly babies, an entire Bar One and some painkillers, and I was ready for the last 14km. With 10km I looked at my watch and realised I was knocking off constant sub 5min/km splits. With 3km to go, I realised I was heading for sub 11hr finish, I relaxed and took in the great atmosphere. At the last corner before the finish chute I picked up my mates 3yr old daughter, and ran with her over the line in 10h53. An IM PB, very unexpected on a day like this. Marathon split of 3h39mins (last 10km - 46mins), can't complain.

I spent some time with my mates before making my way to the finish tent. It was here that they weighed all the athletes again. I was told that I had "put on" weight !!! How do you put on weight after 11hrs of exercise?!! Anyway, off to the pizza table and time to eat for the world team. Saw my mate who had just come 2nd in the 30-34AG with a 9h38, he looked like he had just been for a Sunday morning run....me,....I looked like I had just been caught in the middle of Hurricane Hilda. After 6 pizza slices, 2 ham sandwiches and about 1kg of watermelon, time to change and head for massage. The best quote of the day....the lady at my massage table asked me "So where does it hurt?" I actually managed a chuckle and said, "everywhere".

Walking out the massage tent, it was starting to get dark, but the noise and support was getting louder, that’s when I got goose bumps and realised, this is why IM is so special. It's not about the finish time, it's hearing the commentator's voice beaming "Wayne Keet, you are an Ironman" when you are running down the finish chute after all the highs and lows you have been through during the day.

I didn't see Padre or Keith until the Monday night awards dinner, where we did do our fair share of drinking. All in all a tough day at the office, but one which I can't complain about. Big kudos to Padre for an awesome debut IM. And to Keith, after the illness, to get to the start line was a miracle, but then to suck it up after the bike and run 3h53,.....respect and admiration.

Next stop, a little training day at IM Lanzarote in 7 weeks, then my main race at IM Germany on 23 July.

In summary:

Enjoy the training and see you on the road. Time to recover and have my ears pinned back.
Keeto