Ironman UK - Written by Terry Hughes

A massive heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported me at the Ironman yesterday. I'm quite emotional at the level of personal support from everyone from A&T. I feel very lucky to have you as my friends. Your support really kept me going throughout the whole event. A special thanks to Steve Foster, Brenda, Shaun, John Lee & Craig Brad who were there for the whole event and provided much needed motivation when the going got really tough. You got me to the finish! Not forgetting Craig Little (who was there at the swim and for the run), Mary 'the motivator' Anne, Mark L, Mark R & Lyndsey, Garry & Carol, Ian H, Eva, Suzanne & Dave, Pete Chan & Marcus (who was marshalling). Thanks also to the huge number of messages before and after the event. Apologies if I've missed anyone. I also got a cheer on from Wigan Phoenix which was nice.

The event itself was amazing. There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Swim at Pennington Flash, which started from about 4am and continued all the way to the finish. Channel 4 were in swim-bike transition, recording the event (which will be broadcast on September I think). Watching 1,400 people getting into the flash was quite a sight and the build up was very uplifting with supporters cheering everyone on. Forgot to mention about getting up at 2.30 to have my breakfast - the whole day was completely mental. The 2.4 mile swim seemed to pass very quickly even allowing for the kick in the side of the head, but apart from that, it was an easy swim around a triangular course. Coming out of the water, we were all helped out by the 'race' crew' who did a great job making getting everyone onto their feet ready for the jog back to transition. The race crew helped people get their wet suits off and deposit their bags, Again, A&T were out in force cheering me on, which was great.

The first few miles of the bike stage were taken at a steady pace leading up to Adlington ready for the start of the three lap 112 mile course. It took a few miles to stop feeling dizzy from the swim, but by the time I approached Sheephouse Lane everything had calmed down. It was an undulating course apart from SheepHouse, which needs to be ridden with caution and you need to be out of the saddle on the top section to keep the pedals turning. as I was on my first lap, the leader went flying past on a twisting lane, chased by a Channel 4 motorbike with a camerman standing up - I'm not sure who impressed me the most the camera crew or the triathlete. It was to hear support all the way round the bike course and the police setup at every junction was very impressive. I never had to stop or slowdown at any point on the course. Lap1 ad 2 on the bike course turned out to be uneventful which was lucky as there were a lot of people who'd broken down. Lap 3 got a bit tough going up Sheehouse lane. The start of sheephouse was mobbed with supporters (and looked a bit like the Tour De France'ish) on both sides of the narrow lane and on the grass bank. Half way up Sheephouse, I briefly considered walking up the top section but as I approached, no-one else was walking so that made up my mind - I wasn't walking either, so got out of the saddle for the last 200 metres to the top. Turning the hair-pin bend at the top was a relief and the rest of the 32 mile lap continued without any problem. Praise needs to be given the feed stations who always had all the right stuff and skilfully gave out drinks, gels & powerbars as you went past without needing to stop. Approaching Rivington reservoir for the last time felt really good, ready for the last mile to the bike-run transition at Rivington High school.

Still feeling strong, arriving at bike-run transition, the race crew parked my bike, so I only had to walk to the changing area, get my bag and change ready for the run. The start of the run was up a steep trail for 1 mile, which I thought was a bit cruel, but 'it is what it is'. Jogging down the trail to the first feed station at mile 4 seemed ok. A&T were out in force, which was brilliant. I set off at a steady pace along Chorley New Road, but then at 7 miles the going got very tough very quickly. I chose to walk up Overdale Drive (if you know it you'll know why) and then walked-ran into the town centre for the turnaround. By this point, the weather was very hot and the climb back up to Horwich for the last turnaround, was murderous. Steve, Brenda & Craig gave much needed encouragement as well as from my son & Sister. On the way back to Horwich, I stopped taking gels as I was getting terrible stomach cramps every few minutes and switched to diluted Gatorade swiftly followed by two painkillers, so by the time I turned at the Crown pub ready for the final leg of the run, I did feel a lot better, but I was still dying on my a*se. The sun had set had a bit by now, so the weather was a lot cooler, but it was still very difficult to keep running - Up till this point, my mind had been telling my body to ignore the pain and 'get on with it'. But by now, my mind had almost jacked it in as well. However, I never lost the determination to make it to the end, regardless of ongoing run-walk combinations. A&T kept me going all the way now. Getting to the downhill point on Chorley New Road, just outside the town centre I managed to get going again and kept it going to the finish, which at times I thought would never come.

The finish was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible. I can't believe how can change from feeling so bad to so good within the space of 1 mile. All the pain disappeared straight away, replaced by great relief and smiles and hugs all round.

The event was a great challenge and is one that I'm glad I've completed, but I won't be doing another one! Top marks to the organisers for hosting an incredible event.

My overall finish time was 13hrs 53mins (Swim 1hr 24mins, Bike 7hrs 21mins, Run 4hrs 49mins) - I'm just relieved I made it to the end, otherwise I'd have had to do it again.

I think I used about 9,000 calories (for my weight) and throughout the day consumed...1 Big bowl of porridge, 2 rounds of wholemeal toast, 1 litre of orange squash, 4 Litres of Nutrisport Energy Boost, 3 litres of water, 2 cheese and ham rolls (with Brown Sauce), 1 cheese roll, 1 packet of pretzels, 3 bananas, 2 gels, 2 litres of diluted gatorade and 2 pain killers. By the end I was completely empty and very de-hydrated.

Thanks again to all at A&T - You are amazing and you really kept me going to the end!!

Cheers, Terry.

Note - There will be more pics on the website on TG's return under the pictures section.