Challenge Galway 2016 – Niall Byrne

My Story – An Ironman First Timer

26th June 2016

“Here’s where we’re staying, so no turning back now”. That one line text from my good friend, Pulse member and multiple ironman, Shay Brady, was the trigger to one of the best adventures of my life. And so it began. The self-doubt, the online blogs, what training plan to follow, who I should talk to all started a little earlier than I planned as I had it in my head to do a full ironman event before I turned the big “50”.

I decided to follow a time rich 12 week training plan on the recommendation of both Shay and Alan Carolan but to do so meant having to build up my base fitness a lot over the winter months. And so my weekly training involved a mix of Kevin Doyle’s early morning spin classes, marathon mission track sessions, a weekly run session with Sportsworld Running Club, and a lot of swimming (an area that I needed to improve on). There is no substitute for getting into the pool and doing the hard graft and work.

Reaction to my intentions for late June 2016 was mixed. Some though I was cracked, others wished me well, many didn’t know what an Ironman was and of course “The Mammy” was worried sick and this was only late 2015.

I always liked training so when I got into the training plan I absolutely loved it. Staying injury free and eating clean was a huge help. You can’t out train a bad diet my good friend and training partner Shane Smith always reminded me of. I prefer to train early mornings so in the beginning trying to fight tiredness off in the afternoons was tough but something I quickly got used to. As was the double sessions but these were generally front loaded to early in the week which worked for me.

I embraced all that goes with preparing for an Ironman. From the V02 max/Lactate testing in IT Tallaght to the TT bike purchase and fit with Aidan Hammond, I couldn’t have learnt enough. I was like a sponge.

The first big challenge to overcome was the recce of the bike course and swim course over a training weekend in Galway in early May. Both went fine but the real confidence booster was the completion of the open water swim course in Mediterranean type conditions. I was absolutely buzzing after a 1:19 swim time.

And so before I had time to worry the training was done. Taper week came and it was different, it was hard to get my head around the tiredness, hunger, edginess, and injuries that you think you have, but don’t. List by discipline done out, checked and cross checked. Endless chats with Keith Murphy, Liz Hanley and Shay to burning the ear off Dave Adams at the spring training weekend. Nothing left to chance. Carb loading over two days from last minute trips to base to race and our race series sponsor Cycle SuperStore.

Off we headed on the N4 on Saturday morning with the car wedged with bikes, clothes, food etc. And then like an “Eddie Stobart Articulated Forty Foot whizzing by” it hit me that in less than 24hrs I faced the biggest challenge of my entire life. Galway had a split transition so this coupled with race brief, registration and getting through the notorious Galway traffic meant the time to be nervous was limited.

Race day and a 3am alarm call in our apartment to get the heart racing. A force feed of a breakfast and off to catch the first bus out to the swim start at 4am. As expected the weather was wet but mild. I had resigned myself to the fact that I couldn’t influence Martin King or Evelyn Cusack as to race day weather so I just had to deal with what came our way. Last minute check on the bike, pic of my two boys affixed to the bike also, food and drinks all sorted and time to get into the wetsuit. A quick “Hail Mary” to keep me safe and well and it was time to be counted into the water. The thumping music sounds coming from the speakers and the MC was in synch with how my heart was feeling. Hugs and best wishes to my fellow Pulsers and off went the start gun. A light breeze became stronger as we headed out of Oranmore Bay on lap 1 but I felt comfortable and swam within myself reminding myself of the advice given by coach Alan Mc, Mervyn McDowell and others. Sighting was proving difficult as the swell and choppy sea got worse but I just knuckled down and stayed focussed. Lap 2 was tougher again but as I hit the lap timer on the Garmin I smiled as it read 1:25. A long run of 600m to Transition 1 followed. T1 seemed to take forever as we layered up for what looked like a rain soaked time on the bike. And so it proved to be the case with rain, low cloud and wind for pretty much most of the bike course. Over the first 50k or so we shared the bike course with those doing the half. Having to remind myself to stay calm as they flew by one by one was tough but I knew if I didn’t it would catch me out later. Up the hill at Boston, successful negotiation of the beast that is Corkscrew Hill, across the Burren all done and onto Lisdoonvarna. What a fantastic surprise to see one of my besties and fellow Pulser Siobhan Quain screaming her head off at us all we meandered away through this sleepy village. The power of Pulse support can never be underestimated as I was to find out later when on the run and at IM Frankfurt a week later. Quainsers, massive thanks to you for doing what you did. And so the loneliness of the roads of the wild Atlantic way was to follow. I have to say the volunteers at each of the aid stations were fantastic and they couldn’t have been more helpful on a bike course where every little bit of support was most welcome. It wasn’t all plain sailing though. I did have the ” why the fxxxck am I doing this” moment at about 130km of the bike but a quick glance at my two boys, a stern talking to and the promise to them that daddy would be an ironman got me back in the game. Thankfully the one area I was concerned about…… Nutrition and hydration went perfectly. Thanks Liz Hanley, Dee O’Connor and Eithne Connolly for the advice.

Despite a tough day on the bike I was still smiling and feeling good as I headed back into Galway city. Thankfully the rain had stopped and as I headed into T2 I was met with the now famous Pulse Support crew. What a fantastic welcome they gave me as I entered and the exited. Guys each of ye were awesome and I can’t thank you all enough. Another pee stop (that was no 8!!) and I was out and on the road. “Hold your form, hold your form” my good buddy Claire Dillon screamed as I “knuckled” and briefly chatted to Andreas.

I felt great and thankfully the body was showing no signs of distress. Before I knew it the first loop out to Salthill promenade was complete and I gotten my bearings and knew what lay ahead for the next three! Lap 2 successfully negotiated and the welcome encouragement provided by Karen Nolan, Kathy Grassick and the smiles from Liz “inspirational quotes” Hanley to name but a few. Lap 3 about to start and surprisingly very little pain and no need to visit the drugs cabinet that I had in the back pocket of my compression shorts. And then the defining moment of the run for me. My good pal Shay Brady on his final lap as I had still two to do. He shouted at me “Lap 3 is gonna hurt so MTFU and dig in. Your last lap will be the easiest 10k of your life”. And that’s what I did. I broke the third lap into sections knowing that the 5k out to Salthill again would be tough. The feeling you get when you get that last coloured run band to remind you that you are on the final lap is hard to describe. It was very noticeable the amount of shout outs and congrats I got when on the final lap as fellow athletes and spectators realise I had 4 bands on your wrist. One visit to the drug cabinet for a Neurone and I was good. Walk/Run/Walk was the order of the last 5k. And then into the final straight. It was fantastic to meet all the Pulsers at this point. I think I thanked them all individually but if I left anyone out I’m saying it now you were all absolutely brilliant on the day. Fergus Walsh draped me in the Pulse flag, Chris Donohoe ran a bit with me as I turned the final corner. And sure we all know what happened next thanks to the power of social media and a finish on the carpet captured on video. Cue relief, cue exultation, cue unbridled happiness as the Challenge Galway medal was placed around my neck. I had done it. 6 tough years put behind me in one clean sweep. I was now an Ironman!

Not long after entering the athlete tent and recovery area Shay appeared like an apparition. A man of few but inspiring words we embraced and that was all that needed to be said. The journey was complete and now it was time to acknowledge and celebrate. Hugs and kisses from follow Pulsers followed as did my phone call to my parents and then my two boys. I shed a few tears as the realisation of what had taken place started to sink in but more so when speaking with my two boys as they mean the world to me.

So the journey is over (for the moment) and I have so many happy memories. This report only captures some of them. If I left some out or forget to thank somebody then I apologise. I have so many learnings and would advise anyone thinking of doing their first ironman of the following:

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• Don’t rush into doing an Ironman. Enjoy and experience the shorter triathlon races brings
• Really ask the tough questions of yourself and why you want to do this. Are you 100% motivated & prepared for what lies ahead
• Be prepared for what lies ahead and the training that goes with it. They’re not called Ironman or Challenge events for the fun of it.
• Ultimately try enjoying and embracing the experience of a lifetime. It’s meant to be fun and a hobby so don’t let it consume your whole life.

And so the adventure continues. I don’t know where or when yet but I will follow my gut instinct and do it all again sometime soon.

Sin a bhfuil. Thanks for reading.