Ironman Lanzarote 2016 – Derek McCabe

Ironman Lanzarote Part II…… (The Hangover)

It has taken me a long time to get around to writing this race report, what with work & kids & holidays, so here goes…

Well, little did I think after racing Ironman Lanzarote in 2013 that I’d be back so soon, but Barry O’Sullivan had been on to me about doing it in 2016. It really was never my intention to do it again for awhile as I’d like to go to Austria someday, but since 2013 we had a little Girl & I thought well I have to carry her across the finish line like I did with her Brother in 2013…..!!!!!

Is that a good reason… No…

In 2013 I had trained on my own for the race, and I knew what it entailed, so the plan was put together in December & training was going to start in January. This year was going to be much harder to train as we have 2 kids now and, as most parents know, are VERY VERY BUSY. Also my wife had qualified for the London Marathon in April so a lot of juggling was going to be have to done.

As people well know I like to train early mornings as it seems to suit me better. January came & no training was done as my son was sick & we had to mind him so nothing could be done, not that it worried me as he was more important.

Training started slowly & eventually I got into that habit of the early mornings, the usual 5.30 am on a Turbo Trainer in the kitchen, swims in Westpark with Kevin Doyle. Training was going ok, but the juggling bit I found hard. Myself & Barry did get to go to Lanzarote in March for a good weeks training (thanks to a Christmas present from my wife & also Barry having a house there). This week was great, as we got a lot done & I was starting to feel good.

March to May’s training was good & running was going very well, but I look back now & I missed a few long cycles, but I was not too worried & the “Relay” I had with my wife and her training was tough, but we did it..!! (she finished the London Marathon with a PB).

May seemed to come around very quickly & all of a sudden we were 3 weeks away from the race & then “BOOM”, two weeks out from the race, I came down with a bad stomach bug which had me in bed for a week with no food consumed & as much liquids I could handle. I really did think I’m not going to be on the start line. On the Friday I started to feel a little better & finally ate something on the Saturday not ideal preparation but that’s what life throws at you….

We were heading to Lanzarote on the Monday before the race the whole family. It was a logistical nightmare as we had a 3.30am start & what with bike boxes, buggies & cases we needed 2 cars to get to the airport..

We arrived with no hassles & the buzz on the Island was starting to happen & I know a lot of members have done Ironman now & if you don’t know me I love the race, the build up, seeing all the athletes & various “SEXY” bikes….. Barry arrived on Tuesday evening & came down to us. That week consisted of resting & a few short runs & swims. All of a sudden it was a Friday & bikes were ready for transition. Matt Bird’s “SUPPORT” crew had arrived on Thursday & met up with us as we queued to put our bikes in & he looked after mine very well I must say….

RACE DAY

Well you never sleep the night before a race like this as you’re afraid you will sleep it in… I headed down to transition at 5.30 to meet up with Bazza. Headphones on, The Stone Roses & Led Zeppelin playing. It was windy & if anyone knows Lanzarote, it’s a headwind & hills all the way around the course. I prayed for the wind to die down, which it did, slightly. Swim start came around very quickly & myself & Bazza were on the start-line. We stayed out to the right on the swim as it gets very congested at the start on the left. Swim was going well & headed to first turnaround at 1000m & bang kick in the jaw so decided to stay away from the groups. Lanzarote is  a 2 lap swim & all of a sudden I was at the exit & beside me was Bazza how we stayed beside each other I’ll never know.. We had a brief chat & off we were again (Matt said after: “what the “fuck” were you chatting about? you’re doing a race!”). The 2nd loop was less congested & finally the exit.. 1.04 for the swim so happy days, a minute slower that 2013, but it only a small part of the day…

I didn’t see Bazza until we were about 5k out the road on the bikes Heading for the lava fields & we stayed “WITHIN” the draft distance for a good while and we had a good chat & laugh & then we hit Timanfaya which is the first long climb of the day & is a wind tunnel.. Bazza left me & this stage & he was getting further away, but I needed to do my own race, so let him go..

I began to struggle on Timanfaya my back was starting to stiffen up, but I just thought that’s my TT bike.. But no, my back was getting worse & food did not seem to be going down well. I ate when I could & did a lot of stretching on the bike. I was not enjoying the bike & was delighted to see Leila & the kids with Martina (Bazza’s wife) & her kids at Teguise,  a smile & a wave & it gave me a boost..

Finally I got to the top of Mirador del Rio and some downhill. I hit this as hard as I could, as I was way behind on time, my race now was all about finishing & survival. Getting back to Porto del Carmin was brillant & finally off the bike. At this stage my back was in bits & on top of that it was starting to get hot. Bike done in 6hrs 50mins, 20mins slower than 2013. When I first got off the bike, I could not move, my back was that bad & trying to walk in my shoes to give my bike to a volunteer was horrible. Finally someone came to me & took the bike. I gingerly headed for my run bag & at this stage I thought how am I going to run a marathon. I lay down on a bed for a bit to see if I could stretch my back out & it did help slightly. Anyway runners on & a slow trot out onto the marathon route. When I say my back was killing me that’s an understatement, but with the support of My wife & kids I was never going to give up. I had promised myself that all I wanted to do was carry my kids across that finish line… Out on the run, I finally got to meet Bazza. He was 4k ahead of me & a bit of encouragement to each other & off we went.. I walked alot & lay down alot to get some relief from the pain in my back. On top of this, nothing would stay down. Every drink I took it came straight back up, but I kept taking as much as I could, so at least something was in my stomach. I’ll be the first to admit it was the toughest day I’ve had racing. It was a battle of mind over matter, but with the support from Matt Bird & Martina & especially my wife, I could see the last lap finally at my grasp. At this stage, Matt was getting hungry & reminded me to hurry the fuck up as he was starving – which made me smile. I had no idea of the race time, but I knew I was slow on the marathon. I met Bazza on the way home as I was heading for the final turnaround & told him to get his ass moving. At the turnaround, I saw the race time & it was 12.45 & this was where I said right McCabe 5k to go & you get to run with the kids so I set myself a time to get home – 13hrs 30mins. I ran as fast as I could & finally I saw the finish line & I had the biggest smile on my face. Got a high five from Matt as I finally get my kids handed over to me. So with Sofia in my arms & Charlie running beside me, we headed for the line. I looked down at Charlie & he had the biggest smile on his face & he actually skipped towards the line.. A very proud Dad..

Crossing the line with the kids made all the pain worthwhile & meant the world to me. I crossed the line in 13hrs 18mins. My slowest Ironman to date & far from the 11.47 I did in 2013, but this is Ironman and you never know what the day will throw at you. Shortly after, the kids went home and I went to the medical tent to get checked out, but in reality all I wanted to do was go home to bed. I met with Barry who had a great race & we got a picture together & that was me done…

Ironman Lanzarote done & looking back, with the demons I battled, it was my most satisfying race to date, if you can understand that. So, no more racing for me this year, as I also suffered a small stress fracture in my big toe, but its a blessing in disguise, as I’m going to rest up for a while & maybe do some cycling…

Finally a massive Thank You to my wife & kids for their support, without that I’d never get these races done. Thanks also to Bazza, “My Tri Wife”, for the training company throughout the year & Martina, Jack, Ryan & Matt Bird for the support on the day.

Over & Out

Derek…….