Challenge Almere – Irene O’Connor

After five years in this sport I thought it was about time I took on the full iron distance. First off I took on an ultra-marathon in Connemara in April 63k, nice hilly course just to build a base and keep focused during the winter months. I looked at a lot of plans but decided on the g conquer just get around 12 week plan with time on my hands I added on few extra sessions, sometimes 2 sessions a day, loved every bit of it. I knew I needed to work hard on the bike just as well as it turned out, so thanks to the newly formed gold cycling group who let me tag along and my new bike the cycling improved.

The journey

We set off on Sat 6th round trip covering 2001km, stopping first night in northern France (no drink), then Belgium before arriving in on Tuesday in Almere about an hour outside Amsterdam, stayed in a lovely camping aire as there called at the marina, discovered we forgot the electric lead, no hassle we borrowed one kindly offered from a fellow camper, weather was sunny but windy  (no drink) we took bikes for a short spin to the start, transition  etc., all about 5 k away  so decided to move to the camp site closer to start on Thursday not a drop of drink, great buzz at the expo met 2 Irish guys and one from Bahrain but hailed from Kimmage. So carbo loading done bike in picnic made, I started to worry about the bike although I studied the course and went to the briefing I just had a feeling something would go wrong with the half distance race on as well.

Race day    

Swim

It was dull but still warm extra breezy even for this area so we were told, one mass start crazy free for all few bumps and knocks,  bit of head banging kick in the calves. Nice Warm River sheltered from many tall buildings.  But it soon opened out I settled into it, followed the pink hats of the other long distance females,  felt great swim 121. Slow messy transitions where I went into the half distance tent, a not to worry be a long day, even took time to help fellow athlete get her shirt on.

The bike

with the cycling gear on and the pockets stuffed full with 3 bars a turkey sambo bananas  crackers, nuts & cola bottles I looked like the hunch back, soon as I set off the glass fell out of sunglasses cycled fist few k with just the frames,  first day that the sun didn’t shine, first lap flat but technical, some narrow cycle paths few 90 digress turns, then it opened out very strong winds lake on either side windmills every were ,so far so good as the half distance turned off , I stopped to check, straight ahead for full extra part before the turn point great, this was the bit i was worrying about.  so was feeling very good,  i relaxed into second lap the wind stronger  still doing avg 26k hr then a Dutch girl who I chatted with that morning passed me and  gave some encouragement but I lost her in the distance (turned out she nearly made same mistake I did)

In my defence the signs on the route were the size of a deck of cards. The same stretch of road seemed to go on forever so somewhere between 130k and 150k  the road veering both left and right I must have missed the sign or there  wasn’t one , no marshal

So off I went on my sightseeing tour after about 20 minutes I began to think this is not right there were cars on the road, hadn’t seen a sign didn’t look right. I knew for sure when a car nearly hit me, I asked if they knew the way

The roads were deserted , so I decided not to give up hope, I’ve  not come this far to give up, I knew if I kept going I was out, so I’ll turn back the way I came, I said a little prayer, looked the sky, I have a little guardian angel who always watches over me , then somehow and I still don’t know how, I was back on course lucky not to have crossed any timing chips, still felt strong .surprised to pass a girl from the Philippines, who was struggling, told her my story, then pushed on, amazed that there were still people behind me,  I let myself  believe I might still pull this off.  (Ok I’m not going to win it) but will still finish. Got to the last aid station 20k to go, my Garmin clocked 180. Stopped  had a laugh with the volunteers who I have to say were brilliant throughout,  i always take time to thank them no matter where I race, suddenly felt hungry ate the last of the picnic . Then at last T3, poor Sean frantic with worry (well he missed Liverpool v man u for this shit, least his mancs won). I knew I had to put it out of my mind for the run, at this stage I wasn’t sure I would make the time allowed.

The run

6 × 7k laps and no chance whatever of getting lost I set off on the run legs were still fine but my heart was pounding could hear it racing, I walked through every aid station every 3k or so, but didn’t settle till lab 3 passed Sean each time as he cheered me on, MY ROCK, he was amazing driver, chef, photographer, the list goes on, finally on to the last lap it got very dark floodlights on some parts were in the woods. No much support out by now and the atmosphere was little flat needed bit more music.  I was given a headlamp, and the rain came down I crossed the finish line relief, managed a smile for the cameras, I didn’t even look at the time. Just wanted to sit down, could see men in white coats, into medical tent little lie down Sean came in 20 minutes i was feeling much  better  after few farts, wasn’t offered a drip stomach a bit queasy I ate small bit of food. Still no drink, YET

Then when we got all gear together still had to walk 2 and half k to camp site this was part of the run so I was sick of it at this stage. Up the ladder bed at last, what a day out of the holidays that was.

The next morning was bright and sunny as I began to let it all sink in everyone one on the camp site seemed to be limping around great buzz family challenge day. That evening we went to the bar got talking to an English couple who finished together behind me as they checked results wi fi wasn’t great in area, bar was closing early AH NO we were just getting going pity they had a busy few nights , so early night and plans for a trip into Amsterdam tomorrow . HE, HE

In Amsterdam it lashed rain so we found a happy hour few pints and a special coffee house where we had to stay during a thunderstorm, left feeling very merry taking care to get the right bus back , ( have been known to get lost)  we stayed up half the night had champagne a disco in the van. Leisure battery went ,candles an torch out, party on. The rest of the trip went by ,weather not so good we headed back to France, not before coming of the motorway and going 50k back wrong way (ha no more slagging from the manager) some wine shopping and couple of stopovers in lovely French towns. We set sail for home.

Would I love to do this shit again absolutely it’s a doddle ultra-iron 3.8k swim, 200k bike, 42k run

All you need to succeed. PRIDE, DETERMINATION, COURAGE

Thanks for all your support, GO PULSE