Busselton - The race. First Ironman

My first Ironman. "Enjoy it, you never get to do an Ironman for the first time again" I tried to keep these words in my head to remain calm. The morning of the race I was up at 3:50 had a restless sleep. Triggered a little, magnesium, L Glutamine, gatorade and a power bar. Breakfast done.

The morning prep was unlike that of a half Ironman. Pump up tires, fill water bottles, sunscreen and a HELL of a lot of Vaseline in all areas. I mean all areas. I didn't want any discomfort during the race.

I wandered over to the start and prepared myself. Dean was having slight troubles at the hotel checking out at 5:30am so I left my back etc at a stall, rang him and with brief words I was off to the start.

21.1 degrees the water was and I was the only person I could see not wearing a wetsuit. It was a little chilly but the nerves seem to numb me and I was use to the temperature from open water swims. I slipped my way through the field with weird gazes from the field and a few comments. "I'm allergic," "Oh I hope you can make it then!" it was amusing small talk. 3mins to start, I was oddly calm. Looking around I surveyed the 1000+ athletes surrounding me, the calm water and the thousands of spectators. This was it.

I burst of the bottom acceleration quickly to clear out of the group. It was a quick separation a group of around 20 of us. It was there I remained for the complete swim. At no point did I push or go out of my comfort zone. I decided to relax and take it easy on the feet of my competitors and exit with them. 5th in my age to be exact with probably only another 3 or 4 age groupers in our pack. Nice.

Running into transition I was preparing myself for the ride, 5 hours. My helper empty my bag and helped me with socks and helmet as someone else lathered me in sunscreen. Sunnies on, 2mins 58seconds and I was off on the bike. The first 15km was really about getting in the groove, flushing out the legs as they still felt heavy.

By the hour I started to feel good and slipped into the zone averaging 37kph. I made sure to drink as much as I could and fuel well, at least 4gels or power bars and hour was my plan. From water bottle full of Nuuns, back two L Glutamine and Gastrolite to be used throughout the race to prevent muscle breakdown and keep salt levels up.

60km 36.9kph average, I was hitting that target zone and feeling good. On the way in to town I noticed the wind had picked up a little so would have to watch that. by the 75km mark a group past me and I couldn't help but pick it up slightly. 12m is the legal drafting buffer, I will say I was at around 9 for a good 10mins. Sitting up to rearrange my gels from my back pocket I thought to myself I should drop off to the 12m mark when my good friend on the motorbike issued me a yellowcard. We spoke briefly, told him I knew what I did and asked where the penalty box was.

It didnt phase me much, I had done the wrong thing the penalty was deserving. at 93km I jumped off 36.2kph average I had slipped slightly but still feeling fresh. 4mins of standing. I think it was good for me, got to stretch out the hamstrings which where tightening due to the wind. My friend on the motorbike came back and complimented me on my demeanour, "You are the nicest person I have yellowcared today". I told him it was simple, its very windy out there, a lot of people will draft for some point even if its 2mins. I did the wrong thing, I deserved it. I think it was a good attitude to have, why let it have a negative affect on my race.

The next 15km I had to build back into the race and I slipped to 34kph for it, which I think was the consequences of the penalty. by 120 I was still maintaining the 36kph however the winds had picked up quite a bit. Some rain had already come during the rain and with it a massive temperature change. Then as quick as it came it would leave.

The last 20km into town where hell. Kirsten Molloy, 4th place pro female finisher, was in front of me at the time and it was humbling to see us both holding only 26kph into what I would learn would be a 30-45kph head wind. It was tough and I couldn't wait to get off the bike, that last lap cost me. 184.2km at 35.1ish kph - 5:17:19 (my kph is non inclusive of the 4min penalty ie time 5:13) I have no idea how I did an extra 4.2km!

All I think about getting into T2 was TOILET. I had needed to go for almost half the ride and couldn't do anything on the bike. I quickly transitioned, then spent around 3minutes peeing! 5minutes, 2 seconds in transition and I was off on the run! ALMOST OVER!!

I actually felt fairly good off the bike, yes stiff in certain muscles which made me look unnatural but I felt good and that's all that mattered. I managed 12.71km's at 5:27pace which felt good and sustainable, if not something I could build from. This would have been a minimum of 3:49 for the marathon. It was at this point my ITB friction syndrome kicked it like I knew it would all alone.

Things slowly got worse as I eventually slipped to, at my slowest point 8:54km pace, a shuffle at best. At this point I battled with my mind every minute of the way. Everyone expected so much of me, 9hours for the whole thing, my own expectations, these plagued me as I became disappointed watching the hours tick by and my the dream of anything in the 9hour range quickly scream by.

Then I managed to shake it and remember this was my first one. Remember that I knew this injury was still not cured and it could plague me in the run. "Pick your favourite song and just focus on that, you have done the work" Every lap some lady yelled that....I honestly couldn't think of a song, my brain was focused on only one thing and that alone was running. It is almost as if I shut everything down to run. It is at this point I will tell you for almost 4 hours I cant really recall what I thought of, it wasn't much. The pain in my leg was intense and I didn't know how I would finish. All I thought was soon I will be looking back on this race, it will seem like nothing. And here I am nearly a week later looking back. I was right.

With 4km I remember what I quoted at the start, "Enjoy it, you never get to do an Ironman for the first time again" and so I did. I made sure at every station to thank the incredible guys passing us drink for their support. I look at around more and soaked up all the crowds. I was going to finish. No it wasn't going to be a performance people will remember, but it will be something I will always remember and something that has shaped my character. With 1km to go I was handed the orange wrist band. I jogged it as people cheered me, "nearly there mate good job!" I was about to round the final bend to a stretch of 200m, a small shoot to run along with crowds lining the streets.

I sprinted. Regardless of pain I was finishing this thing on what would seem like fresh legs. Kids reached out for high fives everywhere as the announcer yelled KIERAN CARRIGAN as I went to one side to high five the crowd. One final burst up the ramp, "KIERAN CARRIGAN YOU ARE AN IRONMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME" the announcer yelled as the crowed cheered loudly. I pumped the air as a towel was draped over me and two volunteers helped me. I had done it. 11 hours 10 minutes and 9 seconds!

Thanks you to Dean Pugh from APC Endurance Sports and Aquatic Performance CO for all the training and support on the day.

Fuji Bikes for having faith on a new triathlete couldnt have done it without the D-6 Pro!

Ed Fitzgerald, Chris Brady, Dolph Francis and all the guys at QLD Sports Medicine Center for the most amazing physio work ever over the year! Couldn't have done it without you.

Gary Land from Pro Bike Fit for setting me for success on the bike

Look forward to 2011 and what it will bring! I am excited to tackle my next Ironman soon with no injuries and a fresh preparation! Pictures to come!