I might have completed my first 70.3 middle distance Ironman race on Sunday and I might have done the distance by swimming, cycling and running. But the absolute and only congratulations must go to my family. It sounds a bit like a cliché but I would not have been able to reach the Ironman 70.3 finish line if I didn't get the absolute support I got from them. The countless scarifies my family and especially my wife went through where absolutely enormous, I come words too short to describe this.

At the finish line I received a medal and here I would like to offer this medal to my entire family. During the course of about 6 months, with peaks of 12 hours training a week, they gave their support, their commitment in order for me to participate in the UK 70.3 Ironman. Shereen, many thanks for your support, day in day out, week in week out, you were standing there and the only thing I could think of when I passed the finish line was you - how you were there on my side the entire road, the road of accomplishment, no it wasn't me but we achieved this together. Thanks!

Before I mention the results I must say I had an absolute fantastic race, I truly enjoyed myself, the swim was great, nicely relaxed. The bike was though, an absolute killer, but not at a single point I wanted to give in and knew that I would make it. Then there was the run, my last run was from about 5 weeks ago due to my injury so I knew this would be my weakest discipline and could halt me of reaching the finish line with a DNF next to my name. Mentally I was prepared to run/walk, which is what I did, initially I had a bit of a stomach upset and towards the end my legs were trying to give in but I got there, running on the red carpet makes all pain disappear.

 

 

Bike: 1700 m climbing

Run: 1000m climbing – According to my Garmin 717m 

Bib Number: 1096

 

Swim: 44:02   - 1900 m

T1: 6:28  - 400m uphill to T1

Bike: 3:49:22 - 56 miles

T2: 2:41

Run: 2:21 (13.1 miles)

Overall Position: 807/1178   (1081 finishers - Meaning 1 out 11 people DNF)

Age Group Position:  169/221 finishers

• Without support realising this would be almost impossible
• With 100% dedication and determination you can achieve a lot
• Pain is really temporary, quitting ...
• Garmin could do a better job with recording swim statistics

PS: I will post some pictures, including medal, later on.