My experience of IMW
I was so inspired by PYBTC members who took part in IMW in 2022, I followed them on the tracking app and felt overwhelmed by their achievements. Having completed Swansea 70.3 in 2022 I started to believe I too could take part in an Ironman.
While out on a ride with a friend from PYBTC, I received the email from Ironman to say tickets for Ironman Wales had been released. We stopped for a can of coke, I answered the email and started on my Ironman Wales journey.
With the support of a coach, I trained and followed a plan for 8 months, training every day and including club sessions as much as I could. The club sessions got me thorough to be honest because some weeks were so tough, I needed the social aspect and the support of club members to keep me motivated and on-track.
Sept 3rd came quicker than I thought it would….
As soon as I arrived in Tenby a few days before the event, the atmosphere was amazing. The buzz from the athletes, supporters and marshals made me feel so excited. Even at this point I didn’t know if I would complete the course, but I wanted to give it everything I had.
On the day, the feeling I got while standing on the beach listening to the singling and watching the flame cannons light the beach, I felt a tense of calm. As I looked out to sea, the nerves disappeared, and I knew it was going to be an amazing day.
The swim was beautiful, calm, sunny and well directed by all the buoys. As I ran through the Tenby streets stuffing a banana in my mouth to transition all I could hear was the crowds shouting support, and it felt great.
The bike was tough, it was hot, hilly and long. But there were supports at every point, from people in front gardens, children with hand painted signs, music blaring and people playing instruments and so much fancy dress. I was humbled by the efforts local people had gone too. Climbing Heartbreak Hill made me feel on top of the world, I cried because I was so overwhelmed with emotion but all happy tears.
As I started the run, I felt elated just to get that far, I started to believe I would finish. I danced, sang, chatted my way round the course, I learnt where friends and club members were on the course and looked forward to seeing them on every lap. If in honest it was seeing club friends that got me through the second half of the run, I was in pain but knowing my club was there cheering me and willing me to finish it got me through. I thought about all the people who can’t swim, cycle and run and who would give anything to be able to take part in this sport. I drew inspiration from people who aren’t with us any longer and who had come before me completing the course and this gave me more strength than I could have imagined.
My plan for the day was to finish and I did it in 14hrs 25mins but most importantly I did it with a smile on my face surrounded by amazing people and a fantastic club who were there at the finish line waiting for me with cheers, hugs, and a bottle of cider.
Rae
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