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Well after all the talking, it was time for the Rees-Hughes road show to hit Roth! The reputation of the event superseding it’s self, the expectations of what lay ahead were high. Never heard a bad word said about it and boy we now know why!!

Preparation

Two years ago, I entered my first Tri in Oswestry. It was a challenging experience yet one I enjoyed a great deal. From there I had completed three more sprint events, an Olympic and the Bala half (after which I vowed never to enter a full distance event – Well until two hours later!) Training started seven months ago amid the cold evenings of January. I kept to the same regime each week increasing the distance over time:

Mon – Run – 8 – 10 mile

Tue – Swim – 2.5k (Started OW swimming in Manley Mere in May 3-4k)

Wed – Brick – 20m Bike – 5-7 Run

Thurs – Swim 2.5k

Fri – Rest – 8 cans

Sat – Long run 2-3hrs – More cans!

Sun – Long bike – 3-7hrs – Even more cans!

At this point its worth thanking Steve (Epacse), Hodge, Si Jenk and Jayse. They have had to endure the countless hours of waffling gibberish over the past seven months a big thanks to you all!! Cheers fellas!

We arrived in the country to what looked like a scene out of Armageddon! The sky was dark and the humidity was unbelievable, a storm was surely brewing! It was also hot – Very hot! The Taxi driver advising us that we had just landed in the hottest July Germany has experienced since records began. This raised a little concern! This is where I thought my unique balance of beer and training would come into its own as my body was more than used to extremely dehydrated situations. Dave was gutted as he had just received his Wrecsam Tri Arm Warmers and these were going to be pretty redundant this weekend!!

So, after a sleepless night with a cracking thunderstorm we headed off to Roth. After a few near misses trying to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road we hit the registration tent. From there the Expo in the blistering sun then we assembled the bikes. Now this was a tricky one – It was 30 Degrees and the day was flying by. We needed to get the job done as quickly as possible; the support crew was on standby ready to help and the internal debate about whether to let Casper AKA ‘The Saboteur’ assist. Fortunately, fate intervened and Kim helped me assemble whilst ‘The Saboteur’ went to apply his trade on Dave’s bike – Lucky escape??? Read on…. With the bikes built it was time to take them to the start line. After a pre race feast of Pizza and Pasta it was off to bed.

The morning of the race the 3.30 alarm went off – flicked the kettle on and necked a pot noodle - spirits were high – Well mine were – Dave had too much coffee and mother nature nearly got the better of him – The Portaloo came to his rescue just in time – anyway a few pounds lighter we were ready to go! Down to the start line just in time to see my new best mate Chrissie Wellington exit the water. Despite a slight error at the start of T1 when she forgot to collect her kit bag still very impressive!

Swim

Second to last wave to go before the relays and we entered the Jacuzzi. It really was warm – No wonder there were discussions to ban wetsuits at the start of the week! We made our way to the start line and the wave split into two – A crowd to the left and an even bigger crowd to the right who were standing on the bank. Then the internal debate started – Where shall I go? - the right looked the better option in order to preserve energy on second thoughts lets go to the left as its going to be far too busy on the right so it will be less crowded! So off to the left I went leaving Dave on the right – I manoeuvred quite near the front – We were good to go!

Bang – And we’re off!! I think a bell would have been more appropriate way to start this race! People were actually stopping to square up to each other at one point! I had one of those moments where I though I was a goner. You know the ones, when you have to take that breath and if you don’t take it you’ll be on your back with your arm in the air before you know it. It was all about survival for ten minutes when it started to open out a little. After the race we were advised that the left hand side is where the better swimmers go hence the level of competitiveness. After the first 1k I moved over to the right hand side which was the total opposite – Very pedestrian – Serious note to self for next time in German waters - Stay in the middle at the start!  Out the water in 1:11 – That’ll do nicely!

Bike

Little breather in the tent before mounting my bike – It was time for lift off – The Rees Hughes Rocket all fired up and ready to go 3….2….1….. Lift Of…  S*&T!! Back wheel got caught on the inside of the frame!! Had to dismount and repair the damage! Lost a bit of time and then lift off!! Then began the inquest - ‘How the hell did that happen’ I asked myself. ‘Hmmm sure I tightened that wheel’ then it dawned on me – Last person to come into contact with my back wheel was…. Yep you guessed it – The Saboteur!!! In an attempt to fix the jumping gears the day before hadn’t tightened the wheel enough! Anyway we were off and running!

The plan to stay around the 18mph mark. To keep on top of the nutrition I decided to eat half of energy bar on every 15 + 45 mins and take a gel on every 00 + 30 mins. I kept this up to 4hrs where I dropped the energy bars as I can’t digest these whilst running. In the first section I was racking up a 20mph average speed. First part of the course was fast - Plenty of downhill with a bit of a tailey so I was more than happy when I hit the first check point. Couple of climbs and one awesome decent in the next phase – Very enjoyable. Every town you went through the locals seemed to have downed tools for the day with the sole intention of heavily intoxicating themselves whilst watching the race – Truly awesome support all the way around the course. About 40 miles it came one of the most euphoric feelings of my life – Solar Hill. I came around the corner at the bottom and didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or wet myself – The hairs on the back of the neck were standing on end – I had heard a lot about this section but nothing prepares you for this feeling – Truly amazing – Worth the entrance fee alone! Climbing up through the crowds I could see the Welsh flags flying high! The Saboteur, Kim and Mark certainly made their presence known. From the summit of the climb back into Roth was more or less downhill again and the average speed was back on track. End of the lap and was more than happy to go again. First check point on lap 2 still feeling good and then came the longest of the climbs again, only this time we had a head wind – Just like back home. The 20’s had dried up and it was a struggle to hit 13-16. It was at this point the final 40 seemed a heck of a long way and I started to think that maybe I’d gone off too fast. The mental games began – If I’ve gone off to fast maybe I won’t be able to make the run – For the first time I was a little worried!! Through this phase I saw Minnie who was going well. I must have looked bad as she even offered me marmite sandwich or sausages. Well at least that’s what I think she said, could have been anything at that point. I was a little mentally unstable with two soar knees and two soar Achilles tendons. This went on for about 20 miles until at the bottom of Solar. Granted the crowds had died down at this point but still good – It still weaved it’s magic! From there on in it was quite easy as mainly downhill and the averages were back where they needed to be and we were back in the groove – Head was back in positive state. Into T2 with 5:43 – Better than the 6:30 I was aiming for – Hmmm think I’m going to pay for this!!

T2 – Had a pint, cigar and couple of burgers etc – Well looking at the time you’d have thought I had! 14 mins as went on Dave’s advice of taking it easy and stretching etc. Seemed to work though as felt strong upon exit.

Run

So the run began! This is where I had to remain disciplined - Don’t get excited – Cool the jets! Seemed like everyone that I passed on the bike was getting their own back now but I kept to the job in hand. Keep it nice and steady and get under 4.45 to break 12 hrs. At the start of the day the goal was to get in under 13 but after the first two legs the goal posts had moved. Hardest part of the run was knowing that Dave would be passing me at any minute – When I came to the first turn it was a case of looking out to see how the gap was. I never saw him for 5 minutes and wondered where he could be – I knew he must have been at the other side of town as we missed each other. I saw this as a potential opportunity for mind games to commence on his part as he would have no idea were I was and he may start thinking I had an unassailable lead! Knowing there would be a little element of doubt in his mind was comforting until in a blink of an eye it was over – I saw Minnie who said she had just seen Dave! Dam! She may as well have said ‘I’ll let him know he’s nearly got you when I see him in a minute’ so with that I knew he’d be passing any time soon. To be fair beating Dave wasn’t part of the plan this time around so I had the word with myself and happily shuffled along. Dave eventually passed on 25k with the old ‘Do you want me to run with you’ line said with absolutely no conviction! Couldn’t do it to him so sent him on his way! That moment was getting closer. Nope not the finish. The 18mile wall was about to hit me – I was feeling fine but knew it was on its way! Hit 18 mile and it was nowhere to be seen! Hit 19 mile – Oooo there it is! Cramp set in! Looked at the watch and still thought a sub 12 was on, even with a little walking! At 38k the canal run was over, It was back down the Hill into Roth. After plenty of walking, stretching and clock watching, I just wanted to get close enough to the finish so that if I needed to walk the rest I would still hit the target – Man those last 6k went slow. 2k to go – Nearly there! What could possibly go wrong – Just then there was a grim little climb but sure enough the posy were at the summit to help pull us up it. A little out and back down the ‘Beer Mile’ and the end was in sight. Picked up a flag of The Saboteur and headed into the arena. Over the line – What a feeling! Can understand why it makes grown men cry it really felt good!! Icing on the cake was to receive the medal from Chrissie Wellington. The day couldn’t have gone any better! Dave was waiting just at the finish and into the recovery zone we went – They were dropping like flies – A stark reminder of just how tough this game can be! Having said that nearly everyone had a pint!! We went straight to the bar only to find it was alcohol free – Ah well at that point it was still very nice all the same!

So that was that! All the hard work paid off – 11:50 certainly wasn’t on the agenda so was more than happy. Well done Minnie great time – Even bigger well done to my bro Dave with his 11:37

A special mention to the support crew! Jayse’s advice throughout the run up was vital. Kim’s advice and looking after us over the weekend invaluable! Both of their support along with Mark throughout the day was fantastic. Thanks to all the support and messages from back home – Especially Steve who has endured all the highs and lows over the last seven months. An even bigger thank you to my wife Claire who has had to put up with the situation and all that comes with it.

In summery Roth is a truly fantastic event. Organisation couldn’t be better, people so helpful and friendly, course beautiful, roads smooth as you like. I would seriously recommend this event to anyone wanting to complete an Ironman distance event. The way it makes you feel from start to finish is truly amazing. You may be one of three thousand but you really feel part of something! Fantastic! Am I going back – You bet ya – 2012 I’ll be there (as long as the Mrs has forgotten how hard it’s been ;-)) Only this time I’ll be going for more than just a couple of days! Big hat off to the Challenge Team – They know how to run an event! They say there is no party quite like a Roth party – I couldn’t agree more!