I'm sure most of you reading this will know about the emotional turmoil I went through trying to get my passport back in time to make the journey to Mallorca. MASSIVE lesson learned and I will never be sending my passport away again…unless I have at least 6 months to spare! After allowing nearly 5 weeks to get it back, a glitch at the Belfast passport office saw my passport lost in a pile of papers and with no indication of time frame for return. It was without a doubt one of the most stressful situations I have ever found myself in…months of training and thousands of pounds raised could potentially have been lost, to a straightforward passport renewal.
A last ditch attempt saw me travel to Durham passport office on Thursday 1st May to plead for help…This request was met by a stoney faced reply…basically 'The computer says no'… I was completely exhausted after hours of phone calls, tears, tweets and pleading with a voice on the end of the phone…my last resort had reached a dead end. There was nothing more to be done…I made a tearful phone call to my sister (support team) and we discussed that there was a strong chance that I probably would not be going to Mallorca. Nobody from Belfast was returning my calls and it was just brick wall, after brick wall.
I was completely devastated. I sat in my car looking at the River Derwent on that grey rank day, tears running down my cheeks (sorry to be dramatic but I was gutted) The dream was over.
I made the long drive back to work and composed myself to complete the rest of the days work- all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and shut out the day.
Then a glimmer of hope - After being back in the office for a few hours, I finally got a phone call from Belfast. It was the actual examiner and he had looked at my application - it was approved! FINALLY!!! He said he was putting in a request to have it fast tracked and I should get it back Saturday!!! The relief was overwhelming - There was a chance that it would all be ok….and a good chance that Triathlotte would make it to Ironman. I waited for the postman with bated breath on saturday morning. I hardly even dared go to the bathroom in case I missed him! He arrived around 10.30 so my agony was over reasonably quickly that day, and I have NEVER been so pleased to see him. He said it was nice to make someone's day for a change as opposed to handing them a bill.
THANK YOU to everyone who tried to help me with suggestions of help, people to contact and tweets when the going got tough - you know who you are!
Wednesday 7th May - Crisis averted - Time for the off.
4am the alarm went off … Usually I would not relish this kind of wake up call, but strangely I was wide awake before the alarm even sounded. After all of the ups and downs, twists and turns of the Ironman roller coaster, it was finally time to pack up my stuff and jump on the jet plane to Mallorca (you know the song - ask Iain Katz to give you a rendition if not). Scotty hauled himself out of bed at 4.30 to help me pack my stuff into the car and drop me off at the airport, after a quick cuddle he wished me good luck and saw me off into the airport with my team mate Adam. Marius ("now then") and Iain were already waiting at check in - looking bright eyed and bushy tailed despite the early start. We checked in our luggage and our precious bike boxes and made our way up to the departure lounge where I was informed it 'was law' to have a pint before leaving Newcastle Airport. After deliberation a glass of prosecco was approved and savoured over talks of training, nerves and excitement surrounding the event. A group of people who ordinarily probably would have never met, brought together by one common goal - Ironman 70.3. There was a great vibe and we were all very excited (and nervous) to arrive and see what the fuss was all about.
We arrived in Mallorca around Wednesday lunchtime and after a hassle free transfer we were dropped at our apartment just in time to dump our stuff and get a good feed - well apart from me who chose salad and was reminded for the rest of the holiday 'fat girls eat salad' - ha ha ha…good job I am easy going, a girl could get a complex. They were right though…I was starving about 5 mins later - that was the last salad I ordered on the trip.
Bike mechanics are not my strong point and thankfully I had 3 experts on hand to put my bike back together again (thank you) - Scotty had taken it to bits - note to self - must do a proper bike maintenance course so I understand how to do it myself. After lunch we made our way up to our sun terrace where the boys set about putting the bikes back together. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon in the sunshine - talking about bikes and drinking beer - not the diet of an athlete, but we were here to enjoy the experience and a few beers wouldn't hurt. The rest of the day was spent sunbathing and chatting over the next few days of preparations, before heading out for dinner and a few more beers (only a few).
Thursday 8th May - Support team arrives!!!!
After a reasonably early start we had a short swim out around part of the Sea course which we could see directly from our apartment (Thanks to Craig Gair for the recommendation) followed by a spot of breakfast and a little 20mile leg spinner on the bike - just to keep ticking over and because we were in Mallorca - a triathlete's paradise!
After nearly two days with the boys, I was starting to feel like I had inherited 3 brothers (lovely ones)…It was great but I was also looking forward to a little bit of female company. Re-enforcements came in the form of my sister Rach and the lovely Katie McBryde (sister from another mister) … it was lovely to see them! After spending the afternoon rubbing shoulders with a top chef in Palma, they arrived fully relaxed and ready to be our A class cheering squad. Myself and the boys went down to registration where we received our registration pack, number, wristband(which I have only just taken off) and a lush IM 70.3 rucksack - which I will tell you about later. After registration we went down for dinner and a few drinks, all the while soaking up the scenery and the atmosphere in Alcudia - which was now like an athlete's village.
Friday 9th May - Nerves starting to build.
Friday morning we had been advised to stay off our feet as much as possible to keep them fresh for race day. In the morning we headed along to transition to check in our bikes and hang up our transition bags - Blue for bike and Red for run. There were some amazing bikes and some equally impressive physiques…Anyone with any hang ups about their body could feel very uncomfortable with the amount of 'Barbie and Ken' look-alikes going about.
I had been warned about this before we left for Mallorca by my friend Stevie from tri-club. I took his advice and wasn't intimidated by them skipping along the beach front the day before the race - cramming in a bit of last minute posing - sorry running - the day before the event. I would concentrate on my race and my training - instead I would perv (technical term) on their bikes and dream of a day when I might be fast enough to warrant buying a Trek time-trial flying machine - obviously it was pink and worth about 5k…but a girl can dream right?!
For the rest of the day we mainly carbo-loaded and rested up. After months of training it was lovely to sit in the sun and do nothing. The only worrying factor was the heat…it was in the high twenties and the temperature seemed to be climbing by the hour…great for sunbathing, but my mind was turning to the run - my weakest discipline and after already completing approx 5 hrs of exercise tomorrow. I had to stay calm and carry on. It would be fine, I had come too far to worry now. We had our final feed of paella, pasta and pizza around 9.30 and ate enough to feed an army…we needed all the carbs we could get. Tomorrow we were going into battle with Ironman 70.3, we needed all the strength we could muster. Good night, God bless - Tomorrow it's time to face 70.3 miles of blood, sweat and blisters to take us to our finish line.
Saturday 10th May - Game Day.
After a restless night's sleep and an over friendly mosquito (who had kindly made his mark 29 times on my face) I was glad to get up and get some fresh air. The brothers and I made our way back down to transition to check our bikes over one last time and deposit our gels and food ready for a day spent out on the Ironman 70.3 course.
I left them tinkering with their bikes (this is not a euphemism for something else you dirty things) and I made my way back up to the apartment to awaken support and gorge myself on a breakfast of brown toast with peanut butter and nutella - I took a massive risk as I had never tried this in training. I have since found out that this is the IM breakfast of champions…although Adam Rowe still maintains that Coco pops can not be beaten! I'll leave them to you Adam.
The race day regime was in full swing - breakfast, bathroom (sorry to be gross, but anyone who does triathlon knows this is an essential part of the race and I am no different) Nobody wants a Paula Radcliffe moment on race day - vaseline up, wetsuit, goggles and hat - not forgetting timing chip on the ankle otherwise you get a DNF even if you finish the race! I had enough bother with those earlier in the season!!! NOT forgetting that race day essential for Triathlotte's - PINK LIPSTICK!!! Now I am ready to race…my hat is even pink!
8am - The Start - I was the first off and the boys would follow in the later waves. Rachel and Katie accompanied me down to the start line which was buzzing with nervous energy, excitement and hundreds of supporters bustling around. It was the biggest mass start I had ever been in. Quite a spectacle to behold…700 women all wearing pink hats, lining up on the start line ready to embark on their own journey and the 70.3 miles ahead. I was so nervous and emotional. Months of hard training…thousands of pounds in sponsorship … and overwhelming support from so many people. It was all about to come to a head. I said an emotional goodbye to my sister and Katie and I can still hear the words 'love you, so proud of you' - every time I think of it my eyes well up. You can't describe the feeling you get and the things that go through your mind at that time…at this point I started to think of dad and the reason I started this journey in the first place. Cancer…Up yours Cancer…Pull yourself together Triathlotte…It is your day… Enjoy it. I took a deep breath and composed myself with Chris Martin ringing in my ears and the lyrics to Viva la Vida, the gun went off and I ran into the water to start - and finish - My Ironman quest.
The first few hundred meters were pretty brutal, as you would expect when 700 people enter the water at the same time and are swimming towards the same buoy…I got a nice hard boot in the cheekbone which smarted somewhat, but pretty standard in OWS…I found my place in the shoal of swimmers and then I started to enjoy the experience. I felt relaxed and comfortable…the salt water and wetsuit combo makes you very buoyant and it felt so smooth swimming along in the warm waters of the med. I felt very lucky to be there amongst those other triathletes…many of whom were also taking part in their first ever IM event. If they could do it then so could I.
My nerves had almost completely disappeared by the time I got to the end of the swim course and I was now in complete 'race mode' concentrating on the path ahead and amazed the first section was over already. Apparently my swim was 37mins…a good time for me considering I had hardly done any swim training beforehand. Adam had about 20mins until his wave started and I was greeted at transition by his over-excited face and expletives "Go Lottie…Lets f*** this S*** up"- He later admitted that he forgot where he was, but I was glad because I was off to a flier and I was also now laughing my head off!!!
The wetsuit shuffle move took me into transition to pick up my gear for the bike course and deposit my wetsuit/swim bag into the mountain of others before heading out onto the next stage - 56 miles of smooth tarmac and the small matter of a 2000ft mountain to climb. This would be the longest continuous climb I had ever done. Transition seemed to go on for miles and it was about 200 meters before I got to the mount line. There was a suggestion by Brian Sheil that my T1 (transition 1 time) of over 8 mins was due to the re-application of lipstick - Ironmen do not have time to re-apply lipstick Brian - even ones who love pink lipstick.
The first 12 miles of the course were very flat, so I took the opportunity to try and put the hammer down a little and get my legs spinning…after about 6 miles I heard the dulcet tones of captain Katz…we exchanged wishes of luck for the race and with that he was gone in a flash…like a stealth racer…head down, teeth gritted - a flying machine. The scenery was breathtaking…even though I wanted to do my best time wise, I also wanted to enjoy the day and savour those precious moments which would make the race unforgettable. I looked out onto the med, sun shining on Pollenca bay and felt immensely lucky to be part of this event. It was then when I started thinking about my dad again and imagining how much he would be loving it too if he was cycling alongside me in the sunshine - hopefully later on this year we may get to enjoy some cycling in the sunshine together. This thought spurred me on again…Yes I had a long way to go, but how many people in the world got chance to experience the feeling of this in their lifetime? Not many would be my guess…The road was full of cyclists…no cars..just us and the open road - and my dad in my mind for company :-) Race you to the finish dad!!! haha!!!
When I got to the base of the mountain, I saw my first casualty of the race…a girl about my build sitting in a ditch with blood all down the side of her head and arms…it was awful…an ambulance was on the way, but a feeling of immense concentration came over me. Imagine if your event was over in a flash like that - it wasn't about the time for me - it was about getting to the finish line and collecting the pot of sponsorship money. I got my head down, I focused and I picked a spot on the horizon and ground my way up the hill until I got to that spot…then I picked another spot and so on(Thanks Lee Tait)…many of my great friends from tri-club (so many to mention) gave me advice running up to the event and this was some of the best I had. As well as a poem from Michael Morrow which I had stuck in my head that was keeping me going…all I had to do was keep going and I would get there. I reached the top of the hill and I was well within the cut off time - barring any major incidents I was on track to make the finish within the cut off time - In Ironman, if you don't reach the cut offs - you get removed from the race and you don't get your medal. This was my worst fear. Having a major blow up and not getting to the finish before 5.30pm would have been devastating after months of training and planning, but I was on track!
The Climb was long and every meter I climbed the temperature rose higher…it was pretty hot when I reached the summit and I had already drank nearly 2 litres of fluid…I was ready for another feed station to top up my hydration levels. The downhill from the summit of the mountain was very technical…I would like to consider myself a reasonable cyclist, but the hairpin bends were not for the faint hearted. I saw about 3 people off the side of the road within the first 3 bends…again this focused my mind onto taking it steady and not falling off. By the time I got to the bottom there was a smell of burning rubber and my hands were aching from holding my breaks on so tight. I was still going though and it was now time for the smooth tarmac of the Mallorcan motorway which had been closed around Alcudia for Ironman. There were a few twists and turns here and there, but mostly…smooth and silky tarmac stretching ahead. I was excited!!! Even the best roads in Northumberland are nowhere near like the roads in Mallorca! I got down on my tri-bars and started picking off athletes one-by-one…there were still people going past me too, but I was also making up ground. I felt like I was flying along this road - I was putting in a fair bit of effort, but the conditions were ideal and making it much easier to make up time. I passed one guy who was looking slightly demoralised 'Oh no, did I just get chicked' - sorry mate, you did….see you later. He would probably come past me again on the run/shuffle to the finish line anyway…but it was a minor victory and I think it made me worthy of the #yougotchicked t-shirt which I would receive at the finish (thanks sis)….After nearly 4 hrs out on the bike I was ready for a bit of company again…despite the encouragement on the course from other riders it would be nice to see a familiar face. I had so many people shouting 'come on Northumberland' or 'come on Charlotte' going up that hill though - Ironman spirit is truly amazing.
The Run course was the part I feared most…I decided to walk rather than run through transition to get the feeling back into my legs. It was a break that I allowed myself to collect my thoughts and my muscles to go onto the run. I was still feeling strong, but I just needed a little time to focus on the next stage. I sat down and put my trainers on, chatting to an irish girl as I did so - it was her first 70.3 too and she was also nervous of the run. We wished each other luck and went on our way. It was 12.45... Only 13.1 miles to the finish line and all the good things which came as a result of that…Stay calm and focus now Woodcock.
I set off on the first loop of the run at a reasonable pace, but it was bloody hot.
There were thousands of people lining the streets in Alcudia…waving and cheering with shouts of encouragement and positivity…a group of girls from Yorkshire 'you're amazing Charlotte - you're nearly there' - I clearly looked wrecked but they made me smile and kept me going. I'd worked out that by now I was going to make the finish line…even if I had to walk all the way, which I would never do.
I missed my sister and Katie on the first loop, which is understandable when there are 4000 other competitors. I ran most it but walked through the feed stations to re-hydrate and drench myself to keep cool - If I overheated it would be game over for me. I knew this from past experience running. The heat was getting intense and I was starting to struggle massively. Thankfully on the start of the second loop I saw 'support' It was hilarious seeing them run alongside me on the beach waving Northumberland flags and phones about in the air trying to take photos - 'nearly there Char, you're going to do it, you're nearly an Ironman' - oh here come the tears again….a quick hug and I composed myself to continue on my journey - 2 laps to go - just keep moving.
I managed to time the second lap much as the first…and even managed a few high 5's with the boys across the central reservation of the closed road on the way! It was great to see them and it definitely helped with morale - everyone was finding it hard. Even the 'Barbie and Kens' of 70.3 were struggling and starting to walk a little. I got to a point near the end of the second lap - I knew I would finish but my legs were starting to feel crampy. I was not really enjoying it and forcing myself to keep running was making it worse. I resolved to pick a point in the distance and run to that….then walk a little and take in the atmosphere….then run again to the next point.
'One more lap to go Char, so proud of you…nearly there'!!! I walked and ran the last lap, and it was very slow, but I kept going….I got to the last feed station which was about half a mile from the finish…I started jogging and I didn't stop…when I rounded the corner and saw my sister at the finish I knew that was it. All the finishers had to ring a bell when they were on the finishing straight…Rachel was on the phone to Scotty when I ran through and nearly dropped her phone she was so excited…Katie managed to swill herself with coke too in the finish frenzy…I ran over the line and threw my arms in the air…eyes filled with tears of happiness…I had done it and I heard the loudspeaker 'Charlotte Woodcock you are Ironman' - What an amazing feeling that was. Someone hung a medal round my neck and all I wanted was a hug from the support sisters… It took me about 10mins to find my way out of the athletes village and reach them. It was such an amazing feeling to be done and I was greeted by hugs and tears and excitement that I had made it. I was then handed my '#yougotchicked' t-shrt. I wouldn't buy it before hand incase I didn't finish the race - but my sis had got me it anyway ;-) I was beaming by now and excited to see the boys who had all finished ahead of me. 7hrs 39 was my final time…never going to be the winner, but a million steps ahead of the fat girl on the sofa who gorged on take aways and cakes! She could never catch me now!
We reconvened in the brothers apartment and were met by hugs and smiles although everyone was looking a little jaded. We had all finished and were over the moon! It was the end of the journey for now and time to celebrate our achievement…after we packed our bikes away ready for the flight home tomorrow.
By the time we got out for dinner we were all pretty shattered, we didn't have a massive session but had some lovely food and a few drinks while we dissected the day, Ironman and whether or not we could go the full distance. Marius announced that he would be going on to the full and Adam agreed that 'one day' he would do the 140.6 miles it takes to become a full IRONMAN. I was not ready to commit either way at this stage. I just wanted to enjoy the feeling now.
The messages and sponsorship while I was away were OVERWHELMING…. so many lovely people wishing me well and sending sponsorship. I can not THANK YOU enough!!! You have all made my experience even more worthwhile and special. We even got a 'shout out' on the plane from the crew wishing us congratulations for completing the event! Not sure who was responsible for this, but it was really canny.
Sunday 11th May.
Home time - I was sad to be going home and I would miss our little IM group and my new brothers…but I was excited to see my loved ones. We had a big lunch planned at the local pub and I couldn't wait. Scotty picked me up from the airport and the girls went on ahead to the pub. I hugged the brothers goodbye and Scotty and I made our way to the pub. Well not without him insisting we went home first…I couldn't quite understand why until we reached a huge congratulations banner over the gateway and a lovely little present to say well done. It was good to be home :-) We met everyone else at the pub and we spent the afternoon drinking fizz and catching up with friends and family…more presents and cards - Ruined.
So … it's all over… for now… or is it?! The thing with 70.3 is - it's not actually the FULL Ironman…It's hard for sure…really hard…but now there is a nagging in my head that will not disappear until I at least try to get to that 140.6 mile finish line. It's definitely addictive - I can't believe how much my life has changed since I discovered triathlon. The people I've met have been truly inspirational and it has rubbed off big time.
To the people who say "I could never do that" my reply would be "How do you know if you don't try?" … I didn't think I could ever run one mile 10 years ago when I was sat on my sofa eating rubbish and now I have completed a 70.3 Ironman… you might not do it right now, but as long as you have a goal, you will get there eventually. Just…keep….going. One foot in front of the other , one pedal after the other, one arm pull after the last...and you will get there. Last weekend I met Chrisse Wellington who is the Ironman world champion - she signed my Ironman 70.3 bag and it made the event even more special to me…She gave an inspirational speech on how she made it to become world champion. Her words were "Never ever give up"…"When things get tough, you get tougher"…this is so true. You can find it from somewhere within you if you really want it. One day I will be a full 140.6 mile Ironman…this is my goal…I WILL get there…by hook or by crook!
If anyone would still like to donate details are as follows….www.justgiving.com/triathlotte2
Definitely not the end of this blog, but Ta Ta for now and THANK YOU again to everyone who has supported, sent messages, cheered and donated. Thanks to my dad, mum, sister, Angus, Katie, Scotty and Steven who have shone a light when I was on the dark side…helped me get through tough training sessions….re-assured me when I doubted myself and offered childcare so others could support me. I am eternally grateful.
For now… Love Triathlotte xxx
Tri North Represent at IM Mallorca 70.3
IM 70.3 Finisher!
It's official!!!
Ironwomen trucker
Ironmen truckers...
Bike porn.
Bike wanker
Home time complete with our t-shirts
Pink wave start (I'm in there somewhere)
Swim start
Transition
Sisters :-)
Meeting Chrisse Wellington - I just told her I was thinking about full IM.
