THE STORY AFTER.......

Ironman Cork or “hell in the rain” as I will call it.

Did I enjoy it? ..... You go through the day with so many emotions....never again, hate this rain, my family & friends are getting soaked out there, or strangely in my case..... I wish I had my hoodie.

But the answer is yes, and will I be back, YES. I’ll even join a club, love this sport that much.

Cork and Youghal were looking forward to this. We stayed with friends who live there and embraced it. Every shop had a bike or something Ironman related in every window, decorated with their own unique twist. Beer gardens, heathy food and fun festivals all ready for the 20k spectators. After registration and packing my gear in transition, I walked around and soaked up the sunny atmosphere. But the weather had other ideas for the Sunday, never had the weather app been so right, 100% chance of rain all day and it did. All day with persistent wind, a real chill factor.

As I arrived in the morning ready at 5am, the sea looked like something out of the film the Perfect Storm. Grey & dangerous. But did I want to swim in it, hell yeah.

Just before 6am they made the decision to cancel the swim section. I have no doubts there would have been casualties out there, and safety must come first. There was disappointment, some people left. No phone to communicate, left pondering what was, what will be. Then Mr Mike ‘you are an Ironman’ Reilly himself speaks up....”what matters is your attitude, and how you conduct yourself out there”.... And that made us think.

Meanwhile we were stood around, taking our wetsuits off then back again over our clothes to keep warm and dry. I looked like a penguin, but did I care, no. We were certainly serving our time in the water, no complaints, staying focused.

Decision was made to start in pairs with a time trial bike ride, PROs first. Near 4 hours soaked to the bone, waiting to start. Then we were off.

Angry and determined, I set out fast, tackling every hill and chasing my way up the field. Stupidly going fast round village corners where spectators are cheering you on, then squirming as I narrowly missed a wall. But then the cheers go up again and you feel great! I see some crashes, punctures, mechanical failures, and sensibly, I slow down, this is slippy and dangerous. Hope those guys are ok, one looked bad.

Near the end of the first lap, I’m climbing Murphy’s Hill taking over fellow athletes. Them I’m being passed, as I hear a “whirr” going past me on a hill. It’s Alistair Brownlee. What a machine, respect, and believe it or not a fellow first timer. We all shout out...go on Alistair. First to lap us, and first home.

Into the town of Youghall I see my family and friends, and the anger fades, I’m happy. They’re ok I’m ok. Let’s take on Windmill Hill. I drive up it, people jumping off their bikes, I’m nearly there. Then I know I’m at my limit, could do damage to the heart and I’ve 1 more lap, and a marathon to do. So I jump off and push it up the final gradient. Go my own pace.

The last lap is different, I’m cold. Can’t feel my hands, gloves are soaked,  my hat under my helmet is drenched. My vision not great, need my glasses, can’t see my Garmin. There’s a guy wheel to wheel with me, his chain breaks 3km from finishing bike. I’m the one who has to tell him, he doesn’t make it. Again I see my family and friends and I know I’m gonna do it. Puncture free.

Into transition, I know I’m in a bad way. Can’t feel my hands. I sit down, my knees are bouncing like an Irish dancer in Riverdance. So cold. This is not good.

I’ve no spare clothes. I take my time anyway. Drying every part of my body & my hair with my swim towel. I think about quitting, then the iron will kicks in.

I remember I have my Inspire Charity T-Shirt for the finish, I stick that on under my Tri suit. The base layer is soaked, no good. Rinse out my jacket, should have brought a spare. Put it back on again. See some people dropping out, wrapping the foil round them. I’m having that. The organisers have brought in a heater and tea/coffee in as emergency. I try my best. Not much, still hypothermia, eat some bars, energy gel shots I have, lets run see what happens. Foil still on me.

I’m out running on a wooden walkway on the beach storm blowing in my face, well this helps....not! Then the spectators cheer you on, by name. And again, and again. That’s what makes the difference about this event. Soon see my family, and I’m in the game again. I high five them with my blue hands, and my kids notice them too. I tell them not to worry, go get a drink, I’ve got this.

After that, it’s through the emotions, thinking about things, people, everything that can possibly motivate you. Run, walk, run, stop, drink, eat, pee, check watch & how far to go. I keep going, banana after banana. I’m warm again, throw away extra layers, thank you charity T-shirt. Then 3rd lap in I develop a craving for ready salted crisps. So I take 2 bags sit & eat them. I’m back, and strong last lap, don’t stop running just pure adrenaline taking me home.

I run past the pub where the craic is, all lining the street, egging us on getting us to cheer. I thank them all, shout they’ve been best part of my day and I wave goodbye. I then thank every individual who hands me a drink, banana, gel, thank you. This is why I will be back, they deserve better. And this town deserves it.

I see my family at the finish line, I know they are waiting for me, thinking it will be 2mins, but I know it’ll be another 20/30. Horrible hill and back along that beach again. I get my yellow band, this is it 2km. Take off the jacket for the photo finish.

The rest, I can’t describe, makes it worth it, the cowbells, the cheers, seeing your family and friends. I go over to them, hug, kiss, which ain’t me. Then I hear Mike say those words....

“Neil....you are an Ironman”

Before I see my family, I get my medal, my T-Shirt, share race stories with fellow athletes, male & female of all ages, and have some pizza & coffee to warm up. An experienced American triathlete had hypothermia too, felt like quitting. But he shares a quote with me, it would be sensible not to continue at that stage he says....but you know the saying.... “we Ironman are wired differently”.

See you again pal.

THE STORY BEFORE......

IRONMAN......People often ask me, why? Are you mad? How do you fit it all in? Will you be fit enough? What happens if you miss the cut-offs? So many questions. 

Truth is....mad or not, I have my reasons. I’m not ashamed to say that training through sport has done so much for my positive mental health. So mid life crisis n’all that, and barely an athlete let alone a triathlete, I set out to complete an Ironman in my 40th year. After a few local triathlons I completed the Dublin Half Ironman, started planning for Barcelona, then boom, I was made redundant! 40 and out of a job....fabulous....plans truly scuppered! A great believer that things happen for a reason, I soon picked myself up and got the job I am in now, which I love. And even better, Ironman announced they were bringing the full distance event to Cork in 2019. Time to start training. 

As I write this at 43 years of age, 1 week before, my mind and body have never felt better. It’s been 10 solid months training and these last 12 weeks, my wife & kids have hardly seen me, nor my mates. When I’m not working or coaching football, I’m swimming, cycling or running, 6-7 times a week. But without my wife & kids, I couldn’t do it, they understand me & what this is all about. 

In Cork, on Sunday 23rd June, around 6am in the morning, I take on a mammoth triathlon....

2.4. mile swim

112 mile bike

26.2 mile run

... a total of 140.6 miles in under 17 hours

I’ve dreamt about this for a long time, crossing that finishing line with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck playing, to hear those words....”you are an Ironman”. I’m still on this journey, a calf injury after the marathon almost wrecked it, and only now am I good. Feeling positive.

So please, a few quid to raise at least a pound per mile. I have to do this in under 17 hours and your support or even just well wishes will help me get through the pain barriers I will face. 

Support INSPIRE mental health & wellbeing for all.

I do this to inspire my 2 kids, and those kids who I coach, all who inspire me everyday. And to prove to anyone else, who wants to push themselves to do a couch to 5k or a marathon.....

#AnythingIsPossible

Cheers,

Neil