The conditions at Austria last weekend were perfect for this Epic Ironman Race. I had my sister and husband there and a friend from London, it was great to see them on the course as it can get lonely when you’re racing on your own.

I headed down to transition at 6.00am, put my fuel on the bike, checked everything 10 times and then left for the swim start, I was on my way. 6.45 at the beach start, 2500 people getting ready and then U2 playing its a beautiful day, I was completely wired for this and ready to go. Bang - the Canon went off and my time had arrived, time to put my 6 months of training to the test!

The first part of the swim was good, held back when the canon went and just got into water and swam to the first buoy. A little bit of BIFF on the turn but all of ok. Second Buoy, all ok but now swimming into the sun rise and could not see the next marker. I finally got to the canal, ‘sh*t… cramp in the right calf’. Recovered and then bang, cramp in the left calf and then panic lots of people trying to get past. Got my head together, stayed calm and then swam off. 1.18 - a bit slower than I expected but a good result.
 
T1
 
I'm not the fastest guy in transitions but made sure I had everything and then went off. I so need to work on this if I'm get my Triathlon times down but I stayed calm and was looking forward to this epic ride.
 
Bike
 
Watched an accident in in the first 5 k so Fiona's advice about being careful was spot on and the first 20k was flat and ran along the swim lake. I did not get out of Z2 for the first 60k. Eat and drank well and got to the first half in 3.03. All going well! I had met some many people on the plane over who said take it easy on the first lap, I was hoping to reap the benefits of this on the second lap. Felt completely relaxed and in control.
 
Second lap upped it a little, felt strong all the way round. Stopped for a few toilet breaks, Kept in zone 2 for 50% of the time and then into lower zone 3. I was enjoying the bike so much I didn’t want to get off it. I rode on the bars around 60% with no problems whatsoever. The perfect ride…. I started to remember the first few rides I did with Fiona in January and how far I had come as a biker. Time 6.09, thought I might dip below 6 hours but happy with the result.
 
T2
 
All good, clean clothes and sunscreen. It was at this point I started to believe I would shortly become an IRONMAN.
 
Run
 
I think I might have started a little fast, went through the first 21 k in around 1.55 as I thought I could do a 4.00 hr marathon, classic mistake. 20k to 30k the monkey came out and sat on me for a while, I found this section the toughest part of the race. I remembered Fiona telling me this would happen but I knew I was mentally strong and would be able to do it. Sat it out and at around 30k got a second wind but started to get tired at 39k. This was my first marathon and at the end of an Ironman, how mad was this, the world did not make any sense anymore. Walked in and out of aid stations (again great advice from Fiona) and drank loads of coke and water all the way round. Again as I was drinking so much I had to make a few pit stops. I must of been the most hydrated person on the run! As I approached the last 500 meters I just sat back and relaxed, the job was done, the training had paid off. I enjoyed the last 200 meters like no other race I thought about my parents who are no longer with me and how proud they would be to see me do this. My father was a sprint cyclist for Ireland who would have been so approving of this event and my participation. Suddenly I crossed the line and those immortal words that will live for ever, Paul Reidy You are an IRONMAN. Boom, 12 hrs 18 minutes. Job Done.

I'm not much of a blogger or one for writing reviews or giving feedback to particular things (as its normally all self promoting) but just wanted say that Fiona has been a great coach for 6 months she has completely transformed my fitness and attitude to training. I had some early problems with hamstrings, ear infections and the usual injuries but she was able to guide me through all of it to the point during the race where I had zero niggles and was able to race without any issues. I plan to take the next 3 to 4 weeks off and then race again and hopefully gain more PB's with my new found fitness.