I had absolutely loads of support as I rode away from transition and out onto Lake Terrace. I was cracking up at all the yelling – and athletes around me were all laughing as well! I also got lots of comments on the “Ironjack” written on my bum! Even though it was pouring with rain and we were doing Ironman, there is still lots of time for chatting and companionship at the back of the pack!
I felt like I was just whizzing down Lake Terrace – absolutely loving Ben’s racing wheels! It quickly became apparent it was going to be a very long and wet day – water was absolutely pouring off me in waterfalls, and I could feel my socks were absolutely saturated. I’d only been going for five minutes and I was already sodden! It also quickly became apparent that it was not going to be a day for my riding glasses – they were just covered in water and fogging up on the inside. I tucked them into my riding top in case I needed them later. I also quickly realised it was going to be difficult to keep an eye on my cycle computer – I would spend the rest of the day wiping away the water to try and keep a check on my cadence!
I can’t quite remember where Di passed me, just before turning into the Napier-Taupo Highway I think – the second of many times we would catch up during the day!
I turned slowly into the Napier-Taupo Highway – incredibly slippery in the wet. I can’t believe I used to dread this hill – now I actually quite like it! I also had the words of Ironman Mel in my head “just think, when you go up it the first time, you only have to do it once more!” – I also changed that to be, I only have to do this once more until the Taupo Half Ironman – a major motivational boost!
Cycled past the Hilton, it just looks awesome at the top of the hill. Round the corner and into Crown Rd. I normally love this part of the ride because I can get some speed up, get some fuel on board and really get underway. Unfortunately, the rain was torrential which meant going much slower than usual, and trying to get food in my mouth without slipping off the road! I successfully negotiated the industrial area and then started heading out towards Broadlands Rd, under the new ETA bridge. This is usually the best segment of the ride for me – I break the ride up into eight – four segments for each lap of the ride. The first segment is from Taupo township, up to Broadlands Rd and then speeding down all the hills to end up on the flats – by this stage, I have less than 20km to go to Reporoa, which is my second segment. That plan is pretty much reversed on the way back. This first segment is normally the best one for me because, for once, I have my weight on my side and I literally fly down the hills – I love them. It’s also my only opportunity to make up some time.
Not today. The rain was absolutely torrential. I had hoped to at least get some speed down the hills, even in the rain, but it was so heavy I had to really slow down – and then I ran into my next problem, the torrential rain was like needles in my eyes – I had to squint and then close one eye and then swap as I tried to get down the hills in one place. It was so ridiculous it was actually laughable – dangerous, but laughable!!
So unfortunately, I lost all the momentum I normally gain on those hills. But I was still making good time and feeling really happy with my progress. I was getting passed by loads of people – but that doesn’t worry me at all – it just means that I beat them out of the swim!
I was so sodden I quickly realised that my sandwiches simply weren’t going to cut it for fuel today. They were already a soggy mess. I decided to grab a banana at the next fuel station. I yelled out for a banana and someone literally handed it to me – the volunteers were so awesome. I had to really stuff it in my mouth though, as there is only a short part of the road in which you can drop rubbish. I wolfed it down, dropped the skin, and got going.
I knew that on this lap it was going to be critical to get down on the aerobars as much as possible – there was a slight head wind, so the aerodynamic position would help with that, but it would also be less tiring. I was a bit nervous because I wasn’t sure if my pads would be slippery, but I slowly bent over and it was actually a relief to be down on the aerobars – and I was still making really good time – even though I couldn’t see the bike computer!
I was also very conscious of taking on fluid and fuel at regular intervals. I have problems with my stomach on the run leg and am very limited with what fuel I’m able to take on, so I needed to do most of my fueling on the bike. Before racking my back on the Friday I had taped eight GU to my bike rail. If you put the insulation tape over the top of the GU packet, when you pull it off, it automatically peels the top off for you. This was an absolutely godsend on the day – in fact I think I kept congratulating myself on it most of the day! Everything was so wet, and my hands were so slippery, that I would never have been able to get a grip in the GU packet and it would have been incredibly difficult to open. Love it when a great plan comes together! I needed to have at least two GU on the way out to Reporoa, combined with some protein bar squares (now very wet) and lots of electrolyte and water.
I made it out to the turnaround at Reporoa in fantastic time – even with the headwind, I was under two hours and absolutely stoked! Also absolutely stoked to see all my support crew out at Reporoa – Mike telling me I’d “had a great ride babe”, his parents, think my Dad was out there too, other friends, just awesome. My support crew was absolutely incredible on the day – and night.
After successfully negotiating the turnaround, I started heading back to town – with a slight tail wind. I was feeling so comfortable I actually wondered if I was dreaming – after all, I was completely wet through and was going to be for another six hours! But I really was feeling great.
I hate the third segment – the first half of the stretch back to town from Reporoa. Its long, flat and completely boring. I have tried and tried to talk myself into feeling better about this part, but it never works! I just kept pushing myself on the aero bars and forced myself to keep pedalling. I was still making good time.
It was about this time that I decided I was going to attempt something new – peeing on the bike! I haven’t tried to do this in training because I never wanted to aggravate my chafing and saddle sores, but I was so incredibly wet, it wasn’t going to make any difference and the time spent on the bike instead of off it would be good to have up my sleeve.
So I tried. And tried. And tried. Unbelievable – I finally make the decision that I’m going to pee on the go – and I can’t!!! I tried sitting, I tried standing, I tried picturing waterfalls. Nothing! I had to give up and made for the next aid station instead. Something that will definitely need some practice before the next big event!
After the aid station I began the climbs back into Taupo. After the long boring flats I relish the opportunity to get out of the saddle and relieve my bottom! These climbs also mean that I’m nearly at Centennial Drive – the awesome downhill before you head into Taupo. Despite the rain I absolutely whizzed down this stretch – by now starting to be over-taken by those heading out on their second lap. Finally I made it onto Spa Rd and I’m heading to town – only to be over-taken by Terenzo Bozzone who is heading into transition! He takes a right, I take a left, and I’m onto the second lap – wahoo!
My amazing support crew gave me a massive cheer as I head through town – and I also get to go through the RATs aid station – such as awesome buzz to collect a drink bottle from Jamie and loads of support on the way. An awesome feeling.
I whiz along the lakefront again, I thought the rain was letting up but no, its back again. I climb up the Napier-Taupo Highway again – for the last time today – wahoo! Mum, Dad and the boys are standing at the bottom of the hill in their Ironjack support crew t-shirts and with their signs – so cute. Then Gina is sitting just a bit further up as well! Tupara and his crew are at the top – so great to see them! I also spot Toni – another awesome triathlon contact I’ve made through Twitter. Everyone was just where I needed them on this hill!
This time heading into Crown Rd I make a quick stop to pick up my special needs bag – and most importantly – my cheeseburger!
By now I’ve been going for almost six hours – its time. I grab half the cheeseburger and stuff the rest into my bento box – making sure it is well protected from the rain. I shove it in my mouth – and its absolutely divine – yup that’s right, a day old, stone cold McDonalds cheeseburger, I don’t think I have ever tasted anything so fantastic in my life!!!
After swallowing the first half, I concentrate again on negotiating the industrial sector safely. I find out later that the current World Champion, Miranda Carfrae, suffered a bad puncture here, followed by Jo Lawn. I want to stay on my bike!
The second lap on the bike includes an annoying little detour to make up the distance. I haven’t actually ridden this part of the route before as it is a private forestry road that only opens the last few days before race day. I whip down Centennial Drive and into the loop road – and its up, a long, boring up. By this time I’m starting to feel a little bit tired and a little bit sore – and I’m starting to chafe on the front part of my bottom. I also tell myself off for forgetting to let my support crew know about this part of the route – I realise its going to take a lot longer to get out to Reporoa this time and they’ll be wondering where I am! I use this stretch to my advantage though and make sure I’m well fuelled with GU, electrolyte and water.
I finally get back out onto the main road and get ready for the downhills. I’ve learnt my lesson going down the hills and put my glasses back on to get down them – slightly faster this time and the momentum carries me a bit further.
I hit the next stage of flats and I get really grumpy! I’m not making very good time – in fact I’m quite behind – and now I have quite a decent headwind. Its making for slow going. My bum is really starting to hurt and I actually have to stop to put on some more chafing cream. I try to stay motivated – and keep talking to myself – out loud!!
I finally reach the last stretch before Reporoa – much slower than last time! Becky and Sue have run down the road to meet me, and Cushla and Nick are also standing at the bridge. Then my brother Bruce and Mike – it is so amazing to see them! Everyone tells me that it will be a tailwind back into town – I’m really hoping so, but I’ve been tricked out here before! I make the turnaround, get my second band from the volunteers and I’m off – and I am absolutely flying!! The tailwind is amazing! I’m ticking along at nearly 27km/hr – unheard of for six hours in and at this point in the road. I don’t think I have ever been so relieved!
At this point in my race plan, I had given myself lots of instructions about staying tough, staying focused and getting home. I actually didn’t need them. The tailwind gave me the physical boost I needed, and the good time I was making again picked me up mentally. I had a feeling I was going to be able to make it.
“Jacky James – you WILL be an Ironman” I kept repeating to myself – yes out loud. If anyone was around me they would have thought I was completely mad, but I didn’t care, I was well on my way to achieving my amazing goal.
The rest of the ride back to Taupo is actually a bit of a blur. I wasn’t feeling any of the pain and fatigue that I had felt on this stretch of my training ride, and I was already starting to think about getting off the bike and onto the run – and getting into some dry clothes!
As I was coming past the Racetrack I was thinking about all the training that had been done. Eight months earlier, there were real fears (from my) that I wouldn’t be able to ride 180km, and I have nearly done it. In particular I was thinking about my friend Kelly who has so patiently ridden with me over that period, coaxing me, supporting me, encouraging me and giving me a good telling off when I needed it! I reached the end of the Racetrack and Kelly and Nathan were standing in the middle of the road with clappers! I couldn’t believe it! I was so excited to see them!
I raced down Centennial Drive for the last time and turned into Spa Rd. Carl from TriNZ caught up to me in his car to give me the fantastic news that Cameron Brown and Sam Warriner had won the Ironman – just the result I had wanted to hear!
I made the last few turns – with orange Ironjack support crew t-shirts everywhere I turned! The support was absolutely incredible. I felt so special to have all these people around supporting me, it was amazing.
