from Triathlon Ireland Website Congratulations to Rich Brady who competed in the Florida Ironman on Saturday 7th November. Taking place under sunny skies with calm water and little wind Rich set a new Irish record for Ironman distance in a time of 9hrs 13mins 29sec. Please read on for Rich’s race report…
I flew from Gatwick with British Airways to Atlanta, where I picked up a hire car for the 300mile drive to Panama City. I split the journey with an overnight stay on the way down and did it in one on the way home.
I was lucky to have a home stay, miles from the start line, but on the bike course. I am very thankful to Terry for giving me a room and looking after me so well.
With 70 or so Pro athletes on the start line, I was expecting a bit of rough and tumble at the start of the swim, but it didn’t materialise. I started out quite conservatively with the aim of cruising around the swim. The 3.8km was a 2 lap affair, with a long shallow section before getting out of the sea for the turn around, followed again by a long shallow section. I cruised through the 2nd lap at the back of a small group which included Bella Comerford and Toby Radcliff.
I had a speedy T1, with only my Helmet and sunnies to put on and was out on the bike.
There was a bit of a headwind for the first 70km and the air was a little chilly to say the least. About 45mins in to the ride I was shivering and looking forward to feeling the sun on my back. After a couple of hours I started to warm up and passed through 90km in 2hr30. For the 2nd half of the ride, a tail wind kept the speed up for the next 80km. I had a lonely ride, although I did get to see the age group packs after the turn around section, without anyone appearing to keep their distance, which was a little disappointing. The final 5mile stretch saw a return of the headwind, but I was feeling strong and looking forward to getting out and running
During the bike my nutrition plan was to consume 1500-1800 calories. I had a concentrated bottle of Torq lemon and lime with 1200 calories, which I mixed in to the water in the aero-bottle on the tri bars, to get the right mix. I got through all of this. I ate a Torq bar in the early part of the bike and had a caffeinated Torq gel at 2hr30 and 3hr30 to give me a little boost towards the end of the ride. In all I got through about 1600cals.
T2 was quick and smooth, compression socks and Brooks T5 racers on and I was away.
The first 2miles felt like a shuffle, but were sub 7min miles, so no complaints. After this I got in to an easy rhythm taking water at every aid station and a gel every 3miles. The afternoon temperature was 22-23C, which was spot on for me, although an athlete from Miami kept his arm warmers on all day as he was cold!! I got to the half way mark in 1hr34, still in good spirits, but my quads were starting to feel the effects of 5hrs pumping from the aero position, which is something you don’t get in Devon. I was starting to slow, but held together. The quads just got worse as the miles passed but I pushed through 20 miles in 2hrs26 and I was in to the home stretch. The final 6miles were tough as my quads screamed at me, but I kept the legs turning over. I was passed by Bella at 21 miles who was completely focused and on her way to victory and Toby Radcliff sneaked passed me at some point on the home stretch.
I crossed the line in 9hr 13mins 29s, which is a new Irish record and very happy to have an uneventful, steady day in the Floridian Office.