I didn't race over the IM distance in 2016 after a brutally hot Frankfurt 15. I used 2016 to improve my running and biking. This seemed to work with improved times coming into 2017. My training for Austria began in earnest six months ago and I did approach this one with a more dedicated professional attitude than previously, I even cut down on the alcohol! Going into the race I felt confident with 9 century rides in the preceding 12 weeks.
We travelled out in our VW campervan on the Tuesday, stopping at Baden-Baden Tuesday night and arriving at Klagenfurt in a thunderstorm Wednesday evening. The campsite is a few hundred metres from the strandbad Worthersee swim start.
First impressions despite the rain were how beautiful the place was. By the time the sun came out next day it was really stunning.
The few days before were spent with gentle training, rest and a bit of sightseeing.
Early night pre-race and I actually slept which is another first.
RACE DAY
SWIM
I ceded myself in the 1:10 bracket for the rolling start. Swim was fairly uneventful with none of the usual bosh until we turned into the canal. Then it was pure survival for 900m. We were allowed wetsuits which soothed a bit of the anguish for most of the field. I must admit I wasn't bothered either way. Swim was hot to be honest wearing it. Anyway I got my estimate spot on and exited the water 1:09:51 for the 4000m.
BIKE
Two loops each with about 800m climbing on perfect smooth roads. I vastly underestimated the bike course. All the reports I had read said the course was very fast. I found the first lap hard. A lot more climbing than I was expecting. It is fairly relentless after you leave the first 10miles along the lake. The downhills are fast, very fast, but you always have to go back up again. Even after the second big climb (rupert the bear or something) I expected a 40min fast decent back to Klagenfurt. Nope, it still has some stings in the tail! Second lap I found easier as I knew what was coming. I actually really enjoyed the whole bike but should have recce'd it earlier in the week. It has to be said though the whole thing is stunning. At times you are surrounded by mountains and can see for miles. The villages you pass through are pretty and the support is fantastic. Time was 6:05:54 and not the sub 5:50 I was aiming for but it didn't matter as I loved it.
RUN
I started off at 8:30 mile pace and felt confident I could hold this for at least 13miles. However with the bike fatigue in the legs I slowed after 4 miles or so. I must admit most of the run was a mental struggle and I didn't really enjoy it. I really had to force the pace even though I was happy with just under 2hrs for the first half. I was still holding 9:30miles until I hit mile 17. Then the wheels came off. Cramp in the right hamstring forced me to walk for the first time in four IM races. It eased after a couple of minutes and I tentatively jogged again. This repeated for the next 9miles with my average pace now hovering around 11min/mile with the walking bits. As frustrating as this was I just kept repeating my mantra, "keep moving forward". So I finished the race in a bit of a state and mentally not in a very happy place. Shame really as the course itself was pleasant enough and the support was great. There is always a dark place in any ironman and I sank into it for the last half of the marathon. There was no real euphoria at the end just relief that I could stop running/jogging/stumbling. Run time was 4:20:33 which again was slower than I wanted but overall I'm happy that I kept going despite the voice in my head screaming at me to stop.
My finish time 11:49:15
Really happy overall with how the day went and with how I handled a real sticky patch during a hard run. I would recommend to anyone who hasn't done Austria to do it if you have the chance. Its a fantastic course, great venue and atmosphere, and the support is first class. By far the best one I have done. Also a big shout out to the rest of the TA contingent. It is always fun when you go to races with club mates and seeing them out on the course gave me a real lift.
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