Hemel Hempstead Cycling Club

In June this year, Hemel Hemsptead Cycling Club member Mike Orton took part in an Ironman triathlon in Nice, France. Here’s Mike’s account of how he got on.

As some of you know I have recently returned from Nice where I took on the challenge of an Ironman triathlon. This is the longest of the triathlon distances and is competed for over a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a Marathon run (26.2 miles).

My training had gone pretty well and I had managed to avoid serious illness or injury. I left for Nice on 22 June feeling confident and in pretty good shape. My son Mark was with me and my wife Noreen and daughter Chloe joined us on the 25 June after Chloe’s last GCSE exam.

The temperatures out in Nice were really hot following a very wet and windy out there a week or two before we arrived. I spent the days leading up to the race taking it easy (not hard in Nice!) but doing a few short runs and bike rides to keep loose and to try to acclimatise to the heat. I also did a practice swim on the course (in the sea) which went well. It was very hot, but I was drinking lots (mainly water!) to ensure that I was well hydrated come the big day. And the big day arrived all too soon.

I kept well out of the sun on the Saturday to avoid any sunburn/sunstroke as this can be very energy-sapping. I managed to get some sleep the night before, getting up around 4 am for a light breakfast and then walking down to the transition area on the main promenade, only 10 minutes walk from where we were staying.

The transition area opened at 5am and I went in around 5.30am to have a last check on my bike and ensure tyre pressures were right etc. There was a lot of tension around, though lots of support and camaraderie too. There were over 2,800 competitors and as I looked around I could see that was a lot of bikes, with a value I reckoned of around £8 million based on a quick mental calculation! Before too long it was time to put on my wetsuit and make my way to the beach. The swim started at 6.30am but we were let loose on the beach from 6am and I wanted to secure a position right at the front so as to avoid the worst of the incredible scrum when 2,800 people pile into the ocean together. There was some good-natured chat and banter as we waited and I managed to pick the brains of a German guy next to me who had done the event last year. I almost wished I hadn’t when he described the bike course to me!

At exactly 6.30am the horn sounded and we plunged into the water. I sprinted for the first 20 metres or so with my head down not breathing trying to get clear from the mass of bodies if I could. It seemed to work fairly well and as I caught my breath I could see that I was in the leading group from the part of the beach where we started. Sighting the buoys was really difficult however as there were so many swimmers around and although the sea was fairly calm there were still a few waves. It was basically a case of following the crowd and hoping the leading swimmers were on course!

We passed the first large buoy and soon the far one was in sight. When I rounded the second buoy we swam parallel to the shore and everyone seemed to be more bunched and hemmed in. Although I was swimming well and passing lots of people I couldn’t make much further progress due to the mass of bodies and a couple of stray kicks led to me almost losing my goggles twice and having to stop to readjust them. When we passed the 3rd buoy and started to head for shore again things got better and I got in a good rhythm. We hit the shore and ran along the matting covering the stones and plunged in again for the shorter 2nd lap to make up the 2.4 miles. I really felt good now and moved up the field rapidly – I exited the water in exactly 1 hour – a good time and 1st in my age group.

I moved through transition well and was soon out on the bike. The first part of the course was fast and flat as we went along the promenade before heading inland. I was cruising along at 25-30 mph and was encouraged to see that I was amongst a group which included many of the Female pro triathletes (though I was careful not to draft which is illegal and can get you disqualified).

We soon headed inland to start the hilly part of the course and the first steep hill (a killer) came about 12 miles into the ride. I coped well with it and still felt good. I continued to make good progress but the temperatures were rising steadily as we gained altitude.

Although there were some fast descents and flat sections to the course the hills were relentless and started to take their toll – it seemed as if the Tour de France had started a week early! I was taking salt tablets and electrolyte drinks, as well as energy bars and gels.

As you are on the bike for 5-6 hours you really do need to get your nutrition right in one of these events. Despite this I suffered from cramp 3 times during the ride – I managed to keep going by easing up and spinning in a lower gear but I thought it did not bode well for the run.

The scenery was absolutely spectacular although I was not really in a position to fully appreciate it. After what seemed like an age we approached Nice once again and the fast section along the promenade to transition.

I knew some people in my age group had passed me but I thought I was probably still in a reasonable position. As I headed into transition I saw Noreen and Mark there and they gave me a cheer which was very welcome. I completed the 112 miles in 5 hours 49 minutes and was 11th in my age group by then – not too bad.

I went through transition fairly rapidly though made sure I was as comfortable as possible for the start of the run. It was now 1.30pm and the heat was searing. As I started running (the Marathon route was 4 long out and back loops along the promenade) it really felt like a furnace. At each of the drinks stations, about a mile apart, as well as drinks, gels, energy bars and bananas there was a cold shower you could run under – I took full advantage of this.

Initially I was coping well but after about 4 miles I realised that I was basically running on empty. This is not a nice feeling when you have 22 miles to go! I tried not to panic and used all sorts of mind games to just keep going. My focus shifted to just finishing the race rather than my place or time. How I kept going I just don’t know. My feet were really uncomfortable and the feeling of fatigue was almost unbearable.

People were piling into the medical tent and not many were re-emerging – I later found out that of the 2,800 who started more than 400 did not finish. It was a real struggle and basically my race fell apart on the run. Nonetheless I managed to make it to the finish and in the last couple of miles seemed to get a second wind so that I could finish with a flourish.

As I was announced as an "Ironman" when I ran in front of the grandstand and under the Ironman arch, it was the same feeling of exhilaration that I had 4 years ago at Sherborne even though my time at 11 hours 42 minutes was an hour and 10 minutes slower. I had dropped to 32nd in my age group but that didn’t seem as important as completing it and getting my medal and finishers’ T-shirt!

I had an enjoyable few days in Nice after the event just relaxing and exploring the Cote D’Azur a little, including a trip to Monaco. I also visited Villa Nellcote in Villefranche Sur Mer – a bit of a pilgrimage as the Rolling Stones recorded their classic Exile on Main Street album when based there for 6 months in 1971 having become tax exiles.

I was very pleased to have reached my target for sponsorship of £1,500 which has been raised for the educational charity Heads Teachers and Industry (HTI) for whom I act as a trustee.