An interview with The IronDude
The Fastest Iron-Cousin 2015
When our Nanna was alive, the family convened every Sunday at her house for meatballs, toast, mushrooms and cheese (The original Subway), whilst the parents would chat around the table about the week past and ahead, the cousins would disappear to the front room to play Monopoly, Cluedo, Screwball Scramble and many other classics. As time went by, the older cousins ventured off to university and far off lands, and the younger bunch were left behind. The younger bunch being James, L'il Natalie and myself. James and I always shared a bond, I would go so far to say I think of him a brother, a brother who I was always competitive with and generally better at most things non academic....because I was older and made the rules, mostly.
When Craig and I signed up for the Buxton Triathlon many years ago, looking to push ourselves to new levels of fitness, James was with us all the way to complete our Triumvirate of Triathletes. On the day of the first triathlon, we were all in high spirits, separated by group timings, full of support for each other yet still mildly competitive. Each of us had our stronger discipline, however James seemed pretty strong and focused on all three.
Years later, James and Craig have gone beyond the Sprint Triathlon and moved up the leagues. James continued to get stronger, faster and fitter and when he signed up for the Bolton Ironman Uk he was probably the fittest he has ever been.
I wanted to get a little insight on what the training is like for such a massive event and how to prepare yourself mentally and physically for over 13 hours of constant exercise, here is James' interview. An interview with an Ironman, an IronDude.
1) Every story has a beginning, when did you start competing in triathlon's and why? what was the instigator in this journey?
The first triathlon was in Buxton back in 2011. This seems such a long time ago now! This was set as a challenge by my cousins, Craig & Danny. As we are all competitive it was pretty easy to accept! There was then the sudden realisation that I’m a sprinter so a 5k run seemed ridiculous at the time. I’ve always liked a challenge though, to take on something new. I had taken a long look at myself when we were discussing this triathlon and I needed something to kick start my fitness again. I had become lazy, my swimming days were long gone and after leaving Uni and joining the working world in 2010 I didn’t really feel I had much time or could be arsed with exercise. I’m so glad for Buxton as it changed all of our lives really for the better!
2) Do you feel that there is a particular personality that is driven to the Ironman, if so, how does your personality fit?
I think first and foremost you have to be competitive at heart. I can’t see how you can be interested in triathlon full stop without this feeling. Also you have to have commitment and dedication; not ease up when the going gets tough in training for example. My quest for Ironman has been relentless really for a few years. I always seek improvement year on year and can be quite hard on myself. This challenge came a year early than I had it scheduled in my 10 year plan but I wouldn’t change it. I think I can become incredibly focussed on things in life once my heart is set on it; this has happened throughout school, Uni and at work. I rarely give up on things if it is what I want!
3) Which is the more difficult aspect of the event, the physical or mental side? or are the equally difficult?
This is a tricky one to answer. It is obviously physically demanding and to the outsider or spectator that is the obvious talking point. But as mentioned above, without dedication and will to succeed when things get tough I don’t believe you can cross the finish line of the Ironman. I had many obstacles throughout training and this has helped me in the event for sure. You are mentally challenged most of all when things aren’t going well; I certainly felt this during the run and had to dig deep, to places I would say I have never been before. I think my mental strength is greater than my physical strength but from a difficulty point of view I would have to say it’s 50/50.
4) Which is your strongest part of the event, has this changed in training or since your first triathlon?
It has to be swimming as I believe it is what comes most naturally! What confuses the situation is the swim is the first element of the event and when you feel the most fresh! However I think if I was to ignore a discipline for a while I could naturally slip back into swimming without too much trouble whereas cycling and running I would notice a reduction in fitness/performance say. This has remained the same since Buxton and hasn’t changed in any events whether it be a pool swim or open water. I was disappointed with the swim time during the Ironman event though; I could be easily 5 to 10 mins quicker than this on another day.
5) Which is your weakest part? and his this changed?
This has to be cycling; I have so much to learn still and I appear to lose a chunk of time on this discipline. I work hardest on this as well! This hasn’t changed either and remains a big focus for me. I was happy with my performance during the Ironman event. The conditions were very difficult and I did achieve my pre-race target for average speed.
6) Preparation is key, what has been your training regime?
I had a 30 week training programme. I did plenty research as I knew this would be a completely different triathlon to prepare for compared with the Olympic distance ones of the past. My training has always always always focussed on heart rate. I believe this is the best way to train and will never change it. I know this influenced Craig and he was happy to adopt this approach (so he tells me!). Obviously training for this length of time you are inevitably faced with issues where you cannot train, whether it be injury or work getting in the way. I stuck to my plan as best as I could but remained fluid so I could make adjustments. Fracturing my fibula was not part of the regime though, and It meant I actually did NONE of my long runs during training. This for sure compromised my marathon during the event but I got through it!
7) How did you fit the training in with life? Family? Career?
It’s easier for me as I don’t have immediate family to take care of etc. And I’m single! However I am very career driven which meant sometimes my job took over. I spent some time working abroad and just had to get by with my training. Unfortunately this all came about during Peak training phase so I lost out on some key sessions. I did well in the main I think but it meant a lot of sacrifices with friends and increased stress at work. I tried to find a good balance but wasn’t always easy to do this. I did get plenty encouragement from Family and Friends though so naturally this helped. Now it’s over I’m attempting to do some of the things I have neglected in the last 6 months.
8) Where there times during training or even the Ironman when you thought, "Why am I doing this?"
Never! I always believed I could do it and I love the sport so once I had signed up that was it! This has been a popular question at work but I never once thought this during the Ironman event, even in the lulls on the bike and run! I was so absorbed in the event and you have so much to focus on (getting to the finish in particular!) I didn’t have room for negative thoughts. There was a time though when I had the MRI scan and was on crutches that I thought I wouldn’t be competing! Only 5 weeks before, when I competed in the Half Ironman in Stafford did I know for sure I would be competing at Ironman UK. I got through the half marathon that day without issues and it gave me a HUGE lift!
9) Did you use any training supplements? How do you feel this added to your training preparation?
Well I used energy gels, nutrition bars, recovery drinks. Only that sort of thing. I didn’t use any muscle growth blah blah blah. It was a case of making sure I was taking on the right energy for the event and I practiced this during the long rides in training to see what worked and what didn’t. I tracked everything I ate for 7 months to make sure I had the right energy levels at the right time of day.
10) Did you have support on the event/before the event? Did it give you a push/boost you needed? Anything stand out?
The support before, during and after the event has been amazing really. There have be so many people at work asking questions and showing genuine interest, especially beforehand. I spent most of the morning of my first day back telling people how it all went. The support at the event though was something else, whether that is family or the general public. It was nice to have family and friends dotted about the course and it certainly gave me a lift each time I spotted someone I recognised or heard the cheering. This was most important during the run when physically and mentally things can start to break down! I think it was the surprise element that did it too. I had no idea where anybody would be so when a family member or friend suddenly appeared it was like an unplanned and bonus fuel stop; I certainly got a kick from it! There isn’t one thing I can say stands out above all else; it was great to see everyone and tbh on the last lap I felt emotional.
11) Was crossing the line worth all the pain and effort and months of training? (I know the answer to this, but would love to hear how you felt crossing the line)
Absolutely!!! This was something I have been dreaming of for months really. Even during the event I started to visualise what it would be like to cross the line. Hearing the words “James, you are an Ironman!” is something that will live long in the memory. It was a tease that you could see the red carpet on each of the 3 laps but I knew I would get there during that run. Once I had my band for lap 3 (which signalled 4 miles to go) the feelings of what I was about to achieve started to hit me. I was cramping up badly at this point and had to stretch out but I was so determined and I couldn’t quite believe it. The last mile down into Bolton Town Centre was a blur really; I just remember seeing family for the last time cheering on again. My calf wanted to cramp up at this point but I prayed it wouldn’t as I got onto that red carpet. Then with the crowd there and hearing those words I just felt an enormous release of sheer elation (captured in the pics I think!). Crossing that line will never be forgotten. I had to take some seconds to myself and have a word to make sure I didn’t burst into tears! Amazing day and the greatest achievement of my life!
12) How do you feel now it is a couple of days after the Ironman?
Physically I feel in top shape; the legs have recovered nicely during the week. Mentally though I have been screwed up. I should have taken the whole week off work as I have found it difficult to concentrate. I don’t feel all there tbh with you. Most of this is down to tiredness; I could do with a couple of lie ins I think! Also having so much focus on that one day for so long and then it’s just not there anymore has been tricky. It’s almost like when you have an exam period and suddenly it’s all gone. The release of tension and focus is unreal. I did give blood too this week which has floored me a little bit too. This goes to show that Ironman is clearly not just a physical game.
13) What is next?
Recovery period and then maintenance training. Before Ironman UK I had already signed up for and therefore planned my Ironman events for 2016 ;). I have plenty work to do in the off season but will come back determined as ever to succeed on a new set of targets! Also I need to sort out that tattoo…
14) Would you advise anyone to do a Triathlon?
Yes I would and I would tell them to start with a Sprint distance Triathlon just like I did. It’s a great sport to get into and it changed my life for the better. I think working your way up the distance tree is a smart move on the body and an exciting journey.
15) Would you advise anyone to do an Ironman?
Haha! I’m not sure I could ever advise somebody to do this. If they are into triathlon and want to push the distances then I would encourage them but I think advising is probably not the correct term. As I said earlier you have to be prepared to be committed to train for this sort of thing. It is so many levels above an Olympic Triathlon it’s unreal. The sheer amount of time required to prepare is scary really. You have to change how you eat, sleep, train, work, relax etc. So much planning! I think an individual will know if they want to commit to it!
On a separate but relevant note:
I have to say that having a training partner is important. They don’t have to be there physically, as we have the likes of Strava to compare stats etc but I feel it is important in a training programme for continued encouragement from somebody who understands the pain you are going through. Training alongside my cousin Craig has been a delight. We have pushed each other to new levels other the years and he has been a fantastic Tri partner. We have so many memories and stories to share and without him I wouldn’t be at this point now. When I crossed the finish line at Ironman UK and I had settled with family my immediate concern was about Craig. I needed him to finish the event and meet his target otherwise the race for me would have been bittersweet. I’m proud that he crossed that line to become an Ironman himself. He is an inspiration to many as he has a business, wife and kids to take care of. His achievement is incredible!
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