This was my first Ironman since Port Macquarie 2015.

I stopped Triathlon training in 2016 when I had some issues with heart rhythm, & in 2017 & most of 2018 I couldn’t swim at all due to impingement in my left shoulder.

However, through persistence, by November 2018, I could swim 1.5km, which was exciting, so I decided to train for Ironman Port Macquarie (5th May 2019). I was starting from a zero base in swimming & cycling, but at least my running base was there.

Race morning was cool but fine with strong SW winds forecast. I am feeling particularly nervous. While setting up my bike & preparing for the swim, we are told the water is only 19 degrees, & I feel the cold easily. Fortunately, we can wear wetsuits, plus I had a spare swim cap which I put on under my race swim cap. My usual ‘tinted’ optical goggles were leaking in practice 2 days earlier, so I decided to use my spare pair which were clear (no tint).

The scenery at Port Macquarie is quite beautiful. We start rolling into the water from 7:15am. The Swim is 3.8km in the Hastings River, an out & back course with a climb (assisted by stairs & handrails) over a weir near halfway. The water was nice but Chilly – glad I wore 2 caps. But clear goggles was a BAD move – the glare from the sun was blinding me for the whole swim – I just swore & put up with it! Got out in a time of 1h:18m, well ahead of the Swim cut-off of 2h:20m.

Got ready for the Bike & took off - No sign of rain, so I didn’t take my waterproof vest (BIG MISTAKE), just my sleeveless Trisuit which I had on under my wetsuit (and was still wet), arm-warmers & a wind-vest which was stored on my bike. The Bike Leg is 180km comprising 2 Laps from Port Macquarie to Laurieton & back. The HILLS are REALLY HARD and there are LOTS OF THEM and the ROAD SURFACE is CRAP. 

In the first 30 minutes, I already started getting cold. There was a strong SW wind all day – which meant riding straight into it every time we head out to Laurieton – a total of 90km. I couldn’t control my bike properly from the cold – I couldn’t stay in the aero position as my shoulder blade was starting to cramp, so I had to sit up & cop more of the wind.

I stopped & put on my wind-vest, but it wasn’t enough. I noticed many of the heavier competitors getting off their bike & walking up all the big hills. Half way through the Bike, I was SPENT - I felt like I normally do at the end of the race – I just wanted to have a hot shower & go to bed. 

I had a look at the time & realised that I had some hard work to do in order to make the Bike cut-off time of 10hrs from Race Start. The second Lap was gruelling & my kneecaps were aching from all the pedalling. I ran out of my own fuel as I was out there much longer than normal, so I was grabbing a banana at every Aid Station – it’s not a good look when you’re on the way back to town & the volunteers are starting to collect some of the witches’ hats!

Finally, I finished the Bike in 8h:17m, and my Total Race Time was 9h:45m, just 15min ahead of the Bike cut-off of 10hrs. Exhausted & shivering, I now had to get into my run gear & run a Marathon in less than 7h:15m.

I took off, but could barely run – I had to alternate running & walking. The Run Leg is 42.2km, comprising 4 Laps adjacent to the beautiful river in Port Macquarie, & there is one hill which you do 4 times. I worked out that the most I could handle was to alternate “running 30sec & walking 30sec”, so I stuck to that non-stop. 

I kept my wind vest & arm warmers on for the run, but it wasn’t enough, the wind was still cold & strong – I was in distress. So, I stopped at the First Aid tent & asked for help – they were good enough to give me a T-Shirt & a Thermal Blanket, which helped. However, the wind was still getting through, so on the next lap, they gave me a second Thermal Blanket.

I was now running in a Trisuit, a wind-vest, arm-warmers, a T-shirt & 2 Thermal Blankets – I think I made a new ‘Fashion Statement’. I was also sick of consuming Gels, but needed calories, so I drank Cola & must have eaten at least 20 soft lollies – things I don’t normally have.

Finally, the Finish Line was just around the corner – As always, a very welcomed sight!!! So I turned my cap backwards, put my race number facing forward, threw off the outer Thermal Blanket & ran down the Finish Shute to the finish Line, HOORAY!! My Run time was 6h:04m, and my Finish Time was 15h:57m, safely ahead of the Race Cut-Off of 17hrs.

This was my slowest time ever, but very happy to finish. This race, for me, actually proved harder than competing in the Hawaii Ironman in 2013.

Julie Foster, Kevin Lowe, Pam Green & Alan Whitmore were there to cheer me on, and Julie & Kevin were still there when I finished, around 11:15pm – That was much appreciated.

Steve Pappas

 - Thanks Steve, a great triumph over adversity story! Thanks for sharing this with us.