Ironman 70.3 World Championships race report - Craig Patterson
Coached athlete Craig Patterson (coached by coach Chris) raced in Chattanooga 2 weeks ago, lets hear about his race in his own words!
Arriving in the States to a bit of a storm and a 5 hour delay on our connecting flight but after one hell of a long day we finally made it to Chattanooga BUT no luggage or bike! They are still stuck in Atlanta. Back to the airport in the morning but no bike on the first flight of the day, a bike’s not that important, is it? It finally arrives mid-morning and I finally get it built. Only problem is no front brake......bike shop time I think. Thank you Chattanooga Trek store and also for this Scotsman pretty cheap. Kit is now good to go!
Weather is looking good in the high 20's so possible non-wetsuit swim so best the practice swims are done in a swim skin. A couple of swims in the Tennessee river and the current is a wee bit strong. Could make a difference. The roads seem pretty good, certainly much better than around Chepstow. A little recce of the run course confirms my fears it's going to be a stinker, not many flat sections if any and some steep hills and long climbs. Well it's the World Championships so shouldn't be easy!
Thursday was the 5km fun run which Lyndsay (my wife & Cr@p Tri member) was racing. Not an easy 5km and she was so close to getting that sub 30min. Also, a Cr@p Tri shout out from Paul Kaye as she crossed the line went down well.
Having spent the holiday budget at the expo and watch Lynz drink beer and eat the nice southern food it’s the first race day with the female race. The Championships were split over two days with the females racing Saturday and men on Sunday. The atmosphere is pretty good when I'm down racking my bike, whetting the appetite for my race. Very difficult not to get taken in and spend all day in the sun cheering the females on especially the new friends we made who were racing. I try to stay out the sun so miss the female Pro’s coming in and also some friends finishing but I want to be in good shape for tomorrow.
A chilled night at our Air BnB watching a film and a final kit check. Looks like I will need the wetsuit after all as they were allowed for the female race. Alarm set for 0445, kettle filled and it was time for a surprisingly good night’s sleep. Maybe it's the knowledge that this was about having fun and enjoying the experience but I have never had a better pre-race sleep.
So, I'm up early and it's still pitch black, porridge, banana and a brew down the hatch and it's time to check Facebook. Sadly, it's confirmed.........Wetsuit’s are allowed. Bit gutted as I think non-wetsuit would have worked in my favour. Anyway, no big deal, the 20 min drive into town listening to some good tunes got the fires burning.
Final set up of the bike done, fuel squared away for the ride and it's hang about for an 0800 start. Am I getting nervous, not really. Maybe because I know the training has been great since I qualified in June and I nailed my final big sessions, I think this is the calmest I've felt pre-race.
Into the swim pens and it's a rolling swim start so I seed myself at 30-32 mins. With a PB of just under 30 mins and with an 800m upstream section that feels right to me. After a little wait I'm at the start, I thank the marshal and I'm into the Tennessee river.
Boom I kick into my stroke and I'm clear of my 10 fellow starters, right it's time to find feet but no feet close and as I get into my rhythm I start passing the groups ahead and still no feet. I decide to give up on finding feet to swim on and just go for it, the early morning sun is in our eyes on the 800m upstream leg so difficult to sight. After a good sustained effort, I find turn buoy 2 and it's now downstream though it feels bloody hot in my wetsuit!!!! The swim has pretty much been trouble free and I feel like I've nailed it by the time I get to the steps to exit the river.
Swim Time – 32:32
A reasonably quick T1. It was a long way (not Tenby long though!) and it's out onto the bike.
I knew the Lookout Mountain climb was early into the ride so there was no point smashing it from the off. After getting out of town we pretty much hit the climb, it starts with a small but steep section then eases off and it's just getting into a rhythm. It’s certainly not the worst climb I’ve done and all the scare stories on Facebook are unfounded. As you get to the top a small & loud crowd cheer you through.
The roads get a bit rubbish when u get into Georgia and it's rolling until u make the turn onto the highway after about 35km but then It's downhill and on smooth tarmac. FLYING and so much fun as there is no need for breaks. Once down it's all about holding my power and getting back into town. My final 30km are at a good pace getting me back in good time
Bike - 2:37:12
Sadly, the roads are not fully closed and traffic did get in the way, the usual drafting going on but I've seen worse in Europe.
T2 was easier, nice to have bike catchers. Made sure I said thank you.
The run starts with a small loop away from the rest of the course & down past the swim Start/Exit, a little ramp up and it's into the main course. As I head up past the finishing shoot into the first hill of the day the 2nd place Pro Ben Kanute is running into the finish.
I see the support crew of Lynz, Vickie & Becks for the first time at the start of the 2 loops. This is the faster/flatter section of the course so I know to up my pace to balance things out. Prince Nasser of Bahrain Endurance runs past me shifting pretty quickly.
First 7km in 30 mins - Perfect!
Once over the first bridge and bang the first steep climb hits you, as Mark says often head up and drive the arms SLOWLY. The pain is there but I get to the top and it's a long downhill stretch where I try to up it again, a short stretch past the Hawaii feed station and it's onto the really long uphill - this is just nasty but good support with lots of funny signs helps u get up it. It does feel long but there is a nice downhill section to follow.
Through the North Shore quickly and it's onto the Pedestrian bridge - WOH this is not flat either, I knew it wasn't but it didn't look this steep on Friday. Thinking there would be a nice cooling breeze crossing the bridge, oh how wrong am I. It's a bit of a cauldron with the heat bouncing off the wooden bridge.
A good crowd coming off the bridge and seeing the support crew again spurned me into Lap 2.
2nd 7km - 32 Mins
Getting the faster section done I can feel my glutes & hamstrings starting to fight me so I promise myself a walk through the next aid station where I grab one of the hot shots (meant to help with cramp), coke & water then power walk up the punchy mountain (small hill) then jog onto the first bridge seeing the support crew for the final time before the finish (it’s a great supporter run course where your family can bounce between spots to cheer you).
Crossing the 1st bridge I know the nasty section is upon me. I grab more Coke & water smash my last gel and grit my teeth. The first hill hurts but I keep running, pick it up a bit on the downhill into the Hawaii aid station (coke, water) then up the nasty long climb. Head up, shoulders back & keep bloody moving, Christ this is hurting but I keep going and make it up there. Down & round into North Shore and onto the wooden bridge again. Still hot and hard work but the crowd to the end cheer you through.
Lots of 'Go Army' shouts help and I round the corner into the downhill finish with a huge smile on my face It's still about a Km to go but I push it to finish strong Into the finish for high 5s and I see Lynz waving the Scottish flag with Dai (Finished his race), Vickie & Becks.
Run – 1:39:12
BOOM I have done it. I'm over the line to hear Paul Kaye and his congratulations, also shouting out me being in the Army made my day even better.
Total – 4:53:33
I am totally done, I collect my medal and finishers bits. I sit down as I've left everything out on course. Felt a bit sick to be honest, needed fluid & quickly.
- AG: 164th/ 386
- Overall 766th/ 2,380
Going out to Zell am See a couple of years ago with Team WhittleFit and friends sowed the seed to try and qualify for the 70.3 World Championships. Chattanooga was a fantastic venue with a great group of volunteers. I loved the experience and racing at a World Championship event.
Big shout out to Chris, the last 10 weeks training into the event have been spot on and to Gareth Nicholas a nutritionist I have been working with since I qualified in Denmark. The biggest thanks need to go to @chupichups who let me change our holiday plans so I could race and for being my biggest supporter.
