The run. As you might've seen from the earlier videos, this one didn't go well.
Out of T2, straight to an aid station, then out at target pace - 4:40 a K - for the first two kilometres. Then I started feeling dizzy. I kept pushing. After about 10K, my arms started seizing up, and cramping started in my thighs.
I saw Andy on the first hill - he encouraged me on, and I got through the first 14K loop. After that, I was walking every few kilometres. The cramps kept getting worse. I took nutrition from the aid stations, one of my own gels, and tried to stay hydrated - water, electrolytes, coke, at every station.
It was a genuinely tough run. My target was sub-3:15. I came in just under 4 hours - and at one point, I didn't even think I'd get under 4. A real struggle.
I kept thinking about the people supporting me, who I was doing this for. That got me through a lot of the cramping, and a lot of the pain.
At the finish line, I was in tears. I ran down the chute, stumbled, and my legs gave way five metres from the line. I've still got the cuts and grazes on my knees. I picked myself up, walked over the line, and collapsed again. A volunteer picked me up, gave me my medal, and got me to the medical tent for my knees.
All in all, a really tough run that made the end of the day genuinely hard. But I got it done. And honestly, I'm happy with it - because I know I gave everything I had. Maybe looking back, I could've done more. But at the time, and still now, I believe I gave the swim, the bike, and the run everything I had that day. I can't ask more of my body or my mind than that.
Ironman Japan: 10 hours 41. Not my best, not my worst. In the end - a fun day out.
