Geordieman 2023 Full Distance
3rd September 2023
Normally I’d go through everything step by step and give everyone the opportunity to read my full experience. This time however I’m just going to keep it to some post race musings, as I think the other guys have said most things.
Race Aim: Finish. Achieved 
Swim: 1:20
Bike: 6:52
Run: 5:28
Total: 13:57
My experience:
The swim was great, considering I couldn’t swim when I joined the club this is a huge achievement. And for it to be probably the best part of the day is saying something about the journey I’ve been on. Massive thanks to Andy and Jenny for the beginnings, getting me in the water to start with, and Matt Haycroft for helping me learn the open water stuff. This was my biggest fear at the start and I’ve overcome it.
Really pleased with my time to be honest and that I swam the whole way without issue or stopping.
The bike…. Well that was horrible, the route was shit because the roads are shit and the public are shit. Why people think it’s ok to pass cyclists within inches is beyond me. Fair to say they all got both barrels of expletives at every opportunity.
Nearly quit at 90km if it wasn’t for Paul as he’s mentioned in his report we got each other through. My second wind allowed me to finish strong, sorry for dropping you Paul but I was expecting you to do the same in the run which you duly obliged.
The hardest part of it all out there on the bike was the loneliness, the isolation and the battle with your own thoughts. You learn a lot about yourself in these situations.
The run…. 4 laps of a route that leaves a lot to be desired is challenging in itself. Half of it is great running round the lake but the other half is again in isolation in the middle of nowhere. It all adds to the challenge that is hard enough as it is. Lonely isolated again.
This was about managing what you have and what you can give to finish. Run walk, walk run strategy engaged and finish strong. That was the plan and that’s what I did. Bosh.
Overall:
Sorry this may seem very negative. Honestly I’m pleased I’ve finished and achieved doing it. However, I’m left really deflated and underwhelmed by the whole event as it doesn’t really feel that I’ve achieved anything. This is solely down to the lack of competitors at the event and the lack of acknowledgement at the finish line. Sorry Wild Deer but for me you’ve let yourself down and me. That was not the experience I was hoping for and although I’ve achieved the distance I feel robbed of it as well.
Not taking anything away from the volunteers and marshalls as they were amazing throughout the day, while they were there. But every competitor should receive the same experience no matter when they finish. For those men and women who were running round that route for another 2 hours after me I feel for them as there were little to no marshals left out on course and the finish area was packed away and deserted. The fact the food truck was packing away when I finished suggests the guys finishing later will get nothing to eat.
Honestly, I would recommend the challenge to anyone but please do yourself a huge favour and pay the extra money for a more established race. There were only 57 racing the full and it was a lonely experience. There were very few spectators around the route to raise your spirits when you need it most.
Finally, and to finish on a couple of positives.
I’ve completed this with a real lack of training, lots of planning and visualisation of training but actually when I look at my trainingpeaks I’ve not done a huge amount to warrant finishing this distance. So please don’t be put off, you and your body can achieve more than your mind thinks it can. To complete, the true difficulty is managing the mind and racing within your limits.
I could not have done it without support. I don’t say it often, and I probably should but she’d get a big head, my Mrs (Ali 
) is amazing, always positive and always supportive and there when you need her. Fantastic support throughout this journey with relentless motivation and belief in me. Thank you.
Motivational message:
Believe in yourself that you can achieve more than you think but lean on others for strength and support when you need it. We are in it together no matter what. Go on, do it.
