Sophie gagne une médaille de bronze lors de son premier Ironman à Cozumel au Mexique.

2011-12-16

After the Ironman70.3 World Cup in Vegas and the triathlon at Ypres in September, I deserved a few weeks 'relative' rest. For many triathletes, the beginning of a longer rest period, but I still had a challenge on the program, my first Ironman on November 27 in Cozumel (Mexico) !

Early October, I did not have the motivation to start training again, but I could not wait ... There were six full weeks of training during which I have experienced ups and downs. Despite the less good moments, I could finish the main courses, and this gave me the confidence that it I would succeed.

Nine days before the race we flew to Mexico so I had the time to really rest (because at home I don’t rest enough) and of course also to adjust to the heat and time difference of 7 hours . During the first days on the island the training went difficult. With a race in prospect, these moments as an athlete are mentally tough. But with the necessary patience and the efforts of my boyfriend Karl and coach Tim to reassure me that everything would go well, training began to get better on Tuesday. After solving almost a full book of Sudoku puzzles, the race could start.

On Sunday at 6:40 we were released into the sea. 27 ° and the water was pretty flat, so ideal. I found a good rhythm and swam for a while at the head of a group. I missed connection with the group in front of me and couldn’t connect after brief attempts (without wasting too much energy). After fifteen minutes, I let myself settle in the group. The swimming sensation has been better this year, but it was still good enough. After 54 minutes I started with a delay of six minutes. Favorites Sonja Tajsich and Yvonne Van Vlerken, both inferior swimmers, got resp. 5 and 8 minutes behind me out of the water.

After the switch I almost immediately cycled to the third position. I drove cautiously, by touch, because the heart rate watch didn’t work. After 50km I drove to second place. I got growing stabbing lower right abdomen and my back. I tried regular massage to reduce the pain, I also stretched, but this didn’t help. It made me particularly anxious, knowing that the marathon was still to come ... but I was still riding, so I had to stay focused in the moment ! I put an average second lap followed by a strong last lap, where I fully felt good again with the necessary leg strength. And I could use that power well, because at times we had to beech seriously against the wind.

Meanwhile, Simone Benz was still leading on the bike and increased her lead to 18 minutes. She had a great day! The favorites Yvonne and Sonja had still not caught up with me, so that was good ! I completed the 182km in a time of 5:08 '(35.5 km/h) so after 6:06 I arrived in the second transition zone.

And then, the marathon ... the plan was to start quiet and to run as constant as possible. I kept at the predetermined speed. The beginning was good and luckily, the stabbing had now disappeared. The turning point was on 7km, the way back was already a bit difficult, especially on the slightly sloping pieces I already had to work to maintain my pace. The legs were a little heavy and I had to look for my trusty running rhythm. After 1 lap (14km) I came a little bit closer to Simone. On my way back I could observe the opponents. Yvonne was now in third position and then came Sonja (she had a flat tire). I expected that Yvonne would catch me, but she was not feeling well and stopped racing.
During the second lap I found a good rhythm and hoped to hold this feeling as long as possible. I made sure I took enough energy and water, so shortages couldn’t be no killjoy!

Suddenly after 24km I saw a transparent curtain of water... Wow! I could use the rain, cool! But when it rains in Cozumel, it rains a lot and there is no sewage system, which resulted in flooding ! After a while, we sometimes had to run through knee high rivers.
Through a smooth second round I came much closer to Simone, but the gap was too big, no way I was thinking that I could win. On entering the third round (after 28km) I began to feel my thighs. They got stiffer and stiffer and my pace became smaller and smaller ... I knew Sonja would catch me. I had to concentrate to keep running and fighting to keep my pace. The last 5km were quite heavy. I felt my legs blocking more and more, meter by meter. Sonja had caught me after 37km, the third place was normally safe. I just had to keep going forward, but it lasted. Those last few miles were the longest of my life I suppose. I only could think of the finish.

I finished in 9u26'07 ". With this third place, my first Ironman was a success! I ran the marathon in a time of 3u18'25 ". I immediately had to sit down because my legs didn’t work anymore ... a strange feeling, never felt this before! With some support , I was brought to the medical tent. I still felt good, but I lost control over my thighs. I was transported to the massage by Karl (who finally was allowed to see me after a long wait) and some lovely ladies. The massage was painful, but it helped a bit. Meanwhile, my sugar level dropped, I was a little dizzy and I had an uneasy and hungry feeling in my stomach, but at the same time I had the feeling that I could not eat.

We were driven by taxi to our hotel (special service to the performing athletes). I was really happy, because on foot it would have been very difficult to succeed. At 7 PM, I already had to return for the podium ceremony. I hoped I would feel a little better soon ... After some yoghurts and rice cakes, my stomach slowly began to get better and I had enough energy to return to the podium to take up my flowers and spraying the champagne. It was a very extensive and charming ceremony. All day, the local population was abundant and really excited!

The winner Simone Benz finished in a time of 9u14'08 ". Sonja Tajsich in 9u23'15" . My time was 9u26'07 . With this time, I was 36th overall. Michael Lovato won the men category in 8u23'52. Patrick Evoe and Santa Maria Alejandro completed the podium.

This competition was a very nice ending to a successful season. I could never have achieved this performance on my own. So I would like to thank some people. First and foremost Karl, for everything, too much to mention, thank you darling ! My team: Rino Maes, Wim Windels, Ruben Vandevoorde and Lore Vanbetsbrugge. Thank you for your endless dedication and hard work to get me forward. Coach Tim, we're doing well! Osteopath Thomas D'Have, doctor Françoise Wellekens, physiotherapist Vincent Callewaert, swim coach Kristof Tieghem, masseur Allen De Bel : Thanks for all the good care and advice. All sponsors: thank you for your financial and/or material support, without you it is practically impossible to make progress... Family, friends, Tuur and Hanne: thanks for your support, trust and encouragement.

December is resting month! Goodnight :-)

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