Allan Amey A.K.A Batman tells us about his first IRONMAN

 Allan is a glass half full kind of guy, Forever positive and some what contagious (in a good way, not the contagious bird flu kind of way) We've enjoyed the journey and look forward to many more!!! Well done buddy!!

Allan Amey’s (AKA Batman) first Ironman

First ever mass start so many people.  Do I start in the middle, at the back, on the left or right.  But I stick to the plan my coach Guy Crawford set for me.

Walking down to the beach final check.  Ear plugs check.  Cap check.  Goggles check.  Final wave to my wife (Vic), Mum and Dad who flew in from Canberra.  Around 1700 competitors all on the shoreline preparing themselves for this massive Ironman event.  I was pleased to see Brad and Jarrad in the crowd, two great blokes I met at a training camp through GK Endurance.  We exchanged handshakes, a pat on the back and wished each other good luck. 

Swimming is my weakest leg (apparently most triathletes aren’t keen on swimming or so they say).  It was only 3 years ago when I started this sport and I couldn’t swim without a snorkel and flippers.  I never wanted to get into this sport.  I wanted to run, I was good at running so why on earth would I put myself through this sport where I have to swim!  But my wife encouraged me to test a decent road bike.  I remember taking it out for a test ride and came back to the shop grinning from ear to ear and then I was hooked.  BUT I still had to learn to swim.  Fast-forward 3 years, and here I am on the shoreline at Busselton about to swim nearly 4km. 

When the race started I had only four things to think about: pace, no zigzagging, find some feet to draft and FINISH.  The ocean was picture perfect and I could see the bottom of the ocean floor.  Seeing the bottom was a great relief, whilst I can’t stand, it relieves my nerves.

I completed my first Ironman swim in 1hour 14minutes.  I was running up the sand with a smile on my face feeling great that I just finished the hardest leg of the day. Now the bike and then the run, feeling great I think to myself, this is what I have been training for, so smile and soak it up.  On the way to T1, I couldn’t help but stop and kiss my wife.

T1 was a new experience, the volunteers packed up my wetsuit and other swimming gear into my bag while another applied sunscreen on me.  I felt like a PRO, now I know why I’m in this sport.

I get my Rocket Ship (Cannondale RS) and head out on the bike, for the longest ride I have ever done.  Guy is in my head again, must focus on watts, pace and nutrition- Infinit.  I didn’t get far on the ride and I could hear my number one supporter, Vic screaming out my name.  A smile beamed across my face and then thought, how did she get there so fast!

I knew the course from the GKE camp I attended so I knew where to push and where to hold back.  First lap 2hr 40min.  Couldn’t believe my time.  I was going faster than Busselton 70.3 pace.  A quick stop at the special needs area then a roaring cheer and high fives from family.  This time Vic had a megaphone, no need to scream! 

Second lap was slower, less bikes so more work for me to do!  At the 150km mark I had a caffeine gel shot – wow what a buzz and I was flying again like Batman.  At 160km the same bike with a Zipp disc passed me for the 10th time WOOSH WOOSH.  Can’t wait to buy a new set of wheels.  He slowed down, this time I sat behind for too long before passing and didn’t hear the motorbike sneak up next to me.  Yelp, scored a yellow card- 4minute penalty.  I had one  more caffeine gel shot and I was off, not caring about watts or pace.  I had 4min of standing in the penalty box 300m from T2 so pedal to the metal.

In T2, mental check.  3.8km swim check, 180km bike check, now to complete a 42km run- I CAN do that.  And I was keen to take Kate’s advice and break it down every 2km.  Once again I feel like a PRO.  A lovely volunteer racked my bike and reapplies sunscreen on me and I was off (I could get used to this).

The run was all about pace and not thinking too far ahead.  In 50% of photos I was looking at my Garmin watch (pace, pace).  The first 5km was hard to slow the pace because I felt great and just wanted to run.

One lap down, first wrist band and 3 more to collect.  Pace was good, feeling good, feeling strong.  Passing the club tents I saw my family supporting me which made me pick up the pace again.  But this time Vic was running after me with the loud megaphone.  Not sure what she said but didn’t matter it made me smile and her support was amazing.

The aid stations gave me a 20sec opportunity to walk to refuel with water, ice and coke some Vegemite sandwiches on the 3rd and 4th lap.

Two laps down two to go.  As I went to get my wrist band I was followed in with a guy who said this deserves a celebration walk so we walked through, put the wrist band on, shook hands, smiled and then we were off running again.  Whilst this is an individual sport, I have met many great people who want to support each other and share their knowledge.

During the 3rd lap my toes were getting hot and sore each time I turn at a bend or turn around, but the personal chalk messages on the footpaths from Vic, kids, Mum and mother-in-law, and seeing all the GKE team racing really helped to support me.

I see Vic and tell her it’s the last lap.  She tells me to go harder, so close to a sub 11.  I think she’s joking but I knew I could not go faster.  I looked around and thought what a beautiful place to run- the ocean and jetty was stunning.

Guy and Kate came out to cheer all of us, what a boost.  Guy gave me some words of encouragement, which gave me what I needed to finish the last 4km strong.  I was yelling to myself 4 more km and I am an Ironman.  One more aid station, no need to walk this one.  Last wristband, turned left and down the finish shoot.   What a feeling, with a time of 11hr7min43sec.  Vic, family and friends dotted along the finishing shoot cheering and clapping for me, and then I heard the words I’d been longing for- ALLAN AMEY YOU ARE AN IRONMAN…

The first person I wanted to see was Vic.  I am always emotional after a race, I love her so much and when I race she is in my thoughts and heart all the way.  I couldn’t wait to give her a huge cuddle and kiss.  As I was coming out of the finish tent who do I hear, Vic, yelling, “That’s my husband, he’s an Ironman”.

I love you Vic, this is for you.

Guy here!!! I wanted to add in these last few pic's I stole from Allan's facebook Page. "Ironman battle scares". Next up.....Missing toe nails. Well done Batman.

Justin Martin tells his IMWA Story "and more'

GK's Justin Martin talks us through his day at IMWA. We are going to miss you Justin (as Justin explains in this blog, he's moving away from Perth for a few years to pursue work opportunities) We look forward to hearing of your adventures and meeting up with you some-where around the globe!!

IMWA 2014 I needed to finish for my sanity. My last 2 races had not quite gone to plan. Ironman France I attempted with a stress fractured hand and elbow and torn cartilage in my chest after an unfortunate bike accident 3 weeks out from race day. But I had paid the money and flew out to France to give it a shot! Although not a good shot though as Ironman France finished up with me passed out cold in an ambulance at the 12klm mark on the run!

Fast forward to 70.3 Mandurah and I felt ready to roll.  But this also was not going to be my day. Although more bad luck with 3 flats in rapid succession took me out again 14 klms into the bike leg. I was thinking the race gods were against me. My wife Belinda was running in a team so I decided, so after watching her cruise through the first lap, and then seeing her not enjoy the run into the second lap, I decided to run with her as she didn’t look like she was having much fun and I managed 11klms with her which I am not sure she hated or loved me for.

IMWA was next and my last race for the season so I regrouped mentally, and headed to Busselton for the GK Endurance Camp. All whilst in the back ground potentially getting ready to relocate the family and myself to Saudi Arabia for work. We are also building a new house so everything is coming towards a very rushed and busy finish to 2014. I had been getting all my vaccinations, which was making me feel very ordinary too.

The GK Endurance camp was awesome and made me feel very confident. Kate and Guy had me do things in training that I did not think was possible.  Even though the camp was 4 days, I only managed two with work commitments and a quick trip to Melbourne to finalise things for my new job in Saudi

Before I knew it IMWA weekend as here. Although my mind was full of other things, I was excited, as I knew this was my last race in Australia for some time.
I arrived in Busselton on Thursday night very late after work and spent Friday registering and spending time with my girls. Saturday breakfast with my girls and then checked my bike in. I missed the swim bike run with the GK Endurance crew Saturday morning which was not optimal as I find it settles my prerace nerves. Kate and Guy have a way of making it seem better!

RACEDAY- 4am breakfast of crumpets spread with honey, and I was down at the transition. Very quick check over my bike including dropping all the nutrition on, and I climbed into my wetsuit. At the start line on the beach I was standing behind a very nervous and slightly emotional Kate Luckin. I gave her a big hug and told her to enjoy the atmosphere.  This girl is an absolute rockstar, first Ironman and she qualifies for Kona!

We were off, I settled onto the feet of someone swimming reasonably well and before I new it was on the beach. 1:17.  Fairly uneventful but always a beautiful swim. Not my best swim time, but I was feeling good.

I was into transition and then onto the bike settling into a good pace and working my way through my race nutrition plan. Although with no Garmin as it had decided not to play nice. This really messed with my head, as I have been training with a power meter, heart rate etc. It was all gone. I had no numbers to watch and monitor. I decided to stop overthinking things and settled into what I thought was a good pace only later to find not the best pace. The new 2-lap course was great. Nutrition was on the money and no quad cramps or niggling issues. Coming back into town the wind picked up and I had to dig a little deeper to get home.

Onto the run and although I felt ok from the waist up, although the legs did not want to work so I just started moving forward until I saw Kate and Guy. Kate gave me the biggest hug and said just finish it along with a few more words of encouragement. Guy was “ I can see the fun levels are full now J.” It meant the world to me having those two there on the run course especially after they had also raced that day!! My pace picked up a little and coming back into town my wife Belinda met me and ran with me a little while. Kilee Giles also ran with me a little while.  Kilee always seems to be there to give me that last little push to the finish line! I am going to miss her when racing overseas.

I crossed the finish line just under 15 hours, not happy with my time, but happy to have broken my bad luck and to finish!  It is a long day, longer for some, but the satisfaction of finishing is indescribable. And the best part of the day – Kate and Guy were on sidelines of the finish shoot with my wife and daughter to watch me finish. 

IMWA was my last race in Australia for a while as I relocate to Saudi Arabia on the 30th December. I have made some beautiful and amazing friends. Even more recently through GK Endurance. I have some great training buddies and coaches that I am going to miss. My 70.3 and Ironman days are far from over. My first item I have packed was my TT bike and race gear in case I can get to Challenge Dubai in February 2015, although my first race is looking more like Challenge Bahrain in December 2015.

My beautiful coaches Guy and Kate, you two are amazing  - I look forward to carrying the GK Endurance name into different locations around the world and look forward continuing our partnership and having you guide me towards my dreams and inspirations!  Although I am thinking training in the desert will be interesting; especially during June to August – “90 days of the devil” with minimum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius.