I stood in a throng of neoprene clad athletes, my heart pounding with nerves and anticipation of the long arduous day ahead. It was just before 7am on the sunny shore of Lake Zurich , and I was just about to participate along with over one thousand, nine hundred others in the 2007 Swiss Ironman. I reflected on the eight months of hard training that had got me to here. Whilst all the training had given me the best chance of completing this event, I still am not sure if I am going to be successful. What lay ahead was 2.4 miles of open water swim, followed by 112 miles of cycling and finished off with 26.2 miles of running. To add to the difficulty there are time limits for each section, and failure to meet these would result in forced premature elimination. Over the last eight years I had not failed a challenge, but this was to be my most demanding event I’d ever undertaken. There was a real possibility I would not finish. I pushed the negative thoughts aside to concentrate on the swim ahead.

I am now making my way into the water for the mass start. The water is warm and alive with bodies trying to make their way around the course without getting kicked or swam over. The frenzy subsides, giving me space and I am able to find my rhythm. The swim is a lonely place, with just me and my thoughts for company. My mind plays games with me and I start to doubt I will make the two and a half hour cut off. After 1h 53m I am out the water and heading for transition to get out of the wetsuit and get kitted up for the bike. I am thirteen minutes behind schedule but just relieved to be on dry land and not have cramped on the swim.

With the cycling being 79% of the overall distance, it was always going to be about the bike. I needed to leave myself at least six hours for the marathon, if I was to complete this challenge inside the sixteen hour limit. I am now on my bike and off for the first of three laps. I am feeling strong and confident, and take on food and drink to ready myself for the tough time ahead in the saddle. The first fifteen miles are flat and I am able to get a good cadence set. I hit my first climb (The Beast) and it doesn’t phase me, as I grind out the mileage until I reach the summit. I am then able to claw back some time with speeds of up to 45mph down the steep inclines the other side, where the slightest wobble or smallest pot hole could be catastrophic.

Although I tire and my feet start to burn with pain over the last twenty miles, the cycling goes very well. I hit the second transition after 7h 19m of cycling and have just a marathon to go. I have given myself six and a half hours to complete the marathon, and a realistic chance of finishing inside the time. A quick change into my running gear and I’m on my way. At the start of my first step of the run the pain in my feet is excruciating and it is now a mental battle to keep putting one foot in front of the other. This is now a show of character and a measure of my hunger to finish. Mile after mile I push myself on, running and walking on my heels to reduce the pain. The Lance Armstrong quote runs through my head “pain is temporary, quitting last forever”, and is the spur I need to keep going. Each mile is a little closer to the finish line, each mile is a little closer to my dream. After 15h 36m I cross the finish line. I had succeeded where many thought I may fail; I had pushed myself through the pain barrier and achieved the unthinkable for an ordinary man. The pain is temporarily replaced with joy and euphoria as I become an Ironman.

This had been my hardest challenge ever and something I do not think I will ever emulate. I was walking pain free five days after the event, but two weeks after and the tennis ball size blister on my right foot is still tender. The one thing it does prove is that an average fitness person can complete an Ironman with enough time and dedication. Money is still being pledged and collected, and at the time of writing I have raised £2190 for NP. If you wish to contribute a donation either visit www.justgiving.com/ianbirchnall or telephone me on 07801 562664.