It’s 3:40 and the alarm goes on. I’m awake anyway, starting to visualize the day ahead.
I go out of the bed directly to the kitchen, drinking a huge glass of water, and pulling a 20gr in / 40gr out shot of espresso from Brazil. First things first! Then I take a seat and eat with calm my oatmeal and peanut butter toast, prepared the night before.
The team is waking up by 4:00. We exchange some words and give ourselves 20’ to go. We are sharp on time in the car, covered by thin raindrops.
On our way to Roth, the rain is getting stronger, a summer storm which will refresh everything. I’m happy though, after some days of high temperatures. A note here, the weather was that high on the last weeks that the canal, for the first time in 36 editions, will not allow the pro’s to swim with wetsuit.
But today the weather is offering perfect conditions to race.
We arrive at the venue, park the car and walk over the start line. It’s short after 5.00, and a big crowd is already here. After a couple of pictures, I enter in the transition zone; Pumping the tyres, putting the water bottles in its place, nutrition in the cage and preparing the helmet. Everything set.
I go to the exit of the water, to memorized and visualized, once again, my way.
Time is flying and is already 6.20. The pro field will start in 10’. My wave though is only starting at 6:50. I go out and meet Nicki and my parents. Nicki helps me with the wetsuit, we exchange words and kisses and it’s time to go to the starting line. The crew is amazingly helpful and motivates me a lot, I’m lucky and grateful. I also give a last kiss to our upcoming baby, imagining that he is as excited as I am.
Showtime, nothing more to check. I’m in the water waiting for the canyon to fire away, exchanging last best wishes with Patrick and other known guys, and focus on the first leg of the race. And guys, we’re off.
Swimming: I go hard in the first 200m, trying to avoid the typical fight in the beginning. Even being a clean start, there are some guys hitting my feet and I’m doing the same with people in front of me. Then, the first burst is gone and I focus on optimizing the stroke ratio, the breathing, and the position. The first 1.500m are over and I don’t feel as strong as I thought. I have the impression I’m wiggling and this is making me to lose focus. I start having conversations with myself to find rhythm and sensations.
I change the breathing to each 3 and 4, to allow a longer time to enlarge the body. It works and I’m recovering good feelings. In the right hindsight, I see signs with the meters. We’re already above 2.000m and now I’m feeling, finally, good. I decide to increase the pace a bit, to see if the body is today set to execute a good swimming. On the bridge, the people are shouting and cheering as crazy. I love it. This gives me extra power to finish strong the last 800m.
I go out of the water in 1h2’59’’, and without the sensation that I was leaving a lot of energy behind.
T1: Picking my bag and going to the tent. A volunteer is supporting in removing the wetsuit, putting socks and shoes and the heart band. The heart band is not going through the suit, and I’m losing time and getting a bit anxious due to that. I’m doubting in going out without it, thus I feel I’m losing precious time. Then, I calm down and I oversee the long day ahead. I breathe, open the suit and fix the band. Done. Running to the 589 bike rack.
Note for myself: Don’t do anything that you have not practiced before. And the heartband was a morning last-minute decision.
Bike: I’m on the saddle and is still raining. After the mounting zone, I climb to the bridge and the family is there cheering. I’m so happy to see them!. I start pushing the bike and trying to decrease the adrenaline from the swim and T1. The people are flying. I see Patrick and he is passing me with a terrific fast pace. I try to stick to him, being aware that he is a great cyclist and can steer our way. Though, there is no chance after 10k for me to follow him. He’s passing everyone. I’m struggling and I finally decide to let him go, knowing that the pace is not in my best 180k possible range.
I try to stick to my watts, but I’m not feeling great. I’m starting to drop power, and people are overtaking me. Is then when some old ghosts are back to my head.
“Where are my legs today? Did I put enough power in the key sessions? Why I can’t move the watts I did on the trainer? Where are the end-of-range benefits I’ve trained so much during the last months?”
And this is really driving me into a black hole, and it’s too early for that. We are only in km 60, and there are 120k to go and a full marathon. “Did I taper properly? Why people is passing me so easy?”
I’m about to arrive at the famous Solarer Berg. I’m keen on it but I’m out of energy. At least, in my head. I see Nicki and my parent shouting. Friends from Adidas. A bunch of people shouting and cheering. It’s incredible. But my mind is in the hole and I don’t know how I’m going to be able to go out. Even a DNF is playing in my head.
I keep on moving, starting to fix small battles to win. I commit to loop 1 to reflect. In the half point, we have another layer on us: Relays are starting. Some guys are passing me. And, therefore, pushing me deeper in the hole. I literally see a guy in front of me from the relays. He is wearing running shoes. And I’m not able to close the gap. And now, the PowerMeter is not working anymore.
In km 120 something exceptional happens. I start finding perspective and adding an ingredient I was forgetting: Enjoy the race.
No matter the time, the watts or the energy anymore, I want to have fun.
I don’t know how slow I’m riding, and for the first time, I don’t mind.
And, like a magic trick, I start moving the bike and overtaking people, without feeling I’m working hard at all. From there to 180k is just a different race, another me, and I’m finally smiling and having a blast.
I finish strong, with rejuvenated energy and sensations and ready to embrace the last part of Challenge Roth.
Note: To my surprise, I made a 5h17’ bike, with exactly the same split in loop 1 and 2.
T2: I’m feeling good, no jelly legs at all and I do a fast transition. I put my shoes, sunglasses, and a cap. Nutrition in the pockets and I even give a big hug to a woman supporting me for the run. One quick stop in the toilet (first and only) and off we go.
Running: I pass the starting line of the marathon and I see Nicki and my parents cheering. Wow, I’m really excited and full of joy and energy. My sensations are amazing and I execute my first 10k plan: Going fast and saving some minutes for the bad times. I click on 45’ the first block.
It’s time to slow down and avoid energy drops, walks or even collapsing.
The plan is working and I go until the half marathon with good legs. It’s getting hot and I’m waiting for the tiredness to come, and I’m prepared for that. Half marathon point in around 1h38’. We’re good.
Now the real race kicks off and I’m already fighting to keep my mind clear, holding good running form and remembering myself to eat every 6k. The km’s are now longer than in the beginning, the muscles are starting to show some weakness and the hole is around the corner.
I bring then tools I trained, such as dissecting the race in small battles and rewarding myself with 2 glasses of cola and a full stop in any given aid station. And works. I’m tired but moving.
The last part of the running course is tough. It’s hilly and there are no people cheering. People walks and the faces show real struggling. I bring them my trail running tools to the game. Small steps, but don’t stop, don’t walk, is not that steep and afterwards, you’ll enjoy the downhill. And again, works.
I’m now facing the last 4k of the race. And I have no clue of my total time, nor I want to check. I’m focused on executing the best run I can, and that means not being driven by a smartwatch.
Nicki is waiting for me with the bike and asking me how I feel. I’m fine I say, no problem in finishing. She smiles on me, recharging me once again, and tells me she’s going to the finish line.
Entering in Roth again, I see, by coincidence, a big clock in the church. 16:30 local time. What???
My mind is quite surprised, and now I’m making numbers of what is my time. What???
I can’t believe it, but, without being gifted in the art of mathematics, I think I can hit the under 10h.
The good news is I’ve saved my last energy cartridge for the last km’s, as on the bike.
I start running faster and feeling strong. Kilometer 40 is announced, and I’m aware I’ve 2 more to go, but I feel good.
I go and meet the 41k signal, and a Hacki is shouting on me he’s tracking me and I’m under 10h. I’m still not believing it and I ask him what time is it. He is running now with me, which I really appreciate !!
And all of a sudden, the red carpet. I don’t know what time is it, what is my time and how far away I am to the 10h mark. I enter the stadium and I heard Nicki and my parents shouting. I’m in a flow and I can’t even look at them, scared that I’m missing the mark.
Last curve and here it is, the screen: Dani Juan, 9h53’.
I can’t believe it! I made it!
This is the story of the race. My first sub 10h in an Ironman, after 8 intense months of training.
I have done only another IM in my life, in Bolton (UK) in 2013. I was unprepared, and that taxed me to leave the distance due to the horrible experience. I made a 12h20’ there.
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It’s been some weeks from race day and I feel fully recovered, both physically and mentally. I’m not following a plan or whatsoever at the moment, just trying to keep myself moving, healthy and enjoying other activities that I didn’t practice for a while. And I’m happy and proud of the result.
Next challenge? A baby boy coming to light up our lives.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Dani
Hi guys,
Wrapping up the last 8 months of my journey to 
The good news is that fatigue is going down and also feels lower than in previous weeks. To review for coming seasons is to elevate the form some digits, but not complaints at all.
Dani Juan 