Well where do I start?
Did my first Ironman in Roth 97, and have always dreamt of Hawaii. 10.40 in my debut, and not even close. Have tried to qualify 12 times since then, with close calls like 2 spots away in Lanzarote twice and 3 spots away in Austria 2003.
With a PB off 09.35.03 i felt like i would be good enough, but after a diasapionting race in Germany 2005 i gave up. I almost gave up this sport, and did not train for 3months.
But during Christmas 06 i decided to give it 2 more years. Not to qualify, my goals was a podium in Norseman 06 (that did not turn out great after a severe bonk on the run) and to set a new PB in Austria 07.
Training has gone really well, and i felt in the shape of my life on sunday. The start was crazy! They let us into the water only 4min before the 7am, and the gun then went 2min after that. I still had 50m left to the line when we where of. 2200 is to much people. Never had clear water the whole swim, just had to follow the stream. Felt like really slow, but I was happy when the clock showed 1.01 coming up. Only 1min behind my rekord scedule:-)
The bike was great. Kept my heart rate 20-25bpm bellow AT all the way and criused a 4.53 with 137bpm average (max is 185, AT is 160) Just ate, drank and got my salt in.
Never felt so fresh out on the run ever. Started og in 4.30/km pace, but slowed it sown a litthle out to the 2nd tura around. Halfway in 1.40. Had a “down” out to 3rd turn around, and had to go over 5.00/km for a while. Passing the finish last time, with 10k to go i took an extra gel and slat tablet and gave it everything. It hurt like hell, and my hamstrings almost cramped on the way back. Had to albow my way through the last 2k, sorry you guys on your 1st lap(!), and made it to the finish in 09.26.55. Ran a new pb to, 3.25:-)
So happy and glad my last Ironman for a long time was over!
Went down to check results on monday. 58th overall, 14th in M30. 400 Euros was in my pocket, just in case. 14th place, and 6 spots? Sorry…we where so close to going straight to the beach. And i did not really care. My goal was a new PB, and if I wanted Hawaii I for sure would not choose Austria. Would rather have gone for Frankfurt the week prior.
So we lurked around a bit, and decided to stop by the tent. Just to se some happy people going to Hawaii:-)
They started M30…and suddenly the roll down went crazy. Suddenly i found myself very nervous, and I lost track of how many spots was handed out. Then the man on stage said “Espen Wagener, Norway, do you accept your spot??”
!!!
Dont think the misunderstod the answer:-) Higest YESSSSSSSS!!! of the alocation. Happy blonde norwegian. With his arms high. Screaming. Then it all went black for some seconds. Found myself on the ground. Afraid some tears came to.
Damn! I am going to Kona!!! After 10 years of trying!