IM Nice World Championships – Race Review – Angela Robertson
The journey started back in Ironman Lanzarote 2024 where I qualified in my age group for the World Championships which were going to be held in Nice, France, in September. Others close to me argued that the journey started in 2018 with my first Ironman in Bolton, UK and fast forward to my 6th IM in Lanzarote to qualify.
Arriving into a buzzing Nice on Thursday before race day which was on Sunday, the IM events were in full swing. Swim practice Friday morning, bike check and tiny cycle on a very busy promenade after and then plan to eat, hydrate and try to get off feet. The latter is so hard to do as there’s always walking involved. Went to the expo and had my bike checked by Canyon Team and listened to a few interviews with Joanne Murphy as the main IM announcer. Met fellow Irish competitors and had photos taken with the Irish flag, which was special. Usual bike check in and drop off of Run and Bike bags the day before and you’re done. It always blows my mind when you see all the bikes lined up the day before. I spotted Chelsea Sodaro and Fenella Langridge, two of the pro athletes.
Race Day: Sleep was sketchy the night before. I have been awake since 2.30 but when I got up I felt rested and had some good nights sleep previously. Breakfast of Rice Krispies, bread and Jam…..again!
Swim. Plan: Settle into a rhythm from the start stay relaxed and try to stay on course and not add too much extra distance. It was an in-water start with your age group instead of your predicted time. The seconds before the starter gun were filled with shouts of ‘good luck ladies’ from fellow competitors. Starter gun… this is it I’m doing it! Nothing dramatic in the swim. Conditions were good but the fact that it was wetsuit legal meant that anything was going to be a bonus rather than swimming in skins. The water is pristine aqua blue and very salty. Ticked off the bouys one by one. Twice I heard/felt the rumble of the speedy swimmers as they were moving in a pack and past. Lots of bunching up here, elbows and kicking feet dodging at its best. Swimming conditions were good but still a fine chop once you went out beyond 300 meters. Kept reminding myself to take the time to sight. Eventually the finish buoys were in sight and swim time was 1hr 30 minutes. Cool to have volunteers help take the wetsuit off you and I randomly had a Kerry girl. ‘Come on Limerick’ she said. I was happy with my swim time as I was fresh getting out and not cold for change.
Bike: Piece de la resistance. This bike course is famous for its beauty, spectacular scenery and on equal terms the challenge of the climbs with varying gradients from 5% to 12% and the length of the climbs, Col de L’Ecrue being one of them for 23km.
Plan: Again stay relaxed, focus on nutrition, fluids and most of all enjoy this bike. It did not disappoint. The views are breathtaking on the climbs. I just found my tempo and kept steady, no surging, no looking at what someone else was doing. I felt super good climbing and even though I was thinking that the descending would be a nice break, in hindsight I was more comfortable on the climbing sections. I chose to stop a few times to refuel with what I was carrying and was happy to let the women who were around me to move on. It wasn’t till coming to the last of the major climbs I realized I was making my way back to them each time. Finally you reach the top or plateau, as you think! ‘Ah TT time’ however this section is deceivingly false flat and rolling, and at this point we were faced with a strong headwind. ‘Stay aero and be patient’
Finally onto some descending and this was a little shock to the system, as very quickly you face some acute hairpin bends. This is a bit of a wake up call for me and I knew from this point on I needed to be super focused, be prepared to break appropriately but be relaxed cornering and try to let it flow. At this point also the temptation to look up into the incredible mountains and valleys was too strong. It was cycling on a road etched into the side of the Alps with amazing views. Oh and with a little barrier between you and the views! The descending is very technical with the added obstacle of very steep speed bumps and crazy little mini manholes. It was obvious which athletes were well used to technical fast descending and those who were not. Relieved, but a little sad, the bike leg was coming to an end and I was heading back into Nice on a final flat TT section. Time 7hr 17
Run: Coming out of T2 I thought to myself, this marathon it’s going to be interesting. My quads were feeling pretty bunched after the efforts of the climbs. I set off and the area around transition is full of other athletes and all the supporters and I think I heard Laura Phillips being announced as the winner. Wow. Well deserved. She fought all the way and had a phenomenal overall time. I actually wished her luck as she was doing her swim warm up and thought to myself, okay I’m not the only nervous one here today. Anyway I set off and with a four loop out and back course, I felt good… maybe a little too good. I was full of the joys, cheered on by Allan, my husband on course and a gang of US supporters he had corralled. A lovely surprise to hear support from Keira wearing her LTC shirt and shouting encouragement, as well as other Irish supporters on course.
Plan: Keep moving forward, take nutrition and fluids as planned and above all get over the finish line. It wasn’t until sometime I had a look at my pace and I realized I was maybe running too fast to be able to maintain. Pull back and relax. On the return section of each loop we were into a strong headwind and over the first three loops this took its toll pace wise. I was really pleased with how I was feeling overall even when it sucked (and it always sucks at various parts and sections). By the last lap fatigue was creeping in but I managed to run strong, for me. Running in darkness on a sketchy path with five kilometers to go and I was like Bambi trying not to trip and faceplant. Not today Angela! Finally the loudspeakers and music of the finish line became a reality. I was going to finish this. An absolute pinch me moment. Joanne Murphy, the official Ironman announcer for this event gave me a great shout out on the red carpet mentioning Limerick tri cub. With pride I ran with the Irish flag over the finish line. Run 4hr 9min.
Iron Man Women’s World Championship completed in 13 hours 9 minutes.
The whole event was really a dream come true and everything I hoped it would be. I wanted to take part in this event, to look up and realize how lucky I am to get to do this. I’m grateful that my body has held up and allowed me to do two Ironman in the space of four months, for the family and friends support and the messages of encouragement and well wishes from club members. They all help on the day knowing there are people at home tracking and rooting for you. I’m lucky to have a coach who has managed my training to get the best out of me. Getting me fit and ready for the start line and always with words of encouragement and straight talking when needed.
I will always remember this week, but I would never forget the days when things are not so smooth and things are really busy and hard, so make getting this medal all the sweeter. I may not be the fastest or the “best ” but I hope that someday my three girls will look back and say ‘Well if my Mom can take on hard challenges, well then so can I’
To the fellow club members and friends who have biked over endless hills and swam around river islands, I’m so grateful.
Angela Robertson