FATHER and daughter, Jessica and Nick Johnson have returned from competing in the Ironman Lanzarote which saw them swim, cycle and run 228.2km around the island.
Nick Johnson of Young Johnson, a specialist masonry firm in Westbury has completed 13 Ironman challenges, nine of those in Lanzarote but this was the first one for Jess.
Nick said, “They don’t get any easier, they are just as difficult every time I enter! But this time the emphasis was on Jess as it was her first time competing.
“I knew she had said she wanted to do it but I didn’t expect her to actually sign up! But when she did, I was very pleased.
“It was great to train together and go over to Lanzarote as a family to enter together. She did an amazing job, and for someone her age to complete it in the 17 hours, and considering it was her first time, it was absolutely brilliant. We are very proud of what she achieved, she did a tremendous job.”
This was the first time 23 year-old Jessica, who also works at the family business, had entered the Ironman challenge.
Jessica said, “I’ve always wanted to take part in an Ironman, ever since the first time I saw my dad complete one. He’s done 13 in total so I’ve grown up watching him, wishing I could take part. I promised myself that one day I would do the same and now I have.
“The training was endless, that’s the only way to describe it! We started training in October and as we got closer to the day, the training increased. We would be training two or three times a day, we were literally eating, training and sleeping non-stop – there’s certainly been no time for a social life. You have to dedicate yourself to it 100% otherwise you just know you won’t be able to do it.
“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible and the sense of relief when you cross the finish line is hard to describe.
“The race itself is a 3.8km swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride all around the island which includes 2,551m of climbing and then you finish by running a full marathon. You have to complete it in 17 hours – even if you cross the line 3 seconds over 17 hours, you can’t say that you’ve completed an Ironman, it’s pretty tough.
“Did I enjoy it? I suppose I did. At the time, you are experiencing horrendous and excruciating pain and you don’t think you’re going to be able to do it, but you just power through. I had to power walk the last 15 miles which wasn’t great, but my legs were giving up and I needed to get to the finish. I don’t think I had a lot of time to spare, but I made it over the line in the 17 hours.
“To complete my first Ironman was amazing but to do it with my dad made it very special. We couldn’t run side by side because we had our own race to run but knowing that we would meet at the finish was a great feeling. I was also only one of two girls in the 18-24 year-olds age group to enter and I’m only 23, so to be able to enter and finish my first ever Ironman is a huge achievement. I do feel very proud.
“Mum and dad were very proud of me as well, although mum was very nervous for the swim because it can be quite dangerous; 1,600 setting off together in the sea, with legs kicking you in the face and the ribs – it’s every man for himself!
“I initially said I would never do it again but I think that’s because of all the pain I was in at the time. Now, a few weeks later, I’ve thought about maybe entering next year again. But even if I don’t, I’ve done what I set out to do, and I can say I am officially an Ironman!”
