UK 70.3 Ironman - done

It certainly lived up to it's reputation as the toughest 70.3 in the circuit (world).  My day started at 4am and I got to the race for 5.15 for a 7am start.  1,250 swimmers all "rubbered up" in wetsuits for a mass deep water start - it was like a flowing brawl with only short periods where you could relax and glide.  I aimed for 40 mins and that's what I did the 1.2 miles in.  The a 400 yard stagger uphill to transition which took longer than it should have.  My greatest fear was the bike course with 5,905 ft of climbing plus there was a cut off time where you'd be removed from the race.  I entered this race to improve my climbing and due to the cut off time I didn't hang around as not getting to the run would be a disaster.
The bike was tough and there were three extremely steep hills that had many riders reduced to walking but I kept going.  There was one decent that I thought my brakes weren't going to stop me on so you had to give 100% concentration as it was a technically difficult course.  Disaster almost struck as I dismounted the bike - my left quad completely ceased and two paramedics were rushing towards me but I managed to continue without their help.  I had completed the bike in 3hrs 54 min which was under the 4 hrs I had set myself and although the average speed over the 56.4 miles was 14.5 mph I was delighted as I wouldn't like to have walked those 3 hills never mind cycle them.
I have always thought that once off the bike I was home and dry but I'd given more than I should have to ensure I was inside the cut off (I ended up 40 minutes inside it).  Finishing was in doubt as my hamstrings were now beginning to cramp and the run course had 1,300 ft of climbs which was hell (hills are death for hamstrings like mine).  My time on the run was 2 hrs and 3 min for 13.1 miles and I had set a target of 2 hours due to the terrain (I would normally be around 1hr 45 min).  I stopped 3 times to stretch out my hams, each time at the top of a monster climb, but I never resorted to walking as many did.  This is the closest I've ever come to not finishing and had the hams gone it would have been a stretcher case.  But I nursed them round and on the last lap (of 3) kept telling myself that "pain is temporary but failure is permanent" - and it's so true.
Crossing the line was a relief - 6hrs 54 min.  The massage tent had a queue a mile long so I rehydrate, picked up my stuff and drove 7 hours back home to a couple of glasses of champagne - I felt I'd earned them.
I come away from the event wiser and starting to like hills on the bike which is just as well based on my September challenge.  All focus is on the cycling and making sure I avoid cramping up again!