Dougal Allan (30) is a workhorse and puts his heart and soul into his training. So, despite May and June being ''pretty dreary'' in Wanaka for long stints on the road bike, he was on his wind trainer inside for up to five hours at a time.
He had high hopes for Ironman Canada, after a second placing in Challenge Wanaka behind three time champion Dylan McNeice, earlier this year. The last place he expected to be after a strong swim and only 90 minutes into the 180km bike ride, was out of the race, shaking uncontrollably and being ushered into the medical tent.
After searing summer temperatures in Whistler the weeks preceding the July 26 event, heat was deemed the issue but on race day, the temperature plummeted to 7degC and it rained.
''I must have been hypothermic, because I was a bit delirious by the time I pulled out,'' Allan said.
All that wasted training, air fares for himself and his family to Canada, the negative financial impact of not bagging some prizemoney, saddled with a crushing dose of self-doubt made it one of the ''[expletive] days of my life,'' Allan said.
''The hardest thing to accept was that I had made a massive mistake.''
As the outdoors saying goes, there is never bad weather, there is just bad clothing choice. Allan (30) unfortunately, was not wearing enough warm gear to keep him toasty on the four and a-half-hour bike ride that would at times see him travelling at 70kmh. One consolation is that he was not the only one.
''In the med tent I saw all these pros shivering under blankets.''
Wanaka friends Mike and Rhoda Mountz and Allan's wife Amy were adamant he had to race again, and soon.
''I never would have had the courage to think that way without them,'' Allan said.
Within 24 hours he had his pro licence for Ironman Sweden and was registered for the August 15 race in the Nordic country's southeastern city, Kalmar.
It took days for Allan to read through all the personal and social media messages of support he received after his devastating Canada race.
''The theme was pretty much the same throughout: don't give up.''
Instead of questioning his ability, Allan enjoyed flying under the publicity radar and felt relaxed going into the ironman.
''By going to Sweden I had the opportunity to be anonymous and focus on my own process,'' he said.
He followed a solid tactical swim in the choppy water by nailing his bike splits, while still having enough in reserve to move from fourth into second on the 42.2km run.
After crossing the finish line in front of the tens of thousands of spectators, the announcer called Allan back out for the crowd to acknowledge. The combination of the roaring cheers making his whole body vibrate, plus the backdrop of cobblestoned streets and a historic cathedral, all conjured up a feeling that heroes must have had in medieval days, Allan said.
''It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.''
He is briefly back in Wanaka before heading to China next week, to race firstly with Swedish Team Thule Adventure and then later in September with Team NZ Adventure alongside fellow Wanaka athlete Jess Simson, Methven's Glen Currie and Australian Jared Kohlar.
Then he will swap stage adventure racing for ironman again and is eyeing one of the 226km events in Western Australia in December.
Allan will then have a third shot at his local full-distance triathlon and this time he will not be satisfied with second.
''My major goal is to win Challenge Wanaka.''
