Ironman up to the challenge

With day two’s Ironman challenge across the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah complete in 12 hours 26 minutes, Scott Ragsdale clocks his fastest time of the naseba – seven challenge. Beating Thursday’s time, 13 hours and one minute, by 40 minutes, Ragsdale put the time difference down to wind conditions. “I think my bike was 10 minutes slower than yesterday but there was not as much wind on the run,” Ragdale told Gulf News. “It’s two down with five to go, so I’ve still got a long way.” With the director from the Abu Dhabi sports council officiating the distances to ensure legitimacy, Ragsdale clocked a 56 minute swim, a six hours and 11 minutes bike ride and a five-and-a-half hour run. Up next on Saturday is the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. “I’ve heard the roads are quite bad and I don’t want to crash,” he said. “I think tomorrow I’m going to go easier on the bike because of the roads. The Ironman Triathlon is organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and consists of a 3.86 km swim, 180.25 km of cycling and a 42.195 km marathon run. Ragsdale overcomes odds In Fujairah: Scott Ragsdale successfully completed the first day of his week-long Ironman Triathlon challenge across the UAE in Fujairah on Thursday. The Naseba-seven challenge began at 7am as the sun rose over the Indian Ocean at the Fujairah corniche, marking the start of a new day. "This is my first day and I'm compartmentalising each day not to think about the entire week," he told Gulf News on the morning of day one. Ragsdale successfully completed his 3.86km swim in 51 minutes and 10 seconds led by a canoeist from his team as a police boat from the UAE's coast guard looked on. With reference to his recent groin injury sustained from a bicycle accident during training weeks ago, Ragsdale said: "I'm not thinking about the pain, I've just got to focus and get on with it." Endorsed by the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, Ragsdale's challenge comes as a celebration of his 40th birthday which coincides with the 40th National Day next month. The Ironman Triathlon is organised by the World Triathlon Corporation with rules stating the challenge must be completed without a break within a time limit of 17 hours. Ragsdale's aim was to complete his Naseba-seven challenge across each emirate in 14 hours or less, Thursday saw him break that. Injury worries Sticking to the planned transition time of 10 minutes between the swim and the 180.25km cycle, he suited up and took off, peddling away for 6 hours and one minute. Well taken care of, he was led by a car filled with members of his crew and followed in his own Range Rover driven by his coach, Mario Huys. Ragsdale was also followed by a police escort to clear the busy streets of the northern Emirate, as well as an ambulance in case of emergency. Faced with strong head winds as he cycled through Fujairah town centre towards, the towns of Dadna, Dibba and Masafi and back again, Ragsdale remained in good form. "I'm having back spasms, which never happened to me in training," he said hours into the ride. "I'm sure they'll go away soon." However, despite the wind and slight discomfort, he plodded on, happily chatting to his trainer as he passed him easily digestible foods, such as nutella sandwiches, at critical intervals. Huys ensured Ragsdale remained hydrated throughout the day with constant supply of water mixed with electrolytes or carbohydrate powder. Each Emirate's course has been carefully measured and mapped out by Huys and the rest of Ragsdale's crew. However, Fujairah was the hardest, said Huys due to the steep 3km climb on bike and two small hills Ragsdale had to overcome for the run. "The bike was a tough course he was going at 30km/h, which was maybe too fast for the first day but we will see this evening," said Huys. Speaking to Gulf News minutes into Ragsdale's 42.195km run from the town of Dadna, Huys said: "The run is going well, he seems fit enough to make it happen." The run was the part of the challenge both coach and contender were slightly worried about due to Ragsdale's recent injuries, however, all seemed fine. He successfully finished the run in five hours and 44 minutes in the town of Dibba, which is the closest point to Ras Al Khaimah; the Emirate, Ragsdale will take on in day two of his Naseba-seven challenge.