Pre Event

Booking this event was relatively simple - funnily enough Ironman have an effective system for taking money off you! They also have a variety of payment options which I thought was quite good in terms of making the event more accessible. There was a fair bit of info available online to assist in making the choice to take part and choices regarding pre event logistics etc - the previous years event guide is the best thing to look at. 

I booked accommodation and flights almost instantly after booking my place, the flights were dirt cheap (£45ish return) and the hotel was reasonably priced. It’s worth noting that the event is in Calella which is a little way outside of actual Barcelona city, it has a small town vibe but had a great atmosphere for the event - everywhere seemed into it and you couldn’t move for expensive tri bikes and IM gear. 

I stayed at Hotel Kaktus Playa and could not recommend them highly enough; they were hugely accommodating during the event and went the extra mile to look after athletes - special dinner provisions, early breakfast, transport to start, event timings/maps everywhere and just generally super supportive. I also booked Race Force to transport my bike, they were amazing. It’s not cheap but it meant that I did not have to think about my bike at all really, they pick up/drop off at a location you specify and you get the bike back in Calella from their hub which was the Monta Rosa hotel - right near the expo/registration. They are mechanics and also run some familiarisation events (cycle/swim) as part of the service. A service worth it’s weight in gold if you want to just focus on getting the event done. It’s also not that much more expensive than the faff of getting a bike on a plane and transporting it to the start etc 

Comms prior to the event were good; because you book so far in advance they were quite limited to begin with but amped up as the event got closer and had all the requisite info. 

Registration was straightforward and the briefing had a few extra little bits not in the literature that were worth hearing - tips on the course etc  It was nice to be with everyone else and just had a friendly chat to calm the nerves. The IM bag you get a registration was ok (I expect it won’t last that long) and the registration pack had all the usual stuff - bike & helmet stickers etc No tattoos though - booooo. I also didn’t get my “first timer” band - so if you want one, double check it is in the pack they give you at registration.

The shop was well stocked and despite being VERY superstitious I am glad I bought some stuff as it was literally empty after the event - that is one good tip they give you at registration, just buy stuff - you can always sell it on if you are worried about not finishing but you don’t want to finish and end up with some crappy oversized t shirt because that is all that is left. 

It’s worth noting that transition (there is only one) is about 1.5k from the finish line/expo/registration which I don’t think was very clear in the literature; it wasn’t a huge issue...just keep it in mind when you are thinking about where to stay and the logistics of before/after the event. 

Morning of...

It’s an early-ish start(around 7.30am) but a great atmosphere, everyone I met was pretty cool - I was really happy to out myself as a “first timer” whenever chatting to anyone as it meant I picked up some useful tips (Vaseline helps with jellyfish avoidance!) and everyone was nice (I am sure they would have been nice anyway!) which I really needed to settle the nerves. 

There are not nearly enough loos - get in the queue early! 

Swim

The swim start is great fun, loads of music, shout outs and a lot of people getting a bit teary (not me, I just had something in my eye ok!). The swim is my favourite part and this one was belting. The sea was reasonably calm and jellyfish were sparse. I don’t mind a bit of a tussle in the swim but this was full on for about a mile despite the rolling start, I loved it! If you don’t like being in with the  pack I suggest going out wide or starting to the back. The swim felt quite long because it’s a straight shot out then back but it was reasonably pleasant.

Bike

The course is a flat 2 laps up and down the coast with a short inland (and uphill) sojourn. I’m not a great cyclist so I had very little margin for error and with the first cut off being swim + t1 + bike lap 1 in 5.20 I knew I had to hussle whilst not letting my HR explode. I had a plan to really push on the first lap to make sure I made that cut off and then relax a little on the second on. It worked, I came through the first lap with plenty of time but also knowing I couldn’t sustain the same pace for another 56 miles, the moral being that this course is do-able as a slightly slower rider with some pre planning. There were plenty of aid stations that were well thought out and easy to access, stuffed full of Enervit, water, bananas and some other stuff I think (I had all my food on me). 

The course started to thin out on my second lap. Also...what a draft fest! I don’t think I’ve seen so many peletons in a none draft race! 🤔 I’m too slow to join in so no chance of me getting carded which a fair few people did - something to watch out for if you are a quicker rider I guess. 

Run

In my head I had figured that if I survived the bike I would just kind of make it through the run, I’m not sure it had really registered with me that it was a marathon and not just a park run. Also, there were still not enough toilets so use em when you can, oh - and be prepared that they are seriously gross.  Also be prepared for the fact that a few part of the course are PITCH BLACK, if you plan on finishing late then take a head torch...although it’s technically not allowed most people were being handed these by supporters. It’s a 3 lap route and the majority had supporters who were getting increasingly drunk as time went by - loved it and loved them! So much fun and really helped keep me going. Aid stations were good and plentiful - sweet and salty snack, water, electrolyte, coke and red bull. 

I had a few moments where I thought I had no business thinking I could do an Ironman and that I’d just walk the whole way and sod finishing in time but was saved from myself (twice!) by strangers, the first was an amazing Finish guy with a blue Mohawk who was so kind and kept telling me how we were all in it together and the second was an amazing matriarchal Spanish lady who shuffled up next to me and simply said “baby, do like this and run with me”...so I did, all the way to the finish line and with an hour to spare. The camaraderie was top notch - another great reason to pick this event for a first Ironman.  

What a moment the finish line is! I finished with an hour to spare and the finish line was still pumping with tonnes of people cheering. I don’t remember much after that, I got a medal (nice!) a t-shirt (decent) but there wasn’t much food (not so good) but enough to keep me alive until I got back to the hotel. You then have to do the walk back to T1 (yes that 1.5k!) to collect bikes or you can collect them in the morning - if you use RaceForce then you need to get them that night, the extra walk  probably did me good to be honest and stretched my legs out a bit! 

I highly recommend this event, especially for a first timer - the cut off is shorter than other races (15h40) but the course is a forgiving one which can be conquered with a lot of training, a bit of introspection and careful planning. DO IT!

Absolutely beautiful setting, fantastic swim conditions with crystal clear water. Locals were fantastic and easy to get to. Only one transition which makes a big difference than having split transitions. 

Ironman Barcelona is a fantastic venue where there is lots of support and great to bring spectators to. A lot of races are hard for spectators to see you but because you complete laps of the bike and run your supporters get to see you multiple times over the distance. For me this was great as it was great motivation to see them again. I would recommend this race to anyone 

2nd time here and the course change from Challenge I hoped would split things up on the bike, but instead the bigger field meant more drafting.  now a 7k 'hill'/drag has been introduced, which does split the bike field up a little.  The run is barren for a couple of k's at he far end, and can get very warm if you are on the course early.  The support is fantastic, and although the 16hr cutoff is shorter than other IM races, the flat fast course means better times and so few miss it.  Be prepared for many hours on the tribars......

A typically well organised European Ironman event, with everything going like clockwork for registration, racking, briefing etc.

The swim was a rolling start, with one minute to the start of the pro men there was a short power cut, music stopped, starting arch deflated but no panic and within a minute all was good to go again. The sea swim was nice a calm with little swell, well marked and easy to follow.

Short run into the change tent then onto a nice astrotuff football pitch which is lovely to run on to get your bike and exit to the bike course.

The first 3 miles of the bike course are on little roads through the town with speed bumps, you are forbiden to ride on your aero bars within this short section. Once out of town it's 2 laps on a super fast flat course, can be a little windly but road surface is great and its just so fast.

Back to T2 and out on the run, 3.5 laps of agian a flat course, but exposed and hot. Well supported around transition area and towards the finish but the far end was fairly quiet.

Great finish shoot and recover area, loads of food & beer for afterwards.

All in all a great race, but Calella is not Barcelona and is a bit 1970's Costa Brava.