From start to finish it was the perfect way to complete my first full Ironman. the Americans simply are second to none when it comes to friendliness, encouragement and resepect for fellow athletes.

Registration - was easy enough along with a little village set up of stands etc

Race Day - the only negative really was the swim out to the start line which was probably good couple hundred metres which when your worried about the swim anyway having to swim more than needed isn't the best start !! On the plus side the lake was warm (compared to the UK anyway) and once started things settled down nicely. 

Transitions - were great and plenty of helpers about to assist you including bringing your bike to you which was a great touch.

Bike - the bike course was mainly flat with the exception of one long climb which you hit 3 times due to the laps and riding into a head very strong headwind wasn't much fun !! By all accounts this was a strange exception as normally the wind is behind going up, however on the plus side it made for a very fast decent !!

Run - was a flat course largely surrounding the lake with plenty of feed stations along the route. 

All in all an incredible experience finished off nicely with the famous words being called out ...... You are an Ironman !!