Words cannot describe the experience of competing at the ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This is where it all started, the ultimate ironman race, every triathlete's dream. The course is beautiful and very challenging in all three disciplines. Tough swim, especially at the turnaround point where it suddenly gets really crowded. "Gone with the wind" on the bike. Very hot during what seems to be an endless run. The whole experience is simply amazing. I feel blessed and proud to have completed this race and do hope to be able to do it again some day. The organisation was excellent! Very efficient aid stations! The contribution of the volunteers priceless! The spectators extremely supportive! Still there are small things that could be improved. Such as the quality of food at the carbo load dinner and post race party, the race briefing which was perhaps too brief and started too late after the carbo load dinner, the insufficient number of portable toilets for the athletes during the course. Also, those who expect to eat at a nice Italian restaurant the night before the race will probably be disappointed. It is important to arrive in Kona as many days as possible before the race to recover from the trip and the jetlag, explore the course and get used to the weather.