I have to start off by saying that i didn't complete this race, i will however review what i did experience....
Arriving Friday afternoon for registration at Club La Santa and the nerves are in full swing! Trying to find the registration point was a little difficult to find at first, luckily only needed to find it once! Registration process was smooth and the information provided was helpful, they guys there were friendly and re-assuring. Got my bags for transition, back to the car to pack them then off to the race brief.
For a first timer in Ironman and 70.3, this was informative and was daunting to see so many athletes!
Back to the car to grab my Bertie bike and bags, ready to rack in transition. Simple and good process, with the crew checking the bike over etc. Done. Now to turn up in the morning!
Race morning.. It's a little windy, and it's warm :)
Into transition to put the drinks on my bike and food in my bag, check tyres, my front's a little flat, tried pumping up and think nerves were getting to me as it didn't feel to be inflating, a lovely lady next to me helped me!
Wetsuit on and down to the start line we go, laid out well between transition and swim start / finish. Swim was a little choppy and as a weaker swimmer found it tough but a good course.
Into transition where the support was AMAZING, into the tent, off with the wetsuit and on with the suncream and bike gear, off to Bertie bike and out of transition. I was worn out but glad to be on Bertie.
Going through the villages was lovely and even though i was one of the last out, there were still people cheering us on! Marshalling was great all round the route that i cycled. The wind was ok at that point, until around 15km in and it started to blow - all ways! I reached the cut off point before 12, so was safe (i thought!) at the bottom of Tabayesco. Loo stop, drink stop and off i go. This part was the hardest thing i'd complete in my life, a constant uphill battle in the midday heat, windy in parts, man that was tough. A few times i'd stop to catch my breath and my eyes were kaleidoscoping. I'd hydrated plenty etc so knew it was taking it's toll. I made it to the top and Aid station 3, however at that point i knew that i wouldn't make it to T2 in time. The support car (last person) was behind me, at which point i knew it was silly to carry on. Everyone at the aid station were fantastic with their support, i can't thank them all enough!
Hopefully i'll be back one year to beat it next time!