Where to start 

some of the best few days of my life, from signing on on the thurs to awards on Monday morning absolutely fantastic, was a bit worried about paying so much for one event but when you see what goes into it and how the team make you feel I think it's worth every penny.

i have been in cloud 9 since registering on thurs was such a strange feeling, knowing this is it.

fri was swim practice which only 500 metre loop of the course but as with everything this weekend was great to meet other people in your situation, a nice touch was the green wristbands which went along side the normal band you get but just showed everyone you were an Im virgin. Was nice in queue when people saying your first time too.

sat morn was the same when racking the bike you can actually feel the tension in the air.

i live 9 miles from Pennington flash so was easy for me to rack, so in the afternoon promised kids would take them to sealife in Manchester even spotted a wristband there was really funny he noticed mine I noticed his both smiled nodded, see you in the morn.

Getting up at 3.45 was probably the easiest early get up I've ever had I really jumped out of bed, lucky for me my mate picked me up, got to penny in the dark and walked down the few hundred yards int the country park and to transition which by this time was buzzing.

swim time got in the 1.20 seedings was really apprehensive about the swim as I know it's where my head can go but was fantastic the rolling start was great there were loads of room never felt like was in a washing machine like normal with the deep water starts.

t1 

really easy pick bag up get changed drop bag at end get bike ride off

bike

the bike though classed as tough never felt it (till Monday morn that is)

i knew friends and family waiting for me on hunters hill, and sort of knew what to expect on Babylon lane, and the sheep house crew the bike in general was fantastic feed stations really easy and really helpful staff, the support was fantastic all the way don't get me wrong there aren't people the whole way round but the ones that are there make up for it, now I really can't explain the feeling I had turning the corner up hunters knowing my wife and children were waiting I didn't know wether to laugh or cry one of the strangest feelings I have ever had, the support on hunters is amazing the endurance store and team pie organise a hunters party every year it's that good going past you don't even notice what your riding up.

second lap was just as good a lot more support on sheep house this time round though.

run 

the run was one of the best and worst runs I have ever done, I knew after leaving t2 what I needed to do and what pace I needed to do that, it was so hard not trying to chase people flying past but was so glad at the end that achieved my goal and ran my last 2 miles faster than my first 2

support on the run is second to none big shout out to the people of Bolton there were loads on their drives with hosepipes hosing people down as by this time it was roasting.

the run is s hilly little number it's an 8 mile point to point then 3 6 mile loops, it's downhill into town uphill out first lap out doesn't seem too bad but by lap 3 it felt like climbing Everest.

if I could give anyone a tip for this race it's engage the crowd and enjoy it i high fived a few people outside of a pub, then every lap they were waiting shouting my name but other people joint in last lap must have high fives fifty outside the pub, it was so good still get goosebumps thinking about it, it's the same for the bike though couple of waves and thumbs up really raises the crowd, which in turn raises you.

i think the only feeling better than crossing the finish was picking up my last band I then knew only 3 miles ish to go, my last run through town I'm sorry if I ignored people but I entered the centre knowing I had to run .5 mile in under 6 mins to get under 13 hours which a few weeks ago when I got hit by a car seemed like a distant dream. I finally crossed the line in 12.58.56 and have only been happier on my wedding day and when my kids where born the feeling of months and months hard work finally coming to an end was amazing.

there was a good selection of food in the tent but to be fair I couldn't bring myself to eat a thing.

i attended the awards the morning after and was lucky enough to meet Lucy gossage who I must say was so nice everyone wanted a pic but she really didn't mind, there were bacon butties and pastries for the awards it was great.

i would recommend all first timers attend everything you really are made to feel special, o know it's expensive but I really did have a surreal experience one I really will never forget, I really do like low key no frills races too but this was something else, defo back for 18 #teamwhite