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FEATURES


forgiving, taking many out of the race. I remember feeling sea sick from being battered about, only able to breath one sided. Once out on the bike, my favorite discipline, I worked hard passing many others before starting the marathon. (My second ever marathon) During the run I overheard a spectator shouting at one of their friends your 5th, well that meant I was 6th! I could not believe this was happening, my second ever triathlon and I was currently 6th in my age group. On completion of Ironman Wales and the position I was in had given me the opportunity to take the last slot allocation in my age group to race IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HAWAII 2015. I did not need asking twice as I accepted this opportunity, it might not happen again!!


Winter 2014 saw me get more involved into Triathlon as I loved it so much. I joined RAF Triathlon and completed Triathlon Coaching Levels 1 and 2 for BTF England which took me on to coaching at Salisbury Tri Club.


So, after some triathlons in between, the 1st October saw my trip to Hawaii begin, this would not have been possible without the support I had prior from the Defence CBRN Centre, my current Tri-service role. RAF Triathlon, RAF Regt Fund, RAF Sport Board and the RAF Sports BAE Donation as well as Martin Jones photography in Salisbury.


After two flights spanning 16 hours, I had arrived in Kona. It was hot and humid, but due to the time spent working on acclimatization the humidity was less of a shock. This was a good sign, and I thank those guys for the time they committed to me. My body clock was a little messed up and meant I was going to bed around 20:00 hours and waking up at 03:30. I kept this as my routine as race day was going to be an early start – 04:00 to be precise.


During the week running up to the event I spent time with CEEPO doing photo shoots and bike set up. I was racing one of their CEEPO Viper bikes along with components from UK ROTOR and Fast Forward Wheels all have given me support in the build up to the event. To keep the body awake and prepared for what was coming


www.raf-ff.org.uk


I did a few training sessions in all three disciplines. The water was lovely and warm! My best description would be its like swimming in a tropical fish tank with the occasional turtle. My HUUB kit was doing the business in the water and felt great.


Hawaii truly is a magical place with the atmosphere heightened due to the build- up of the event and numbers of friendly athletes and locals as the days got fewer to race day. I made many new friends whilst there, British and foreign. Racing with other members of the British armed forces was a pleasure and they truly were top athletes, this was great to see and be a part of.


Race Day


The 10th of October – as I checked myself in, getting ready for the race of my life. Nerves were high. The time it took us all to get in the water, was hell as everyone was stressing out trying to get into the best possible position. This meant pushing and pulling, a theme that continued for the 2.4 mile swimming duration. I had not been bashed about so much before. Kicked, punched and swam over as men wanted to claim their swimming spot. It was craziness, due to it being the best in the world in one location it meant all were around the same kind of pace.


Transition 1 (Swim to Bike) was the fullest changing area I had seen, again men fighting for space to prepare for the bike leg.


112 Mile bike was under way, now this is my favorite part. Passing many


Envoy Winter 2015 23


on my initial few miles as we settle into the Queen K highway all the way out to Havii before the turn around and return leg. The wind for some reason on this day had decided to do the opposite to normal, as it is known to change directions. Today rather than a tailwind we had a headwind both ways. Cycling into a headwind for 112 miles was not the most pleasant experience and to add to that the open exposed roads with lava rock holding and extracting heat made it for a long 5 hours. My nutrition and fluid intake was spot on during the bike phase and enabled me to go into the run with the best possible chance of survival.


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