White Oak

Tri Squad

A beautiful setting for a horrible race.

by Domonic Course Hot and hilly doesn't quite cover it. 12 mile climbs Switchback roads Ski Lifts ! Cattle bells Melting tarmac Locals spraying you with hose pipes Rocks tumbling down mountain footpaths Ambulances trying to drive up them Midges People still sunbathing at 8pm Mid-marathon "power-naps" Not being able to hold down water by the end.

But not all bad, there were also:

Entire schools of kids cheering you through their villages "Allez! Courage!" is still ringing in my ears Bikini-clad girls on the aid stations getting so hot they had to keep dunking themselves in the lake (I may have dreamt this in one of my naps) Free beer in the finish area - somehow made it all seem worthwhile

In short - it was not an easy Ironman, but I suppose they are not meant to be. I finished - but feel that this one beat me. Hope all those that went over (quite a few) are safe and sound. Anyone considering it next year - train with lots of hill reps wearing eight layers of clothing.

I'm off to recover at Glastonbury.

Never again, never again, never...hmmm if I can do that, maybe Lanzarote won't be tooooo bad...