Having qualified more than 12 months prior to this race, a lot has had the time to happen in the mean time, and the focus of the 2014 season was initially on longer distance with Ironman Lanzarote in May. Jo therefore updated my training plan to re-focus on more speed over the summer, with the intermediate “target” of 70.3 UK in Wimbleball.

For the 70.3 WC at the end of my season, I had no stress, no pressure, and, frankly, no real ambition. All I wanted was to enjoy the trip, the experience, and the race itself. I knew on the day I qualified that I wasn’t going to go for a top spot. That wouldn’t prevent me from giving it all, but I was just realistic about my abilities in that field.

For my first time at a World Championship event, I was ready to be amazed! I was ready to be welcomed as an elite athlete and soak it all up. Being with a few friends from Black Line London and Team Freespeed helped not feeling too lost without the usual support I get from my other half or my dad.

Last year’s ironman Lanzarote was fun. Yes, I dare say it! I had a ball and a fantastic result. With a full year of proper training and all indicators telling me I had made massive progress across the board, this year should have been an absolute blast. I had good hopes of smashing it even more, and was even eyeing a top ten finish, close to the magical 10h mark. It didn’t quite go that way, but I still had a good race.

Last day on EDT Camp. A bit sad as this has been a fantastic week but today was a big day on another level: riding the full ironman course in conditions that weren’t the best!

Today everyone is pretty much cream-crackered after yesterday’s hard work up Tabayesco. Nonetheless, EDT Camp has no respite, and this is the business end of the week, with not one, but two handicapped races to get done: a swim in the morning, and a 10K run after the day’s ride.