The conditions at Austria last weekend were perfect for this Epic Ironman Race. I had my sister and husband there and a friend from London, it was great to see them on the course as it can get lonely when you’re racing on your own.

I headed down to transition at 6.00am, put my fuel on the bike, checked everything 10 times and then left for the swim start, I was on my way. 6.45 at the beach start, 2500 people getting ready and then U2 playing its a beautiful day, I was completely wired for this and ready to go. Bang - the Canon went off and my time had arrived, time to put my 6 months of training to the test!

The first part of the swim was good, held back when the canon went and just got into water and swam to the first buoy. A little bit of BIFF on the turn but all of ok. Second Buoy, all ok but now swimming into the sun rise and could not see the next marker. I finally got to the canal, ‘sh*t… cramp in the right calf’. Recovered and then bang, cramp in the left calf...Read on..>