A year ago I knew my 2 brothers were thinking of entering ironman Wales. I thought ‘no way’ for me. For starters I have 3 kids (4 year old and twins, 2, at this time) I would not be able to train. It was not even a thought. But when my sister had the thought of entering it with her husband I had to re think. How can I let my 3 other siblings do it without me? That was it was it, I had to enter!! I didn’t even tell my husband I just announced it to him after paying up.
First thing first was to buy the essentials. New bike, helmet, shoes, running shoes. Seriously didn’t think about this financially!! Then it dawned on me ‘how am I going to train?’ My twins still had their afternoon naps and all kids are asleep by 7 so my best buy was my turbo trainer. Then running with the twins in the pram and using my local crèche for the odd gym session. It was working.
But cycling was the issue. I hated the cleats. After a few falls my confidence was SO low. Then in march came my local tri club. Perfect. Long bike rides and great companionship really made this enjoyable. My life saver.
Being a swimmer I knew this discipline was my strength and running I would just plod on. Cycling was what I concentrated on.
Trying to juggle 3 children, the household stuff and working shift work was not fun but somehow we made it work. I had to train when I can and it would mean getting up before kids woke or sacrifice my family time to train. My husband was amazing and without his support this would not be possible.
With my sister living an hour away I would try and meet up for rides and perfect through the beautiful Richmond park. During the summer I would pair up with my younger brother and ride the route and with Tenby Aces. It was a great 2 week holiday and treated it like a training camp!!
With the tapering weeks I tried to relax and ease off but working full time was taking it out of me.
Going to the start line I could not have done anything more. I was prepared the best I could have been. Walking down to the start line was eerie, the nerves were there but also excitement. Can this really be possible? I went to the front of the swimmers as I wanted to avoid the washing machine of all the other competitors. The hooter went off and that was it, the start of the longest day ever (even beats child labour!!)
My first breath I swallowed water and I knew this was going to be difficult. Getting to the first buoy was hard work. The waves were HUGE. It was a struggle but I loved it. I stroked it out and just got my head down and got on with it. Getting out to start the second loop was fun as I spotted my family. Giving the high fives was great and back in we went. The second lap I knew what to expect. Overtaking some pro’s showed encouragement and knew I was doing all right.
Coming out of the swim the crowd was just awesome. I felt amazing and just soaked up the atmosphere. Waving and acknowledging the crowd felt like a celebrity. Tenby was just electric and the run to transition was beyond words

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Onto the bike. 112 miles of hill after hill after hill. There is no let up on this ride and thankfully I knew it well, I knew what I was expecting but maybe this was a bad thing. The hills here are just gruesome and no wonder it is the toughest course in Europe. Coming out quick in the swimming means I then have so many cyclists over taking me. One after another but I expected this and instead of panicking I relaxed and stuck to my own game plan. When my younger brother, Steve, over took me this gave me encouragement but also I knew I was first of the siblings out of the water!!! Each and every town there was so much support. Flags flying, cow bells shacking and even saucepans were banging. Each food station I topped up on drinks and much needed banana. The journey was long but ticking off the Towns as I went past was all I could do. My brother in law, Iain was going well and my older brother was close by so this spurred us both on. The worry of my sister was awful. Can her knee hold out? Finally reaching my home town Saundersfoot was euphoric. It was buzzing and the noise level was defending. It is just what you need to get up these hills. I saw so many faces I knew. Heart break hill can only be described as a part of the ‘tour de France’ the crowds only allowing space for 1 bike to climb and the noise just bellowing in your ears. Each pedal was painful but once reaching St bridges I saw some of my family and this spurred you on to the next hill. Going past my parents house was my husband, kids and my parents. This was SO nice to see. What made me laugh were my 3 year old twins fast asleep on my parents laps, well they had got up at 5 to see the swim!! Back into Tenby to do the 40 mile loop again. But then my knee was starting to hurt. It has never given me any problems and this was a bit worrying. I pedalled through I thinking it was psychological.
Town by town still ticking them off each pedal made a bit closer I got.
Seeing Tenby knowing the bike was nearly over gave me so much more belief. Yes I am going to make this, I can do this. I had not had this feeling until now.
Onto the run. Will my knee hold out and how the hell am I going to run a
Marathon?!!! There were 4 laps and like the cycle never flat either up or down. The course is fantastic for spectators and us in the sense your family are there on every lap but also when you re running to see other runners that you know is extremely encouraging. Seeing Iain and then Steve was great and seeing Bryan at the end of the first lap was fantastic. But then it was the agonising wait for Kate, had she made the cut off and will her knee hold out. Starting the second loop I hear a voice I recognise and it’s Kate’s behind me. The relief, we had all made it, was amazing.
I had ran for the first lap and onto the second and bang my knee had had it. Every stride was painful but walking was fine. I knew I could make the cut off if I walked the whole way so I did not become stressed. I walked the up hills (lots of them) and ran on the slightly down hills and flatter bits. Every lap I was seeing my siblings and Iain but also faces I recognised from my school days but also from training with Tenby aces. The crowds were just amazing. Running through the Town of Tenby and the cobbled streets cheering my name (clearly written on my front) just got me through this. Onto the last lap and I had to walk when my body was wanting to run. I was able though to chat to lots of runners with their own inspirational story. Each person had sacrificed something for this race and each had their own story. I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked through the town one last time in the dark. I could feel and hear the end is close by. When I came round the last bend I saw my wonderful husband and sister in law Hannah cheering me, the noise was electric. The announcer stopped me and said, “You are an IRONMAN,” and then I went through the finishing line. 15 hours 34 minutes and 19 seconds. All siblings and Iain finished which is an amazing achievement for one family and so proud for us all.
I am an Ironman and nobody can take that away from me.

As raced and reported by Sarah Hempenstall (Ironman)