Ironman Florida Race Report

What an awesome experience. I booked this race last November when I was sure I absolutely wanted to do an Ironman and knew the training was feasible when my youngest started school. 

It’s been a journey for sure this past year with injuries and crashes along the way and really having to mentally push through those barriers to believe I could get it done. 

Trevor and I decided to drive to Florida, that way I didn’t need to faff with getting a bike box to fly my bike, and we could enjoy a bit of a road trip along the way. 

We arrived last Thursday so had a day and half to settle in and get race ready. Panama City is at the top of Florida state, so it wasn’t as hot which was perfect. 

Come race dat, I arrived in transition for last checks etc at 5.30 am got to the beach at 6.30 am ready for the national anthem and swim start. Swimming in the golf was just amazing!! Pure white sand and crystal clear water. I saw 2 jelly fish which made me a little nervous but luckily they stayed down. It was 2 laps so came out, ran under the pier and got back in for the second lap. I was aiming for 1 hour and 20 mininute swim and I got it done in 1.17. 

Headed into T1 made sure I had all my nutrition etc for the bike and was on my way.

Bike course. Pretty flat for the most part a total climb of just under 600m but some very strong head winds which sucked for making my speed drop, but was awesome when it was behind you. I stopped every 20miles to refill my hydration system. (haven’t mastered doing it while riding yet) and had solid food throughout. Mostly riding on quiet highways with bordering trees so not much in terms of pretty landscapes, but right at the end you are along the coast and that was lovely. Came in to T2 and got ready for the run. My arm got a little sore from my wetsuit and this was bothering me so I got it tapped up but forgot to glide under my arm and so that then rubbed me raw out on the course along with that my eyes wouldn’t stop watering and were very sore, and to top it off I also forgot my handheld water bottle.

So new strategy on the run was stop at every aid station and drink water and electrolytes, pour water over my eye to try and elevate the pain and run with my arm out so it didn’t rub the inside of my arm off! Got through the first lap and then on to the second. Pure git and determination got me through. I had only trained up to 15miles because I had a knee injury and wasn’t able to go further than that, so getting past that point for me was an achievement in itself, I thought I was going to have to walk after I got to that point but I pushed on. I found trev at mile 18, he was my saviour, he had glide so sorted my sore spots out, my eyes had started to calm down too and he ran with me for 3miles which I needed so bad, he left me at 21miles and I was in the zone again, it was incredible coming back into the main part of town and running towards that finish line, ringing the bell for real and just getting it done! the feeling was euphoric. I bloody did it!!!! I am an IRONMAN! 

Just want to give David Butler a huge shout out for being an awesome coach and getting me through it. My supportive family and Tri club friends and for all of you who wished me good luck I was thinking about you all out there during the race and it definitely helped to get through it.

Looking forward to seeing some of you on zwift again and when I’m back at Christmas. 

Now let’s get that tattoo!

Posted: Wed 5th Nov 2025