Fourth Ironman medal earned

Like everyone on the start line of Ironman African Championship 2023, I was hoping for a full swim but a thunderstorm put pay to that. Instead of a 3.9km swim, we did 800m.

We later learned that during the half-hour delay of the start to allow the lightening to subside, wind had blown the farthest buoys off their anchors.

The water conditions were fantastic when the swim started and I felt as thought I could swim the entire day. Warm and latish conditions.

But there was a 180km bike ahead of us. For once the infamous winds of Gqeberha - also known as the windy city - failed to make an appearance on what is a great cycle course.

Overall, very happy with my 180km bike time.

My leg held out on the 42km run after months of injury. Occasional downpours made for a humid run in sometimes waterlogged shoes.

Making it to the iconic Ironman red carpet finish was - as it always is - an exhilarating experience.

The pressure I had put myself under in the weeks leading up to the event was suddenly released.

Anyone who knows me and has been around me in the three weeks leading up to the event are relieved. I'm happier, more motivated than ever and so much more of a pleasure to have around. Until the next one...