After multiple close finishes over the years we we’re back to the Big Island of Hawaii, to compete in the Kona Ironman women’s only world championship 2023.

We headed off full of expectations as you would expect, after 4 earlier attempts with Lucy finishing 2nd (bridesmaid) position each time this surely must be her year?

With another throw of the dice and just having recovered from a Metatarsal fracture (toe), The build up to the event all went to plan thanks to super Coach (Dan Lorang) no injuries and plenty of heat prep to get Lucy in her best shape ever for the race.

The journey to Hawaii was long, comfortable and we had no hiccups.  Even collecting the hire car was a breeze!  Everything was looking good and comfortable.

My job as team Physio (Chief shopper, Chef, Driver and part time Psychologist) is to make sure everything runs smooth so to make sure of a good continuation it was decided that the accommodation would be the same one as 2022, we know the area Pool etc close by.

1st Morning up early (thank you Mr Jetlag) and down to the Pool to get rid of the cobwebs, back for food and build the beast (Bike).  As the race has an early start and all competitors must be there very early, the timetable was set.  Bed by 19:00 ish and early rise.

Training for the Race ahead was going very well but on Saturday 7th October 2023 on the last long run of the race preparation Lucy did a tight turn on Palani Road Kailua HI (part of the racecourse) to return up the hill and felt a very sharp pain in the distal Soleus-Achilles’ area. A possible disaster!

I had not come halfway around the world not to get Lucy on that start line!!

I had 1 week to fix-repair-patch up the issue as best as possible using all the knowledge accumulated over 20 years plus and amazingly got her to the start line.

The good news is that Lucy led from Gun to Tape, fastest swim ( 49:36 ), fastest bike ( 4:32:29 ) and 4th fastest marathon run (2:57:37) total finish time 8:24:31 which is a new course record!

4 second places finally resulted in the all important 1st place and world title!