Ironman Wales 2023 – A review by Liam Snelling

That’s what I kept telling myself on Sunday as I hauled myself round an Ironman course for the first time. It was an incredible day of mixed emotions. Excited, nervous, downbeat and then elation – all in one day! Ironman really does put you through the mill.

I definitely under-estimated how tough it would be in the lead up to the event. I had trained hard, knew the course and thought I had the fitness but I didn’t get enough rest before race day. It didn’t help getting a flat tyre on our car on Friday night and spending most of my day on Saturday sorting it out so we could get to the start line!

It was all worth it though come Sunday morning as the sea looked amazing on North Beach when the sun came up. And what a moment with the crowd singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhada right before the start. I had goosebumps and it was a massive highlight for me.

I was a bit anxious on the way in to the swim so stayed right till the first turn buoy to give me a chance to calm down. After that I thought I was swimming fast and looking good, especially in the second lap, but then the tide turned which made it really tough so I was happy just to get out and get on the bike.

The first half of the bike course is amazing, rolling hills and super fast out to Angle and back. The heat soon kicked in though and I had to rein it in and reset my goals to move to Plan B. To get round and save some gas for the run so I could enjoy the Tenby crowds. The second lap seemed to go on forever but the crowds kept me entertained and motivated to keep spinning up the hills. The hill out of Saundersfoot was like being in the Alps on the Tour!

And then to the run. And what a run. The crowds were crazy, it was one big party for most of the spectators and the later it got, the louder they got! Loads of music, fancy dress and encouraging screams carried me through to the finish line. Such good fun! (Apart from having to run a marathon, obviously).

So first Ironman done and plenty of learnings for me. Wales is a tough course but it gives you so much back in terms of the crowd and the experience. I’d highly recommend it, if only for the start and finish in Tenby. What an experience, one that will stay with me for a long time.

Big shout out to my support team marvellously led and co-ordinated by the awesome Joanna. My two boys were brilliant all day and I loved to hear them cheer me on.

Thanks also to Kelly for the support and the hug before the swim. I needed that to calm the nerves.

Just a cheeky 10k race at Watermore and then I am done for the year….

Thanks for all the support KiT team