Finally! The day before the ironman. Today is full of prep for the event, sorting kit, registering, race briefing etc so a tentatively early start.

It’s only a 50 minute drive to Leigh sports village where we need to register and pick up our race numbers, timing chips – buy a good luck ironman hoody – eye up other people’s bikes, that sort of thing.

This part is crucial. We are given three bags. The white on is for changing into our wetsuits for the swim, as all the dry clothes go in to be transported to the finish. Blue bag is for everything we will need for the bike leg and red for my running kit. I don’t want to get this wrong! 

Right, bags filled and race numbers onto bike – we’re off to T1.

I sign in and I’m issued a bike cover to protect the bike overnight from the elements.

Bag racked in number order.

It is blazing hot!! Time for an ice cream.

Off to T2 which is in a school gym – a sea of re bags awaits.

All in number order, the level of organisation is amazing.

Time for a spot of lunch, and then we’re off to the race brief.

A lot of tension and nervousness in the room.

We’re given a run down of the rules, esp drafting other riders – don’t! and medical facilities – there will be roving motorbike paramedics on the bike course, MTB armed paramedics on the run and basically a mobile field clinic at he finish.

Hoping I won’t need any of them, it’s time for the drive back home and an early night.

Find out how I got on in the next episode!