Since I raced Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg in 2015 I have wanted to return; however unfortunately it wasn’t that simple – life right!? 2016 was not meant to be due to a sacral fracture – so I just saw the event come and go, like too many races last year. But at the start of 2017 I told my Coach I wanted to be ready to race my first 70.3 in over 20 months back in Luxembourg. This was all very much still words at the time as I had barely started running and cycling again after another series of injuries, but it was a goal and I was going to give everything to try and make it happen and be proud of arriving on the start line in one piece…

Before I knew it I was giving Mum and Coach Dave a massive hug before scuttling off with Amy (so glad you came and raced with me) to find our places in this rolling start, swim business. In the sea of neoprene I gave another massive hug to Amy and then continued wading through to find myself a convenient spot about ten rows back.

It wasn’t long before the lines of four were being set off in five second intervals, then I was waiting at the front just looking down the ramp into the Moselle. Those five seconds felt so long – felt I could had a cup of tea in that time! But enough of that it was GO and we were off…

As I scampered to the ramp I realised I was going to have to dive/plop in. “You got this Eloise, simples – arms over head and go.” Well would have been “simples” if I hadn’t bottled it and lifted my head too early so my goggles started filling with water – smooth one Elo! After a solid 100m of “SWIM, GIRL SWIM!” I realised I really could not see anything and still had a considerable distance to swim so made the executive decision to sort the goggle situation. “Arrr a whole new world” – I was back on route and flapping away. To my surprise within a few more 100 metres I started going past quite a few people – this doesn’t happen to my very non fish self, but I wasn’t going to object so just kept pushing. Swerving round the last buoy I knew it was about 400 metres to go so I pushed on.

Wetsuit down, pick up bag (hop over flower bed as obviously slightly in the wrong place), unpack bag, strip wetsuit off, helmet and number on, wetsuit in bag and GO FIND YOUR BIKE ELOISE! That was it – I was off running down the carpet to grab my wheels (always useful) and ready to get “on meh bike.”

The first 12 miles of the bike felt great and smooth along the Moselle river to the turn around point, just loving life and pedalling away. However, after the turn to return back down the river to the first climb, it became anything but enjoyable.
Suddenly I was overtaken by a pack of drafting cyclists, forcing me to drop back 12 metres. Yes, I tried passing them legally numerous times, but most attempts failed or where short lived as this “peloton” was working together making the effort too much for me to pass/hold, only forcing me to drop back out of the draft zone and cycle below race intensity.
Even though it is ILLEGAL and WRONG I have seen drafting in races and would be naïve to believe it doesn’t happen. However, I have never seen it on this scale and the openness. I was truly shocked that even when the “draft busters” came by they did nothing but just wave at the 20 or so cyclists.
Sorry to dampen the mood but I try to pride myself on LEGAL and FAIR racing, drafting is not only cheating but also ruins it for others around trying to race fairly and strongly. So these few miles were anything but enjoyable, hugely frustrating and I just longed to arrive at first the climb to sort this out – good luck drafting up that guys!

So as I turned onto the climb that was it – I channelled my frustration and slight anger to start picking off those cyclists, got back to riding at the race intensity I wanted to and put it/them behind me (literally) once and for all #YOLO.

The next few miles felt great, stunning rolling scenery and loving life again both frustration and “congestion” free. So much so that before I knew it bikey and I were coming over the last hill, gracing France with our presence and hitting the river road for the last eight miles. These miles seemed to pass (as they do!) and before I knew it I was unplugging my bike legs and ready to locate my running ones…

Helmet off, shoes on and gels grabbed (yes dropped and picked up again – never lose food!) it was time to hit the now very toasty run course and bring it home. Easier said than done – despite being in the strongest run form I have been in for over two years… even if that isn’t too hard!

From the first few kilometres my legs felt heavy and life less however hard I tried pushing or downing gels – well hello very asthmatic and waddling penguin-esque thing! Every lap I had to focus on just getting to the next feed station, grab all the water I could and shuffle on to the next. Both my Coach and Mum were great at keeping me going and making me focus on each lap as they came, even if they were not coming fast! However somehow, not sure how, I was picking up my last cup of water just two kilometres from the finish line and heading for home – miracle. The last few kilometres I gave everything; tried to increase the pace a bit and just focused on numbing out all the pain and heat. Not sure why I went for this pro+ kamikaze plan but I think I wanted to finish knowing that despite this run not being near my goal race pace, least I knew on that day I had given 100% and controlled everything I could have – so I did… pretty dumb to be honest but oh well – life!

But WOW I had finished a 70.3 again, was 2^nd overall coming out of T2 (yes historically my weaker 2/3s of the race) and despite the run/lack of I was 14^th overall and 2^nd in my Age Group. Given the journey back to Luxembourg I cannot be anything but pleased, emotional and ready to relocate those ex-runner legs, sort out my thermostat (tips welcome!) and get back out there fighting. It was even more special to share this race and the pre/post celebrations with my great friend Amy.

All I can say is a massive thank you to everyone who has helped me become stronger both mentally and physically – to Coach Dave for not only kicking me round the run on Sunday but also for everyday giving me confidence that I can be stronger, faster and better despite the hurdles and Eloise moments…! To my amazing Mum for coming with me to Luxembourg, putting up with the emotional pre and post race tears and always making me smile whatever happens – love Mum.
To Renee, Ben and all for always believing in me and kept me fighting – thank you so much.

Lastly a massive thank you to my sponsors; Kenilworth Chiropractic Clinic for MOTing the body, The Cycle Studio for always ensuring my machine flies, Science in Sport for keeping me fuelled and fighting, Take3 for ensuring I’m “aero as”, HUUB for the wetsuit that has helped me become more fish like and also to BLIZ for keeping the eyes happy – thanks so much.

And for now… well I am not sure yet but will focus on recovering properly from Sunday, regroup and build back to my next start line still smiling and ready to give everything #thedream.

“Never, ever give up and SMILE”

Lots of love,

Elo xxx