Sometime at the end of last year (Jules and I still fondly remember this period in our lives as “the time before we could swim front crawl”) Zoe, inspired by completing IMUK, started talking about the New Forest middle distance. Sane people would have told her where to go and carried on with a “normal” life fuelled by lie ins, alcohol and TV dinners. Somehow 11 of us found ourselves stood at the start line on 24th September, 9 of us never having done a race of this distance before and 2 of us never having done a triathlon before (Matt and Tim, what were you thinking???).

The majority of us spent the previous night at YHA Burley (highly recommended if you are ever looking for really remote accommodation in the middle of the Forest). Eight triathletes in a small bunk room all sorting out their transition bags and nutrition, is something to be seen – it’s amazing that nobody ended up with anyone else’s running shoes!

Shortly after our arrival we took over the hostel kitchen and, with looks of surprise from the other residents, cooked up a huge cauldron of pasta, which we promptly finished with ease. But the highlight of the evening was once again Howard’s fantastic baking. But maybe he put something a bit stronger than carrots in that cake – the levels of giddiness that we reached when body marking ourselves after dinner made me realise that I must never find myself in the company of SAUKers holding permanent markers when they are actually drunk! Thanks to Candice and Bruce’s slow journey down we all got branded with nicknames which they had created to entertain themselves. I ended up with “Fudge” written down the back of my calves which confused me somewhat when one of the other competitors called out messages of support during the run!

Candice’s snoring was the least of our worries during the night. The thunderstorm and torrential rain was much more disturbing and inspired nightmares involving bikes and wet cattle grids.

And it was still raining as we got into the cars to leave for the race… and dark (note for next year – much more preferable to enter races in the middle of summer)… and we had a flat battery!

Flat battery solved thanks to jump leads from Tim and we were on our way. The wrong way that is – on the A31 to Southampton. Though the official line is that this was all planned – so as to charge up the battery, of course!

We did all make it though and final preparations almost went to plan, though there were a few stressful moments when Jules’ goggles grew legs. There was even time for some final photos and good luck hugs before the first wave of super-swimmers (Tor, Candice and Leigh) were on their way.

Thanks to the rain there was no mist and we could see the lake spread out before us, big orange buoys setting out our route. Having originally guessed our swim time back in the “time before crawl”, Jules and I started in the same wave. And despite our remedial lane upbringing it wasn’t the last!

The swim was uneventful and I was soon stumbling out of the water and into the mudbath that was T1. Calls from Paddy and Steve of “Hannah – RUN” reminded me that I was in a race!

The first part of the bike course was rerouted because of flooding from the thunderstorms. But after our little tour around the residential areas of Ringwood we were into the Forest proper. And it was one of the most beautiful cycles I’ve ever done. Not the fastest course but just stunning scenery and some nice little hills to keep us on our toes.

I have never seen so many punctures in a race. Unfortunately Zoe and Bruce were both afflicted, and Tor had several unscheduled stops due to gear problems. I was just thankful for my investment in puncture resistant tyres and a second spare inner. People were arriving back at T2 cycling on rims and with inners wrapped around their necks.

Cattle grids provided additional excitement as did the wildlife – ponies, donkies, cows, pigs, etc. And occasionally some wildlife that we recognised in the form of our fantastic support crowd!

Since every bit of pre-race advice from the pros had been about how important it was to eat, I spent the bike shovelling Soreen into my face and, I never thought I’d say it, but at the moment I wouldn’t be sorry if I never saw malt loaf again. I certainly wasn’t sorry when I dropped one of my little MLTs (Malt Loaf Turds) on to the road!

I hooked up with Candice and Bruce at the end of the second lap and it was so nice to have some company for the last bit of the cycle as we all headed into T2 together. T2 was then so exciting I forgot to take off my cycling gloves so poor Ally got them aimed at her as I “rushed” past to start the run.

The run was unlike anything I have attempted before. It made Hastings half marathon look flat! And most of it was off road too with sand making occasional appearances just to add to the pleasure. That said, the terrain was more than compensated for by the views. By the time we got to the run thunderstorms were a distant memory and the sun had come out. This part of the Forest really is absolutely stunning and the run was incredibly scenic.

All of us girls took great satisfaction from overtaking lots of men on the run – it must be those massive hills we’d been practising on in Richmond Park! Or else the hope that a water station (these were few and far between) was round the next corner. Or a mile marker (there were depressingly none).

It made a massive difference for me being able to do the majority of the run with Zoe and also to share the experience of finishing my first Half Ironman with her. After all, it was her fault that I was there – until watching her at IMUK I had been quite happy just going to the gym! We gathered up quite a crowd of competitors for the last few miles of the run, all helping each other along until the finish came into view. And with huge smiles, we mustered up any remaining energy that we had for a fantastic sprint finish and huge roars of support.

Candice struggled a bit with a reoccurence of a knee injury on the run, but was very glad to have Bruce with her, encouraging her every step of the way through to a raucous SAUK reception at the finish line.

A massive thank you to our SAUK support crew (Kerry, Ally, Steve and Paddy) and also to our non-SAUK support crew (my family!).

Thanks also to Ally for taking some fantastic photos. They are a great reminder of the day and the fact that we are smiling in every photo is testament to how much we all enjoyed it.

So – will we do another one? You bet! Several of us entered Switzerland the next day!!! 70.3 that is. As for the full Ironman – watch this space…

Read some comments from more of the virgins.