Alp D'Huez isn't just for cyclists - for those of us who like a bit of multisport with our hills, there's a triathlon on offer too...

After a 3 hour drive to get there we arrived at this little hill on the side of a mountain with a town on the top called Alp D’Huez – oh my oath it was miles away! So we drove up to the top because it was a two staged transition race clearly! And just driving up the hill with all the kickbacks numbered and the gradient just kept constant the first 4ks looked the hardest and then it looked a slog all the way til the end! Anyways register and realize that this is not some small race there are tv crews doing interviews our race pack was awesome – which confirms that John Lunt can go stick all his Human Race over priced races right up his arse – there is no excuse for them cost that much!

Once we had set up our running shoes – we got our bikes ready and CYCLED all the way down the hill and along to the swim start – probably one of the best and longest warm ups I have ever done carrying my wetsuit and stuff for T1! (which we had bags to put it in, it was then collected and brought up to T2 for us!!)

Unfortunately the rest of SAUK could not make it to the race so in my good spirit because you both were either side of me I spread my transition stuff right out! Had a quick word on race strategies with Stephen Bayliss and Bella Comoford _ I pretty much told them that I would let them whip my arse – and they kindly obliged! (Looks like Bella did not finish – Stephen was 6th)

Okay race time – 500 people slowly slipped into the beautifully cool crystal clear blue water – and then the helicopter appeared above us filming – it felt awesome! The swim was a long triangle, straight out turn right twice an straight back – the wind was blowing slightly across our right side – with little swells – and we were off before the gun even went a mass false start – smash splash bash and it was game on. After about 200m I found myself on the left of everyone having a peach of a swim – everyone was blocking the swells! Back to transition and strip down and head off stop the watch at – about 22 so 20 min swim (it was 1400 though) so happy with that!

The bike – well it was once around the lake and then off to the hill and then THAT’S ALL! Okay as we left transition we had to do a kick back climb just to get on the road – and that is how it goes – here is the profile from my heart rate monitor!!!! Yummy!

Had a great start and enjoyed the first section until we got to the hill – you know the story 21 kick backs and the smallest gear set up you can stick it in! I suppose this is where the day before’s 1100m climb up Col de Gueulaz up to 1970m from 860m was probably going to have an affect onto today and yip it did 14 kick backs to go – I went - BONKED! It is the crapest feeling watching EVERYONE just come sailing past you – anyways it was a long ride – they had drink stations TWICE Up the run (yes john COLD drinks on the bike section!) – anyways crawled into town at about 1hr14 just for the hill and then began the lunar run up the ski lifts – altitude no food and the lunar surface made it good fun! I was so hungry I ate everything on the table (John take note) COLD WATER Coke, dried apricots, gels and yogurt bars – I looked sexy with that all hanging out my mouth! Anyways just got into my stride and cruised – 9ks in 43min! Bringin this whopping adventure to a total of 3:04 – my slowest Olympic ever but you know It’s a time to remember!