Somehow doing an ironman the week after another makes everything seem so easy and chilled-out; it might be because getting the gear together, remembering what I need to eat and drink beforehand, and all that are routine because I’ve just gone through this whole thing. In any case, although I’ve not been here long, I’ve managed to find a fair amount of time to sit around with my feet up and in my Recovery Pump. And above is Caffé Vista, where I sat for coffee yesterday, overlooking the swim course. It’s been quite luxurious, really!
Part of the reason things have been so easy here is probably the fact that this blue awning is my hotel and if you see the little guard gate and flags a block away, you see transition and the race expo! I kind of lucked into this but definitely need to thank reader Lucy for her local knowledge in helping me land in the right spot here—so nice!
Ironman Wales spectating guide: we start at 7AM, which is 11PM Saturday PST. Last year the men’s winner was over 9 hours and the women’s winner was over 10, which puts me finishing after 9AM PST on Sunday. So my west coast friends can enjoy a full night’s sleep and wake up for the exciting bit! Tomorrow there should be a “live coverage” tab at top here for you to follow along.
More pics of this lovely place for you . . . Yes, the sky seems to be grey most of the time. But that might just add to the charm. This is the wall around the town of Tenby (where the race is centered).
My British friend, Harry’s QOTD yesterday: “This wall is older than your country.”
Probably a true statement.
Just for that, I made him take my picture under it.
There are churches like this on every corner!
Mr. Woodling will be glad to hear that I have *hopefully* gotten my picture-taking binge out of the way just in time for the race . . . I brought my camera on my ride this morning and tried not to stop tooooo much.
I found a lot of this.
Yesterday Harry and I drove the bike course. We saw a lot of hills, got a bit lost, and I ended up pretty carsick. But check out the view from the ocean side of the course!!!
The road that goes up along the ocean looks more like a bike path to me. I am continually in awe of how folks here drive in two-way traffic on roads that only fit one car and don’t have head-on crashes all the time. Yesterday I just kept reassuring myself that I was at the hands of a British driver and apparently they are expert drivers, so I’d be fine . . .
One of the towns on the bike course . . .
It is gonna be quite an epic adventure tomorrow. I can’t wait to take it all in.
One last thing about last week’s race before we officially move on: my friend Kerry (the best writer I know!) wrote a blog about her Ironman Wisconsin spectating experience, called “how to feel great with little to no effort on your part.” It’s pretty awesome—check it out.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m about to say something considered sacreligious for a triathlete…but that place is more breathtaking than Kona. thanks for going on a picture spree for all of us who aren’t there!
have fun racing past the castles tomorrow (maybe you will see Wills and Kate!!!)
So excited for you tomorrow!!!! Have a fun smashfest!!!!
Crush it Hills like only you can do! All Hail to the Smasfest Queen!
Love this! And not just because of the shout-out at the end of your post!
And British roads are *nuts* I don’t know how they do it, either.
I can’t get that link to work, but I’ll find a way to use hashtags on Twitter and figure this out.
MR. WOODLING! What is your objection to photos? I love them–half the fun is getting to see these exotic worlds and people you meet. But maybe there’s a good reason. I’m open to it.
Oh Hills, I’m so glad I could help, it was no trouble at all
I’m still laughing a lot about your comment on our roads. If you think it is bad driving in one imagine us cycling in our training sessions on roads like that with the danger of a 4WD car coming in the opposite direction and kill us instantly, plus most roads are full of potholes too! I scare myself all the time doing the Surrey Hills loop 
Love the pics, gorgeous little cobbled streets and the houses look like they are made of mazirpan.
May I convice you to come and do Challenge Henley next year (september 2013)?
You’ve just crossed the finish line in 5th and your marathon was even faster than last week! WOW! specially as this is such a up and down course. Can’t wait to read your race report.
Congrats, sounds like you had a great race and looking forward to hearing what you thought. I used to spend my summer holidays in Tenby as a kid and loved it!
Yes, British drivers are experts at navigating narrow roads, although after living in the US for 18 years I seem to have lost the knack and tend to bump the curb a bit!!!