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Since racing at Ironman 70.3 Augusta a few weeks ago, I’ve been clocking up some great training and travelling miles and have been fortunate to visit some truly beautiful places along the way. Never listen to anyone who says life as a professional athlete is tough. Yes, OK, it isn’t all glamour, but waking up to this is never a bad way to start your day…

This was the view from our room at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel while in Kona, Hawaii, for the Ironman World Championships. Arriving in total darkness and then drawing the curtains to find this certainly put a smile on my face for a while. Before reaching Hawaii we’d seen a fair bit of the US: after Augusta we did a return road trip to Miami. The following day we flew to LA and then over the space of a week journeyed up the west coast in a Ford Mustang convertible to San Francisco, punctuating the drive with several overnight stays in places such as Monterey and Santa Cruz. Big Sur was a real highlight and truly stunning, but San Francisco might just have taken the prize for me as top spot.

Keen to have a mini-break but also keep ticking over for my remaining races this season, I tried to swim most mornings and run most evenings in a bid to retain form. After San Francisco, I knew we’d be heading to Kona where my plan was to clock up some solid miles on the infamous Queen K, which stages the lion’s share of the bike course during the Ironman World Championships. I’d never ridden here before but had heard about the brutal wind, heat and humidity – and none disappointed. It was also a great opportunity to test out some of Wiggle’s female dhb bike gear – nice kit! Training in Kona and watching the race unfold live in front of me was nothing short of inspiring and amazing, especially seeing three British girls in the top five – well done Chrissie, Leanda & Rachel.

Next up on my agenda is Ironman 70.3 Miami this Sunday and then it’ll almost be time to wave goodbye to the US and head back to Blighty. Miami has become a “home from home” so I’m looking forward to a great race – go hard then go home!

See you on the other side

EK