On September 28th, I raced my third Ironman 70.3 on the island of Elba in Tuscany. I had been told how stunning it was, but nothing compared to experiencing it myself. The scenery, the atmosphere, the support – everything about this race was magical. It was challenging, yes, but it was also one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever done.
Race Morning: Calm and Ready
The race began at 8am. I woke up early, tried to fuel with boiled potatoes (though I could only manage one and a half — not ideal for race day nutrition!), and arrived at the transition zone feeling calm and prepared.
The organizers and volunteers made everything run smoothly. From clear race briefings to well-marked transition areas, the logistics couldn’t have been better. My bike and helmet were already checked in the day before, leaving me free to focus on my mindset and preparation.
Transition Prep and Atmosphere
I entered transition, laid out my gear, and made my choices:
- Shoes on the bike to save time and protect cleats
- Socks for blister prevention
- No gloves (it wasn’t too hot my hands would burn or sweat!)
Walking down to the beach, the atmosphere was electric. The full Ironman athletes had already started, the sun was rising over the hills, and the crowd was buzzing. Seeing the first pro men come out of the water dancing and blowing kisses set a playful, uplifting tone for the day.
The Swim: Finding My Rhythm
There were about 60 women at the start, all in pink caps. I felt ready, supported, and calm – grateful to have my coach and supporters there.
The swim began with a long run into shallow water before we could actually start swimming. I managed to draft off a couple of other women for sections of the course, focusing on my technique: arm placement, pull, push, and keeping my concentration on pushing forward (My mind tends to drift off thinking of all kinds of things during the swim so I was quite aware to stay concentrated!).
The water was warm, the sun was dazzling, and kayaks and buoys kept us safe and on track. I exited the swim feeling strong, glancing at my watch with a smile as I had suprisingly cut 5 minutes off my ‘predicted’ time! I rinsed under the showers, and jogged to transition, already visualizing the steps I’d practiced in my head.
The Bike: Beauty and Grit
The 90k bike leg was both breathtaking and brutal. The course wound around the coast of Elba, with the sea glittering on one side and long, steady climbs ahead.
Men had started 15 minutes later than us, so throughout the bike I was gradually overtaken — something I had to manage mentally. Instead of comparing myself, I reminded myself: this is my race, nobody else’s.
I found myself cycling alongside another woman with a very similar pace. She was stronger on the uphills, I was stronger on the downhills, and we encouraged each other throughout…I love this part of racing, just finding fun moments with other women!
Nutrition & Pacing
- 1 gel 10 minutes before the swim
- 1 gel every 45 minutes on the bike
- We will get to the run next…
- Effort guided by feel (zone 3–4), not heart rate
By the second loop, the climbs felt long and energy was dipping, but I loved the technical downhills – even earning a compliment from another rider on my descending skills.
Coming back into transition, the crowds in the village lifted my energy. I racked my bike, removed my helmet, grabbed fresh gels, laced up my trainers, and set out on the run thinking 2 down, 1 to go!
The Run: Heat, Fatigue, and Mental Strength
The final 21k was tough. The midday sun pushed temperatures to 28°C (I think), and after 4+ hours of effort, my body was exhausted.
The volunteers were incredible – every aid station offered water, electrolytes, Coca-Cola, fruit, and even sponges to cool us down. I stopped at every station, poured water over my head, and sipped what I could.
Unfortunately, my stomach rejected gels on the run, leaving me to rely on water alone as I hadn’t tried any other nutrition in my training.
Yes, there was coke and that probably would have been perfect – but it wasn’t worth risking during the run to try it on race day! My energy dipped badly, but I kept moving.
It seems like I wasn’t alone – many athletes were struggling with the heat and fatigue, but we cheered each other on with a smile, a hand gesture or anything with the energy we had left whenever paths crossed.
Finally, I reached the finish line. Medal around my neck, post-race feast in hand (though I couldn’t stomach much of it), I was absolutely drained, I knew I couldn’t have done more and so I was so, so happy.
Reflections & Lessons Learned
This race reminded me of one crucial lesson: fueling matters. It’s something I teach in my FastTrack to Triathlon program, but in this race, I didn’t take it as seriously for myself. Practicing fueling strategies during training is vital – because your stomach won’t magically cooperate on race day if it hasn’t before.
And as I always say in my FastTrack to Triathlon program: check your results! Ironically, I didn’t follow my own advice this time. When we were casually walking over to watch a teammate collect his award, I suddenly heard my own name being announced — I had come Third in my Category!
So yes… don’t do as I do, do as I say.
A huge thank you to my coach Roberto Gambero and my training buddies and close supporters who kept me going every step of the way.
Elbaman 70.3 was one of the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding triathlons I’ve ever done. I loved every moment – from the swim start energy, to the stunning coastal bike, to the grit it took to finish the hot, hard run.
Triathlon is never just about fitness; it’s about mindset, resilience, and learning something new every time. And that’s exactly why I love it.
Final Thoughts
Racing in Elba was unforgettable – the scenery, the atmosphere, and the support made it so special. I left with a medal, a smile, and lessons to take into my next race (and to pass on to the women I support).
If you’re dreaming about your first triathlon or want guidance to make it to the finish line feeling strong, my FastTrack to Triathlon program is designed to help women of all levels start their triathlon journey with confidence.
Because trust me, if I can do it, you can too.
