Back from Australia now and just about caught up with some much needed sleep!

No medals and we were way down the results lists but Ali and I both finished safely and I even managed to get a personal best despite contracting a nasty bug on the plane on the way out. The salt water, choppy swim against the tide was 'interesting' and most people found it hard but the bike course was almost flat so very fast, and the run was too although the temperature was up to 24C by the time we started at 7 am and even hotter finishing just before 8.40.

I have never seen so many fantastically fit women in my life: from 16-75 year olds they were just awesome! The Gold Coast climate just lends itself to be outdoors and active. There were 15 (yes, 15) 50m open air swimming pools within 10  miles of where we were staying let alone a huge great ocean!!!!

The whole thing was a great experience just to be part of and truly inspiring.

Thank you all for your support - it really helped!

Annie

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