Claire Hubner’s 70.3 Staffordshire race report

This is a guest blog from Claire Hubner, one of our Team members who recently took part in Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire to raise money for MacMillan Cancer. Claire had won a Team Oxygenaddict membership as part of our partnership with MacMillan, and we were delighted to see her safely finish after all her hard work in training. Well done Claire!

Let me start by saying, I am a novice Ironman 70.3…

So race weekend is upon us. Myself and husband travel up on the Friday afternoon (without children), it is teaming down with rain delaying our travel progress and we miss the second novice briefing of the day. Oh well, at least I can collect my race pack, I’m very excited but trying to be cool about it!

By this point, coming towards the end of the day, the athlete village is eerily quiet. It does however, allow us to take in the wonderful surroundings of Shugborough Hall. Wow! what an operation it must be to set these events up, totally inspiring & I daydream ahead to Sunday with the finish line in sight..

Saturday sees a very busy organised day of sorting kit, racking the bike and getting everything in order. Everyone is so helpful from all the volunteers to fellow athletes, there is most definitely an air of excitement. Wanting to soak up everything on offer over the weekend, we attended the Ironprayer on Saturday evening, not entirely sure what it would entail we joined Christine Ironman Chaplin and a handful of athletes & their supporters. A pleasant 45 minutes reflecting upon training efforts and essentially on race day, what will be, will be! Simple and true.

I didn’t sleep well at all, you know that feeling when you’ve an early flight to catch & don’t want to miss it, that feeling!!
Race day = a very early start. The butterflies had been with me since the beginning of the week and now they were in full flight, perhaps they can lift me round the course?! A very well organised swim start and we’re off… I’ve trained for this event and now it’s here & I’m on my way, see you across the finish line 🙂

The swim wasn’t as I envisaged, being dunked or kicked, it was thankfully uneventful apart from cramp!

The bike leg saw my chain come off four times (it has now been sorted) but thankfully no punctures. The rain came down from around 25km for me which was tough as I started to get cold towards the end of the ride. However, the scenery was glorious and the support along the way was immense, having closed roads meant that residents and supporters lined the streets in many locations. It felt like I was taking part in The Tour of Britain! Coming back into the Shugborough estate & I see my husband, who duly runs on to tell the rest of my super supporters who are waiting outside the transition area!

I’ve made it back safe & sound and now for the run… walk… run… walk… walk… run & a sprint finish! A three lap course along the paths of Shugborough estate & village, who knew there were so many paths oh yes and one hill! The volunteers at the feed stations were brilliant and very encouraging, as were the residents & supports who lined the streets, a party atmosphere. Myself and another lady realised we were run walking at the same pace so we joined forces & encouraged each other. I got to high five the commentator as we approached the finish and then you hear those words.. You are an Ironman! Wow!! I crossed the finish line with the biggest smile ever, I was elated, I had made it back without any major mishap or injury. And to top it off my supporters (and my passing head) were featured on the Channel 4 highlights show!

I wouldn’t have felt ready for this event without the brilliant training plan from Oxygenaddict. It was tailored perfectly, although some days were tough physically & mentally I certainly reaped the benefits on race day.

The support I’ve had from family, friends & colleagues has been second to none, from words of encouragement, looking after the children and of course the £1000+ raised for Macmillan Cancer.

This has been one of the best experiences. I have loved every part of this journey, the training, the support and upon reflection even the self doubt.

I now know that Anything is Possible!