Following her relay team’s Outlaw Triathlon win last weekend, Tzero caught up with Lucy Gossage, an Ironman Triathlete who is currently gearing up for the Ironman Championships in Hawaii later this year.

We had just enough time to get the lowdown on the relay team who won the UK’s alternative to the official Ironman race and Lucy’s take on the race from an experienced competitor’s point of view.

Tzero: When and why did the TFN relay team come into being?

LG: TFN is an amazing triathlon club in Nottingham of which Helen, Lou and I are all members. We were invited to take part in the Outlaw as a relay team by the event sponsors, Total Fitness Nottingham, Bloc and CompresSport and obviously jumped at the chance! Both Lou and I are training for Hawaii so couldn’t really do the whole thing by ourselves. Instead we had a win-win situation – we all got some quality training in as well as having a really fun day and being part of Nottingham’s first ever Ironman! It’s great to have the opportunity to race with your friends rather than against them and being part of a team really makes you want to give 100%. Though none of us had tapered and we were all viewing it as a training day, I think when it came down to our bit, we all gave us much as we could – and that’s how Lou’s ‘jogging’ the marathon turned into a 2hr49 run. Just think what she could do if she was properly rested! One of the best bits of the day was seeing lots of TFN friends finish their first Ironman – it certainly made me realise what an amazing achievement it is to finish one!

Tzero: Did you feel the race was well organised and suitable for someone new to the sport to give Irondistance a go?

LG: I was extremely impressed with the Outlaw and really thought it was a race designed with athletes in mind rather than being a money making exercise. All the little bits that make a race good were there and the marshalling on the bike course was outstanding. I particularly liked all the nuggets of information on each athlete the commentator (who I believe was the race organiser) had at his fingertips, though I suspect he now has no voice after all the shouting!

Tzero: How does The Outlaw compare to other Irondistance events ( The official Ironman UK for instance) ?

LG: I really enjoyed racing IMUK on the old course in Sherborne, but haven’t raced there since it moved up to Bolton. However, there is no doubt the Outlaw is faster and much better value for money – and I thought the atmosphere was as good, if not better, than IMUK (though I am biased as I come from Nottingham!). It’s not as big as the European IM races but if you want to do an Ironman without travelling abroad and spending lots of money I’d definitely recommend it. In fact, I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of doing an IM regardless and am very tempted by the whole thing myself next year!

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