IRONMAN Wales Writing about IRONMAN Wales is a toughie. It was without a doubt my big ‘A’ race of the year. The one race which made me jump out of bed in the morning, when in deep fatigue allowed me push through those comfort zones, and the race which I feel (based on the races I’ve done), remains the most outstanding in every sense. I don’t want to dwell too much on what went wrong, or how terrible I felt on the run. Lets just summerise it as the darkest deepest place – in a

Wow what a race, a brutal course surrounded by stunning scenery. When the sun shines it’s hard to beat. Photo credit: Huw Fairclough: IRONMAN Taking on IRONMAN Lanzarote (3rd), IRONMAN Staffs 70.3 (2nd) and Edinburgh 70.3 (2nd) in 5 weeks has been an absolute blast. We were a little unsure whether to do Edinburgh, but with the forecast looking ace, and with the show Scotland has put on in previous races I’ve done up here, it was a no brainer to put myself on the start line. I

Staffs faff, is it really worth it?? YES!!! Photo credit: Huw Fairclough, IRONMAN - capturing what it's all about. Absolutely love this, thanks Huw! Without a doubt the most Faffy race ever, one you need to be super prepared for (think I had 6 postcodes!). And it's somehow gone to a whole new faff level since previous years with the T2 change! But a race which is totally worth it, here's why: Quick insight into the faff (if you're looking at doing it next year!) T1: Chasewate

Leading up to this race, there was a poll to vote on the toughest IRONMAN out there. With Lanzarote top and Wales close behind, I realised the 4th IRONMAN I was about to complete, was one of the most iconic of all. Rather than go in depth into my race, I would just like to reflect lightly, with hopefully some insights on IRONMAN racing, the course, and hopefully a takeaway tip or two for anyone with an IRONMAN coming up, or looking to enter this race. The build up: Wasn’t smo

Life is for living, and by writing this post, I hope many of you can be inspired by this touching charity that I’m about to provide a little insight into. I’m absolutely honoured to be an ambassador for Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation for 2018, and hopefully ongoing into the future. Abbie Main was just 15 years old when she passed away on Christmas Day, 2017, with a rare form of Sarcoma, which she had been living with for four and a half years. Abbie is Cameron Main’s younger sist

Short and sweet race report from IRONMAN Dubai 70.3... Pre race: -Glasgow - Dubai: Arriving Wednesday 31st -One of the best parts of the sport is meeting new, friendly individuals. Absolutely spot on Homestay with Aaron (who PB'd on race day!) and Kate. Without this stay this trip would have been too expensive for us - especially for a race 8 weeks into structured training, so thank you so much guys, you were amazing. See you this time next year ;). -Checking out the course w

This will be my hardest blog to write to date. I think it's important to share the rock bottom moments in sport - because essentially, that is sport. It can provide you with the highest of highs, but it can chew you out and spit you back out. And unfortunately, my only (besides mechanicals) DNF in my whole athletic career to date, happened to be at my Pro debut and Kona. And trust me, there have been dark points in my racing career that I have nearly binned it - including IMS

Rewind 6 years ago to 2011. Literally this time 6 years ago I crossed the IRONMAN Bolton finish line and swore I would never do a Triathlon again, and that I would just stick to rowing. Fast forward 6 years, and I'm back as a Pro, aiming to qualify for Kona. In 2011 I didn't train for the IM and would never in my life recommend it. However, even trained it never gets easier. The boundaries are just pushed further. For those who are just joining my 'journey'. In 2011 IM Bolton

I want to start this blog thanking every single volunteer, event staff and support crowd on race day. I think absolutely everyone suffered out there in the heat, and you guys got all of the athletes to the line. So a massive thank you! I had the best support team out there - 3 x dogs, parents, Aunty, Bex, Bex's parents and Grandma. Race Day: IM Staffs had always been in the race plan. The course is honest, the run is probably one of the hardest on the 70.3 circuit, the crowds

The two back-to-back races went a little like this: -Tuesday 16th. Ooooft this 3week block is killer killer chicken dinner. Must make these next 4 days, head down. Focus. Then an easy week into Salou. Oh how I was wrong.. -Wednesday 17th. These new race watts on the bike hurt. I’m itching to race after not performing where I felt I should be 6 weeks previous in IMSA. -Rob: Wedsnesday 17th (3days before race day). ‘Why don’t we do both Bilbao and Salou’. Me ‘haha very funny th

Read my race report via TRI247 - https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/nikki-bartlett-south-africa-report I also wrote 2 x pre race blogs: Part 1. https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/nikki-bartlett-ironman-south-africa-1 Part 2. https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/nikki-bartlett-ironman-south-africa-2 Here's my South Africa trip in pictures: Meet Bumpy, literally identical to our little Titchy. Plettenberg Bay. Gorgeous place to spend our last day in Sou

So it’s been a while since my last post (IM Wales), and since that race, life went a little something like this: -Post race week – I feel fine (clearly still buzzing) -2 weeks after the race, oh my days I’m moosed. This lasted another week -2 weeks totally off. 2 weeks simples easy non-structured chill mode (month chilling in total, much needed) -7 week very slow build; focusing on swim and gym -December 6th – Proper training began. Big block of 3 weeks training, recovery wee

Where do I start? I hope I manage capture and show off how amazing this race is throughout this blog. Pre race: Admittedly I was seriously nervous about this race, I was super fit and healthy, but I was nervous about even completing the course. It's been a long season, and with only returning back from Oz (World 70.3 Champs) 10 days prior and mainly racing this from 70.3 training. I was super nervous about the distances alone, and how tough Ironman Wales is. But Paul Kaye big

My first IRONMAN World 70.3 Champs went a bit like this… -Arrive 10days before. Absolutely stunning location in Coolum (between Mooloolaba and Noosa). Our apartment was fab, and welcomed by a wonderful family, who came out to support on race day too. Massive thank you for your hospitality. -Had a mini holiday/taper which was amazing with Bex. -Practiced on the course, discovered the swim could be choppy – one day nearly got washed back onto the beach. Wouldn’t have been the f

On Monday morning, after typically not sleeping post race (IRONMAN Norway 70.3), I saw my invitation for the World IRONMAN 70.3 Champs, in Australia on an email. I obviously didn't get back to sleep after this. Happy is an understatement. My season goals were to regularly contend for a podium finish, and collect enough points to qualify for the World IRONMAN 70.3 Champs. After my recent results in the last 12 weeks (and Dublin in 2015), I finished in the top 35 Pro rankings =

I wanted to race Ironman Staffordshire 70.3 for a number a reasons. Firstly, this was my first Pro race last year, so, give or take race conditions, it was a good indication on my progression. Secondly, I absolutely love racing on home turf, in the UK. Brits really do know how to show their support, and we had a fantastic support crew for race day. Race: Leading up to race day I was feeling pretty good, a mixture of nerves and excitement to race. I’m lucky to have such suppor

Always best to write a blog a few days post race, especially after my initial disappointment crossing the line at Barcelona 70.3 at the weekend. Many people may question why I’m disappointed with 5th place at Barcelona 7.03, when still in the prize money and some decent points towards the World 70.3 Championships. But the race, for me, didn’t reflect where I am fitness wise. Had I come 5th and gave it my all/near abouts, then I would have been super pleased, and accept that’s

So, why wait until the end of the blog to share my excitement?? 3rd Pro at IRONMAN Pays d'Aix!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been mulling over how I can place words on how I felt crossing the line, knowing that I will be standing next to two superstar athletes on the podium. I've dreamt what it would feel like, standing on the podium for the first time. Nothing can prepare you for the whirl-wind of emotions. Knowing that you've put every inch of your

I've raced a few Scottish Tri races now, and they never disappoint. The Scottish Duathlon Champs, hosted by Stirling Triathlon Club, is literally on the doorstep at Stirling University. The course is brutal. The 10k run consists of grass, one killer hill which is an absolute leg zapper. Of which you go straight into some form of mud slide afterwards. It's a 2.5k loop x 4. The bike is 42k which is chilly and windy, but a great course for non-closed roads. I think I only had to

What better way to start the New Year, than with a 10-day training camp in Lanza! Officially my first time out in Lanzarote, I completely agree with those who rave about the Island, it really is stunning. Having been to Aguilas for the last two years on training camps, it was fab to explore somewhere different. Elle (Haresign) and myself set off to Lanza, with the aim of getting quality bike miles in, with some choppy sea swims. We were situated in a beaut location of Matagor