Lucy Gossage, cancer doctor and Ironman champion, finished world-class 10th in the women's event at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

She was especially struggling against the heat, temperatures topped 120F (49C) on race day in Kona. "There was no shade at all," the triathletes reported, having to complete the 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike leg and marathon run. A race that brings the world best triathletes to their physical and mental limits, yet stays the aim of all dreams for many athletes.

Lucy states: “Running down Alii drive, as 10th female IN THE WORLD I had tears in my eyes. When I got into the finish I sat down and sobbed and sobbed. I expect when I look back in a few years time this will probably be the race of my career that I’m most proud of. It was far from my best performance but it was the absolute best race I could have put together on the day in those conditions. And mentally it took absolutely everything I had, both to get myself to the start line in a position to ‘race’ the race rather than complete, and to get myself to the finish line within the top 10. I don’t think I could have done anything differently, other than perhaps been more tactically astute at the start of the swim. And if you finish a race knowing you’ve given it everything you can’t help but be proud. If you end up with a fruit bowl and a top 10 in Kona you can be more than proud!”

 
Yes you can – so are we! Well done Lucy and enjoy your holiday!