Joanna Carritt was worried that she might have slightly over cooked it for Ironman Germany and most would agree that 65 hours training, in eight days, at Epic Camp Italy, only two weeks before the big event, might have been a bit of Kamikaze training plan. Nevertheless, if she had any doubts about her ability to recover in time, those doubts were well and truly silenced in Frankfurt last weekend. Joanna set an Ironman PB of 9:43:19 and in doing so finished first age-grouper overall and eighth overall in the pro race. If she didn't work full-time as a structural engineer one would have to wonder just how fast this gutsy Ironwoman is capable of going. Joanna's race report is highly entertaining, humorous and most of all gives a great insight into what goes on inside the mind of an athlete on race day.

I’d been assigned to the early start wave, which meant 300 of the fastest age groupers setting off with the professional field 15 minutes ahead of the 2000 other competitors. This was a relief; I’d be nearer the back of this group in the swim, let them get on with it, follow the draft and avoid being punched in the nose. There were only seven age group women with quick enough previous race results eligible for this start group, making it easy to pick out my immediate competition for the rest of the race.

The previous day water temperatures in the Langener Waldsee had been border line for a non wetsuit swim. As we trod water in the small (why so small; the lake was firkin massive) pen waiting for the final count down, I shivered from the cold and thanked my stars for a cool night and a drop in surface temperature sufficient to make wetsuits optional. After an eternity, the final one minute warning is called and with a sudden rush it’s all forgotten in favour of progressing into the churning bubbles, arms, legs, feet, bums hips... shit where are my goggles? on my back, I fix it and dive back in to the frenzy. Focus on pushing, paranoid about being left behind and then find a small group and a rhythm to swim in, breathing every three, but focused on working hard. It’s not fun for me, but the swim rarely is. I don’t allow myself to relax or my mind to wander this time though. The first lap is longer than the second, get that done, out the water, around the land buoy, fix the goggles and the rest is easy; I’m on my way home. Not quite so - I discover that I’ve a tendency to veer to the left, and having to swim clockwise I end up on a very wide course, alone!

Finally I’m running up the steep exit ramp and catch site of the clock reading 7.45am. An hour swim? Is it possible? In theory yes it is, but I’ve never managed it before. Perhaps I‘ve cracked it. Perhaps I’m on one today. Run to the bike very fast, can’t wait to get on the road now. Notice the bike of my main ‘target’ (last year’s winner and second in our age group in Hawaii last year) has rolled out already. I have a smooth transition, the perfect running mount and off up the road.

The smaller swim wave means that I’m not setting off with the usual crowd of ‘nearly fast’ fellas but rather neat line of a few riders. This makes passing a bit of a technical and tactical game; requiring quite hard surges to ensure that the manoeuvre can be completed in 30 seconds, whilst avoiding cutting in or slowing too much once the pass has been made. Positions change frequently, making for a constant effort and good pace. We are accompanied by a motorcycle race ref for the first time in 20 km or so. I’ve been warned about drafting penalties and their not-quite-random distribution by the local refs. Advised to race in nondescript (and preferably German) race kit, I’m sorry not to be flying the Tri London flag, but note there are a number of others who’ve been given similar advice, as guys of all nationalities are sporting various German club kits!

20 minutes up the road we enter Frankfurt, and the start of the two main laps. I’m pretty hungry already, and eat more than planned in the first hour. My feeding strategy is 100 cal (half a bar) every 40 minutes, which I will supplement with the sports drinks from feed stations along the course. Better to get ahead early, I think, rather than pay later.

I soon catch up to one of the girls in my age group and so begins the cat and mouse game that will see us through the first lap. We switch positions, each ensuring that not too many riders get in between causing a loss of contact. Being a little bigger than me, she’s stronger on the flats whilst I pass her on the inclines. The Frankfurt course is dominated by flat or slightly down hill riding, so she is the stronger rider today. I’m hurting but think that I must stay connected – it’s too early to let her go. Whatsmore, I am ahead of my target pace and feel pretty sure that we are riding in second and third position. Shortly before the end of the first lap, we catch the leading age group woman. She’s not had the psychological advantage of riding with her immediate competitor never far away, so has perhaps been taking it a little easier than we have. Seeing me ride past though seems to give her a kick up the backside and as I begin to feel the heat, the two of them manage to shake me off on the descents back into Frankfurt for the start of the final lap. I’m toasted and have 50 miles to go!! Luckily I see my mum and sister, forcing a brave face and a bit of a boost at this point, but I do not manage to re-establish sight of the two girls ahead. Super-Jo has left the building, leaving Regular-Jo to fend for herself and suffer the strong winds which build up though the afternoon, without much grace.

I lose 11 minutes on the second lap, the negligible hills seem like mountains and my shoes are digging into my Achilles tendon, a little worry about the run seeps into the back of my mind, but I’ve convinced myself that for all their power on the bike, these girls will not be able to out run me. Can’t let that go – concentrate on getting through each 40 minute interval on the bike, focus on the moment and enjoy the experience. Exchange a bit for banter with boys (who all seemed to be called either Andreas or Thomas) as they pass, and make the most of the constant crowd support as we ride through the small villages around the course, which are all lined with locals giving it some with various bells, whistles, horns, rattles, kitchen implements and of course free flowing beer. The most notable moment of the day: riding the harsh cobbled hill through the town of Maintal Hochstadt, named ‘The Hell’ for the occasion, the PA system is blasting Eddie Grant and ‘Gimme Hope Johanna’. With a massive grin on I’m out the saddle almost feeling the bike is pulling me up the hill, singing along as the crowd see my name on the number belt and realise the significance of the song. I know that these moments will get me through tough training sessions in the future, so I absorb and lock the sensations into my memory.

Just missing the 5.15 split that I’d hope for (fair enough - due to a diversion the course had been stated as a mile long, and it had been windy) I’m ready to get out on the run and chase the competition down. As it happens, I pass one of them before leaving T2!

Immediately I feel pretty good. The Achilles problem has succumbed to the influence of ibuprofen and I feel comfortable in my stride. I recognise a lot of the guys I’m passing as the Thomas’s and Andreas's who seemed to have flown by on the bike a long time ago. My first km splits are 4.20, 4:28, settling around 4:30s. At the 3km turn around I once more catch sight of my target, leading the age group women, a minute ahead. She looked comfortable, but I doubt she's running my pace and concentrate on closing the gap. At the 8km point I take the lead, and continue to feel good, completing the first of the 4 x 10.5km laps in 45 minutes. But now I’m running scared - I dare not look back, just focus on the splits. At the next turnaround I can see that there’s not more than 30 second between me and her and my lap splits have dropped to 4.45-50, and it’s beginning to feel like a bit of an effort now. By km 15, SuperJo, true to form, decided to bail out. Luckily the fear of being caught remained a true companion and the hurt-box offered its generous interior. I climb in - just another two hours 15 minutes, if I'm lucky. Concentrate - don’t fall apart. Eat a gel. See my mom, fail to smile at her and feel guilty. Fxxx it... I want to stop running now! Ferocious screaming from Steven as he returns in the opposite direction. I want to scream back with equal support, but I can’t spare it. Lucky bastard will be finished soon, I think. I’m clearly going through a bad patch and remind myself that it will pass. See mum and Lotte again, feel better and now I’m halfway through. As I pass through the transition area, at 7:59 race time, Chris McCormack wins the race, breaking the M-dot record in the process. I get a little bit of a boost from the energy of the crowds, which propels me into the start of lap three.

At the next turn around my age group pursuer had fallen back all of ten seconds. So, I cannot let up the pace at all. The third lap is always the toughest – I’m tired and there’s still a long way left. Another sight of Steven (this is a great run course, with four turns and a couple of points with good views of runners coming from the opposite direction) and again he’s yelling like mad. I remind myself; "you are leading the field at the European Championships, you are on for a 3:20 marathon split, don’t slow down."

Toward the end of the third lap there’s an awesome commotion as Chrissie Wellington digs into her final 2km, streets ahead of the rest of the Pro ladies. The crowd goes mad and I can see the film motorcycles out the corner of my eye if I turn a little. On the one hand, I‘d love to see her come running by, give her a shout and get a sense of her run speed. On the other I’m determined that she won’t lap me and find another reserve of energy. This little boost also brings the backside of Steven into my sights. Want to catch him before he peels off for the finish, he’s on for his sub nine hours I think, nice job, and give him a pat on his gluteus maximus as I go by. He’s only got three bands on though, that’s confusing, and I wonder what the system is for the final lap. Sudden stinging burning pain in my foot as a massive blister bursts under my toes. Chrissie doesn’t catch me, and for the second time today, I am running past the finishing chute as course records are broken and she wins in under nine hours!

After that exciting few km's, there’s no sign of any women anywhere close behind me at the next turn, but I convince myself that I could have missed her/them and push on. I see Steven again and it dawns on me that I am actually ahead of him, I feel bad, realizing that he’s had problems of some sort and look out for any cuts or blood on him. I am still able to run under five minute km's and if I really focus within 40 minutes it will all be over. I allow myself to imagine how it will feel to win this race, running toward then finish and what I’ll eat and drink when it’s done – feel a bit woozy and rein it in – I have to remain upright and mobile for another 6km, 5km... oh hell... 4km... I try to enjoy the moment. Are you fxxxing joking? Get me out of here. Finally the soft surface of the finisher Shute. In German my name followed by the words ‘first female age grouper’ my mom and sister positioned on the approach to the finish line, and the clock reading 9 hours 43 min. Whoooo Hoooooo!

Then I had to go and wait an hour to pee in a cup in front of a severe German woman, but at least I did get to chat to Nicole Leder who asked how I got on. I didn't recognise her and asked how she got on, second was her reply, Oh, well done, Cool!

A great, fun and fast course with what must really be the best crowd support the entire way round a superb atmosphere, and free beer in the athletes garden! I’d highly recommend this race to anyone. Fantastic races for the rest of Tri London posse too – it was really nice to have a group of us out there. Roll on the next one!

Joanna Carritt has become the latest celebrity to join our columnist section and will be writing regularly for Tri247 with her news, views and updates.