21st August 2023
Laura Bardsley has become an Ironman.
Laura’s journey through this event was inspiring. Her overall performance clocked in at an astonishing 10 hours, 35 minutes, and 41 seconds. The three disciplines of swimming, cycling, and running were her battleground, and each leg of the race presented its own challenges.
The 3.8km swim, which spanned open waters, demanded not only physical but mental strength. And Laura managed to conquer this segment in 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Then came the 180km bike ride. Overcoming unexpected hurdles, Laura’s resilience was obvious, as she battled through not one but two punctures during the ride. Her total time for this part was 5 hours and 30 minutes. The marathon awaited her after her bike ride, and this was her first ever marathon. She mentioned that it felt like a long journey ahead of her, however, the incredible support from the crowd helped her through.
Laura’s goal was to complete the Ironman in under 12 hours, a benchmark she not only met but exceeded by a significant margin. Her impressive finish secured her 7th place in her age group and 33rd amongst the other female participants. She also came within the top 10% of females and the top 20% overall.
A burger and chips paired with a well-deserved beer marked her victory feast, a fitting reward for her months of strenuous preparation and dedication. With her triumph fresh in her mind, Laura also took a well-earned 10-day break before resuming her training. Her love for the city and the event was evident as she shared her contemplation of possibly participating once again next year.
At OGL Construction, we are honoured to have been a part of Laura Bardsley’s Ironman journey and can’t wait to see her future achievements.
SOCIALS & FURTHER INFO:
Lbcoaching – Home (lbcoaching.org)
