The #SVT Podcast · Swansea Vale Triathlon Club

32. Ironman Swansea 70.3 2023 Special

·1 hr 48 min·5 clips

Dan punched himself in the face the night before Ironman because he couldn't sleep from nerves.

This episode is a post-race roundtable discussion about the 2023 Ironman Swansea 70.3 triathlon. Hosts Dan, Mark, and two female club members from Swansea Vale Triathlon share their personal experiences from the event weekend. The group represents a mix of competitive athletes and first-time participants within the club. Registration on Friday involved collecting race bags and special club hats, with a running joke about a fabricated shortage of large bags that tricked several members. The hosts explain the Ironman All World Athlete (AWA) status system, critiquing how it now seems more tied to race entry volume than pure performance. Saturday activities included a massive club photoshoot with 134 participating athletes, which Ironman UK marketing confirmed was the largest triathlon club participation in Europe. Volunteers decorated the bike course with SVT signage and bunting, despite rainy conditions that forced last-minute changes. The hosts give a special shout-out to the army cadets and scouts who volunteered at the event. One host reveals he didn't sleep at all the night before the race due to nervous energy, even joking about punching himself to try to knock himself out. The discussion highlights a perceived gender difference in pre-race nerves, with the male hosts describing intense competitive pressure and "scalping" other athletes. The swim start was described as congested and poorly organized, with athletes from different speed pens mixing together. Several hosts complained about the long, painful barefoot run from the swim exit to transition over rough surfaces and cobbles. They noted the water was warm and clear, with only small jellyfish present. The tone is highly conversational, humorous, and filled with inside jokes and club banter. The style is an informal, excited debrief among friends who shared a major event. Triathletes who raced Swansea 70.3 or are considering it would love this for the candid course insights and club camaraderie. Listeners seeking a structured, interview-focused podcast or those unfamiliar with the club's internal humor might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A wet Swansea Ironman recap with club-table energy.

Swansea's Ironman weekend gets a clear club-level account here, with four voices sharing the day from registration through bags, transition, and the swim.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a Swansea Ironman 70.3 special with the SVT crew.

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