Well, that’s not strictly true. She did start with a Half Ironman.

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you are right”.

Caroline believes in having a ‘can do’ attitude and inspiring others to have a go. She lives and breathes this approach herself. So when, as a keen runner for her local club, Avon Valley Runners, someone suggested doing a Half Ironman (70.3), she quickly agreed! With no racing bike and lacking competence as a swimmer, Caroline threw herself into making this idea a reality.

They booked their places for the 2021 Weymouth 70.3, which is made up of a 1.2 mile swim followed by a 56 mile bike course, and finished with a half marathon.

Caroline quickly realised she needed a coach and engaged Christian Coats from Tri Performance Coaching to help her with her journey. He has been very supportive and they have now been working together for 3 years.

As I said Caroline doesn’t do things by half.

The year after she achieved the Weymouth 70.3 she decided to have a go at Ironman distance but over three days in an event called Long Course Weekend. Following this, she realised she could perhaps have a go at a full Ironman! In September 2023 Caroline completed the notoriously hilly full Wales Ironman and qualified, ‘Good for age’, for the Ironman World Championships in Nice in September 2024. 

Across Cultures and the Learning Village are proud to sponsor Caroline and continue to support her on her journey to the World Championships in September and to be inspired by her ‘can do’ attitude.

What does Caroline have to say about all of this?

“I haven’t undertaken this journey lightly and this continues to be one very difficult challenge. Yes, I am a fairly sporty person, but no, I am not some great athlete and certainly not someone you’d think would put her name down to do an Ironman… I would say I’m a pretty ‘normal’ person but perhaps fairly gutsy and I tend to just jump all in without looking too much at the finer details. But, I have not only managed the full Ironman Wales (which really wasn’t a given) but I have qualified for the Ironman World Championships ‘good for age’ in Nice in September 2024! I wonder to myself how this happened!? I wonder if I can do it!? I know I must be nuts!? So, to all those people out there wondering if they can do it… Let’s see if we can!“