Claire Stubbs speaks to Telegraph Sport as she counts down to the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

You are set to compete on a course you’ve never tackled before, in an excruciatingly hot climate, against the fittest men and women on the planet.

Let’s be honest, you could be forgiven for being a little nervous.

But as those who read Telegraph Sport’s interview with her back in December will know, Claire Stubbs is no ordinary competitor.

Indeed, her own interest in endurance events was only sparked in September 2013 when she was a spectator at Ironman Wales in her hometown of Tenby, whilst, in her own words, ‘on the beer’.

And to briefly re-cap on her story since then quite simply does not do justice to her meteoric rise.

Because despite the fact she had never taken part in a triathlon, was unable to swim a length, and what’s more, was prone to sea sickness, she was joined by husband Steve and brother Paul Luger in entering the 2014 event, and duly finished in just over 13 hours 20 minutes.

A year later, things got even more remarkable, as after recording a similar time in brutal weather conditions, Claire found out she had qualified for the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii, that take place this coming October.

Our first meeting and interview late last year had also consisted of a training run, but it was with a lot more trepidation that I visited her at her home in Seascape this summer for the second instalment of our three part feature.

Firstly, I was aware that unlike last December, Claire’s World Championship preparations were very much in full swing, and today’s training session was unlikely to be done at a low intensity.

Secondly, and far more significantly, today we were cycling, and those who know me will be well aware I am considerably more competent travelling by foot than I am by bike.

Indeed, my preparation for the day had consisted of a few hastily arranged mountain bike rides, not overly useful considering I was about to ride a borrowed road bike with a supreme athlete.

“I assume you’ve used clips before,” asked Steve, who like Claire, was at the time preparing for the 2016 Tenby Long Course weekend.

My hesitation in answering told him everything he needed to know.

So one frantic tutorial later, there I was, setting off to tackle part of the Ironman Wales cycling route.

And to put things into perspective, I had rested up for two days beforehand to ensure I had enough energy to get through the ordeal. Claire meanwhile, had done a sea swim that same morning.

For the early stages, I managed just about to hang onto Claire’s coattails, me pedalling frantically while she breezed ahead with immaculate rhythm.

Occasionally, most notably on descents or ascents, I would get left behind, before my training partner kindly rescinded her speed to ensure I was not left to struggle around the roads, of Tenby, Kilgetty, or Saundersfoot alone.

“Remember to drop your gear before going up a steep hill – it will make things easier,” Claire told me.

It was the sort of advice that seems easy to recall on paper, and yet difficult to implement when you are mentally and physically fatigued.

Indeed, it was only now that I even began to understand what Ironman competitors go through on the cycling leg itself.

After completing a 2.4 mile sea swim, they have to maintain considerable speed for a full 112 miles simply to beat the cut-off time that allows them to compete in the final leg of the race, the 26.2 mile marathon.

And yet here was I, struggling to do a ride less than a fifth of that distance, at a fluctuating pace.

Regardless, I managed to make it back to Claire’s house in one piece, and surprisingly, having managed to negotiate my new ‘clips’.

“No crashes then?” asked Steve, only half joking.

But on a serious note, Claire would later explain that Steve’s help in her preparation for Kona, where she will compete in the 40-44 years category, extended way beyond helping get equipment ready.

Indeed, it seems her Hawaii venture is very much a family affair.

“Steve, my son Tom (15), and daughter Jazz (14) are all coming with me to Hawaii and I couldn’t go through it without them,” she explained.

“They’ve all been so supportive and help me train – and Tom is even doing the Long Course as well this year.”

The quartet will head to Kona on October 1st, and Claire will spend a week training and acclimatising before the event itself on October 8th.

But while she admits to being wary of the searing heat and high winds in Hawaii, she also joked that the local wildlife may also pose problems.

“I’ve heard stories of sharks in the water in Hawaii – although having said that, they can’t be any worse than all the jellyfish of Tenby.”

Sadly for Claire though, there will no need to dodge jellyfish on Sunday, September 18th this year when she reluctantly attends the 2016 Ironman Wales as a spectator and not a competitor.

“With Kona being just three weeks after I haven’t been able to enter – and I know it’s going to kill me on the day because I love the event and the crowds.

“But I’ll be there to support everyone - maybe over a beer or two.”

However, as refreshing as Claire’s laidback demeanour is considering the magnitude of the event ahead, she was keen to remind me that her underlying motivation was of a serious nature.

Throughout her build up to Kona, Claire has been raising money for the Tenby RNLI, a charity to whom she has already donated more than £2000 to in sponsorship funds.

And for good reason, after the organisation saved the life of her father when he was just six-years-old.

“I just think the RNLI are so important to all our lives, especially here in Pembrokeshire,” she said.

“I’ve raised around £400 in collections and events so far, £105 of which came from carrying a box around during the Tenby 10K, plus another £100 on my online page.”

That figure will undoubtedly grow as Hawaii draws nearer, but in typical Claire fashion, there is no fretting about the big day itself.

“I want to give it my all and finish but I won’t be putting any extra pressure on myself or targeting any times. And then enjoy a family holiday afterwards.”

So with sore legs, I left Tenby again in no doubt that Claire, with her family right behind her, was right on track to excel in Kona – and promised I would return in late August to complete the final leg of our feature with a sea swim.

On that note, about those jellyfish……..

Anyone wishing to find out more about Claire's fundraising efforts, or is willing to sponsor her, can contact her on the Claire4Kona Facebook page, @Claire4Kona Twitter page, or via petal9060@gmail.com. She is grateful to Nd Toy and Partners Insurance; The New Inn; The Nook; Rembrandt Jewellers; Tenby House Hotel; 1 Formula Fitness; and Steve Davies, managing director of Pure Healthcare Staffing, for their help with sponsorship and her preparation.