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On 6th August 2023, I completed Ironman Gdynia in Poland, my 7th Ironman. An Ironman is never easy. It takes so much out of you, and it takes real resilience and determination to get to the finish. Although an Ironman is never easy, sometimes it’s made much harder, and this year in Poland, it was pretty brutal. During my blog, I will explain the highs and lows, a broken toe, the cancelled swim, and the race conditions. However, the harder the challenge, the greater the sense of achievement.

We arrived in Gdynia on Thursday and stayed in the Official Ironman Hotel, Mercure. We had an ocean view, which literally overlooked the race swim start. The expo and transition were a few minutes walk past the marina. A real positive of Ironman Poland is the logistics, a great location with everything in one place.

Family holiday first, Ironman second. I always get a bit anxious before the Ironman, but try to make sure that it doesn’t impact the family holiday. I aim to get my Bib from the expo as early as possible so we can go about our day. On Friday the expo opened at 12:00, so we spent the morning playing on the beach before I made my way to the expo. I left my family playing in the sea, with them coming to meet me shortly afterwards so they could get their numbers for the Kids Aquathlon and Night Run.

There was a big queue for the expo opening. I was near the front, but when it opened, I stopped at the merchandise to get my visor and race top first. There were only 400 registered for the full Ironman and 800 for the 70.3, so the merchandise was limited. I didn’t want to get my Bib and the t-shirt sell out. I was quick, but this meant the Bib collection queue was long. After collecting my bib, I asked about the bag, as I thought it was strange they did not give it together, you had to collect it from merchandise. I hope everyone realised this and collected their bag, I’m sure some first-time Ironman would not have realised. My family collected their kids’ Aquathlon bibs whilst I sorted out my bike. I collected my bike at the expo, then took it back to the hotel with me. Then, the Night Run Bibs were just outside the expo. So, with all our bibs, we were ready

The whole of Friday was a great adventure, and I’m so proud of everyone for completing their respective events. You can read more about the first couple of days in my blog HERE. We ended with a lovely meal at Horns.

Saturday was a beautiful day for triathlon. It was a little overcast, but mostly dry, and the wind was low. There were different sprint events happening, and it was good to see the first swim and exit. We spent a lot of time on the beach and arcade. It was nice chilling on the beach with a beer whilst the kids played.

I then came back to the hotel alone whilst the family spent some more time at the arcade, partly because I needed to rest, and partly because I needed to pack my bags and get my bike ready for racking.

I hired my bike, like I usually do when I travel. It gives me peace of mind of nothing getting broken, which could end up very expensive and lead to a DNS. It is expensive but not as expensive as getting bike to and from events. The logistics of taking it apart, getting it to the airport, on plane, then to hotel, then building again (which I don’t know how to do). All things considered, much better option to pick it up at the expo, and then with many (such as Ironman Gdynia) you leave it in transition and they collect it after the event, so one less thing to worry about. When I knew I was getting a Bianchi, I had a good idea what colour it would be, so I matched my socks, calf guards, and trainers.

Bike check-in was simple, but there were a few differences to all other Ironman events I have completed, which caught a few people out. Usually, you take everything to rack bikes and bags, and as you leave, you are given your timing chip for your ankle. Every Ironman event has been exactly the same. At Ironman Gdynia, you are given a paper chip for your ankle with your kit from the expo. Many (including me) opted to put it on in the morning of the event to avoid it ripping off, as it did not look as secure as normal. When I got to the front of the queue, there were about a dozen participants who were being turned away as they did not have their timing chip. I looked, and it was technically in the Athletes Guide (although vague), but this is not the normal rule so understandable how it caught people out. There really was no need to turn people away from the racking as you just got a picture with your bike. It literally made no difference, as you had a bib, stickers, and your Ironman bracelet. I was fortunate that I was not impacted by this experience but would not have wanted to be one of those turned away unnecessarily.

After racking my bike, I met my family to go for a lovely pizza. It looked like it was going to start raining, but we found a nice place under an umbrella just in cast and had a fantastic pizza, which was perfect for pre race fuelling.

It was then race morning… what we had all been waiting for. I set my alarm for 03:30 to get up early for breakfast and left at 04:30 to make my way to transition. I was very nervous about the event ahead. The weather forecast was terrible, but mostly, I was nervous about my toe. I knew it was going to be hard, but I hoped it would be bareable. I was looking forward to the swim most. I have swam more this year than any other year, so for the first time, I was feeling confident about the swim. Also, the swim was the only part of the triathlon that I thought would be OK for my broken toe.

Swim – Cancelled

On race morning I made my way to the beach and got my wetsuit on and I was ready to go. The weather was terrible and it didn’t look like a pleasant swim, but I was ready. We all started gathering on the beach, then at 05:55 (5 mins before race start) we were told the swim was cancelled. We were told the conditions were not safe, and when I went to transition I heard that the swim exit was like an infinity pool and frankly it would have been very difficult to exit. The organisers made the right decision. I am however really disappointed as I was ready.

I had expected to swim a 1:20 to 1:30, which would have meant a total time of between 1:30 and 1:45 total time with transition. Of course, with the terrible weather, this may not have happened, but if things had gone to plan, it could have been awesome. We waited in the rain and freezing cold for 75 minutes. I kept my wetsuit on for an hour to stay warm before changing for the race start.

Bike – 7:54:49

When it was time to start, we had to line up by our bike. Lots of people pushed forward, but I just stayed in my place. We were due to start at 07:00 but this was delayed to 07:15, I assume to coincide with when we would have finished. There were mixed messages about changes in cut-offs. I was told by one referee that the times would be the same as if we started at 06:00, but then an announcer said the cut off for the bike would be after 08:10 hours, which would have taken over an hour off for a strong swimmer. This added anxiety as the bike was what I was most worried about, but I just knew I needed a sub 8 hour bike.

We set off in intervals of 5 seconds into the rain. The 70.3 started at 2.5 hours later, and the announcers had said they would be considering whether the swim would be cancelled. I later learned that it was, which shows how bad the wind still was.

We rode out 14 miles before 3 x 28 mile loops. The course is described as rolling, but there are some punchy climbs, with one long 7% climb that felt worse than boxhill. We had to do this 3 times, which felt progressively harder.

The course was made harder because of the wind, and the rain was, at times, very heavy and into my face. On the second loop, the rain eased, but then mist descended, with visibility very poor. In all, this was a challenging course that was made so much harder with the conditions.

The route itself was good, and if I was at my best in good conditions, I think it would have been a very good course. I was very nervous about my toe being squeezed in tight shoes, but for most of the route, it was fine with my toe being protected by the carbon plate. At about 90 miles, my toes started to become painful, which often happens for me. On my right foot, I was able to ease this by pushing my toes into my shoe, but I could not do this on my left foot. It was so uncomfortable and painful, and it was mentally challenging. I was in pain, but I couldn’t do anything without risking damaging my broken toe more, so I just persevered for another 20 miles.

The 14 miles back was good and mostly downhill. I didn’t put the power on as it was getting painful to push on my left foot at all, but I kept going the best I could. I knew it wasn’t the greatest time, but I knew I had 8:10 as a minimum to get it done. I hit 112 miles, and I was still nowhere near the finish, and the course measured at 113.16. One thing to be improved in Ironman Gdynia is the distance markers. There weren’t any at all on the bike or the run course, and it would have been good to have a guide.

It was great to see my family as I approached the transition. I am also so glad that they had a fantastic day, going to the aquarium and having lots of fun whilst I spent nearly 8 hours on the bike.

T2 – 7:07

I was so pleased to make it to transition. I know once I get to T2, I will finish. I don’t underestimate the marathon, but I know I can keep moving forward as long as needed. The bike is always going to be the real challenge. I took my time changing, and I was extra careful with my left foot and gave myself some time to let my toes get some sensation in them. I then made my way to the toilet before I went out for the run.

Run – 5:14:15

When I started the run, I could barely stand up straight. I always suffer with my lower back, and the longer I am on the bike, the worse it is. Of course, there is a moral in that I need to get faster on the bike. Just out of transition, my family were waiting, and I looked terrible, but it was, of course, great to see them.

The run is my thing. I wore my Boston 12, and they felt great, I couldn’t feel any issues with my toe at the start. Gradually, over the first few miles, I eased into the run, and as my back eased, I was able to pick up the pace. I kept the pace moderate as I was mindful of not overdoing it to protect my toe. It was painful, but I kept it steady.

The course was 6 loops, which I thought would be great for the marathon, but it was painful running past the finish 5 times before finally finishing on the 6th loop.

Despite the bike being so wet and windy, once we started the run, it had cleared, and it felt really hot and humid. The first couple of laps were so hot by contrast, but at least it was dry. This didn’t last long.

On the 3rd lap, there were thunderstorms and flash showers. It really wasn’t easy out there. I kept going, and it was so great to see my amazing wife who popped out from the hotel to see me on each lap and give me a bit of support. I walked every aid station, and I walked a bit with my family every time they came to see me, but apart from that, I ran / hobbled the best I could between aid stations.

The chaffing was unreal. The wet conditions made it worse than ever before. It wasn’t too bad on the bike, but on the run, I could have cried. I have sore bits where you shouldn’t have sore bits, then I still had 20 miles to run. The love of my wife turning up each lap kept me strong, I’m so grateful for her. The route was described as undulating, but I thought it was pretty flat, but I must admit, that one incline started to feel like a mountain on the last couple of laps.

It was both great to pass the Ironman finish so many times, to see the support and atmosphere, but also terrible to know you had to go out again and again. From my 3rd lap, I was being asked if it was my last lap… I still had half a marathon to go.

Ironically, I liked the thunderstorms. It had been a long day, and I was soaked through, so a bit of rain was welcomed.

I saw my family on the last lap and gave them all another big hug. They are my world. Then they raced to the finish, and they got a video of me dancing down the ironman carpet for the 7th time.

Ironman – 13:16:11

A long day. One that would have been longer if I had done the swim. Today, I think my real time would have been 14:50, my slowest ever time. But I don’t think it would have been harder with the swim. In fact, I think it would have been better to ease me into it.

Writing this the day after the weather is beautiful, and I am thinking how different it would have been. The swim would have been wonderful, and I think the bike would have been far more enjoyable. The run course really wasn’t challenging, so it’s all about how you feel when you get off the bike. Another day, maybe I could have done a bit better.

The main thing for me was getting to the end in the cut-offs, so I made sure I did. I didn’t want to make my toe worse, and I don’t think I did. My family had a great time in Poland, and they had a lovely time when I was doing the Ironman. Them being there makes all the difference for me.

The medal was fantastic, and there was lots for finishers. I just passed through to get to my family. Once I finished, I sat down, and it hit me. I ceased up and felt terrible. I hobbled with my family to the transition to get my bags, and I didn’t need to worry about my bike as it was already gone. By this time, I loosened up a bit and was starting to feel better. We went back to the hotel for some food and drinks, what a great way to end the day.

He next day, I had a big hunger. We explored more of Gdynia and had a few drinks in the good weather (if only it was the day earlier). A nice Pirate Ship cruise and lots of fun later, it was time to end the day and our holiday. So despite all the difficulties and the bad weather, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

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