We all have a different way and a different why. Our reasons for taking on challenges are what make us who we are. For many people completing an Ironman, they have a background in cycling and swimming, and I often find that people look forward to the marathon least. For others, they build up through the triathlon distances, getting ready for the long-distance event. That’s not how it started for me. For me, the Ironman is all about the challenge, something to take me out of my comfort zone. Now, I have completed 7 full distance Ironman. I want to share my Ironman Journey so far to show that you don’t need to be the best to complete an Ironman. You don’t need to train excessive hours, and an average person can be an Ironman. Of course, in order to get a Kona slot, you need to train more. In order to be the best, you need to train like the best. But for many, the amount of training deemed to be required is what puts them off from even starting. I’m not advocating not training at all. An Ironman is bloody hard work, but it is more accessible than you think. With the right preparation and basic training, you can be an Ironman.
I entered my first Ironman after spraining my ankle. I had been contemplating the challenge of an Ironman for a while, but I was worried about the swim and the bike. Everything I read about the training was just unrealistic for my lifestyle. I had just become a father of 2, and I knew I didn’t have the time to commit. But when I was told I could not run for a while because of injury, I wanted a challenge, and I wanted to show that I could do it. So, shortly after injury, I signed up for my first Ironman and started to swim and cycle.
I have always had an ambition to go to Kona and to improve my time. What I have learned is that you can make small improvements on the swim, but what really separates people is the bike. There are people who finish the Ironman before I even finish the bike. Then, the length of time on the bike really impacts the ability to do your best on the run (or care). I have quickly learned that to do better, I need to train more, but I still don’t have the time or desire to do so right now. But that does not stop me from wanting to complete the challenge. One day, I want to go to Kona, and I want to improve my time and really do better, but I’m not good enough right now, and that’s OK. Every single person who takes on an Ironman is amazing. The strength and determination to keep going is something to be applauded, and it doesn’t matter if you are winning or finishing last.
That is why I keep turning up, and my Ironman Journey continues. I don’t currently desire being the best. I know I would have a much better run if I improved my bike, and I could really improve my overall time with better training. However, life is a balance, and I do what I can whilst maintaining a happy family life and managing a busy work schedule. If you are thinking about completing an Ironman, but don’t think you have the time or ability, stop… believe in yourself and do what you need to do to get it done. You can do it.
Ironman Weymouth 2016
There was so much anxiety for my first Ironman, Ironman Weymouth 2016. I trained so much more for this Ironman than any other. I hadn’t swam for years, and the idea of a 2.4 mile swim was daunting, so I had to ensure I could do the distance. Then the bike was another level. 112 miles on the bike, when the most I had rode for years was around 5 miles, was the biggest part of the journey.
When you sign up for your first Ironman, you need to think about where your strengths are and what you need to focus on. My strength was my running, and from this, I had good endurance. Most of all, I am resilient and determined. Physical training is a big part of the challenge, but you need to understand the mental challenge and desire to keep going with the belief you can.
I had to teach myself to swim and to ride a bike. My first Ironman was one of the most challenging things I have done. There were tears, lots of tears. But I kept going until I heard the words, “Paul – You are an Ironman.” My family were my biggest support, and I knew with Weymouth that I never wanted to do an Ironman without them. Each Ironman, we travel as a family, and the aim is always for me to leave enough in the end to be able to enjoy more family time in the following days.
Ironman Kalmar 2017
After my first Ironman, I wanted more and knew that I was going to make this Ironman Journey an adventure. So, I booked Ironman Kalmar 2017. This has remained one of my favourite Ironman events, and one I want to go back to one day. It has huge PB potential and remains my proper PB to date. The thing is, I could have done so much better. I wasn’t on the best bike, and there were high winds on the course. I know at the time I could have taken a lot of time off the bike if the wind was down, so much more to give here.
For those who really want the next level challenge, Copenhagen Ironman is on the same weekend. There is the potential for a Scandinavian double. I’m not ready for this right now, and it’s not a cheap place to visit.
If you were travelling as a couple this is a favourite for me. I’m not sure our young family would enjoy it now as much as some others. If we had stayed in the centre it might offer a different experience, but this would have added a lot of cost. It was the first Ironkids event my family took part in, and they loved it.
Ironman Hamburg 2018
Before I even left Kalmar, I booked Ironman Hamburg 2018. I was ready for a lot of improvement at Hamburg, and I think I was probably at my best in 2018. But it wasn’t meant to be. First of all the swim was cancelled. I had lots of concern about the possibility of a non wetsuit swim, and at this time in my life, this worried me. But then the swim was cancelled and replaced with a 6km run. This didn’t actually make it easier, but although it is my quickest Ironman time, I won’t claim it until I beat it with a full triathlon.
I was really ready for a good ride, but the road conditions were poor with lots of cobbles. I didn’t realise at the time, but I had a mechanical issue, and I didn’t know how to fix it. This meant I basically rode half the bike with my brake on. This was hard work, and I knew I could have gone so much faster. This was the one that had perfect conditions, but it just didn’t happen.
This is my least favourite event so far as a family. Just a basic city break, nothing wrong, we enjoyed it, but when compared with others, it isn’t at the top of my list.
Ironman Vichy 2019
I had hoped to continue making improvements, but that stopped in my 4th Ironman, Ironman Vichy 2019. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and one I would thoroughly recommend, but it was also the worst experience I’ve had personally during an Ironman.
The weather was hot, I mean really hot. The bike route had also been changed to a challenging scenic route, despite me entering based on the previous year when it was flat. The route subsequently changed the following year, meaning it is now an easier course than the one I took part in, which was hard.
The thing I really struggled with was the swim, and I don’t know why. It was a long wait to get into the water, and we jumped off the jetty into a deep water to start. I don’t know why. Perhaps it was the building anxiety before I started, and the pressure I was putting on myself to do better, but when I jumped in, I had a panic attack. I genuinely was worried about not finishing the swim, and it took a lot to compose myself and carry on. But I did, I kept going and was grateful to get this done.
Ironman Portugal 2021
I entered Ironman Portugal 2021 at the last minute. My 5th Ironman was supposed to be Ironman Santa Rosa 2020. Our first Ironman in the USA aimed to be a once in a lifetime trip, which really wasn’t meant to be. Covid cancelled Ironman Santa Rosa, first of all moving to October 2020, then it was cancelled and replaced by Ironman California 2021. But we were unable to travel to the USA because of covid restrictions, so I looked for a last-minute alternative and stumbled across Ironman Portugal.
I really enjoyed Portugal, a lovely location for the family, but the main Ironman Accommodation was a little bit of a drive from the Ironman village.
The bike, once again, was tough. I seem to always find the tough bike courses, and once again, they have now changed the route. This was the most dangerous bike course I have ever experienced with steep and technical decents after tough climbs. But once again, I kept going and got it done.
Ironman California 2022
In 2022, I was finally able to complete Ironman California 2022. I am lucky that we were not allowed in the country in 2021, as the 2021 event was cancelled in the morning of the event because of a tornado. It was a fantastic experience, although my Ironman luck continued and the wind on the bike made what should have been an exceptionally fast course, much harder and slower.
It started with a downstream swim. You can’t do this event and not PB on the swim. It was fantastic. T1 was then about a mile long, so this balanced some of the gains in the swim. When I started the bike, I genuinely thought I was going to PB by a considerable amount. I always think that if I have a good bike, I will dig deep on the run and go for it. Otherwise, I take it easier on the run, making sure I’m in one piece to enjoy the rest of the holiday with the family.
The bike route was out and back twice, so the first quarter I was flying, I actually took it easy thinking I would build on it, and a sub 6 hour bike seemed more than possible. But then when we turned, I realised I had the wind behind me, and it was like hitting a brick wall. It is a flat bike, but it felt like I was cycling up a mountain. Needless to say, that was the end of my PB attempt.
Ironman Poland 2023
My luck in Ironman continued at Ironman Poland 2023. Just two weeks before race day, I broke my toe. Obviously, the advice was to rest for 6 weeks, but I was determined to get it done, so I did. I decided to be cautious and minimise impact, but try to complete my 7th Ironman.
The weather in Poland had been beautiful, until race day, when it changed to rain, high wind, and thunderstorms. It was so bad they cancelled the swim, and the bike, which was already a challenging route, was made so much harder. More time on the bike for me makes it so much harder, but this was about getting it done. I didn’t want to push myself because I had to look after my foot, but it wasn’t going to stop me from finishing.
Overall, the experience in Poland was the best all-around family experience to date. If it was better weather, it would have been perfect. The logistics and location of the event were spot on and ideal for a family. I am tempted to go back.
What’s next?
So now what’s next? Im looking for ideas. I am limited in selection. My family has been with me for every Ironman, and we make it a lovely family holiday. I try to arrive just before the expo opens and extend the holiday after the event, so it’s not all about the Ironman, and it is a great way to explore as a family. We are therefore limited to out of school terms. Although we can miss the odd day of school, the kids are getting to the age this is more difficult.
I also still have the Kona dream. Of course, the ideal would be to qualify, which I want to do one day, but that is not going to happen any time soon. I would love to go to Kona next year, but I won’t be able to get a slot. There is a legacy option that I could possibly get in about 7 years, so I can keep going until that point.
So what should I do next? Where are you going for your next (or first) Ironman?
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