Becoming an Ironman: Ironman Wales (Tenby)

Completing an Ironman is something I’d never given a thought to, but when a mate said he was doing it, I thought, why the fuck not….I am going through a tough time be good to have some focus and structure, so in 2015, I took on the challenge of Ironman Wales. It was a tough, rewarding, and unforgettable experience. Tough is actually an understatement, not just the actual race, the training was just as tough and very time consuming. #eat #sleep #train

Training for Ironman Wales

My training plan wasn’t overly complicated or too excessive but still took over my life (in a good way). I didn’t need to go anywhere near the full Ironman distances during training. Instead, I focused on consistency, balancing endurance, speed, and recovery. A typical week looked like this:

• Swimming: Two sea swims a week. Around 1.5/2 K. Luckily the sea was on my commute to work in Torquay, so 2 birds and all that. The open water was my biggest chanllenge, so this was my biggest area of focus. 

• Running: One long run, typically around 9 miles, to build endurance. A 6-mile interval run, alternating between 1-mile sprints (aiming for 6-7 min/mile) and slower recovery miles at a 10-12 min/mile pace.

• Cycling: I cycled every week day as part of my commute (approx 22 miles daily) and once a week I added longer rides of around 30 miles to boost endurance and leg strength.

This plan, while demanding, felt manageable. I focused on getting stronger in each discipline without burning out.

*** FYI Important 2 weeks before, no training! If you havnt trained properly too late. No gains so close to the day and your body will need the rest! ***

Nutrition played a massive role in my preparation. Basically I am a fat fuck, so eating as much as I wanted was ideal! My meal plan was heavily focused on carbs for energy and protein for recovery. Pasta, rice, lean meats, eggs, and vegetables were staples, and I avoided processed or unhealthy foods as much as possible. Eating well wasn’t just about fuel—it was about giving myself the best chance to recover and stay consistent with my training.  FYI nothing wrong with a cheat day, which I did.

Race Day

The Swim – 2.4 miles

Race day arrived, and I was up at 5 a.m., feeling a mix of nerves and excitement (actually, bollocks to excitement, it was just nerves and dread) . The race had a staggered start, so athletes set off in waves, but even with the delay, the sense of trepidation was overwhelming. I kept reminding myself of my training and how far I’d come, which helped keep the nerves at bay. Loving looking back at the line up picture of us all patiently waiting! 

The swim was what I was most concerned about. The water was choppy, but as soon as I started, the adrenaline kicked in, and surprisingly, it seemed to go by quickly. I stayed focused, pacing myself and finding a rhythm. When I emerged from the water, I felt a huge wave of relief—I’d conquered the part I was most worried about.

The Bike – 112 miles

The cycling leg surprised me. Despite being the longest segment, it felt relatively easy, and I stayed strong throughout. I entertained myself by using positive thinking and even distracted myself with chess moves in my head. The Tenby course is known for its inclines, but my consistent training rides (and living in Devon – with lots of hills) definitely paid off, and I managed to enjoy this section more than I expected.

The Run – 26.2 miles

Transitioning to the run, I felt strong during the first lap. I kept a good pace and used a strategy of running the flats and downhills while power-walking up the hills. This strategy worked well, and I even found myself overtaking other runners on the inclines. Hearing encouragement from spectators kept me going—one of the highlights was my friend’s mum shouting to me that her son Jack wasn’t far ahead!

By the final lap, though, fatigue set in. My body was exhausted, and I started to struggle mentally. I remember hallucinating slightly, seeing the numbers on my watch seem to lift off the screen. Every step was a battle, but I kept pushing forward, determined to finish.

The Finish Line

Crossing the finish line…… At first, I felt relief more than elation—the sheer exhaustion had taken over. It wasn’t until the next day that I truly appreciated the achievement. I had become an Ironman.

Completing Ironman Wales was one of the toughest and most rewarding experiences of my life. It taught me that with consistent training, mental resilience, and a lot of determination, you can achieve incredible things. I didn’t just finish the race—I earned the title of Ironman. Still yet to get the tattoo, but never too late!