My First Ironman 70.3: A Journey of Fear, Strength, and Gratitude

Ironman 70.3 - Victoria BC

Last Last May, I took on what I think I can call my biggest challenge so far—completing an Ironman 70.3 triathlon! That means 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of biking, and 21 km of running. I started preparing in November 2023, and swimming was my biggest fear. I had just learned how to swim that year and only had one sprint triathlon under my belt, which included a 750m swim. Even though I was taking group classes to improve my technique, the thought of swimming almost 2 km in less than 1 hour and 10 minutes (the cut-off time) was a huge challenge.

By March and April, I was already doing long bike sessions and training six times a week, often with two sessions per day. My routine included running, swimming, cycling, and strength training. Weekends were especially intense—Saturdays meant 90-100 km of cycling followed by a one-hour run (brick session), and Sundays were for two-hour runs, almost a half-marathon. It was a crazy schedule, training about 15-16 hours per week, but I was in love with the process.

Then, race week arrived. I traveled to Vancouver Island on Friday to take part in the swim reconnaissance at the lake. It was a 1 km loop, and I wanted to do it to ease my nerves. I was supposed to go with a friend, but she changed her mind at the last minute, so I went alone. Looking back, I see how much that experience helped me grow—I found even more inner strength and learned to rely less on external motivation. Luckily, I met people there, including Tari, who made me feel more at ease. I completed the 1 km swim that day, which gave me a bit more confidence for Sunday.

On Saturday, I picked up my bib and dropped off my bike. What a feeling! I couldn’t believe that the next day, I was about to complete an Ironman 70.3. I kept my nutrition in check, had a pasta dinner to carb load, and stuck to food I was used to.

Race day! I woke up at 3:45 AM because we had to leave early for the start line—buses were shuttling people, and the parking area was expected to be packed. I went through my ritual: getting dressed, double-checking my gear and nutrition, and heading out. My nerves were on fire at the start line. The fear of the swim was real, but in the end, it turned out to be the easiest part of the race! Of course, I’m not fast—I finished in 55 minutes—but it was smooth. The water was cold, but I barely noticed.

Then came the real challenge: the bike. Transitioning from the wetsuit to my race gear was tough—my hands were freezing, and they wouldn’t move properly! The temperature was around 11-12°C, with wind and light rain. Thankfully, I had brought a windbreaker, aluminum foil for my cycling shoes, and gloves, but it was still brutal. Just as I was about to start the bike leg, I realized I had forgotten my electrolyte bottle and had to run back for it, making my transition even longer.

The first 40 km of the bike was rough. The cold, the rain, and my frozen hands and feet made it mentally exhausting. I kept telling myself, “The pain is temporary... it will pass.” And it did. After 40 km, things got better—no more rain, less wind, and I found my rhythm. My emotions were all over the place. I laughed, cried, and even sang. I felt extreme gratitude for my bike—my aluminum gravel/road bike had carried me through all my training, and now it was taking me through 90 km of racing without any issues. The bike leg turned into a beautiful mental experience.

The transition to the run went more smoothly. I had hoped to complete the run in two hours, but my training had indicated otherwise, and I finished in 2:15. Honestly, I was happy with that for my first Ironman 70.3 as a newbie triathlete. By the 20 km mark, the emotions hit hard. I realized, “I’m about to finish an Ironman 70.3!” My breathing got heavier, and when I crossed the finish line, I felt an overwhelming mix of joy and gratitude. I was crying like a baby!

Ironman 70.3 - Running

The weather wasn’t great, and there weren’t many spectators in the finish area, but it didn’t matter—it was still amazing. After the race, I had to drive back to Vancouver the same day and carry all my luggage from the car to my apartment. Not the best way to end the day, but it made me realize something important: choosing the right support crew on race day is key. Having people there to help can make a huge difference in these endurance events.

But in the end, I finished stronger than ever. And that’s what matters the most.

Ironman 70.3 Finish Line