Ironman Barcelona: The Final Push (3 Weeks to Go)
The Whirlwind Culminates
The air in Barcelona is still warm, the Mediterranean sparkling. For me, however, the past few months have been a whirlwind of chlorine, tarmac, and trails, all culminating in the epic goal I announced in my 2024 Roundup: From Chronic Fatigue to Ironman Barcelona. And I can certainly say that this final push has been rather intense, and in all honesty, perhaps a bit too much. But with three weeks to go until the big day, I’m hanging in there and confident that I’ll be on that start line—a goal in itself!
Juggling Life and Adjusting the Goalposts
There's a certain masochistic joy in pushing your body to its limit. But I've been down this road before, pushing too hard in the past and paying the price. That experience made me acutely aware of the fine line between peak performance and complete burnout. Thankfully, I’m now far more in tune with my body, recognising the warning signs: increasing anxiety, deteriorating sleep, and general fatigue.
Adding another layer of complexity to this already challenging endeavour is the fact that I’m now juggling family life. Every training session, long ride, and swim has had to be carefully woven into the fabric of school runs, playdates, and work, making rest and recovery even more of a challenge.
This juggling act has fundamentally reshaped my goals. Initially, a part of me was aiming for a time comparable to what I was achieving 10 years ago. Now, my perspective has definitely shifted. My focus is simply on completion. Crossing that finish line, having navigated both the physical demands of the Ironman and the chaos of family life, will be a victory in itself.
Summer 2025: Family time in the Alps
Prioritising Health While Pushing the Limits
October 2014: Ironman World Championships
To counteract this relentless assault on my system, I am meticulous about optimising my internal environment. Nutrition has been paramount, focusing on whole, unprocessed plant foods to fuel my efforts and aid recovery.
And supplements? They've been my secret weapon. Magnesium, in particular, has become a non-negotiable part of my daily routine, crucial for muscle function, energy production, and, critically, nerve function and sleep regulation. I've also leaned on medicinal mushrooms, vitamin C, and others to keep everything firing, ensuring that while I push the limits, I'm also providing my body with the best possible support.
Race Day: The Final Victory
As race day approaches, there's a mix of trepidation and immense excitement. I’ve put in the work, made the sacrifices, and pushed myself beyond what I thought was possible, all while keeping my family at the heart of it. While the journey has been grueling, the feeling of standing at that start line, knowing everything I've overcome, will be undeniably powerful. Wish me luck and maybe send some good sleep vibes my way!
Highlights of 2025 So Far
The Thousand Mile Journey
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
This powerful adage perfectly encapsulates the last decade of my life. The Ironman itself is a challenge, but the road back to the start line was truly a journey of a thousand miles. It began with the simple, single step of choosing health over illness, one nourishing meal and one small movement at a time. It proves that the most profound transformation is achieved through consistent, daily commitment, which is the core of creating a body where cancer cannot thrive.
June 2025: Deva T100 (Middle Distance) Triathlon Swim.
💖 Find Your Support & Strength
If you are navigating the process of regaining fitness after chemotherapy, struggling with energy, or looking for a safe roadmap to rebuild your strength and resilience, we can support you.
Our Cancer Support Programme is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and guidance to help you achieve your best possible health outcome and quality of life.
If you do not have an active or recent cancer diagnosis but are interested in long-term health, disease prevention, and achieving your personal fitness goals, check out our Optimise Health & Healthy Aging Programme for more information.
👋 Let's Stay Connected
If you would like to read more about my personal experience with breast cancer and my journey back to great health—which is the foundation for all my programmes—you can find more in-depth information here:
I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your journey! You can also follow me and join the conversation on:
📚Further Reading: The Science of Movement
Before you go, I want to leave you with one important thought: a growing body of research consistently demonstrates that movement is being considered a form of 'targeted medicine' in the context of cancer recovery. Identifying a type of movement that can be sustained both during treatment and long-term afterwards is crucial for your recovery.
To understand the 9 key, scientifically supported ways exercise helps prevent cancer and recurrence—and why consistent movement is non-negotiable—read my detailed guide here: Create a Body Where Cancer Cannot Thrive: 9 Key Ways Exercise Helps Prevent Cancer