Ironman Barcelona 2025: Training, Conflict, and The Ten-Year Climax
12 Weeks to Go: The Training Takes Over
I’m now over halfway through my training plan for Ironman Barcelona 2025 and with just under three months to go, I can definitively say that I am completely shattered! I’d forgotten just how all-encompassing it is to train for such a long event. It demands significant commitment—for most of us, it is the only way to complete it in a reasonable time with minimal pain.
So that’s what I’m doing: training, training, and more training. It’s tough. In the last six weeks alone, I’ve completed a 100-mile time trial event, a half-Ironman distance race (another key milestone on the journey), spent two weeks cycling in the French Alps (pictures below), and ran 27 hilly kilometres in the Peak District. On top of these, I’ve spent many hours at the pool and cycling the local lanes.
Hero to Zero (and the Obsession to Return)
October 2014: Ironman World Championships
An Ironman distance triathlon was the last major physical event I completed back in 2014 before my health took a major nosedive with the onset of chronic fatigue, then later a cancer diagnosis. In fact, the overtraining almost became the nail in the coffin for me!
I went from hero to zero—from running marathons at will to barely being able to get out of bed. I hated not being able to do the things I wanted to do, and I made it my mission to get myself back. This pursuit became an obsession, my Holy Grail: proving I could return to this level of health and fitness. (You can read about the turning point decision that kicked off this journey here: The Impossible Choice: Why I Stopped Chemotherapy Early).
The Conflict: New Me vs. Old Goal
And now I’m almost there, I am feeling a little conflicted by the situation. The old me set that goal, but I’ve changed beyond recognition over the last 10 years. I’m not that person anymore. Yes, I still have some of the traits. Yes, I am still quite driven, but less so. I’m now much more conscious of nourishing my body to maintain my health , and while exercise has so many healthful benefits, exercising at this level has its risks (as I am all too aware of). I’m managing these risks now, prioritising rest, recovery and refuelling, but it doesn’t leave much time for anything else.
A New Chapter: The Culmination of a Decade
I still want to complete Ironman Barcelona, and I still want to do a decent time, so I will continue to train hard over the coming 12 weeks. But I’m also conscious that by dedicating so much of my time to this goal, I’m not able to dedicate enough time to my son, husband, friends, work, spiritual practice, or yoga. The list goes on.
This Ironman event will be the end of a 10-year long journey for me. I’ve nothing left to prove—not to me or anyone else. I have recovered from chronic fatigue, breast cancer, and the trauma of treatment. I’m very much looking forward to starting the next chapter, where I dedicate more of my time to other areas of my life that also bring me joy and fulfillment. Areas, that nourish the soul, not just my muscles!
Highlights of 2025 So Far
Habits and Health: Redefining the Future
“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits, and their habits decide their futures.” — F.M. Alexander
The adage holds profound truth. Yet, training for an event like this demonstrates how peak physical goals can temporarily disrupt essential habits (like rest and mindfulness). This Ironman represents the closing of the intense recovery chapter, allowing me to fully reinvest in the balanced daily habits that define my long-term health and vitality. Fundamentally changing your daily habits and choices can be transformative for your recovery potential.
June 2024: 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