What a day! One more time 2025….

I am  on the plane home to NY as I write this account of my amazing trip to the Ironman World Championships in Nice, September 2025. Before I tell my story  I want to immediately tell you that I had seven family members and dear friends to support me the whole way through my experience. I can’t tell how much their support meant to me both before and after the event. Thank you to all of you!

The run up to race day

Before this race I had already decided that whatever happened this was going to me be my last full distance Ironman. Many of my friends will tell you that is what I said in 2018 when I went to Kona. They would be right because that was my intention, but when I finished that race I still felt hungry for more so carried on for another seven years! When I put my toe to the line in Nice I was starting my 23rd Ironman and, when I finished, was my 20th completion. My 3 DNFs were either as a result of bike malfunctions or under doctors instructions not to finish!

We arrived in Nice the Wednesday before the race and enjoyed some great weather, relaxing times in the city, and some wonderful dinners together. I had not been in Nice since 2018 and I had forgotten how much I love the South of France!

On Thursday evening, Ana and I had the opportunity to go to a Ironman VIP event. A beautifully arranged reception at a beach restaurant in Nice, perfect weather and great company. I took the chance to re-introduce myself to Patrick Lange, a German professional triathlete, and one of my heroes. He, like most of the best triathletes was so humble and a pleasure to talk to despite being the 2024 World Champion. I had actually met him briefly in 2018 when he won in Hawaii at the recording of Bob Babbitt’s ‘Breakfast with Bob’ at the Four Seasons in Kona. We chatted for a few minutes and I wished him well for Sunday. What I didn’t know was that he was unwell on Monday before the race and, despite the 2nd best run on the day, struggled to finish 9th after having a 21 minute deficit from the bike leg.

Friday myself and my fellow XC athletes spent a couple of hours with Matt Hansen another amazing professional athlete and person. He talked to us about his career, his family and took us through the course, especially the bike route. We then swam 900m or so and finished off with a gentle jog along the promenade. We were running 8 ½ minute miles and we were joking that in the race he will likely do less than 6 minute miles for the full marathon!

Unlike my previous Ironman races I was not very nervous the night before…a few butterflies but generally relaxed and just very grateful to have the opportunity to be there to race again. My first two ironman races were in Nice in 2008 and 2009. The bike course for those races was slightly different to the course for Sunday but was just as tough on the legs!

The bike course does merit some description…the first 6 miles is flat and easy, followed by a 14 mile relatively gentle climb, after a 5 mile descent you begin the main climb of 12 miles up to Col D’Ecre averaging around 6-7%. Then there is a 35 mile rolling course on the plateau, a 6 mile descent, a further 7 mile climb averaging 5-6% followed by down hill and flat to the finish. It is something that would not be out of place in the Tour de France!

Race Morning

Anyway I slept great the night before the race. The start of the race was not a mass start like in Kona but by age group waves. My wave, 50-59 was the last wave at 8am a full hour after the pros!  This allowed me to get up at 5am rather than super early to allow me to have my breakfast (the hotel breakfast was great and open from 4.30am) and get prepared. I was able to have my oatmeal, berries and granola for breakfast without rushing! A special thanks to Debbie for making and bring the oatmeal and Ana for the homemade granola!

And on to the race ….I was on the beach at 7am watching the pros head out. I was chatting with Ana, Jamie and my friends and trying to stay relaxed and calm. While I was waiting I also chatted with Troy Ford the director of the XC group at Ironman. Between Troy and Michelle, I can’t say enough about how wonderful they have made my last seven Ironman experiences. Wonderful people who really care about helping you, your family and friends have an amazing time! Troy and I were talking about how this was to be my last full distance Ironman. I told him how grateful I was to be actually in a position to be able to even start the race - the race is just an expression of the lifestyle you have to lead to be able to do 140.6 miles in one day. The early mornings, the long days, the diet, the strength training, every part of your life has to adjust to fit it all in. I have been so lucky and had so much support along the way …it is not just about me at all!

While I was standing in line to start Ana yells over to me and tells me to look to her right. Who is there but Mark Cavendish the British cyclist…another hero of mine. He is without doubt the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour de France and has won more stages (35) than any other person. I was privileged to watch almost all of his journey to this amazing achievement. I yelled over to him about how much of a hero he is to me and he actually ran down and shook my hand...my day had got off to a great start!

My race

The horn went off and we were under way, Other than a leaky goggle I really enjoyed my last 2.4 mile Ironman swim. The water was warm so no wet suit but I felt relaxed and comfortable the whole way. I remember my first Texas race in 2014 when I almost broke down in fear about doing an Ironman swim without a wetsuit. Ana had to literally slap me across my face to snap me out of my haze of self doubt before I got the courage together to get into the water and do the swim! Anyway I got out of the water in a very reasonable (for me) 1hr22m feeling comfortable and relaxed …it was funny I was talking to myself the whole way…’1000m to go in my final Ironman swim…’ I had a feeling this was going to be a bitter sweet day

On to the bike….it was as brutal as advertised. As I got my last goodbye from Ana she said ‘just get to the top of the big climb and the ride will be done!’ I had this ringing in my ears all the way up Col D’Ecre. Once on the plateau I had not factored in how windy it was up there! The 35 rolling miles were tough and took a lot longer than I thought they would. Furthermore the last 7 mile climb really does take the wind out of you…I was hoping for about a 7-7 ½ hour ride but rolled in 8hrs2min ….but I had deliberately not blown myself up because I wanted to have a good run.

My support crew were cheering me on from the 1st mile on the run. They were so wonderful. After a couple of miles my running legs started to work and I started to really enjoy myself. The run is a 6 mile loop on the flat Promenade des Anglais by the sea to Nice airport and back. I walked the 3 aid stations out and back every mile but otherwise ran each mile until just over 20 miles when the ‘wheels’ came off. I hit the wall, and whatever I did to get my heart rate down, fuel etc did not work…so I walked the last 5.5 miles! James, my son, came as part of my support crew and, as a professional DJ he played tunes for the fans and for me as I went by. He actually had quite a crowd around him and his big speaker…on my last lap he played one of my favorite songs ‘One more Time’ by Daft Punk. I stopped and danced for a bit …a very special moment.

As I turned to do the last 3 miles Debbie, my training partner, caught up with me and we walked until the last ½ mile. I have been so very fortunate to train with Debbie for the last 10 years…running, swimming, biking and racing together. Walking those last few miles on my last Ironman with her were very special - like Ana, she has been a great partner and support for me through the good and bad times of training preparation. Thank you so much for everything Debbie!

And on to the finish line of my last Ironman. I have to admit I was very emotional to finish, Ana and Jamie gave me my last medal, I had such a rush of emotion that I did not feel tired at all. What a wonderful day - it was perfect in every way - so grateful! I finished on 14hr58min just beating 15 hours.

I went back to the hotel, took a shower, changed, had a quick beer and then to the finish line to see the final competitors come over the line at 1am. Because it was not a mass start when a person went over the line we did not know if they had finished within the 17 hour time limit. A huge cheer went up when they did and a groan when they did not. Such a great atmosphere and an amazing way to finish my day. I crawled into bed about 2am…I had been awake for 21 hours but I did not sleep well. I was totally wired and my body was just so hot after the exertions of the day…but I was super happy!

My first Ironman in 2008 was 14hrs34min …17 years later I returned and finished in 14hrs58min…my times got better over the years leading up to Kona in 2018 but since I turned 50 they have got steadily worse! That being said I am very pleased that my time aged 57 was close to my time when I was age 40…

Thank you thank you thank you!

I want to say thank you to Karan, Kristine, Jane and Bill who, along with James, Debbie and Ana were my support crew for my final race. It was so amazing to have them there to support me. Forever grateful.

I can’t finish my last Ironman race report without talking about my amazing wife Ana. She has been at my side, supporting and helping me through all of the 17 years I have been doing Ironman races. She has been at the finish line of every one of them, always optimistic, but always pushing me to be better and overcome my fears. There is absolutely no way I could have done them all without her!

My Ironman career…some stats!

23 starts, 20 finishes

Best time was 12hrs7mins in Chattanooga 2017 - I never beat 12 hours!

Worst time was 15hrs35min Lake Tahoe 2013 - just moved from Chicago to NY - totally unprepared!

Ironman most proud of -  St George 2012 - unbelievable weather and super tough course. I proved to myself that I am very resilient

Probably my best athletic performance - Lake Placid 2016 - the swim, bike and run were all great

Best swim - 1hr0m - Chattanooga 2017 - probably doesn’t count because it is downstream!

Best Marathon in Ironman - 4h28m - Wisconsin 2012

3 DNFs - In Wisconsin, Texas and Arizona - 2 because of bike failure, 1 because my doctor asked me not do any more than 8 miles on the run because of my hamstring injury

Whats next?

Last year I did the SOS triathlon in New Paltz, upstate New York. It was such a fun race but totally different to Ironman. I plan to do more of these unusual races, different formats etc but sprinkled with some 70.3 races I hope. Let’s see what life brings!

September 20th 2025