Jon Field’s pushes himself all the way at Vichy Ironman

Jon Field took his IronMan training to a whole new level – but nothing quite prepared him for the trials on the day!

Event report:

Name: Jon Field, Training Director

What was the event: Ironman 70.3

When and where was it: Vichy, France – August 29^th 2015

What did you specifically have to do?

The 70.3 miles (113km) is broken down as 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim / 56 miles (90km) cycle and 13.1 mile (21.1km) run.

How did you get on?

My event was a success, I finished it! However, it left me wanting more – I know I could have done better.

Swim – 39 mins
Cycle – 3 hrs 7 mins
Run – 2 hrs 34 mins
Total – 6 hrs 34 mins

The swim went well doing almost my best time, even while getting punched in the face! The cycle started with a disaster – they had officially lost my transition bags therefore having no cycle kit for almost 10 mins. Once I got on the bike I hadn’t realized my gels had fallen off – this left me with no nutrition for nearly 2 hours. Started the run and then got cramp after about 10k therefore shuffling my way through the last 10k, in 35 degrees of heat – at least I got a good tan!

What was the best part about the whole experience?

Just finishing. Honestly – once the run started to fall apart all I could do was focus on getting through at any cost. And I did.

What was the worst?

Losing my gels and nutrition on the bike – I knew I was heading for trouble after that. Oh, and putting my bike together in the hotel the night before – what a fiasco!

What did you, personally, get out of doing the event?

After spinal surgery following a rugby accident I decided to get myself back to full fitness pre operation and there is no better way than to set yourself a goal / target. Mine was to complete a 70.3 iron man with a further goal to complete the whole one the following year.

I am a strong believer that anyone can do anything, and it’s simply down to the mind. You have to be honest with yourself. You have to commit to achieve.