June 22, 2026 – Helsingør, Denmark
Finish Time: 4:49:31 | New 70.3 PB + Bike PB
If you had asked me six weeks ago whether I’d be toeing the line at Ironman 70.3 Elsinore, I probably would’ve shrugged and said “we’ll see”. A nagging hip injury had put my run training on ice, and my main goal heading into this race became simple: make it to the finish line—ideally with a functioning hip and under 5 hours.
Spoiler alert: I crossed the line in 4:49:31, with a new personal best for both the 70.3 distance and the bike leg. It was one of those rare days where everything kinda worked, and I walked away tired, sunburned, but incredibly proud.
Pre-Race Vibes
Elsinore is a stunning venue. Racing in the shadow of Kronborg Castle, with cobbled streets and crisp Nordic air, felt like being in a triathlon fairytale. But as romantic as it sounds, race day was no walk in the park especially when you’re testing an injured hip and hoping the heat doesn’t roast you alive by mile 10.
I had two goals:
A) Finish the run without my hip killing me
B) Another sub-5 finish
Let’s dive in.
The Swim – 33:52
Location: Saltwater harbour, jellies galore
Temp: 16.7°C
Conditions: Wetsuit legal, low visibility, direct sun during sighting west
For once, I didn’t under-seed myself. I started in Wave B (28–33 min), and that made a huge difference. I wasn’t swimming over or being swam over and I found a rhythm early and held it. The water was cold but nothing dramatic. The bigger challenge? Sighting. There were stretches where the sun came in hard, and the course was a bit of a zig-zag puzzle with a lot of direction changes.
Still, I came out of the water feeling solid. Not my fastest swim, but controlled and smooth. Exactly how I wanted to start the day.
Swim win: Stuck to my pacing and stayed relaxed
Swim lesson: More practice sighting in bright open water would help
The Bike – 2:17:24
Course: Mostly flat, smooth roads, some rollers
Weather: Warm with a headwind in the final stretch
Nutrition: 120g carbs/hour
This was the highlight of the day.
Coming out of T1, I eased into the ride, focusing on holding steady power. This race was more than just performance, it was also a key data point for Ironman Lake Placid next month. My plan was to ride strong but within control, with special attention to hydration and fueling.
The roads were mostly smooth, and my aero position which I’ve worked hard to refine felt fast and sustainable. I stuck to my nutrition plan, stayed cool, and felt in control. The last quarter had a brutal headwind which reminded all of us who’s boss. But I held on, stayed low, and pushed through.
The result: a massive 14-minute bike PB. Easily my best ride yet in a race setting.
Bike win: Aero and power were dialed
Bike lesson: Time to keep building FTP if I want to level up further
The Run – 1:48:05
Conditions: Hot, with cobblestones and sandy trail sections
This was the unknown. Six weeks of limited run training meant I had no illusions about a personal best here, I just wanted to run smart and avoid making things worse. The original plan was to sit around a 5:15/km pace and monitor my hip throughout.
The heat made that harder than expected. Aid stations became my safe havens, walk/jog through, drink 2–3 cups of water and electrolytes, then get back to running around 4:50/km between stops. That rhythm saved me. The crowds in the city center were amazing and gave a much-needed boost when the course felt long and choppy.
The final few kilometers were a grind. I definitely hit a wall, but I pushed through and emptied the tank all the way to the finish.
Run win: Smart pacing and fueling saved the day
Run lesson: More mileage and heat prep needed heading into Lake Placid
Reflections and Takeaways
What went well
• Bike power and position are the strongest they’ve ever been
• Felt more assertive in the swim, finally seeded myself correctly
• Nutrition strategy worked perfectly, no GI issues, even in the heat
What needs work
• T1 was slow; time to clean up my transitions
• Still haven’t nailed a proper flying mount
• Run fitness needs to be rebuilt post-injury
• Did not pick the best hotel (what hotel does not have a kettle or coffee machine in room)
• Better carb loading the day before
• More heat acclimation will be essential for full Ironman conditions
What’s Next
Ironman Lake Placid is up in just a few weeks. This race gave me the confidence boost I needed and proof that I can still execute under pressure, and that my fitness is trending in the right direction. Between now and then, I’ll be rebuilding my running volume, focusing on heat tolerance, and continuing to dial in everything I can on the bike.
Elsinore reminded me why I love this sport. Even when things aren’t perfect, there’s something incredibly satisfying about showing up, solving problems in real-time, and pushing myself to a new level.
Thanks for reading. See you in Lake Placid.