Sept 14, 2025 – Nice, France
Finish Time: 12:18:33
Well, it’s official, I’m an Ironman World Championship Finisher! Going from my very first Ironman only six weeks ago to crossing the line at the World Championships has been a wild ride. The timing couldn’t have been more intense. Just two weeks before the race I tied the knot, and then we set off on an RV honeymoon around the south of France. Between wedding celebrations, winding roads along the Mediterranean, and squeezing in training wherever I could, the past couple of months have been an exciting, nerve-racking, and unforgettable time.
Pre-Race Vibes
Nice, set on the Côte d’Azur with its turquoise waters and dramatic alpine backdrop, is a truly unique stage for the Ironman World Championship. Arriving a few days early gave us time to soak in the atmosphere and take part in a few of the pre-events, including the Swim Baie des Anges (1.9k swim), the Promenade des Anglais Fun Run (5k), and some course recon. The energy in Nice was unmistakable, with athletes from around the world representing their countries with pride. The expo was another story, with hour-plus waits just to check out (LOL), but the buzz around the city made up for it, as the local community fully embraced the excitement of hosting the championship.
The Swim – 01:07:44
Location: Plage des Ponchettes
Temp: 25.3°C
Conditions: NON-Wetsuit legal, perfect visibility, choppy
This was my first proper mass start event and also my first race in a newly purchased swim skin. I was over the moon to shave almost three minutes off my Lake Placid time, especially since that was arguably an easier swim.
Pre-start, the nerves were high, and the atmosphere was pure chaos. The gun went off, and all hell broke loose. Within seconds, I got kicked in the face, causing my nose to bleed and my arm, which managed to pause my watch, something I only noticed around 500m in, when my usual split notifications never came through.
Every turn buoy felt like a “drown or be drowned” moment, but on the straights, it was easier to settle into a steady rhythm. By the second leg, the water had turned choppy, and most times when sighting, I couldn’t see the next buoy at all, thanks to the wave height.
Overall, it was a chaotic but exhilarating swim, a true World Championship experience right from the start.
Swim win: New PB on full IM distance, stayed calm and relaxed, first non-wetsuit race
Swim lesson: Anti-chafe doesn’t work for swimskins (ouch) so next time I will use PT tape to save my neck
The Bike – 06:33:39
Course: Hilly
Weather: Sunny and hot
Nutrition: 100g carbs/hour
The Nice WC bike course has a reputation as one of the hardest in the world and they weren’t kidding. Around one third of the field opted for TT bikes and the rest went for road bikes, which made total sense once we hit the profile: over 2,500m of climbing, with almost 2,000m of it packed into the first 40 miles.
The highlight or maybe the lowlight was the Col de l’Êcre, a nearly 20km Cat 2 climb with close to 1,000m of elevation gain and no shade from the baking heat. Brutal. The payoff came in the form of a long, technical descent. For me, it was white-knuckle stuff, made worse by the number of riders I saw crashed out on the roadside and the constant wail of ambulances flying past.
On the plus side, for the first time in a couple of races, I managed to keep hold of all my bottles! And while it was a long day out on the bike, I felt like I had my nutrition dialled in pretty well, which gave me a lot more confidence heading into the run.
Bike win: Hit solid power numbers, didn’t lose any bottles
Bike lesson: Sometimes a road bike would be a better choice
The Run – 04:23:10
Conditions: Hot, Flat, Loopy
Going into the run, I was actually looking forward to it. My coach and I had been focusing on building my run volume this season since it’s been my weakest leg (no pun intended), especially after my hip injury in May, as it limited how hard we could push in the training. The course was a four-loop layout with three aid stations, and the atmosphere was electric. The promenade was buzzing, with DJs lining the streets, cameras everywhere, crowds cheering; it honestly felt like a party, and the energy certainly made it easier to fight off any dark thoughts.
I kept my pacing really steady throughout and, for once, didn’t battle my usual head-game issues. My only focus was getting to that finish line, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. On the final lap, I still had something left in the tank, dropped the last 2.2km in about nine minutes, and crossed the line feeling like a champion.
While it wasn’t my fastest marathon ever, I shaved 13 minutes off my previous Ironman marathon PB, and I couldn’t be happier with that result.
Run win: Had enough salt pills, kept my head happy, no bonking
Run lesson: More mileage as I want to drop below 4hr for next IM
Reflections and Takeaways
What went well
• Carb loading went well – gotta love a baguette!
• First non-wetsuit swim was a smashing success
• Didn’t crash out on the bike with the technical descents
• New PB on the run and crossed the finish line happy
What needs work
• Continue to put in the work at the pool, would like to be around 1hr for next full
• Run fitness needs to be high priority
• Finally pick a race suited to my skills
It’s finally time to close out what has been my longest and most intense season yet. The final stop for the year: the Chicago Marathon!
After a sharp deload and then easing some mileage back into the legs, I’m curious to see how it goes. I’m not chasing any time goals this time around. The plan is simply to enjoy the atmosphere, soak up the experience, and finish the season on a fun note.
Thanks for reading, see you in Chicago!
