Hi Guys,
Well, what a month it’s has been. I’m sure most of you like me are on a come down from the incredible Olympic Games in France. I’ve been left feeling part empty but also equally inspired at the same time. I may not have been the biggest fan of the opening ceremony but the rest of it I loved. It will be an Olympic Games that will be remembered for a very long time to come.
The one thing I can’t forgive the organisers for though is making the triathletes and open water swimmers swim in the Seine. This for me was completely unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen ever again. Even now it makes me so angry that they thought this was a good idea. Not only did they put their lives at risk swimming in this filthy body of water (and rest assured we are yet to see the full fallout of this) but they also placed the whole event under cloud of uncertainty as to whether it would go ahead. For athletes who train and commit for 4 years to compete at this event it much have been nothing short of their worst nightmare. I felt so much for both the athletes, coaches, families who should have never had to deal with such a situation. And for what? Another chance to see iconic images of Paris being beamed into TV screens around the world. As if this wasn’t done enough in other events where the spectacle was indeed extraordinary, but safe at the same time.
Perhaps it’s the dreamer in me that thought that the ultimate triathlon course for the Olympics could have been the amazing Alpe D’ Huez triathlon course. This would have been the most incredible location ever to be chosen to hold the triathlon event. Can you imagine the spectacle of athletes swimming in a beautiful pristine lake at the base of the mountain, then the extraordinary bike climb up the most famous climb in the world up its 21 switch back bends, all topped off with a hilly challenging run at the top of the mountain. What a way to show off France at its very best. I can only think it was the biggest triathlon miss of all time, especially as their country is filled with stunning triathlon race locations.
But on a more positive note! It was bloody exciting to watch. And we were gifted with probably one of the greatest triathlon finishes of all time. The Yee versus Wild contest more than lived up to its billing. Seeing these two incredible triathletes go toe to toe will be forever etched in my memory. Both came out as winners in my view because one had the balls to go out there and try and win it, whereas the other never gave up and never gave in until he reached that finishing tape. To see Yee find that finish in the last 500m is something we will never see the likes of again at this level. What an extraordinary lesson to all athletes out there to show you why you should never stop trying until you cross that finish line.
But for me the most interesting part of the Olympics is when you hear athletes talk about the extraordinarily difficult times they have been through to either get to the Olympics or win medals. Time and time again they talked about the roller coaster of highs and lows they have been through to get there. With many coming close to giving up and walking away from their sport for good. But you know what, they hung on in there when times got tough and they eventually realised the turbulent journey to success was worth it. To achieve anything that is worthwhile in sport is never ever easy. When you see the glory and the smiles when someone wins and Olympic medal what you don’t see is the tears, failure and disappointment this was built on. There is a mountain of this behind them.
This should give reassurance to every age group athlete out there that the path to success is far from easy. Anything that is truly rewarding never should be, because the easier it is the less it means when you eventually get there. If the Olympics stand for anything it’s the most brutal test of character and if you can win the test, you can succeed.
What determines that success for any athlete at any level is made up of so many moving parts, one comment really caught my attention was from Keely Hodgkinson’s Coach. When interviewed just before she raced, he was asked about her chances in the 800m, he replied…
“A happy Keely is a fast Keely”
It was in this simple statement and combined with her run form this year, I knew this amazing girl was a dead cert for Gold. If I was a betting man, I would have put money on it. You see this simple statement is absolutely loaded and fires a direct and powerful warning message to her competitors. Why? Because it highlights so much that the highest level of performance isn’t solely driven by just being really fit alone. It is made up of so many other moving parts that often people & especially athletes don’t see.
If you read between the lines what her Coach was saying was that Keely is probably in the best place she has ever been, that’s not just physically but mentally & emotionally too. That suggests to me that in all areas of her life Keely has been winning. Quite often it’s the condition of your life outside of your sport that can often play the biggest role in whether you continue to progress. Only the very few can compartmentalise and separate the two. This includes your relationships with work, family, partners and friends. The power you derive from these sources should never be underestimated when they are good, but they can be equally toxic when they are bad.
That’s why it’s my belief the holistic coaching of athletes is of paramount importance. It’s not just about the training, it’s about looking at the person as a whole and that includes understanding their life outside of training. It all has an impact on performance and progression. This is why such a big part of my job as a coach is to help athletes realise performance comes from not one, but many areas of their loves combined.
There’s no doubt in my mind that a happy athlete is an athlete who will be progressing. So as hard as you will work at your training to find those gains make sure you find the time to take care and nurture your relationships outside of it. Sometimes that means taking time away from training to achieve that to focus on areas. Trust me when I say in the long run it will be more than worth it.
Race results
Ironman Copenhagen
- Ollie Jansen
- Splits: swim 1:09:49 / bike 6:14:02 / run 4:55:47
- Total Time: 12:35:39
- 18-24 category
- Lucie Jansen
- Splits: swim 1:15:36 / bike 6:04:27 / run 4:55:47
- Total Time: 11:52:51
- 45-49 category
- Chris Jansen
- Splits: swim 1:29:41 / bike 5:48:24 / run 6:08:04
- Total Time: 13:44: 49
- 50-54 category
Well, what a day it was in Copenhagen for Team Jansen. I’ve had the pleasure of Coaching both Mum & Dad (Lucie & Chris) for most of their Ironman’s around the world but this time it was their eldest son Ollie who also stepped up to the plate to take on the challenge. At the tender age of just 21 with only a short period of time to get ready for this event he absolutely knocked this one out of the park. It was especially rewarding for me to work with Ollie as I’ve known him since he was 3 years old and have watched him develop into a fine young man. I also remember spending so much time with him watching and supporting his parents around the world. He was always, like the rest of the Jansen clan their biggest and loudest supporters. So, to see him be inspired and follow in his parent’s footsteps has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me as a coach. I know what it also meant to his Mum & Dad to be able to do it with him as well. It truly elevated their efforts on the day. What a team effort on the day as they all rose to the challenge and put in magnificent performances, all for their very own reasons.
- Nick Betteridge
- Splits: swim 1:07:30 / bike 5:08:44 / run 4:10:16
- Total Time: 10:35:40
- 40-44 category
Another huge Ironman PB from Nick this year! His last Ironman time was 13:01:03 back in 2022 so that just shows how far he has come. He also had to overcome some stomach issues that kicked in the day before the race, but he held firm and found a performance to be very proud of.
Bedford Olympic Triathlon
- Viola Traem
- Splits: swim 31:49 / bike 1:24:24 / run 52:08
- Total Time: 2:55:10
- 3rd in the 30-34 category
Another solid performance from Viola as she continues to go from strength to strength ahead of her half Ironman later next month. This one was more a battle of will as she has an exhausting week going into this race, but her tremendous positivity saw her win that battle of the day.
Hertfordshire Olympic Triathlon
- Peter Hicks
- Splits: swim 28:56 / bike 1:33:41 / run 47:30
- Total Time: 2:53:30
- 2nd in the 25-29 category
Another milestone ticked off for Peter who completed his first ever Olympic distance this month. He also managed to break the magic 3-hour barrier which was great to see. All perfect preparation for the big one later next month when he takes on Berlin 70.3.
28.5km sea swim (Cap de Creus, Barcelona)
- Rohan Crouse
- Total Time: 8:55:41
So good to see this guy going from open water swimming strength to strength. Huge congrats Rohan on adding yet another huge swim to your long-distance swimming resume. As ever these open water swims present such an array of challenges from extreme heat exposure (it was mid 30’s) to swells & currents and of course the odd jelly fish or two …this swim had them all! They say a picture paints a thousand words and this one below really does. A superb swim in a very fast time and jus the confidence booster you needed for your two remaining big swims of the year. You more than earned your Spanish beer and paella with this one.
18km Double Coniston Lake open water swim
- Ned Paterson
- Total Time: 6:55:14
Possibly the first big swim of many for Ned and it was a one that meant a lot to him. Unfortunately, Ned lost his Mum back in 2020 and wanted to do a do a big swim in her memory. He also set up The Rose Paterson Trust, a charity dedicated to raising funding and distributing grants to UK charities tackling the suicide epidemic head on. I’m sure she would have been looking down with great pride on this gusty performance.
Thames Marathon 13km open water swim
- Dominic Herbert
- Total Time: 3:13:13
A very classy effort from a very classy swimmer. Huge congrats Dominic on completing such a fine swim in an outstanding time. Just rewards for your amazing focus in commitment to the task at hand, you really are a high performer in every aspect of your training.
The Bosphorus Cross Continental 6.5km swim
- Harvey & Kate Smyth
- Total Time: 1:20 (Harvey) / 1:05 (Kate)
Huge congrats to both Harvey & Kate who along with 3000 others took on the challenge of the magnificent Bosphorus swim. As ever this adventure seeking couple came through strong and produced two excellent performances. Great work guys.
What I’ve been reading & watching this month…
The Forever Swim – Antonia Arguelles
I think this is one of the most fascinating and inspiring swimming books that I’ve ever read. I really couldn’t put it one down. The Forever Swim is the story of Mexican Antonio Arguelles who became only the 7th person to complete the Oceans 7 challenge. He was also the oldest at 58. This tale has everything, the highs the lows of swimming 7 of the world’s toughest open water swims combined with a fascinating life story intertwined. It is amazing to read how he used his experiences of attempting these swims to cope with situations in life outside of his beloved sport.
Few can truly be called the greatest at their chosen sport, but I think most people would agree that amazing Simon Biles sits firmly at the top of the gymnastic tree. But it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the girl that has wowed us for so long, far from it. The pressure to perform when you are at this level can be crushing. This is a fascinating warts and all look at the pressure this girl has been under for so long and how she has learned to deal with it all. A true lesson if ever I’ve seen one is that it takes so much more than athletic ability to perform at the highest level.
The High Performmance Podcast – Michael Johnson
If you loved listening to Michael Johnson’s truly insightful commentary at the Olympics, then you’ll love this podcast about his life story. An extraordinary man, with an extraordinary journey to becoming one of the greatest athletes of all time. Then having to deal with having a stroke in later life. He really is an adopted National treasure.
Team out & about
Like Father, like Son. Always a very special moment when you join the club & complete your first Ironman.
When no else turns up because the weather is so bad, this 71 year old badass ALWAYS turns up every time and gets the work done!
Always good to see our favourite Frenchie keeping himself busy. This time he has turned his hand to ultra-running and has been enjoying the magnificent mountains of his home country.
The Galibier & Alp d’Huez dusted. Nice work JT on making it to the summits on such a miserable day!
Team Smyth in training for the Bosphorus swim, not a bad little spot for a dip (absolutely rocking the budgie’s H)
Team Nagi Baby Special
Welcome to the world baby Davidka Rueda…And just like he’s Dad he’s clearly bit of an exhibitionist! We would expect nothing less. Those feet look like they were meant for swimming with.
Welcome to the world baby Rosie Giles! I’ve watched you grow poolside every week for the past 9 months and we’ve had a few chats already. Hope you get your mum’s swimming genes & your dad’s running genes, then I can make a fine triathlete out of you.