Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

I don’t think I’ve ever been more tired than while trying to run last 15 km of last Sunday race. They say ignorance is a bliss, and this time I had no privilege to be a first timer. Well, the plan was simple - don’t mess up swim too much, smash the bike, survive the run and do it all below 5:30. You might say that it’s a low goal, but being a smoking coach potato for many years I found it accurate for a second half Ironman race. Mission accomplished, and I’m now even more hungry for that sport.

Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

I'm sitting in a small restaurant at this small Spanish airport waiting for my plane to London. It has been by far the best week in last few years, and I'm still packed with endorphins. Few minutes ago I talked to another finisher, from 75 - 79 age group. He has done his first Ironman when I was 2 years old. I wonder if I'm going to be racing in 45 years. For now I've done my first half Ironman distance race.

I swum 1.9, cycled 90 and run 21 km on hot roads of Lanzarote. When I picked up this race few months ago I just chose the last European race in 2013. Only later I found out that this is not that common for a first 70.3. Perhaps ignorance is a bliss.

Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

It has been only a week since I've finished the London Triathlon, the race I've been preparing since January. Few months ago it was my ultimate goal for the year, but as it turned out you really can get addicted to racing, even as an age grouper. I was searching for another race in few months and decided to go all in. In 9 weeks I'm going to swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and run 21.1km in one of the most iconic races in Europe. I've signed up for Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote!

Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

Back in January, this was my ultimate goal for this year - finish an olympic distance triathlon. It seemed so distant and difficult and now it's all done! Surprisingly I got a perfect weather, sunny but not too hot, which is not that often in London. It started to rain few hours after I finished, but at that point I didn't matter anymore. After Mumbles swim I was little scared, yet I've set up a goal to finish below 2:30. I crossed the finish line at 2:27 and it made me happy for the whole week!

Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

Back in January, when I received confirmation of my spot in 2013 London Triathlon it seemed like a really long time to prepare. Suddenly it's only one week till the race. While I am prepared better than I've been expecting few months ago, there is still high level of anxiety involved. After all, with 17000 participants, it is the biggest triathlon in Europe. And I am going to be a part of it.

Paweł ChalacisPaweł Chalacis

Back in December, when I decided to do triathlon, it looked like a long journey. I have just signed up for Virgin Active London Triathlon ballot, couldn't swim more than 50 meters and didn't actually know anything about the sport. Week ago, as a preparation for above (I got the spot after all) I finished my first triathlon! It was not easy nor pretty, but I have done it. Officially a triathlete. Here is my race report for Mumbles Triathlon 2013.