Latest news with #WorldIronmanChampionship
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I'm running an Ironman Triathlon at 60'
While many of us will be taking advantage of the bank holiday weekend for a bit of rest and relaxation, one man will be in training to push his body to its limits. Ian Russell, an airline pilot from Hereford, is preparing to run his first Ironman Triathlon - at the age of 60. Generally considered one of the toughest one-day races in the world, the event sees competitors swim 2.4 miles (3.9km), cycle 112 miles (180.2km) and then run a full marathon of 26.2 miles (42.1km). "They use to say life begins at 40. Now, 60 is the new 40," said Mr Russell. Although Mr Russell was a keen sportsman when he was younger - he lists climbing Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn among his achievements - work and family commitments had an impact on how active he could be. He later took up running, before joining his local triathlon club. Inspired by some of his fellow members who had taken part, last autumn Mr Russell signed up to the Ironman event in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, this September. "What I didn't realise was that, although it's local and easy to get to, it's actually one of the toughest ones going," he said. Since then, Mr Russell has invested in a coach and trains "most days" - but has suffered a couple of setbacks. "I've had a big operation on my hand," he explained, "which took a few weeks to recover from. And then I broke my foot out training with the triathlon club. "That took a good six to eight weeks to recover from. "So I'm not starting from the best base." He said that, while he was training hard, he was avoiding pushing himself too much. "You might end up injuring yourself, which I can't afford now," he said. "So the idea is just to nurse my old creaking bag of bones through to get to the start line." Mr Russell added he was worried about making a cut off, of two hours 20 minutes, to complete the swim. "I'm definitely not a swimmer," he said. "If you don't make the cut off, you don't even get as far as the bike ride. "All my main part of my training in my mind is revolving around getting through the swimming part. So at least I can get on a bike and… let Mother Nature and tailwinds take their course." Despite this, the athlete said he had no regrets. "I'm proving that age is no barrier to setting bold goals and achieving them," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Thousands 'face the dragon' at Ironman Wales 'World Ironman Championship will be a fun day out' Man with hole in neck to compete in triathlon Ironman
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Man who never goes to the gym set to compete in World Ironman Championship
A man preparing to compete in the World Ironman Championship says it will be a "fun day out" after turning his hobby into a "real passion". Adam Fieldhouse, 28, from Dulverton, Somerset, will face some of the world's top athletes when he competes in the men's international contest in Nice, France, this Ironman includes a 2.4-mile (3.8km) swim, a 112-mile (180km) bike ride and a marathon run."I thought OK, I'm pretty much doing training for this anyway because I enjoy it - I may as well have a go at the competitions," said Mr Fieldhouse. He explained he grew up next to Wimbleball Lake in Brompton Regis, Exmoor."There's lots of hills and countryside, so I was always cycling up and down around them. "Occasionally a bit of swimming in the lake, too. That's where it all began. It's just a hobby that became a real passion of mine," Mr Fieldhouse added: "Mainly it's just a fun day out all these competitions." Mr Fieldhouse said he had made training part of his lifestyle, but he does not go to the gym, preferring to exercise outside."I've done Taunton park run probably about 20 times now," the triathlete said."I come first quite often in it, depending on who else turns up. I love it, it's a good effort. You always feel good afterwards."The engineer, who runs his own business and holds orienteering events, said: "I feel like my main limiting factor is the rest of my life commitments."I think I could improve significantly and I hope I do improve over the next few years. But I mainly just do it to enjoy it." He said he always tries to encourage more people to get into sports."Starting is always the hardest part."It's a nice break from your other stressors in life, just you and your bike out there. I find it quite relaxing," he ahead to the World Ironman Championship race, Mr Fieldhouse, who was part of Loughborough University's triathlon team, said: "Starting on a start line against all the best people is going to be amazing. "I'm sure they will make me look really bad."
