Ironman Copenhagen 2023 Stewart’s Story

Ironman Stewart

If I was writing my own school report for IMCPH23 it would be ‘exceeded expectations’ not only for the race itself but for the experience, camaraderie and the city.

The days before hand were spent travelling and mingling with experienced Ironpeople and my first bouts of imposter syndrome started to freak me out.

Splashing into the sea with 2500 other people on a misty Sunday morning leaves you wondering how the day will end!

It ended with a PB swim and bike, and my first road marathon. 9 months of preparation squeezed into 13 hours and 58 minutes. Having completed the swim and been on the bike for two hours, it was starting to feel very real and very achievable.

But in that time you see people whose day is ruined by a simple puncture, a tumble in the gravel, cramp, blisters and exhaustion. It could be me next, but it wasn’t!

In CPH you run past the IM red carpeted finish concourse 4 times, it’s torture, you hear the glory of others, when you still have hours to go. But you knuckle down, keep your feet moving and draw inspiration from everything around you. Eventually, you finally step on to the red carpet for your own moment of glory, with hundreds of randoms sharing your joy and you hear the words ringing through your ears and the city - You are an Ironman.

It started and ended perfectly. Which means it doesn’t have to be repeated any time soon. I’m very happy.

You only need three things for an IM journey, a family committed to helping you every step of the way, a plan (a proper one, by someone who knows and loves the process) and training partners. Don’t attempt it without them.