Becoming an Ironman 70.3 :- My Last 1 Year Journey

Ironman 70.3 isn’t just a race; it’s a gruelling test of endurance that combines a 1.9 km open-water swim with a cut off of 1.10 hrs, a 90 km cycling segment with a cut off of 5.30 hrs since the start and a 21.1 km run — all within a strict 8.30 hrs of cut-off.? In India this race takes place only once a year, in Goa.

The Spark That Ignited It all :

Less than a year ago, Ironman was just a Marvel character to me, the beloved hero my son Anmay admired. The thought of attempting this feat seemed impossible for me — yet, I felt an urge to do something. One day, in a group chat with colleagues, I casually mentioned wanting to take on some crazy challenge next year.?

So, I made a bold choice and enrolled for Ironman 70.3 coaching via Deca Ironman Coach Prashanth Hipparagi who was instrumental in ensuring I train well and remain intact for all the practice sessions. Finally end of June 2024 I decided to register for the race.

Swimming, cycling and running was always a casual activity for me. My major “sports” experience was cricket, which I played at U19 district level from Indore and local tournament. Yet here I was, determined to conquer something that seemed impossible for me.

Challenge 1: Learning to Swim

Swimming was my Achilles’ heel. I started training under the trained hands of coach amazing Coach Aditya at the Michael Phelps Academy. At first, I struggled — a 30-meter lap left me gasping several times. I felt defeated countless times, questioning if I could ever handle a 2 km open-water swim in the ocean. But Aditya's support in all freestyle swimming techniques of breathings and endurances sessions followed by the determination from my end pushed me to keep showing up.

Only a month before the event did confidence finally start to build. I trained for open-water swimming with another great Ironman Certified Coach from Power Peaks Chaitanya Velhal who took further care of my race preparedness via mock Ironman races few months before the competition. My first experience at Kasarsai Dam Lake with him in Pune was nerve-wracking; the vastness terrified me. Gradually, I let go of the fear. Each session with him was a victory, a testament that I was getting closer to realizing my Ironman dream.

At approximately 500-600 meters into my swim during the race, I came across 4-5 jellyfish in my path. Fortunately, I managed to avoid them all. My open-water swim coaches had reassured me that, even if I did get stung, it wouldn’t be life-threatening. I would experience a tingling sensation on my skin for a few hours, which would gradually fade.

Challenge 2: The Reality of Cycling

Cycling felt familiar, but I quickly learned the difference between a recreational ride and racing. I upgraded to a Road Bike from MTB that helped to improve my speed, yet I knew I still needed an edge. Time was running short, so I added an aero bar for efficiency and bought a wahoo trainer for indoor sessions. With hill climbs and simulated terrains, I built resilience, knowing Goa’s coastal routes would be challenging.

Challenge 3: Running After Finishing Swimming and Cycling ?

During my trainings I did few brick sessions which helped me in hopping from one activity to another in no time. Running came naturally after a few half-marathons in Pune, Mumbai, yet this would be no ordinary run. Running 21.1 km after hours of swimming and cycling is another test altogether. By race day, my fastest half-marathon pace was with avg pace of 6:23 mins per km, which gave me the confidence to push through, knowing it would be the final stretch.

Never Ending Strength, Recovery, and Nutrition – The Bedrock of Ironman Training

An Ironman isn’t just about stamina; it’s about building a body that can handle extreme demands of mind and body both. My weeks revolved around strength training, yoga, and mobility, with each workout crafted to prevent injuries and improve flexibility.

Nutrition and Diet was my biggest challenge. Resisting my beloved tea at tea posts and chai sutta bar, samosas, and butter chicken all was a feat in itself! But discipline became my mantra. I switched to a diet rich in electrolytes, proteins, and multivitamins, minimizing everything that would drain my energy. Occasional Alcohol was also completely cut months before, and hydration became my ally.

Race Week and the Moment of Truth

Arriving in Goa a week early with all my gears, I trained daily in the open waters of Miramar Beach. I mentally rehearsed every stroke, every turn. On race day eve, I faced a biggest setback: my race day shoes Saucony Kinarva Pro were prohibited for the race, forcing me to switch last minute to my Tempo running shoes Brooks Hyperion Max.

Despite the disruption, I stayed focused. The morning of October 27, 2024, my heart raced with excitement and nerves as I headed to the starting line at 5.am towards the Miramar beach. ?

Race Day: Living the Ironman

?The swim was daunting. 4-5 Jellyfish loomed in the water after 500 mts swim, and I watched other swimmers drift off-course. One was my closest companion in the race got delayed and disqualified due to this. I completed the swim in 55 minutes with 2.54/100 mts speed, made me feel unstoppable. I transitioned to the 90 km cycling leg, only to be hit with severe cramps in the right abdomen early on at 5 kms of ride. I took 2 salt tabs to keep pain rested. Pain remained with me till I cycled for next 3 hours.

?Yet, I pushed through, drawing strength from every person cheering along the route, finishing cycling in 3 hours and 29 minutes at 25.6 kms/hr speed. With 4 hill climbs this was I considers to be my one of the best effort for this length at 126 Watt.

?Finally, I reached the 21.1 Kms of run milestone. With each stride, the cheers from the crowd carried me forward. And I was enjoying the pain and the journey more and more.?

As I crossed the finish line in 7 hours and 27 minutes, hearing “Mohit Mishra, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN” was surreal. I had dreamed of that moment for months. I was living it.

The Backbone of This Journey

?None of this would have been possible without the support of my family. My wife, Anamika, managed the family and her career, her own routines, bearing the weight of my absences and sacrifices. From early morning starts to late nights, she supported every part of this journey, proving that Ironman might be an individual title, but it is achieved by a team.

Completing Ironman 70.3 has redefined my limits, proving that with commitment and resilience, anything is achievable. This journey wasn’t just about conquering miles — it was about discovering strength I didn’t know I had. And if my story inspires even one person to chase their impossible, it’s a victory far greater than any finish line.

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