Race report: Ironman 70.3 Vichy
In this blog, we're stepping away from detailing our training methods and philosophy to spotlight one of our Sense Endurance athletes, sharing her experience racing Ironman Vichy.
When you hear "the race starts at 7 AM," you’re likely thinking of an Ironman, right? Well, in Vichy, you get the chance to enjoy the sunrise with over 2,000 athletes before the 7 AM gun goes off for a 70.3. Trust me, the early start is well worth it!
There’s something surreal about watching fireworks light up the sky just as the sun begins to rise, marking the start of the race. Vichy is infamous for its heat—temperatures often soar above 30°C—so that early kick-off (and early finish) is a welcome relief.
Swim: Non-Wetsuit Edition
The swim uses a rolling start, with athletes positioning themselves according to their expected finish time. That’s the idea, at least. In practice, it felt more like a "first come, first served" situation. The sub-25-minute section was packed, which was surprising for a non-wetsuit swim. I opted for the 30-minute section and waited my turn.
Once in the water, it became clear that many had (possibly intentionally…) misjudged their pace. I spent most of the swim overtaking people and couldn’t find any fast feet to follow, which made it feel more like a solo mission. But I adjusted my race plan and focused on swimming strong, tapping into my training sessions for confidence.
Honestly, I was a little relieved it was a non-wetsuit swim—less hassle in transition. The swim course in Vichy is surprisingly easy to navigate, especially for someone like me, who's not the best at it. The canal is lined with plenty of buoys, so staying on course is a breeze. I finished the swim feeling pretty satisfied with my time.
Bike: Elevation and Exhilaration
Vichy’s bike course is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s tough, with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, but the landscape makes it all worthwhile. The views from the top of the climbs are stunning, and one of the descents even takes you through a forest and you have crowds lining the streets, making you feel like a champion. Hands down, it was my best experience on the bike so far.
Coming off the swim, I felt great. My last race left me a bit insecure, but on this day, my legs were ready to work, and I was able to hit my target watts. The first climb sneaks up fast, about 6 kilometres long, and it gave me the confidence that this was indeed a good day. I overtook plenty of athletes while still saving energy for the run.
The descents are fast but manageable as long as you stay focused and keep within your comfort zone. After a bit more climbing, the final 60km is mostly downhill, giving me a chance to recover and gear up for the run. Unfortunately, as we approached Vichy, it started raining. The last few kilometres turned into a bit of a challenge with slippery roads and sharp turns, but I dialled it back to stay safe.
I’m proud to say I nailed my nutrition strategy on the bike. I ate and drank on cue every 15 minutes, and with the forecasted heat in mind, I grabbed extra water at every aid station.
Run: Digging Deep
The run consists of two loops of just over 10km along the canal, with part of the course on a hard, sandy path. Luckily, I started running before the worst of the heat hit, though it was still raining slightly at the time.
As always, the first kilometre felt rough, but I quickly found a groove. My pace was a little faster than planned, but it felt good, so I decided to roll with it. When the rain stopped, the temperature stayed comfortable at around 25°C, which allowed me to push the pace without overheating. I grabbed water at each aid station but didn’t need to cool myself down as I normally would in hotter conditions.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how consistent my pacing was. My splits barely wavered, except for a slight slowdown on the off-road sections. Things got tough around kilometre 17—my legs were tired, and the pain was setting in—but with the finish line in sight, I reminded myself of all the long training sessions that had prepared me for this moment. I knew I had it in me to finish strong.
Crossing the finish line was an unforgettable experience. The energy from the crowd was electric, with spectators lining the course, pushing me through those final metres. My first half-Ironman complete, and yes, I’m proud of how I raced. Could I have done better? Definitely. But I’ve learned valuable lessons to carry into next season.
Would I recommend Vichy? Absolutely.