My SHOCKING Ironman Barcelona Experience!

DNF in Ironman Barcelona. Going through what happened and my thoughts and feelings going into off-season.

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A qualified architect by trade, turned Professional Triathlete, YouTuber, entrepreneur, Teacher and Coach.

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[johngmcdonnell]

Josh, I am not a professional athlete so would never try to tell you how to race. I am an anaesthesiologist and do complete IM myself. I can only congratulate you on being so mature and forward thinking in pulling the plug. I would say you really need to look at your electrolyte composition / requirements in the heat. You can most def race in the heat but need to get a strategy that will compensate for your sweat rate. You said you were ill prior to competing and so were starting with a negative electrolyte / fluid balance. You will get tit right. Congrats on being so professional in your approach. If only more people did practice what they preach we would avoid a lot of the negative outcomes we have in triathlon.

[andrewbirch]

Great season Josh! Enjoy the downtime.

[neilianparker]

Going by your run form you definitely make the right decision you didn’t look yourself or like your normal running form. You’ll bounce back

[williamvannostrand]

Hi Josh. I am just a 66 year old age grouper but had the same experience at IM Barcelona last year. I went down hill on the third lap of the bike. Became dizzy, disoriented. Barely made it back to transition. When I got there I decided to DNF and not go out on the run. My 18th IM and first DNF at any distance race. I was soooo disappointed and upset but in retrospect made the correct decision. It was hot last year and although I thought I was keeping hydrated I believe my electrolytes went all out of whack. It took me two days after to feel normal again. I worked on my calorie intake and most importantly my hydration/electrolyte intake this season. Went back to Barcelona this year because of the unfinished business. My plan was dialed in this time and I had one of my best bike splits and good race overall (although the run went sideways a couple of times). Overall I was very pleased with effort and finish. I learned from last year and fixed it this year. No matter how old or experienced we all learn something new each time out. Best wishes for strong 2025!

[tjj]

Hi Josh, don't know if you remember but we chatted before the race start. I was the very nervous firefighter trying my second full distance after a DNF at bolton. I didn't know you but I've just come across this video on my youtube and instantly remembered our conversation as you were talking about trying to avoid the heat. I made the joke that by the time I got off the bike the sun would be going down! Sorry you didn't finish but just to let you know your words to me helped calm my (very very) overactive mind and settled me into the race. I managed to finish my first full distance in Calella in 14 hours 10 mins and you definitely had something to do with it. So thank you for chatting to a stranger and good luck for your next race. I'll be following now!

[robbailey]

Making a decison to pull the plug in the 'heat of battle is tough'. I had to do it in Wales this year because of back injury- my first DNF too - ill never know whether it was the roght thing to do - but I'm ok with it. Just hungrier now. We'll take the learnings from it 👍. Great season btw and loving your content.

[ironmantooltime]

The long term damage from heat shock argument rings true for me after a couple traumatic races in France. Never been the same. As such, reckon you made the right call 👍

[deanb]

Hi Josh, I was probably one of the age groupers you lapped :) finishing 5 mins before cutoff (one person beat me to last finisher, 32 seconds before cutoff). Barcelona is a strange one, it always has more DNFs than you expect. I'm not sure it's just the heat, as this year it was way cooler than last year (maxed out at 35deg on the bike!).
The bike course this year had quite a lot of poor quality roads, I heard of a few people crashing on that hill. Also the extension into Badalona was full of potholes, last year's 3 lap course was better (although 8km longer!).
The run for me just had too many turns and quad busting ramps up and down underpasses. Still, i've booked for next year. I think it was Hisch who gave me my medal, but honestly I was too done in to take much notice.

[zamba]

Had similar situation this year in IM Tallinn. Had my first DNF, had same symptoms and first time pulled off. However done covid test after race and turned out positive.
You will comeback stronger bud !

[tomshaw]

Cooked 😘 heat training in Wales need 😁☀️🔥

[TheHutch]

I saw Johsh in the Ironman stadium or whever its called. I shouted come on John you absolute monster!!! :)

[johnathanprice]

Think it’s time for Business class flights next year 👌👌

[patricia_w]

I had the same thing happen to me on Sunday and it hit me in the out and back section in the town where I felt like the air was standing still 🥴 would be great if you could share the answers if anyone comes back to you. Enjoy the off season !

[ChrisKeelingTri]

Out of interest - have you backtested your electrolyte/salt intake pre race and per hour during the race vs other races of similar temps and hunidity?

[tomdobbelaere]

Sorry to hear about your DNF but you had a good season.but sure heat adaptation is possible but thing is you live in Wales. I am from Belgium but live here 15 years in Barcelona and in summer i run short runs in sometimes 37 degrees with no intensity and short .45 min ....by the time it is october this weather feels already fresch ...as we are adapted .was i living in belgium this weather of 6 oct would be hot .now .just perfect .so you can adapt but at what cost....as you pros need to train quality and this is here inpossible in july and august.

[timkotze]

Mega season Josh, pity to end it with a DNF, but a DNF where you were 3rd out the water, off the bike and when you had to call it, I'd say that's a really encouraging DNF if you could say that. (Not to mention it's almost the same as old Harry's DNF in IMSA and damn look what that did for him 👀) Have a LEKKERRR lil rest and I look forward to following along in 2025!

[chriswardk]

12m gap Ahahha. Why bother lying. Everyone knows everyone takes advantages on the bike when the motos aren’t there.

Mate you guys overtook me an age grouper, and you were like 2-3m/ apart. And every pro group I saw was no more than 3-4m between anyone.