Austin summers don’t mess around. But when you’re chasing a world championship PR, you train through it. This is what summer prep looked like — the high temps, the high mileage, and the mental battle of staying locked in.
Peak Heat, Peak Volume
The summer training block for Ironman France started right as Austin hit peak temperatures. With the goal set, the next four months became about building fitness, staying healthy, and managing the intense challenge of long sessions in high heat. The weekly volume crept up — 15 to 20 hour weeks — and the focus shifted to nailing the key sessions and recovering well enough to do it all again the next day.
Early Starts, Long Days
Most sessions started early. You’d be out the door by 6 or 7 AM, trying to beat the heat. But by hour two or three, the temps would catch up. At that point, it turned into a mental game — how to stay hydrated, keep pace, and just make it through the remaining mileage. Showers along the trail were a blessing. So were shaded sections of the Veloway and the Lady Bird Lake Trail in Austin, Texas. You’re sweating buckets out there, and every session takes something from you.
Weekend Training Routine
The weekend schedule was set and locked in. Saturdays started at Deep Eddy with a 5,000-yard swim around 8 AM, followed by a 15–20 mile run on Lady Bird Lake trail. The run was hard-fought, fast-paced, fueled by gels, bottles of honey, and carb mix drinks. Mid-run showers on the trail were great for quick cool down spots to keep things going.
Sundays were for the bike — long & hot hours at the Veloway. The 3.1-mile loop was VERY repetitive but has no cars, and has the perk of a stash of drinks and nutrition in a cooler by the car. You’d knock out 80 to 100 miles, testing gear, fueling, and mental focus. These were key days.
Gear That Holds Up
These sessions were only possible with gear that could handle the heat. The Squadron Racing jerseys played a big part — breathable mesh side panels, micro-perforated backs to release heat, and a fit that stayed comfortable over hours. The bib shorts were just as important — long days in the saddle demand comfort. Chafing, poor fit, or heat buildup can cut a ride short. These kits kept the training going.
Staying Healthy & Avoiding Burnout
Weekly totals were high: 9–12K swim yards, 100+ mile bike weeks, and 20–40 miles of running. Add in weight training, and there wasn’t much room for error. The trick? Run on soft surfaces — gravel trails, treadmills with a slight incline, or laps around the local track — anything to reduce impact and keep the legs moving.
The weekend calorie burn often hit the 10,000 mark, adding the challenge of catching up over the following days just to be ready for the next big sessions. The bike workouts focused heavily on climbing, since the course in Nice is packed with elevation. This meant dialing in a careful balance — enough climbing to build strength, without pushing into injury.
Strict routine. No late nights, no weekend trips. Just a focused block of training, recovery, and dialing in every detail.
Locked In for France
This summer wasn’t about hanging out or slowing down — it was about taking the Ironman Texas fitness and building on it for a shot at a new personal best at the World Championship in Nice. Four months of stacked training, right through the Texas summer heat, with one goal: show up ready.
Dreams in Motion
It takes years of consistent training to reach this point — racing Ironman triathlons and qualifying for a world championship. For these athletes, this wasn’t an overnight transformation. It was a steady commitment that reshaped daily habits, priorities, and long-term goals. The training is hard, but it gives more than it takes. Over time, it sharpens you — mentally and physically — preparing you to take on some of the biggest challenges out there. Qualifying for Nice wasn’t just about one race; it was the result of years of work, and the realization of a dream in motion.
Athletes Featured
Anzae Alexander @zae_alexander2 – Triathlete based in Austin, Texas, targeting a sub-10 performance at Ironman World Championship.
Bryan Chacon @chacacon – Ironman Texas finisher and founder of Squadron Racing.