Ben Goodacre Sports Rehabilitation

July… Stanley’s month 🐈‍⬛ and a bit of training here and there

Race Review – IRONMAN Austria 2026 🇦🇹

🏊 Swim – 1:15:03

Definitely a swim of two halves. The first section went brilliantly – I stayed wide, avoided the crowds, and found some feet to follow. After the turn, we were heading directly into the rising sun, making it almost impossible to sight the canal entrance.
Once into the canal, I quickly realised I probably should have seeded myself a little higher. I spent a lot of time working through groups of pink caps, which made overtaking difficult. Things then took a turn for the worse approaching the swim exit when I got swum over, causing my whole body to tense up and both calves to cramp. I spent around 90 seconds trying to get them under control before continuing.
That said, if you’d told me before race day that the swim would be my strongest discipline, I wouldn’t have believed you.

🚴 Bike – 5:57:53

The first lap was relatively uneventful, other than being able to enjoy what is one of the most spectacular bike courses I’ve ridden. Beautiful scenery, smooth roads, and fantastic support throughout.
The second lap was where the challenges started. After collecting bottles and rice bars from my personal needs bag, I realised I’d lost one of the bars on a descent and had to stop to retrieve it, costing some momentum. Then, at the top of the first climb, my chain jammed against the frame. For a moment I genuinely thought my race might be over and I’d be waiting for mechanical support.
Thankfully, I managed to free it myself, but when getting back on the bike, I kicked one of my carb mix bottles from behind the saddle, cracking it and losing around three-quarters of its contents. I regrouped and managed to settle back into a good rhythm for the remainder of the ride.

🏃 Run – 4:38:16

Looking back, my biggest mistake was not hydrating well enough during the final part of the bike and the opening kilometres of the run.
By 14km, it hit me like a train. To keep moving forward, I switched to an 8-minute run, 2-minute walk strategy, using each walking break to fuel and hydrate properly. It wasn’t the run I’d planned, but it was the run I had on the day, and it got me to the finish line.

First day in Klagenfurt. What a beautiful part of the world! Sunday can’t come soon enough!

Sprint 2026
9 minute PB
First triathlon of the year complete
A nice run through of the motions before Austria
Countdown to the first Ironman is well and truly on!

The vanguard is looking 💯 in its new blue colour way

📸 -

The prep wasn’t ideal but managed to chop an hour and 5 minutes off my time from 2 years ago. A few small issues towards the end but it’s another box ticked on the way to Austria.
Not entirely sure how I’m gonna do that after a swim and 180k on the bike, but that’s a problem to solve over the next 8 weeks!

Life and training lately… Feeling like the next 6-8 weeks are going to be really tough. Manchester marathon in just over 2 weeks, then some massive weeks ahead. Lucky to have found - the contrast facilities will be a game changer as I build up to Austria and recover after tough sessions.

A little bit of life recently. 2026 is really going to start rolling soon 🤝
▪️Back in the gym
▪️Heat Chamber at
▪️Fed up of running in waterproofs
▪️Moved out (finally)
▪️Managed to throw a chain on the turbo
▪️Dog got wet 😂
▪️Nice bit of post workout recover

Looking back on my first year of triathlon, the biggest surprise was the England race in the Lake District. Easily the most enjoyable event of the season — probably because I was focused on getting around the stunning course rather than chasing a specific time, along with a somewhat unconventional format.

For this one, I upgraded to the Vanguard trisuit — comfortably the best-fitting and most breathable suit I’ve raced in so far, and a big upgrade from what I used at Bolton. It held up really well over a long day and made the whole experience that bit more enjoyable.

I’m now fortunate to be a Tri Fit affiliate this season, and the Vanguard is currently in their Black Friday clearance, along with great kit like the Rapid X goggles. Link in bio if you want to take a look.
Should I take on the Roc again in 2026???

A few snaps from the most amazing few days. England was possibly my favourite event I’ve ever taken part in. To cap it off spending a few days camping in my favourite place in the world, life really doesn’t get any better, even if the weather wasn’t playing ball.

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