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Iron Will, Iron Muscles and a Heart of Gold
News story from VWG Life April 2011:
Nick Mitchell is competing in a Triple Ironman Event in June 2011, and raising money for British Heart Foundation
Posted: Thursday 14th April 2011
Iron Will, Iron Muscles and a Heart of Gold
By Suzanne CadischWhat makes anyone want to cycle 336 miles after a 7.2 mile swim and then run three marathons back-to-back? Audi’s own endurance athlete Nick Mitchell explains why he’s putting himself through a Triple Ironman – and what it takes to succeed.
At 51, Nick Mitchell knows he won’t get any faster in the water, on his bike or at running a marathon. But he can do all those things for longer than he ever has before.
Besting himself is a powerful driver for Audi’s Fleet Service and Technical Manager, who is in training for the Euduroman Ultra Triathlon in Hampshire this June, with which he aims to raise £5000-plus for the British Heart Foundation.
“Heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK and my heart has to work hard to keep me going for this event,” said Nick. “It just seemed a good link between the charity and the competition.”
Nick’s training regime involves getting up before dawn to put in up to 42 hours a week, honing an ability to power nap, and eating pretty much anything he can get his hands on! His birthday cake radar is legendary around the office - and his weight to calorie ratio the envy of many colleagues.
“The challenge with this sort of event is taking in enough calories,” he explained. “You have to forget everything you know about sports nutrition for an event that lasts more than two days. The special drinks and energy gels won’t do it; you have to get proper greasy food inside you – and lots of it. If I cycle 100 miles on a Saturday for example, I need to take in around 6,000 calories.”
Getting the right type of sleep is also crucial for Triple Ironman. While the fastest competitors will complete the event non-stop in around 38 hours, Nick will probably need to snatch two revitalising naps within his goal time of 50+ hours.
“Because I get up so early to train before work, I often go to my car to sleep at lunchtime which has helped me work out my natural sleep pattern,” he said. “I’m out like a light and wake automatically after 35 minutes which means that during a race I should sleep for only 35 minutes - or multiples of 35 minutes - otherwise I’ll feel worse rather than better for it.”
Training for the Triple has been hampered by a ripped quad muscle but Nick is no stranger to injury. After Ironman Austria in 2007, a heel problem curtailed his running but didn’t stop him training for the cycling event, Race Across America, which he completed the following year. After an operation on his foot in 2008 he made a triumphant return to running in last year’s London Marathon.
Follow Nick’s progress and find out how to sponsor him at www.virtualhealthclub.com/going4it.
VWG Life will catch up with Nick after the Triple Ironman in the August issue.
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