120 Ironman in 120 days: “It was awesome” – extreme athlete Deichmann sets crazy record

Extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann is celebrated frenetically.

Picture:
Keystone

A finish of a special art – in every respect. 120 times 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers of running in 120 days. Extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann did it!

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Extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann completed an Ironman 120 days in a row.
With his 106th, the 37-year-old had already beaten the previous record set by Briton Sean Conway from last year.
“I have to say, physically I’m doing well,” said Deichmann after crossing the finish line. He was also much fitter after day 120 than after days 10 or 15 because his body, which has long been used to these extreme endurance exercises, had adapted.
In the next few weeks, he will take it easy and train “only” 40 hours a week.

With a goosebump-inducing atmosphere in the triathlon stronghold of Roth, Jonas Deichmann completed the last of his 120 long-distance triathlons, also known as Ironman. Accompanied by several hundred runners, the 37-year-old extreme athlete was enthusiastically celebrated by fans on Thursday evening. The Stuttgart native began his Challenge 120 on May 9.

After 456 kilometers in the water, 21,600 kilometers on the bike and 5,064 kilometers on foot, he crossed the finish line with start number 120, while the city orchestra played the Queens classic “Don’t stop me now.” “An unforgettable summer for me,” said the extreme athlete, overjoyed, after he had made it and the minutes of applause were over: “It was awesome.”

For months, Deichmann had encouraged swimmers, cyclists, runners and even triathletes to take part. He was never alone. And that is exactly what Deichmann is looking forward to now after 120 times 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers without a single day’s break.

Everyone will certainly understand, “even though I am happy to be alone again,” said Deichmann.

But there is one thing he will not do: rest, even though he also announced with anticipation and a view of the days ahead: “Just wake up in the morning, stretch in my bed. Look out the window and think about what I am going to do today.” At Deichmann, however, that initially means continuing to swim, cycle – especially on the gravel bike – or run. He will train for 40 hours a week.

World record at 105

Since the project began, Deichmann has been doing around 100 hours of sport a week – without a single day off. His precisely timed daily routine includes 6.5 hours of sleep at night, and he takes a 12-minute power nap about halfway through his cycling session. He now looks forward to days without such discipline, without a set daily routine.

With his 106th, he beat the record previously held by Briton Sean Conway from last year. There is another reason why he competed 120 times over the long distance on the legendary Challenge Roth course – with the exception of the swim in Lake Roth. He had set this distance in his triathlon around the world.

A day 120 is significantly fitter than a day 10

“I have to say, physically I’m fine,” said Deichmann after his incredible performance. He was also much fitter after day 120 than after day 10 or 15 because his body, which has long been used to these extreme endurance exercises, had adapted. “We’ll never know how long I can keep going,” said Deichmann, who was accompanied by hundreds of people on his last “run” (Deichmann’s own words) and was cheered and celebrated by at least as many at the finish line.

Mentally, he is doing well, but he is prepared and looking forward to 120, which is the same distance as his triathlon around the world and significantly exceeds the old world record of 105. “You have to want to do a project like this unconditionally.” You have to get up every morning and see the meaning behind it. I saw it up until day 120.” But he doesn’t know whether he will see the meaning behind the enormous workload again on Friday. “That’s why it’s over now.”