Chinese athlete Miao Hao competes in the Ironman Triathlon European -Championship in Hamburg, Germany on June 2, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Miao Hao

Few people had foreseen a Chinese athlete could finish in the top three in an Ironman Triathlon European Championship. However, 36-year-old Miao Hao has proved it is possible.

The final moments of the race on June 2 in Hamburg, Germany saw Miao collapse from sheer exhaustion before crawling across the finish line. Despite the grueling conclusion, Miao's achievement was nothing short of spectacular. 

With a time of 7 hours, 58 minutes and 4 seconds, he not only claimed third place overall but also became the first Asian to break the eight-hour barrier in an Ironman Triathlon race, improving his personal best by a remarkable 20 minutes. 

Reflecting on his experience, Miao spoke modestly about his achievement. 

"At the 16-kilometer mark of the marathon, I reached my physical limit as my vision blurred, my face and hands went numb, and I couldn't focus on running or the race anymore," Miao told the Global Times. 

It was the words of his coach, reminding him that it was possible to break the 8-hour mark that pushed him forward under such conditions.  

"I have tried countless times... I do not want to waste an opportunity when it emerges," Miao said.

Enduring 'Ironman'

The Ironman Triathlon, often referred to as the ultimate test of human endurance, consists of a 3.8-kilometer swim in open water, a 180-kilometer bike ride and a full marathon of 42.195 kilometers. 

It is a grueling event that pushes athletes to their physical and mental limits as it is far beyond the requirements of an Olympic triathlon distance which consists of 1.5 kilometers' swim, 40 kilometers' cycling and 10 kilometers' running.

A year earlier, Miao had set his personal best and Chinese Ironman record at the same course, finishing in 8 hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds. This familiarity with the course and a newfound confidence were crucial advantages. 

But believing that the familiarity with the race course is the main reason for his achievement ignores his meticulous preparations for the achievement.

Although Miao excelled in swimming thanks to his past experience as a swimming athlete before taking on triathlon, his cycling ability lagged behind his European counterparts', and his lower body strength needed improvement. 

"My swimming experience helps me save the stamina for the rest of the race as swimming remains the minor part of the 226 kilometers race," Miao said. 

"Though I think my cycling is among the top level domestically, other international triathletes are far better than us!"

To address these weaknesses, Miao dedicated his winter training to enhancing his cycling endurance, extending his sessions from two to four hours while adjusting his mechanics for a better performance. 

Miao's determination stemmed from the Ironman World Championship in Nice, France, where a result was far from satisfying. He said he just does not want to have the same feeling again. 

"I used to dodge issues when they emerged, which often created extra mental pressure for me," Miao said of his mind-set change. "Instead of internalizing negative emotions, I channel my energy into training and improvement."

Dang Qi, a Chinese triathlon pioneer, said there are around 20 athletes worldwide who could finish an Ironman Triathlon in under 8 hours, thus Miao's breakthrough is phenomenal. 

"Finishing an Ironman race is already a big challenge," Dang said. "Miao's achievement is quite an inspiring story for Chinese triathlon."

Chinese athlete Miao Hao competes in the Ironman Triathlon European -Championship in Hamburg, Germany on June 2, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Miao Hao

Balancing training and life

Miao's story is not just one of athletic achievement but also of balancing personal and family life. 

He once tried to work in an office but the stint, as he calls it, was not what he genuinely liked. Thus, he decided to pursue a career as a professional triathlete in 2019. 

"I felt I hadn't reached my limit," he explained.

Transitioning from a regular triathlete to a much-enduring professional triathlete is no easy feat.

It requires Miao to independently manage his training schedules diet, and the delicate balance between family time and training. 

"There is no precedent standard, no reference in China. It was quite difficult in the beginning," he admitted. 

Juggling the demands of training with family responsibilities, especially with a new born kid at the time, added to the complexity. 

"Being a professional triathlete forces me to balance work and life as I have to allocate time to manage different things," he said.

Reading training-related books during his rest time helps Miao better understand his body and improve his performance as he emphasizes the importance of understanding one's body and ensuring proper recovery. 

Inspiring future generations

Miao's passion for Ironman extends beyond personal achievement, as he is committed to promoting and spreading the sport in China. 

His transition from an amateur athlete to a professional triathlete has been inspiring, and he said he hopes to inspire others to embrace the sport.  

"The sport is gaining recognition, and its development in China is promising," he said.

Miao hopes to continue competing and improving, aiming for better results at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. "Seven hours and 58 minutes is just the beginning. I believe it will get better," he affirmed.

For those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Miao encourages them joining local clubs to benefit from collective activities, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring safety, especially during open water swims. 

"This is a humble community," he said, emphasizing the importance of humility and mutual support. 

"There is nothing insurmountable in life. If you persevere, things will get better," he said.