Ironman World Champs in Nice lived up to its hype – beautiful and epicly challenging! I hope this review helps you plan your training and travel for racing there – a once in a lifetime trip and race!
Weather:
After last year’s event, I expected heat and humidity to be the norm for Nice this time of year. However, this year we were fortunate—overcast skies kept the high temperature in the low 70s, much cooler than anticipated. Surprisingly, it even got chilly on the bike descents! The water temp had dropped to ~70°F by race day, allowing for a wetsuit-legal swim, though just a week earlier it was in the upper 70s. We narrowly avoided a washout, as thunderstorms hit the day after the race. A race official mentioned that had that weather occurred on race day, cancellation would have been a real possibility.
Course Overview:
The swim is more challenging than it might appear. I had assumed the Mediterranean would be calm, but it was anything but. The swells on race day made sighting difficult and bilateral breathing essential to avoid swallowing saltwater. If you start in one of the last waves like I did, you’ll have to navigate through swimmers from earlier waves, which can slow you down and lead to some kicks to the face and swimming around groups of swimmers. It took me a while to settle into my rhythm, but it felt more like survival than racing for the first third of the swim.
The bike course, with ~8,000 ft of elevation gain, is as epic as advertised. If you’re well-prepared for the climbing, the course is manageable. Most of the climbs had enough breaks through them to recollect yourself and eat and drink. The longest climb from miles 25 to 37 wasn’t steep, mostly ~6% grade, so you could settle in and get into a nice rhythm. The steepest grades are when you climb out of town but they are short. However, the technical descents, especially the switchbacks, are a different story. Coming from Pennsylvania, I had nothing similar to train on, and these long descents require full concentration.
The final climb at mile 75 wasn’t as bad as expected because I was well-prepared and warmed up by then, but the out-and-back stretch starting at ~mile 53 presented a grueling headwind coming back in, and false flat that felt endless. The descents through the small towns on the narrow, windy streets were some of my favorite parts, although you need to have full focus with the blind turns and constant aggressive speed bumps that are big enough to launch water bottles or drop chains if you take them too fast. Despite the challenges, the course’s beauty was unparalleled—descending through mountain cutouts and winding through quaint towns made for an unforgettable experience.
The run is a flat, 4-loop course along the Promenade des Anglais. After the demanding bike leg, this is a welcome relief. The crowd support is incredible, except for the quiet section near the airport, which becomes particularly tough as daylight fades. The aid stations were well-stocked with ice, Precision Hydration, Maurten gels, cola, fruits, and even applesauce, keeping us well fueled and supported throughout the run.
Travel Tips:
For those unfamiliar with European travel (like me), here are a few tips that will hopefully make your travel planning easier:
- Book Direct Flights: I regretted booking a layover in Heathrow. A direct flight would have saved me significant time and hassle. Heathrow was chaotic, and I met several athletes who missed their connections or lost their bikes en route.
- CO2 Cartridges: Surprisingly, the expo didn’t sell CO2 cartridges. You can’t fly with them, so find a local bike shop in Nice to stock up.
- Power Adapters: Don’t forget European plug adapters! A lifesaver tip from Maria before my trip.
- Accommodation: I stayed on the Promenade des Anglais, two blocks from the finish line. While it was convenient, it was incredibly noisy at night. Noise-canceling earbuds helped, but next time, I’d consider Old Nice (though I’ve heard that’s loud too—Nice knows how to party).
- Jet Lag: Adjusting to the time difference was harder than expected. I struggled to fall asleep the first few nights. If you’re sensitive to time changes, particularly traveling east like this, pack a sleep aid like Benadryl.
- Phone Service: Verizon’s “Travel Pass” was a game-changer, allowing me to use my phone abroad for just $10/day.
- Getting Around: Google Maps is excellent for navigating Nice’s public transport. Buses are affordable at €1.70 per trip, and they even let me bring my bike on board when heading to the airport.
- Exploring Nice: While I couldn’t see everything, here are a few highlights:
- Old Nice: A lively area filled with shops, open air markets, and fantastic restaurants. No tipping is required at restaurants here, and we never had a bad meal in Nice – the food is SO good.
- Beach Day along the promenade, but the beaches are all smooth rocks, so not really comfy to lay a towel down and sleep on (although people do!) There are several restaurants along the beach that allow you to rent chairs out. The one we visited charged $30/chair for the day.
- Promenade du Paillon: If you’re traveling with kids, this park was great and included trampolines, a cool whale to climb through, and other unique play areas.
- Castel Hill: Offers a scenic hike with beautiful views of the city and a waterfall.
- Coastal Pathway in Nice offers a scenic walk along the water
- Cimiez District: The Matisse, Chagall and archaeological museums are free (but closed on Tuesdays), and the area is perfect for a peaceful stroll and beautiful views of the city. The monastery was worth visiting as well, which is known as “the most beautiful and emblematic site of Cimiez” and is composed of the Church of Our Lady of Assumption and Franciscan Museum.
- Monaco and Eze: Though I didn’t have time, many recommended these nearby destinations.
Whether it’s Nice or another dream race, our coaching team can help you train smarter, travel prepared, and race your best. Contact us today to learn more about personalized coaching. Bon voyage!