Marek is a highly accomplished long-course triathlete, competing in the 45-49 age group.
He resides in Turisalu Kula, Estonia, situated on the Gulf of Finland. When I began coaching
Marek in 2021, he often recounted his early-morning swims in the chilly Gulf waters, often
without a wetsuit, as temperatures frequently dropped into the low 40s. Initially, he was an
average swimmer, cyclist, and runner; however, his determination and mental toughness, a
hallmark of many champions, set him apart. This relentless drive to overcome challenges fueled
his progress. As Marek continued to focus on his training, his swim times improved, his
Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and fatigue resistance increased, and he became significantly
faster as a runner. Consequently, Marek now consistently finishes at the top of his age group.

A typical year for Marek involves competing in four to five Ironman triathlons, as well as
several 70.3 triathlons and endurance swim events. In 2024, he completed the Ironman Busselton
in Australia and, just two weeks later, participated in the 70.3 Ironman World Championships in
New Zealand. This year, he has set his sights on completing the Ironman Tallinn on August 24th,
immediately followed by the Ironman 70.3 Tallinn in Estonia on August 25th.

With such a demanding racing schedule, sufficient recovery is a vital aspect of Marek's
annual training plan. Marek listens to his body, and when he needs to take a rest, he does. We
typically begin the year with a substantial amount of volume to build his fatigue resistance, a
strategy that prepares him for his first long-course race of the year. By mid-year, our focus shifts
to securing a qualifying spot for Kona, a goal that Marek is working towards. This involves
increased intensity while maintaining our base volume. Marek typically ends his season in late
October.
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Ironman and endurance sports are often deeply personal journeys. The reasons athletes
choose to challenge themselves and commit to rigorous training are often unique to each
individual. Marek exemplifies hard work and dedication. I’ve never felt the need to ask him why
he is so committed; instead, I recognize him as an Ironman with the warrior spirit of desire,
dedication, and discipline, and it is a privilege to coach him. Marek’s first race of the 2025
season is Ironman Hamburg. Please join me in wishing him the best on race day.

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