Over the past few years, I’ve been drawn to races that demand more than fitness. I love events that require patience, resilience, problem-solving, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Over the years, I've completed 7-stage Haute Route Alps, 8-stage Cape Epic, XTRI Canadaman, XTRI Icon, and XTRI Norseman. Each of these events have challenged me physically and mentally and in ways that are difficult to describe unless you've experienced them yourself.
In 2024 and 2025, I finished my season by racing Ironman Chattanooga. A race (and distance) that feels very predictable and familiar to me. While I absolutely love the race and the venue, I knew I wanted to race something extreme in 2026.
I’ve had my eye on Embrunman for the past few years and last fall, Karel and I decided that it was time for me to finally cross this event off my bucket list.
Unlike the self-supported nature of many extreme triathlons, Embrunman is a true race from start to finish. There isn't a hike up a mountain at the end where pacing naturally slows and the challenge shifts to simply moving forward by walking. There’s no leapfrogging with your support crew and having unlimited or any-time support from start to finish. After swimming and cycling in the French Alps, there's a full marathon waiting. Forty-two kilometers of running. No hiking trails. No walking up a mountain. Just running on legs that have already climbed nearly 16,000 feet on the bike.
Emburnman is both intimidating and exciting.
Every August 15, the small alpine town of Embrun hosts what is considered one of the toughest long-distance triathlons in the world. Since its first edition in 1984, Embrunman has earned legendary status. The course rivals the distance of an Ironman but adds a level of climbing that makes my legs feel heavy, just thinking about it.
The race begins with a 1.2-mile swim (at a reasonable hour of 6am) in the dark waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon, just outside of the town of Embrunman. Then comes a 115-mile bike ride through the French Alps with ~16,600 feet of climbing. Then a 3-loop marathon - 26.2 miles with 1,300 feet elevation gain.
What had me drawn to this race was the centerpiece of the bike course - the legendary Col d'Izoard.
This climb holds special memories for me because Karel and I rode it on stage 2 of the 2022 Haute Route Alps stage race. That time I climbed from the Briançon side. During Embrunman, however, we'll approach it from Guillestre, which is the side that many cyclists consider even more challenging.
The climb stretches over 18 miles with the final 8-9 miles averaging over 7%, with sections reaching 10%. Elevation gain is ~3700 feet and the summit sits at 7,700 feet.
It's a climb with tremendous Tour de France history.
As challenging as this race will be, I'm really enjoying the process of preparing for it. I love training in the heat and the humidity and Greenville provides us with the perfect cycling playground for preparing for the Alps.
There's something incredibly satisfying about training for an extreme triathlon that will challenge me in ways I’ve never been tested before. I love the long sessions that allow me to usebut I also enjoy the intense that make me feel like I’m gaining fitness.
Right now, I feel strong. I feel healthy. Most importantly, I feel excited.
At this stage of my athletic career, I'm less interested in chasing specific finishing times but more interested in finding experiences that continue to challenge me in new ways. Plus, after the race, Karel and I willl be spending 2 more weeks in France, checking off a list of iconic TdF climbs like Mont Ventoux, Alps d’Huez and Galibier.
In any sport, it's easy to become comfortable doing what you've already proven you can do. I love the feeling of accomplishment that often comes from stepping into something unfamiliar. For me, Embrunman is that something that makes me love the process of preparation because I am so excited for what I get to do with my body on August 15th, 2026.