Welcome to the inaugural post for “Iron to Alpine,” a new channel documenting an ambitious journey back into peak physical condition! For years, I was deep in the world of endurance sports, even earning a coveted spot in the Hawaii Ironman World Championship back in 2012. It was a monumental achievement, a testament to countless hours of dedicated training that saw me complete the grueling race in around nine hours. I was truly well-trained, living and breathing the Ironman lifestyle until I gradually tapered off around 2015.
Fast forward a decade. I’ve turned 50, and truthfully, the past ten years have largely been spent “couch surfing” with very little structured training. I’m the kind of person who thrives on a clear objective, someone who needs a challenging project to stay motivated. Once the goal is achieved, the drive can sometimes wane. After Hawaii, which was such a huge part of my identity, I continued training for a couple more years, but eventually, the joy faded. Six-hour Sunday bike rides no longer felt like fun; I wanted to explore other interests, and so I did.
But now, the call of a new challenge has emerged, sparked by an unexpected trip to France. I’ve always loved the idea of climbing mountains, even if I haven’t done much of it. While visiting family, we tackled the ascent of Le Plagne in the French Alps – a Tour de France climb. Let’s just say my attempt “was not pretty at all.” It was a struggle, a humbling experience that highlighted just how far I’d fallen from my former fitness. Yet, surprisingly, it wasn’t discouraging. Instead, it lit a fire, reigniting a desire I hadn’t felt in years. The mountains had called, and I felt utterly motivated to respond.
This ignited a long-dormant idea: a cycling trip in the Alps. Years ago, I’d briefly considered it, but logistical hurdles like needing a new bike kept me from pursuing it. Not anymore. My new overarching goal is to prepare for a week or ten days of intense cycling in France, focusing on two legendary challenges. First, “LeMond Mod” (likely “Les 3 Cols” or a similar multi-climb event, as the speaker describes 5500 meters of climbing over 177 kilometers). Second, the infamous Mont Ventoux Challenge, which involves ascending the “Giant of Provence” from all three different sides in a single day. My audacious aim is to complete both of these formidable challenges within five days. It’s an ambitious target, and I’m candid about my doubts, especially regarding tackling both. That uncertainty, however, is precisely what makes it so exciting and triggers my competitive spirit!
Currently, my body is a far cry from its Ironman days. I used to race at 75 kilograms; now I’m closer to 90. Losing weight is a definite priority. Beyond the numbers, my actual cycling strength and fitness levels are largely unknown – a blank slate that I’m eager to explore. This journey will be transparent, with weekly updates covering my training, equipment upgrades, new knowledge acquired (especially in areas like sports nutrition, which has evolved significantly since my last serious training block), and even how I plan to leverage AI for training plans. As an “AI guy” who teaches automation, I’m keen to see what custom solutions I can build.
My initial steps have already begun. Returning home to Denmark, I squeezed in a few outdoor rides, around 40-50 kilometers each, before getting back to work. To ensure consistent indoor training, I’ve invested in a Wahoo Kicker, a much-needed upgrade from my old, noisy wheel-on trainer, which was simply impractical in an apartment. Using my old time trial bike, I’ve completed three indoor sessions this week. I started with a modest hour-long session, doing five sets of five minutes at 200-210 watts. This might seem low, considering my FTP (Functional Threshold Power) used to be 310-320 watts – 200 watts would have been a recovery pace! However, it felt like a sensible starting point to ease my body back into training. My third session was longer, 12 sets of three minutes at 190-200 watts with two-minute breaks, and I felt surprisingly tired. My Garmin tracker, which I hoped would show 100 kilometers for the week, only registered 38. That’s a perfect bit of motivation for next week: hit that 100km mark!
Looking ahead, next week will involve a thorough assessment of my current gear. The short answer is: everything needs an upgrade. My helmet, clothes, shoes, glasses, power meters, bike computers – everything is ten-plus years old and desperately needs updating for the demands of alpine cycling. For now, my Garmin Fenix 5x watch, bought years ago with similar ambitious intentions, is serving as my display for the Kicker’s data. I’m considering platforms like Zwift but for now, I’m content with my music and structured programs. Training-wise, I’ll dedicate Tuesday to estimating my current FTP. Thursday will be a longer session, and then I’ll take Friday and Saturday off to be fresh for other commitments. Sunday will be the big day: a full FTP test to establish a clear baseline for my training. It will be fascinating to see where I stand!
This vlog is all about charting my progress from an “Ironman to Alpine” cyclist, documenting the highs, the lows, the lessons learned, and the sheer effort it takes to reclaim fitness at 50. I’m keeping the videos low-maintenance, focusing on the content and the journey itself. Join me on this adventure by subscribing to the channel and hitting that notification bell if you’re keen to follow along. Let’s see what this 50-year-old can achieve!