Athlete Spotlight: Jonathan Puchalski

By the Numbers:

2 years 4 months - Time working together

3 - Ironman finishes (Placid 2015, Mont Tremblant 2016, IMMD 2016)

14:58:57 - IM PR from Lake Placid (1:24:47 swim, 6:41:10 bike, 6:30:40 run)

1 - Ultraman finish (Florida 2017)

31:53:22 - Ultraman Florida Finish Time

Toughness Factor:

Two days before he toed the line at his second IM, in Mont Tremblant, Jonathan crashed his bike.  He bruised some ribs and separated his shoulder.  He started and finished the race anyway, on a brutal day where it down-poured his entire time on the bike.  Admittedly, there is probably a bit of overlap between recklessness and toughness...but if you can persevere through that, chances are there's not going to be much that will get in your way.

Most Recent Accomplishment: Ultraman Florida

Ultraman Florida is a 3-day stage triathlon that takes place in Central Florida in mid-February.  The first day consists of a 6.2 mile swim and 91 mile bike; the second day takes athletes on a 171 mile bike course; the final days challenges the athletes to run 52.4 miles.  Each day must be completed in under 12 hrs.

Day 1 - 9:57:02 (4:33:58 Swim; 5:23:04 Bike)
Day 2 - 10:01:43
Day 3 - 11:54:37

Jonathan and his pacer at the beginning of the clay roads, mile 33

"From the beginning of the dirt road until mile 50, I've never worked harder, physically or mentally.  Around mile 42 I hit my other big mental block and didn't think I could finish in time.  I kept pushing and the miles were slower than I wanted.  I guess I had seen my athlete last year basically walk a huge part of the last 6 miles and so I had it in my mind that if I could have 18 min/mile ahead of me at mile 46, then I'd be good.  But that wasn't happening. At mile 42 I realized I'd have to keep the same pace more or less.   Somehow over the next 8 miles I didn't give up -- I literally gave everything I had.  And at mile 50 with almost 50 minutes left before the cut-off, I finally knew I was going to make it.  That was the only time the whole run that I finally thought it was realistic..."

Entering the finish chute on Day 3 - Ultraman Finisher!

What's Next?

Rev3 Quassy Half in June: The Beast of the East!
Inaugural Alaskman in July: Water temps in the low 50s; last 10k of run climbs 4000ft

Savageman 70.0 in September:  5000+ ft of climbing on bike; grades of 30%

IM Florida in November