Challenge Accepted!

Call me stubborn. Call me persistent. Call me anything you want, really. But guess what? I’ve officially secured my slot for SWISSMAN 2025. Third time’s the charm, they say—and while I’m not entirely sure who „they“ are, I’ve decided to trust them. After all, I’ve tried twice, come close, and now I’m back for more.

Was I supposed to let my bruised ego settle? Probably. Did I consider moving on? Briefly. But the truth is, unfinished business doesn’t sit well with me. SWISSMAN isn’t just a race; it’s a mountain-sized puzzle, and I’m determined to figure out where my missing piece belongs. And let’s be honest—it’s not just the race. It’s the epic views, the camaraderie, and yes, the smug satisfaction of saying, “I climbed that.”

Training officially begins now. Well, maybe not right now, because I’m writing this blog post and my bed is calling. But soon. As with every SWISSMAN attempt, I’ll be juggling a mix of excitement, terror, and a growing list of things I swore I’d never do again but will absolutely do anyway. (Looking at you, lake crossing with getting kicked in the face!)

What’s different this time? For one, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on past attempts. Lessons were learned, mistakes were made, and fitness levels… fluctuated. 2025 will be the year of “no excuses,” mainly because I’ve already used them all.

So, the plan? Keep it simple: swim, bike, run, repeat—preferably without drowning, crashing, or hallucinating halfway up Grimselpass. Also, make peace with the fact that every uphill has a downhill (even if the uphills feel eternal).

And while SWISSMAN is technically a solo effort, I wouldn’t be here without my support crew—aka my wife, who deserves a medal for tolerating my endless training schedules and pre-race mood swings. Let’s not forget race day supporter, friends and strangers who’ve followed this journey and offered their support (or gentle sarcasm). You’re all part of this madness, whether you like it or not.

So here’s to 2025: another year, another SWISSMAN, and another round of proving that stubbornness is a valid survival strategy. Stay tuned for updates, training stories, and probably a few rants about my newfound love-hate relationship with elevation gain.

SWISSMAN, I’m coming for you—again.