Jan Frodeno Returns To PTO Racing | Growth Comes Through Struggle

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“The hype is so big and it's been talked about so much. I've actually missed racing against the boys—you know it's what I live for,” Frodeno says, who’s been long-sidelined by injury. Although he says on a good day it’s Brownlee that is the one to beat, just like everyone else, he says his eyes will be on Blummenfelt. “I’m looking forward to seeing what Kristian does on race day. You know, it's an interesting dynamic.”

The anticipation to especially see Frodeno versus Blummenfelt, two almost unbeatable athletes, go head-to-head is also shadowed by uncertainty. From crashes and illnesses right before races to big injuries that required hospitalizations, Frodeno hasn’t made it to a start line in quite some time. “The last three years, it’s been a really challenging rollercoaster with more things probably going wrong than they did right and you change your perspective. I had to realize that luck is also a part of the draw and that sometimes you can't force things even when you put everything into one basket.” Watching the world of triathlon crown new champions, Frodeno has had to find his victories from personal growth. “Growth has always been coming through struggle for me,” he says. “I have learned that the circle of people who are on your side is quite small—who are really there for you when things go down—and that’s okay. It’s probably made my connection with them stronger and made me realize that, you know, when things are going great, everything's wonderful, and sometimes you just have to fight your own way through.”

The other component of the battle that can’t be ignored is Frodeno’s age. With over two decades of racing to his name and a career that can boast every major title including three Ironman World Championships and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 41 year-old’s experience definitely counts but even Frodeno admits his age is a factor. “I used to prepare that I can’t fail; nowadays I prepare so that I can win,” he says. “It’s just the reality of getting older that you have to prepare differently. Training is consistent but it’s not as aggressive as it used to be. But I still think I’ve got a good shot and I’m just really looking forward to racing.”

Still, with such a long time out of racing, triathlon feels like it has changed so much since Frodeno was actively racing. But Frodeno quite simply doesn’t see it that way. “I have to be very honest that I wonder whether [triathlon has changed] at the peak of the game because, I can tell you now, that at the peak of the Olympic distance game, they're not better than what they were 10 years ago.”

Frodeno does see some changes: “I think in especially 70.3 or half iron distance kind of racing, this 100 km racing, it's so new and it's so fresh that to say that things have changed would probably be a little bit premature. What's definitely changed is the depth.” One glance at the rest of the start list for Ibiza, that includes 16 of the top 30 ranked PTO athletes and big name after big name, is proof enough to show how the depth of the field has developed.

“You can see the swim, there are more guys up at the front. It’s more aggressive and it's not that one or two guys are getting away. Same on the bike where the packs actually stay together, it’s not being split up as much. But then the run performance as well. The times are good, but they're not that much better or any better despite the shoe development than what we've seen,” Frodeno explains. “You know, it’s something I'm looking forward to actually checking out myself.”

One thing Frodeno does know for sure heading into the PTO European open is that nothing is certain. “What I know for sure is that I have to be able to react to the changes in my life and that nothing is on a straightforward path ever.” From a fresh format of racing to the best in the world racing head-to-head, another thing for sure is that it’s going to be a day triathlon will remember.

The PTO European open is on 6 May 2023 in Ibiza, Spain, and is in the 100 km triathlon format of 2 km of open water swimming, 80 km of cycling, and 18 km of running. See the full start list and how to watch at protriathletes.org.