An Unexpected Start

My first HYROX experience began unexpectedly. A friend’s brother had to cancel last minute, and my friend Brecht was suddenly looking for someone to take his place. Even though I was completely untrained, I decided to step in. I wasn’t prepared for this kind of race at all, and that showed. I was a few kilos overweight, looked chubbier than I would have liked, and knew deep down that this was far from ideal preparation. Still, I said yes.

Stepping Into the Unknown

Despite the lack of preparation, the event itself was a fun and memorable experience. HYROX consists of eight workout stations, each separated by a one-kilometer run. Every station brings a different challenge, combining strength, endurance, and mental resilience. Unfortunately, we had a bad start. Due to confusion early in the race, we ran an extra lap, which immediately affected the mood and energy. It was frustrating, especially knowing how demanding the race already is.

Pushing Through the Circumstances

Even with all these setbacks, we kept going. Considering the circumstances being untrained and running an extra kilometer our final time was actually quite good. That made the finish feel even more rewarding. It wasn’t about perfection or performance anymore, but about perseverance. We didn’t give up, and that alone made the experience worth it.

Not My Natural Environment

To be honest, HYROX events are not completely my environment. The loud music, big crowds, pressure, and visible ego can be overwhelming for me. Still, I genuinely enjoy HYROX-style workouts. I also love working toward a concrete goal. Training with a clear purpose gives me extra motivation, structure, and discipline.

Setbacks and New Focus

My goal was to compete in HYROX Helsinki in May 2026 together with my partner. Unfortunately, I am currently dealing with a shoulder injury, which means I cannot train properly right now. This has been difficult mentally, but it has also forced me to adapt. Since I can’t lift heavy weights, I’ve decided to focus fully on cardio training rowing, cycling, and running. In this season, I want to build my engine and improve my cardiovascular capacity so that, if the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.

Faith, Gratitude, and Looking Ahead

I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I place this journey in God’s hands. If it is God’s will, I will stand at the start line of another HYROX one day. I would already be incredibly grateful just to compete again. My dream goal would be to finish in under one hour, but above all, I want to stay faithful, disciplined, and thankful throughout the process.

Looking back, I am grateful that I was able to do HYROX at least once already. It taught me humility, resilience, and trust in the process. Hopefully, this was only the beginning, and there will be many more opportunities in the future.