STIMPSON SUCCESS CAN BE CELEBRATED BY ALL
A devotion to tri and the resilience to push through multiple setbacks means recent success for one of GB’s most accomplished triathletes resonated more than most
The bottom lip started to tremble before the finishing tape was reached, it was unlikely to be the only bottom lip wobbling. Those who’ve followed the career of Jodie Stimpson could share a little of that emotion in her victory; the outpouring of social media plaudits that followed served to emphasise the point.
Without context, it might seem odd. Success at Challenge Miami, a new event at an odd distance, with empty grandstands and causing little stir beyond the multisport world, is no Hyde Park in front of a six-figure crowd and millions more on TV. However, with the paucity of racing due to Covid, and facing a formidable field in front of a pay-per-view audience, it wasn’t just an accomplished performance – in the context of the career of the 32-year-old from the Black Country, it felt so much more.
Start where it matters most. Stimpson lost her father, Ian, last January, and her public tributes have been both heart-rending and lifeaffirming in laying bare the close bond of a relationship strengthened through their shared love of sport. Ian taught her to swim that first width in the local Oldbury swimming pool, aged four.
Tri has unashamedly shaped Stimpson’s life ever since, and living and breathing the sport has helped forge the resilience to continue with a career that started with a first ITU race 17 years ago, and looked to have occasionally stalled through the years of high-profile setbacks.
When Stimpson missed selection for London 2012, it seemed inevitable her chance would come. But despite finishing runner-up in the World Triathlon Series and being a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, Rio 2016 passed by in the most heartbreaking fashion – losing a head-tohead with Helen Jenkins on the Gold Coast. Despite rarely placing outside the top 10 since, injuries have crept in, and the strength in depth of the
British women means that barring injury to those selected, Stimpson will miss Tokyo too.
What triathlon taketh, it can also giveth. Stimpson had raced nondrafting events before, yet Miami’s Nascar track provides the launchpad to a more independent path, one away from national federation control and that promises rewards through Ironman, Challenge or the Professional Triathletes Organisation. In few sports could an athlete withstand three Olympic cycles yet still have such opportunity.
It’s an opportunity earned, though. Stimpson is the all-round triathlete, technically sound, with the work ethic and motivation to succeed. Of course, the one person who couldn’t be there to see it was her father, although perhaps he too was looking on. To mark the anniversary of his death, Jodie posted on her athlete social media page: “I love you, Stumpy, miss you so much! The year has been destroying without you and every day I think: ‘What would dad say to get me through?!’ As for Challenge Miami, he’d probably just say: ‘I’m proud of you.’ A sentiment echoed by all tri fans.
“Miami wasn’t just an accomplished performance, it felt so much more”
I’m an IOS instructor in New York, teaching underrepresented groups. We take them from no programming background to getting their first IOS job 10 months later. It’s rewarding to see how often disadvantaged individuals realise their potential.
I grew up on the small Caribbean island of St Lucia, so there was a big change when I moved to the US in 1999. I met my wife here and have two kids – four and eight.
My wife got me into tri in 2010. New York City Road Runners put on a sprint event. I had no idea what triathlon meant so had to look it up – then figure out how to swim.
I’m a student of the sport and went from sprint to Olympic to half to full distance – my first full was Lake Placid. Just as we might wake up and brush our teeth, I wake up and jump on the bike or run. It’s not a chore, more a lifestyle.
I started the Ironman Virtual Club events just to keep my training consistent through 2020. It fitted my weekends perfectly and since the first race I was hooked. I’m a big Zwifter but got a second subscription for Rouvy, which is used by Ironman VR – don’t tell my wife! With Rouvy, you can ride the ‘real world’ courses, although I miss the interactivity of Zwift.
Everything I did with Ironman VR I had technical back-up, but for the full-distance event to coincide with ‘Kona’ in October, it still went wrong. My Apple back-up watch failed and then my Garmin died 30km into the run. My wife brought my charger, but it didn’t resume the workout, so I completed the final 12.2km then looked online and found a way to merge two activities, so it turned out okay.
The pools were closed because of Covid, but the ocean was 45mins drive away. I didn’t gun the swim, but knew I could cover the 3.8km. I’d set the trainer up ready for my return with two cooling fans. No music, I just listened to my body, then headed to Central Park for the run. It was so special – like being my own race director. I jogged down Fifth Avenue, saw the city and had fun. Lots of people were cheering me. Random passers-by on the Queensboro Bridge, asking what I’m doing. I knew if I just did the Ironman shuffle, I’d be fine.
I even made my own bib for the full-distance Ironman VR. Number 1978, the year I was born, the year Ironman started and the year of independence for St Lucia!
I’ve now completed all 34 Ironman VR events. Endurance racing has changed. We’re in a world where we can compete with anybody. When we go back to normal what will race directors have to give us to entice us back?
“I’ve now completed all 34 Ironman VR events. Endurance racing has changed. We’re in a world where we can race anybody”