Ironman Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most iconic triathlons, attracting thousands of athletes each year. The course showcases the very best of Denmark’s capital: a 3.8km swim in the clean waters at Amager Beach Park, a 180km bike ride through the stunning Danish countryside and coastline, and a 42.2km marathon that winds through the heart of Copenhagen, with supporters lining the streets all the way to the unforgettable finish at the historic Kongens Nytorv square. Such is the popularity that then 2026 event has already sold out within just 46 hours of opening.
It’s a race that combines speed, beauty, and a festival-like atmosphere, making it a dream first Ironman for many athletes. We caught up with Will Means who recently completed his very first Ironman in Copenhagen to talk about preparation, fuelling with VOOM Nutrition, and the emotional highs and lows of race day.
How does it feel to complete your first Ironman?
Honestly? It feels unbelievable. You spend weeks and months dedicating yourself to training, structuring your whole life around it, and then suddenly it’s over in one day. There’s definitely a low that comes after, because when you’ve been so focused, it’s hard not to feel a bit lost afterwards. But at the same time, that’s what drives me. I’m already thinking: What’s next?
How did your event prep go, especially balancing Hyrox, Love Island, and Ironman training?
Event prep was short! I only had a five-week training window. Before that, my main focus was the Hyrox World Champs in June, and then I went straight into Love Island. On top of that, I’d just started a new job, so my training had to fit around a busy schedule of early mornings and late nights. Despite the challenges, I felt the most prepared I could be when race day arrived.
How did you fuel the Ironman?
Fuel was one thing I didn’t want to leave to chance. I kept it simple and consistent, and VOOM was my go-to.
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Before the swim: I had a Pocket Rocket Caffeine Kick to wake me up and give me a sharp energy kick.
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On the bike: I mixed things up with 2 x Fusion Fuel Sachets (90g carbs each) plus 7 x Pocket Rocket Electro Energy spaced out over the 5.5 hours I was on the bike.
The combination worked perfectly. I never had that dreaded energy crash, and I felt strong the whole way. The carb bars were especially great because they’re easy to eat on the go, and I actually enjoyed eating them, which is half the battle when you’re deep into a race.
Top 3 VOOM Picks in Training and Racing
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VOOM Fusion Fuel - essential for fuelling long bike sessions.
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VOOM Pocket Rockets – especially effective for the marathon run section
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VOOM Protein Powder – perfect in porridge for morning fuel and post-training recovery
Anything you wish you’d known before the event?
I definitely wish I’d swam more. The swim is without question my weakest discipline, and no matter how fit you are, there’s no shortcut to time in the water. I did enough to get through, but if I had my time again, I’d put in way more swim sessions.
What part of the race was mentally toughest, and how did you push through?
The swim, hands down. It took me almost two hours, and that’s two hours of fighting in your own head to stay calm, keep moving, and not let doubt creep in. I was pushing hard just to make sure I hit the cut-off. That’s where the mental side of Ironman really kicks in. You can be the fittest person on the start line, but if your head goes in the water, the whole race can unravel.
What surprised you most about race day?
Definitely the bike, and the kit choices on display. I was the only one out there on a standard road bike, everyone else seemed to have top end time trial bikes, built for speed and shaving minutes off the bike split, but I managed to average 34km/h and felt amazing all the way through. That gave me such a boost of confidence.
When did you realise: “I’m actually going to finish this”?
Straight after the swim. I knew as soon as I got out of the water that the hardest part was behind me. From then on, I was confident. My fitness was solid, my fuelling was on point, and mentally I felt switched on. It was just a matter of ticking off the bike and then grinding out the run.
How did it feel to cross the finish line?
It’s honestly hard to put into words. I was absolutely shattered, but at the same time, I felt this huge wave of pride. I’d set out to complete something massive, and I’d done it. I’ll never forget that moment of stepping over the line knowing I was officially an Ironman.
If you could relive one moment, what would it be?
Finishing the swim, I had the biggest smile on my face knowing I’d beaten the hardest part of the day, and could just enjoy the rest of the bike and run legs!
Would you do another Ironman?
Yes, but not straight away. It’s such a huge commitment that I want to take a bit of a break before diving back in. My next big goal is going after a sub-2:50 marathon, and that’s where my focus is now. But Ironman isn’t finished with me. I’ll definitely be back.
Final Thoughts
An Ironman pushes every athlete to their limits. With smart training, the right mindset, and effective race-day fuelling, anything is possible. VOOM Nutrition products such as Carb Mixes, Energy Bars, and Protein Powders can play a vital role in the Ironman journey – from training to event day VOOM helps you to power through the long bike, fuel the marathon, and recover afterwards!
👉 Explore our VOOM Endurance Fuelling Range and get ready for your next challenge.
