MyFitness trainers at the start of Ironman 70.3 Tallinn: the path to the big competition

The IRONMAN Tallinn competition is part of the summer triathlon festival, in which our talented trainers will also be competing this year!

MyFitness is represented in individual competitions by Kaisa Rahu, Pavel Borovkov, Aleksandr Malkov, and Lauri Pakkas. Lauri is preparing for a full Ironman, while Pavel, Aleksandr and Kaisa will be competing in a half triathlon. We asked them how their preparation was going and where their love for triathlon began.

Kaisa’s path to Ironman

Sports have been a part of Kaisa’s life since she was young. She tried various sports, but it wasn’t until she was an adult that she got seriously interested in endurance sports, when she returned to skiing and started enjoying running.

Kaisa became interested in triathlon in 2021, when her friend was preparing for her first half-Ironman. She got also hooked. Although injuries and life changes delayed her individual debut, she got her first experience as a team cyclist in 2022. With the support of MyFitness, Kaisa also managed to compete in the half-Ironman in Tallinn as part of a team, and she pre-registered as part of the team for Ironman 70.3 Lahti.

In 2024, Kajsa completed her first individual half-distance triathlon, and in May in Šamorin she completed her second, where she won her age group. She is fascinated by the versatility of triathlon.

“Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, which require discipline, diverse training, and a great love for the sport.”

Preparation and balance

Kaisa’s preparations began back in October, and today she successfully completed the main competition of the season in Slovakia (Challenge Šamorin). She feels good and remains motivated, grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves.

Balancing work and training hasn’t always been easy. Kaisa is a personal trainer and spends a lot of time on her feet demonstrating exercises. She has found a good balance, and her clients are very supportive of her. Often, the time she spends with friends is tied to competitions or training.

“The training is extensive and varied. Lots of swimming, cycling and running, as well as strengthening exercises for the body and mind. Sport has become an integral part of my life and gives me strength and balance every day.”

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Pavel’s path to Ironman

Sport has always been an important part of Pavel’s life. Over the past 18 years, he has tried different directions – from a classic gym to CrossFit and functional training. He has completed the Ironman 70.3 distance individually twice and participated as part of a team three times. Each start left unforgettable memories.

“This feeling of unity and overcoming myself inspires me step to the starting again and again.”

Preparation and balance

Preparing for Ironman is an emotional and physical journey for Pavel. Despite his very busy life (he has two children and his own business), he sees it as an opportunity to show that it is always possible to move towards a goal. In addition to his family and work, he finds time to set an example and show that dedication and balance lead to success.

During the preparation process, he has days when he is full of energy and motivation, and days when he simply must push himself. But this is exactly what teaches him patience and inner balance.

“For me, competition day is not just a finish line, but an opportunity to experience one of the most vivid moments in life that will remain in my memory forever.”

Training

For Pavel, planning is the key word. It’s the only way he can balance everything. His training is systematic: swimming, cycling, running and three strength training sessions a week. He usually trains shorter and more intense sessions on weekdays, in the evenings or mornings. Weekends are reserved for longer training sessions, especially cycling and running.

Although it is not easy to combine different roles in life, sports give Pavel energy.

” For me, training is not just a duty, but time for myself. A chance to recharge, be in the moment, and constantly improve.”

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Alexandr’s path to Ironman

Aleksandr is a certified personal trainer and former elite swimmer, whose athletic career spanned over twenty years. He dedicated fifteen years to swimming, becoming the Estonian champion several times and representing Estonia at the Youth Olympic Games and World Championships. In addition to elite swimming, he also showed an early interest in strength training, which led him to the profession of a personal trainer. He constantly expands on the knowledge he gained at Tallinn University by collaborating with nutritionists and physiotherapists.

Ironman is a natural continuation of his previous sports career – a new and exciting challenge. He is attracted by the versatility of triathlon and training outdoors, especially in the summer. Ironman gives him the opportunity to further develop his physical and mental endurance.

“Beyond the physical and mental challenges, I am drawn to the special community that surrounds triathlon. These passionate and supportive people create an inspiring environment and make every training and competition unforgettable.”

Preparation and expectations

Alexander admits that preparing for an Ironman is emotionally multifaceted. He feels excitement and passion, but also the need to maintain discipline and motivation. As a trainer, he knows how important it is to set clear goals and celebrate small victories. He applies the same principle to himself.

Training and balance

Weekends are for longer training sessions. He believes that discipline and consistency are key, but equally important is listening to the body and allowing enough time for recovery.

“My goal is not just to successfully complete Ironman, but to do it in a way that contributes to my long-term well-being and passion for the sport.”

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Lauri’s path to Ironman

Lauri is a lifelong swimmer, and for the last fifteen years he has been sharing his knowledge and experience as a trainer. Sport is an integral part of his life. An active lifestyle and various sports have always been his companions. In competitive sports, Lauri has primarily focused on swimming. He became interested in triathlon in his youth, when he met triathletes at a swim camp and first heard about Ironman. Now that he has completed the Ironman 70.3 distance with a team, a full Ironman distance seems like a logical and inspiring next step.

Training and preparation

Lauri’s training is generally going well, although injuries sometimes make running difficult. He devotes a lot of attention to rehabilitation and is optimistic that running will soon regain a full place in his training schedule. In his training, he focuses on endurance and speed to achieve his goal. As for swimming, Lauri especially enjoys open water training. Swimming in nature gives him excitement and fresh energy. When the water temperature reaches at least 18 degrees, he declares the open water season open.

Lauri cycles and runs 2–3 times a week, planning his workouts planning his trainings so that they do not put too much strain on his body.

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We wish our team members lots of success and the fulfillment of their goals! Also, keep an eye on MOVe, as many exciting topics are coming up. We will introduce participants who are preparing for a full Ironman – sharing their journey, thoughts, and emotions. We’ll also talk about the basics of triathlon, the development of essential skills, and common myths. The focus will be on training, equipment, and mental resilience, which are critical both in competition and everyday life. In the final weeks, we’ll cover tapering, nutrition, and coaches’ recommendations for everyone who wants to take on the Ironman. See You on the course!