Lucy Charles-Barclay on Becoming Ironman World Champion and Setting a Course Record with a Torn Calf

What does it take to go from Olympic rejection to becoming the fastest woman to ever win Ironman Kona?

This week on The Runna Podcast, we’re joined by Lucy Charles-Barclay, the 2023 Ironman World Champion and Kona course record holder.

From missing out on the 2012 Olympics as a competitive swimmer and being rejected for a British pro triathlon licence, to finishing 2nd at Ironman Kona four times before finally claiming the crown—Lucy’s story is the definition of mental resilience.

We unpack:

 🥇 Winning Kona in the fastest time ever and in the strongest female field in history

🔥 Her brutal six-week Kona prep - spending lonely 15-hour weeks on the bike indoors, climate training, and 5am swims

🥈 What it taught her to finish second, again and again, before finally taking the crown

💪 Running the Kona Ironman marathon with a torn calf

🧠 Her “mindset of steel” and why she’s proud of the journey, not just the result

🏊‍♀️ Essential tips for the swim leg of a triathlon

Lucy’s journey is one of rejection, resilience, and the kind of mindset that wins world titles - on the fifth attempt, in record time, with a torn calf. 

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