Search
shop

Jonathan Brownlee: “I’ve had a terrible season”

A honest Jonathan Brownlee reflects on his "terrible season" and explains that he needs to be smarter this winter in order to get back to his best for 2019
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

“I’ve doubted myself quite a lot over the last few months”

After finishing fifth at this past weekend’s Super League Triathlon Jersey event, I spoke to 2012 ITU World Champion and two-time Olympic medallist, Jonathan Brownlee, about his SLT experience and his frustrating 2018 season.

A win at the Beijing International Triathlon, second at the Lausanne ITU Triathlon World Cup and a series of World Triathlon Series top ten finishes would be a dream season for some, but for an athlete that once went almost four years with close on 50 consecutive podium finishes, it is one – in his words – he regards as “terrible”.

In this piece Jonathan discusses mistakes he has made this year, getting injured, lacking confidence and outlines some of the things that he’s learned along the way. “I used to be able to throw any training I wanted at my body and it could take it and I would get fitter and come out the other side…”

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...