Search
shop

Alistair Brownlee ‘allergic to making plans’ as he looks to future

'The run is going to be tough' admits double Olympic champion ahead of his welcome return to action this weekend
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Glad to be racing again but toning down expectations for Sunday, Alistair Brownlee says he’s currently “allergic” to making plans for the future after a testing few months.

They were just some of the takeouts from an engaging interview with Bob Babbitt in his ‘Breakfast with Bob‘ video series ahead of the double Olympic champion’s return to action at the PTO Canadian Open this Sunday.

Brownlee was a late addition to the race after a season which saw him miss the rescheduled IRONMAN World Championship in St George in May through illness and then the Sub7 project in June because of injury.

Advertisement

Challenging times

And it’s clear that the first of those – when he was forced out on the eve of the race – brings back painful memories.

He admitted: “Being at St George was almost certainly some of the worst days of my life. I can say it with a smile on my face now, but it really was.

“I’d trained really hard for that after a really disruptive few years beforehand and it was really, really mentally tough. One of the hardest things I’ve been through.

“I’d started building up to it at the back end of last year and just wanted to do two things – St George and Kona. And everything was almost perfect until just before – and then a few weeks after that when having an injury [before Sub7].”

So it’s no wonder when asked what the rest of this season looks like he said: “I’m actually not sure now, I think I’ve become allergic to making plans after so many of them have gone wrong!”

Keen to race

But back to the present and while Brownlee talked about being at the pointy end of Sunday’s race, he also stressed the run “is going to be tough”.

“I made the decision [to come here] – I’m actually feeling quite fit, my running isn’t quite in the place I’d like it to be at the moment after having two to three weeks off because of the injury but I’ve run great over the last few weeks and I want to go and race.

“That’s partly because I want to be on the start line and race – and partly because I think this is a fantastic event and the PTO is a really great thing for our sport in long-course triathlon and supporting that is really important too.”

In terms of expectations for Sunday, it’s the run which Brownlee sees as the pinch point.

Asked what his goals are, he says: “Just to finish! To be at the sharp end of the race, to race as hard as I can and execute a good race.

“In terms of where that leaves me as a result, I’m not sure. But I’m physically fit and am going to swim and bike well but the run is going to be tough.”

We’ll find out on Sunday but it’s great to see him back in race action.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...