Search
shop

Triathlon star Ruth Astle says injury hell has her on the brink of QUITTING

Brit Astle's hip is not responding to treatment and she can't train.
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Ruth Astle is at a crossroads in her career and admits her injury nightmare has her wondering whether she can go on.

The three-time IRONMAN winner has already been forced to give up on making it to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona this year because of a hip problem.

But in an emotional Instagram post, she admits that while she hasn’t given up hope of returning to action, she has also contemplated “throwing the towel in and applying for real jobs” as her latest treatment has had no effect.

Advertisement

“In a state of limbo”

She wrote: “Oh triathlon. . . You continue to beat me up. In a state of limbo. The steroid injection has made no difference to the hip.

“I started training again to see how load would affect it and after 10 days of training was wiped out by some illness / virus. That was 2 weeks ago and still struggling to feel myself again.

Ruth Astle
Photo Credit: Jack Schofield – Two26 Photography

“Being back in a position of an unknown injury with no real resolution is really messing with my head. Having no clear answers or timelines or certainty is the hardest thing to deal with.

“Swinging hard from hugely motivated and wanting to do everything to completely lacking energy or motivation to do anything, and throwing the towel in and applying for real jobs.”

It’s the first time in eight years there will be no Ruth Astle in Kona, and a far cry from her spectacular fifth-place finish at the delayed 2021 IRONMAN World Championship in St George in May 2022.

Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
[Photo credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

Now 36, Astle admits the future is clouded with doubt as she tries to stay positive and battle through her continuing injury nightmare, which began with a calf problem and has now morphed into a mystery hip complaint.

She said: “As an athlete so much of your self worth comes not just from race results but training and seeing progress, and when it has been months since you could train properly there is so much doubt, uncertainty and frustration.”

“Glimmers of hope”

Astle started 2025 with a brutal DNF at IRONMAN South Africa, and while she recovered to finish 11th at Ironman 70.3 Valencia a month later in April, things have not improved.

She said: “I am taking a day at a time, and still have glimmers of hope I might make it back to a race start, but sharing the many lows of sport as a balance for the majority of ‘insta reality’ people share.

“Have the constant reminder that in the grand scheme of things still have all the real positives in my life, but also being kind to myself that I can be frustrated at the situation!”

Paul Brown
Written by
Paul Brown
Discover more
Challenge Family Jort Vlam CEO
“It’s not just for nutty people who train 40 hours a week!” Jort Vlam on taking triathlon mainstream and why he’s still inspired to keep growing the sport
Chain hanging to dry after waxing
PremiumSwitching to a waxed chain could take minutes off your Ironman bike split, without riding any harder – and here’s why
PremiumAre women better than men at long distances? We uncover the truth once and for all
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Sian Rainsley Vitus
PremiumThreshold or VO2 max? The best type of intervals for triathletes who want to get faster
latest News
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 London men’s results 2025: Hayden Wilde wins in one of the GREATEST EVER sporting comebacks
Lucy Charles Barclay wins T100 London 2025
T100 London women’s results 2025: FAIRYTALE win for Lucy Charles-Barclay in front of home fans
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
WATCH LIVE NOW: Incredible fields battle it out at T100 London 2025
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Lionel Sanders on his way back – but Nice too soon so sights set on new targets
Adam Peaty photo credit Aquatics GB
Gordon Ramsay, Adam Peaty and Harry Judd face Olympic challenge at T100 London
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.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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...