SWEDEMAN Xtri: Shubi Guimarães Details the Behind-the-Scenes of Extreme Triathlon
The Xtremma Sports host reveals the struggles and triumphs of her Swedeman Xtri journey in Sweden.
Shubi Guimarães, host of Xtremma Sports, shares her experience at the Swedeman Xtri, an extreme triathlon in Sweden. From icy waters to challenging mountains, she details the behind-the-scenes of her preparation, unexpected race events, and the strategies that got her to the finish line. Discover the challenges and lessons learned from one of the world's most intense races.
In this special episode of XTREMMA Sports, host Shubi Guimarães flips the script and becomes the interviewee. With the participation of Sérgio Magalhães and Beto Nitrini from Café com Tri, Shubi shares the details of her participation in the Swedeman Xtri, an extreme triathlon held in Sweden, covering everything from preparation to the most critical moments of the race.
Extreme Triathlon: A New Frontier
Shubi explains that extreme triathlon emerged about 8 years ago, evolving from Ironman Full for athletes seeking greater challenges. These races, part of the Xtri World Tour circuit, are characterized by extreme conditions: swimming in very cold water, cycling, and running with significant climbing. Unlike the large Ironman events, Xtris are smaller, with an atmosphere of greater camaraderie and mutual support among participants, which Shubi strongly felt in Sweden. For her, this type of race attracts those who seek fewer people, greater challenges, and the "people-phobia" of asphalt.
Preparation and the Decision
At 50 years old, Shubi sought a personal challenge in the Swedeman Xtri to test herself and invest in a new training cycle. Her choice of Sweden was influenced by friends' presence and the calendar fit, which gave her five months of intense preparation. Under the guidance of Wagner Spadotto, her training was completely different from previous cycles. She had to learn to use spreadsheets with effort metrics and adapt her body to specific training, including hill repeats, long mountain runs, and cold water swimming in Pacaembu, getting used to wearing a wetsuit.
Icy Swim and Unexpected Cycling
The swim at the Swedeman Xtri was one of the most challenging aspects. With water temperatures between 13 and 14 degrees Celsius and the outside environment at 9 degrees, the strategy of not wearing a tri-suit under the wetsuit to avoid hypothermia was crucial. The mass start, with all athletes entering the water simultaneously, was marked by a lot of "pummeling." Shubi swallowed a lot of water, especially near the end, in a section with current and "white water" near a waterfall. The cycling leg, 205 km with 2,300 meters of accumulated climbing, was smooth, with an average speed of 29 km/h. An unexpected incident almost jeopardized the race: the night before, her bike's rear derailleur came loose. Thanks to the organization's swift action, a mechanic fixed the problem just before the race. The bike support rule required the support car to stop at pre-arranged points, usually on climbs, for Shubi to refuel.
Nutrition and Hydration in Extreme Conditions
Due to the intense cold and low perspiration, Shubi drank and ate less than planned, in addition to feeling nauseous and swallowing a lot of water during the swim. This led her to abandon the strategy of relying solely on gels and gummies, instead seeking "real food," such as potatoes, Coca-Cola, and even sandwiches, which she requested at the organization's aid stations. This adaptation was essential to maintain energy and combat gastrointestinal discomfort.
The Mountain Marathon and Mental Strength
The transition to the run took place at a ski resort, on a course that already began with an uphill climb. With her body already compromised by the swim and bike, Shubi faced initial difficulties in the run, unable to ingest gels. The consumption of salty foods proved to be a turning point. Due to frequent bathroom breaks, she decided to change clothes mid-run, switching to shorts and a base layer. For the last 16 km, a support runner was mandatory for safety. Her mental strength was key: she never thought of giving up, always focusing on how to solve the problems that arose. The best moment of the race was at the end, crossing Sweden's largest mountain, where her experience in trail running and the technical descents made her feel "at home," overtaking other competitors.
Lessons Learned and Future Challenges
Post-race recovery was intense, with two sleepless nights, full-body aches, and the additional challenge of Sweden's midnight sun. Shubi concluded that "everything is training" and that to improve in the bike-to-run transition, one needs to do more races. For the future, she aims for another Xtri, looking for races with more trail running and bike climbs, preferring "unusual" and challenging locations like the Himalayas or Slovakia, to "tell a good story." Her advice for anyone seeking an extreme triathlon is simple: "You have to love climbing, train on climbs, and forget about pace."
Shubi Guimarães' experience at the Swedeman Xtri is a testament to the human capacity to overcome limits, adapt to adverse conditions, and find joy in challenge. Her journey inspires us to seek new horizons and redefine what is possible in the world of endurance sports.