Physically, Jonas Deichmann could still carry on. It would be a good thing. Next Saturday, the 37-year-old extreme athlete has another appointment in Roth. This time, however, he won’t be wearing a wetsuit, cycling kit or running clothes. Instead, Deichmann has been invited to a reception in the town, which has a population of just under 25,000 and whose worldwide fame has probably received another boost.
Roth now also holds the world record for the most long-distance triathlons without a day’s rest and for a unifying triathlon act in 120 parts. Deichmann was accompanied every day, in the water, on the bike, and while running.
Six and a half hours plus power nap
“I can tell you a little secret,” said Deichmann on the final evening of his incredible mission, which began on May 9th: “When I thought about setting the world record for the most long distances, I thought about Hawaii or Roth.” Deichmann’s decision is well known. “And I’m really glad I did it here,” he said to applause on the Roth fairgrounds.
He wants to come back next year for the Challenge Roth, where he took part in his project on the cycling and running course. But he didn’t want to do more than 120 times 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers of running.
“I have to say, physically I’m fine.” He is generally tired, said Deichmann, whose plan included six and a half hours of sleep at night and a twelve-minute power nap before the second 90-kilometer cycle lap.
Fitter on day 120 than on day 10
He was also much fitter after day 120 than after day 10 or 15 because his body, which has long been used to these extreme endurance exercises, had adapted. “We will never know how long I can keep going,” said Deichmann, who was accompanied by hundreds of people on his last “run” (Deichmann’s words) and was cheered and celebrated by at least as many at the finish line.
Mentally, he is doing well, but he was prepared and looking forward to 120, which corresponds to the distance of his triathlon around the world and significantly beats the old world record of 105. “You have to want a project like this unconditionally. You have to get up every morning and see the meaning behind it. I saw it up until day 120.” But he doesn’t know whether he will see the meaning behind the enormous workload again on Friday. “That’s why it’s over now.”
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