Sam Laidlow: From IRONMAN to the marathon? In Spain?

Sam Laidlow (world champion HOMBRE DE HIERRO) has closed his 2025 season and is already hinting at a possible debut in the Barcelona Marathon 2026, far from triathlon.

Sam Laidlow closes out the season and leaves a clue: Barcelona, ​​but without the triathlon.

The season finale of Sam Laidlow It hasn't been the typical "I'm going on vacation and that's it".

In his latest YouTube content, the Frenchman mixes personal reflection, humor, and a collection of thoughts that resonate with any triathlete: from what happens when you have to watch races from the outside, to that mental fatigue that appears when you've been in competition mode for months.

In that review, he drops an idea that's attracting attention in Spain: a possible marathon debut, with Barcelona as an option. The Zurich Marató Barcelona already has a confirmed date for 2026: Sunday 15 March (exit to the 8:00).

A leap to Spain… now 42K

If confirmed, it wouldn't be "just another bib number" in a local race. We're talking about an athlete who already knows what it's like to win the IRONMAN World Championship. Sam Laidlow He was world champion in 2023 in Nice (8:06:22).

That such a profile focuses on a road marathon fits with an increasingly visible trend: elite triathletes who use running as a specific project, without the logistical strain of preparing for three disciplines at once.

A marathon forces you to focus on what matters most: consistency, running economy, pacing tolerance, and mental strength. And for a long-distance triathlete, that's almost like looking in the mirror without filters.

His triathlon “tier list”: from the “top” to what he wouldn’t do even if he were crazy

One of the most talked-about parts of the video is its tier list of triathlon trends and habits. It's presented in a humorous tone, but it delivers some clear messages.

• What he puts at the top: on the one hand, the indoor trainingwhich he defends as a practical and safe tool (and many will relate to this, especially in winter or when training outdoors is a gamble). On the other hand, he mentions the use of ketones as one of those things that, in their experience, can have an impact on performance/recovery.
• The “situational”habits that may fit at certain times, such as working in 2 ZoneHigh-carbohydrate nutrition, follow the HRV or do a well-planned carbohydrate load during race week.
• The “placebo” or overrated (according to his view): from the obsession with small “marginal gains” to recovery tools that, in his opinion, have become fashionable.
• Which he directly criticizes with humor.The “sin” of wearing something new slippers on race day, the overuse of shoes with plates in each session or certain recovery practices "just because".

Important: This is not a medical guide or a training manual. It's a champion's perspective, told with a touch of sarcasm, intended to spark debate: what do we do for genuine performance and what do we do out of habit or for show?

Dental health and triathlon: the detail that almost no one pays attention to

Another idea he mentions, which isn't heard as often in triathlon, is the importance of... dental health.

He presents it as a preventative measure: if you live on gels, sugary drinks, and carb-loading days, your mouth will feel it. And, in his argument, he links it to health problems that can disrupt training.

The key here is to focus on what's useful: reviewing the basics (hygiene and checkups) as part of the athlete's "maintenance." It's not the most glamorous approach, but it can save you from problems during the season.

His life outside the jersey: renovations and a training center in mind

Beyond performance, the video also shows his daily life: construction, plans, and the idea of ​​turning his property into a more complete training center.

Ultimately, it's another sign of how some pros are trying to build stability: less "living from race to race" and more creating their own environment where they can train, recover, and plan.

What would it mean to see Sam Laidlow in Barcelona?

Today, the most honest thing to do is to treat it as what it is: an intention that has been hinted at, not an official announcement.

Even so, the mere possibility is already generating conversation. Because if an IRONMAN champion shows up in Barcelona, ​​the focus will shift to the time… and to “how” he prepares for it.

And for the average triathlete, the message is clear: even elite athletes have doubts, try new things, and break routines. Sometimes, changing your goal isn't an escape; it's a way to reignite your passion.