Participating in a triathlon like the Ironman is one of the biggest challenges an athlete can face. The 34-year-old Lanzarote native Noelia Arrocha can now boast of having completed this event in 2026, for which she prepared by balancing training with her job as a Physical Education teacher at CEIP Ajei in San Bartolomé.
The young woman, who is participating in the Ironman for the first time, has been doing triathlons and middle-distance races for several years. As she tells La Voz, it was her coach who proposed she participate in the Ironman. "He suggested it to me, he wanted me to do it and it's something I've always admired, but I never saw myself as capable of doing it," she recounts.
"I know of colleagues who have done it and it's a very big sacrifice that you have to make in terms of time and work, so you have to be clear about it when you decide," she continues.
Last year, Arrocha began training to prepare for the 2026 Ironman, balancing her work with this hobby. "A professional has all the time in the world to train, but those of us who have our jobs have to find the best way and organization to dedicate to it because it's many hours," she points out.
Despite being able to dedicate time to preparation, the athlete assures that "you always have to sacrifice things." "You can't go out every Friday with your friends for a beer because you have to perform the next day," she continues.
This sacrifice also includes "the most important thing," nutrition and rest. "It's important in all sports, but even more so in this case because we are pushing our bodies to their limits," she says. The part that was hardest for her was the cycling due to weather conditions like wind and heat, as well as stomach problems she suffered during the race.
Reaching the finish line and her family's support, the greatest gift
Noelia Arrocha managed to complete the event in 13 hours and 46 minutes, crossing the finish line around 4:30 PM. "I wasn't really looking for a time... I know my pace for swimming and cycling, and many things can happen on that day; what you've trained for may or may not happen," she details.
The athlete's goal was to complete the triathlon and, above all, "to enjoy it with my family and friends." "They gave me a very beautiful day and surprised me at every moment; just with that, it was an unforgettable day, and I think I still haven't processed what I've done," she points out.
As she recalls, her family and friends "were on every corner, throughout the entire marathon." "They told me I didn't stop smiling while running, but I couldn't help it because every two hundred meters I had someone; they managed it so that I saw them throughout the entire course," she says.
Furthermore, colleagues and students also cheered her on. "I celebrated at the finish line jumping for joy because that was my prize... in the end, it's worth it, and I believe this isn't just mine, but theirs too, because that support is the foundation of everything," she declares.
Add La Voz de Lanzarote as a preferred Google source.
Stay informed with the latest current news.