After an almost two-hour swim in waters colder than your ex’s heart, a near 19-hour bike ride during what could only be described as nature’s idea of a bad hair day, and a five-hour marathon in conditions that even polar bears would consider unbearable, Spencer Matthews has valiantly completed an Ironman triathlon in the frosty embrace of Antarctica. Yes, folks, this is what we call the thrilling conclusion of Project Se7en, a saga that makes even the most mundane Netflix binge look like a nap. In a time span of just 21 days, 9 hours, and 18 minutes, Spencer turned into a very chilly superhero—but let’s be honest, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Project Se7en is not your average backyard lemonade-stand operation. This challenge required Matthews to conquer a 140.6-mile Ironman on every continent, which, depending on the continent, sometimes resembles a triathlete’s worst nightmare. From the warmth of London (Europe) to the desert heat of Arizona (North America) to the brisk airs of Cape Town (Africa) and finally to that icy expanse of Antarctica, Matthews battled it all. Quite frankly, he deserves a medal just for surviving wild monsoons and climate fluctuations that would make a weatherman quiver.
But hold on to your stretchy pants; extreme challenges don’t come out of thin air. They demand meticulous planning, unyielding dedication, and a team so selfless they probably deserve their own award ceremonies. It’s a whole circus act where the behind-the-scenes folks bust their hump while the participants get all the glory—much like how your quiet friend brings the snacks to the party but never gets credit for it.
At the helm of this exhilarating expedition was Chris Taylor—aka Taylor, the man with a plan, and possibly the best endurance coach this side of Mt. Everest. With an impressive resume filled with record-breaking challenges to his name, he’s clearly the architect behind Matthews’ journey. Last year, he helped Matthews endure the painful existential crisis that is running 30 desert marathons in 30 days and was involved with numerous athletes attempting more than just a couple of feeble laps around the local track.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Taylor isn’t merely pressing buttons from behind the scenes; he’s out there sweating it out with Matthews, cheering him on like a real-life version of a motivational poster. In a delightful twist of fate, Runner’s World managed to snag a chat with Taylor just before Matthews tackled yet another Ironman in Rio, attempting to uncover the secrets behind crafting such a high-stakes circus act.
Cartwheeling Through Logistics and Logistics, Part II
When asked about training advice for Matthews, Taylor suggested, surprise! Surprise!—more time on the bike and more time in the water. Apparently, swimming isn’t Matthews’ favorite pastime, probably second only to watching paint dry. Taylor explains, “Running was always going to be his bread and butter, but how do you convince a man to not just tolerate the water?” Perhaps a Water-Haters Anonymous group could help.
Even amidst the chaos of Ironman training, Matthews successfully ran marathons in London and Berlin, narrowly missing a sub-3-hour finish both times. Taylor’s master plan was somewhat unconventional. Instead of following a more rigorous regime, he let Matthews have the kind of flexibility that would make a yoga instructor jealous. “Why do we have to stick to a structured plan,” he mused. “Let’s just have Spencer run when he feels like it, and the rest will fall into place.” That’s one way to treat an endurance challenge like a leisurely stroll through the park.
In the chaos of what’s apparently a high-intensity life, Taylor even discussed managing travel to minimize swelling after each Ironman. Because, of course, what could be more enjoyable after swimming through icebergs than sitting on a plane, legs ballooning like they belong in a cartoon? With meticulous planning, they tried to minimize the agony of swelling and focus on the holy trinity of recovery: sleeping, eating, and the occasional pat on the back.
As Matthews wades through his consecutive efforts while the world watches, Taylor has spotted a change in him—a mix of fear and determination, as if he’s on the brink of falling off the roller coaster of life. The Arctic Ironman has Matthews questioning safety precautions and swim attire like a first-time beachgoer unsure of how much sunblock to apply. Notably, the swim he faced in Cape Town was a balmy 9°C, which made Matthews casually fret over the upcoming Antarctic swim that hovers around 0°C to -1°C. Let’s just say it’s a swimming experience that’ll need a whole new kind of “iceberg lettuce.”
Amidst his endeavors, Matthews is simultaneously raising money for suicide prevention, making this challenge not just about personal glory but also a grander purpose. Taylor shares how the charity, James’ Place, is close to his own heart—a reminder that while Matthews is out there navigating frigid waters, he’s also helping to support a cause that could genuinely save lives. If there’s one silver lining in diving into ice-cold water, it’s that you might just make a difference in someone’s life while doing it.
