We all know how easy it is to follow the path of least resistance and simply do the same races over and over again, but when you explore new adventures and challenges - they are often much more fulfilling and memorable.
Stepping outside the comfort zone is something that Ben Hoffman has embraced, and he recently grabbed the win at the Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon in Chile, and shared with us some thoughts on training, racing, family and what is next.
Slowtwitch: Thank you for your time Ben.
Ben Hoffman: Thank you for the opportunity to be back on here. With your history in Swimrun and various multisport events, it’s cool to be able to share an experience from a slightly different format with you.
ST: Talking about the different format, you just came back from Patagonia and likely are still busy unpacking bags and processing memories.
Ben: Yes, we arrived home a little bit ago and are settled back into life in Tucson, enjoying some “Hoffseason” after the big travel and race in Chile. Because we left the kiddos at home with Grandma, we were able to explore the area afterwards with a little more vigor, but it’s good to be back with them now.
ST: It appears that your website has not been updated in a while.
Ben: Probably not! But do people even visit websites anymore in the age of social media? I feel like I have let that lapse some, so thanks for the reminder. Even though there wasn’t a lot of racing from me in 2020, things got rolling again in ’21 and ’22, and there are a host of results and photos that should be updated.
ST: Your Kona race did not end up as you had wanted. I think you had stomach issues at various points of the race.
Ben: Yes, Kona was a big disappointment from a results standpoint. I felt like my preparation was much better than the placing I earned, but I made some mistakes on race day that took me out of any real contention. After a solid swim, I was comfortable in the main group on the bike. Maybe too comfortable, as I put in a lot of calories in the first 40 miles when the effort level wasn’t particularly high. In hindsight, it was just too much for my stomach to handle, so I had to let it clear over the next 40 or so miles before I started to feel like myself again. I pushed the last part of the bike, and the opening 15 miles of the run, and then the wheels came off again with some more GI distress. I never underestimate Kona even with several successful races there, and it got the better of me this time. Still, it was great to be back after such a long wait.
ST: How hard is it to process when the race is disappearing up the road?
Ben: It’s certainly not easy, but I try not to overreact or get too emotional in IRONMAN racing. There are a lot of highs and lows, no matter how well the race is going or how bad it seems to be going. There is always opportunity to improve the situation, but with the level of racing these days, to win you usually need to stay near the front all day. When I started to throw up and had to slow down on the bike, it was a sinking feeling.
ST: How do you motivate yourself in a race to actually continue when things go wrong?
Ben: I made a commitment to myself and everyone around me to do my best and execute on the day, and I use that as motivation. One of the things that really draws me to endurance sport is the honesty in most of the efforts, and as I get older, I’m less concerned with just the result, and more so with the experience. Sometimes there is more value in the events where things go wrong, so I just try to stay engaged and focus on doing my best. Growth mindset.
ST: What do you think about the plan to split up the World Championships to different venues?
Ben: To be honest, I still haven’t formulated a clear answer to this question, and I’m trying not to get to reactionary about it. I’m sure there are a lot of reasons for the changes, and I probably won’t ever have all the information. That said, I am a little sad to see a split and I’m not as motivated for a new venue. I have dedicated almost 15 years to the Island, and it has shaped so much of my career, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I’m sure there are a lot of positive elements to it as well, and change is the only constant, especially if you want to evolve and grow.
ST: When did that idea come up to race the Patagonman Xtreme event?
Ben: We actually got in touch with the team before the first edition in 2018, but weren’t able to make it work. Unfortunately, the pandemic took away two years of the race in 2020 and 2021, but we stayed in touch and made sure that this would be the year. It’s always a little more challenging to hang on until December for a northern hemisphere athlete, but it was well worth it.
ST: You are no stranger to do stuff outside the box, but maybe you can share with us where this one ranks among your more adventurous outings?
Ben: I’ve always enjoyed big endurance efforts, whether in training or organized events. I started triathlon with the university club team in Missoula, Montana, and we always did adventurous training and targeted races that were uniquely strenuous or that felt “grassroots” in some way. Wildflower was my first pro race, for example, and I think growing up in Colorado where I was always skiing, climbing, camping, and mountain biking set the stage for my future triathlon forays. In terms of how this ranks, I would put it near the top for a triathlon event. I’ve done plenty of hard races where strength athletes tend to prevail, but this was another and different level of suffering. When it comes to being absolutely crushed by a race, the 8 days of Cape Epic while suffering from a stomach virus were probably more uncomfortable, but this race also smashed me up.
ST: How early did you arrive, and did you feel ready?
Ben: We arrived in Puerto Chacabuco on Wednesday before the Sunday race. Travel was comparatively easy without the two young kids, but I wouldn’t say I felt particularly race ready. To be honest, the training in the lead-up was a bit rough, and the unknown elements of the race actually left me a little nervous. I got a 3-week virus in November that hampered training, so it all felt a bit pieced together and quite imperfect compared to a normal Ironman build. Despite everyone telling me I would surprise myself and be just fine, I felt some apprehension. In hindsight, it was nice to have those sensations again… it’s part of what I love about big challenges.
ST: Talk about the race and how it unfolded.
Ben: I woke up around 2:45 to have a light breakfast and head down to transition. I was fortunate to have Mario De Elias as my support (along with Kelsey, my wife), so we all went down to T1 together to set up and get ready. The wind was absolutely howling with big white cap waves in the fjord, and rain was intermittent, with temperatures in the high 40’s. It was not an inviting scene, but it isn’t called an Xtri for no reason. After boarding the ferry and heading out to the swim start, we learned that because it wasn’t safe for the water safety personnel, they were considering canceling the swim. A little while later, they made a compromise with the Chilean Navy to have a shortened version, and we jumped into the icy water. I just tried to swim as hard as I could to stay warm, sighting on the flashing lights of a police car on shore. I reached the shore in 2nd position, scrambled up the cargo net onto the dock, and went into transition, where Mario helped me get ready for the ride. We made a game time call on the clothing, and I took off chasing Kevin Jervis who was riding much harder than I had planned or trained for. After halfway, I finally decided to settle down and ride my own race, which meant letting him go up the road a little way. After 90 miles, a few gravel sections, and plenty of wind, I clawed my way back into the lead. Flying down the harrowing descent into Cerro Castillo, I felt fortunate to still be alive, and I swapped into my running shoes. I felt moderately confident that I could win the race at that point, but after struggling up the first few steep and loose climbs, I began to wonder if I could seal the deal. Kevin wasn’t that far back and was having a great day, so I was forced to push the second half harder than I had planned, running the downhills like I would never need to use my legs again. One of the cool things about this race is that you are allowed to have your support run with you for the last 8 miles, so I met Mario at mile 19, and he helped get me to the line. We didn’t talk much, as I was in a world of pain, but he kept me focused and happier than I would have been alone.
ST: By how much was the swim shortened?
Ben: It ended up being about half the distance, so around 1900 meters. With the intense winds and whitecaps, the Chilean Navy wouldn’t allow the swim to start because water safety couldn’t enter the fjord. We were lucky to get any swim as the wind finally died a little and a window opened. Nature is the boss in Patagonia, and in any race for that matter.
ST: Was that your coldest swim to date?
Ben: I can’t remember what the temperature was at the Granite Bay Xterra race I did in 2011 in California, but I think it was low 50’s. Otherwise, I feel pretty confident that this was the coldest, at around 53F. On the Friday before the race, Mario and I went to a nearby lake and swam in 46 degree water, which was basically unbearable. We made it about 650 meters before stopping and getting out.
ST: Which bike did you opt for and how was it set up?
Ben: I chose to ride the Cervelo PX, as I normally do for an Ironman race. Although this one would have been fine on the P5 disc as well, especially with all the climbing. I prefer the PX for its comfort over the long distance, as well as the storage options for nutrition, hydration, and flat kit. The bike was setup with full Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain, ICE Friction treated chain, SLF oversize pulley system, ENVE SES 7.8 wheels with Schwalbe Pro One TT tires, tubeless. I have custom Speedbar aerobars and I run an internal bladder using one of Custom Bike Xcessories bento/hydration boxes.
ST: What was that finish line experience like?
Ben: The finish line at Patagonman is very special, set in the small town of General Ibanez on the shore of a massive freshwater lake and the base of some incredible mountains. Although it is really a very small village in the middle of nowhere Patagonia, there are quite a lot of people who come out and build the energy at the line. To be the first across meant that I got to have the wooden gates opened before I rang the iconic bell, and I can tell you that it will be burned into my mind for a long time. I’m not sure if it was more of the sense of relief or elation, but I rang the bell with every last bit of energy I had, and then I spent 10 minutes laying on some grass in the median. I was completely empty!
ST: What did you do after the race?
Ben: We took part in the final celebrations with the relatively small group of finishers and people associated with the event in Coyhaique, then Kelsey and I hit the road to explore the area. We had seen a lot just in the race recon and race day, but we tested the limits of the rental car on the carretera austral, visiting Parque Nacional Quelat, the marble caves, and the glacier in Laguna San Rafael. We wanted to do more, but time ran out and we had to get back to being parents after almost 2 weeks away. It’s truly vast, unspoiled wilderness, and gave me a sense of peace to see how intact it was.
ST: What is next?
Ben: Right now is some downtime, resetting and spending time with family and friends. I am still moving a little bit, but no structure or pressure on anything. I will play some golf, work on some house projects, and just relax until it’s time to really get after it again. We also have a small trip to California planned to see a few sponsors, including Zoot and Athletic Brewing. Once I’m back to work, the plan is to mix things up a little next year with some gravel racing, some triathlons, and guiding for a visually impaired para triathlete on the world triathlon circuit. I’m not done pushing myself to see how good I can be, but I will direct the energy a little differently than in the past.
ST: How did you get connected to the para triathlete, or maybe better said how did it come about?
Ben: The connection was facilitated by my coach, Ryan Bolton, who has a role in the high-performance team at USA Triathlon. I still have a long way to go to learn and develop into a competent guide, but I am looking forward to the challenge and putting some energy into racing without the focus being entirely on myself. I also believe that the athlete I am working with has potential to race very well at the Paralympics in Paris, so that would be a cool experience if it materialized.
ST: What is a big bucket race or adventure that is still out there on the horizon?
Ben: There are so many that I can’t just say one. I’m not sure if I will ever pursue ultra-running, but it has crossed my mind, so maybe Leadville or Western States, or even Comrades in South Africa. For triathlon, possibly Roth or some other European events this coming summer. I do think I could do well at Ultraman Hawaii if I put the focus on it one day. I don’t know if I will make it happen this year, but I have been curious about Unbound on the gravel side.
ST: Is there anything else we should know?
Ben: Looking back at a career that has spanned almost 20 years now, I can’t believe how fortunate I am to have had this experience. I’m incredibly grateful to all the people in the sport, from fellow athletes, sponsors, friends, race organizers, media, and anyone who loves the endurance sport lifestyle. It’s really been a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to the years I have left and what comes after. Hope everyone has a great 2023!
You can follow Ben Hoffman's adventures on Instagram via @bhoffmanracing
Images 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 are © Wagner Araujo @wags.photo for Patagonman XTri
Images 2 and 7 are courtesy of Ben and Kelsey Hoffman
