KOCHI: Swim, bike through rolling hills, run on the flats, and cross the finish line. For Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, a judge of the Kerala High Court, the Ironman 70.3 Goa was a race that began long before the race day. Balancing the demands of judicial office with triathlon training meant finding time for the pool, the road and the run, often around a schedule dictated by court proceedings.
Last weekend, he completed the 70.3-mile challenge, comprising 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21.1 km of running. Nearly 1,650 people, including former IPS officer and former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, participated in the event.
As he moved from one leg of the race to the next, the demands of the course gave way to the discipline that had brought him there.
“I believed that sitting idle and complaining of pain is only an excuse. Unless we embrace the pain, we cannot achieve our desires,” Justice Thomas said.
The idea of taking on the Ironman challenge took root after watching his son participate in the Ironman 70.3 Goa two years ago. Although deeply inspired, he initially lacked the confidence and courage to attempt something of such magnitude. Years of demanding professional commitments, involving 16 to 18 hours of work and a sedentary routine, had also begun to take a toll on his health. Eventually, he decided to take the plunge and embark on this challenging journey.
His coach, Anirudh Ravichandran, an accomplished triathlete, said the training began in the third week of April. The journey was anything but easy. On his first day of swimming, Justice Thomas could manage only 50 metres continuously. Through consistent effort and perseverance, he gradually built his stamina and endurance.
Finding time to train while managing the onerous responsibilities and demanding schedule of a judge was a challenge in itself. His training team also included yoga instructor Subi and gym trainer Saju.
Justice Thomas recalled the struggles he faced during training. Meniscal injuries and other muscle tears interrupted his preparation on several occasions. In the final four weeks, when training was set to peak, he suffered yet another muscle injury while swimming in the sea. His preparation included open-water swimming sessions at Puthuvype, guided by the Dolphin Sea Swimmers.
Despite these setbacks, he refused to give up. During the event, too, he faced several challenges. Swimming alongside nearly 1,650 participants, all navigating their way through the crowded waters, proved particularly demanding. Jellyfish stings on his limbs and neck added to the ordeal. Nevertheless, he completed the 1.9-kilometre swim within the stipulated time.
This was followed by a challenging 90-kilometre cycling course through Goa’s hilly terrain, with steep gradients and numerous climbs. The final leg was a gruelling 21.1-kilometre half-marathon. Overcoming the physical exhaustion of all three disciplines, he crossed the finish line and earned the coveted Ironman 70.3 medal.
His sporting accomplishments extend well beyond triathlon. An ardent badminton player, he won both the singles and doubles titles at the inaugural All India High Court Judges’ Shuttle Championship. His adventurous pursuits include scuba diving across several countries.
