This was Gangakhedkar’s second Ironman competition. Her preparation was meticulous, including a consistent breathing strategy that helped her swim the 3.8 km in a personal best of 1 hour and 11 minutes. The bike segment, which featured challenging hilly terrain and slippery cobblestone streets, was particularly tough. Despite the difficulties, she completed the ride in 6 hours and 18 minutes without falling.
During the marathon portion, which took 4 hours and 38 minutes, Gangakhedkar initially aimed for a steady pace but had to adjust due to an aggravation of a pre-existing IT band issue. She noted, “I started strong but had to switch to a run-walk strategy towards the end. I’m happy with my timing, especially since my last Ironman in Barcelona was at 13 hours and 23 minutes.”
Alongside Gangakhedkar, Satyajit Joshi, a fitness enthusiast and company secretary, also competed in his first Ironman event, finishing in 12 hours and 45 minutes. Joshi, who previously completed the Deccan Cliffhanger ultra-cycling race, praised the value of proper coaching and medical checks before undertaking such intense challenges.
Both athletes now aim to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon. Gangakhedkar, who transitioned from a banking career to fitness after becoming a mother, started running to regain her fitness and eventually moved into triathlons. Her daily routine includes one and a half hours of training on weekdays and up to three hours on weekends. She attributes her success to a combination of personal passion and the supportive fitness community in Pune.
“Fitness is my passion and personal time. It has positively impacted all areas of my life, from home to work,” Gangakhedkar shared.