Pro triathlete and Ventum athlete Lauren Brandon recently wrapped up an unforgettable 6-week European adventure, pushing herself out of her comfort zone while preparing for one of the biggest races of the year — the Vinfast IRONMAN World Championships in Nice, France. This year marked a significant moment for both Lauren and the sport, as it was the first time the pro women’s field raced for a world championship in Nice. For Lauren, it was her sixth IRONMAN World Championship appearance, and the experience was filled with highs, a few challenges, and lots of memorable moments.

Lauren's Euro training block took her through a variety of terrain and countries — Estonia, Austria, Spain, and France. Of all the places she visited, Girona, Spain stood out as her favorite.

“I had never been to Girona before, and I just felt so relaxed there,” she said. “There were amazing coffee shops, great places to eat, fantastic training, and plenty of other athletes to hang out with. I’d love to go back for more training.” 

When it came to preparing for Nice, Lauren knew she had to make some changes to her typical training routine. Known for spending a lot of time on the trainer, (a trait she picked up from her husband, former pro triathlete Barrett Brandon) she made it a priority to get outside on her bike, particularly to improve her climbing and descending skills.

“Since Nice had a lot of climbing and descending, I needed to get comfortable with the things that scare me, like descending,” she said. “I spent about 8 weeks riding outside, including time in the mountains of Utah and Europe, getting used to the roads. That focused block really paid off on race day.” 

As for the race itself, Lauren’s most daunting challenge was descending on the bike course.

“I was nervous about them before getting to Nice, but I was able to ride the long descent before race day, and that helped a lot,” she said. “I wasn’t the fastest, but I was proud of myself for getting it done.” 

When asked about her favorite parts of the journey, Nice stood out in many ways. The clear waters made it her top pick for swimming, though Zell am See in Austria came in a close second thanks to its picturesque mountain backdrop. Nice also took the crown for her favorite run and ride, as the support from the crowds and the stunning views made for an unforgettable race experience.

“To be running next to the promenade in the south of France was pretty amazing,” 

One of the best aspects of Lauren’s Euroblock was how it pushed her out of her comfort zone. Traveling through four countries in six weeks can come with its fair share of unexpected moments, but Lauren managed to stay on track.

“There was a little more rain than I would have liked, and riding in new places while it was raining wasn’t my favorite,” she said. “But we got through it!”

Her sixth IRONMAN World Championship appearance in Nice wrapped up this whirlwind journey with her husband there for support.

Looking back, the Euroblock was more than just a race preparation; it was an opportunity for Lauren to push her boundaries, experience new places, and embrace the unpredictability of international travel.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Lauren Brandon and the rest of our Ventum athletes as they continue to chase their dreams across the globe!