We are delighted to share the following reflection written by Miss Victoria Salata, former pupil and current Sports teacher at The Grange School. In this personal account, Victoria reflects on her experience competing in the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Varas, offering a powerful insight into the physical and mental journey behind high-performance sport.
Through her words, she not only recounts the challenges of the race, but also highlights the importance of resilience, enjoyment and personal growth – values that strongly reflect the spirit of our community.
On Sunday, April 12th, I competed in the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Varas, an unforgettable race shaped by the demanding conditions of southern Chile and a challenging course across all three disciplines. The swim in Lake Llanquihue brought cold temperatures, the 90 km bike course featured significant elevation gain, and the day concluded with a 21 km run through the city and hills of Puerto Varas.
I arrived at this race after several weeks of training and a high accumulated load following Ironman Florida in November 2025 and Ironman 70.3 Pucón in January 2026. Because of this, I didn’t prepare specifically for Puerto Varas. Instead, I chose to prioritize my mental calmness before starting full preparation in May for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii which is in October this year. My goal was simple: give it my all, but also go out, enjoy the experience, and learn from it.
The days leading up to the race were full of uncertainty. Friday was sunny and warm, while Saturday brought heavy rain and strong winds that left the lake very rough. These are factors we cannot control, and while they can create nerves, they are also part of the challenge we all share. Learning to accept them is part of both sport and life.
The day before the race, my coach told me something that stayed with me: this was a race to experiment, to take risks, to step out of my comfort zone, and even to make mistakes. If I felt good, I should go all in without fear. That gave me a sense of freedom, I knew I could race without pressure, focused only on enjoying and learning.
And that’s exactly what I did.
One of the most meaningful highlights of the day was starting the race alongside my husband again after a year. We share not only a passion for sport, but also for teaching, as both of us are Physical Education teachers. During the run, every time we crossed paths, we reached out and held hands for a brief moment. Those small gestures filled us with energy, reminding us of the power of connection and how special it is to share this journey with someone who walks beside you in both life and purpose.
The swim was shortened to 750 meters due to the cold, but I quickly found my rhythm and stayed focused. On the bike, the first 45 km were fast, staying patient on the climbs and strong on the flats and descents. The second half was more demanding, with wind and elevation testing my endurance, but I managed to finish strong while taking in the incredible scenery along Lake Llanquihue.
I knew the run would be tough after such a demanding bike, but I approached it with an aggressive mindset: nothing to lose and everything to learn. I pushed hard, smiled through every kilometer, and gave it everything I had. It became one of the most meaningful parts of the race, achieving my best run in a 70.3 and my third-best half marathon time, with a pace of 4:11 min/km.
Beyond the results, this race reminded me how much I’ve grown not just physically, but mentally. There was a time when I used to feel overwhelming nerves before competing, when my stomach would tighten and anxiety would take over. Now, I stand at the start line with calmness and confidence, understanding that at the heart of it all, we must never forget to enjoy the process because that’s what life is truly about.
I achieved my main goal: to go out, play, experiment, and enjoy.
Results:
- 1st place overall Women Age Group
- 1st place in the 30–34 age category
- 5th best running pace overall, including elite athletes
- Personal best in the 21 km run in an Ironman 70.3: 1:27:30
This race was another step in a journey that is just beginning. I leave with confidence, motivation, and a strong desire to keep improving, understanding that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
In the end, beyond the results, what truly matters is daring to try, enjoying the process, and never stopping believing in what you are capable of achieving.
