Themistocles Pollalis is a Greek triathlete (31 years old) who lives and trains in London. He was an athlete from a very young age, playing football in various Greek football clubs. But eventually, his love for sports led him to triathlon. He has currently competed in over 50 triathlons, marathons and ultramarathons. As he says, his philosophy is that people have no limits and can achieve anything.
The triathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of three consecutive events
sports: swimming, cycling and running. There are
various distances, the most famous being the Ironman Distance which
consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2
kilometers run. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. Especially in Patagonia, where the natural conditions make the experience even more demanding for athletes.
VICE: You are the first Greek to take part in Patagonman. How did you get here?
Themis Pollalis: It is a great honor to be the first Greek athlete to participate in Patagonman. Participation takes place through a Ballot, where athletes from all over the world participate. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to compete in an event that is perhaps a lifelong dream for thousands of athletes around the world who have all the skills to be selected for the competition.
What exactly is Patagonman?
Patagonman is an extreme triathlon race (long distance) member of the Xtri World Tour and takes place for the third time in Patagonia, Chile.
What sports does it include and what separates it from other competitions?
It includes three sports, consecutive and continuous. It starts with a 3.8km open sea swim, then a 180km bike ride and finally a 42.2km marathon run. There is usually a cutoff time of 5:00 p.m. It is an Ironman type distance, but what sets it apart is the adverse conditions the athlete faces during the race. The swim takes place in 10 degrees Celsius in the Aysen Fjord where it joins the Pacific Ocean and starts at 5am, literally jumping off a boat. Then the 180 km cycling is really difficult and unpredictable. The athletes cycle through the winding and hilly roads of Patagonia, the marathon passes through rough roads and lakes and reaches an altitude of 800 meters.
How did your involvement in triathlon begin?
It started about six years ago. Before I started triathlon I was in a very dark period of my life, psychologically and physically. With the routine and pursuit of everyday life, I felt like a sad man living a life that offered him no real joy. So, I started thinking and sketching the life I really want to live, a life of meaning and experiences. Coming from an athletic childhood, all the great times I had as an athlete came to mind and so one day, on my way home from work, I saw an ad for a Triathlon race. So, from a simple advertisement in an unsuspecting moment, I decided to learn more about the world of Triathlon and within a month I had already registered for my first race. From that race onwards my love for Triathlon started and we arrived six years later, with the same love and passion that I had in the first moment, today preparing for the Patagonman.
You live and train in London. What is life like for an athlete there, compared to what you know about the conditions in Greece?
Living and training in London has its pros and cons. I am very lucky to live in a neighborhood where there are many outdoor, as well as indoor, pools. They are all clean and very well maintained. Plus we have Regents Park where we can do our interval training on a bike. I am also lucky enough to have access to a facility where athletes can practice their open sea swimming with lifeguards. Furthermore, cycling in the UK is a pure blessing as there are hundreds of different routes in the British countryside and the drivers are more often than not attentive to us. When it comes to running, I have access to several parks with flat, muddy and hilly surfaces. But I believe that training in Greece, even though it doesn’t have many modern and clean facilities, is sometimes incomparable. In Greece there are so many mountains, sea, quiet roads that people can really train like the professionals do. I hope the driving mentality will also change and become more cyclist friendly. Respect is needed on both sides because safety is everything.
What does your training involve?
My training requires a lot of discipline and consistency as I have to wake up, on a daily basis, at 5 am. As triathlon consists of swimming, cycling and running, these are the three elements I need to master each day with a combination of training. A typical training day therefore includes an interval cycling session followed by a short run (called a brick). After that I do some yoga to give my body flexibility and in the evening after work I usually do an hour of swimming at a moderate pace. The most demanding training is at the weekend, as it involves at least five hours on the bike and then at least two hours of running. In addition, I usually practice open water swimming in cold water, followed by a yoga session, as stretching is just as important as strength training.
What does your diet include? Is there anything that you pay particular attention to?
My diet contains foods from which I can get as many nutrients as possible. My breakfast starts at 5am, before training, and includes oatmeal with banana, walnuts, honey and cinnamon. This combination gives me carbohydrates in their best form and helps me have enough energy. During training, I consume oat bars, seeds, peanut butter and lots of electrolytes. I generally get the protein I need from a combination of eating lots of legumes, fish (mainly small fish) and yogurt. What I am very careful about is that the sugar I consume is minimal and mostly I get it from fruits, such as bananas, apples, pineapples, etc. Many fruits also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and contribute to our natural immunity.
What thoughts go through your mind during the race?
During such a race I try to be focused on the nature around me and the positive people who encourage us as volunteers. Volunteers are a source of great mental strength for the athletes of such demanding events. During the long race, however, the athlete is completely alone and in those moments I pray to God and thank him for giving me the mental, mental and physical strength to make such a huge effort. I feel grateful to be lucky enough to be in this place and just try to live every moment with beautiful and positive thoughts.
How do you deal with victory and failure?
I always try to treat victory and failure the same way. My goal is always to give 100% of my potential and whether it comes with a win or not, at least I feel complete and proud of myself.
How easy is it to subsidize your love of triathlon? At the same time, do you do something else or do you live from it?
It is actually very difficult to make a living from triathlon. Only top professional triathletes make a living from being a full-time triathlete. These athletes usually have big sponsors who pay for their travel and training expenses. As a result and because I am not at that level, I have to have another full time job. I work in Real Estate in Central London and also provide sailing tours to the Greek Islands as I love Greece. For me the biggest support comes from my partner who travels with me to Patagonia to help me in the race and from my sponsors who have helped me a lot to make my trip happen. I thank them from the bottom of my heart, because thanks to them I can be in Chile.
After all, what does it mean to be an Ironman?
Being an Ironman is a way of life. It’s a way to prove that we humans have no limits. Finishing an Ironman Distance race is a test of yourself. It requires you to show how strong you are physically and mentally. Completing an Ironman is a journey where you learn so many different aspects of yourself and your body, and you also have the opportunity to motivate so many people around you to get into a healthier lifestyle.
As the days for the trip draw near, what schedule will you follow?
Right now I am in the last period of my intense training. I try to sleep well and eat well. In these last days before my big race I am meditating a lot, as during the race there will be moments of intense discomfort that I will have to be able to overcome. But thank God, I feel strong, healthy and mentally ready.
What is your goal for Patagonman?
My goal for Patagonman is to enjoy the race and finish with a huge smile. Ideally I would like to finish under 12 hours but it’s all about finishing healthy and living every moment of this unique experience.
What are your plans after that?
After the race I really want to rest and enjoy some moments with my partner and my family. I will be back in Greece for Christmas and am really looking forward to enjoying some family time. I haven’t been back to Greece for Christmas in three years, and I’ve been training so hard that I definitely need some time off from work and training. My return to training will resume in mid-January as I have many triathlons and ultramarathons coming up in 2023.
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Tags: Themis Greek Ironman Patagonman
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