Ironman 70.3 — No Shortcuts

A 70.3 doesn’t care about your fitness level going in. It demands 1.2 miles of open water swimming, 56 miles on the bike, and a 13.1-mile run — all back to back, on the same day, against a field of over 2,200 athletes.

Leonardo Da Silva lined up at IM 70.3 Santa Cruz in the M35-39 age group with a Brazilian flag on his profile and a race plan built by Ryan. The goal was simple: execute, finish strong, and place well in one of the most competitive age groups in triathlon.

He did exactly that.

Three Disciplines. One Plan.

Ryan built Leonardo’s program around the full triathlon picture — not just getting him to the finish line, but getting him there with enough left in the tank to push through the run leg at a 9:12/mile pace after 57+ miles of swimming and cycling.

That kind of run pace off the bike doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of structured brick workouts, dialed-in pacing strategy, and race-day nutrition that doesn’t let you fall apart when it gets hard.

IM 70.3 Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is one of the most scenic — and demanding — 70.3 courses on the calendar. Pacific Ocean swim, rolling bike course, and a run along the coast. Over 2,272 athletes on the start line.

Leonardo navigated all of it. He swam, rode, and ran his way to a 5:37:47 finish — placing 83rd in his age group out of 204, and 764th overall out of 2,272. Top third in his age group at a full Ironman 70.3. That’s not just finishing — that’s competing.

83rd out of 204 in his age group. 764th out of 2,272 overall. A 9:12/mile run pace after 57+ miles of swim and bike. This is what preparation looks like when it meets execution on race day.

Leonardo showed up trained, focused, and ready. He crossed that finish line in the top third of his age group at one of the most competitive 70.3s on the circuit.

“Every swim, every ride, every run. The work doesn’t lie — and neither does the result.”