Out of Office: Jerry Hopkinson

Away from your role as PD Ports’ executive chair, you compete in Ironman triathlon events across Europe. Where did your passion for such a hobby begin?

I was a very keen surfer and, at my age, it is really important to keep fit to surf, so I did quite a lot of mobility and strength training, and running for cardiovascular endurance. My work meant I couldn’t surf during the week, so I was limited to weekends and then only for half of the year, when conditions were right.

A friend suggested I try a triathlon, as I was already a decent runner and swimmer.

I wasn’t that struck with the idea, but I then read a book called Finding Ultra, by Rich Roll, about his journey to complete an Ultraman, a three-day event comprising a ten-kilometre swim and a 145-kilometre bike on day one, a 276-kilometre bike on day two and a double marathon – 84 kilometres – on day three.

As a stepping stone, I decided to have a go at Ironman.

An Ironman is a 3.9-kilometre swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride and a 42-kilometre run, which felt like a breeze compared to the Ultra.

Ironman competitions make for incredibly gruelling challenges. How do you prepare for an event and what does a typical training day look like?

I prepare by making myself train, frequently when I don’t want to.

So, this morning I rolled out of bed at 5am to swim for an hour.

I don’t actually want to get up at that time, there is a full working day ahead, but I know to face down that reluctance is a little triumph that strengthens not only my body, but also my mind.

A typical week is probably an hour each morning or evening and four hours or more over the weekend, doing a mix of strength and flexibility work; swimming, biking and running, with a bit of meditation thrown in too.

Time management is a real priority, so as not to impact on my commitments to family and work.

As well as the physical exertion, how do you combat the mental challenges of Ironman events?

I read that the challenge of Ironman can “open up doors to rooms in your mind you would rather leave shut”, and I can tell you that it does.

I can equally tell you there is nothing to be afraid of in those rooms.

It is all about ignoring the monkey chatter in your mind that says, ‘it is raining and cold, you don’t need to go out and run this evening – there is always tomorrow’ or, ‘just walk for a kilometre – you still have 30 kilometres to run and your legs are tired’.

It is a matter of enforcing your will over your natural inclination to give way.

What has been your most memorable achievement in the sport to date? And what are your future aspirations?

In my last year of racing I qualified for the Ironman World Championships and finished, as an age grouper, ranked number three in the UK and 50 in the world.

My oldest daughter Laura (we have four girls) sadly died last year and it was, for her, a huge and shared achievement. I know she boasted to all her friends that her daddy was an Ironman champion.

This year, I am racing three Ironman events, in Spain, Norway and Portugal, with a little photo of Laura stuck to the tribar brace on my bike.

I know that Laura’s voice will be added to mine out there on the course as we jointly tell those monkeys in the mind to clear off.

Does your Ironman training bring any benefits to your professional life? Have you been able to integrate any learnings into your role at PD Ports?

An unequivocal yes.

It has taught me a lot beyond the obvious resilience, stoicism and determination.

It has taught me to focus and to cut out the monkey chatter and to believe in myself and my capacity to endure.

It’s reinforced in me the conviction that there are no genuine hacks or shortcuts because, ultimately, to get to wherever you want to go, you have to do the work.

But above all else, alongside my fellow athletes, who I’m privileged to train and race with, it has reminded me of the innate positivity, courage, dignity and grace of the human spirit, and for that insight I’m incredibly grateful.