In this episode

A festive episode without a central guest: Jenny Boulmeti describes federation licence registration and renewal as she understands them, then joins George Svarnas to review the announced calendar.

The second part is personal: goals for Ironman in Africa and 70.3 in Katerini, reflections on Tallinn and Kona, and training changes at the start of the year.

Detailed show notes

Licences, renewals and clubs

Jenny directs listeners to the federation website and describes new registration as she understands it: a federation-affiliated club, an application, a cardiologist’s health card, a photo and a €30 fee. A licence and health card are required at races. A €10 one-day licence is also available; she recommends an annual licence to support registered athletes and the federation.

Renewal, she says, is simpler: a €10 fee and a new health card, with no fixed deadline but before the first race. A club transfer uses the same documents at the new club. George belongs to Niriida, where Jenny coaches and Sotiris is president; he chooses a club for its people and information, rather than club income.

A calendar, not an exhaustive list

They are pleased the PDF appeared early, unlike last year. They read through an indoor super sprint in Halandri, a March duathlon, a schools aquathlon in Kavala, cross/XTERRA, 70.3 in Messolonghi and TRIMAN only a few weeks apart, summer lake events, autumn races in Kavala and Goumenitsa, and TRIMAN 226 as the only full-distance event they see in Greece at that point. Ironman Greece at Navarino already has an October date and open registration.

Jenny stresses checking the official race announcement before entering any event.

Looking back

Jenny raced Warsaw 70.3 and Kona; this year she writes her own training. George recalls a full-distance personal best close to 9.5 hours in Tallinn, a poor day by the numbers at TRIMAN and a difficult Ironman Greece without specific preparation.

Health and family remain his first measure of the year, beyond results. George says a good race comes from preparation, not simply having a good day.

Goals for 2026

Both are targeting Ironman in Africa in April. Jenny wants to race the Greek 70.3 championship in Katerini about a month later; George wants TRIMAN, indoor triathlon, duathlon and possibly middle distance in Ayia Napa.

George is already training 15–16 hours, with weeks reaching 20. He has a half-marathon in Marrakesh planned as a hard training effort, alongside his mother who is running the marathon.

Key takeaways

  • A licence is not compulsory for every race, but registration supports the sport and simplifies paperwork.
  • A January calendar allows goal-setting; two 70.3s in two weeks force a choice.
  • A good race comes from preparation, not simply one good day.
  • After years with a coach, self-coaching suits those with the experience to read race day appropriately.