In this episode

Avgerinos Sechremelis grew up in Distomo, has lived in Arachova since 2005 and began skiing at six. He moved to snowboarding when changing clubs meant exclusion from racing, then to marathons and, from 2022, triathlon.

The discussion focuses on foundations with George Karavidas, 70.3 as his favourite distance, training time opening up when the shop closes and a first Ironman-distance goal in Italy.

Detailed show notes

Snow, Arachova and marathons

He did downhill skiing, slalom and giant slalom, with dryland preparation in summer. Changing clubs required time away from racing; he could not bear the wait and switched to snowboarding. After military service and a period in Athens, he returned to Arachova with his brother, to the shop on the square.

From 2016, he ran seven marathons. With George Karavidas, he trained six days a week, progressing from around 80 km in the first year to 120–130, with emphasis on each session’s purpose. A 2:50 came after triathlon in Athens; he recalls 2:45–2:50 in 2024 and his best triathlon year.

Triathlon up to 70.3

A friend suggested triathlon after an injury. His first Olympic-distance race was at Moraitis. He has raced up to 70.3, not Ironman distance. In Marbella, he lost time descending; he is nervous handling the bike despite years in the mountains. He spends summers on flat Zakynthos and heads down to Itea or Distomo in winter. For track running, he goes to Livadeia.

Work limits races: Ironman Greece 2022–2024, Lake Doxa sprint, Olympic distance and AlmiraMan. In winter, he reached around eight hours for AlmiraMan; when the shop closes in May, he rises to 18–20.

Coaching and supplements

He tried a ready-made TrainingPeaks plan, then returned to a coach because he needs adjustments when the 28 October holiday brings demands at the shop. He follows instructions: if assigned a workout, he completes it. He closes by discussing ZMA before bed as a personal sleep experience, not a prescription.

A first Ironman distance

For 2026, he wants Italy in September: first an Ironman-distance finish, then under 9:30, later sub-9 once he gains experience. Until then, he is considering an AlmiraMan for race intensity. The Italian event is not named.

Key takeaways

  • A foundation matters when you know why you train, not only how fast you go.
  • With a shop in Arachova, training hours open up in summer; the race must fit life’s available window.
  • A 70.3 leaves room to recover from the previous discipline; cycling descents are a skill, not an automatic gift from skiing.
  • A ready-made plan cannot replace a coach when the 28 October holiday or work hours disrupt the week.