Paul v HYROX

As many of you know, I competed in my first HYROX event last weekend (February 1st) in Auckland, and I have to say—it was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was electric, with over 6,000 fitness enthusiasts coming together to take on one of the toughest fitness races in the world.

How Did I Go?

I finished HYROX in 1 hour and 37 minutes, placing me in the top third of my age group. While that might be considered “average” in HYROX standards, for me, it was a personal win. The event is over 50% running, and as someone who doesn’t run much, I was just happy to get through the 8 kilometers in one piece! 😉

That said, I only managed four training runs leading up to the event due to some issues with my peroneus longus tendon in my ankle and a grumpy knee. Not ideal, but no excuses—it just meant I had to dig deep on race day.

My burpee broad jumps were brutal—taking me over 7 minutes to complete the 80 meters (definitely a weak spot). My sandbag lunges were also about 20 seconds slower than my fellow competitors.

On the flip side, most of my other stations were solid. My SkiErg took 4:23, and the rower officially clocked 4:39 (though I know it was actually sub-4… something didn’t quite register correctly 😅). My sled times and farmer’s carry were also respectable.

 

Lessons Learned:

 

  1. Running Needs to Be a Priority 🏃‍♂️
    HYROX is a runner’s race with functional fitness thrown in. If I want to improve next year, I need to get serious about endurance training and incorporate more consistent running into my program.
  2. Master the Burpee Broad Jump 🤢
    Let’s be honest—I hate burpee broad jumps. But avoiding them isn’t going to make me any better. To improve, I’ll need to add more burpee variations and plyometrics to build both strength and efficiency.
  3. The Power of Community 💪
    One of the best parts of HYROX was the camaraderie. Being surrounded by like-minded, driven people created an incredible atmosphere that helped me push through the toughest moments.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, HYROX Auckland was an epic experience that tested me physically and mentally. More importantly, it reinforced the importance of perseverance, preparation, and community in fitness.

I’ll definitely be back next year—hopefully stronger, faster, and with better burpees!