Here, a swimming pool, there, winding paths, further, hilly roads. From his home, Nicolas Sartoux is preparing. Difficult to hold it in place. The surroundings of Bourganeuf allow the Creusois to suffer as he loves so much.
After his emergency room nurse guards, the muscular brunette swims, pedals and runs. “After seeing a heart attack or extrication, you have to be able to breathe …” And he blows lengthwise.
Races in Switzerland, Norway and soon the United States?
In competition, the very young forty-something can do four kilometers of swimming, ten kilometers of cycling and forty-two kilometers of running.
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Finally, the older you are, the longer you last. I manage to train between ten and fifteen hours a week, it is individual sacrifice, but also collective.
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When he leaves for an Ironman, the superhero from Creuse takes his whole family on board. “I might as well take the opportunity to take a week’s vacation when I go to hurt myself on a race abroad. This is also what motivates me. “
His wife and three children are therefore sometimes traveling. His sister too.
Not without admiration, Élodie describes a brother … exhausting. “He annoys us … he’s good everywhere, we even wonder where it comes from. When Nicolas does something, it’s always hard. But it’s annoying because he succeeds in everything. “
On the Bourganeuf side, Nicolas Sartoux can train on several routes.
Recently, she was able to appreciate the very good result of her elder brother in the half-Ironman of Sables-d’Olonne. “We can see his performance live and we saw that he sometimes went faster than the professionals, he’s a Martian. “
Health pass and amateur football, what impact in Creuse?
And Nicolas Sartoux likes to live between two planets: Creuse and Vendée, land of his latest exploits. The dynamic athlete restored a house near Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. A completely different setting for training. “On the Vendée side, it’s easier to swim. But the Creuse is still something … We have everything in front of us. For swimming, the water just needs 12 degrees and I jump. “
In his swimming pool, the Creusois trains to improve his fabile point.
Bad swimmer but fine runner
Despite his aquatic training, it’s hard to say that this lover of effort swims like a fish in water. This is its weak point.
Basically, I specialize in cycling because I did it in a club until I started to work. But, for swimming, well I had to learn. I can still see myself practicing in my pool with a rope when I started to embark on this adventure.
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An adventure initiated in front of the television, which he does not however often watch, due to lack of time. “I watched a show on the Norseman, this race in Norway. It’s just insane. I told myself I wanted to do this. And, of course, he did.
Jump at five in the morning in a fjord (glacial valley) at ten degrees and finish the race in a field of stones at an altitude of 1,800 meters, he did it. “I am always looking for new experiences. I did Switzerland, I would like to do Scotland. In incredible settings. ” 
If he practices several hours of racing, Nicolas Sartoux does not forget to work his mind.
Physical and especially mental preparation
From Norway, the triathlete keeps a philosophy. But also a flag in his garden and a tattoo on his left calf. “I fell in love with this country at first sight. He represents a lot of values to me. ”
Among these values: effort. In the water, on a saddle or on foot, the caregiver likes to hurt himself, physically and mentally.
Half a race is always played in the head. We go through doubt and overwhelm. I have already finished without the saddle of the bicycle. I would have to cut my leg to make me quit a race.
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In the head but also in the plate, everything is calculated. “On the other hand, I have trouble with dietetics. I like to drink a beer and eat a good cheese. You always have to think about pleasure. ”
In Creuse, fencing hopes to benefit from the dynamics of the Olympic Games
Nicolas Sartoux hopes to have fun, in mid-September, at the half-Ironman world championships organized in Saint-George, in the United States. Surprised by his qualification for this event, following several withdrawals from other triathletes, the Creusois wants to go to Utah with measured ambition. “I know I’m not going to win, but I’m preparing well. It’s still crazy to be able to participate in this as an amateur. ”
Preparation in Creuse for the future participants in the half-Ironman world championships.
As an amateur, he only has the status. His training rhythm and his performances place him on sacred standards. But, this big fan of the Norse god Thor does not forget the very essence of his sport. Love at first sight is still there. “In our sport, we often mix pros and amateurs. Some do the race of their life with bikes with 500 balls and with the hair on the legs. We say to ourselves that we are all in the same boat and, that, I love it! “
A tumultuous start for the United States?
In a month, Nicolas Sartoux should participate in the half-Ironman world championships in Saint-George, in the United States. But, taking into account the health context, the Creusois still does not know if it will be able to fly in the direction of the American territory …
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Photos: Floris Bressy
Text: Alix Vermande
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