The Alpsman: “A Magnificent Race”

Alpsman 2019 Lake Finisher, Jean-Luc Perrin has very fond memories of this atypical event, even if he couldn’t make it to the top of Semnoz. A triathlete for only two years, the Annecy Lake Xtrem Triathlon was part of his preparation for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii next October. Interview.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE. Photos: D.R.

First triathlon license in 2018 at 60 years old, first XXL distance race number at the FrenchMan in May 2018, qualified at Ironman Vichy in August 2018 for the World Championship in Hawaii next October… Jean-Luc Perrin never ceases to surprise those around him, even causing a certain incomprehension. Last weekend, the neo-triathlete finished the Alpsman, the Annecy Lake Xtrem Triathlon, winning his 60-64 age category in 14h34’47. His only regret: not being able to climb to the summit of Semnoz, missing the bell passage by 20 minutes. A look back at the experience with this athlete with a singular journey.

3bikes.fr: Jean-Luc, how does one get the idea to sign up for their first triathlon license at… 60 years old?
Jean-Luc Perrin: I had surgery in 1996 for a herniated disc at the age of 39. From that moment on, I started cycling, in competition but also at the start of many cyclosportives. I finally took a triathlon license at 60 because I told myself it was now or never. And since I’ve always been audacious, I wanted to start with a significant event. I looked for an XXL distance, Ironman format, with a not-too-difficult course, and the FrenchMan in Hourtin (Gironde) seemed perfect to me.

Not too difficult a format when you have no experience?
Indeed, I suffered much more in Hourtin than on the Alpsman last weekend. But I was discovering everything: the swimming distance, the marathon after 180 km of cycling, the mental resources to draw upon. I later noticed that experience makes the mind and body get used to the effort. What also allows me to resist the difficulty in this kind of XXL event is the pleasure of being there, enjoying the atmosphere, the kindness of the volunteers. Or, when I put down my bike on the Alpsman, it’s to say with a smile to my friend and the spectators present, “What if I did a marathon now to finish the day?” I know that made them laugh a lot…

What was the outcome of the FrenchMan, your first XXL?
Despite the suffering, I won in my 60-64 age category. I then followed up with the AintriMan where I also won in my category, and then with the Ironman Vichy where I qualified for the World Championship this year in Hawaii by finishing 3rd in the 60-64 age group.

So the Alpsman was a well-thought-out entry that was part of your preparation for the World Championship?
Yes, even though I didn’t know about this race last winter! But at the general assembly of Trispiridon Oyonnax Ain, two of our members announced that they were going to register. I looked into it on my own and decided to join them.

Weren’t you afraid of the course, especially the 4,468 m of positive elevation gain on the bike?
The bike doesn’t scare me, it’s more the swimming. I only learned to swim crawl four years ago, so I’m always a little apprehensive about that part. In preparation, I participated in the Ironman 70.3 Pays d’Aix, the Half Iron du Semnoz, and the Triathlon M de Bourg en Bresse. The start in the middle of Lake Annecy is very nice, you just have to not wait too long in the water before the start. Then you look for the buoys a bit in the dark, but the kayaks are equipped with flashlights and help guide us.

What were your expectations for this Alpsman?
To climb to Semnoz like all the other competitors. The days leading up to the event drain your energy, we calculate our times and I knew it would be very tight for me with the 12 hours allotted to reach the bell passage and be allowed to do the climb. I missed it by 20 minutes. I thought I would do better in swimming and cycling. I imagined 1h20 in swimming, but I got out in 1h30. Then on the bike, I didn’t give it my all because I knew the marathon would be difficult. I knew that if I didn’t swim very well, I would have to ride at an average of 23 km/h to hope to pass before the bell. But my bike computer stayed stuck at an average of 22 km/h, so I quickly knew it would be difficult.

What do you take away from this experience?
Excellent memories and a lot of pleasure. I was surprised by the marathon, which is not at all flat, especially on the way back. I met many competitors who were walking. The setting is magnificent, the start is stimulating even if I’m not a good swimmer. The bike course is splendid, the encouragement from spectators and volunteers is abundant. I am proud to be a Lake Finisher of an extremely difficult event whose reputation is growing more and more. It’s quite a journey!

My entourage hadn’t really understood the FrenchMan challenge, let alone the AlpsMan and the projection onto the Ironman World Championship…

How does your entourage react to this change in your life over the past two years?
They are impressed. They are discovering capacities in me that I was personally aware of, but which I had not yet been able to express. They hadn’t really understood the FrenchMan challenge, let alone the AlpsMan and the projection onto the Ironman World Championship…

What is your weekly training load?
I mostly go by feel. I’m 62, the body is what it is at that age, so I try not to torture it too much to keep it healthy for a few more years. I train about 12 hours a week, focusing mainly on running and cycling. I’m limited in swimming because I have shoulder pain, inflammation that occurs when I overwork them.

What’s your summer program?
I absolutely have to improve my swimming to aim for a time of around 1h15-20 over 3,800 m. So I’m going to spend time in Lake Nantua. I’ll also work on my orientation, which remains a weakness. On the cycling side, I also do a lot of mountain biking. I’ll be at the start of the Transverdon, a major crossing of 260 km and 9,000 m of positive elevation gain in complete autonomy. Depending on how this event unfolds and especially my recovery, I’ll think about what to do next before projecting myself to Hawaii.