Two-time IRONMAN Kona podium finisher admits “biggest worry” about retirement – and what he doesn’t plan to do next

After finishing with a flourish at the T100 Grand Final last November, two-time IRONMAN World Championship podium-finisher David McNamee has been adjusting to retired life.

The British triathlete had a stellar career over 20 years, the highlight being his back-to-back third place finishes at Kona in 2017 and 2018, but it all came to a close with his 12th place finish in Dubai.

It was a sentimental moment for the Scot, who described the race as the ‘most scenic’ way he could have brought his career to a close.

But two months into retirement, McNamee has now admitted his ‘biggest worry’ about leaving the pro circuit behind – and what he definetly doesn’t plan to do next.

Fear of regret

Writing on his Instagram account, McNamee shared a New Year’s message and told all how he’s been finding retirement.

He said: “It’s been a while…. My biggest worry about retiring was waking up one morning wishing I hadn’t.

“Two months later and that’s not happened.”

During the height of his career between 2016 and 2018, McNamee won numerous Challenge races and IRONMAN 70.3 events alongside his two Kona podiums.

However he was never quite able to become the first British man to win the World Championship – and McNamee has admitted he’s found it hard at times to leave his dream behind unfulfilled.

He explained: “It’s not all been easy. Some days I have felt an emptiness no longer having that dream of becoming a world champion to chase.

“I have found myself thinking about those times I got sick/injured before big competitions and wishing I could go back and change the past. Regretting the mistakes I made on my triathlon journey more than ever.”

“However I’m extremely lucky to say the good moments since retirement have massively outweighed the low points. Plus I still look forward to watching the 2025 triathlon season unfold.

“Thankfully I have incredible people around me that have helped me transition to my ‘new’ life.”

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images for Ironman

Finding a new goal

As with most retired triathletes, McNamee is not planning on leaving sport as a whole behind and said he was eager to find a new way to keep fit after his pro career.

But one thing he definetly plans not to do is HYROX – the fitness trend which has captured imaginations of pro, retired and amateur athletes everywhere.

That includes German legend and former IRONMAN World Champion Sebasitan Kienle – who recently shared his own experience of retirement.

McNamee said: “I still love sport so [I] need to find a new goal to chase. No HYROX though.”

A strong runner throughout his career, plenty of people in his comments suggested he sees just how fast he can run a marathon – with others even suggesting he turns to ultra running and the UTMB.

But McNamee is not so confident on that one: “Not sure I could survive it,” he replied.