Paul Arden | Monday, 9 November 2026
It’s less than two weeks to the Malaysian Ironman so it’s probably time to start swimming!! Everything else is pretty good. Running well. Cycling well. Have my nutrition planned. Now I just have to remember how to swim.
So I’ve placed the Battleship over some deep water, with few stumps, where I’m less likely to swim into a set of Snakehead babies… or snakes. And this week I will dedicate myself to getting the feel back.
It’s good this year that the Ironman is later in the year. There is a strong chance of rain, which here in the tropics will certainly see a faster run from me. The downside is that the Wet Season has come in early and there are babies on the lake at the moment.
This is probably the first year where Ironman has really clashed with fishing. I’m looking forward to having had a good IM and then really fishing hard.
Between us, this may well be the best Snakehead babies year for 5, 6, 7 years. It’s good. And there are Gourami around at the moment too. In fact it’s really annoying me. :)))
For me, as you have probably figured out, fly fishing is the most important thing in life. But for the next two weeks, swimming really now has to take priority! It doesn’t stop me fishing, of course, but it does mean that I’m in a different part of the lake to where I probably should be stationed.
I go to Scotland (and Spain) starting mid December for three weeks. This leaves two prime fishing weeks where I don’t currently have anyone booked. David the Enlightened is possibly taking one of these weeks. So that leaves one other week free. If you want one of these weeks then please get in touch. Normally these prime weeks I host guests. I will catch a lot of fish if I’m not hosting! But my preference is to have a guest or two here during this prime time. There are simply more shots, more action and it’s ideal, particularly for newcomers to this type of challenging and exciting fishing.
Now if you are in the Southern Hemisphere then I can probably bring in another casting student or two at the moment. You are not iced-out like they are in the far north. Blast me an email if you are interested.
I don’t think I have even been this focused on an Ironman. I’m fitter than I’ve been in many years. But it’s so hard here in the tropics. It’s a different type of endurance fitness with the humidity. I’ve been focused on this event for about four months, but also for the last seven or eight years.
My entire IM plan is to simply run the marathon. And negative split. Even if it’s five hours, as long as it’s run, which it would have to be, then I’ll have gone up a notch.
I don’t think I’ll beat my IM times of Hungary. It’s too humid here. And Langkawi has 1600m or more of climbing on the bike as well. And I’m 20 years older. So that’s not the goal. The goal is to run the marathon and not be reduced to marching.
I have to say though, whatever the outcome, it’s good for me. The only way I’ll probably ever reach the podium is if I’m so old that there are only two other contestants in my age group! And actually I think that this would be an excellent ambition.
It’s easy to be fit when we are 20. It’s not all that difficult when we are 55 either. But you have to train. So lots happening. I’m enjoying the focus.
Have a great week.
Cheers, Paul