Hyrox, Health + Happiness…
(and Crying Over Race Photos… Again)
This was my second Hyrox. The first one, solo in Glasgow, was a big emotional milestone - equal parts proud and painful. I cried when I saw those race photos. Not because I didn’t achieve something incredible, but because I didn’t recognise the body in them as mine.
So why sign up for another one so soon after? Because underneath it all, I still want to feel strong, capable, and connected to myself - and Hyrox, for all its madness, brings that out in me. Also: doing it with a friend changes everything.
The Race Day:
We did an extra sled pull by accident. I ran off for a mid-race wee. We shouted encouragement, high-fived strangers, and crossed the finish line just under our target time. No penalties, lots of laughs, and that beautiful type-two fun where it’s grim at the time and glorious in hindsight.
The Aftermath:
And yet, when I looked at the photos, my heart sank again.
I’ve put on weight - around 10kg in the last 18 months. I’ve eaten and drunk my way through a rough patch in life. I’ve felt overwhelmed, tired, and stuck. So seeing my body reflected back like that… it hurt. It still does.
The Honest Bit:
This isn’t about self-hate. I’m endlessly grateful for a body that can do these things. But it’s also OK to say: I haven’t been looking after myself. I’ve been choosing short-term comfort over long-term health, and now I feel it - not just in my clothes or in photos, but in my energy, my fitness, my confidence.
Where I’m At Now:
I don’t want to fake positivity. But I also don’t want to fake failure. Because completing two Hyrox events, back to back, is bloody brilliant. And I’m proud of myself - even if I’m still sad, still frustrated, still working through it all.
Looking Ahead:
Here’s the truth: nothing changes if nothing changes. I can’t cry over race photos forever and expect something different next time. So I’m committing - quietly, gently, imperfectly - to chipping away at becoming a happier, healthier Jo. Not overnight. Not obsessively. Just with compassion, honesty, and a bit of grit.
Because that’s what real growth looks like…
apparently…I hope…
☀️
