RACE REPORTS

Follow our journey through past race reports, lessons learned, and the road to upcoming HYROX events.

SIMULATION RACE ESPOO / FINLAND 7.3.2026

HYROX Simulation Race Espoo

The Start of the DrivenBySISU Journey

Event: HYROX Simulation Race
Location: Espoo, Finland
Organizer: OCR Factory
Team: Sami & Katja
Category: Mixed Doubles Simulation

Introduction

Every journey needs a starting point.

For us, the HYROX Simulation Race in Espoo was much more than a workout or a test event. It became the first real benchmark on our road toward becoming competitive HYROX athletes and building the DrivenBySISU project.

At the time, we knew we were motivated, disciplined, and willing to put in the work, but we didn’t yet know how our strengths and weaknesses would appear in a true HYROX environment.

Espoo gave us those answers.

Race Day

The atmosphere was energetic and supportive from the very beginning.

Our goal was not to chase a specific finish time. Instead, we wanted to learn as much as possible.

We wanted to understand:

  • How our bodies respond to HYROX race intensity.
  • How well we perform together as a team.
  • Which stations are our strengths.
  • Which areas require the most attention.
  • How we handle fatigue when the race starts to hurt.

Looking back, that mindset allowed us to gain more from the event than any result alone could have provided.

What Went Well

Teamwork

One of the biggest positives of the day was discovering how naturally we work together during competition.

HYROX Doubles is not only about fitness. Communication, pacing, trust, and decision-making all matter.

The race confirmed that we complement each other well. When one of us was pushing hard, the other could recover and prepare for the next effort.

That partnership has remained one of the strengths of our training ever since.

Work Capacity

The simulation showed that we already had a solid fitness foundation.

Farmer Carry, SkiErg and Rowing felt relatively comfortable compared to some of the other race elements. Even as fatigue increased, we were able to keep moving and continue producing work.

That gave us confidence that the engine was already there.

Mental Resilience

Like every HYROX race, there were moments when the effort became uncomfortable.

Espoo reminded us that mental strength is just as important as physical fitness.

We learned that we could continue making good decisions and managing our effort even when fatigue started to build.

What We Learned

Expect the Unexpected

One of the most memorable lessons of the day happened before the race had even started.

The evening before, we carefully planned our race morning. At least that is what we thought.

Unfortunately, we got the schedule wrong.

While sitting on the metro on our way to the venue, we suddenly realized that there were only about 40 minutes left until the start, and it would still take us approximately 30 minutes to walk from the station to the race venue.

At that moment, there was no time to stress.

Instead, we made a quick decision.

Our planned warm-up was replaced by a fast-paced run from the metro station to the race venue while carrying our race gear and trying to arrive before the start. Looking back, it was not exactly the pre-race routine we had imagined.

The experience was a good reminder that races do not always begin when the clock starts. Sometimes they begin much earlier.

More importantly, it reminded us that things rarely go exactly according to plan. The ability to stay calm, adapt, and keep moving forward is often just as valuable as physical fitness.

In many ways, that unexpected run to the venue became the first true Sisu Moment of the day.

Running Between Stations

The biggest lesson from Espoo was clear.

Running needed improvement.

The race exposed one of the most important realities of HYROX:

Running while fatigued is completely different from running fresh.

Although we could run reasonably well on its own, maintaining pace after demanding stations proved much more challenging.

This became the primary focus of our training after the race.

Pacing Matters

HYROX rewards patience.

Espoo taught us that attacking every station with maximum intensity is not always the fastest strategy.

A slightly more controlled effort early in the race creates significant advantages later when fatigue accumulates.

This lesson continues to influence both our training and racing today.

Transition Efficiency

The event also highlighted how important efficiency is.

Small pauses become expensive.

Time is often lost in transitions, equipment changes, and unnecessary recovery moments.

Since Espoo, we have spent considerable time improving rhythm, flow, and movement efficiency throughout our simulations and training sessions.

How Espoo Changed Our Training

The simulation became the blueprint for the entire DrivenBySISU project.

Following the event, our training evolved around four key pillars:

Aerobic Development

Building a stronger running engine through structured Zone 2 training.

Threshold Running

Improving sustainable HYROX race pace.

HYROX Simulations

Practicing race-specific pacing, teamwork, and transitions.

Functional Strength

Building durability and strength that transfers directly into race performance.

Many of the workouts we still perform today can be traced back to lessons learned during this race.

Looking Back Today

Months later, the impact of Espoo is still visible.

Since that first simulation we have:

  • Increased our running volume.
  • Improved running economy.
  • Built more consistent HYROX pacing.
  • Completed numerous partner and solo simulations.
  • Developed a deeper understanding of race strategy.
  • Continued building the DrivenBySISU project and community.

Most importantly, we have learned that long-term progress is built through consistency rather than dramatic breakthroughs.

The Sisu Moment

The most memorable part of Espoo was not a particular station or split time.

It was the realization that we had started something bigger than a single race.

Standing together after crossing the finish line, tired but motivated, we knew this would not be our last HYROX event.

It was the beginning of a journey.

A journey built on discipline, consistency, partnership, and Finnish sisu.

Final Thoughts

Espoo was not perfect.

That is exactly why it was so valuable.

The simulation exposed weaknesses, revealed strengths, and gave us direction.

Every training session since then has been part of the response to what we learned that day.

Every race that follows, from Kuopio to Karlsruhe and beyond, has its roots in that first simulation.

The stopwatch measured our performance.

The experience shaped our future.

About the Event

The HYROX Simulation Race in Espoo was organized by OCR Factory and served as a valuable first benchmark in our HYROX journey.

Learn more:
https://ocrfactory.fi/fi-fi

DrivenBySISU

Built on consistency. Guided by purpose. Powered by Finnish Sisu. 🇫🇮🔥

SIMULATION RACE KUOPIO / FINLAND 8.8.2026

HYROX Simulation Race Kuopio

Proof of Progress

Event: HYROX Simulation Race
Location: Kuopio, Finland
Team: Sami & Katja
Category: Mixed Doubles Simulation
Part of: Road to Karlsruhe

Introduction

Five months earlier, the HYROX Simulation Race in Espoo gave us our first real benchmark.

Kuopio gave us something different.

It gave us proof that the work was paying off.

Since Espoo, we had invested countless hours into improving our running, building race-specific strength, completing simulations, and learning how to function more efficiently as a team. The goal was clear:

Become a faster and smarter HYROX doubles team.

Kuopio was our first opportunity to see how much progress had actually been made.

Different Course, Different Challenge

At first glance, the final result looked only slightly better than Espoo.

However, the courses were very different.

In Espoo, the running course was a smooth oval loop with a relatively short Roxzone.

In Kuopio, every kilometre consisted of four laps with repeated 180-degree turns where speed dropped almost to zero before accelerating again. The Roxzone was also significantly longer, adding roughly 100 metres of additional movement around each station.

The result was a course that demanded far more acceleration, deceleration, and race management than what we experienced in Espoo.

It felt much more like a true race.

Our Race Strategy

Unlike Espoo, we arrived in Kuopio with a clear plan.

The objective was simple:

Run consistent kilometres and keep moving.

Sami took responsibility for setting the running pace while Katja focused on maintaining rhythm and efficient station execution.

Throughout the simulation we committed to:

  • Running all Roxzones
  • Minimizing unnecessary stops
  • Sharing work according to our strengths
  • Staying disciplined with pacing
  • Avoiding early-race heroics

The biggest success was that we followed the plan.

A short pause for hydration before each run was all we allowed ourselves before moving again.

Running Finally Felt Different

Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from Kuopio was the running.

For months, running between stations had been our biggest challenge.

In Kuopio:

  • The pace stayed remarkably consistent.
  • We avoided major slowdowns.
  • The final runs looked very similar to the early ones.
  • Running never completely fell apart.

Even more importantly, Sami was able to control the pace throughout the race and maintain conversation during the runs despite an unusually high heart rate.

That alone showed how much progress had been made since Espoo.

Smart Teamwork

Another major step forward was the way we shared the workload.

Rather than splitting everything equally, we started using our individual strengths.

Examples included:

Farmer Carry

Sami handled a larger share of the carry distance while Katja kept the station moving smoothly.

Sandbag Lunges

Katja took a larger percentage of the total distance, helping preserve Sami’s legs for the running sections.

Burpee Broad Jumps

The station was completed in short alternating efforts to maintain rhythm and reduce unnecessary fatigue.

Rowing and SkiErg

Work was divided evenly, allowing both athletes to contribute without creating excessive fatigue before the next run.

For the first time, the race felt less like two individuals sharing work and more like a genuine doubles partnership.

What Went Well

Race Flow

This was probably the biggest improvement compared to Espoo.

There was far less standing around, less hesitation, and fewer unnecessary pauses.

We moved.

Even when tired, we kept moving.

That may sound simple, but in HYROX it often makes a bigger difference than raw fitness.

Station Efficiency

Several stations improved significantly compared to Espoo:

  • Sled Push
  • Sled Pull
  • Farmer Carry
  • Lunges
  • Rowing

Months of simulation training were clearly translating into better race execution.

Mental Strength

There were difficult moments throughout the race, especially during the later stages.

But unlike our first simulations, there was no panic.

We trusted the process, stayed patient, and continued executing the plan.

What We Learned

Wall Balls Still Need Work

Every simulation teaches something.

In Kuopio, that lesson was clear.

Wall Balls remain one of our biggest opportunities for improvement.

Small technical inconsistencies and interruptions in rhythm cost valuable time and energy.

Fortunately, this is also one of the easiest areas to improve through practice.

Fitness Alone Isn’t Enough

The race reinforced an important lesson:

Success in HYROX comes from efficiency.

Better transitions.

Better pacing.

Better communication.

Better decision-making.

The athlete who wastes the least energy often wins more time than the athlete who simply works harder.

The Value of Consistency

One simulation never changes everything.

The improvement we saw in Kuopio wasn’t the result of one great workout.

It was the product of months of consistent training, hundreds of kilometres of aerobic work, race simulations, strength sessions, and lessons learned along the way.

Looking Back

When comparing Kuopio to our first simulation in Espoo, the biggest difference wasn’t the stopwatch.

The biggest difference was confidence.

In Espoo, we were discovering HYROX.

In Kuopio, we were starting to race HYROX.

The movement felt more natural.

The strategy was clearer.

The teamwork was stronger.

And perhaps most importantly, we left Kuopio believing that our goals were achievable.

The Sisu Moment

The most memorable part of Kuopio wasn’t a specific station.

It was the decision to keep trusting the plan.

Sami’s heart rate climbed much higher than expected throughout the race. It would have been easy to panic, slow dramatically, or abandon the pacing strategy.

Instead, we stayed composed.

The pace remained controlled.

The plan remained unchanged.

And together we continued moving forward.

That is what Finnish sisu often looks like.

Not reckless effort.

Not stubbornness.

Just calm determination when things don’t feel perfect.

Road to Karlsruhe

Kuopio became an important stepping stone on our journey toward Germany.

The simulation showed that:

✅ Running has improved significantly.

✅ Station execution is more efficient.

✅ Teamwork is stronger than ever.

✅ Race flow is improving.

✅ Our preparation is moving in the right direction.

There is still work to do, but the direction is clear.

One step closer.

One race wiser.

One challenge at a time.

Final Thoughts

Kuopio wasn’t our perfect race.

That is exactly why it was valuable.

It exposed weaknesses.

Confirmed strengths.

Validated our training.

And gave us a much clearer picture of what needs to happen before Karlsruhe.

The finish time mattered.

The lessons mattered more.

And the journey continues.

DrivenBySISU

Built on consistency. Guided by purpose. Powered by Finnish Sisu. 🇫🇮🔥

HYROX KARLSRUHE / GERMANY 1.10.2026

HYROX Karlsruhe 2026 Doubles

A Clearer Road to Sub75

Event: HYROX Karlsruhe 2026
Category: Mixed Doubles, Age Group 45–49
Team: Sami and Katja
Finish Time: 1:25:12
Age Group Rank: 10
Overall Rank: 212
Bib: 175001
More than a race. A stronger tomorrow.
Some races deliver the result you came for.
Others give you the information needed to reach it later.
HYROX Karlsruhe belonged firmly in the second category.
Our finish time of 1:25:12 was not yet the Sub75 performance we are chasing, but the race became an important benchmark in our DrivenBySISU journey. It showed us what already works, where time is being lost, and what needs to happen next.
  • The stopwatch gave us the result.
  • The experience gave us direction.

 

Before the Race

The challenge began before race morning.
The previous day had been a long travel day, and neither of us woke up feeling physically at our best. There was nothing dramatic enough to prevent us from racing, but the body did not feel completely fresh or responsive.
We left for the venue on foot. The journey included some additional walking and minor confusion with the tram system. By the time the race began, we had accumulated approximately 15,000 steps.
That gave us plenty of natural movement and physical activation, but it may also have been more pre-race activity than necessary.
We ate around two and a half hours before the start. The meal consisted of sandwiches, a protein drink, strawberries and pineapple. We drank water consistently throughout the day.
Arriving early gave us time to watch previous heats and become familiar with the venue, course layout and event arrangements. There was no need to rush, and we could take in the atmosphere before starting our own final preparations.
When motivation ends, SISU begins.

Warm-Up

Our warm-up went well.
We began with easy jogging, mobility work and stretching before testing a few race-specific movements:
  • A few Wall Ball repetitions
  • Sandbag transition practice
  • Approximately 300 metres of rowing
Sami Kettunen completed the warm-up without pain. Katja Tiihonen had some sensations in the calf and glute area, so we monitored how they responded as the intensity increased.
The sensations did not prevent us from starting or completing the race. However, they formed part of the physical context in which the performance took place.
The warm-up did its job.
It prepared our bodies, increased our confidence and gave us the green light to race.

A Strong Start

The race began better than the morning sensations had suggested.
The opening run felt smooth and controlled. We found our shared rhythm quickly and entered the first station without unnecessary stress.
Sami’s heart rate climbed very high again, while Katja maintained a steadier and more moderate heart rate profile. Despite the high readings, Sami’s breathing remained controlled and rhythmic. The elevated heart rate did not immediately interfere with running or lead to uncontrolled breathing.
Our race nutrition was simple:
  • Two energy gummies before the start
  • Two energy gummies around the Row station
  • Water at every available Roxzone water point
  • A few sips of Red Bull before the Sandbag Lunges
There were no major fueling or hydration problems during the race.
Most importantly, our pacing remained controlled.
At no stage did we come close to a complete physical breakdown. We were working hard, but the race stayed manageable from start to finish.

The Result

We crossed the finish line in 1:25:12.
The result gave us 10th place in the 45–49 age group and 212th place overall. Our total running time was 46:51, Roxzone time was 6:41, and total station time was 31:44.
 
 

Race Snapshot

The result left us 10 minutes and 12 seconds outside the Sub75 target.
That number is significant, but it is not one single problem.
It is a collection of smaller opportunities.

Age Group Comparison

To understand the result properly, we compared our performance with the pairs ranked second through fifth in our age group.
The third-ranked pair provides the closest benchmark for our current objective. Their finishing time of 1:14:09 was 51 seconds inside the Sub75 target and 11:03 faster than our result. The source data also records a five-second Sled Pull bonus for that pair, retained as a note rather than separately deducted from the split times.
 

Sub75 Benchmark

The comparison gave us a clear message.
The largest opportunity is running, but reaching Sub75 will require improvements across the entire race.
Small steps. Bigger results.

Running: The Biggest Opportunity

Our eight running sections added up to 46:51.
The benchmark pair completed the running sections in 40:48, creating a difference of 6:03.
Our splits were:
The pattern is clear.
We started well, but our running pace gradually slowed through the middle of the race. The final split then improved to 5:09.
The stronger final run shows that we were still capable of increasing our speed near the end. It also supports our own race-day observation that we did not completely run out of energy.
The development target is therefore not simply to survive the final kilometres.
It is to maintain a stronger and more consistent pace during Runs 3–7, after fatigue from the stations has started to accumulate.
 

Data Snapshot

DrivenBySISU run total: 46:51
Sub75 benchmark: 40:48
Difference: +6:03
The biggest difference was not reaching the finish. It was maintaining running speed under fatigue.

Our Strongest Station

The clearest performance highlight was the 50-metre Sled Push.
We completed the station in 1:59. This was faster than the second-ranked age group pair at 2:22 and the third-ranked benchmark pair at 2:20.

Strongest Station

50m Sled Push: 1:59
  • 23 seconds faster than AG Rank 2
  • 21 seconds faster than AG Rank 3
This is an important result for us.
The Sled Push was not simply good relative to our other stations. It was genuinely competitive within the age group comparison.
The data confirms what we felt during the race. The Sled Push is no longer a weakness. It is one of our strengths.
Our Farmers Carry was also close to the target benchmark. We recorded 1:46, compared with 1:45 for the third-ranked pair.
Those performances show that the building blocks of a stronger overall race already exist.

Where Station Time Was Lost

Our total station time was 31:44, compared with 27:31 for the Sub75 benchmark pair. The overall difference was 4:13.
The largest station differences were:
The three largest gaps came from:
  1. Burpee Broad Jumps
  2. Sandbag Lunges
  3. Wall Balls
Together, these stations accounted for more than three minutes of the difference to the benchmark pair.
That gives us a highly practical training direction.
We need more efficient movement, better partner-change timing and stronger station performance when already carrying running fatigue.

Sled Pull: A Specific Development Area

Our Sled Pull time was 4:30.
The second-ranked pair completed it in 3:34 and the Sub75 benchmark pair in 4:06.
The difference to the benchmark was 24 seconds, but the importance of this station goes beyond time alone. A demanding Sled Pull can also influence the quality of the running section that follows.
Our focus will be on:
  • More efficient rope handling
  • Better use of body position
  • Stronger and more repeatable pulls
  • Cleaner partner changes
  • Returning to running rhythm more quickly
Efficiency first. Power where it matters.

Roxzone: Time Available Without More Fitness

Our Roxzone time was 6:41.
The Sub75 benchmark pair recorded 5:54, leaving a difference of 47 seconds. The second-ranked pair moved through the Roxzone in 4:13.

Data Snapshot

DrivenBySISU Roxzone: 6:41
Sub75 benchmark: 5:54
Difference: +0:47
Roxzone will not close the entire gap to Sub75, but it provides an opportunity to gain time without increasing running speed or station power.
The practical targets are clear:
  • More decisive station entry and exit
  • Clearer communication before each station
  • Pre-planned water intake
  • Less hesitation around equipment
  • Faster return to running
Free speed does not always come from greater fitness. Sometimes it comes from moving smarter.

What Went Well

Controlled Pacing

We distributed our effort well for the condition we had on the day.
The race never came close to falling apart, and we avoided a major late-stage collapse.

Competitive Sled Push

The 1:59 Sled Push was the strongest station result in our comparison and faster than the corresponding times of the second- and third-ranked age group pairs.
 

Energy Until the Finish

Our final running split improved to 5:09 after the middle running sections had ranged from 6:11 to 6:26.
 

Team Execution

We stayed composed, continued moving and completed the plan without allowing the race to become uncontrolled.
The performance was not yet fast enough for our ultimate target, but it was stable enough to provide reliable information for the next training phase.

Focus Areas

1. Running

The main target is more consistent running after the early stations.
Our Sub75 benchmark requires approximately six minutes of improvement across the eight running sections.

2. Burpee Broad Jumps

The movement must become more economical and repeatable, with less time lost between repetitions and partner changes.

3. Sandbag Lunges

We need to improve both movement speed and the ability to maintain a stable rhythm under accumulated fatigue.

4. Wall Balls

The final station requires a clearer repetition strategy and greater ability to sustain work after the final run.

5. Sled Pull

Rope handling, pulling efficiency and partner transitions provide clear opportunities for improvement.

6. Roxzone

More purposeful movement and better pre-race planning can create valuable time gains without adding physical load.

Recovery Started at the Finish Line

After crossing the finish line, we sat for approximately five minutes while breathing settled.
We then started moving again and took in fluids and nutrition. Walking helped the body transition away from race intensity before we changed into dry clothes.
One of the simplest ideas of the weekend also became one of the most useful.
We had packed a small towel. When soaked with water, it worked as a practical substitute for a shower before changing clothes.
It was a small detail, but an effective one.
The return journey began in the rain. We walked approximately 800 metres to the station and made another walk to a shop at our final destination. We arrived six minutes before closing and managed to buy sandwiches and chocolate biscuits for the evening.
Back at the hotel, the priorities were simple:
  • Shower
  • Food
  • Fluids
  • Body maintenance
  • Sleep
Recovery is not separate from racing.
It is the beginning of the next training block.

What Karlsruhe Taught Us

Karlsruhe was not an optimal race-day scenario.
The previous day included long-distance travel. Neither body felt completely fresh in the morning. There was considerable walking before the race, and some physical sensations had to be monitored during the warm-up.
Despite those factors, we produced a complete and controlled performance.
That matters.
At the same time, the data is honest. Sub75 will not come from one magical adjustment or one perfect training session.
It will be built from improvements across the race:
  • Faster and more consistent running
  • More efficient Burpee Broad Jumps
  • Stronger Sandbag Lunges
  • A better Wall Ball strategy
  • Cleaner Sled Pull execution
  • Faster transitions
  • Smarter Roxzone movement
The challenge is significant, but it is now measurable.
We know where the minutes are.
We know which strengths to protect.
We know what to work on next.

The Sisu Moment

The Sisu Moment in Karlsruhe was not one dramatic event.
It was the decision to keep executing despite an ordinary physical feeling, a long travel day and a race that gradually demanded more from both of us.
There was no collapse.
There was no moment when we stopped racing as a team.
We kept moving, kept communicating and reached the finish line with a clearer understanding of what comes next.
That is also progress.
Same Team. Bigger Tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Karlsruhe was not the Sub75 race.
It was the race that made the road to Sub75 clearer.
Our strongest station showed that we can already compete with the leading pairs in specific parts of the event. Our running data identified the largest overall opportunity. Our station comparison highlighted exactly where efficiency and race-specific conditioning must improve.
The result was 1:25:12.
The goal remains Sub75.
The gap is real, but it is no longer vague.
It has been divided into running, stations and transitions. It can now be trained, tested and measured.
Karlsruhe was another checkpoint, not the final destination.
Small steps. Bigger results.
Same Team. Bigger Tomorrow.
Driven by data. Powered by teamwork. Fueled by SISU.
 
NEXT RACE: HYROX HELSINKI / FINLAND 19.12.2026

Our second HYROX race will happen in Helsinki Finland on December 19th, 2026.

 

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