Triathlon and Ultimate Frisbee
...among many other sports

Triathlon is a race with three parts: swimming, cycling, and running, done one after the other without a break. The clock keeps running the whole time, including during the changeovers between each part, which are called transitions.

There are several standard distances. A sprint is a 750 m swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run. The Olympic distance doubles that. The half Ironman, also called the 70.3, is a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, and 21.1 km run, which adds up to 70.3 miles. The full Ironman is double again: a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a full marathon of 42.2 km at the end.

I focus on the longer, endurance distances rather than the short and fast ones. The shorter races are mostly about speed, while the long ones are about pacing yourself, eating and drinking properly during the race, and staying steady for many hours. This balances out my work, where I sit for most of the day and the effort is mental. On the course it is the other way around: the effort is physical, and I stay calm, focused, and keep going steadily for hours.

Training for these races means working on all three sports every week, plus some strength work. The swim is usually the shortest part but takes the most technique. The bike is the longest part and where most of the time is won or lost. The run comes last, when you are already tired, so it is the hardest part to get right.

On 22 November 2026 I am taking part in an Ironman 70.3. Next year, I plan to move up to the full Ironman distance.

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. It is usually played 7 vs 7, without referees, and players are responsible for calling their own fouls. Fair play and communication are core parts of the game.

I started playing Ultimate Frisbee in 2021 in Baku, with just a few people. I immediately loved this sport for many reasons (I’ll get to those later). I kept playing for some time, but because I was traveling a lot, I couldn’t train consistently. I often couldn’t find teams around the world to train with, so I would mostly wait until summer, go back home, and train then. Over time, I realized something very clear: the people I was teaching how to hold a disc were getting much better than me every summer when I returned. They were training consistently, and I wasn’t.

That’s when it really hit me: continuity matters. In early 2024, I decided to train consistently, wherever I am. Since then, I’ve been doing exactly that. Today, I play for my home club Vortex Ultimate Frisbee Club mainly. Over the years, I’ve also played and trained with teams around the world, including Ultimate Genoa, Ultimate Casablanca, Girgitle Ultimate (Mysore), Ultimate Florence, and various pickup teams - including the very fun Unicorn Butts.

What Ultimate Frisbee Means to Me

Ultimate Frisbee means many things to me, beyond just a sport.

1) It is health. It keeps my body moving, strong, and it gives me a reason to train regularly without forcing myself. It is intense, but also playful and fun, which makes consistency easier.

2) It is fairness. Ultimate is self-refereed, which means you are responsible for your own actions. You learn to be honest, to communicate, to listen, and to resolve conflict without aggression. That alone makes this sport very different from most others.

3) It is also mindfulness. You need to be fully present - aware of your body, your breath, the disc, your teammates, and the field. When I play, my mind is not elsewhere. It is one of the few moments where everything else switches off naturally.

4) Then there is community. Ultimate is welcoming by nature. You can show up in a new city, throw a disc with strangers, and feel included within minutes. That sense of belonging matters, especially when you travel a lot or live between places.

5) Finally, Ultimate teaches balance. It is competitive, but not hostile. Serious, but not ego-driven. It reminds me that performance and respect can exist at the same time.

For me, Ultimate Frisbee is not just something I play. It is something that quietly supports my physical health, mental clarity, and connection with people - wherever I am.

By the way, the handsome guy on the left is my teammate's son, Atlas... Future Ultimate star... :)

Spirit Of The Game (SOTG)

One of the core ideas of Ultimate Frisbee is called Spirit of the Game. It means that players are trusted to self-referee. There are no referees on the field. Instead, players are responsible for knowing the rules, calling fouls honestly, and resolving disagreements through calm discussion.

Spirit of the Game is not about being “nice” or avoiding competition. It is about respect, responsibility, and communication. You can play hard, run fast, and compete seriously - but you do it without cheating, aggression, or disrespect.

When a conflict happens, players stop, talk, listen to each other, and find a fair solution. That process is part of the game itself.

For me, Spirit of the Game is powerful because it teaches self-control, accountability, and trust. It reminds you that how you play matters just as much as the result.

Useful Links:

If you want to learn more about Ultimate Frisbee or find communities around the world, these are good starting points:

World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) - international rules, Spirit of the Game, and global Ultimate community
https://wfdf.sport
USA Ultimate – beginner guides, rules explanations, and educational resources
https://usaultimate.org

Both websites are useful whether you want to understand the sport better or find ways to start playing.

Want to connect or play?

If you’re curious about Ultimate Frisbee, want to try it, or are already playing and just want to throw a disc together - feel free to reach out.

If our paths cross in the same city, I’m always happy to join a pickup, train together, or simply talk about the sport.

Triathlon and Ultimate Frisbee ...among many other sports