About

Seven years of training around a job

I did my first triathlon in 2006 with no sporting background at all. I only reached a professional career after seven years of training before and after work. That's why I know what training looks like when you work eight hours a day and have little free time.

My path

From amateur to professional

Andrej Vištica breaking the finish tape at the 2013 European Championships in Vichy
European champion, Vichy 2013

I took up triathlon towards the end of my engineering studies in Zagreb, as a complete beginner. I had never swum, cycled or run competitively.

At my first job interview I was offered a choice: a role with faster promotion and a lot of travel, or a quieter position that left time to train. I accepted the faster track on the spot. That night I couldn't sleep, and in the morning I called back and changed my mind. That's when I decided triathlon would be my job.

For the next seven years I got up at five for my first session and went straight to the second one after work. Winning the 2013 European long-distance championships opened the door to professional sport, so I left my engineering job.

As a professional I was the first Croatian on an Ironman podium, raced the World Championship in Kona and stood on the Embrunman podium seven times, one of the toughest races in the world. I raced as a professional triathlete for ten years.

What it means for you

I've been through every stage you're going through

Most of my athletes work full time and have families. I don't build their plans like a pro's plan, but like the plan I trained on myself for seven years.

Stage 1

Beginner

First races with no sporting background. I know the mistakes beginners make, because I made all of them.

Stage 2

Training around a job

Seven years of two sessions a day around working hours. I know what fits into a working day and what doesn't.

Stage 3

Professional

Ironman racing, the World Championship and working with top coaches. The methods I use today are built on that experience.

Results

Key results

Triathlon

2011Challenge Roth, Croatian record8:19 h
2013European Long Distance Championships, VichyEuropean champion
2014Challenge Vichy1st place, 8:18:50
2015Embrunman, France1st place
2015Ironman Wales, first Croatian on an Ironman podium2nd place
2016Ironman UK3rd place
2016Ironman World Championship, Kona34th among professionals
2017Ironman Italy3rd place, 8:17:47
2018Ironman Lanzarote5th place
2015–23Embrunman: 1st (2015), 2nd (2016, 2017, 2019), 3rd (2021, 2022, 2023)7 podiums
2021Ironman Copenhagen, Croatian record8:11:39
2021Ironman Austria, Croatian record8:07:55
2022Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz, Croatian record8:07:10
2022Ironman Wales4th place

I broke the Croatian Ironman-distance record four times: Roth 2011, Copenhagen 2021, Austria 2021 and Vitoria 2022. Multiple Croatian champion, more than 30 Ironman-distance races.

Running and trail

848ITRA index
the international trail-runner rating
2026UTMB, Chamonix, 174 km24:51 h, 103rd of 1681
2026Lavaredo Ultra Trail, 120 km16th place, 13:58 h
2025UTMB Julian Alps, 120 km3rd place, 14:50 h
2026DUT Mountain2nd place, 12:05 h
2025Istria 100 by UTMB, 168 km5th place

Wins

2026Tour de Hvar, marathon
2026Durmitor, 42 km
2026Absolute Biokovo Challenge, Sky
2026BOŠT Sky, 30 km / 2300 m+, Velebit
2024Sea DUT
2025Wild Race Livno
2024Wild Horses Trail, 27 km
2023Sea DUT
2023Spartan Dubrovnik, 50 km
Runners on a Biokovo ridge above the sea

Today

Coach and ultra runner below Biokovo

I live in Makarska. For the last two years I've been racing trail and ultra trail, so everything I put in your plan, from race fuelling to descending, I test on myself first.

Besides online coaching I run the Biokovo Running Club and a running school, and organise training camps.

Want to train with me?

Tell me your goal and when your race is, and we'll see how I can help.