When Anthony and I decided to sign
up for our first Ironman, I was not 100% sure what to expect of the training
process. Now that I have a better grasp
on what it takes to train for an Ironman and what the next 5.5 months of my
life will be like, I could not be happier. When we signed up, I saw this goal of
completing an Ironman as a check on the bucket list. Check the box and move on, but now I have a
whole new perspective. I am realizing that a goal that once seemed
close to impossible is actually what I am meant to be doing (and not just once)! So far, this journey has been so
fulfilling. I thrive on this lifestyle
and I am so happy that I can share it with Anthony. Sure it may be “lame” to go to bed early
pretty much every night and wake up before 5 am on a regular basis during the
week, but I love it. I feel healthy and
strong and there is no better feeling than that! Plus it feels so good to get to work at 8 and
already have 2 hours of training complete!
Aside from finding such happiness in this lifestyle, I have learned so
much!
What I have learned so far on this
journey (besides realizing that this is the lifestyle Anthony and I were meant
to live!):
- It is AMAZING what the body will allow you to do if you treat it right.
- Having big goals is so good for our mental well-being.
- Being a little selfish in terms of your health and wellness makes you a better person – a better wife, husband, friend,…etc.
- You are stronger than you think.
- Training with someone you love makes the process even more fun!
- While our society seems to thrive on burning the candles at both ends while compromising our diet and sleep….a healthy diet and adequate sleep (7+ hours!) will make the hours that you are awake much more productive…GET GOOD SLEEP & EAT WELL.
- Ironman training is expensive. There are two of us. We both love the sport and all the gadgets that help us train better & smarter. Did I mention the gear you blow through when you’re training? We need to win the lottery.
- Our vacations will likely be planned around races for many years to come.
- If you put in the work, you will see progress. It may be a slow process, but you’ve got to trust the plan, you will make gains! I am amazed with how much more comfortable I am in the pool…I actually look forward to my swims now!
- I want to coach some day. I want to inspire people to get fit, help people complete goal races with confidence, get inactive people active, get active people faster & stronger. I love seeing people outside & at the gym moving their bodies and I would LOVE to be able to help people accomplish big fitness goals whether that’s a first 5k or an Ironman!
- Training for an Ironman is more fun than I ever imagined and I never want to lose sight of why I am training...because I LOVE IT & IT'S FUN!
- Training for an Ironman means making sacrifices and the people around you may not understand completely...be understanding of the fact that they don't understand - triathlon is not their lifestyle.
- Stretch. I have always known that stretching is the answer to less injuries, but this process has just made it even more clear how important it is to stretch and foam roll.
- I’m not sure how married working couples with kids train for an Ironman and make enough time for family, but someday I may be soliciting those couples for advice!!
Get outside, move your body, be a
little selfish & start working towards some goals that scare you a bit!
See you out there!
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