Embracing the Unexpected: Lessons from My Latest Ironman 70.3

Ironman 70.3 Western Mass -> 6/9/24 -> DONE!

And whew...it didn't go according to plan. But of course...things rarely do...

As I reflect on my journey through my third Ironman 70.3, I am filled with a sense of pride, accomplishment, and gratitude. This race, like life, was full of unexpected challenges and valuable lessons. Here’s a recap of my experience and the insights I gained along the way.

3rd Ironman 70.3 + Personal Best

I entered race day knowing I wasn’t at my physical best due to some terrible GI issues, but I was determined to embrace the day and have fun.?

- Swim: I rocked my swim, feeling strong and confident in the water.

- Bike: The bike portion was brutal—hilly, windy, wet, and cold. Despite these conditions, I pushed through with determination.

- Run: My run was all about taking care of my body. With pain in my tummy, I prioritized my well-being over pace, ensuring I was gentle and kind to myself WHILE RUNNING A HALF MARATHON hahaha! Crazy I know.

Even with six bathroom breaks during the run, I managed to achieve a personal best. My splits year-over-year showed significant improvement:

2022 / 2023 / 2024 ??

???? 2:22 / 1:32 / 1:36 per 100m??

?? 14.2 / 14.4 / 15.33 mph??

???? 14:22 / 12:29 / 11:30 min mile

My finish time improved from 8 hours 9 minutes in 2022 to 7 hours 33 minutes in 2023 to 7 hours 11 minutes in 2024—a 22-minute improvement over last year! This experience reinforced the importance of listening to and taking care of my body.

“I’m Not a Runner”

For years, I used to say, “I’m not a runner.” This year, I decided to eliminate that phrase from my vocabulary. Despite having run since 2010 and participating in countless events, I still doubted my abilities.

However, my consistent year-over-year improvements tell a different story. Each half marathon I've run in an Ironman 70.3 has resulted in a personal record. This journey has taught me that how we talk to ourselves matters. Dedication, consistency, gradual improvement, and gratitude are key.

From now on, I will proudly say, “I’m a pretty damn good runner and make it look good.”

The Bike Ride of a Lifetime

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” – Mike Tyson

The day before the race, my body had other plans, and my GI tract went haywire. Despite this, I approached race morning with determination. The swim went smoothly, but the bike ride was a different story.

Two hours of cold, windy downpour on hilly roads (with a 2500 ft gain) tested my resolve. As water streamed down my arm, I saw the bracelet on my wrist that read, “BADASS.” At that moment, I knew I was going to earn it.

Through the shivering and the challenging conditions, I found humor and motivation in the most unexpected places. My sister had sent me a song with a hilarious chorus, and it kept me laughing and motivated during the toughest parts of the ride.? If you want to know the song DM me…it’s too much to put here (or maybe if convinced I’ll put it in the chat).??

This experience taught me valuable lessons: avoid unfamiliar foods (aka McDonalds) before a race and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. When that happens, embrace the situation, laugh, and remember your inner strength.

Final Thoughts

My journey through this Ironman 70.3 has been a testament to the power of resilience, self-care, and positive self-talk. Each challenge was an opportunity to learn and grow. I am incredibly proud of my progress and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

To anyone facing their own challenges, remember to be kind to yourself, embrace the unexpected, and find joy in the journey. Here's to more races, more lessons, and more moments of badassery.

Feeling Gratitude and Accomplishment,

-L

LeiLani E. Quiray is the Founder and CEO of be the change HR, Inc., certified Minority and Woman owned, a conscious company and social enterprise, providing HR support for small-to-medium sized businesses in any facet of HR from pre-hire to post-term and everything else that happens in between. She and her team also teach free job readiness courses and provide free coaching to trafficking survivors.? Her team is not only HR Pros, they are Life Changers.?

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