How to complete an ironman (or anything hard) when you don't have a bike.

1. Just sign up

Too much thinking and you won't do it.

There were A LOT of reasons why I shouldn't. Or should delay. Or should start smaller. These things are unhelpful. You must sign up. And work it out later.

2. Make it public

Telling other people makes you more accountable. Now if you don't do it, you'll look stupid. You can build on this accountability by linking other people's fortune to the accomplishment. Raising money for charity is an example of this.

3. Get some help

I hired a coach. This doesn't need to be expensive. My coach was virtual and our setup gave me a plan, a kit list and an ongoing WhatsApp conversation to ask questions.

Coach had done it before. Many times. His experience allowed me to approach the challenge like a pro despite being a first timer.

4. Break it down

I completed daily workouts that built slowly.

This gave me the feeling of accomplishment and momentum every week. Plus it made it all feel less daunting. I can do a 10k run today etc.

5. Set a specific target

I didn't know what a good or bad ironman time was. I settled on a 12 hour target.

Where did this come from? I looked at the time a school mate (Jonny B) did it 10 years ago and tried to beat him ??

OK not scientific BUT still helpful. This specific target gave my training more purpose.

6. Plan your sacrifice

When you go after the hard stuff other things get less time. I was mostly deliberate in my sacrifice.

Planned sacrifice:

• Watching TV
• My social life
• Drinking alcohol
• Half a day from work

Unplanned sacrifice:

• Quality time with my wife
• Another half day from work

Lots of these things aren't sustainable. But for 6-12 months they are.

You can protect things too. I didn't compromise time with my children.

7. Accept there will be self doubt

I woke up sweating. I couldn’t breathe. I was dreaming about the swim. My wife had to calm me down. I told her there was NO WAY I could keep my face in the water for an hour and that I needed to let everyone down and give the money back I'd raised for charity.

This happened a few times. And it wasn't just the swim. I had doubts about every element and these things became little mental challenges I needed to get past. Time and patience were often all that was needed to get through them.

8. Talk to people on the same journey

I sought out others training for an ironman. Not close mates, people on the periphery of my network. But they became mates fast because we were in the pain cave together!!

Knowing you are not alone is very helpful. And having people to talk to when it’s all going to sh*t might be the thing you need to pull through.

Thank you thank you Chris Sheard ??????

9. Visualise the outcome

I imagined the red carpet moment a million times:

“...Max Hoppy, you are an IRONMAN!”

I even bought myself a finisher souvenir before I’d finished ??????

And I visualised overcoming the various setbacks that would inevitably pop up during the race and worked out how to get through them.

The week leading up to it I knew I’d do it. And I did.

-RESULTS-

I completed the ironman in 14 hours and 46 minutes. I failed to achieve my 12 hour goal. But it was a great failure and one I'm proud of. And if I hadn't shot for 12 I'd probably be writing about 16 hours something.

I also managed to raise a load of money for a great cause, The Bursary Foundation. At the point of typing this we're up to ￡13,261, which I can't get my head around ??

-WHAT'S NEXT?-

It turns out I really don't like cycling. So my bike is for sale. I'm also happy to give it to someone attempting a first time ironman who’s raising money for a good cause. Hit me up if this is you.

Next year I'm going after something that’s less stressful on my personal life. I'm thinking a swimrun in the lakes. And before I'm 40 (3 years away) I'd like to do the Comrades ultra marathon in SA. It turns out the pain cave is addictive!

Just sign up xxx