My Journey to Ironman.

I’ve always been active, playing sports when I was younger, after uni this transitioned into going to the gym multiple times a week. However I was NEVER a swimmer, runner or cyclist. (Honestly I still don’t class myself as these things now!)

Back in 2014/2015 I entered the London to Brighton bike ride - not even owning a bike. I borrowed an old hybrid that didn’t fit from my Auntie. I did the ride then didn’t sit on another bike until 2019!?

I absolutely would not have classed myself as a runner, but as alot of others did with lockdown I started running 5k every day before work to ‘get out the house’. In a moment of lockdown madness in January 2020 my housemate at the time and I decided to enter a 70.3 Ironman in Portugal…. Giving ourselves 9 months to train.?

However - ‘how to train for an Ironman’..... I had no idea. So I carried on with the daily 5km, occasionally getting down to the council Lido to swim a random amount of lengths and heading out on our bikes at weekends to survive the London & Essex traffic.?

I quickly decided I needed some help. So I signed up to an online coach to help me get some structure and actually know I could get through the Ironman event itself & hopefully somewhat enjoy it?

I can honestly say signing up to coaching, getting help from people who actually know what they are doing has transformed my life (both from a physical point of view but also counselling and emotional). I think no matter where you are in your life’s journey - personal or professional being open to learning from others; especially those with more experience or a different perspective will always help you continue to grow and develop.?

I’m an organised person anyway, but training 15+hours a week takes it to another level. Having to fit in 2, sometimes 3 sessions a day with work, running a business, a dog, partner and an attempt at a social life isn’t easy. I have to be overly organised, planning my week in advance. This applies to my working day as well - even after 12 years in the talent space I religiously write a day plan and work through it until I’ve sorted it all. Nothing or no-one gets forgotten.?

I have to be efficient, if I don’t get up or get things done I just don’t have time. You can fit everything in - it means I’ve learnt to make decisions quickly, just get on and get something done and don’t just leave things to the next day. It’s probably why I have an ability to sort something whilst we are talking about it as a team; before we’ve fully decided on who owns the action 90% of the time I’ve already sorted it :)?

Being dedicated, just like with work; sometimes you just don’t want to do something. Dedication beats motivation most days and this is what gets you through week after week. Building a new business is hard but having that dedication to just take that next step forward no matter what or how tired you are means the difference between failing or not. It’s the same with training - when you come to race day and something doesn’t go right, you know if you have built the blocks in training - you can get through it.?

Trying new things is much more normal to me now. I’m always entering different events or putting myself in situations where I’m nervous about how it’s going to go. It’s almost something I am actively searching for now. The feeling afterwards is great and almost always worth the fear beforehand. It goes without saying, starting a business comes with a million new things to learn and get stuck into and I can confidently say none of them scared me and I didn’t think twice about getting stuck in. Taking a proper race bike out in UK weather and cross winds will still be the scariest thing I do!?

Personally for me, this is a game changer for mental and physical health. I’m moving my body, training it in different ways, challenging myself and always meeting new and different people. I think about what I put in my body nutrition wise and I fuel to train and compete. I still can eat a tub of ice cream in one go though! Like alot of people, I sit at my desk for 9,10+ hours a day sometimes longer but having that 45 min lunch time swim, or getting up and cycling before work means I feel fresher for longer and can get through more each day.

There are honestly so many more benefits I could write about them all day!?

Now I know this level of commitment isn't for everyone, but I can say from the outside it looks scary but the majority of people in the Triathlon world are so helpful and inclusive and always wanting to help and willing to give advice. I recommend it to anyone to give it a go & I am always happy to chat and offer any limited advice I may have :)

I do honestly believe anyone can do anything they set their mind to!?