Purpose Driven

Having had two weeks to reflect since achieving a significant lifelong goal, I wanted to write an article, not so much about the event itself, but more about my journey and the impact it had on my day-to-day life during some notable events, which include the COVID pandemic and emigrating to the US. The journey to reaching my goal, which was to complete a full Ironman distance triathlon (2.4mile swim, 112mile bike, 26.2mile run) started in earnest in early 2017, when I signed up for my first 70.3 half Ironman triathlon, so basically half of the above distances. Whilst this was an obvious catalyst, the concept of taking on the challenge of a full Ironman was actually something that had been a pipe dream for a lot longer. It went back to the days when we had our first satellite tv, so approximately late 80's, where as a young teenager I watched Ironman races in complete awe on good old Eurosport. So, in the back of my mind, despite only entering to complete the half distance in 2017, the seed was planted that maybe one day I could go for the full distance and achieve my dream. Following two successful finishes at Ironman 70.3 in Weymouth UK in 2017 & 2019, I took the plunge and entered the full distance, Ironman Copenhagen to take place in August of 2020. Having commenced a 30-week training plan in early January of that year, I was already some way in when we all know what happened next around mid-March, and this is where I move my focus away from this being about my physical journey and more about my mental one.

The lifestyle changes and the challenges presented to each and every one of us ensued from that point. The world changed and we all had to adapt to this new norm of living with COVID 19. For me having a constant in my training and therefore a grounded purpose was paramount to my mental well-being, and I attribute so much to this during this time. Every day, bar Monday (rest day) I would get up and train before work; every day I had a structure; every day I had mini goals to achieve and tick off. This pattern provided me with the stability I craved during such chaotic and unprecedented times and also manifested an upbeat and positive mindset, and the experts will tell you that this was a result of the release of endorphins from the training and dopamine from the completion of tasks (but that's beyond my layman's comprehension).

However, inevitably, the goal posts moved. Copenhagen got cancelled, so I shifted my entry to Portugal in November 2020 - that was cancelled two weeks before the start. I turned to Mallorca in April 2021; it got cancelled. I moved to Estonia in July 2021 and was well on track until, unfortunately, due to a close family bereavement I would not be able to attend, typically, that race actually went ahead. Understandably, during all these setbacks there was disappointment, there was frustration, and often the sentiment to jack it all in. Nonetheless, I took stock, realigned and went back to the training plan, which in some cases meant starting from scratch having got just two weeks to the end. It was becoming my holy grail, and whilst there were many occasions when my motivation was lacking, it was the plan that helped me through these negative times. Whilst at the time these delays were an obvious hindrance, inevitably they served me well as they extended my period of purpose which as you will see below supported me through yet more turmoil.

It goes without saying that physically at times the training was tough, demanding, and consuming. My dedication had to be unwavering and would often mean missing out on social events and time with the family. But when you're pursuing a goal of this magnitude, there have to be sacrifices. I was particularly conscious of my family time, and therefore I would train early in the mornings in order not to impact on this any more than necessary and of course, still fit in the daily work routine. But that would inevitably lead to me falling asleep on the sofa at 8pm, now a standing joke.

The end of 2021 brought a new major event in our lives, which was the relocation to New Hampshire in the US. My wife is American, and we had been living in the UK together for 15 years, so the time had come for the ‘shoe to be on the other foot’. As a result of missing the Estonia Ironman, I subsequently entered Ironman Lake Placid, in beautiful upstate New York, which wasn’t until August 2022. This meant I had bought myself some time to tackle all the necessary tasks involved in selling your entire house, contents and all, ship personal artefacts, including our two Frenchie’s, (who flow via private jet, but that’s another story), and of course trying to organise all the necessary visa paperwork. Needless to say, this was a good distraction and a notable hiatus in my training. Reaching the US in October 2021 and staying with my wife’s father while we searched for a new home, it was back to the grind of the training plan, where once again this routine and regiment served me so well in a challenging time of transition and uncertainty. In fact, I will go so far as to say it kept me sane, in a time when I wasn’t working and we were living out of a single room in someone else’s house, (as accommodating and welcoming as my Father-In-Law was, it’s not the same as being in your own home!) and due to the crazy US housing market, this became an extended period of some 8 months. So, back to the case and point once again having that cast iron goal and a plan to follow was a saving grace when it came to my daily motivation and positive state of mind, even though at times it meant running in the freezing cold of New England at 5degF (-15degC).

A subsequent house move and the onset of summer provoked the next chapter and the inevitable juggling of organising a new home. The requirement to purchase an entire home of furniture and household items and navigate a completely different location, yes, I got lost on numerous runs and bike rides. The regime definitely became more challenging to maintain, especially given the ramp-up demands closing into the event, which was now clocking some 12 – 14 hours a week, but once again it provided me with a bedrock during another inevitable chaotic period.

Fast forward to today, two weeks on from the event its-self, and I guess the reason for writing this article is that following the euphoria of completing my first Ironman, and if you ask my wife, potentially my last (we will see), I have struggled with notable post-event blues. The routine has gone. I am naturally not training as much, and I genuinely feel a little lost. Which, considering the build-up and enormity of the event itself, is understandable. As a result, this is where the reflection has manifested and I have come to recognise the significant role “my purpose” has played over the turmoil of the last two years and how it provided me with a platform to tackle these challenges on a daily basis.

In summary, I have learnt a lot about myself and most importantly the benefit of having a purpose, sticking to a plan and the achievement of mini goals to obtain a seriously big one. But that’s not all and probably nothing new to most of you. For me, the important takeaway was having that constant when everything else was in a state of flux and uncertainty. My focus and goal repeatedly reinforced a positive state of mind and I believe prevented me from extended moments of uncertainty, unhappiness, and general poor mental health.

My message: go find your purpose!

I’ll keep you posted if I enter another Ironman event! ??