As some of you may already know, I recently completed the Barcelona Ironman, which was a profoundly rewarding journey. However, what made this experience truly special was the journey leading up to it.

Let me briefly touch upon my own perspective on the race. For me, it wasn't about chasing a specific finishing time; it was about crossing that finish line with a smile on my face.

When I initially decided to take on this monumental challenge, I faced a significant hurdle: I couldn't even swim a single length of a pool just three years ago. Overcoming this obstacle became my primary focus. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Vicki Rawlinson, who not only helped me learn to swim but also became a dear friend. Without her guidance and our growing friendship, I might never have made it to the starting line.

The swim was a tough test, with challenging conditions, but thanks to Vicki's tutelage, I was well-prepared.

Next came the bike leg, an aspect of the race I approached with great respect. Given my background in cycling, I could have pushed myself to shave off a significant amount of time. However, I recognized the importance of pacing myself. Rushing through and taking unnecessary risks could have left me immobilized in the transition area, unable to complete the marathon that awaited me. My strategy was to cautiously assess the first lap, adjust as needed, and take my time at the fuel stations, ensuring my bottles were filled properly. I'll delve deeper into this strategy in a separate post.

Then came the run, which resembled more of a fast-moving shuffle, but that's par for the course when you're tackling a marathon after everything else. As a first-time Ironman participant, this was an endurance test above all else. Speed took a backseat to conserving energy to reach the finish line. I walked during every feed, doused myself with water, and consumed fuel, particularly orange slices, which proved perfect in the high 20-degree Celsius temperature.

In the end, I achieved my goal of crossing the finish line with a smile. I had made an agreement with Ashley (my wife), and Vicki that we would both finish the event with smiles, not broken spirits, and we executed that plan to perfection.

One of my motivations for taking on the Ironman challenge was to gain a deeper understanding of how it affects the body and mind. As a coach, this firsthand experience provides invaluable insights that I can now share with my clients. I firmly believe in blending real-world experiences with scientific knowledge in coaching. These two elements complement each other, allowing for more significant progress in sports.

Undertaking an event as demanding as an Ironman also underscores the importance of having a strong "why." Why are you embarking on such a journey? Many may not realize it, but without a compelling reason, the path to failure can seem much easier to tread than the path to success. I appreciated the announcers in Barcelona asking participants about their "reason why" at the start line. I could answer without hesitation. Have you identified your strong "why"?

This reason why is a powerful motivator. Without it, the drive to train and discover your true potential can wane. This lack of motivation often leads people to give up, not just on race day but long before, during the grueling preparation.

Everyone's reason why is unique, deeply personal, and entirely their own. So, when you find yourself struggling through wet and windy training days, remember why you're out there, pushing yourself to the limit.

Once you have your "why," it becomes the unwavering commitment driving you forward. Some might mistake it for mere motivation, but motivation can be fleeting. Commitment to your goal, grounded in your "why," is what sustains you, even on the toughest days when motivation falters.

This message is so important that I could write a complete story about it, and in a way, I just did. Before you set your next plan into motion, take a moment to reflect on why you're doing it, what it truly means to you. It's not just about the event itself but the unyielding determination that propels you toward your goal.

Tags: Triathlon, Event, Sport