TRIATHLON EXPERIENCETriathlon experience is definitely the best teacher. You can learn lots from coaching and books, but learning from books on first-hand triathlon and Ironman experience is hard to top.
These have a way of escalating as the big day approaches. I hope you can return here often for some experienced teaching and reassurance whenever you like. When you were first "Ironstruck" your first thought might have been, "I want to cross that finish line--more than anything, but look at me--how can I even consider it?"
So you can't swim, and bike over 100 miles...Me!!....can't imagine it. You're overweight, you smoke, you're a couch potato, you drink too much, nobody believes in you anyway, you have no self-confidence and you would have no support and maybe you have little athletic experience at all let alone any triathlon experience. Well, you get the picture. Which one of those descriptions fits you? Maybe more than one. SO WHAT! There is nothing I mentioned that the human spirit cannot overcome. If you want this bad enough, nothing---and I mean nothing---will stop you. I am not a coach and don't pretend to be. I have no college degree in phys ed. I have no coaching credentials. My purpose here is not to undermine any coach you have or any program you might be on. My hope is that through my Ironman Triathlon experience, I can help you avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered. My credentials were earned on the searing lava fields of the King K. highway during one of the hottest Ironman Triathlons ever recorded---and on the endless bike climbs of Ironman Canada---and the fast, sweeping downhill curves of Coeur d'alene. My resume is the 14 times I stood in the water waiting for the next Ironman to begin. I truly believe that the passion I have for triathlon and my willingness to share my triathlon experience will help you on your way if you are just starting out in the world of triathlon. I hope to pass on to you what I have learned in over 20 years of trial and error. The Ironman is extremely demanding--It will be a supreme challenge mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually. At times, if you don't pay attention, it can be dangerous. Simply put...the Ironman by its very nature will test every fiber of your being. For many people, that is exactly what intrigues them, what calls to them. When you finish this journey, you will know more about yourself, and what you are capable of, then you ever thought possible, and you will find much of that out with your very first triathlon experience regardless of the distance of the event. As you make through my website, I will talk about swim, bike, run training and of course race week and race day. Ironman preparation is about so much more than swim, bike, run. I will tell it as I see it. You can take it or leave it. Some of what I say will probably be considered radical by some and deviating from the norm. I'm sure there are those who would like to maintain the image that the Ironman is something for only a very select few people. Of course I disagree. The The very fact that the Ironman finish line is attainable for anyone who is willing to do what it takes to accept the ironman challenge is what makes this event so great and so special. Don't bet anyone tell you that it's beyond you and something that's reserved for a select few. If it's in your heart to cross the Ironman finish line and you believe in yourself, then it is within your grasp. If you just take away one thing from visiting here and that one thing helps you put the words Ironman in front of your name, than I have achieved my goal.
Triathlon Experience Back To Sports Motivation Page
|
If you enjoy using a book "reader" then visit Kobo Books and you will find all my books available at excellent download prices.
I have written three books that all serve a specific purpose when it comes to those new to the sport of triathlon or those who perhaps have the Ironman on their mind.
"Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey" is a perfect book for those who have the Ironman on their mind and perhaps need some motivation, inspiration, and encouragement to help them make that final decision to challenge the Ironman and make it to the finish line.
"Ironstruck? 500 Ironman Triathlon Questions and Answers" is most like the only Q+A book in the world on the subject of triathlon in general and the Ironman.
This is the perfect book for the triathlete who has decided to take on the Ironman for the first time, or perhaps has done one or two and would like some insight from a different point of view.
It is a great companion book for "Ironstruck...The Ironman Journey" and the pair of books would make a great gift.
"Triathlete in Transition" is a book that was inspired by all the people who would stop by at my Ironstruck book signings and suggest I write a book for the very beginner triathlete who just wanted to know more about the sport.
I suppose because I had this passion for the Ironman that it seemed natural to write about it first almost six years ago now.
So in effect I have gone from the most difficult and challenging of triathlons and ended up at the beginning of the triathlon journey.
Triathlete in transition is full of information about how to get started in the sport and like my Ironstruck books, are inspirational and motivational as well as full of practical advice on triathlon that make the sport much more enjoyable.
Regardless, now I have three books that cover the full range of triathlon from just learning about triathlon in general, to ultimately reaching the Ironman finish line.