IRONMAN

By Lauren Haag on 4 August 2011 - 6:32pm

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I got choked up.

On July 30th I had the honor of watching two of Exertec’s own Personal Trainers: Jeff Ansley and Ryan Anderson complete an Ironman triathlon (that’s a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles on a bike, and a whole marathon—a 26.2 mile run). Both finished strong: smiling, relieved, and proud. 

While the event itself was a tremendous accomplishment, in reality, it was the final stretch of a 6-month long odyssey. The journey went beyond Jeff and Ryan ramping-up a training schedule. It involved researching the race course as well as the proper equipment (clothing, shoes, bike, tires, and a wetsuit), proper nutrition, and fueling methods to get their bodies to function for the 10-15 hours of exercise ahead. It included discovering their physical and mental weaknesses and doing whatever it took to overcome them. At times there were doubts and worries, but in the end, both were triumphant.

The culmination of that level of effort was overwhelming. There was a sense of collective spirit in the crowd that day. For many of us, those “Iron” men and women represented a level of achievement we only aspire to. I’m not just talking about the level of physical endurance— but having that degree of spirit: to push ourselves harder than we ever thought possible.

Do we all have this spirit inside?

Sometimes I believe I have that spirit, but then there’s another voice that pops into my head. Even though I know I can push harder or go longer in my workout, it tells me, “It’s okay to stop.” Or, “You’re tired.” Or “This is as far as you can go.”

Where does this voice come from and how do I shut it up? 

Did those “Iron” men and women hear that voice the day of the triathlon? Or maybe they trained their inner voice just as they trained their bodies. Did their inner voice say more positive things like, “You can do it! Don’t wimp out now! This is what you prepared for!”

(It’s kind of like having a tiny angel on one shoulder and a tiny devil on the other, isn’t it)?

Watching Jeff and Ryan that day reminded me of a crucial point: training doesn’t start and stop with your body—your mind’s got to be up for the challenge as well. Regardless of the distance of our respective races, the mindset required for success is the same. We must be mentally ready, have a plan, take action, stay motivated, maintain focus, and have confidence that we can do it.  

If that seems out of reach, the good news is Exertec has a team of individuals who can help you with any or all of those steps to make sure you achieve your health and fitness goals. Our Personal Trainers believe in guiding and supporting our members on both levels: physical and mental. They could make the difference for you in finally overcoming any barriers you’re facing, whether tangible (poor aerobic endurance), or in your mind (self doubt).

That day at the triathlon, I watched some runners sprint their way to the finish line while others staggered the final yards, grimacing in pain. Regardless of how they finished, each runner received the same volume of cheering from the crowd. The announcer that day said it best: “it doesn’t matter what you look like when you cross that finish line—it’s that you made it!” 

You can bet that regardless of their race time, in the end they could all share the same sweet reward—saying, “I DID IT!”

If you think you’d like to work with a personal trainer, or even if you just have questions, stop by our Personal Training office. We’re here to help!