Ironman - the Foundry

This is a strange title for this article. But I will deal with it later…

First, the fun part. I successfully finished my first Ironman, by participating in the first ever US Ironman Championship in NYC on Aug 11, 2012. It was a thrill beyond belief. It was exciting, fun and challenging.

The journey started 8-10 months back when I signed up for the event on a whim and a fancy. I was totally not prepared for the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run that it takes to finish the event. But I figured I would manage somehow.  What followed was trying get my head around the preparation for the event. I could barely swim two lengths in the pool then. Had no experience in open water and had recently bought a used bike.

It took some figuring out for sure but now being on the other side of it here are a few things that I learnt from it.

1.       Goals Matter : In-fact they are all that matter : Whatever area of life we look at, anything meaningful can only be achieved by going after a preset goal or target. Why do we then assume that fitness and good health will just somehow flow in…? One must consider fitness goals like we do professional and financial ones. Infact fitness pays dividends way beyond and long after money exhausts its limits to affect your life in a positive way.

2.       Handling Fear : Fear is very real. Having panicked twice in cold and open water, my fear was about  “getting breathless in deep open water”. Once I recognized it, I mentally prepared for it and overcame it by doing exactly what I was afraid of. The half Ironman event in New Hampshire was where I was able to break through the very real “wall of fear” in earnest.

3.       Sometimes you alone are not enough: In my last race there was a point when I started to get concerned as to whether I would be able to finish. So I found someone who was feeling stronger than I was and let him lead me in the run. I shut off my brain and just did what he was doing. Running and then walking when it was very hilly. In about 5-10 or so miles I got my second wind and was able to manage it on my own thereafter. Interestingly by that time he needed some support. So we both carried each other when we needed it..figuratively speaking. This was a huge learning for me. We all grow up on the diet of silent macho heroes who make it happen by themselves… all the time. So knowing when one needs help and having the humility to ask for it is a big sign of strength  in my opinion.

4.       Nothing succeeds like success : Events like Ironman, Marathon, Mountain Climbing are particularly nice because they are discrete events with boundaries, that one can isolate in one’s mind and draw inspiration from in times of duress.  We will all fail sometimes or will have our back against the wall. This is life. But to be able to go back to this specific point in your life where you overcame significant odds and got a victory, can provide a huge lift to sagging spirits. On the positive side these little successes will always propel you to achieve more in all areas of life.

5.       The Foundry: Ironman event and preparation to me was the Foundry where future dreams were forged.  Yes I have the next goal. It is big and audacious. But I ain’t telling you yet…You tell me yours first J