3 Best Ways to Make Sure Ironman Doesn’t Take Over Your Life

1. Outside Interests
Yes you do need to spend a lot of time training for an Ironman BUT you don’t need to forget about all of those other things that you enjoy. Try the following:

• At least once per month take a Saturday or Sunday away from training and spend it with friends or family doing something completely unrelated to triathlon or sport
• Make it a goal to speak with your best friends or family at least once per month if not more.
• Read a book once per month (not a triathlon book!!)

My experience as a coach has shown me that athletes who are only focussed on the race often can’t wait to get it over and done with. It’s called burnout. Don’t let it happen to you.

2. Partners
Have you included your partner in your journey? At a presentation last year I asked the group how many had consulted their partner before they entered their chosen Ironman race. Less than 1/3 had their hands up. I guess that meant the other 2/3 didn’t think it was important!!

A supportive partner (as well as children, parents, work colleagues and not forgetting good friends) can be a massive bonus when you are wrapped up in Ironworld. Think about how much grief you could get for a 6 hour ride and how much easier it would be if you had their blessing.

3. Goodwill Loan
In order to have the understanding of your friends & family it might help if you think of this a goodwill loan. Obviously before you take out a loan you have to check with the bank manager (friends, family etc) first that he/she is prepared to lend.

Then you have an agreed loan period (up to race date) and repayment schedule.
When you have done the race you enter the repayment term. This is when you return the goodwill lent to you by the ‘bank’.

Effectively this means a period when Ironman or even triathlon is not your focus BUT your family/friends are!!