My First Triathlon Was an Ironman 140.6

Описание: I AM AN IRONMAN | 140.6 miles in 14 hours 41 minutes | 8.5 months of pure hard work for this moment.

On February 11, 2024 , I had a wild, maybe even crazy idea: sign up for the longest distance triathlon as my first triathlon. From zero to 140.6, real quick. Why? Because I found myself slipping into comfort, and I believe comfort kills—kills goals, relationships, and true potential.

But the real transformation wasn’t just physical; it was a journey of self-discovery, character building, and pushing past limits I never thought possible. Over the 252 days, I had no choice but to show up as my best self every single day.

The Training ::: When I signed up for this Ironman on February 11, I had only been running for a month and had zero swim experience. Running was brutal at first, but finding a great group of friends at @rundaynights made the miles more enjoyable and kept me socially connected.

Swimming, on the other hand, was a humbling challenge. I threw on a swim cap, jumped into the pool for my first workout, and instantly regretted it. One lap in, I was completely gassed and had swallowed more water than I’d care to admit. Thankfully, YouTube became my coach as I binge-watched swim technique videos. Slowly, it all began to click—less water swallowed, more confidence gained.

My weekly training schedule involved six days of workouts: swim, bike, run, rest, then long swim, long bike, and long run. But as the sessions grew longer and more intense, I found myself dropping down to four days a week. In the beginning, I’d squeeze in a workout even after a 12-hour hospital shift, but I soon realized I was just checking off boxes without getting quality training.

We all wear masks. Our personal façades, showing the world what we think they want to see. But when you push yourself to your absolute limit, when exhaustion takes over, those masks fall away. You’re left exposed—just you, raw and real.

That’s why this challenge drew me in. Endurance sports break you down until you’re face-to-face with your true self, whether you like it or not. Some days, I didn’t like what I saw. Other days, I discovered strengths I never knew existed. I pursued becoming the healthiest, happiest, most confident version of myself. I learned that the pursuit of yourself is the most valuable journey you can take.

Self-Exploration

This journey was more than miles; it was a confrontation with my inner world. Mentally, physically, spiritually. I hit rock bottom more than once during those lonely long training sessions. But in that space, stripped of any façade, I found clarity.

There were more days I didn’t feel like training than days I did. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lean on unresolved grief and pain for motivation at times. That taught me an important lesson: don’t let your healthy habits distract you from your emotions. Feel them, process them, and then move forward.

At 25, I don’t have all the answers. But what I do know is that pursuing myself—my healthiest, happiest, most healed version—is the best thing I’ve ever done. Whether through travel or fitness, this pursuit is what fuels my growth.
Pursue yourself. When you do that, the right path will reveal itself.

Looking Forward

Adventure is essential. I’ll Keep prioritizing it. I want to build a life filled with moments and experiences, not just professional milestones. Not forgetting to invest in my life resume alongside career. For me, it’s about living fully, not just building.

Prioritizing adventure, there was no better adventure than to pursue myself. The real challenge is to keep showing up daily, eve with no finish line in sight.

🏁IRONMAN CHAPTER DONE 🏁

-Love Don