I know after a training for months training for my “A Race” that the day after …or weeks after the big actual race day that there is a little bit of sadness or depression. I have never had babies but it seems as a similar feeling as postpartum depression for athletes. We put our other non-triathlon life on hold or on the back-burner in order to commit to training for 10-20 hours per week for one major race of the year… or maybe two if doing a race as IRONMAN HAWAII WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Approximately 2,500 athletes came from across the globe to Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i to compete in the iconic 2018 IRONMAN World Championship brought to you by Amazon on October 13, 2018. On a picture-perfect day with light winds, these athletes tackled the 2.4-mile ROKA swim course, followed by the 112-mile Ventum bike course and finished with the 26.2-mile HOKA ONE ONE run course – to cross the iconic finish line and become an IRONMAN. It was a day for records and celebration for both professional athletes and age-groupers alike, where each and every one of these athletes proved that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
One of the most incredible experiences for an athlete is to cross the finish line in Kona, Hawaii for the IRONMAN World Championships. Once you turn left off of the long and hot Queen K highway then head downhill on Palinin (“Pay-n-Save” hill) then your legs start to get faster. The pain and fatigue in your body starts to be covered up with adrenaline as you get goose bumps and chills…maybe tears in your eyes as you turn down the final stretch on to Alii drive. Once you hit the “magic tree” (my name for it!), then you enter the finish chute. You are so excited and emotional at the same time as you run on cloud nine to cross the finish line (which is actually up a ramp!).
KAILUA KONA, HI – OCTOBER 13: Daniela Ryf of Switzerland runs during the IRONMAN World Championships brought to you by Amazon on October 13, 2018 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Nils Nilsen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
The crowd drives you as well as the sound of Mike Riley’s voice once you cross the finish line to hear …
“YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”.
Which means even more when it is the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Ironman.
Magic.
Chills,
Tears.
Memories forever.
Especially for the winners of IRONMAN HAWAII this year- and Patrick Langes new fiance!
SEALED WITH A KISS: IRONMAN World Champion Patrick Lange exchanges a heartfelt kiss with his fiancé, Julia Hoffman after he got down on one knee and proposed at the finish line on Saturday following his record-breaking win. It was a iconic day for Lange.
KAILUA-KONA, HI – OCTOBER 13: Previews leading up to the 2018 IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 13, 2018. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
Once you cross that finish line…that last stretch of the run course will always bring you memories and the “magic tree” on Alii Drive will always mean something to you. Even though I am not able to race an Ironman since October 2012 Kona (read all about my personal story and WHY in my book on Amazon – LIFE IS NOT A RACE), being at the start line and finish line in Kona, Hawaii every October is special to me. I feel empty if I am not there on race day as IRONMAN Hawaii is a part of me – a part of my blood. Madame Pele has made an impact on me since I started competiting on the island of Hawaii in 2004.
Just because you are not racing or unable to race Ironman distance triathlon- you can still be involved in the day and create your own new memories as a spectator. I hope to be more involved in the Triathlon industry by branding THE WHOLESTIC METHOD for coaches and athletes to train the WHOLE athlete from the inside out.
When the season comes to an end, we do need to reset and recalibrate as we asked our bodies for a lot and now we need to be thankful- give back to our bodies and give gratitude. What does this mean to you?
Resting more and slowing down doesn’t have to mean you are a couch potatoe and being lazy but going for 30-45 minute easy workouts and even going for a morning walk (no cell phone or music!). Perhaps you are going to play golf or start up hiking! Maybe you will schedule more time to see your non-triathlon friends that you put a side all training and race season – plus family members that support you! Do what makes you happy, smile and LAUGH!
Plus make time for recovery boots, Active Release Technique, Stretch Therapy, acupuncture, float tanks, Infrared therapy and cold thermogenesis. Get some lab testing. Measure your daily heart rate variability. Take a 20 minute afternoon nap. Go do something new. See a movie.
REST = RESET. REBOOT. RECALIBRATE.
SLOW DOWN…LIfe is NOT a Race. The race is over- so don’t continue living each day as its own race because you are addicted to busyness and the highs from racing.
Allow yourself to slow down and enjoy the next journey. Give yourself permission to recover and repair.
REPAIR the body at a cellular level so you improve the aging process not speed it up!
Do you want to continue racing as you age? Then we need to work on prioritizing the other elements of THE WHOLESTIC METHOD as sleep, stress, movement/mobility, digestion/gut health, hormone balance, hydration and of course HAPPINESS!
Learn more on my weekly podcast THE WHOLE TRI-ATHLETE, my blog, books and coaching program.
The WHOLESTIC Method Coach,
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I know after a training for months training for my “A Race” that the day after …or weeks after the big actual race day that there is a little bit of sadness or depression. I have never had babies but it seems as a similar feeling as postpartum depression for athletes. We put our other non-triathlon life on hold or on the back-burner in order to commit to training for 10-20 hours per week for one major race of the year… or maybe two if doing a race as IRONMAN HAWAII WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
