First Ironman Doubts and Fears

By: Ray Fauteux
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:59
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

For the most part, training for your first Ironman is done and you're in the taper mode.

Your attempt at Ironman immortality is possibly just a week or two away. All the demons are beginning to surface and self-doubt is leading the way. Followed closely by that inevitable question........"What on earth have I gotten myself into?"

Fear not. Its quite possible that pretty well every ironman hopeful has had exactly those same feelings as the big day grows ever closer.

There seems to be a couple of reasons why almost everyone deals with this same issue. For one thing, you've put an immense amount of time and effort into your preparation. You've given up a lot and most likely family and social life have been put on hold.

The thought of failing and letting down everyone who has supported your preparation can become overwhelming if you dwell on it. Of course, the ultimate goal is to reach the elusive ironman finish line, but keep in mind the long list of accomplishments you have achieved by reaching the start line.

Maybe you had to learn how to swim, or had never been anywhere near a triathlon bike. Possibly you were a bit out of shape and not particularly pleased with what you saw when you looked in the mirror. Maybe your self-confidence was at a pretty low ebb. Let's face it, sometimes life can get a little stagnant and repetetive and it seems nothing will ever change it.

Then one day, something pretty amazing happened. You were "Ironstruck." Something moved you about this event and a spark was ignited that brought about a stunning metamorphosis.

WELL, LOOK AT YOU NOW!! YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!

You are most likely in the best shape of your life. You have a better understanding of diet and nutrition--of training and resting--of sacrifice and accomplishment.

You are already a new, improved version of yourself and as result have done something very special for those who care about you. All this, and you have yet to start the race. You simply cannot fail, because of what you have already accomplished, you have won.

So.......don't fear the Ironman. Embrace it. Go to the start area early on race morning. Feel the remarkable power, spirit and exhilaration that builds as the starting gun nears. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone and at that moment in time you are an integral part of the fittest single group of people in the world.

Have confidence in your preparation. You have earned the right to participate. That spark that was ignited months ago has led you down this path.

Welcome the challenge and soon you will come to know what you are truly capable of. You will leave your comfort zone and surpass physical, mental and emotional limits that you never thought you were capable of and that tiny spark will become a glow that will stay with you forever.

My name is Ray and I have a 25 plus year career in endurance events including 14 Ironman triathlons.

I've built a site called "Ironstruck" that has many training and racing tips that may aid the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman in realizing their triathlon goals.

come for a visit.......

http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Triathlon category

  • Is It Time To Get Professional Triathlon Training? - By: Mike Herman
    A triathlon requires athletes to display their skills and endurance in three different sports namely, swimming, cycling and running.A triathlon is much more demanding than other athletic events since it requires the competitors to excel in all the three sports. In order to do do well, place well and to increase the chances of winning, the athletes have to undergo professional triathlon training before the actual event.
  • Triathlon Swim Training - How You Can Get It Right - By: Munyaradzi Chinongoza
    Dating back to ancient Greek times, a triathlon tests the skills of athletes in a competition comprised of three different events. The most common triathlon involves swimming, cycling and running. In this order, it is the swimming portion of this competition that sets the tone for the rest of the contest.
  • Best Triathlon Gear For Quality Performance - By: Mike Herman
    When it comes to finding the best triathlon gear on the market, you may be overwhelmed at the sheer amount of options available on the market.Instead of choosing equipment that is either inappropriate for the sport or for your specific needs, strive to do the research before you begin shopping.A couple of minutes of research can save you a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money when it comes to shopping for the best triathlon gear for you, regardless if you are interesting in competing in an amateur event or striving for perfection in a professional event.
  • Professional Triathlon Training For All Ages, All Abilities and All Athletes - By: Mike Herman
    When it comes to professional triathlon training, athletes of all ages and any ability can benefit from a fantastic amount of information and techniques from a host of professionals from all over the sport.Whether you choose to utilize the one-on-one training resources that only a professional can provide or are more interested in gaining information through informational videos, periodicals, books, and other training materials, there are a wide variety of options available.Depending on your level of commitment, available resources, and budget, you will certainly find the professional triathlon training that best fits into your personal wants and needs.
  • Elements of Triathlon Competition - By: Low Jeremy
    It all started with the debate of who's the best- the runners, the swimmers or the cyclists? We all know that they have their individual fortes but during the 1920's, when the first triathlons were held, this topic had been ringing wild in the sports world.To put a stop on this, a Navy Commander named Cdr.
  • Guidelines in Choosing Your Custom Triathlon Apparel - By: Low Jeremy
    There must be some reasons why when it comes to triathlon apparels, it is purely a personal preference of the racer. Well, of course team uniforms mark the exemption. Depending on the agreement or the rulings as imposed by a team, racers are issued or mandated with a single type of uniform.
  • How to Train for USA Triathlon - By: Low Jeremy
    One of the greatest marvels in human experiences is the beginning of each adventure…or misadventure. And with each time we begin, the experiences we've learned prove to be more beneficial than not starting at all.Each step of training must be regulated and done according to the typical (and standard) measures that must be used to avoid definite pitfalls.
  • Importance of Training for a Triathlon - By: Low Jeremy
    Plan remains to be a plan not until some action pushes it to realize its potentials. All of us are capable of making a good start and see our start to its end with each plan that we do. However, our greatest fear is not that we cannot make them.
  • Your Standards in Choosing Your Triathlon Shorts - By: Low Jeremy
    Everyone has his unique anatomy. And that, my friend must be the foremost consideration in choosing you triathlon shorts.You can of course choose to base your choice of shorts on the quality of the material, the price or the over-all construction.
  • Triathlon Swim Testing Your Endurance in the First Leg - By: Low Jeremy
    If there were anything more difficult than the transitions of the triathlon race then swimming would be it. Truly an endurance sport, swimming in triathlon races can actually dig the life out of you, especially when your body is not well adapted to the conditions that it requires.You may have some basic backgrounds in swimming since it is known to be the most popular pastime sport Americans have.