Ironman Stories: The Power of Mindset in Triathlon Training

Last September, in Nice (France), I completed my third Ironman triathlon - a world championship I never imagined qualifying for and which pushed me to my physical limits. 

Beyond the physical sense of accomplishment, there was a psychological one as well. This race symbolised the end of a long and often challenging journey of recovery from a training accident I experienced four years ago. On a hot day in Hong Kong, I collapsed after a training session and suffered injuries that required quite heavy surgery (3 surgeons worked for over 6 hours) and a year-long recovery. In my head, I became fearful of exercise and doubted I would be able to practice sports the way I liked ever again. 

And I wouldn’t have, had I not found a way to approach recovery that enabled small but steady progress to build over time. Standing before walking, and walking before running characterised my journey. I took care to look at the aspects of training that were within my control but that I often overlooked, things such as hydration, nutrition and sleep, as well as how to introduce training that properly balanced intensity and rest. 

Mindset was equally important, because it was always tempting to try for more than I was ready for. I had to accept my limitations and work within my capabilities at each phase of the recovery journey. This, I believe, is what resilience is all about. On the one hand, not giving up. But on the other, not rushing in. I needed perseverance as much as patience to make my way back into racing shape. 

I was lucky to find Coach Ruby and the great No Limits community she built, before doing my first Ironman. Her 1% improvement per day and very positive and supportive mindset was exactly aligned with my approach but her deep knowledge of all the aspects of triathlon made me climb many steps towards better performance and more effective efforts, especially in swimming, nutrition and race strategy.

The path remains challenging, and I struggle to find balance between work life, private life and training, especially with the frequent travels that my job requires. I cannot always follow my program, in particular for swimming, and also often have to practice cycling in poor conditions, on gym bikes. However, I stick to regularity and, instead of skipping the session I cannot do, I replace them with additional strength, mobility and stretching sessions which otherwise have a (too) small part in my program.

And somehow, with ups and downs, regularity has paid off: for my fourth Ironman, I was well prepared and able to give it all, qualifying for the World championship in Kona. An indescribable emotion that will fulfill me for a very long time. I feel deeply grateful to everyone who supported me through this journey — my family, friends, colleagues, and of course my fantastic coach, Ruby, with the No Limits team.

by Guest Writer: CHARLES D.