Doing Your Very Own Ironman Triathlon

I'm just back from a few days in Busselton, Western Australia where I took time out to support a girlfriend who was competing in her 9th Ironman. If you're not familiar with the Ironman Triathlon it is a three disciplined event, consisting of a 3.8km (2.4mi) swim, 180km (112mi) bike ride & 42km (26.2mi) run.

I personally haven't done an Ironman since 1998 or a smaller distance tri since 2004, and the last actual Ironman I watched, was my husband's last race in 2002. So after nearly ten years of being out of the 'scene' a lot has changed in relation to equipment and technology, as you would imagine.

What hasn't changed is how important it is to 'do the work' instead of relying on the 'latest craze'. So how does doing an Ironman relate to your business?

Firstly, you need to work smarter NOT harder. When you train for a race like an Ironman, you do need to make sure you do your required training. Your coach will show you, in the peak section of your training, that doing quality rides that are longer than the 180km, and some runs that hit over the 30km mark are important to getting the miles in your legs. But you also need to make sure you allow for the recovery sessions, the weeks when you are doing less miles and allowing your body to rest and recover.

It's the same when you run your business, you really do need to plan your recovery time. This may be lighter weeks planned into your diary so that you can catch up on items that are outstanding. A long weekend away from the business, where you are able to catch up with your family and friends.

Challenge yourself in 2012 to be clear on the number of hours you want to work each week, and put strong boundaries in place to work these hours only.

Secondly, don't rely on the latest and greatest. Trust YOURSELF! Watching the race, I saw a lot of amazing bikes out there (and yes, I've seen my next new racing bike :-)), as well as running and swimming technology. But believe me, this may help you in the short term and it may make you 'feel good', but at the end of the day, it is YOU who decides whether you are going to have a good or bad race.

It's what's inside you that counts - that belief in your own ability, that belief that you can do this no matter what. That no setback is going to derail you.

I remember when I raced, that the flat that needed to be changed quickly, is only a flat tyre, it's not the end of the race. That the pain you feel in your legs, and the negative self talk in your mind, that begins at the half way mark of the run, is just what it is - pain and your mind trying to derail you - nothing more. No compression socks are going to change that!

What's important is how you respond to this pain, that's what makes the difference. How do you respond to setbacks in your business, or in your life? Do you acknowledge them for what they are, make the necessary changes, and then move forward. Or do you allow them to take over and dictate to you what you do next? It's an interesting question...

Thirdly, make sure you have the right information and don't listen to every person and their dog. My girlfriend had a goal for this race, and that was to qualify for Hawaii again. For her to do this, she had to win her age group or if she didn't do that, then hope that she would get a 'roll down'. She knew her top competitor and what her strongest leg was, so I was given the role of letting her know where this competitor was at all times!

As my girlfriend came off the bike, she was leading her age group. When I saw her in the first lap of her run leg, I let her know that the other competitor still wasn't off her bike, so she had a good lead. The run leg for a four lap event, so it was easy to know where everyone was. When she came around for her second lap, she was slightly flustered and said that someone had seen the other competitor out in front of her, so could I find out how much in front she was. So to cut a long story short, the other competitor wasn't in front of her, but was in fact an hour behind her. But because of the laps, others where getting confused and passing this information on.

In your business, find the people you trust and listen to them. Don't get caught in the grey noise of everyone out there. Yes, there maybe time when you have to change your focus and direction, but do this when you have the right information. Your business is fluid, and you need to be able to respond to change according, but don't do it as a knee jerk reaction. Look at what's not working, and then identify your best course of action. Don't go it alone, have your support team around you, and ask that they are there for you 100%, through the highs and the lows.

So in 2012, when you do your Ironman, know that I will be here for you, cheering you on from the sidelines!

Oh & yes, my girlfriend not only won her age group and a spot to Hawaii, but she also came in 20th overall in the females! Not a bad day at the office...