TriAptitude Coaching

My goal was to finish a full distance Ironman. I’m in my 50’s and have done some endurance running and cycling in the past, but swimming was new to me, as were triathlons. I felt confident that I could train myself for either a running or cycling endurance race, but I didn’t feel confident in being able to manage the training for all three disciplines, especially for an Ironman distance.

Some people think that you can just buy a training plan online, and off you go. That can work, but what happens when you get sick or injured? What happens when things go wrong? Do you know how to adjust the plan and get back on course? Do you know how to make up for the lost time?

Three months before my Ironman race, I had a cycling accident that put me in the hospital and set back my training considerably. Courtney’s experience was worth gold here. As I was recovering, and able to start some physical activity again, she put together a plan that tested my abilities, met me where I was, and then ramped me carefully as I recovered.

Despite the setback, I made it to my race and was in great shape. I still had injuries to deal with but was confident in my fitness. Courtney prepared me well. The forecast was for 25+ mph headwinds, which concerned me, but Courtney helped me with the race strategy and final planning. I met my goal of finishing well ahead of the cutoff times and was smiling ear to ear as I crossed the finish line and heard Mike Reilly say: “Jim, you are an Ironman!”