{"id":15165,"date":"2021-01-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drjimtaylor.com\/4.0\/?p=15165"},"modified":"2021-01-04T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T16:00:00","slug":"inside-the-tri-mind-is-an-ironman-in-your-future-part-ii-do-it-for-the-right-reasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drjimtaylor.com\/4.0\/inside-the-tri-mind-is-an-ironman-in-your-future-part-ii-do-it-for-the-right-reasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Tri-Mind: Is an Ironman in Your Future?: Part II (Do it for the Right Reasons)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ironman is the ultimate in triathlon competition. It\u2019s the \u201cposter child\u201d by which triathlon is known to the world at large. When I began doing triathlons, almost every non-tri person I met would ask if I had done an Ironman (that\u2019s all they knew), as if that is the only badge of honor in our sport. Within triathlon, Ironman competitors are accorded a certain reverence. Because of its status, the pull of doing an Ironman is strong for any triathlete who takes his or her participation seriously. Putting in the training time, going the distance, crossing the line as an Ironman finisher (even qualifying for Kona!) are all heady stuff that can act as a Siren\u2019s call for triathletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particularly coming off the covid-interrupted 2020 season, you may feel this draw to be an Ironman even more strongly as it appears that the 2021 season may be \u201cfull on,\u201d which for triathletes is the only medicine we really need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"But should you do an Ironman? Though training for and finishing an Ironman can be a positive, life-enriching experience, it can also be a source of personal, work, and social stress, a cause of injuries and other health problems, and a less than satisfying experience in which the costs outweigh the benefits. As a two-time Ironman finisher and a sport psychologist who works with triathletes, I encourage you to give careful thought to this question to make sure that, if you choose to do an Ironman, you do it for reasons that are healthy and beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you decide whether you should do an Ironman, I\u2019ve written a two-part series exploring what I have found to be the most important issues to consider (you can read Part I here). In this second part of the series, I\u2019ll explore the \u201cwrong\u201d and \u201cright\u201d reasons for doing an Ironman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWrong\u201d Reasons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We live in a \u2018more is better\u2019 society. Triathletes can get in the trap of \u201cIf I feel good doing an Olympic distance, I\u2019ll feel even better doing a half-Ironman. And if I feel that good doing a half, I\u2019ll feel even better doing an Ironman.\u201d But we often forget that, like most things, triathlon can have a point of diminishing returns; longer distances won\u2019t necessarily give you greater benefits in terms of enjoyment, fulfillment, meaning, or fitness. Gosh, is Ironman even enough? Now there is Xterra, double Ironman races, Ultraman, Eco-Challenge, Mt. Everest! There is always a greater challenge; harder courses, tougher conditions, faster competitors, more demanding events. When is enough enough?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also live in a society in which many people are looking for that elusive something called happiness, self-esteem, or inner peace. We meditate, practice yoga, and, yes, race triathlons. It is easy to be seduced by the allure of life change in triathlon; everyone seems so happy and alive! Yet you may not feel that way and conclude that you just aren\u2019t going far enough; \u201cIf I\u2019m not finding what I\u2019m looking for at Sprint or Olympic distances, I must not being going long enough!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for answers to your life\u2019s questions at the finish line, you will probably end up frustrated and unsatisfied because those answers will, likely, not be found in an Ironman. Ironman will not stop you from running (and biking and swimming) away from your problems. Ironman won\u2019t bring you contentment. It won\u2019t make you a better person. You won\u2019t love yourself more. You won\u2019t be respected more by others. If you are doing an Ironman for the wrong reasons, it is simply not the answer to the questions that you are probably asking yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight\u201d Reasons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many good reasons for doing an Ironman. Ironman can offer you physical and mental challenges that can free you to test yourself in other areas of your life. It can inspire you, give you confidence, improve your focus, show you how to deal with emotions, and help you learn to overcome adversity. Ironman can teach you lessons about patience, perseverance, persistence, and resilience that can benefit you in your work, relationships, and other aspects of your life. And you can get great joy (the tri-high!) out of your Ironman experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"Though the above benefits are important, they are not what Ironman triathletes talk about most when I ask them why they race Ironman distance. With almost complete unanimity, they talk about the people: the camaraderie and the bond that they feel with other Ironman triathletes. Ironman training is very social: master\u2019s swims, long rides and runs, track workouts. Ironman races are noted for their social activities: the pre- and post-race banquets, meals out, the athlete village, the race itself (misery loves company!). Of course, the same sort of social benefits can be found in shorter triathlon training and races, though the bond and the shared experience may be less strong because the investment and suffering is not as great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Race<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the weeks and months after their races, many Ironman finishers I have spoken with told me how the Ironman had changed their lives. They felt that they were different people who responded to world in new and better ways. These Ironman triathletes felt inspired, more capable, and ready to tackle their life\u2019s challenges head on. Their appreciation of Ironman was heartfelt, and many spoke about doing another. Others said they were depressed, listless, and felt rudderless and unmotivated. These Ironman triathletes questioned the value of the race and were uncertain whether they would continue with triathlon at any distance. For some, sadly, it was their last triathlon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Ironman races weren\u2019t life altering for me. Don\u2019t get me wrong, I\u2019m glad I did them. I conquered a great challenge, I met and became friends with some wonderful people, and I will always be an Ironman. But, having done two Ironman races, I have decided that, given my overall life, the costs overshadow the benefits and I have decided not to do another Ironman for a long time if ever (never say never).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t mean to sound like a downer trying to discourage you from doing an Ironman. Rather, I am trying to show you there are two sides to doing an Ironman and you don\u2019t often hear about the \u201cdarker\u201d side. Only you can decide whether an Ironman is worth it to you. By asking you to think twice before you step up to an Ironman, I want you to ask yourself two questions. First, do you want to do an Ironman for the right reasons? Second, within your overall life picture, will an Ironman be worth it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to take the next step in training your mind to perform your best in training and on race day? Here are four options for you:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n