3 Business and Life Lessons from Ironman Alaska

Ironman Alaska was a heck of a race. The water temp was 55 degrees on the swim and it was 50 degrees and raining the whole race! Despite that, I was able to put together one of my best races ever and finished in the Top 25 for age group and one of the top overall. The brutal race at the World Championship in Utah in May prepared me well.

Lessons learned that apply to life and business…

1. Prepare for all contingencies. I packed smart for this race and had everything from regular race day attire to rain and snow and was able to have all the gear I needed ready in my transition so I could change with the climate as the race went on.

2. Your mind is your biggest asset to win in anything. Jumping in 55 degree water, despite a wetsuit, is super cold and my mind was screaming at me to get out, but I just started into my pre-planned stroke rhythm and after a few hundred yards my feet, face, and hand stopped tingling and got acclimated. I overruled my own mind and pushed through it to put in my best swim time ever in a race.

3. Seeing a huge goal through to the very finish is never easy and the last little bit is the hardest and where people quit to most. At mile 22, my entire body was soaked from the rain, my shoes were giant soaking rocks on my feet, and it seemed like it took everything I had to get each step
In front of the other. Those final few miles are where my mind wanted to quit the most, instead I picked up my pace and went even faster. My lungs burned, my body ached, and my mind almost shut down. It was like a zombie run to the finish - but I had my best marathon time in a race ever. Always remember, the last steps toward the goal are where you need to push the hardest and not give in.