Ironman Triathlon: My Top 3 Changes for My Last Ironman Ever

Side note: Reading this blog, brings me so much joy because I was walking my pup, Macca Dog. God, I miss that dog. And I had NO idea that making these three changes heading into my 15th Ironman Triathlon, was going to be my LAST triathlon. Enjoy this blog, as much as I did. Because now, you know, the rest of the story…

As I am walking the pup, while I am writing this, I started thinking about race week and how excited I get going into race week.

Not only is there a shit ton of stuff to gather such as your bike, triathlon gear, nutrition, along with regular clothes. There is also a sense of excitement, nervousness, and everything in between for an Ironman triathlon. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first Ironman or your 15th Ironman.

This week, I wanted to share with you three things that I changed heading into my 15th Ironman, and I am curious to see how it will all pan out:

CUT ALCOHOL BEFORE THE IRONMAN TRIATHLON

I cut alcohol out at the six-week mark. I went to Hawaii. It was my birthday. And yes- I did not have a drop of alcohol. I have always heard how alcohol can disrupt your sleep, along with your training and performance, so I wanted to do something different. The month of October, WHOOP, did that same thing- no alcohol for the month.

And here’s the thing: how I was feeling with a glass of wine. I went from coffee to water to wine. It was starting to become more of a habit than a celebration.

As a family who dealt with an alcoholic father, I also wanted to see if I could do it personally. And to be honest with you, I’m happy I did. I am sleeping better. I feel better. And even feel I look better.

MAINTAIN YOUR  STRENGTH

I maintained my strength with SoulFit and Jason Padilla, but around six weeks out, I did change it up. On Tuesdays, I did a peer strength class, and on Saturdays, I did Broga, also known as yoga, when I could.

I felt like that was a game-changer. As life started getting fuller in October with going to Hawaii and other things, I wasn’t able to get to my strength class as much, but I did yoga as much as I could.

LESS LONG SLOW WORKOUTS

This last one is a bit scary because it’s not what I’m used to. I did not do as many long runs and bikes as I have in the past. Going into my 15th Ironman, I have the mental stamina, so doing another five or six-hour ride was not completely necessary. My runs that Coach B gave me were solid interval work along with one long run, which was almost 16 miles. And then the bikes were focused on interval work, and they were all inside. WHAT!!

My changes were what I needed to do, and here is why. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my Instagram stories, you will know that I genuinely feel that this will be my last long-distance Ironman Triathlon.

Someone suggested that I do Challenge Roth to end it all, but that will come in time. Someone also asked, “What if you qualified for Kona?” That will be a game-day decision for sure, but right now, I can honestly say I am done with the long course triathlons. Why?

My body is tired.
My feet hurt.
My mind needs recharging.
And my heart is at peace with this decision.