health 04.12.2024

99 weeks to go

So now I’ve been back in full structured training mode for a few weeks. That feels incredibly good.

The first year after my crazy decision to try an Ironman again was a constant up and down, both physically and mentally. I clearly underestimated what it means at my age not to run and swim athletically for ten years – and I’ve got ten years older! I was also impatient with myself in the first few months. I had the feeling that I wasn’t making any progress at all. On the bike, however, I did, and that built me up mentally. But doubts caught up with me at regular intervals.

When I look back, the pain-related break in training over the summer months perhaps had something positive. I questioned all aspects of the whole project again, talked a lot with my partner, sought advice from an orthopaedist, coach and physiotherapist – and now I feel stronger and much more confident. I never gave up strength training, gymnastics and cycling during this time. I said to myself: this is good for me anyway, and I’m going to keep it up for as long as I can anyway, whether I’m working towards an Ironman or not.

Flow remains the main goal

This summer, I read the Japanese book “Ikigai”. The content: finding yourself through the unique Far Eastern art of living, building inner strength and letting go of everyday stress.

That inspired me. I want to live my life in the same way in all aspects and try to keep refining myself in this respect. When I am in this flow, I will experience the Ironman in 2026 as a nice “by-product”, so to speak. The flow remains the main goal.

This test from the book alone is interesting:

Can you enthusiastically tell others about what you do every day and what moves you on a daily basis and also infect and inspire them with it?
Is there something that keeps you motivated?
Is it something you get up for every morning with joy and are grateful to be able to live it?
Does it give you energy?
Does it feel right deep down in your heart?
Do you feel that it allows you to be yourself?
Does it help you feel more awake, alert, focused and alive?
Do you feel that it makes your life more fulfilling and colorful?
Does it have a positive effect on other people and society?
Do you regularly experience small and big beautiful moments in your everyday life that you are grateful for and that make you happy?

I am pleased that I can generally answer the above questions with yes when I feel in my flow.

Of course, I don’t always succeed. I also struggle with minor and major worries and don’t always clear my head as much as I would like. That’s why I remember the following core principles, which also apply to my sporting goal:

1.start small
2.learn to let go
3.live harmony and sustainability
4.discover the joy of small thing
5.be in the here and now

At the moment, the following applies to my training: start small, but keep at it consistently.

I still have 99 weeks until the big long day.


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