In my twenties I had some serious mental health issues to contend with that robbed me of the things I enjoyed most such as running. As I began to heal from some difficult years I knew I needed regular exercise to help me with my journey. I needed a serious challenge that would push me to my physical and mental limits, so being an all or nothing sort of person I signed up for Ironman Vichy.
I decided pretty quickly I needed help to get there. I met Mike and immediately liked his approach to training. Very different to my earlier, injury riddled running years, the majority of training was long, slow zone 2 training. I was out of shape and low in confidence so it started very slowly. We gradually built up the volume, whilst also getting help with my swimming which needed some work!
My fear and respect of Ironman, along with weekly calls with Mike and a carefully curated individualised training plan, meant I hardly missed a session. I began to really enjoy the process and confidence grew as I committed to consistent training. The training allowed my body to gradually adapt and as importantly my mind to continue healing and grow in confidence.
Training gradually ramped up as I got closer to the Ironman, and finally the day came. As Mike reminded me, I tried hard to enjoy the moment of being on the start line and ready, and celebrated what an achievement that was in itself. The day itself was a painful blur, that didn’t go to plan. My body was still suffering the effects from a booster covid jab. The swim went off in the darkness of pre-dawn (my tinted goggles didn’t help with sighting!), I punctured early in the bike and I tore my medial ligament on the run. However, there was no way I was going to be beaten and I persevered to the end one step at a time.
It was an amazing and emotional feeling to cross the line and hear the words ‘John you are an Ironman’. Whilst hoped for times went out the window I was able to ponder the huge success of completing the toughest physical challenge of my life. Mike’s help in building mental fortitude along with physical fitness equally important. This was more than a race it was me coming back to life, putting some dark years behind me and rekindling my love and enjoyment of the great outdoors and movement. The process as important as the race. In the words of Ironman I had proven to myself ‘anything is possible’.
Whilst I had to take the following year off to get surgery on my knee, I was keen to get back, having seen the benefits the structure and discipline training for triathlon had given me. This time the challenge was different, Olympic distance racing with a lofty (again all or nothing!) goal of GB Age Group qualification. Mike as ever was fully supportive and respectful of my goals, even when I was at times doubtful. He had a brilliant ability to keep it present and focus on process rather than a future result. Together we reflected on what worked well and adapted it to this new challenge. Training was consistent and largely injury free, thanks to Mike keeping me the right side of the line, often restraining my over eagerness!
Again, the focus was on the process and my body got stronger and fitter. I went on to win my age group at a European Qualifier, meaning qualification. What an amazing feeling that I had got to such a level. I could have never imagined it. However just a great achievement was the mentality needed. Things didn’t go to plan (a cancelled bike leg on the day and illness hampering efforts at an earlier qualifier event), but thanks to Mike, I felt just as well prepared to deal with the uncertainty, disappointment and uncontrolables as well as the racing.
This year I will have the amazing privilege to represent GB at the European Championships and the World Champs. The Europeans happen to be in Vichy. I will again celebrate being on the start line with even more vigour, (this time in a GB tri suit but with lighter shade goggles!). I will celebrate the process that has got me here as much as the result. I will celebrate the life I now have and the enjoyment of having a healthy body and mind performing at its optimum. I can honestly say that triathlon has changed my life for the better, and life is now unrecognisable for me compared to 7 years ago. Mike has been an unwavering, consistent, pillar in the journey and it wouldn’t be possible without him.
John