What an Ironman 70.3 Taught Me About Change

I didn’t set out to change my life. At the urging of a friend, I registered for a half Ironman thinking I was testing my endurance, building strength, pushing physical limits. And I did all of that. But somewhere between the early mornings, the long rides, and the days I didn’t feel like showing up — I didn’t realize something deeper was happening until later.

Well — technically it was a 69.1. Race morning, the swim portion was canceled due to dangerous conditions in Galveston Bay. So instead of diving into a 1.2-mile swim, we kicked off the day with a 56-mile bike ride, followed by a 13.1-mile run.

If you’re unfamiliar, a 70.3 is no joke. These events are held around the world and often sell out. Thousands of athletes show up prepared to test their limits. And I had trained for it — in the cold, in the dark, through a snowstorm — six days a week for four relentless months. 

The Grind Is Where It Changes You

It started small. My partner and I began with one-hour runs and indoor bike rides. Then two hours. Then three. By the time race day came around, our training weekends averaged eight hours.

It was brutal some days. I was tired and I questioned myself. But something started to shift.

What once felt impossible slowly became routine. I stopped overthinking. I stopped doubting myself. We trained. We showed up. Again and again.

And that’s when I noticed it — the real transformation wasn’t just in my body. It was in my mind.

Two Hours. No Drama.

The other day, while training for my next 70.3, I was gearing up for a two-hour ride — and it hit me: I wasn’t even thinking about it. No dread. No pep talk.

I filled my bottles, grabbed a snack, clipped in, and got to work.

Two hours. Just a ride. It had become normal.

Not long ago, two hours felt like a mountain. Now it’s a Tuesday.

The Coaching Connection

As a coach, I naturally look at life experiences through a coaching lens. And this one hit home.

Because this is exactly how change works in coaching.
It’s not flashy. It’s not overnight.
It’s the accumulation of small, consistent steps.

You build strength — not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and strategically.

Together with my clients, we explore where they are now and where they want to go. The path isn’t always straight, and that’s okay. We break it down. Micro-actions. Mindset shifts. The transformation occurs one step at a time, or as I learned, one ride at a time.

Eventually, the things that once felt hard stop being hard.
They become part of who you are.

You Don’t Need to Train for a Triathlon to Transform

You don’t have to bike for four hours to feel this kind of shift. But you do have to start.

You have to get honest about what you want.
You have to commit.
You have to show up — especially on the days you don’t feel like it.

That’s where the change happens. Not in the waiting. Not in the perfect conditions. It’s in the doing.

That’s why I love being a coach. Coaching offers real tools, real support, and real results — aligned with the life you want, not the one you may be settling for.

So, I challenge you to think about something that feels hard right now — something that might take time, patience, and a series of small steps to achieve. Then take those steps. One day at a time. And delight in who you become on the other side.