Blog 2022

I was discussing the mental side of sport with an athlete of mine yesterday and it had me reflecting on my own mental growth throughout my triathlon career.

2022 was my 25th season in triathlon and it was very much a “mental” season for me.  I had a goal of making it to Kona again to race my 20th Ironman, but come summertime, I found myself wondering if I wanted to race an Ironman again!  While I was training, I didn’t fully commit mentally to racing Ironman Mont Tremblant until 3 weeks before race day.  After a rough Kona in 2019, and 3 years OFF racing Ironman, I found myself intimidated by the distance!  Who would think?  At that point I had raced 18 Ironman, had raced as a Pro, was fortunate to race KONA as a Pro. One would think I would have it in the bag, but the truth is, I wondered if I still had it in me to race an Ironman well.

I spent the two weeks before race day really working on my mental game.  I worked on my mental strength and self-talk daily.  Simple things like preparing myself to be positive on race day, to never give up, to stay strong.  I got to Canada and felt excited to race again!  The day before the race I received a different type of mental motivation to race well.  One of my best friends, Simon (an Ironman legend in his own right) called to tell me his wife was not doing well and was in fact dying.  This hit me hard.  My focus shifted from me to Simon and Ingrid.  I told Simon they would both me in my thoughts throughout race day, this one was for them.  As I started the race, I thought of them both and vowed to remain positive and never give up for them.  That’s exactly what I did all day.  I had a great race and I dedicated it to my dear friends.

After discussing this with Simon the next day, he was touched and said that he did similar “mental games” during an Ironman.  Before the race he strategically “placed” loved ones who were no longer with him, as well as those who still are, along the course to provide motivation and inspiration throughout his day.  I truly believe your mental game must be 100% ON to race well, and this is something we ALL must work on.  What is your "why?" on race day?

5 weeks later, I went to Kona.  I never felt recovered from IMMT and I didn’t have that same mental “ON switch” that I had for my last race.  I was tired physically, but more so MENTALLY.  I found it exhausting to find that same motivation that I had in Canada.  I couldn’t focus enough to get my mental game set.  It showed throughout my day.  I never felt “good”, I went through the motions, and during the run I started to really faulter.  It was a sub-par performance from start to finish.  This is where the mental growth comes in...  20 years ago, I may have been devasted.  This year, I wasn’t.  I took it in stride.  I’ve been at this a long time, and I know that some days you are ON and some days, way OFF.  We see it with pros and age groupers all the time.  Despite preparation, some races will go terribly wrong for you while others will be super smooth!  This is all part of the journey!

Instead of getting upset if a race or workout doesn’t go as planned, try reflecting on the entire process and journey. Appreciate what you are doing and who you are doing it with.  Kona 2022 may not have been a “fast race” for me, but it was a great trip!  I spent time with Simon, I got to share my 20th Ironman with my friend Bob (also his 20th), both Simon and Bob “caught me” at the finish line, and I got to share my Kona journey with 5 of my athletes who were all there racing for the first time!  I left Kona happy and content, but my fire inside is still there.  My motivation to “do it right” is very strong, so I will be back!

Here are some of the many pics of my IFE athletes this season.  This is what it’s all about!

Happy Training and racing!

Dee

As we enter this triathlon season, I’ll be entering my 25th year in the sport. I’ve been doing triathlon more than half my life and I still love it, which is amazing in itself.  Triathlon has made my life so rich is many different ways:  right out of College it gave me another outlet to compete; I was fortunate to qualify and race as a Pro in my late 20’s and early 30’s; I met my long-term partner, George through the sport (cycling together with mutual friends 17 years ago), I’ve been able to make a living through the sport, as a coach; and I’ve met and coached the most incredible people, with the most inspiring stories. I've learned a lot about myself along the way, and truly believe its the experiences, the people and the journey along the way that's most memorable.  Thinking back these are the things that I cherish, not the wins and the trophies.

I’ve raced every year since 1998, minus one season that took me out due to injury, and of course raced "virtually" in 2020 due to the pandemic.  Ive finished 18 Ironman races, started 20 (2 DNF’s), I've qualified for Kona 7 times and have been to Kona 6 times (the title picture is me in Kona 2005, 27 years old).  This year I’ll be racing Ironman Mont-Tremblant in hopes of going to Kona for the 7th time alongside my athletes Leah, Shayne and John Caffrey (and possibly others who qualify this season!).  If I qualify, Kona will be my 20th Ironman.  After all this time, the thought of it still gives me goosebumps, so I take that as a good sign.  I hope each of you finds a race or a goal that gives you goosebumps!

I want to share some highlights from 2021 as I look forward to the 2022 season...

 Erin, Radek, Phil, myself and Joe started of the season with a trip to FL to race IM Gulf Coast 70.3!  Phil, Radek and myself left with slots to the IM 70.3 World Championships in St. George!

After not racing in 2020, Kurt got back in the race scene again. Kurt moved to Ohio a few years ago, but I'm still fortunate to coach him!

 Todd and Mark both qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships at the IM Mussleman 70.3!

We had our 5th Annual IFE World Championships, always a highlight to our season!   

Alex did his first tri, Mighty Hamptons, along with veteran triathlete, Mike Scanlon:  

Julie competed in and finished both IM Mussleman 70.3 and IMAC 70.3:  

Hilary and Katie both finished their first Maggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim, 5.6 Miles across the Great South Bay:

RJ competed in his first Ironman with a great finish, at IMMD:  

Erin, Mark, Radek, Todd and myself raced the IM 70.3 World Championships in Utah: 

Unfortunately, Phil had a bike accident preventing him from going to Utah to race!  He'll be back stronger than ever this year!

Shayne had a breakthrough race at IMMD, placing 2nd in his age group and qualifying for Kona:  

I got to race the Montauk Lighthouse Sprint Tri again, 19 years later, alongside my 18-year-old athlete Olivia, who is currently racing D1 Triathlon at the University of Denver!

Jeffrey Reynolds finished his first Ironman, IMFL, on a brutal weather day!

Leah (2nd from right),Johnny (far left) and Jeff (far right) had a big days at IM Maine 70.3 posting PR's!  

Staci and Joe (far right) finished their first Ironman, IMLP in fantastic style!

John Edwards had mechanical issues at Placid, but finished the season with Mighty Hamptons and Mightyman Montauk 70.3:  

That's just a handful of the highlights from IFE's 2021 season! 

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy fun and fast 2022!  

Here's to year 25!