How To Win Kona Before The End Of The World

Thanks for reading and writing in. I am racing AG 30-34 this coming season, and will stay AG until I no longer belong and a bigger challenge presents itself. My greatest fear is reaching the top of anything, so if I start winning my AG, the next step will be to take on something new and humbling, like turning into a shitty pro and slowly working my way into respectability. That’s the honest plan. But of course, I have some SERIOUS work to do before I feel comfortable putting myself anywhere near those ranks.

19 and entering your 3rd year! You’re a pup!! That’s quite impressive. This is officially my 2nd year in triathlon (first was a long, meandering one), so maybe you should be the one giving me advice. Here’s the deal - triathlon is about toughness in your body, but then especially in your mind. No matter how invincible we all think we are when we’re 19, the truth is — we are not. Look at the last two Ironman champs - Macca and Crowie, both in the back end of their 30’s when crowned the best in the world. Maturity plays a HUGE role in this game. Even if your aim isn’t the longer course, my point is this - you can make leaps on your competitors by doing the work, not skipping workouts, and by making sure that the work you do is QUALITY. I didn’t miss workouts when I was 19, but most 19 year olds will, especially when it’s cold or hard. Do the work. Learn to listen to what’s happening in your mind and body - train SMART while learning to push your comfort zones. When the time comes to push, aim to be TOUGHER than your competitors. Feel the moment when 99% would dial it back and call it a day. If you want to be great, that’s the moment your day begins. It also starts 5-50 minutes AFTER when you thought it was. I didn’t know that.

Trust a 30 year old, especially in this game. I trust my elders.