Becoming an Ironman: The Work You Don't See

When people hear the words Ironman training, they usually picture endless swims, brutal bike rides, and long runs that start before sunrise. And yes, there is plenty of that. But what I’ve learned on this journey is that becoming an Ironman has far less to do with any single workout and far more to do with how you live your life when the training doesn’t stop.

This journey has asked more of me than physical strength. It has demanded structure, patience, discipline, and belief, especially on the days when motivation is low and life is heavy.

The Season Ahead: Valencia and Thun

This year’s journey is anchored by two races that each carry their own meaning.

The first is Ironman 70.3 Valencia. This half Ironman is a crucial step in the process. It’s not just a race, it’s a test of execution. A chance to validate months of training, to dial in pacing, nutrition, and mental strategy under race conditions. Valencia will show me where I truly stand and what still needs refining before the main event.

The ultimate goal, however, lies further down the road.

On July 5th in Thun, I will take on my full Ironman. That race represents everything this journey is about. It’s not just about covering the distance, it’s about earning the right to stand on that start line. Every early morning session, every carefully planned week, every sacrifice made along the way is leading toward that moment.

The Reality of Ironman Training

Training for an Ironman is a full-time commitment layered on top of an already full life.

The physical work alone is demanding. Long rides that stretch for hours. Runs that teach patience more than speed. Swims that challenge rhythm, efficiency, and focus. Recovery sessions that require just as much discipline as the hard ones.

But the real challenge is coordination.

This journey runs parallel to:

• Running a business

• Coaching on court

• Stringing rackets

• Studying

• Providing personal training

• Working toward becoming an Advanced Oxygen Advantage Instructor

• And dealing with personal issues that don’t conveniently wait until after race day

All these things are necessary to facilitate the iron man training (it is not cheap)! And there is no perfect balance. There is only prioritization, planning, and adaptability. Some days are executed perfectly. Others are messy. But both count.

The Invisible Work

What many people don’t see is the mental and emotional load that comes with this pursuit.

Training plans don’t account for stress, fatigue from work, or personal challenges, but the body does. Learning when to push and when to step back has been one of the biggest lessons so far. This journey has required me to listen more closely to my body, to trust the process, and to stay patient even when progress feels slow.

Becoming an Ironman means learning to operate under pressure without letting it define you. It means staying committed even when results aren’t immediate. It means accepting that some days, simply showing up is the win.

Where I Am Right Now

At this point in the journey, I’m in a good place.

Training is going according to plan. My fitness is building steadily, and I feel strong and capable. The sessions are hard, sometimes brutally so, but they’re purposeful. Every week is another layer added to the foundation.

There’s a quiet confidence developing. Not arrogance, but trust. Trust in the work I’ve put in. Trust in the planning. Trust that consistency will carry me forward.

I’m training hard because this challenge demands respect. I’m not cutting corners. I’m not rushing the process. I’m doing the work required to be ready, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Becoming the Ironman Before the Race

One of the biggest realizations I’ve had is this: you don’t become an Ironman on race day.

You become one in the mornings when it would be easier to stay in bed. In the evenings when fatigue competes with responsibility. In the decisions to stay disciplined when no one is watching and nothing is guaranteed.

This journey is shaping more than my fitness. It’s shaping how I approach work, pressure, and adversity. It’s teaching me resilience, structure, and patience, lessons that extend far beyond sport.

Valencia and Thun are important milestones, but they are not the whole story. The real transformation is happening now, in the training, in the planning, and in the daily commitment to becoming better than I was yesterday.

The work continues. And step by step, I’m becoming the Ironman I set out to be.