Back to the Start Line: How Training for a 70.3 Ironman Made Me a Kid Again

I’m 50 years old, and lately, I feel like I’ve been handed a second childhood—one filled with chlorine, wind-in-the-face speed, and the sheer exhaustion of a good nap. It shouldn’t be a surprise, really. Growing up, I was always active. Like many of my generation (the one I saw referred to as “The Goonies” generation), my bike was my constant companion. We were always out on our own treasure hunt, cycling who-knows-where, doing who-knows-what, until the streetlights came on.

But now, my childhood haunts have been replaced by a daunting destination: The Mallorca 70.3 Ironman. I’m training for something I never thought I’d do in a million years, and the journey is forcing me to reconnect with the kid I used to be.

Phase 1: The Water Baby Returns

My earliest summer memories are of the pool. My babysitter (who was also my godmother) would take us to the local pool every day before lunch. I’d spend what felt like hours in the water, swimming and playing with friends. Then, it was back home for lunch and a massive afternoon crash-nap. It was bliss. Now, decades later, I’m back in the lane, working on my stroke several days a week. My swim training has come a long way since I started, and I’m genuinely enjoying finding my rhythm in the water again.

Phase 2: The Run—My New Nemesis

As I got older, I gravitated toward running. I loved playing soccer in middle school and even did track one year. Though I wasn’t great, I felt like I could run forever. I still remember my fastest mile time from a fitness test: just over five minutes (oh, to be that young again!). Today, however, running is my nemesis. While I’m slowly increasing my mileage each week, the run portion of the tri is where the real mental battle happens. It’s definitely getting better, but the thought of a half-marathon after everything else is humbling.

Phase 3: My Happy Place is Back on Two Wheels

The bike has always been my favorite activity—my trusted companion. There was one time as a kid when I was rushing home against a brutal headwind, and I threw my bike down, punching the air in a fit of pure frustration (it seems so ridiculous now, looking back!). Despite that one dramatic moment, the bike is still where I find my happy place. Being out on the road, with the sun and wind in my face, is truly a return to childhood freedom. My long outdoor Saturday rides are one of the highlights of my week.

Why I love the long ride: It’s a guaranteed feeling of freedom and a place to escape.

The Mountain Ahead:
My deep connection to the bike is why I’m looking forward to the bike portion of the Mallorca event the most. However, this course is no joyride: it’s 56 miles, up and over a mountain. Honestly, this challenge makes me nervous. I worry about my ability to complete the ride before the cutoff time after a long swim. If I can beat the clock, then I still have that 13.1-mile run ahead of me. It’s going to be a very long day. I just finished a 35-mile training ride with my coach today, and I confessed to him, “I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to do this.”

He gently reminded me: We still have over five months of training and preparation ahead of us.

Why I’m Doing This:
I’m trying to keep everything in perspective, especially by remembering the most important reason why I’m doing this: for Alex. This entire journey is more than a fitness test; it’s a commitment, a reconnection, and a tribute.