Two years ago, I let peer pressure get the best of me and signed up for a marathon. I didn’t exactly enjoy it, but some time after the race, once the exhaustion had faded and the sense of accomplishment had settled in, my friends and I came up with an idea—what if we did something monumental every year? That led me to an Olympic-length triathlon last year, which I tackled with just a few months of preparation (not a strategy I recommend). Somehow, I performed surprisingly well. Over the holidays, I once again let peer pressure take hold and signed up for a Half Ironman— a 70.3-mile endurance race consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run—unofficially testing the waters for an eventual Full Ironman in 2026 (a 140.6-mile race with a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon at the end).
The thing is, I haven’t exactly started training yet. I cycle maybe twice a week, and while I plan to get in the pool soon, my swimming sessions so far have been, let’s say … infrequent. With the race in December, I figure I have time. (These may be my famous last words.) I’ve learned that endurance training isn’t just about logging miles—it’s about patience, persistence, and trusting the process. Running has always been my biggest challenge, especially as old soccer injuries catch up to me. And, as most probably know, time is never abundant, however, if there’s one thing these training cycles have taught me, it’s that success isn’t always about speed. Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race.
This philosophy extends far beyond endurance sports. Financial planning, much like long-distance training, is a long-term commitment. There are inevitable ups and downs—unexpected life events, plateaus, setbacks. A well-constructed plan, whether for a race or for financial independence, isn’t just about immediate results. It’s about trusting the process, making adjustments as needed and staying the course. Revisiting the plan, adapting to circumstances and keeping the long-term vision in mind ensures that even if progress isn’t always linear, the ultimate goal remains within reach.
By the end of this journey, whether I cross the finish line of a Half Ironman or simply make it to the start line with my sanity intact, I know the experience will be worth it. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be crazy enough to take on the Full Ironman in 2026. We’ll see.
