Maile 🤠

10 weeks ago, I couldn’t swim more than a lap & had never ridden a road bike. Yesterday, I finished a half Ironman.

I would love to say this was the result of a well-thought-out training plan, but honestly, it was mostly delusion and a concerning amount of “I’ll figure it out.”

After many mornings spent on the roads of Natchez Trace & afternoons at whatever community pool I could get to, I felt as ready as I could be.

Although pretty much everything went wrong on race day, I proved to myself that, no matter what, I wouldn’t quit (even after having a panic attack 200m into the swim, turning it into more of a “try not to drown”).

If you’re familiar with endurance sports, there’s a strict rule of “nothing new on race day,” which I learned is a strict rule for a reason (may or may not have been racing on a rental bike I had never even test-ridden). 🤪

Needless to say, completing a 70.3 in 10 weeks was possible, though incredibly stupid.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

P.S. I’m in need of my next hobby. My DMs are open for suggestions (though my friends & family may come for you).

#santacruz703 #ironmansantacruz