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Sheldon Valjalo

@trainwithshelds

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Kona WC loading 🌺| Ironman 9:28 | 70.3 4:27 | T100 3:58 | Hyrox WC 24’ 25’ | Mara 2:45 |🇿🇦Physique Champ
Sharing the grind, the growth & the glory ✌️

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One goal….Today I got to break the tape!
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#ultrax #ultra #runner #tri #triathlete #athlete #hybridathlete #morocco #africa #ultraxmorocco taken in Atlas Studios Ouarzazate by @trainwithshelds

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a year ago

I AM AN IRONMAN!!🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️

9:46:51

Wow… what an unforgettable day. Massive respect to @ironmantri @ironmanportugal — the race, the energy, and the people of Cascais made this an experience I’ll never forget. 🇵🇹

Swim: 1:12:31
Plan was simple — stay out of trouble. Managed that for most of it (aside from a few flying feet and elbows and getting caught in the washing machine around the buoys 😅). All in all, a solid start.

T1: 7:06
A brutal 800m uphill run into transition — and I won’t lie, I was already questioning how I was going to ride 180km and then run a marathon after that!

Bike: 5:13:54
I came out flying into the first climb when bang — my chain popped off. Fixed it… only for it to happen again. Chain completely bent. My heart sank — I honestly thought my race was over.
Then a spectator shouted, “There’s a mechanic at the top of the hill!”
He bent the chain back but warned it might not hold. And it didn’t — it popped off several more times, skipped gears, and made every climb a battle. But I refused to stop. Nothing was going to keep me from that finish line.

T2: 4:43
Finally. Time to run.

Run: 3:08:40
The course was tough — rolling, hot, and testing every bit of grit I had left. But the support… unreal. My mom @dinavaljalo and my mate @harry_fisher08 kept me going through the darkest patches.

Every cheer, every shout — it mattered.
And then… those words.
The ones you can’t explain, only feel.
“You are an IRONMAN.”

The pain fades, but that moment — that pride — stays forever.

#IronmanPortugal #Ironman #TriathlonJourney #TrustTheWork #RoadToPro #trithlon #race #finishline #cascais #portugal #fitness #fitfam #hyroxathlete #athlete #run #swimbikerun
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. taken in Cascais, Portugal by @trainwithshelds

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a year ago

This one meant a lot!! Competing in Johannesburg, my hometown, was a dream come true. The presence of family, friends, and sponsors made it more than just a race—it was a celebration of my journey! Their cheers and support got me through a tough race!

Sport is unpredictable. As the race progressed, my body didn’t respond as I had hoped. The performance I envisioned slipped away, and with it, a part of the dream. Disappointment crept in, made heavier by the eyes of those who believed in me.

Yet despite the personal struggle, it was an honor to share the course with so many incredible competitors each pushing their limits, each battling their own highs and lows. Massive well done to @kyle.schoonbee you were another league and looking forward to big things from you! @janno_nel it’s was a pleasure racing and thanks for pushing me!

Racing is never just about one person; it’s about the collective spirit, the mutual respect, and the camaraderie that defines the sport. A huge congratulations to all the athletes who left everything out there on race day.

Looking back, I realize the true victory was in the experience itself. Not every race is about the result. It’s about the journey, the lessons learned, and the privilege of standing among fellow athletes, all chasing greatness. taken in Johannesburg Expo Centre by @trainwithshelds

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2 years ago

Wishing @trainwithshelds all the best as he takes on the Ironman World Championship in Kona this weekend. We are proud to have you representing REPOWR💪

The work is done, the strategy is set, now it’s time to execute.

Keep it salty⚡ by @trainwithshelds

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a day ago

Keep going. Keep believing. NEVER GIVE UP!

#kona2026 #IMWC #ironmantri #triathlete #swimbikerun taken in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii by @trainwithshelds

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a day ago

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3 days ago

Parade of Nations in KONA 🌺 🇿🇦
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@tay.chaningpearce and @trainwithshelds have done the work 👊🏼 on Saturday it’s time to race 😈
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Coach @em_pallant biggest job this week is holding them back 😜 by @trainwithshelds

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2 days ago

Discomfort stops being the enemy when purpose becomes bigger than pain! #ironman #ironmantraining #triathlon #triathlete taken in South Africa by @trainwithshelds

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5 months ago

A race week reminder! #ironman #raceweek #IMWC #Kona2026 #triathlon taken in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii by @trainwithshelds

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4 days ago

Peak Pit Stop just hit different 😎💨🇿🇦📍

#homeofrunning #runningcommunity #marathon #comradesrunners #runner taken in N3 Pietermaritzburg by @trainwithshelds

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4 months ago

Kona prep: DONE🌺

Qualifying for Kona was the dream. Getting here was the journey. Now it’s time to race.

I’ve put in the hours. I’ve left nothing in the tank.
Now it’s time to leave it all out on the Big Island. 🌺🤙🏼

Dream big. Work for it. Enjoy every step.

Kona, I’m ready. 🤙🏼

#IMWC #Kona2026 #konaironman #ironman #triathlon taken in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii by @trainwithshelds

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8 days ago

Travel home gave me some time to reflect on the weekend.

I’m incredibly grateful I get to do what I love, with my family and friends there supporting me. That means everything. And qualifying for Kona… a dream come true. I can’t wait to stand on that start line.

But if I’m honest there’s a part of me that’s disappointed.
I didn’t execute the race the way I know I can and I didn’t tick every goal I set. And the truth is… even if I had I’d probably still want more.

And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

What’s the point of goals if they don’t push you, test you, and force you to grow? I’d rather aim high, fall short, learn, and come back stronger than stay comfortable inside limits I never truly tested.

That feeling knowing there’s more in me is what keeps the fire burning.

The pursuit is the point.

That said, I don’t take this for granted. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The work, the discipline, the setbacks, the people along the way it all means something.

There’s something special about standing on a start line surrounded by people chasing their own version of “more.” Different goals, same mindset.

And the camaraderie in this sport is unmatched. Complete strangers lifting each other through some very tough moments. It’s hard not to love that.

So yeah… I’ll always want more.

More growth.
More experiences.
More from myself.

And I think that’s a pretty powerful place to be.🙌

#ironman #triathlon #performance #athletemindset taken in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape by @trainwithshelds

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6 months ago