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Amazing African elephant with dust and sand. A large animal runs towards the camera. Wildlife scene. Loxodonta africana

When people think of endurance sports, they often see them as extreme and unattainable. I hear things like:“I could never do that.” “That is crazy.” “I don’t have time to train for something like that.” “How did you even get started?”The old saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” This is true in endurance sports as well. The best athletes know how to break the challenge into manageable pieces. Looking at the whole picture of an Ironman—140.6 miles of swimming, biking, and running—can be overwhelming. But can you swim 100 meters? Or run a single mile? The journey starts there.Endurance sports are as much about mental strength as physical ability. This is why, in coaching, I don’t only focus on nutrition strategies, training plans, and sport-specific skills. I also emphasize the mindset that sustains an endurance athlete.One of the biggest mental shifts I’ve learned is the ability to stay present. This means focusing on swimming to the next buoy or running to the next aid station—breaking it down to small milestones instead of the entire course. This allows me to focus and execute where I am without getting caught up in the immensity of the challenge. Great endurance athletes focus on the mile they ares in, trusting the process as they tick off mile after mile until they cross the finish line. This is true on race day, but cultivating that mentality starts in training.Getting Started with Realistic GoalsMany who are drawn to marathons or triathlons are ambitious people. They want to set big goals and achieve them. But this “all-in mindset,” while powerful, can lead to burnout if not managed carefully in the early stages.When you’re just starting, it’s crucial to set realistic goals, train within your limits, and commit to building gradually. A fellow endurance coach has a philosophy, “Lower the bar, raise the execution.” This may sound counterintuitive, but it means making each training session manageable and then executing them at a high level. This approach builds confidence and momentum, while laying a strong foundation to then be able to launch from.Early on, it’s essential to create a consistent exercise routine and build systems that allow endurance training to fit within your life. As a husband, father, full-time sales professional, and part-time coach/athlete, I understand the challenges of fitting endurance training into a busy life. Here are 4 strategies that have worked for me and can help you get started or even reenergize your training.1. Have a weekly training plan that you can refer to and adjust as needed.I don’t wing my training sessions. They are meticulously planned out in advance through TriDot, the best training platform I have found. My entire training schedule is planned through TriDot and it is the platform I coach my athletes through. Having a clear training plan will allow you to schedule your workouts around your other responsibilities.2. Recognize your other responsibilities and plan training around them.Whenever my wife and I are traveling, we always schedule what time we need to leave the house by working backwards. For example, if the flight is at 10:00am, and we want to be an hour early, then we need to be there at 9:00am. But the airport is 30 minutes away, so we need to leave the house by 8:30am. If we need to drop the dogs off at boarding, then we need to leave the house by 8:00am. The same method can be applied to scheduling my training. My son wakes up at 7:00am so if I want to be done with my workout before he wakes up, then I work backwards from there, set the alarm and get after it.3. Prepare your nutrition and gear in advance.Another beneficial strategy is prepping the night before, not the morning of. Laying out your gear, nutrition, and making sure electronics are charged will ensure that there are no logistical issues that will throw off your plan. Your spouse will also appreciate you not rummaging through the cabinets and waking everyone up at 5:00 in the morning.4. Write down your priorities and let them dictate your decisions.With this kind of training, sacrifice is required. This looks different for everyone, but having a clear hierarchy of priorities will help guide your decision making. I prioritize what I call the “3 F’s” (Faith, Family, and Fitness) to guide all of my decisions. This might mean saying no to some invitations or 1 less drink on Friday nights. Regardless there will be things you sacrifice to be successful in your goals, but that’s ok – you will be better for it!Give yourself grace to build these habits. Start small and within your limits, commit to the process, develop systems for success, and focus on executing each session. Small steps lead to big achievements.As always, if you want coaching, accountability, or a community that will support you on your journey, reach out to us at Kingdom Endurance!If you want to try out the TriDot platform, here is a link to 2 weeks free: ﻿<a href="https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/alexcaroom" data-mce-href="https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/alexcaroom">TriDot Link</a>

How Do You Eat An Elephant: A Guide To Setting Realistic Goals In Endurance Training

We all devote our lives to something. It’s just how we were created. The question is, what are we devoted to? This morning at church I learned about the Greek word “Prosechō” and I think it is one we should all become familiar with. It’s the Greek word for devotion. By definition, it is “to apply one's self to, attach one's self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thing. to be given or addicted to. to devote thought and effort to.” Prosechō implies strong, continuous, and persistent action towards something. It is consistently, whole-heartedly going after something – aka devotion.Devotion In FaithOur pastor defined this level of devotion as something akin to addiction. In our faith, devotion = addiction to God. That seems a little radical, but let me explain. When you are “addicted” to God, you are not satisfied with having His presence yesterday or last week. You are constantly seeking Him. You recognize you can’t do life without him. Your thoughts revolve around Him and His plan for your life. You want more and more of Him and you do whatever it takes to reach that end.King David has this kind of devotion to God. In Psalms, David says:Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 25:15 – “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”Psalm 63:1-4 – “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”To truly be a Christian is to be extreme. Jesus calls us to an extreme whole-hearted devotion to God because he has a whole-hearted extreme devotion to us. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The call of Christ on our lives is nothing short of complete and total allegiance to Him and His kingdom. Inevitably, this is a life-altering commitment. If you are truly devoted to Christ, your life will completely change in ways you didn’t know possible. When you are addicted to something, it consumes you. You schedule your time around that thing. You wake up and go to bed thinking about it. You spend your money and energy on it. Your whole life revolves around this thing and getting more of it.Devotion In EnduranceIn the same way, endurance sports can certainly be extreme, life-altering, and some might say (i.e. my wife) it looks like an addiction. Depending on your goals, it takes hours of training, often accumulated over months and years. It requires consistency, discipline, and laser focus. You dedication to your mission will create conflicts in your schedule. You will find yourself saying no to things you used to say yes to. Your diet will change. You will invest in things you normally wouldn’t have. You might even start stretching before and after workouts. Your life will change. Why? Well in order to accomplish big goals, you must be devoted to them.Now, to be clear, I am not advocating for you to become addicted to running marathons or century rides. I’m simply highlighting yet another way endurance training has directly translated to my Christian walk. Devotion, discipline, and “never being satisfied with yesterday” in endurance training has impacted the way I approach my faith and the rest of my life. The gains I have experienced from endurance training have translated to my faith, relationships, and career.Devotion TipsAs Christian athletes, if we are fully devoted to Christ and our craft, our lives should reflect it. This may seem overwhelming, but here are some tips to maximize physical and spiritual devotion in your life.Schedule your mornings: Wake up early, commit to studying scripture, praying, and meditating as the first thing you do. Then go knock out your scheduled training sessions before other responsibilities distract you.Prioritize rest: Developing a consistent routine when it comes to sleep is key to not only recovering from your training, but to also have energy for your quiet time, relationships and career.Learn to say no: This is the hardest thing for me to do. I want to be a part of everything and can easily suffer FOMO. But learning to say no to some things will keep you on track with your mission and goals.So, what are you devoted to? If you want to grow your faith and take on big challenges, reach out to us! This is why Kingdom Endurance was started. To build a community of athletes who are committed to growing in faith and endurance. Join the team!

Extreme Devotion

Of course there are many unknowns when you take on a new challenge. Whether it's a new hobby or a new sport, there is always a learning curve. Endurance training is no different! Here are 7 things I believe you should know before you start.<ul><li>It is often lonely</li><li>Things will go wrong</li><li>Nutrition is key</li><li>The importance of rest</li><li>It is a mental sport</li><li>Everyone’s journey is unique</li><li>Your "why" gets you through </li></ul><h3>It Is Often Lonely</h3>When you commit to training for a marathon or an Ironman, you might not realize how many hours you will spend alone. The early morning runs, solo bike rides, and quiet laps in the pool are typically done alone – with no one to push you or hold you accountable. Let me preface, I believe this is essential to your success as an endurance athlete. Doing hard things, when you don’t want to and when you don’t HAVE to, develops personal discipline in a unique way. It gives you mental fortitude for when things go wrong.<h3>Things Will Go Wrong</h3>Mike Tyson once famously said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” The same is true of endurance sports. No matter how meticulously you plan your nutrition, training schedule, or race day strategy, something will likely go wrong. Whether it is getting kicked in the face on the swim, dropping your gels unknowingly at the beginning of the run, or dealing with unpredictable weather - adaptability is key. Embracing the challenges and learning to pivot when things don’t go as planned is essential. It’s these moments that will truly test your resilience and determination as an athlete.<h3>Nutrition Is Key</h3>Fueling your body properly is critical for both training and racing.&nbsp; In general, having a well-balanced diet of carbs, proteins, and fats ensures adequate energy supply and muscle repair. “Carb loading” before big workouts and races helps fill your glycogen stores which are your energy source for long sustained efforts. &nbsp;Hydration is equally vital; staying well-hydrated can prevent cramps and fatigue. Finding the right nutrition strategy will involve experimentation—what works for one athlete might not work for another.<h3>The Importance of Rest</h3>Rest and recovery are not optional components of training for a marathon or an Ironman, as they allow the body to repair and strengthen itself after intense workouts. During rest periods, muscles rebuild, energy stores are replenished, and the risk of injury decreases. Additionally, recovery time helps prevent burnout, ensuring you can maintain motivation and performance throughout your training cycles. Prioritizing recovery ultimately leads to improved race-day performance and long-term success. A couple of recovery tools that have benefitted me are foam rollers, compression boots, and cold plunging.&nbsp;<h3>It Is A Mental Sport</h3>Endurance sports are just as mentally taxing as they are physically draining. The mental fortitude required cannot be understated. There is no “if” you hit the wall, it is only “when.” Maybe it is on race day, or maybe it will be throughout training. Either way, every endurance athlete at some point is forced to make a decision – &nbsp;will I quit or will I keep going? The mental game is crucial to success in the sport and it develops over time with consistent effort and commitment.<h3>Everyone’s Journey Is Unique</h3>When you begin endurance training, you may be tempted to follow a stock plan or imitate what elite athletes are doing. While these strategies can offer guidance, it is important to know that everyone has a different start line and unique needs. The old adage, “run your own race” is as true on race day as it is when it comes to your training plan. Having a training plan that is specifically tailored to your individual goals and circumstances is crucial. Consider working with a coach to develop a personalized plan that maximizes your potential and minimizes the risk of injury.<h3>Your “Why” Gets You Through</h3>Endurance training will break you down. It's tough, and there will be days when quitting feels like the easier option. Understanding your "why"—the deeper motivation driving you to take on this challenge—will be your anchor during difficult times. Whether it’s personal growth, achieving a specific goal, or racing for a cause, your purpose will help you push through the toughest moments. Think about this before you start this journey. If you want to race for something bigger than yourself, consider joining Kingdom Endurance. We are a group of Christian athletes who race for God’s glory and to expand His kingdom!<h3>Bonus: Coaches Save You Time And Money</h3>Consider working with a coach to develop a personalized plan that maximizes your potential and minimizes the risk of injury. A coach can help build a nutrition plan, offer insights to mental toughness, and make the journey seem a lot less lonely. Coaches take the guess work out of training so you save time and can focus on executing your workouts. We offer personalized coaching at Kingdom Endurance that will help you overcome all of these hurdles!In the coming weeks, I’ll dive deeper into these topics to help you navigate your endurance training journey. If you have questions or want to hear about specific subjects, <a data-mce-href="kingdomendurance.com" href="kingdomendurance.com" title="Kingdomendurance.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feel free to reach out!</a>

7 Things No One Tells You Before You Start Endurance Training

Well, friends, I just wrapped up my second “full” distance Ironman, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience — mostly because of Hurricane Helene, who decided to rain on our parade (literally). Due to her last second visit, the swim portion was cancelled, so instead of a refreshing dip in the Tennessee River, we kicked things off without even getting our feet wet.Honestly, I was feeling a bit underprepared going in. Between dealing with tendonitis in my knee and juggling the responsibilities of being a husband and dad, my training schedule was a bit of a mess. Although it was more difficult to train for this race, I found for the bit of training time I lost, I gained a ton of motivation in my new mission as a father, husband and leader of my family. Fatherhood has ignited a new spark in me — I have a refreshed commitment to taking on challenges and pursuing hard things that mold me more into the man I want to be. One of the keys to parenthood is the ability to adapt and roll with the punches. This race was no different!Rolling With The Punches:Just a month before race day, Ironman sent out a little surprise: the notorious Chattanooga bike course was changing. No more extra four-mile detour through the scenic hills of Georgia! Instead, we were in for three loops on smooth Highway 27. A disappointing change, but what can you do? New courses provide new challenges.As race day approached, we were all glued to our weather apps, anxiously tracking Hurricane Helene's movements like it was the latest blockbuster. Three days before the event, Ironman dropped the news that the swim was officially off! Disappointment? Sure. But it also gave me time to mentally regroup and adjust my strategy. No swim meant I had to change my fueling plan and mindset for the bike and run.&nbsp;The Bike:&nbsp;With no swim to kick things off, we launched straight into a time-trial bike start. I was bib number 238, which meant I got to start relatively early—an unexpected perk!The rain began to fall as we lined up, and I thought, “Well, this should be interesting.” The rain cycled through rounds of mist and steady downpour, but honestly, it kept me cool and added yet another new element to the ride. I settled in and pushed my pace, averaging 21 mph for the first 30 miles. Things were looking good until mile 50 when my knee decided to chime in with some unwelcome discomfort. I slowed my pace to avoid overdoing it—after all, there was a marathon waiting for me at the end of the ride. Overall I enjoyed the bike and its many challenges – was even able to set a new PR.<figure id="figure-4iubfqd8lpm1v2hk2a"><img id="4iubfqd8lpm1v2hk2a" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bt4NqPFApyMhLWuBThWqelaQlapMaPyvTejQ7MLB3bDXo8yEPpSv9OtjtBeYrqD.jpg" alt="woman running on stairs" title="woman running on stairs" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bt4NqPFApyMhLWuBThWqelaQlapMaPyvTejQ7MLB3bDXo8yEPpSv9OtjtBeYrqD.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Bike finish time: 5:35:17The Run:After spending a few extra minutes in the transition tent to dry off and collect my thoughts, I hit the run course. And guess who was there to cheer me on? My personal support squad: my wife, son, mom, and mother-in-law! Their presence injected me with a much needed boost of energy.The first hill greeted me right out of transition, and I took it slow, knowing there was still a marathon to go. I found a few fellow runners to chat with, which made the first part of the run fly by. But as we approached Barton Hill, our little group started to disperse, each of us facing our own challenges and running our own race.The first lap was tough, but the second half marathon is where “the race really begins.” My knees were starting to protest, my shoes felt heavier with every step, and the rain turned the trail into a mini-pond. With my head down and focusing on one mile at a time, my mind wandered back to those sweltering summer training runs in Texas; so surely I could handle this soggy stretch.&nbsp;Finally, I tackled Barton Hill for the last time. As I crossed the pedestrian bridge and heard the cheers of the finish line, the rain started to ease up, and the sunset peeked through the clouds. Running down the finishers’ chute, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. The Ironman journey is always about so much more than just crossing a finish line.<figure id="figure-qny4dz7qmm1v2nftp"><img id="qny4dz7qmm1v2nftp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2eVsvv71F1RC2JjkZxpQ9gdReLP7Iqy3j19jAWQY3mDWRT1BatyZQHnqUgQFlpMI.jpg" alt="group of women doing yoga" title="group of women doing yoga" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 15%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="15%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2eVsvv71F1RC2JjkZxpQ9gdReLP7Iqy3j19jAWQY3mDWRT1BatyZQHnqUgQFlpMI.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 15%;"></figure>Run finish time: 4:43:47 Total time: 10:26:34Final Reflection: More Than Just a RaceAs I crossed that finish line and heard those inspiring words, “You are an Ironman,” I recognized this experience was about far more than just racing. It’s about purpose, faith, and striving to be the best version of myself for my family and community. At Kingdom Endurance, we don’t race for personal glory, but to bring glory to Christ our savior.So here’s to embracing the challenges ahead—whether it’s biking in the rain or navigating family life. I’m ready to tackle whatever comes my way. If you are interested in taking on a new challenge, training in a faith-filled Christian community, and expanding the kingdom of God - join Kingdom Endurance, you won't regret it!<figure id="figure-4owoso0ahnm1v2jjyi"><img id="4owoso0ahnm1v2jjyi" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2d1VEo2aWE3nvtSR0Ca5Gv0SlQhKtfykoC4ShK3B0UOAjTRvpJqTZHWibbsN58XC.jpg" alt="person holding black exercise rope" title="person holding black exercise rope" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 60%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="60%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2d1VEo2aWE3nvtSR0Ca5Gv0SlQhKtfykoC4ShK3B0UOAjTRvpJqTZHWibbsN58XC.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 60%;"></figure>

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How Do You Eat An Elephant: A Guide To Setting Realistic ...

Extreme Devotion

7 Things No One Tells You Before You Start Endurance Trai...

2024 Ironman Chattanooga - Race Report