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

2024 Ironman Chattanooga - Race Report