Road to Ironman 2020: Becoming a Better Me

Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about their reaction to the news of Ironman South Africa being cancelled. What does this mean for their training now and have their goals changed?

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo discuss their recovery "strategies", tips, tricks and "tried and tested" concoctions for ensuring they are in peak condition, 4 weeks out from Ironman SA 2020. 

Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard talk safety 6 weeks out of full Ironman SA.  We can be our own worst enemy - find out what these 3 novices do to keep safe and protect themselves in the water, on the bike and during their runs, as well as is in public places - yes, the dreaded germ, cold and flu nightmares have begun!

Love in in the air - Christine and Gerhard chat about their couple's journey to Ironman South Africa 2020. 

This dynamic duo began their training for this event a year ago, before they met one another, and believe that this adventure has strengthened their relationship and taken it to new heights. Find out how they make this work and what their race day strategy is to finish together. 

#triathlon #swimbikerun #ironman #love #triathlete #finishtogether #triathlontraining #bike #cycling #swim #tri #swimming #training #trilife #fitness #triathlon #runner #ironmantraining #triathlonlife #world #sport #ironmantri #garmin #motivation #marathon #imsa #couplegoals #trailrunning #livelife

This episode is dedicated to the life of Kobe Bryant, whose life ended tragically this week. 

Rienzo, Christine and Gerhard chat about how they negotiate, balance and squeeze in their Ironman training, 8 weeks out. Never underestimate the power of the support around you, from family, friends and loved ones.

"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.' We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it. " Kobe Bryant

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo chat about their December "break", their highs and their lows, and how they will tackle the rest of January, with just 74 days to go until their first ever Ironman South Africa. 

You don't play triathlon. You play soccer; it's fun. You play baseball. Triathlon is work that can leave you crumpled in a heap, puking by the roadside. It's the physical brutality of climbing Mount Everest without the great view from the top of the world. What kind of person keeps coming back for more of that? Chris McCormack

#triathlon #swimbikerun #ironman #running #triathlete #run #triathlontraining #bike #cycling #swim #tri #swimming #training #trilife #fitness #loverunning #runner #ironmantraining #bikelife #triathlonlife #world #sport #ironmantri #garmin #motivation #marathon #im #rienzolivelife #christineandgerhardlivelife

James Lang is a triathlete and has an inspiring story of fighting a great fight. He survived a head-on collision in 2014 which left him in coma and unable to run. Now he trains 17 hours a week and does both Comrades and Iron Man! James has also left his corporate career this year after completing his degree, and will follow his dream of becoming a mathematics teacher. Christine and Gerhard explore his journey, his comeback and what makes James tick.

The holidays are here and like most obsessive compulsive triathletes, this is an opportunity to train more, sleep more and celebrate the festive season with family and friends. We are 14 weeks out from full Ironman in PE - training needs to be on point, consistent and self-discipline must be at an all-time high, to get to the start line ready to hit the ground running. Find out how these 3 novices plan to spend their December, at home and on holiday.

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo explore the 4th discipline of triathlon training. What are their greatest fears and how can you save time here? Popped rivets, wetsuit claustrophobia, cramping, sticky gloves, panic stations and how to service your bike and get it right on race day.

Running is tough. Running is therapy. Running is freedom. Running builds character. Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about how they discovered their love for road running and how their Ironman 2020 training is going, 4 months out from raceday.

A runner must run with dreams in his heart - Emil Zatopek

Cycling - some are born with it and some are born to work harder than others at it. Christine, Rienzo and Gerhard chat about their adventures with the fun between their legs, and how "tyring" the long Ironman bike rides can be. 

“I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying“ - Greg LeMond, former pro rider, three times the Tour de France champion and twice Road Race world champion

Without a doubt, nutrition (daily, training and raceday) is part of training that needs to be addressed for anyone tackling endurance events, and especially for long events like full Ironman. Performance fuelling is something that needs to be tried and tested in training, to avoid any unpleasant surprises, dehydration, cramping and bonking, on raceday.

Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo share their challenges, what works for them, what doesn't work for them, and what daily nutrition they live by, to fuel their training.

In our 4th episode, we chat about our recent triathlon stories, lessons learned, mistakes made and wins as well. Every experience helps us grow, helps us become more resilient and and prepares us to tackle race day when it stares us square in the eyes. 

“Some sessions are stars and some sessions are stones, but in the end they are all rocks and we build upon them.” – Chrissie Wellington

Striking a balance between work, life, and training for Ironman is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a triathlete. At times it can seem almost impossible to dedicate enough quality time to your family, to your training, to your career and even to yourself - many people feel overwhelmed before they have even begun!

While it’s certainly not easy and will take significant sacrifice in some areas of your life, with smart prioritisation, planning, and communication, it is possible to find healthy balance while pursuing your dream of completing an Ironman.  

We share what matters most to us as individuals while we strive for personal triathlon greatness, and how we are juggling work, life and training, 6 months before race day.

"Balance is not something you find. It is something you create." Jana Kingsford

In Episode 1, we chatted about WHY we got started. In this episode we chat about HOW we did it. Starting triathlons and preparing for full Ironman can be overwhelming for novices - hopefully our unique stories will provide you with some tips, tricks and hacks to get you tri-ing without breaking the bank, and maintaining some work-life-play balance as well!

You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike and that is pretty close - Anonymous

Drop us a line if you want us to delve into the challenges you face, and send us your questions we can try to get answered: info@solebuddies.co.za

Getting started in triathlons and Ironman events is daunting for most individuals. Do you know that almost 40% of the field at the start line at first-time participants?  Why and how did they decide to embark on one of the world's most gruelling endurance events?

What is a WHY? It is the purpose or belief that drives every one of us in life. It is what will guide us towards ultimate fulfillment.  For the 3 of us, triathlons are the intersections of all our dreams and all our fears. Christine, Gerhard and Rienzo share their WHY and explore what journeying towards and participating in their first Ironman South Africa 2020, means to them.

"People who think that an IRONMAN is unattainable – I tell them that it is possible. I can take anyone – a person that does not have an athletic bone in their body and make them into a triathlete if they’re willing to put in the time. I’m the perfect example. I am not a great athlete, just a hard worker." – John Duke, IRONMAN Legend

Drop us a line if you want us to delve into the challenges you face, and send us your questions we can try to get answered: info@solebuddies.co.za