Never be afraid to fail

Never be afraid to fail.

To look like a fool.

To try something you’ve never done before.

We grow up being afraid to fail.

At least I did.

Failure wasn’t an option.

Had to succeed.

Had to do well.

Grew up as a classic type A keener student.

Always wanted to be on top.

And if I didn’t, my identity was broken.

I was angry.

Upset.

Pissed off at myself

It was very self-destructive behavior.

I saw failure as a setback.

I saw it as a mistake.

I saw it as an attack on myself.

That I wasn’t good enough.

That I was incapable.

That I couldn’t do it.

However, all of that changed as I left school.

It started with me reading an incredible book called ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck.

Amazing read, especially if you have kids.

Teaches you to reframe failure.

To develop a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

To look positively at problems rather than negatively.

To appreciate how failing at something is the best thing that happens to you.

You don’t learn anything from success.

You learn it from failure.

By making mistakes.

By looking like a fool.

This journey has been no different.

As I was planning the Ironman last year, I looked into each of the events.

Swimming couldn’t be that hard as I had grown up with it.

Running wasn’t too bad as I had done a marathon before.

However, biking and nutrition were a completely different story.

Had no idea where to even start.

Thanks to a friend who was completing his own triathlon, got good recommendations on the right people to speak to, especially with the equipment.

Ended up at a triathlon store in Toronto called Browns Sports (shout-out to JP - he’s amazing and highly recommend buying from him if you ever need any triathlon gear).

Still remember walking in my first day, telling him I was doing a full Ironman and mentioning I had no idea what I was doing.

After his initial laugh, he showed me what I needed to get.

The biggest purchase was my bike.

Looked at a few different models and settled on a tri-bike.

I’ll never forget bringing my bike home for the first time.

Bought an indoor trainer so I could train indoors during the winter.

He showed me how to put the bike on once in the store and sent me on my way.

I then spent the next week STRUGGLING.

Spent a good 3-4 hours over a week figuring out how to put the bike on the trainer.

Watched multiple Youtube videos.

Called JP multiple times.

Still couldn’t figure it out.

Quit a few times.

Thought if I can’t even do this, how am I going to do an Ironman?

Was getting very frustrated but remembered, this is all part of the process.

Everyone is a beginner at some point and this was it for me.

Hadn’t been a beginner at something in a long time so needed this experience.

Reminded me that instead of looking at this as failing, I need to see this as progress.

I need to understand that this is meant to happen.

The frustration.

The questioning yourself.

The wanting to give up.

All this is supposed to happen, especially as one embarks on the journey to complete the Ironman.

So even though this was a small thing, it was a good reminder.

I will face many setbacks along the way and will continue to do so.

I’m still learning that it’s ok to fail.

It’s ok to look like a fool.

It’s ok to be a beginner.

This is all necessary in the journey to success.

Success doesn’t come without failure so if you want to succeed, you need to fail more.

So here’s to failure.

The best teacher there is.

Remember, NEVER be afraid to fail.

This week in training - (Follow me on Strava here):

Swimming - 2k - 1 x 2000m. One swim this week after returning from my trip. First 1k was good pace and slowed down the 2nd 1k but happy I’m around 2 mins/100m.

Biking - 61k - one bik workout this week because of travel. Still not outside yet but hopefully soon.

Running - 24.5 km - heavier run week. Missed one workout while on vacation but hit everything else. Legs feeling good, zone 2 run is around 7 min/k so gotta keep that up for race day. Home stretch before the marathon.

Notes from Week 14 of training:

• Ran a lot while traveling and happy I got home to bike/swim. Good to be back in routine.
• Nutrition was not great this week traveling and having a friend come visit. Will be back on top of it this week.
• Swimming was ok this week. Happy with the 2k and glad to be back in the pool.
• The bike is going well but curious to see how this will translate once I get outside.
• Solid run week. Good zone 2 runs throughout. No lingering pain and recovery has ben good. Wish I could be going faster but keeping that heart rate low so can’t complain.
• Watched After the Sunset (decent heist movie), Crazy Rich Asians (so good), and Heretic (good psychological thriller). White Lotus finale was solid, best ending out of all the seasons IMO. SNL’s parody of it was also incredible!!
• Feeling re-energized this week. Needed a break and am glad I got some time away with friends and family. Running not going as well but still getting the kilometres in so happy with that. Outdoor training is coming soon and a bit nervous about it, especially on the bike, but that’s to be expected. Back to routine and marathon’s slowly coming up so can’t wait for that.

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