Life doesn’t always go as planned. Even the best athletes in the world face injuries, setbacks, and moments of frustration. What sets them apart is their ability to adapt and keep pushing forward.
As I continue my journey to Ironman Lake Placid, I’m learning firsthand how important it is to listen to your body and adjust when things don’t go as expected. My shoulders and hip have been a constant battle, and no matter what I try, rest, ice, heat, sauna, cold plunges, dry needling, massage therapy, the pain persists. It’s beyond frustrating, especially when the root cause remains unknown.
But setbacks are part of the process. Injuries remind us that we’re human. They force us to slow down, reevaluate, and find new ways to move forward. I’ve cut back on training, gone lighter and slower than I ever imagined, and incorporated more stretching and mobility work into my routine. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
Adapting isn’t about giving up, it’s about growing stronger in the face of challenges. Whether it’s finding a new way to train, learning more about your body, or simply shifting your mindset, it’s about doing what you can with what you have.
This journey has taught me that persistence, patience, and adaptability are just as important as physical strength. I’ll continue to adjust, learn, and grow because that’s what life and triathlon training is all about.
To anyone else facing similar challenges: you’re not alone. Keep adapting, keep pushing, and remember that setbacks are just stepping stones on the path to success. You got this, it’s you VS you.