Paul Skidmore’s Post

HERE'S TO YOU - IRONMAN 70.3 VALENCIA FINISHERS - Your journey is not just about reaching the destination; it's about the grit, the sweat, and the tears shed along the way. It's about the late nights and early mornings, the sacrifices made, and the obstacles overcome. It's a testament to the power of the human spirit, the unyielding belief that with perseverance, anything is possible. 2025 HALF IRON VALENCIA SPAIN TRIATHLON TRAINING PLANS Swim Course: Dive into a 1.9 km swim in the serene, crystal-clear waters of the Marina. With an average water temperature of 63°F (17°C), it offers the perfect start to your race. Bike Course: Experience the thrill of the bike leg, which combines flat stretches with challenging terrains. The course begins at Marina de Valencia, ascends to the picturesque Sierra Calderona, and finishes at the iconic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (T2). Run Course: The race concludes with a scenic two-lap run that starts from the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Follow the scenic Túria River path and take in some of Valencia's most famous landmarks. Weather Conditions: Valencia boasts a mild and pleasant climate, with an average air temperature of 68°F (20°C). Final Surge - https://rb.gy/txs6x6 TRAINING PEAKS - https://rb.gy/drtfxt Register For This Event - https://rb.gy/3venjz

Storm Betty struck the Ironman event in Youghal, Ireland, with the 70.3 (half Ironman) postponed by a day and taking place at the same time as the full Ironman. The swim was cut to 1.9km in very rough conditions. It was not enough though: two men have sadly lost their lives.  This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all sporting events. Safety measures must be at the forefront of planning and execution. In open water events like these, safety briefings, support boats, and jet skis should be mandatory to ensure athletes' well-being. My normal event is a standard distance triathlon and I’m not sure that I fancy an Ironman.  It is a grueling event and completing one is a monumental achievement, a test of physical and mental strength. It should not be a life threatening exercise. While most athletes will be well prepared, the swim leg is often the most daunting with many not experienced to deal with these kinds of conditions. Organisers should prioritise safety above all else.  Let's remember these two athletes for their spirit and determination. My thoughts are with their loved ones, and I hope that we can work together to ensure that every athlete's pursuit of their dreams is as safe as it is fulfilling. #triathlon #safetyfirst #ehscommunity #healthandsafety

On Saturday I completed Ironman 70.3 in Cascais, Portugal 🇵🇹 It was my second Ironman race within a period of seven weeks after completing my first at Ironman Cork in Youghal in August. I took up triathlon 18 months ago as a complete novice to training and I can genuinely say that its effects have transformed my life. Triathlon and endurance training is so much more than the sport of the race itself. Race day is the final box tick for the months of hard work that we put in to prepare. It’s the victory lap for the early mornings and the late nights; for the moments no one sees where you go somewhere deep inside to get through; for the training sessions in the dark hours, in the lashing rain and in the summer heat. In triathlon, as in life, there are so many opportunities to quit when things get hard, times when it would be easier to just take the shortcut, rather than doing things the proper way. There were so many moments during the races, both in Cascais on Saturday and in Youghal in August, when my mind tried to tell me that it would be easier to stop, that it was too hard and too painful and to throw in the towel. In those moments I had to dig deep, remember 'My Why' and keep going until I got it done... While I might be still at the beginning of my triathlon journey; every day, and in every way, I am slowly improving. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and a healthy mind, coupled with a sense of empathy and relishing a challenge, are the most important tools you can share with your organisation, whether it be as a professional, a colleague, an employer or an employee. A healthy mind will train you in facing your adversity and on the other side of adversity is greatness and a resilience that enables us to do absolutely anything we set our minds to; a learning I bring with me into the other areas of my life; be it professional or personal. #Resilience #Training #Endurance #Saoirse 

One Year Countdown to Ironman Kalmar with Coach Bryan Riley 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️" Today, I'm taking a detour from the business world to share a personal journey that's all about pushing boundaries, resilience, and the pursuit of achieving more. Life is full of challenges, both in work and out. But there's one challenge that fuels my ambitions – Triathlon. 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️ Ironman Kalmar (Sweden) is just over a year away. The countdown begins to another challenge that promises to redefine my limits. The Ironman is more than a race; it's a trilogy of endurance that demands mastery of swimming, cycling, and running. With a little over a year ahead of me, I'm committing myself again to a training structure that challenges both body and mind. From late night pool sessions to long bike rides, every moment adds to the growth on the horizon. This journey isn't just about crossing a finish line; it's about proving that growth happens when we step outside comfort zones. Ironman triathlon, I believe is an analogy for life – a reminder that audacious goals are within reach with determination, resilience, and a little bit of absolute lunacy. What audacious goal are you setting for yourself in the next year? Arthur Ashe – “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” #socialmedia #triathlon #ironman #career #goals

Todays theme: Set a personal best or black out 😅 Cap City Half Marathon Unofficial time 2 Hour 4 Minutes 37 Seconds 🏃♂️ ⏰ I am ecstatic as this was my 2nd official half marathon since my first one in October 2023 Shaved off about 36 minutes and increased my pace by 2:45 per mile. October 2023 - Nationwide Half Marathon: 2 Hours 40 Mins / 12:15 Pace April 2024 - Cap City Half Marathon: 2 Hours 4 Minutes / 9:30 Pace Increasing my pace while being 5’6 is a huge win 😂 trying to get fast for all us short kings I am ecstatic overall as I’m not just focusing on running but cycling and swimming. What helped me? 80% training runs Zone 2 20% and pushing hard on those speed days Race recap/lessons: 1.) I need to make sure I properly seed moving forward on official races. I started in the 12 minute pace corral and I found myself weaving through a ton of people the first 3 miles. It was like as if I was doing a fartlek workout 😂 2.) Something I will work on future races is balancing the amount of water intake more strategically. Mile 9 is when I began to cramp in my side that threw me off rhythm. That difference between miles 9 to 11 was the difference between sub 2 3.) during the water stations I need to focus on drinking the Gatorade and sipping the water and pouring the rest on me to cool me down 4.) anytime my mind would slip. I would focus on a far object and do that over and over again 5.) I realized I am more of a positive split runner seeing my trends or maybe I need to make the margin of difference on the negative splits less? Cheers to the fastest split I’ve ran in my life and having this be my last official race until Ironman 70.3 Sandusky in July and Ironman 70.3 North Carolina in October #halfmarathon #ironmantraining #enduranceathlete

Your first triathlon season is over, now what 👇🏽 If you’ve just completed your first triathlon season, and are wondering what to do now, Coach Denise has been looking at this very topic. From reflecting on the season to planning for next year and the preparation to deliver your best, there is still a lot going on in the off race season. #Triathlon #TriathlonTraining #TriTrainingHarder

You might have seen in the news that a professional Ironman winner got disqualified for having his zipper pulled down, or too far rather. This emphasizes how important it is for athletes to know the rules of the event that they're competing in, and for them to be familiar with the rules of the event before they compete in it. All events will give you a race brief about the quirks and foibles of their particular event, but the general rules of triathlon, be it if you're doing an Ironman event, or a challenge event, or an event regulated by the British Triathlon Federation. It is your responsibility as an athlete to know those rules. Likewise, it's also your responsibility to know the course.  Everyone will provide you with maps, and there'll be signs on the course, but if you get lost, that is your responsibility.  You should listen to the race brief, look at the race brief provided to you before, and look at the maps that are given to you as well. Listen to the marshals on the course, because they will try and help you as much as they can, but they're not there to stop traffic.  They're just there to ensure that you are having a safe time.  The best way that you can familiarize yourself with this is to go to the race briefing because the race director will tell everybody which rules apply. If you're not sure what they are, you can go look them up and see how the course that you're going to operate on is going to work. Don't skip the race brief.  Make sure you read the rules.  Then you won't be disqualified if you win your age group.

"To accomplish something extraordinary, one must have an extraordinary dream. A goal so high, a journey so demanding, that its achievement to most seems impossible." -Ironman Triathlons From the young age of 8 years old, I have watched my dad compete in Ironman Triathlons. For those unfamiliar with the race, it is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. I have always dreamt of the day I could compete in an Ironman, but I never thought it would be possible. However, that perception changed after watching my dad and my brother cross the finish line of the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Nice, France. This marked my dad's 17th Ironman and my brother the youngest contestant in the sport's history to compete in a World Championship at 18 years old. Every facet of an Ironman embodies grit, mentality, dedication, and drive. A no-quit attitude when difficulty is in your path: your body collapses at mile 16 of the run or even the self-discipline of the 6-month training journey of making the choice to not to snooze your alarm before a 4 am workout. This defines an Ironman, which I have had the privilege to witness in my dad over the last thirteen years of my life. But here is where the next journey begins: it's my turn. It has been a goal of mine to do an Ironman, but I have always said, " I have my whole life; I will eventually do it." That's where I went wrong for two reasons: 1. If not now, then when? 2. Without commitment, you'll never start. Without consistency, you'll never finish. The date my eyes are on is April 2026. That is my goal. 2 years, 722 days away. A long journey is ahead, but it starts now, and I want to share it along the way. I want to share it all—even the hard times. It is time for this sport to grow, and I hope to one day inspire others just as the ones before did for me. But, as they say, "To accomplish something extraordinary, one must have an extraordinary dream." #ifnotnowthenwhen Troy Theodosiou Chris Catullo The IRONMAN Group

Over the summer I participated in my first triathlon.   I was mainly focused on three things:   Transition smoothness Staying calm in the water Adjustment to make me faster   Here is what I learned: 1) My T1 (Swim to bike transition) went better in my head Expectation: wetsuit off -> helmet -> nutrition -> bike -> take off. Reality: Wetsuit off -> ‘where’s my clothes?!?’ -> helmet -> bike, ‘wait why am I on my bike’ -> get off bike -> take off -> ‘oh no, I forgot my gels! it’s too late anyways.’ 2) Staying calm in water is easier in a lap pool There is no doubt swimming would be my weakest leg of the race, it was especially hard swimming alongside 100 other athletes. 3) Making last minute adjustments was not ideal Training is not just for building endurance and stronger muscles. It’s also a good time to dial in your diet and your gear for the big day. My triathlon journey was a mix of the planned and unexpected. It taught me that as much as you would love for your life to be predictable. You WILL be thrown curveballs. Having a strong financial foundation will help your course correct when needed. **** My name is Hunter Schertz and I help young professionals build and manage their wealth.

Never done an Ironman or triathlon? They're not as scary as you might think; here's my 3 top tips; These were recorded at the Swansea Ironman 70.3 last weekend, but they apply to ANY triathlon if you're new to the sport. SWIM - don't get caught up in the melee. ↳ hang back & take the turns wide if you're nervous BIKE - don't go off like a scalded cat ↳ theres a long way so preserve some energy RUN - don't think of the whole distance ↳ make small targets & break it down - it'll be done before you know it. MOST OF ALL - enjoy it. It's probably the best thing you'll ever do! All of these tips would have helped me massively a few years ago when I first started out, so take note, sign up for a race and ENJOY. ♻️ Reshare if you found this helpful. 🔔 enjoyed this? Follow me & hit the bell in my profile ⬆️ - Matt Ps. I help people like you to crush big scary goals and build unshakeable self-belief. Sounds good? Consider signing up for my newsletter for regular training and health tips Join 7,000+ and growing high performers getting my free info; link in my bio ⬆️ #ironman #triathlon #ironmancoach #tridotcoach #iamtridot