I am Ironman

It was about a week before the Valentine’s Day 10K back in 2019. A family friend had an extra entry to the race and I stepped in. I’m no stranger to fitness. I have played soccer most of my life. I was one of the lazier ones, but I could hold my own

Never in my life would I have imagined what this one race would lead me into.

I, being completely uneducated on running, assumed the 10K race meant 10 miles. I finished with a horrible time, but I felt great. Saying I got a runner’s high is an understatement -- I was absolutely hooked.

All I could think was “When’s the next race? How fast could I go next time? How far could I actually push myself?” I wanted to keep chasing that feeling.

This was February 2019 and not even a week later, I signed up for a Half Ironman in September of that same year.

For those who aren’t in this world of racing, a half Ironman is a long distance triathlon consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run -- a total of 70.3 miles. I signed up for this thinking the full ironman was too much...little did I know.

Keep in mind, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was going in blind. I gave myself seven months to train.

At that point, I had one 10K under my belt, no bike, and zero proper swimming experience. YouTube became my coach. I didn’t have any triathlete friends, and I couldn’t afford a trainer. I also didn’t realize how expensive everything would be for a student working part-time.

Wanting more race experience, I signed up for the Mission Bay Half Marathon in April 2019 -- another horrible time; over two hours. I get home, and registered for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. I finished in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

I can’t describe how hard this time was. I was balancing being a full time student, working 25 hours a week, training atleast 2 hours a day, and still trying to make time to see my girlfriend.(now my wife) My life shifted drastically: no more late nights, lost contact with some friends, and my diet changed overnight. My determination (my wife would call it my ego) would not let me rest, or "take it easy".

By mid-August, a month before the Half Ironman, I was deep into training. I had watched countless YouTube videos on form, technique, race nutrition and everything to help me maximize my energy during the race -- did some open water swims, ran multiple half marathons, and was cycling daily.

About a month out from the race, I tried to simulate the distance. I broke down at mile 3 of the run portion -- both physically and mentally. I knew I wasn’t ready, I did not want to be one of those people being carried out in an ambulance, collapsed or throwing up on the side of the race -- thats not how I do things.

I talked to my dad -- I broke down in tears. I felt crushed, embarrassed, angry. I had put over $3,000 into this and months of effort, only to feel like I couldn’t follow through. My dad told me it was okay. That failure was part of the journey-- as long as I didn’t quit on this goal, to not make "quitting" a habit.

So I found another race: Ironman 70.3 in Indian Wells, in December of that year. I gave myself three more months to train. But something had shifted -- my drive was stronger than ever, like I needed that break down.

Come December. I was in Palm Springs, nerves through the roof -- but I finished the race. Not the time I had hoped for, but a solid finish; 6 hours and 35 minutes. Pretty average for that type of race distance.

Crossing that finish line, a wave of emotion hit me -- I was exhausted, I was proud of what I had done, everything I had pushed through the past months, but seeing my family and the support at the finish line brought me to tears.

But it didn’t end there..

Something was still pulling at me -- something more. It was the Ironman. The fucking FULL Ironman.

The most excruciating single-day race in the world. 140.6 miles. I figured, if there was ever a time to go for it -- it is now.

To be completely honest, a big part of it was my ego, knowing I had only done half of this race, like only doing a half marathon. (I guess my wife was right)

I didn’t even give myself a week to rest before I signed up for Ironman Cozumel 2020.

But this time, It was harder. Intensity and training hours increased. I was running weekly sub–1:30 half marathons, cycling 150+ miles and swimming over two hours a week. I fell in love with the process, continuing this balance of work, school, girlfriend, and now playing with Chula VIsta Futbol Club, it was taking a toll on me. To say the least, they were 3 tough months.

A year after my first Half Ironman, and not even two years after my first 10K, I stood at the start line in Cozumel -- facing brutal 25+ mph winds, rain, and 95-degree humid heat. Only to have the most enjoyable and beautiful swim I had ever experienced.

Twelve hours later; after cramps, tears, and everything in between, I crossed the finish line. I couldn’t have been happier, I had proved myself what I was capable of, and more -- all while picking up the worst tan lines imaginable in the process. There’s still so much more I could say; the emotions, the struggles, the quiet moments in between. All of it... just for the bragging rights. (As mentioned on the ironman website, not my original words, but I couldn't agree more)

I started the Spartan Race series the following week... but that’s a story for another day.

Here are some pictures from my "first" races of each category. From left to right -- The 10k, first half marathon, first full marathon. first 70. IM, and finally, first full IM.

"You can quit if you want, and no one will care. But you’ll know for the rest of your life."