RTA Triathlon
  • Home
  • SERVICES
    • COACHING PROGRAMS
    • 1 ON 1 SESSIONS
    • Triathlon Starter Package
    • TRAINING CAMPS >
      • Lake Placid
      • Florida
    • CLINICS >
      • Open Water Swim Clinics
      • Triathlon Transition Clinic
      • Bike Skills Clinic
    • CORPORATE / CHARITY
  • TRI CLUB
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG

BLOG

Start Small, Then Go BIG!

12/30/2021

0 Comments

 

Jeff's IRONMAN Journey

Picture
Jeff and his family celebrating at the finish line
​Jeff Morin enjoys physical and mental challenges. He has proven this by his actions and isn’t afraid to jump outside of his comfort zone. The risk of intentionally making oneself become uncomfortable may seem big, and it is, but the reward is often priceless.
 
At the grand age of 50, Jeff proved to himself once again, he is unstoppable when he commits to a goal. Despite this, he will tell you: “IRONMAN training is not linear. It is a process. 
The key is consistency. There will be good days and bad days but if you take it one day at a time and put in the work, you will reach your finish line.”​
Jeff’s Journey to Becoming an IRONMAN

Jeff’s triathlon journey begin a few years ago, but in December of 2020 he engaged RTA Triathlon in to prepare him for a feat he once thought impossible. The Ironman triathlon.
 
Armed with an expert coach who would create a training and nutrition plan tailored specifically to him, Jeff embarked on his journey to complete what is widely considered the hardest one-day endurance event.
 
Below is a short Q & A with Jeff as well as a few words of wisdom at the very end.
 
We hope you find it INSPIRING & MOTIVATING.

Q & A with Jeff
 
 
WHY and HOW did you get into triathlon?
 
WHY: I was inspired by a friend who completed IRONMAN Texas in 2013. I could not believe he swam 2.4 miles. Mind blown! Needless to say, that was only the 1 hr 15 min warm up for the bike (112 mi) and the run (26.2 mi).
 
HOW: I started “small” with shorter distance races (like sprints and olympics) and then built my way up to my first Half (70.3) in 2016. This allowed me to slowly build up endurance and gain triathlon race experience.
 
In November of 2020, I passed my Certified Financial Planner test. Test preparation for this required over a year of studying 15-20 hours a week. After I passed the exam, I had some free time and needed a new challenge. It was a no brainer. I wanted to train for the IRONMAN triathlon (swim 2.4 mi., bike 112 mi, run 26.2 mi … brag for the rest of your life, as they say)

Common Triathlon Distances

Why did you decide to hire a coach and more specifically RTA to help prepare you for your races?
 
I finished two Half / 70.3's with little to no training, but quickly and smartly realized I was going to need help with proper preparation for a full Ironman triathlon.
 
I wanted to do everything I could do to be prepared to cross that finish line.  It's too much of a commitment (time & money) to leave any stone unturned.
 
Professional triathlon coaching was the obvious choice. Why try to recreate the wheel when someone has already done it. I couldn’t be more pleased with working with Coaches Elizabeth & Chris Kaplanis.
They were always available to answer a question or offer some encouragement." ​- Jeff
You recently completed IRONMAN Lake Placid, what was that like?
 
Ironman Lake Placid was in one word "FUN." Yes it hurts, but it's a good hurt.
 
You have to be a little twisted to do IRONMAN but it’s definitely worth it.
 
Hundreds of hours training alone is hard, BUT the excitement of race day and being around other people with the same goal and the cheering fans is just awesome.
What was the best part of the day? 
 
The best part of the day was when I left the aid station at mile 24 of the run and one of the volunteers said "hey you're going to be an Ironman tonight!" 
 
Soon after that, I could hear Mike Reilly [LINK] in the distance (I’m actually tearing up writing this). I turned the corner on main street and saw the bright lights and the finish line.
 
I paced myself the last quarter mile so there was no chance anyone was in my finish line picture. THEN, the moment you dream about. The moment Mike Reilly saying "Jeff Morin you are an IRONMAN... YOU DID IT, Jeff !" Fuckin-A right I did!!!
Picture
Jeff making his way through the scenic IMLP run course
What was the worst part of the race?
 
I had to carry some Pepto Bismol. Enough said!
 
 
What will you do differently next time (if anything)?
 
If I were to do another full distance Ironman again, I would like to build a bigger training base.  I wasn't “couch to Ironman,” but 7 months of training is tight. More time would have been nice.
What was going through your head when you crossed the finished line?
 
"Don't shit your pants!" No, not really (well, kind of actually).  
 
I was just thinking about what I had accomplished. It was totally EPIC and I was very proud of myself!
 
Smile!
 
Don't even think about stopping your watch. Get a good finisher pic.
Picture
Jeff Morin, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN®!
Elizabeth and Chris are fantastic to work with. They provided me with great training and nutrition plans that were tailored to me."
​- Jeff
Any general advice you'd give to others thinking about doing a 70.3 or IRONMAN?
 
Having done two 70.3's … a full is not "twice as hard." Not even close.
 
 
~ Final words of wisdom ~
 
IRONMAN training is not linear, it is a "process."
 
You will not feel better, stronger, or faster in every training session. You will have days when you feel so good, you feel invincible as if you could race right then and there. Then, the next week, you wonder, “how am I going to do this?”
 
You may become injured during training and you’ll have to adapt.
 
The key is consistency. There will be good and bad days, but take it one day at a time and you’ll get through it.  That being said, it’s important to listen to your body and your coach. It can be helpful to have a third tell you when you need to dial it back or continue pushing.  I took 4 days off after each KYAH triathlon training camp [LINK THIS]. The training camps really kicked my ass.
 
Living in Connecticut (and not close to most RTA Triathlon club members living in New Jersey), I trained alone except for KYAH training camp. If you can find a group/team or someone to ride and run with, it makes it much more enjoyable. At the end of the day, I never really enjoyed 100 mile rides on Saturday or 18 mile runs on Sunday, but I love the process!! I knew what I had to do if I wanted to be an IRONMAN.
 
Picture
Coach E cheering on Jeff at IMLP
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    BEGINNER
    BIKE
    Cross Training
    Mental Fitness
    Notes From Coach
    Nutrition
    Racing
    Recovery
    RTA Virtual Rides
    RUN
    Strength & Conditioning
    SUCCESS
    SWIM
    Team Challenge
    TEAM RACES
    TRAINING
    WEBINARS
    Women In Triathlon

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

RTA Triathlon

RTA is a comprehensive triathlon coaching organization and fully supported USAT sanctioned triathlon club. 

We are based in Ridgewood, NJ and coach triathletes of all abilities from across the country. 
 

​Our mission is to make you a better triathlete.

Contact us when you're ready to take your "game" to the next level.
ABOUT US

    Become a Better Triathlete

    Free tips and resources on training, racing and recovery to help you conquer your next big race.

    ​PLUS we'll send you "6 Proven Ways to Perform Better" (infographic). 

    No spam, we promise.
Sign Up

    Contact Us

    How can we help you? What are your goals?
Submit

Quick Links

FREE TRAINING CONSULT

COACHING PROGRAMS

1 ON 1 TRAINING SESSIONS

TRIATHLON CLUB

TRIATHLON TRAINING CAMPS

TRIATHLON CLINICS

ABOUT US

​BLOG

CONTACT

Let's get social

Picture
RTA Triathlon
​Copyright © 2022
  • Home
  • SERVICES
    • COACHING PROGRAMS
    • 1 ON 1 SESSIONS
    • Triathlon Starter Package
    • TRAINING CAMPS >
      • Lake Placid
      • Florida
    • CLINICS >
      • Open Water Swim Clinics
      • Triathlon Transition Clinic
      • Bike Skills Clinic
    • CORPORATE / CHARITY
  • TRI CLUB
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG