Posts tagged “Spec Savers Ironman South Africa”

Nelson Mandela Bay is a fast-growing, family and sports-orientated tourism destination that celebrates its sunshine hours, beautiful beaches, African Big Seven and outdoor living.

In the last newsletter prior to the 2012 Spec-Savers Ironman I return to a topic that is a golden tread throughout all my articles – mental toughness. Bill Toomey (gold medallist in the decathlon at the 1968 Olympic) defines mental toughness as the ability to thrive on pain and adversity. In other words, “when it starts to hurt, you start to win”, because, according to Toomey, it is the conversion of stumbling blocks into stepping stones that truly sets the champion apart from the rest of society.

Ironman South Africa is fast approaching. I am sure you are all challenging your bodies in an attempt to ensure that you arrive on the morning of 22 April 2012 in peak physical condition. Ironman is not just physically a challenging day; it is also mentally a tough day. It therefore important to also pay attention to your mental preparation.

We were about 6 km into our first bike lap, still chirpy and full of energy, but struggling with that long, slow poison of an uphill. We were about 12 people riding closely together (NOT DRAFTING) and it must have looked like a smarty box as we represented all categories of fitness levels and body shapes.

This is the story of our December Competition winner, Ivan Baker's most memorable Ironman moment. This moment inspired Ivan. Maybe after reading, it will inspire you too...