Redefining your fitness limits: A look into the life of an Ironman Triathlete
Regardless of your fitness level, I think we can all agree that triathlons are a gigantic feat. Even more gigantic is the traditional Ironman Triathlon.
Can you fathom swimming 2.4 miles and then biking 112 miles?
Oh, and just in case that didn’t tucker you out, why don’t you go ahead and finish it off with a full-fledged marathon, which is 26.4 miles.
Racing in that order without a break absolutely blows my mind. I am currently training for just a marathon and that is pushing me to the limit. Adding swimming and biking to the mix is a physical marvel.
As difficult as it is to fathom the physical demands of participating in an Ironman Triathlon, why would anyone in their right mind do it more than once?
I am in complete awe of Carlos Lema, a mega-athlete who recently moved from the Big Apple to Dallas in May of 2009.
Lema cannot get enough of triathlons.
With several under his belt, he is eager to bring on the challenges, knocking them out one competition at a time.
Training for Triathlons
While the rest of us are snoozing away in the wee small hours of the morning, Lema is hitting the pavement.
He may have once enjoyed the wide lanes of Manhattan’s serene Central Park to train for his competitions, but he has traded his former running haven for local spots in Dallas. White Rock Lake, for example, is a common locale for Lema’s workouts.
When training, he typically has to drive to a trail, making it a point to run more miles than he drove getting there. Can you imagine logging more miles on your legs than your wheels each week?
“Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have double workouts — early morning and night,” Lema said.“Sunday, I do a brick, which is run after biking. That comes out to about 15-20 hours a week, which is not enough.”
Whenever athletes have committed themselves to a specific training regimen and have found success, I am curious to know what sparked that motivation. Was it a sudden impulse one day or did they have it coming for a long time?
After asking Lema why he stays dedicated to this hefty task, he replied that he is looking to redefine his limits. This is such an inspirational notion to cling to, with both fitness and life in general.
Now, I must tell you that I am all about inspirational quotes. So when Lema told me this little phrase, I got excited and inspired.
Yes, I am that girl who saves her fortune cookie message and places it on her fridge.
Why wouldn’t you want to be reminded of a little inspiration and glimmer of hope? I think this is what keeps Lema going day after day, race after race. He is in fact his own competition, always trying to “one-up” himself while redefining his limits.
This is the epitome of a positive fitness goal.
“Fitness is a byproduct of participating in a sport I love,” Lema said.
I would say Lema is definitely in love. His love affair with Ironman competitions has led him all over the world. Check out the list of competitions he has mastered, starting with the most recent:
- Ironman Germany 2009
- Ironman Florida 2009
- Ironman 70.3 Austin 2009
- Ironman 70.3 New Orleans 2009
- Ironman 70.3 Switzerland 2007
- Ironman 70.3 UK 2007
- Ironman 70.3 Austin 2006
- Ironman 70.3 Cancun 2006
It is safe to say that Lema is in a committed, loving relationship with triathlon competitions. Not to mention, the guy has enough hats, jackets, and t-shirts from the races to last him several weeks.
His passion for triathlon competitions is portrayed every day and inspires those around him. This actually surprises Lema, as he does not see himself as a motivator — he’s simply doing what he loves.
Finding the Motivation and Discipline
“I am surprised because they motivate me,” Lema said. “I get messages from friends that say ‘I lost XXX pounds’ and that they are ready to take me head on in a race. I see their full change: physical, mental and emotional.”
So we know Lema inspires many and dedicates countless hours each week to training. How the heck does a career-oriented professional have enough hours to work full-time and squeeze in sufficient training?
When you are passionate about something, it doesn’t feel like you are going out of your way to accomplish what needs to be done. Quite the opposite actually: you feel that something’s missing if you don’t have it in your life.
“I stick to a workout schedule, and try to keep everything else aligned,” Lema said.
That’s great advice. Just one problem: it’s easier said than done!
I asked Lema what advice he would give to someone who is just beginning his or her fitness journey or simply lacks motivation to get it going.
“First of all, take it easy and slow; be patient,” Lema said. “It takes three weeks to form a habit, so even if you do not feel like working out, just go, and test the engine. A month after going steadily, pick a race that is challenging for you, but obtainable. Get a training program online and go for it.
“A workout with purpose makes a huge difference.”
I think we can all take something away from this pearl of wisdom.
Maybe you don’t have aspirations to participate in a competition. Instead you are simply looking to take on a habit of developing a fitness routine. Eventually, it will just become second nature to you.
Before you know it, you will get in the groove and then when you miss a workout, your whole day will seem out of whack. Then you will hit up your workout the next day and the world will be right again.
Supplementing Fitness Routine With Good Nutrition
Maybe some of us have the workout part down. We are dedicated gym addicts who simply cannot get enough. The problem area is in the kitchen. Instead of replenishing our body with the appropriate nutrients to fuel our metabolism, we “treat” ourselves to unhealthy food.
I will be the first to admit that sometimes after teaching two fitness classes back-to-back, I feel entitled to chips and queso at Mi Cocina. While it is fine to splurge from time to time, we can’t get complacent and pork out after every session at the gym.
More importantly, making healthy choices regarding food intake will only amp up our energy so we can become stronger in our fitness expedition. Needless to say, not all of our expeditions will be triathlons; however, it is important to fuel that metabolism with nutrients.
“I could eat anything anytime, but it affects me immensely,” Lema said. “I choose to eat what is best for me. I look into what is needed for my next workout. I keep water, fruits, honey and granola around at all times. I avoid fried food, empty carbs, raw sugars, and saturated fats at all costs.”
Once again, easier said than done, right?
To remedy those sweet tooth and junk food cravings, try to limit the intake of those goodies to only the weekends and special occasions. Nothing tastes as good as feeling good. (“Good” meaning fit and healthy.)
“Having the right mix and ratios of carbs, protein and fats makes your body produce the maximum amount of power,” Lema said. “Simple as that. Pay attention to what works with you, not to what is convenient for you. That is a B.S. excuse to eat badly.”
A sassy answer but there is definitely truth in his ideology. I will hear Lema in my head when I am heading home from the gym. Although it would be simpler to run through the drive thru, it will only set me back in my fitness goals and that would certainly not be redefining my limits.
No backpedaling here.
So what’s next for this fitness buff? What is the subsequent step he will take to redefine his own limits?
“Just crossing the finish line in one piece and with no extra pieces,” Lema said. “For 2010, my main races are full distance Ironman Australia, Ironman Canada, and Ironman Arizona.
“And for kicks, Ironman 70.3 St. Croix, Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island, and I’m sure a dare will come up from a friend.”
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[Note: All photographs of Carlos Lema are copyrighted images used with permission from Carlos Lema, via the Germany 2009 Ironman.]
About the Author
Kimberly Westphall is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas where she majored in Journalism. She recently participated in a podcast with Jerod, which will help you get to know her even better.
While at KU, she was an anchor and online web producer for Jayhawk Sports Talk. Kimberly recently made her MSF debut discussing the fight between Kansas’ basketball and football teams.
She has a passion for fitness and is on the lookout for emerging fitness trends and workouts. Her favorite group exercise format is kickboxing, which she discusses in her first Blogging Fitness post today.
When she’s not hitting up the aerobics studio both as a participant and instructor, Kimberly is training for the 2010 Washington D.C. Marathon with her best friend Jackie.
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