Lessons Learnt From Kona: Ironman World Championships 2013

It has been three weeks since I raced in Kona (12 October). The 226km triathlon was a culmination of about nine years of long-distance endurance training and racing. This was my third Ironman world championships after two Ironman 70.3 championships in 2008 and 2009. I am thankful to earn the distinguished opportunity to race in a historical, 35-year-old race, that tested the limits of my physical endurance. These were the 10 indelible lessons I learnt from my experience racing in Kailua-Kona, home of Ironman.

1) Training = Work + Rest. 
2) You can compromise on training, but not on your recovery and recuperation: Eat very well, and sleep more.
3) Injuries equals 'down-time' equals compromise to the Big Plan: Stay injury-free, and treat all muscle-imbalances.
4) Have a Big Plan, comprising Plan A and B and C. All plans point towards succeeding in the race. 
5) The mental aspect is a crucial part of training, so develop mental toughness through the hardest workouts and your reluctant days.
6) Completion takes priority over competition: Get your job done, safely and surely. Proper and tested nutrition is critical to sustaining your efforts.
7) Disappointment happens - deal with it, while maintaining your focus on the Big Plan.
8) Draw inspiration from others: Admire your competitors and your heroes (they earned their spots through hard work, too), draw upon the energy of the Big Island, trust your training and your Intuition.
9) Enjoy the Total Experience: You have arrived, so complete the Journey one discipline at a time. It is a cocktail of physical, mental and emotional elements.
10) Bask, in the run-down through the Finisher's Chute: Brag for life!