Ironman Athlete Shane Kervin shares an insight into his prep for the Aquathon (run / swim / run) Multisport World Championships.
I am the first person to admit that I probably have no real business donning the green and gold and being any part of an Australian team, but hey, if you qualify and are lucky enough to snag a spot, you would be mad not to take it, right?
Once on the team, the reality of toeing the line with some of the fittest and fastest 50-54 year olds in the world started to hit me, sh*t I might have bitten off more than I can chew here. There will be no where to hide on race day. Don’t get me wrong, there is no shame in coming last, but if I can help it I would prefer not to.
Thankfully Sarah was kind enough to squeeze me onto her busy roster of athletes and agreed to an 8 week training block to drag the few fast twitch fibres I possess out of hibernation.
The first week consisted of some testing, with the results pretty underwhelming on my behalf and some of the efforts had me gasping and questioning my choices.
However, I soon learnt the difference between ‘exercising’ and ‘training’.
I was suddenly ‘training’ and loving the variety and Sarah’s approach to it, moulding the program around my work roster and family life.
By the time I flew out to Townsville I could clearly see the improvements in both my run and swim paces, and in my training I felt ‘strong’, which had me mentally in a great space and excited for the race.
I was hesitant to set a goal time, because I hadn’t raced this particular format of the Aquathlon and the conditions always play such a big part, but I had some reference times in my head.
If I went over 45 minutes I felt I would walk away disappointed, if I went under 44 I would be really satisfied and if I went under 42 I would be rapt.
So to finish in 41:51, in the top half of the field (by one spot) and having enjoyed every second of it, I could not have been happier! (Race distance 2.5km run, 1km swim, 2.5km run )
Looking back at my qualifying event times compared to the World Champs the improvement is considerable.
A HUGE thank-you to Sarah – what she achieved in such a short period is amazing!
I love racing. I do. I love the feeling of pushing my body to it’s limits, against every other athlete out there on the day and seeing where that lands me.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been competitive. No matter the sport. I don’t generally half @arse things. I go all in, otherwise I’m out. Growing up I played team sports, netball and basketball both at a high level, and I had a dabble at soccer too. I love the competitiveness, and I love winning.
Then came along triathlon in my 20’s and I went all in there. Wanting to learn the craft, finding out how hard I could push my body and what result that would bring on race day. I would thrive off racing, and I didn’t want to settle. I was by and large ‘all in’. Racing results were my main motivation for training. And I’ve done that for 15 years, with some great success, but not with a LOT of hard work. I trained to race and I thrived off that.
BUT over the past 12 months or so, racing hasn’t been my main motivator for training anymore.
I still train every day. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. I still put myself through sessions that I give to my athletes so I know what they feel like / should feel like. I still like pushing myself and setting myself goals and challenges. I love the feeling of feeling fit, and healthy.
But I don’t actually have the drive to want to race to win anymore. I know I could. Because I’m stubborn like that. And I know if I wanted to, I could. But I don’t. I’ve still dabbled in running and cycling and triathlon races, but not with as much focus or as much gusto. Old me would not have raced, if I wasn’t fit and strong enough to give it my best, I wouldn’t have put myself on the start line.
And it has been hard to reconcile in my head at times. My last ‘competitive’ race was Port Macquarie Half Ironman in 2022. I finished 4th in my age group, as a full time coach, and full time mum to a 3 & 4 year old. Before that, it was 2 years prior at Geelong Half Ironman where I qualified for the Half Ironman World Champs. (Ironically being held this year in New Zealand) with a 1 & 2 year old. That was tough, but oh so satisfying!
Back then all I wanted to do was win. And I was fully engrossed in it. My whole identity was wrapped up in it. I prioritised training and racing to win over just about everything else in my life. I just wanted to WIN. Until I didn’t want to anymore…..
I saw a post a couple of years ago by another coach and it said something along the lines of a coach must be able to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk. And it didn’t sit well with me. But at the same time I was like, shit I better keep racing to be able to ‘prove’ that I can and prove that I can coach – BUT then it dawned on me. The two are mutually exclusive, they don’t have to go hand in hand. Sometimes they do – which I’ve done for years. But they certainly don’t have to and we all know LOTS of successful coaches that don’t race at a high level anymore – or at all. So, with that, over the last couple of years as things have shifted, my mindset shifted and so did my priorities.
I am always saying to athletes that intrinsic motivation should be first and foremost. Of course use extrinsic motivation to aid you, to continue to drive you to be better, but your main motivator should come from within. Yet here I was, using a post I came across on facebook and the perception I thought others must have of me to continue to drive me. But like most people who rely on extrinsic motivation, that can often only last for so long….
When I had our first born (nearly 7 years ago) I wanted / needed to get back racing. I didn’t want to loose that identity as an ‘athlete’. That’s what I had known myself as for so much of my life. The satisfaction I got from it was huge and all my energy and focus was on those goals.
But in come children, two at that in quick succession and things slowly shifted. My want and need to have a singular goal and focus for myself has become lesser as our children have grown. And my growth and personal satisfaction has come more from the athletes that I coach, the group we have built, of the Club that I support, the community that we now live in and of course – my family.
I don’t need to race at the top level anymore if I don’t want to – to simply ‘walk the walk’.
I don’t need to race for external satisfaction.
I know I can now race if and when I want to.
I can race because I CAN, because I know HOW and because I LOVE to. Not because I feel I have to.
I have learnt that it is the training itself and the discipline it brings that I actually love the most, not necessarily the racing. The racing is a by product – a bonus if you will…. Perhaps, deep down that’s what has always driven me, I just didn’t realise it …. I don’t have to force myself to train or exercise, I do it because I love it.
Which is why I stay fit. Which is why I train every day. So I can, if I want, when I want, where I want. A quick little prep will have me ready and I’ll enjoy returning to those feelings. But I most likely won’t go ‘all in’ like I used to, not because I can’t, but because I choose not to.
Now that all may change again at some point. What feels right now, may not be the same in another few years. We all go through seasons in life and I love embracing all of them.
And that’s what I also love about coaching each individual athlete I have. I have some athletes in the early stages of their athletic journeys, going all in, and I fully embrace that, support that and help foster the environment and training that they need. I have other athletes who prefer a softer balance to their training, competing when they can, and training as it fits into their life. I have others who don’t compete – at all. They simply love the structure and discipline of training in their lives, and staying fit. Just as I do. And I have the pro and inspiring pros. The high achievers. Those chasing PB’s, wanting the most out of themselves, and I love being on the sidelines for all of that. I love being part of each of their journeys.
So no matter the athletes path, or where they are at in their journey. I love all of it, because it is THEIR journey. Just as I am on my own journey. And as a Coach, I love that I’ve been through all facets of it. I’ve been the beginner, the green and keen athlete, the top age grouper, I’ve dabbled as a pro, a mum juggling it all, and the one still here for the long haul.
And I am grateful to be part of that and still join in on the ride!
Choose your challenge. Make a habit. Or break one. Spark personal growth Build mental resilience. Or try something new. Motivate in May is for you!
If you are off the back of a long season (regardless if you raced or not), or embarking on a new season / training program, then this is the perfect time to lay the ground work for your best 2023/2024 performances. It can be easy to lose the rhythm of training as it gets colder and darker outside. Or you may be without a key race to inspire you to jump out of bed in the morning… SO I INVITE YOU – join us in a challenge to help continue to build your physical resilience and positive daily habits.
NO ONE is immune to the allure of wanting to stay in bed on a cold, dark, early morning. That’s where accountability matters. And that’s where our CPC community will join together, encourage each other, share your daily ‘wins’, – and maybe even your struggles! Set yourself up NOW – and your winter / base preparation will set you up for the weeks and months to come….
THE CHALLENGE:
This challenge falls in line with our learnings of setting goals (in this instance a challenge) and defining your why, so we can measure our success (read more here). Our May challenge involves you choosing a goal (challenge) to complete over/during the 31 days of May.
Some examples:
Swim /Run/Ride 25/50/75/100k in May Train every day in May Strength / Mobility / Pilates/ Yoga Challenge in May Try a new way in May (ie commit to finding a new training route week/each session) Try something new in May (ie a new gym, a new exercise/sport/hobby) Zwift route challenge in May
The ideas are limitless, the benefits endless !
You want to make it specific (and challenging) for you. Something to drive you in May, and encourage you to make (or break) a habit, spark personal growth, build mental resilience, or simply try something new!
So get thinking, get creative, have a WHY and share with our CPC Community. Nothing like sharing your goals to stay accountable !
CHOOSE your goal | CHALLENGE yourself | SHARE your wins !
An athlete with 30 years experience in the sport still chasing the high of racing, the love of training, the challenge of balancing family, work and training and the ultimate love of feeling strong, fit and healthy. Starting her Triathlon days in the 1990’s Nicole has seen the sport change, and take shape over the years to where we are today and we can’t wait to continue the triathlon journey with her….
Name: Nicole Wilson
Nickname: Nic. Nice and simple!
Age / Age Group: Old Hen! ;-p
Lives: Malvern, Vic
Targeted Sport: Triathlon
Years in the Sport: 30 years (on and off) (told you I was an old hen…)
How did you get started: Monash University Tri Club. Like minded people who even made a Saturday night swim squad session fun! (I do not know ANYONE who swims on a sat night – so there’s a first!)
Why I choose CPC: I was introduced by another CPC athlete Caroline Houston. 🙂 (would of mouth is fab – thanks Caroline!) 😉
What I ‘get’ from my sport: I love the challenge and diversity of 70.3 Triathlon racing. With more self-sufficient teenagers at home it’s been great to invest in consistent training and hopefully greater life longevity. I aspire to keep racing and training for a long as my aging body can keep up.
Ultimate Goal: Swimming, riding and running for as long as my body will allow – at at least until l get my pensioner card.
What I couldn’t live without: A family who are very understanding & flexible.
Biggest love: My boys (husband, 3 teenagers and dog)
Pet peeve!: Wasting time. (ohhhh that’s a goodie! We’re with you on this one!)
Interesting fact about me: Country girl who grew up in Cobram.
A new comer to the sport of triathlon who is already making her mark. Podiuming in her first Ironman and qualifying for Nice 2024, she’s ready to embark on coaching to see how far she can take her racing. As a shift worker, she is also keen to continue to buck the trend of traditionally poor health outcomes for not just shift but also health care workers – so continues on her quest of participating in competitive sport and making good lifestyle choices. Keep an eye on this athletes. She truly is just getting started….
Name: Jacqui Graham
Nickname: Cracker Jacq – less frequently used these days!
Age / Age Group: 30-34
Lives: Yea, Vic
Targeted Sport: Triathlon
Years in the Sport: A very loose 1 year !
How did you get started: In 2022 a very good friend signed up for an Ironman as a bucket list tick off, prior to his first child. My wife and I decided we would do the 70.3 as support. I enjoyed the day with no real intention of doing another. However 6 months later I had forgotten that, then deciding to do a full IM in Dec 2023. (and Jacqui conveniently left out the bit where she qualified for the IM World champs at said race!)
Why I choose CPC: I’ve not had previous coaching and I am super excited to work with someone who has the expertise to get the most out of myself. I’ve only heard of good things re CPC and the match just felt right.
What I ‘get’ from my sport: Sport/being active has always been a main priority for my wife and I. Being a shift worker, which is associated with poor health outcomes, I have always been determined to not let that stop me from participating in competitive sport or making good lifestyle choices. The exception to the rule hopefully. Or maybe the rule could change!
Ultimate Goal: Ultimately, it would be to never stop getting better. However, Sub 10hr IM and sub 5hr 70.3 would be equally ace.
What I couldn’t live without: My wife & doggos + homemade hummus. 🙂
Biggest love: The above + exercise!
Pet peeve!: Dirty floors (two floofy dogs makes for a regular occurrence).
Interesting fact about me: I’m vegan. It would be un-stereotypical of a vegan if I didn’t mention it. ;-p
We can’t wait to see what is instore for Jacqui – as we know it’s going to be an exciting ride!
Relatively new to the sport of triathlon, but not new to setting big goals! ‘Heater’ is preparing himself for the heat of Busso and tackling his first Ironman. But the journey hasn’t been without it’s challenges, including working on his mental health, keeping niggles at bay and doing the hard yards solo! But he has a story to tell – including one that involves the great Michael Schumacher ! . . .
Name: Heath Lowry
Nickname: heater
Age / Age Group: 35-39
Lives: Moama, Vic
Targeted Sport: Triathlon & AFL !
Years in the Sport: 2-3years in Triathlon
How did you get started: My uncle is in the sport and he encourages me to get involves, and the local triathlon club in Echuca/Moama has been great.
Why I choose CPC: Sarah was recommend to me many years ago, and now that I have a couple of big goals thought it would be smart to get the right coaching! A good decision, because now I don’t have to just be in my own head, I know what’s planned and I can bounce things off her – especially any doubts I may have along the way !
What I ‘get’ from my sport: In recent years I have struggled with my mental health and by getting outside training it has helped massively in this space. The benefits of it have been huge on my journey.
Ultimate Goal: To complete the Busselton Ironman in December 2023!
What I couldn’t live without: My Coffee Machine
Biggest love: Vietnamese pho soup
Pet peeve!: Bad Manners!
Interesting fact about me: I once cooked a meal for Michael Schumacher and the Ferrari F1 Team. (I think we will all need more details on this Heath!!)
