The Ironing Mum that turned into an Ironman!
I figured it was about time I ran a feature on an inspirational female!
Throughout my journey, many people have often said things to me like ‘I would love to be able to train for an Ironman, but I have got kids so there is just no way’
Or ‘I would love to be able to train for an Ironman, but I just don’t have the time’
Or ‘I would love to be able to train for an Ironman but……(Insert random excuse here)..
So how about we run an interview with amazing lady that will be lining up at IMUK for the 4th time this year whilst single handidly bringing up 3 kids?
Not only that but one of those children has special needs.
Please allow me to introduce Sam, aka @ironingmumtakesonironman on facebook!!
She might only be 4’10 but what she lacks in height she more than makes up for in personality as you will soon find out!
So Sam 4th Time for you at Bolton this year – where did it all start?
I only recently got into fitness, these last few years or so – it was the Ironman that got me into it.
I used to take the kids to go and watch it as it comes near to my house – I was in awe of all the Ironmen, I found them really motivational – they inspired me to start running!
So you went down the running route first?
Yes I started running round our estate at first, then did a little bit more and more like you do and ended up entering a half marathon! – I loved it!
Then what?
I did a couple more half’s then set my sights on the big one, the mara
How did that go?
Yes I managed to do it and I was well chuffed.
So What got you into triathlon then?
After Ironman inspired me to take up running, I returned to watch IMUK the next year with the marathon under my belt, I had done a little bit on the turbo and I thought to myself, I can run, I can do a bit on the bike, the only thing I cant do is swim…..
But I can learn!
As soon as the race was over I thought fuk it i’m signing up and registered for IMUK as soon as it opened the next day!
So Ironman was your first triathlon?
No I entered a local sprint distance as part of my training for it
How did you find learning to swim?
I joined the local leisure centre and taught myself how to swim, the more I practiced, the more confident I got.
How did you find the transition from pool to open water?
I hated it!
I will never forget the first time I went to pennington flash – I was in the water for an hour and a half and I swam for about 12 seconds! (see pic)
I sat by the side and had a little cry and thought to myself ‘what am I doing?’
How did you get over that?
I kept at it! (Sam is such a trooper)
They did some lessons down at 3 sisters so I signed up to those and slowly but surely I got better!
Did you follow a training plan for IMUK?
Yes I followed a very well known plan but adapted it to suit my needs
How the hell did you manage to fit in all the training as a single mum with three kids and one with special needs?
The turbo and the treadmill became my best friends.
Once I had seen to the kids and put them to bed that is when I would start my training, on the turbo downstairs late at night. (how amazing is this lady?)
Either that or I would set an early alarm and get on the treadmill before they got up.
I would try to get out onto the course when I could but the vast majority was done indoors
If you want something badly enough, you will find a way.
What was your first Ironman like?
Amazing, just the best feeling ever, you cant bottle that buzz, when I did my first one there was only about 10% women, you can imagine what the women in the crowd were like with me!
What did you like most about IMUK?
The spectators, the atmosphere, everyone shouting your name, its just electric
Why do you keep coming back every year?
Once you run down Chorley new road on race day you will understand why I keep coming back
As soon as I finish one I sign up for the following year straight away, its the atmosphere, once you experience it you want it again and again.
I know a lot more people now (fellow competitors) so that is great too – we all shout for eachother – its amazing
I also like being fit and healthy and the general way of life the Ironman demands. (Sam showed me a picture of her before she started doing Ironman and she now looks like a completely different person!)
But got to be honest I have never really ‘gone for it’ I am far too busy chatting and having the time of my life!
I’ll never forget my first one, many people around me were struggling, being wrapped in silver blankets and all that, but I felt totally fine!
Part of me feels like I have cheated, like I should really go for it and see what pain feels like, I keep saying i’m going to see what I am capable of – maybe I will this time!
Which race was you most proud of?
Probably my first, but last year I had a lot of stuff going on so that too.
How have you got on with Injuries?
I used to get injured but now not as much, I have learnt to listen to my body and I know when I am pushing it too hard
What is the Biggest thing u have learnt on your journey?
In your head you have a perception of what an Ironman would look like, but It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, Ironman is possible
You put your own barriers up and make your own excuses – only you can take them down.
Funniest thing you have seen on your journey?
I was so paranoid about the cut off times first time round that I wrote them on my arms but after the swim they had rubbed off!! arrrgghhh!!!
What do you know now that you wish you knew before your first Ironman?
I was stressed to the max about everything and its easy to say it but try not to be, If you have put the training in everything will be OK, try to relax, try to enjoy it!
Ironman is what you make of it
Its addictive!
What are your Top Tips for first timers?
If you have invested a year of your life training for it you have got to enjoy race day
Don’t put any pressure on yourself
Have Fun!
If the crowd can see you enjoying yourself they will give you everything
Don’t get down because there aren’t many supporters on the first 10km of the run – don’t worry they are all waiting for you once you get onto the main lap circuit!
Bolton school is where they give the bands out on the way back up chorley new road – dont panic! you haven’t missed them! (first one about 15km into the run)
Get the fuel down
Two hats for swim with your goggles sandwiched inbetween and they are going nowhere
Its about managing your time to get your training in
If its something that you want you will find a way
If you miss some training days its not the end of the world
It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are its possible
Compete is pressure
The special needs bag is a god send – use it but prepared to lose it – you don’t get any of that stuff back at the end of the race
get out onto the loop
Fate plays a part on race day
don’t worry about people overtaking
But most of all ENJOY YOURSELF!
As you can see from the above, Sam is a truly amazing, inspirational person and I found her story fascinating.
You wont find anyone that goes to IMUK intent on having a bloody good time and enjoying every single second of it more than Sam. (well apart from Iron Rookie ?)
But there is a fascinating twist to her tale.
Sam told me that part of her feels like she didn’t deserve the medal.
What do you mean? I asked.
“When you see people all around you struggling, looking like they are going to collapse having given it their absolute all yet you feel totally fine, you feel cheated.”
“Part of me wants to feel like they did, but the truth is, I haven’t.”
There it is again!
Compete or Complete!
We then spent ages talking about this subject as I too find myself torn in this regard!
We eventually came to the conclusion that people should never get confused between ‘not trying hard enough’ and ‘having a fantastic race strategy’ as there is a huge difference between the two and learning how to feel strong throughout the toughest one day endurance event in the world is something that should be celebrated.
I am sure many people will draw inspiration from this amazing lady.
Having found myself at a bit of a crossroads recently Sam has certainly helped me hit the nail square on the head with defining who I am, what I am about and what I have been trying to do all along!…..
But more on that very soon!
You can follow sams excellent blog on facebook @ironingmumtakesonironman
To your amazing journey!
Readers should not be under the illusion that I am going into this 28 week Ironman plan straight ‘off the bat’ as it is not the case.
Full details of my journey, together with the exact daily training plans that I followed for each race and of course the secrets from the Iron men themselves will be revealed in my book, which will be available to download soon.
You can be notified when the book is ready for instant download and qualify for a 25% discount off the launch price by registering your interest using the box below:
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