Are endurance athletic events really worth it?

Though I’m proud of this accomplishment, and incredibly thankful for all those who supported me, I realize now that physical accomplishments don’t really mean anything.

In completing the Ironman, I got a medal. The medal has no real value, other than to me. And it cost me a lot to complete it- the time lost, the travel, the equipment, the gym membership… it wasn’t cheap.

Was it really worth it?

Undoubtedly, yes, it was worth it! And here’s why…

Completing an Ironman taught me I could accomplish things I had never done before. I didn’t swim much growing up, so learning how to swim 1.2 miles in the ocean was a challenging experience for me.

Still, I learned that I could do things I had never done before if I believed in myself and put my mind to it.

The real benefit of pushing yourself physically isn’t whether you earn a medal or not. The real benefit is knowing that you can push yourself beyond what you previously thought capable to new levels of your own potential.