We Are Doing a Half Ironman… Together!

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In episode 85, Kim and Rog share their latest adventure: training for a half Ironman together. The episode is filled with candid insights as they pose five telling questions to each other about their motivations, concerns, and hopes for this journey.

Rog explains that a half Ironman consists of a 1.9-kilometer swim, followed by a 90-kilometer bike ride, and finally a 21.1-kilometer run—a feat not for the faint-hearted. The decision to train together, Rog says, is a significant commitment and one that reflects their values as a team.

Q: What Inspired You to Take On This Challenge as a Couple?

Kim kicks off the questions by answering what inspired each of them to take on this challenge as a couple. She explains that the idea came up during a casual conversation about exercise, and her enthusiasm was sparked by Rog’s desire to do a big challenge. Kim admits she has a fear of missing out on anything related to competitive exercise and loves testing herself. She also mentions her ADHD, which makes her naturally inclined toward exciting and novel challenges. Kim wanted to ensure that she wasn’t merely supporting Rog from the sidelines, but actively participating in the journey alongside him.

Rog shares his thought process, explaining that the decision was rooted in their shared commitment to health. In the past few years, they have focused on staying physically and mentally strong, both for themselves and for their daughter. He wanted to take on a tough challenge, especially since they face numerous difficulties as carers, and believes in choosing a challenge rather than only dealing with ones thrust upon them. Rog admits that having Kim by his side in this endeavor will help him stay committed and push through the challenges, knowing that they are both in it together.

Q: How Do You Think Training for a Half Ironman Will Impact Our Relationship?

Kim addresses the positives first, highlighting how previous training experiences have strengthened their bond. Training together for marathons or other events has always brought them closer, creating a unique club where they celebrate each other’s progress. She expects this challenge to have a similar positive impact, enhancing their connection through shared pride and teamwork. However, she also acknowledges the potential downsides: training will be physically draining, which could lead to exhaustion, irritability, and competitiveness. Kim warns that this competitiveness, while healthy at times, could occasionally lead to frustration.

Rog agrees with Kim’s assessment, noting that the shared goal will foster emotional and physical connection through the release of positive chemicals like oxytocin. However, he also points out the practical difficulties of committing to lengthy training sessions, which will require sacrifices in other areas of their lives. This means saying no to certain activities to prioritize training, which could put a strain on their time and resources.

Q: What Are Your Biggest Concerns About Training Together?

Kim’s biggest concern is that Rog might focus too much on his individual performance, making her feel left out. She mentions that during physical challenges, Rog can become self-focused, which might leave her feeling disconnected from their shared journey. However, Kim is confident that they can address these issues as they arise, as Rog has always adjusted his approach when she raises such concerns.

Rog’s main concern is their potentially different approaches to training. He describes Kim as occasionally stubborn when it comes to training techniques, which could lead to disagreements. To address this, he plans to communicate effectively by sharing research and resources with Kim so they can stay aligned in their training methods.

Q: What Role Does Trust Play in Our Decision to Train Together?

Kim admits that she wouldn’t take on this challenge alone because she doesn’t fully trust herself to manage the stress of training for a half Ironman amidst all their other responsibilities. However, she has complete trust in Rog and their teamwork, which gives her the confidence to pursue this challenge. She knows that having Rog in her corner will help her get through it, emphasizing the significance of their partnership.

Rog highlights that they have committed to completing the event side by side, regardless of their different strengths in swimming, cycling, or running. He trusts that they will find a pace that works for both of them and believes that their commitment to each other will help them overcome any obstacles they encounter.

Q: How Do You See Our Communication Evolving as We Navigate the Demands of Training?

Kim anticipates that their communication will go through ebbs and flows, with moments of frustration due to exhaustion. However, she’s confident that they will address any issues by focusing on their shared goal and using their problem-solving skills. Rog agrees, emphasizing that their shared purpose—completing the half Ironman together—will keep them aligned, even when communication becomes strained. He believes that empathy and their commitment to their higher purpose will help them repair and move forward whenever conflicts arise.