What I Learned about Mental Health from Triathlons

After my truly unremarkable Cross Country performances during high school, I was certain I would never race again. Fast forward ten years and a wife I try to impress, and now I can write on what I’ve learned about mental health from triathlons!

• Sometimes they start the race early. A lot of anxiety can be reduced by just waking/showing up early. How many times have I shot myself in the foot by showing up to something stressed out and then had to jump in a lake without stretching? Show up early and avoid unnecessary stress, it’s worth less sleep.
• You never outgrow tying your shoes. I taught my 9-year-old neighbor how to tie his shoes the night before my race. He was on top of the world. The next day in the transition zone after biking 12 miles, I found myself doing the exact same thing. Whether it’s deep breathing or clear communication of expectations with a partner, you’ll never grow past the basics.
• Your family WILL change your life. I married into a family that made me do a half-marathon. I could have married into a family with deep-seated relational conflict and resentment issues. Since I spend the most time with my wife, she’ll have the biggest long-term impact on me, which means I have to learn how to swim freestyle and show more empathy. Are the people you’re spending time with improving your mental health or depleting it?
• Spend your time around people who believe in you. I turned a corner on my bike and a volunteer yelled “When are you going to do an ironman?!” He may have been joking, but even so, he had less limitations on me than I do. The more time you spend around people who believe in you, the more you will believe in you.
• The real winner of my first triathlon was the 91-year-old. What are you doing that is increasing your longevity and health span? Pain now means gain later. You may not want to be doing triathlons at 91, but being healthy enough to walk around sounds nice. Build healthy habits that could span or even increase your lifetime (see Dr. Peter Attia).
• Triathlon training means saying no to other workouts. I recently fell in love with Jiu Jitsu, but that doesn’t interest my wife as much. With a new baby and time limitations, I chose the activity we could all do together. Your “yes” to one thing means “no” to something else.
• My body can go harder than my mind says. I had to catch up to my brother the whole race and set a personal record along the way. There’s unlimited research on the impacts of exercise on decreasing depressive symptoms. Yet I still struggle to remind myself to work out anyway. Exercise WILL make you feel better mentally.
• You CAN make it through this suffering. I reminded myself while I was swimming: people have survived worse. It also helped having just finished the incredible story of Alastair Urqhart where he survived 5 days at sea… alone… AFTER terrible suffering (Podcast & Book). Stress becomes manageable when it is put into perspective.
• Check your gear! This includes your stuff AND your bike gears. I didn’t check my bike (see waking up early) and couldn’t shift into a higher gear for two miles after the swim. I almost called it quits, but remembered some people ride in single gear bikes, so that’s not an excuse. Make Jocko proud and check your stuff before you use it. Which preparation will ease your anxiety during the actual event, whether a triathlon or a work meeting?
• Sometimes arriving is winning! We drove 7 hours to even get to the Airbnb. We had a flat tire at 6 pm on a Friday night. When we got to the starting line, we’d already won! Whether it’s athletics or therapy, sometimes just getting there is a “W”. Victories happen before the starting line.
• Just pay the money. We usually start training when we click “purchase now.” Whatever you’ve been putting off, book the appointment, click the button, or sign-up for the membership. Taking a financial step of accountability can kick-start motivation.
• Running/Swimming/Biking mimics EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful form of psychotherapy that involves bilateral stimulation. Why do people say “Running is my therapy?” One reason they may help you feel better is because both sides of your brain are connected while processing memory, similar to EMDR therapy. Add the exercise and outdoors, and it’s no wonder we feel better after these exercises. Exercise is magic for your brain.

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