Is there something on your goal list that seems almost impossible? Maybe it's losing 50 pounds. Maybe it's going back to school to get that big degree. Could it be building your dream business from scratch?
For Dallas resident Alex Vidal, brand president of ERA Real Estate, that extreme stretch goal was completing an Ironman triathlon, a grueling test of endurance.
On April 27th, Vidal competed in Ironman Texas in The Woodlands, a race containing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2-mile marathon. Vidal completed this arduous challenge in 13 hours, 19 minutes, and 29 seconds.
"I'm extremely grateful and proud to say that I'm an Ironman finisher," Vidal shared, reflecting on his journey that extended over five months of intense preparation involving "training, heartache, and sweat."
Training for an event as demanding as the Ironman requires meticulous planning and unwavering dedication, qualities that Vidal, a seasoned real estate executive, tries to bring into his professional life as well. He described the training as overcoming consecutive challenges and embracing unexpected setbacks as opportunities.
"Running is my strongest and favorite discipline because it's where I do a lot of my mental work," Vidal explained.
But in January, his "pavement therapy," as he calls it, was shut down due to an ankle injury. It was a blessing in disguise, as it forced Vidal to focus on his weakness, swimming.
"It was really a blow, but I leaned on my experience in business to refocus on swimming, my weakest discipline." This strategic pivot led to the best swim of his triathlete career on race day. It was a big boost in launching him toward his goal.
RACE DAY
The day began with nerves that were hard to contain, as Vidal approached the starting line for the swim segment. "I was literally dry heaving as I was entering the chute to jump into the water," he remembered.
However, once he plunged into the water for the 2.4-mile swim, the anxiety melted away, and he found his rhythm. Emerging from the water, he felt exhilarated, "I could have swam forever."
Transitioning to the 112-mile bike ride, he initially rode high on adrenaline. The first 20 miles breezed by, but the true test began as he faced a daunting headwind on the Hardy Toll Road. "Heading south into a 30-plus mile per hour headwind was brutal," Vidal described.
The return leg offered a brief respite with a tailwind, but knowing he had to endure the headwind again tested his resolve. At mile 80, emotions peaked. "I cried probably three times during the race," he admitted, the physical challenge intertwining with emotional upheaval.
The final leg of the Ironman was the marathon, a 26.2-mile run that tested every reserve of his endurance. The run was an "absolute grind," as described by Vidal, but it was here that the support of friends proved crucial.
"They were cheering me on, yelling my name, pouring water down my back," he recounted.
Crossing the finish line was a complex flood of relief, exhaustion, and triumph. Vidal vividly described the moment: "I cried like a baby when I crossed the finish line. I was exhausted. Left it all out there."
WHAT HE LEARNED
Vidal pointed out the psychological and logistical parallels between preparing for an Ironman and handling business challenges. An important strategy that helped him during the race was breaking overwhelming challenges into smaller, more manageable tasks.
"Rather than looking at the three more miles I had to get to the turnaround point in a 30-plus-mile-per-hour headwind (during the bike riding), I just said, 'Let's take it half a mile at a time,'" Vidal explained.
Central to Vidal’s philosophy is the significance of support systems. Throughout the race, friends and loved ones provided crucial emotional support that helped him overcome moments of doubt and physical exhaustion. "It really took my team, my friends around me, to cross the finish line," he said, stressing how pivotal a robust support network is, both in enduring races and life’s many challenges.
Vidal also uses a vision board to maintain focus on his goals, a practice that he highly recommends to others. "If it doesn't get me closer to what's on my vision board, I say no," he stated. He recommends using a vision board to prioritize activities that align with one's objectives, whether in improving health, nurturing relationships, or advancing career goals.
Lastly, Vidal's experience underscores the importance of enjoying the journey, not just the destination. "You have to enjoy that journey because you just never know," he remarked, acknowledging that many did not finish the race despite their preparations.
"I could have wrecked on the bike like a lot of people did. I could have passed out on the run like a lot of people did. I could have panicked in the water like a lot of people did."
While outcomes are uncertain, finding joy in the process is crucial.
Alex emphasizes finding your "Ironman"—whatever big goal you have. Commit fully and let your pursuits ignite a sense of purpose and drive every single day.
"For me, it was an Ironman, but for somebody, it could be running a 5k. For someone, it could be starting a business. For someone, it could be their first sale," Vidal shared.
"I think having whatever your Ironman is and having it as a purpose in your life to go after is really that thing that gets you out of bed in the morning, gets you fired up."
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