Why signing up for the Half Ironman Scared me

…and Why I Did It Anyway

Clicking ‘Register’ on the Half Ironman wasn’t a brave, cinematic moment. It was just me at my laptop, staring at the screen, heart racing like I’d already started the swim. My cursor hovered over the button for what felt like hours as I thought about the expense of the event, the flights, the trip, quitting my job!

What if I couldn’t finish? What if I looked ridiculous? What if I failed spectacularly and everyone knew?

But here’s what surprised me, the fear didn’t stop me. It actually made me want it more. Signing up felt like the scariest and most exciting thing I’d done for myself in years.

Fear, it turns out, is normal — especially when you’re stepping into the unknown. For me, the hardest part wasn’t the training, the planning, or the long rides. The hardest part was actually clicking “Register.” That was the moment everything changed.

Here’s why I did it anyway — and why you might, too.

Accountability: The Race Date That Changed Everything

There’s something magical about having a date circled on your calendar in thick red pen. It’s no longer a vague “someday” goal. It’s a deadline.

Once I paid the entry fee (which, i’ll be honest, was enough to make me train even if only to get my money’s worth), skipping sessions wasn’t so easy. Netflix lost. Training won.

The simple act of signing up turned my “it would be cool to do something impressive like an Ironman one day” into “I’m doing a Half Ironman on this date.” Suddenly, my early-morning alarms weren’t optional. My long rides weren’t “if I feel like it.” They were happening.

Having the race looming in the distance pulled me out of that vague, half-hearted place where fitness dreams go to die. It gave me structure, discipline, and, oddly enough, relief. I no longer had to decide what I was doing that day — the decision was already made when I clicked “Register.”

A Clear Goal: More Than Just Another 10K

Before the Half Ironman, my goals were… fuzzy. Do more walking. Swim a bit faster. Get “fitter” (whatever that means).

I needed something bigger — and up until that moment I hadn’t known what it was. The Half Ironman gave me that. Suddenly, I had a purpose. I wasn’t just randomly doing stuff. I was preparing for something specific.

Having that clear goal made me feel alive. This was the biggest goal I had ever set myself. I was not a quitter, so this new purpose was a mission I was going to throw myself in to.

Also, let’s be honest, telling people you’re training for a Half Ironman feels kind of cool, even though they have no clue what it actually is (Let’s be honest, I had no idea a few weeks before!) There is nothing wrong with a bit of external motivation, especially on the days you’d rather stay in bed.

Growth Through Discomfort: Stronger Than My Doubts

I used to think people who did long-distance triathlons or ultra marathons were superhuman, untouchable, fighting demons! Spoiler: they’re not. They’re just regular humans willing to be uncomfortable for a while who have that fighting spirit.

Training for the Half Ironman taught me that I was stronger than I thought. Every time I swam a little farther, cycled a little longer, or ran off the bike without collapsing, my self-belief grew.

There’s something addictive about proving yourself wrong in small, consistent ways. One day you’re dreading swimming in open water. A couple of months later, you’re actually enjoying it (well, almost). One day you can’t imagine running after a long bike ride. A few months later, you’re doing it and laughing that you ever had wobbly jelly legs.

That’s the real growth. Not the finisher medal — but the quiet confidence that comes from facing something hard and realising you’re tougher than you thought.

Comfort Zone: My Life Needed Shaking Up

My life before the Half Ironman was a blur of tears. Dealing with menopause, teenagers talking to me in colourful language, washing, cooking, cleaning, working, feeling invisible…. get the picture? Basically, unfulfilling. I needed to shake it up.

The Half Ironman was my cocktail shaker. It mixed everything up. Suddenly my calendar looked different. My weekends were long runs, and long rides with brick sessions. My reading list was full of wanderlust, road trips in New Zealand and holidays in Thailand. I had an adventure to plan so I felt a new lease of life.

And do you know what? I loved it. The novelty. The challenge. The excitement of putting myself out of my comfort zone in every possible way.

There’s a unique energy when you step out of your comfort zone. It’s part terror, part exhilaration. You feel alive because you’re doing something you’re not entirely sure you can do. And that’s addictive.

Signing Up Turned Abstract Hopes into Concrete Action

Before I registered, doing an Ironman event was an abstract idea, the kind you have while having a hot chocolate and a piece of cake.

But “I’m registered for the Half Ironman on this date” is different. It’s real. It’s concrete. It’s happening whether you’re ready or not.

And that’s the gift. By signing up, you remove the excuses. You commit to yourself in a way that daydreams can’t match. You stop hoping and start acting.

The Funny (and Humbling) Bits

Of course, not every training day was epic and inspiring. Some were a disaster. I fell off my bike several times when I wasn’t even moving because I forgot to unclip my cleats. I rubbed my neck raw when I went open water swimming because I hadn’t put the Velcro strap on properly.

I learned how to drink and eat on the bike without overbalancing, how to run on legs that are screaming at you to stop, and how to survive endless pool sessions without dying of boredom.

But even those awkward moments were part of the fun. They reminded me that I was learning, growing, and very much alive.

Call to Action

Fear is normal. In fact, fear is a sign you are on to something important. Courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the choice to move forward in spite of it.

If fear is holding you back from your own big goal — whether it’s a triathlon, a new career, or learning to dance salsa — remember, the fear will always be there. You just get to decide whether it drives you or stops you.

Ready to face your fears? In Stronger Every Mile I share my triathlon journey from day one — the mistakes, the lessons, the training plan that got me there. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about starting.

Your next challenge is waiting. All you have to do is click ‘Register.’