Relax. Take Your Time.

Relax. Take Your Time.

When I first started my Ironman journey, there was one video on YouTube I kept coming back to for inspiration. It was Chrissie Wellington, crossing the line in Kona as World Champion – again. The footage was set to “Infinity” by Guru Josh, and I can still remember how it made me feel. The rhythm. The emotion. The power. But most of all, the message:

“Relax. Take your time.”

That phrase stayed with me.

Not just that day, but ever since. It became more than a line from a song — it became a mantra. A mindset. A way to approach training, racing, and life.

Across all 14 of my Ironman races, this idea — relax, take your time — has been with me. In the chaos of the swim start. On the climbs on the bike. In the last painful miles of the marathon. It’s there. A quiet reminder to stay calm. To trust myself. To move forward without fear.

It’s not just in my head. The song is on my running playlist. It’s my ringtone. It’s my wake-up alarm on long bike-ride days – the first sound I hear before hours of training. It’s woven into the very fabric of my journey in this sport. It’s more than music; it’s a signal to settle in, breathe deeply, and begin.

Relax. Take your time.

That video of Chrissie – graceful, strong, calm – changed the way I saw Ironman. It reminded me that racing well isn’t about forcing everything. It’s about finding flow. About moving with purpose, not panic. About staying present, patient, and focused.

Ironman is a long day. And in a long day, your mindset matters as much as your fitness. When you relax, you don’t waste energy fighting the race – you absorb it, respond to it, work with it. You don’t rush transitions, spike your effort early, or panic when the plan shifts. You stay steady. Intentional. Powerful.

The temptation to hurry is always there. To chase someone down too early. To over-ride. To ignore signs from your body. But Ironman rewards those who wait. Who know how to hold back until it’s time to unleash.

I’m sharing this mantra with you and all of the athletes I coach. Because I believe in it – not just as a concept, but as a cornerstone of how we train and race. This sport isn’t just about endurance. It’s about control. And confidence. And calm.

Relax. Take your time.

Say it when you start to worry you’re not ready. Say it when your legs feel heavy halfway through a long run. Say it when race day is close, and the nerves kick in. Then say it again when you’re out there, deep in the race, and you’re looking for something to hold onto. It’s a simple line, but it’s powerful. It brings you back to yourself.

Smooth is fast. Calm is strong. Confidence is everything.

The truth is, the ones who succeed at Ironman aren’t just the ones with the biggest engine – they’re the ones with the clearest minds. The ones who know when to hold, when to wait, and when to go all in. They’re the ones who understand that patience isn’t weakness – it’s strength.

So whatever race you’re training for, however close it is, however far it feels – remember: it’s not just about getting to the finish. It’s about how you move through the challenge. Steady. Composed. Ready.

You’ve done the work. You’re on the path. Now breathe in, settle your nerves, and let the rhythm carry you.

Relax. Take your time.