Mike Reilly, in a sense, is like Bob Sheppard, the New York Yankees' late, great PA Announcer. Mike Reilly is a normal man who validates 2,500 dreams every few months worldwide. Reilly is the man behind the microphone at every IRONMAN Triathlon in the world. After a day's worth of exhaustion, comprised of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile marathon, Mike Reilly is the man who proclaims in a voice that overcomes all of your fears and transcends the meaning of the sport when he says those four words: You are an Ironman.
Now, you're probably thinking that Mike Reilly's voice can't be that special. You may be right. He travels with IRONMAN around the world and he is a comforting sight to athletes' loved ones at the finish line because they know that he'll give them a memory to never forget on a day worth storing and locking away for a lifetime. But those words, you are an Ironman, are the most unforgettable and most rewarding words one could possibly hear in a lifetime. He cares and he understands the work and sacrifice made by people day in and day out to become a champion.
Now, onto me! My 2016 consists of school at SUNY Albany, where I'll be taking junior-level classes as a freshman, writing for The Odyssey, participating in student government, and balancing a healthy social life among that. Somewhere In this schedule I eat and sleep, miraculously! However, there is one responsibility. I have one true job, and this is to train -- train like my life depended on it -- it actually may. I am a triathlete.
Once back at school, I'll be training 15 times a week: swimming, biking and running. My New Year's resolution is to complete my longest race in a stunning time. I have a half Ironman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile half marathon run) in July. I've become so accustomed to going through the motions, I can train three times a day, but maybe only one of these sessions may have my heart in it. This is what I'm trying to avoid. Being a successful and competitive triathlete isn't about just going hard at practice, it's about being holistically in shape. Perfect nutrition, perfect training, perfect sleep, perfect mind. It's a combination and a cumulative effort. I want to compete hard here and at a few other races. Then, in 2018, I want to hear those words in Lake Placid: Andrew Cutrone, you are an Ironman.
Oh! I figured out how you can perfect your New Year's resolution! Based on my own experiences, I have had a lot of success in making my resolutions because I don't start anything new, I just improve on what I already do well. It makes sense, focus on your strengths! Become more proficient in your most promising endeavor and have a mindset that will equip you to succeed.
Best of luck, let me know how it goes!
Cheers.
