The view from the high street: Running a successful business is like competing in an Ironman triathlon

In August last year I accomplished a long-time goal to complete my first Ironman Triathlon. John Collins, the founder of Ironman back in the 1970s said: ‘A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run, brag for the rest of your life!’ Both before and since the race I have talked to many people about what an amazing event an Ironman is and without exception non-Ironman triathletes have an opinion about whether they could complete the race and what would be the biggest challenge.

For most it’s the swim that puts them off. A few have even said that the run would ‘bore them’. Yet most endurance athletes will claim the biggest challenge isn’t how strong your arms or legs are it’s how strong your mind is. Someone once said: ‘Endurance events are 90 per cent psychological and the other 10 per cent is in your head!’