Are You Living It?

Here is Part 3 of our interview with Kona Ironman, Randy Steuve.  You can read Parts 1 and 2, here and here.

AYLI:  What would you say is the non-fitness attribute of yourself that is most different now than it was before you started competing in triathlons?

RS: I’ve noticed several changes in who I am since getting involved in this lifestyle. The confidence I have in myself has grown tremendously. It’s not only confidence in what I can do, but also confidence in how I’m living my life. I’m happier now and much more comfortable in my own skin. I don’t need confirmation or affirmation from anyone else to feel good about myself.

I’ll spend six hours on bike by myself. To the outside observer, I’m staring straight ahead the whole time. The truth is that I’m looking deep within myself. You can’t do that unless you’re happy with what you see there.

AYLI:  You’ve often quoted Henry David Thoreau and talked about “living the life you’ve imagined.”  Do you ever feel fully satisfied after accomplishing something like you just did, or is it more of an ever-expanding horizon?

RS: Great question! I do experience full satisfaction after a workout or a race that I really nailed, but it’s short lived. Getting stronger or faster is a never-ending process. When I’m satisfied with myself, it means that I’m on the right path. It’s also a telltale sign that the bar needs to be raised. You have to step outside of your comfort-zone in order to grow and develop. The ultimate goal is a horizon that is ever receding before me. In life, it’s not the destination; it’s the journey.

AYLI:  What was the low-point of the race?

RS: Miles 16-18 on the run go through what’s called the Energy Lab. It’s well known for being a make or break part of the race. Shortly after hitting mile 16, I noticed I was incapable of running in a straight line. I needed to reevaluate my race quickly.

AYLI:  Can you describe what physical and emotional things you were feeling when it happened?

RS: I was physically exhausted, and I was having a hard time thinking clearly. I’d never experienced this before in a race, so I was more than a little worried. I made it the next aid station, dumped ice and water all over myself, grabbed as much fluid and nutrition as I could, and started walking. I knew this was risky because once you start walking; it’s that much harder to start running again. However, I knew I needed to get some fluids and calories in order to think clearly. I walked about 400 meters and started to feel a little better. I checked my watch to see what I would need to do to break 10 hours. I started running again and was rewarded with a nice turnover in my stride. I pushed the pace and basically raced from aid station to aid station. By the time I reached town, adrenaline took me the rest of the way.

AYLI:  What do you use to get through the “walls”?

RS: Breaking through a “wall” takes mental focus…it’s mind over matter. You’re in pain, and you know that slowing down or stopping would bring immediate relief. However, this relief will give way to regret when you finish knowing that you didn’t give it your all. You’ve cheated yourself. You have to tell yourself that this pain is fleeting. Persevere for a little longer and you’ll break through the pain. Once you finish, you’ll know that you gave it your all, and you’ll have no regrets.

AYLI:  In addition to competing at an elite level, you manage a very demanding “day job.”  What is your message to folks out there who think they don’t have time to pursue their passion?

RS: Pay yourself first! This is advice I received from a financial advisor, but it works just as well when looking at anything else in life. Just as we put a set amount from each paycheck into a retirement account, we can do the same thing with our free time. Commit to setting aside time each day for something you enjoy. Schedule it like you would an important appointment. Household chores can be done in the bits and pieces of time leftover, and if the lawn or laundry has to wait a day, what’s the loss? You’ll be amazed at how much you can fit into each day.

Triathlon is my passion and my lifestyle. I’ve found that the time I spend training helps to refuel and energize me for work and everything else in my life. Some of my most productive days at work started with a 4000 yard swim and ended with a 40 mile bike ride.

Find your passion and start putting some energy into it. It will repay you with interest. You just need to take that first step. Get the momentum going in the right direction and enjoy the ride! This is your life, and you only get one shot at it, so make every second count.

AYLI:  Would you say that the Live Your Passion visor was the difference between finishing in the top 20% of the World Championship and not finishing at all?

RS: Definitely! I hadn’t had the chance to break the visor in properly so if fit a little tight. After a few miles of running, the tight fit started giving me a headache that got worse and worse. I figured that the sooner I finished, the sooner I could take the visor off…so I just ran faster!

In all seriousness, I was proud to wear the Live Your Passion visor in Kona. It reminded me of the long journey I’d undertaken to reach that point. I couldn’t imagine the number of hours of training I’d put in over the years to achieve this goal. You’ll notice I didn’t call it hours of “hard work”. From my perspective, this was my passion, so it never seemed like work to me. I can’t say that every hour of following this passion was enjoyable, but after a miserable 5am workout on my bike trainer, I always felt better about myself. That’s the great thing about being passionate about something. It energizes you and lifts you up. It empowers you to get as much out of life as possible.

AYLI is grateful to Randy Steuve for the time he took out of his busy schedule to conduct this interview with us.

Full interview conducted by James Schaffer