How Endurance Sports Helped Me Transform My Health!
Written by Andrew Peach, a Grit Endurance athlete since 2022
In 2020, my endurance sports journey began. I was in my twenties at the time, and I was tired of the same old routine, which consisted of working out throughout the week and partying on the weekends. I decided I needed a healthy change during the pandemic, so I signed up for my first marathon. I went online, found a simple marathon training plan, and got to work. I had not done significant research into pacing or nutrition but managed to drag myself across the finish line. Despite the painful process, I was hooked. I loved the sense of accomplishment and trying something new.
The following year I signed up for the 2021 Chicago Olympic Triathlon and Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast. I loved the triathlon training process and knew that I wanted to commit to them. That led me to Google where, after a quick search, I discovered the Grit Endurance team and contacted the owner, Jim Levesque. Coach Jim quickly responded and got me started on a training plan. My goal was to compete in Ironman Texas the following year.
For nine months I trained for Ironman Texas. Following Coach Jim’s guidance, I significantly improved my swimming, biking, and running skills during that time and it allowed me to finish Ironman Texas in fifteen hours and fourteen minutes. Completing Ironman Texas was an achievement of a lifetime.
After finishing that race and competing in a few more triathlons throughout 2023, I was riding a pretty sweet high. But one day, I saw a picture of myself without a shirt on, with an alcoholic beverage in one hand, and a bag of potato chips in the other. I did not look good. I was shocked how I had managed to compete in so many races and still not look healthy. While I was proud of all I had accomplished, I knew that it was time to reassess my values and lifestyle choices.
Entering 2024, I took time to reflect on my life and be brutally honest with myself. Over the past three years, I skipped workout sessions, partied on the weekends and ate anything and everything. I was doing enough to get by and complete races but saw minimal improvement. In no way was I reaching my potential, and it was time for me to make a change. I quit skipping workout sessions, improved my diet, and I gave up alcohol. I quickly noticed improvements in my overall well-being. My sleep and recovery improved. My resting heart rate decreased, I had less fatigue in my workouts, and I had more energy throughout the day, which also improved my work performance. Being consistent in my training and diet also resulted in losing thirty pounds in eight months! I finished the 2024 race season by competing in Ironman 70.3 North Carolina where I set a personal record by almost one hour. Not to mention kicking off 2025 with a marathon, beating my last marathon time by 30 minutes.
I am truly grateful that I decided to run my first marathon four years ago. The personal growth that I have seen is remarkable and is the result of embracing a healthy lifestyle. If you feel like you’re in a rut, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, whether it’s running a mile, doing a 5k, or even signing up for an Ironman. Surround yourselves with people who will make you better. I am grateful for the Grit Endurance team and all I have learned from them these past few years!