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My daughter shared, for the first time ever, one of my posts on her Instagram story. It was this photo. She said I was inspiring. The post was about Lanzarote Ironman win (first ever IM win) back in May 2025 -I was so chaffed to see my 22 year old daughter was actually liking one of my social media attempts !
Lanzarote is labelled the toughest IM in the world. This year, in particular, was a relentless race, with the strongest of winds to add to the hilly course and high level competition.
After crossing the line, did I shred a lot of tears.
Yet, you think doing an IM is tough- I had no idea what life hid in the cards for me.
Winning this race gave me a direct qualification to the World Championships in Hawaii. I was unsure if to accept the place as it is a big financial upbeat. My children were the most encouraging: "Maj, what would you tell us to do, if we did qualify? Say yes!"
And then life happened and, this time, it wasn't happy.
Kona was very far from my thoughts.
It was a time of mounting horror.
The upheaval that followed was unreal.
A couple of months of pure struggling in these maize of confusion.
Slowly, we found comfort on getting out for the odd dip, the odd run, some gentle walks.
A few days ago, three months after my qualification, I was nearing the deadline to decide if to accept the place or not.
There will be no deferral neither refund.
How would I go forward? What would help to get through?
Love and support. We have so much in our community, within our close friends.
Yet we still need our own oxygen mask first.
And I thought: what is my own oxygen mask, that is just my own?
What has helped me throughout all the ups and downs life had in mind for me, throughout the years.
The answer was easy. I do this not just cause I enjoy it. But because it saves me. It keeps me going throughout.
It was easier said than done.
I was not the same. I am not the same.
What before was simple and natural was now the hardest of tasks.
However I did get going , gentler, easier. Without preasure.
And again, our lovely community and caring friends are the ones making the difference. I couldn't be doing it without them.
I am so far from the fitness I had three months ago and I don't know how I will even get there. Yet, I will.
The goal is to get through this phase by aiming to have enough fitness to reach the start line.
Thank you to those who have encouraged me and already helped me in any ways, but giving me company, running, swimming or just being next to me.
If there are any others out there who might like to be part of this journey towards the (last) Women only Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on the 11th October 2025,
please would you share this.
I am very grateful for any support .
Thank you .
Organizer
