The Impossible Journey to Becoming An IRONMAN 

There is no finish line as emotional as the red carpet of an ironman. I crossed my first one last October at 62. Congratulations, welcome to the club, it's a special place.

"I know that there are people out there that dont need to do crazy things to feel fulfilled ... and I am jealous." So felt that! Greetings from Austria and congratulations 🎉!

This is exactly what I needed to see. After a year of cancer treatment then a broken toe I was about to train for a half marathon in April then have had a horrid chest infection all Christmas I now have to start from scratch. (Again) you’ve shown me anything is possible. One day I will do my dream 44 mile race. ❤️

Kelsey...You are an Ironman! Congrats and thank you for sharing your story of persistence and humility. I was at the IMAZ with our kids as we cheered my wife, their mom, on during the event. She recalls running near you and sharing words of encouragement during the last part of the run. Her name (Anita) was on the finish line sign moments before you became an Ironman. For anyone who has not witnessed an Ironman, or even a 1/2 Ironman, see if one is being held near you, go to it and cheer on the participants. It is very inspiring. The race between the top athletes is not the main story…it's watching and supporting those who finish after the darkness sets in that will stir your strongest emotions.

I won’t comment for videos but for this one. Thank you for posting your journey. I am in that doubt full moments but I think this will help me to move myself up.

Truly inspiring..makes my upcoming 60 mile event like a warm up😂

I'm sorry but you fretting about the swim after researching the lake was hilarious to me. I might be wrong but i don't think a single human in history has been attacked and hurt/killed by a shark or other aquatic predator in the middle of a mass swimming event, just think about it, whatever is in there is going to be way more scared of the hundreds/thousands of humans making noise and disrupting the water to bother attacking any of them. I used to have a fear of open water too but you just have to turn that part of your brain of and let logic take over, easier said than done i understand. Also this was incredibly motivational and i'm not embarrassed to admit it made me cry. Well done! you are amazing. What a journey.

I'm crying. Not sure it's because how hard you worked to push to the end or the great editing skills that included the music and added more emotion to the whole video that made me choke up more lol!! This was amazing and I am so very proud of you Kelsey ❤️.

Unreal journey. It was hard not to get emotional there at the end when you talked about the clarity it’s given you. Congrats Kelsey!!!

❤ Amazing story. Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration. I was also a basketball playee who just started running 4 years ago. Doing an IronMan is a dream that I hope I can do one day. Anytime I doubt myself, I will rewatch this video to get inspired.

Thanks for your video - I'm currently 4 months into an ACL rehab - progress is slow but getting there...

Kelsey you are an incredible human! What an inspiring story you told, we are lucky to know you both ❤

Really proud of you! Incredible job!

What a great accomplishment. Congratulations Kelsey, you are incredible 👏

As an ex-athlete, I can relate to your story. I know that feeling of being lost after having a sport that is a major part of your identity be taken away. This is truly inspiring and motivating me to get back out there and test my limits. Thank you for this video Kelsey.

This video made my day. Truly incredible

Bravo! What a lovely story and congrats!!!!

Well done kelsey👏👏👏 wishing you both a very Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎉

so inspirational!

COngrats on the finish!!! hy000ge recovery!

Wow! Bravo and good work! You inspire🎉🎉

Wow! I just watched this video. Congratulations, Kelsea! 🥹

Hey Kels, were you riding the Macomb Orchard trail in Michigan last Friday Sept 27th?

I enjoyed every sec of your story. I did some sport like basketball growing up just like you but nothing professional. I don't have a background as an athlete. I'm 45 now and for some reason I decided that I want to do an Ironman but I'm wondering if I can still do such a thing like that. Mostly because I don't know how to swim 😂. But I already signed up for a membership gym that happen to have a small swimming indoor pool, so I guess that will be my start. Great job on your Ironman journey 🎉🎉🎉

The only thing better than you becoming an Ironman is this video.....great job....it brought tears to my eyes..

I am now 1 yr post ACL surgery. Knee hurting and leg really weak. Being a personal trainer this has been hard on me a lot, but your video just sparked me. ❤

Well that was inspiring! ❤

Inspiring Kels 🙌🏼 Ironman 👏🏼

This was awesome and exactly what I needed, I just got cleared to run as well, just like you I was able to go for 5 min, which was awesome and at the same time killed me. I was a runner before I broke my tib/fib, ankle and dislocated my ankle tearing a lot in there, it was not good, and I used to be able to fly. I live in AZ and signed up for the IM this coming November, we are going to see what this old guy will be able to do. I did want to ask what camera you guys used for your action shots, actually in the water for swimming, while you were riding and running? I would like to record my training and put some videos together to remember it……. And maybe to share the pain, ha ha ha

Your story is so inspiring to me! I have a neurological disease, and last year, my leg was severely injured, I ended up with septic shock, and I was bedbound. For the last six months, I have been learning how , and eventually to walk again. Watching you train on the bike is exactly what it was like for me. First, just moving your feet back-and-forth without actually doing a complete circuit, and then finally riding. I‘m Noom peddling a floor elliptical with resistance while sitting on the edge of the bed. They’re good days, and there are bad days, but I can feel myself getting stronger and stronger and stronger. My Iron Man, maybe a bit different than yours, the goal is to be able to walk again with a walker. I am determined to do it. I’m a disabled athlete, but while the process is so much the same! It’s time, it’s work, it’s pain, it’s progress! Thank you for your incredibly inspiring video. You made my day!

Congrats

There is a lot of wisdom in your words. At 55, I did my first Ironman (this past November PCB). Like you said, "you realize what and who truly matters to you". SPOT ON! Super proud of you...Cheers

Unrealllllll. That was just the thing I needed to help kickstart my IM training. Truly incredible recovery and effort. Massive congratulations.

I’m not sure why… maybe I’ve been feeling kinda lost for a while… but your video had me in tears all through out… congrats on completing the competition!!!!

❤ That made me tear up a bit. Congrats 🎉

WOOHOOOOO! You go girl, you're such an inspiration!! Thanks for always sharing your wisdom and story

What a freakin awesome story Kels! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! SO INSPIRING!! Huge hugs to you guys!! ❤❤❤

Like any non professional triathlete, you showed tremendous courage and endurance.

not me having the sudden urge to become an ironman myself 😅 I'm currently recovering from a knee injury just in the middle of training for my first marathon and you're so motivating to me, thank you so much!

Stubborn has its rewards! Good job athlete… way to persevere!

I know nothing of competition,or athletic ability but I am glad you conquered your quest to be an iron(wo)man! Hooray for you🎉🎉. And thanks for the pre- holiday video! 🥶🖤🔔👍🏻💓

So much respect. More than that, just sending love to both of you beautiful lovely humans❤️

Amazing story!! Thank you for sharing ❤😊 congratulations

Your story and recovery is truly inspiring. Thank you for allowing us on your journey and for such a positive video as always!

Every freaking time! I cry every video you make! What an incredible accomplishment! Thank you for documenting it, and sharing the journey with all of us!

It is dangerous, the swim part should be taken seriously. However statistically the death rate is overall low. Ps I’m really proud of you !

Way to go. I had a acl replacement also and I tell you it's not easy. Reason why I'm doing ironmams also. I hope you keep your head up stay with the positivity and push yourself. The sky is the limit

Beautiful video. A great example of modern womanhood. #anythingispossible

Hmmm, my scrambled eggs and onions don't usually have this effect on me. Well done Kelsey!

That was incredible, you are incredible and that was one of the best videos ever❤❤❤❤❤❤

I broke my ankle in March and will be doing my first triathlon in June. Don't tell my ortho lol

Mazel Tov, Congratulations Kelsey, you are an amazing lady. Jay is a lucky man 👏👏👏👏👏

This is such a great video and thanks for sharing your journey. Congrats on becoming an Ironman!

I live in Phoenix and I’m so sorry to hear you had to swim in that. Eww lol but you’re a bad ass for many reasons.

Well done, great to see people come back after injuries ! I got acute thyroiditis 6 weeks before my first ironman and had to pull out 2 weeks before the race. Attempt number 2 in Austria on 16th of June but recovery continues.

Amazing achievment 👏👏👏 Im just recovering from abdominal surgery and your story has given me so much insperation. I'm supposed to start my cycle training in Feb and I'm more determined to get on the bike now 🤩

Kels WELL DONE. You finished that about 4 months ahead of me, (IF I USE MY CAR). You and Jay are amazing people and I always love to get a video. Merry Christmas from England

Watching you do this because of your husband cracks me up because my fiance (With no military or Athletic experience) once ran 13 miles with me when I was preparing for my special forces instructor course and literally went to the hospital for muscle cramps. She told the doctor "Love makes us do stupid things" 🤣

Inspired by your grit. Congratulations!

Im only halfway through the video so far and it is crazy that you are running 2.5 months after tearing your ACL. Kelsey you madman

Huge congrats to you!! IM Arizona is a hard race. Everything that you when though and overcame to get to the red carpet is inspiring. All those flat tires was crazy. I have only had one flat and I wouldn't know how to handle as many as you had.

Arizone has some dark and lonely places deep in that run course! Incredible job pushing through.

This is awesome! Super inspiring! Inspired us to start our own Ironman channel, love for you to check it out!

What a huge accomplishment! Congratulations!

Your so frickin amazing. Your Gorgeous U got your shit together. U have overcome sooo much in last few years n came a long way . Im frickin sooo absolutely so Proud of U . No matter the outcome. Your a strong , beautiful, very intelligent gal . I Love U My Friend.. Safe Travels Always. God Bless Ya'll. Mucho Love from your friend in Michigan Tam ❤️ ♥️ 💕 p.s. Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 n Happy Safe New Year 🎉🎉😊

Impressive. Very impressive. It's all about discipline. Awesome friggin job. You're one hard core lady. /salute

Congrats Ironman! My 2015 Boulder IM swim was also 2.8 miles because the buoys kept moving. In reality, I can't see without my glasses and the kayakers were dressed in the same colors as the buoys so I kept swimming to a kayak. Oh, it was the only time in the history of 70.3 and 140. 6 races at Boulder Rez that it was not wetsuit legal. Training for that race was the best year of my life and race day was the best day of my life. I was 2 years post major ankle surgery that left nerve damage in my foot. I didn't care. It was worth every painful step. I would do it again but my husband would probably strangle me haha. 70.3s fill the void.

Wow! Amazing Kelsey! Truly inspiring. Attempting my first IM at age 50. Great perseverance and fighting through your obstacles. There really should be nothing in life you can't overcome with your mindset.

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN KELSEY! Incredible example of a powerful woman, both physically and mentally. #AnythingIsPossible.

Did you ever do a shorter length triathlon before this? That's wild to start with the ironman, Congrats and amazing recovery! I've done 6 or 7 sprint and olympic distance tris and would love one day to try an ironman. I can't imagine starting with it. Love the cinematography. Exciting to watch.

Thank you for giving us this wonderful video. My knees are such that running is over for me but you doing this is surely a win for all of us. You've shown that tremendously difficult is not to be confused with impossible. Bless you for your shining example.

Amazing accomplishment!

Your husband said, as long as she's smiling, that's good enough for me. Woman, remember that statement. It spoke volumes. ❤😊

I have done a 70.3 and coming down that carpet and hearing your name? There's nothing like it. Congrats Kelsey!

First, wow, very impressive. I hope you did not damage the knee.

omg i cried a lot... im starting training triathlon this year and its been really hard because of routine, but i feel completely proud of you and happy for sharing this with us. congrats, you were amazing. the proof that everything is possible, once our mind agree with that! congrats congrats

A fantastic story well told.

Wow! What a beautiful story. This is the most inspirational Ironman training video I’ve seen 🤍 Thank you Kelsey!

Congrats & good will power 👍💪. By the way, what is your longest duration for bike train ?

wow truly amazing journey .mind over body shows nothing is impossible .

seen the roast from hillier and I had to watch on my own terms amazing vid!! and lots of hard work congratulations!!!

I actually cried a little at the end..(dont do stuff like that normally) Your journey was a real inspiration to keep going, no matter what comes your way in life..and also remind me to hang on those dreams 🚲😊❤

currently watching on my trainer getting teady for my first ever full distance. did my first sprint about 8 months ago and went all in after that. thanks for the inspiration!

really had me sobbing with the end🤧 congratulation truly inspirational✨'

so proud of you ❤

Thank you for all the extra effort it would have taken to make this. It is really inspiring. I can relate to where you were in the hospital. I got shivers and tears at the end. Good on you, so well deserved. Ben - New Zealand

From one person to another me doing judo having antria and crusheat ligament injuries do your best luv xxx

Thank you for sharing. Such a humanistic approach and something we can all relate to.

This video is simply amazing 🙌 Well done

Beautiful!! Stunning!! I'm stoked to see the whole journey. You've shown us that we're all so much more capable than we think we are. Cheers to the two of you!!

Tempe toilet water 😂 100%

Kels your Amazing!! Congratulations!!!🎉❤

Thank you for sharing your incredible journey!!!!!!! You rock!!!!

This is Incredible, so Inspiring to watch. I just suffered a complete ACL and MCL tear playing rugby, and have now been inspired to complete a full Ironman and document it just like you. Thank you so much for this boost in morale, hope you are keeping well!

What a story thank you for sharing, this blessed me.

Amazing story. Well-done, super inspiring

That was beautiful,

Inspiring to say the least, your journey is amazing. Keep going strong!

Way to go recovering from my second acl surgery right now amazing accomplishment so soon after surgery

Wtf, i have about 1 flat per year. 😂 Make sure to get yourself high quality tyres please!