The first busy season of the year is over and for most practitioners, now is the time to put some balance back into our lives spending time with friends and family, eating right, and getting some exercise.  One of the best ways to getting back some physical balance is to set a goal that you can reasonably accomplish in the next few months.  This can be a personal weight target or going after a physical goal such as a long hike, run, or bike.  Completing a full or half marathon, triathlon, or participating in a three day walk for charity can create lifelong memories, especially if you do so along with co-workers or family members. 

One of the best catalysts to help you accomplish such a physical goal are the events that are organized as charitable fund raisers.  These groups provide professional coaches to put on training programs, clinics on best practices, and organize group runs or rides so you work out with others trying to accomplish the same goal. Over the years, we have participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Best Dam Bike Rides, the Leukemia Society Team in Training Marathons, and sponsored numerous friends in such activities.  These events were catalysts for me personally accomplishing one of my lifelong ambitions earlier this month, to become an Ironman Triathlete. Please note it is always important to recognize your baseline health prior to starting any major physical activity and important to see a doctor and get a physical to make sure your body is up to the challenge.

Over the years, I had built up to run six marathons, numerous half marathons, and a variety of triathlons up to the half Ironman in 2005, but the prospect of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then taking on a full marathon in a single day was always intimidating.  Watching a friend participate and finish the 2005 Ironman motivated me to take on the challenge. Signing up for the event in May 2005 was easy, but the consulting busy season limited training through the end of the year.  Consulting slow time is during the busy season, so in January I committed to a thirteen week training program designed to help me finish these distances.   Training built up to approximately twenty hours per week in March and then tapered down to the race on April 9 in Tempe, Arizona. 

Jumping into the cold water at 6:45am with over 1,900 other athletes was an exhilarating experience, but when the starter canon went off and everyone began jockeying for position and swimming towards the same buoy, the reality of the day set in. Trying to maintain composure when being hit by stroking arms and kicking legs and not being able to see anything in the dark water is something that will not be soon forgotten.  Swimming 2.4 miles translates to 4,224 yards or roughly 169 laps in a standard lap pool.  Getting out of the water in just under 74 minutes was a great feeling, but easy compared to the bike portion.
(Photo: Out of the Water)
(Photo: Running to the Transition)

Riding a 112 miles on a bike was going to be a challenge as the longest ride I had ever finished was 100 miles a few weeks before the event.  To be fair, the equipment today is very helpful with super lightweight bikes and aerodynamic handlebars that help reduce resistance.  In addition, there are "catered" aid stations approximately every ten miles during the race that provide water, Gatorade, power bars, electrolyte gels and fruit.  Nutrition is a priority during the race as my program included consuming over 7,000 calories during the triathlon, which I stuck to through the end. Time on the bike was 6:09:31, which came out to an average of 18.2 miles per hour. (Photo: On the Bike)

Running a marathon  (26.2 miles) is the final leg of the Ironman and is where the work really begins.  The running course consisted of three 8.7 mile loops allowing family and friends to cheer on athletes a few times through the race, which provided much needed encouragement to keep moving even though the body is screaming to stop.  Finally crossing the line with my two sons at 13 hours, 32 minutes and 51 seconds was the accomplishment of a dream that started in my youth.
(Photo: The Run)
(Photo: Finish)
(All Photos)

The next few months provide a break between the April and year-end busy seasons and an opportunity to be involved with activities outside of work.  Make the most of them to bring some balance to your life and create a memory you will never forget.

Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, CITP is president of InfoTech Partners North America, Inc. and works exclusively with CPA firms to implement today’s leading best practices and technologies.