Allie Updike
Story of an Iron Woman in Making
IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman is hosted in the small town of Cambridge, MD., a unique Chesapeake hamlet on the Eastern Shore.
Everyone at Elite was excited and nervous about Allie’s race on Sunday , June 11th, 2023. After her completion, we asked her to tell us about her journey and experience. Here is what she said, “Training for the Ironman has taught me so much about myself mentally and physically. The human body’s ability to adapt is incredible. I come from a CrossFit / Weightlifting background, so to start training the endurance side of being an athlete was challenging for me.
I started my Ironman training in October of 2022. It was short distances at first and just building a foundation across all disciplines. I broke my training down per week. My goal was to swim 3 times/week, bike and run 2 times/week. The distances varied depending on time and where I was at intuitively with my body. I also kept weightlifting and CrossFit as a big piece of my training. I wanted to bridge my passion with something that was going to get my out of my comfort zone.
The swim was the most challenging for me. Learning how to breathe took on a whole new perspective. I worked on swimming the most because it was not natural for me. Plus open water swimming is way different than swimming laps in the pool. This past 70.3 was an amazing experience. I loved every second of it. The challenges mentally and physically make the hard work put in all worth it. My thoughts during the race were simple. One more mile. One more step. Every movement got my closer to the finish line. When it comes to an endurance race of any kind, the mental aspect is what makes or breaks people. Yes, nutrition and training play big factors, but at the end of the day your mind has to stay strong.
COURSE
ALLIE’S RESULTS
Allie Updike has been working at Elite Wellness as a Recovery and Fitness Specialist and has a B.S. degree in Applied Exercise Science as well as NASM Corrective Exercise Certification.
IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman is the perfect race for first-time triathletes and seasoned veterans alike. Athletes will get comfortable in an open water swim by free-styling their way through the Choptank River.
The flat bike course through the wildlife refuge will allow athletes to test their cadence while taking in scenic vistas, and athletes can widen their stride during the 13.1-mile run until they hit the finish line in Gerry Boyle Park.
