I’m standing on the banks of the Elbe River.
Around me are more than 2,000 people, each with their own dreams, plans, and fears.
I have a wetsuit on, a cap on my head, and inside me a strange calm.
Just a year ago, I would have been nervous, with a stone in my stomach and questions in my head:
“Will I make it?”
Today, I know what I’ve done:
more than 200 hours in the water
over 3,000 km on the bike
thousands of kilometers running
And all this while working, raising two daughters, and coaching basketball players in the evenings.
My life doesn’t wait – I fit all of this into it.
The signal sounds. I jump into the water.
The first 600 meters go with the current, everything flows easily.
Then a turn at the buoy and 1,000 meters against the current.
Every stroke is a battle. A millimeter forward is a victory.
After 35 minutes I’m on the shore, running into the first transition and getting on the bike.
The course is a rollercoaster, small hills alternate with big ones, my legs are suffering.
That’s when I realize I should have trained more on hilly terrain.
But it’s too late now, I keep fighting.
After the 60th kilometer, my back seizes up, pain spreads through my whole body. Still 30 km to go…
I start hearing that voice in my head. “You won’t finish that run, it’s 21 kilometers after all.”
That same voice we all hear, and many give in to it.
After 2 hours and 48 minutes, I arrive at T2.
I put on my running shoes and set off. The first kilometers are hard, my body doesn’t want to move…
I try to gather every bit of energy that’s still left inside me.
And then comes the moment I will never forget…
…at the tenth kilometer, Zdeno Chára joins me.
A giant. A legend.
We run together, talking about sports, triathlon, about life.
One kilometer that will stay with me forever.
Then we part ways and I continue alone.
At every refreshment station, I drink electrolytes, pour water over my head to cool down, the sun is blazing, my body is exhausted.
I’m running more with my head than with my legs.
I’m talking to myself inside my head. At times I doubt I’ll make it to the finish.
I try to find “emptiness” and get into FLOW, where the body takes over.
In the end, I succeed, I push all doubts out of my mind and just run…
After 5 hours and 28 minutes, the red carpet appears in front of me.
My family is waiting at the finish line. Hugs, shouts, smiles.
I’m full of joy, happiness, immense exhaustion – and I realize:
If an ordinary guy from Pezinok with a family and a job can do all this, what can you do?
…when you decide to stop postponing your dreams, when you change “I’ll start tomorrow” into “I’m starting today” and fight for the life you truly want.
Because there is a difference between lying on your deathbed full of regrets, asking “what if”… and having amazing stories that will inspire your children, grandchildren, and those around you.
Your life. Your choice.
In the past years, I’ve helped people and athletes level up mentally, set high-performer standards in their lives, and achieve prosperity in business.
People started following me on the sports app STRAVA, we created WhatsApp communities, they began moving, living healthier, reaching beautiful goals – because they wanted more from themselves.
Uverili, že to viac v nich skutočne je.
A huge thank you to Daniel, Vilo, Bea, Martina, Soňa, Milan, Michal, Juraj, Katka, and many others…
You are also a big inspiration to me, because despite family and obligations, you decided you wouldn’t be “average.”
I’m here for everyone who wants MORE – and more than ever before.
Pali “2x Half Iron Man” Lošonský
