by Danni D.

If you had told me that I’d one day complete an Ironman, I would have laughed and said,
“There’s no way—I don’t even know how to swim!”

I have run several marathons before, but triathlon training was an entirely different world.
I didn’t even start small—I skipped right past sprint and Olympic distances and signed up
for Ironman Florida. That’s when I found Coach Christa from Experience Triathlon Coaching Services, and it
turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Christa didn’t just give me a training plan—she taught me how to swim from scratch. She
designed a personalized program that fit perfectly around my busy lifestyle and frequent
travel schedule. No matter where I was, she made sure my workouts were realistic,
flexible, and effective. Beyond the logistics, Christa was incredibly encouraging every
step of the way. Her confidence in me helped me build confidence in myself.

When I first started this journey, the swim terrified me the most. I thought it would be the
hardest part of race day. But when the big day finally arrived, it turned out to be the
easiest. As I stood waiting to enter the water, I realized something amazing—I wasn’t
nervous. Normally, I’m full of pre-race jitters, but this time, I felt calm and excited. I was
prepared, and I knew it.

When I woke up on race day, I never once doubted that I would make it to the finish line.
I had trained so well and for so long that I knew I was ready. I spent 10 months preparing
for this race, and when race day came, I was able to truly enjoy it. The weather was
perfect, my family was there cheering me on, and I soaked in every moment knowing that
all the work, early mornings, and dedication had paid off. I’m not sure I could have had a
better first Ironman race day experience – it was everything I hoped for and more.

Of course, a few unexpected things came up during the race (as they always do), but the
training Christa provided had me ready for anything. I stayed focused, adjusted as
needed, and kept moving forward.

I used to tell people I could never do a triathlon because I couldn’t swim and hadn’t
ridden a bike since I was a kid. Now I know that’s not true. With the right mindset—and
the right coach—you can do anything you set your mind to.

Today, I can proudly say: I am an Ironman.
And I truly owe it to Christa for getting me there.