Say it out loud …. I CAN & WANT TO!

Tell us your story - Tobias Feldt made a decision when his wife was diagnosed with uncurable cancer - he wanted to complete a full iron-distance race at KMD Challenge Copenhagen - a project that should help him to stay strong, focussed and get his own body in better shape so he could be there for his wife and family. Here he tells his touching story about his journey to and in KMD Challenge Copenhagen.

The basics

A tribute for my wife and others in her situation – you are the true ironmen.

My name is Tobias Feldt, I am 41 years old, I have my own company SFE international ApS, working as a Sales Force Effectiveness consultant and coach.

I hope this story will inspire you, in what ever challenge you might take on or face.

Why have you given yourself the challenge of doing a full iron-distance triathlon?

In the summer 2010 I followed my brother in law out on the track doing the Challenge Copenhagen. I was amazed, dazzled, and impressed. At that moment I believe the first little inspiration came. However I did not do much about it – I kept on smoking my 20 cigarettes a day, and basically eat what ever I felt like. OK I did some jogging occasionally.

Then…….

In November 2010 my wife was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer! (No she did not smoke) At this moment it became clear for me that I had to stay strong, focussed, and have a lot of energy to support my wife, and my family.

Being self employed and sole provider…a lot was depending on my ability to stay strong and calm. I knew sport could help me stay focussed, and better able to cope with the psychological pressure we were (and still are) under. Further I knew that I had to quit smoking, right away, and making sport would also help me through this process. So…..

Why are you doing KMD Challenge Copenhagen?

I made the decision to sign up for KMD Challenge Copenhagen.

A full iron-distance triathlon, seemed appropriate, and it became my mantra that this is peanuts compared to what my wife and other people hit by cancer are up against. Every time I was out training and it became hard, tough, it would start to hurt, and I felt like quitting or taking a brake – I reminded myself of following:
People fighting cancer can't take a brake, or quit – they are constantly “on the track”.

In the process of getting ready I also realised that a lot of what I do professionally could be applied to this process – and vice versa. It has inspired me, and I hope to also be able to bring this inspiration out to my customers in the future.

I have learned a lot, in terms of managing my life – family, work & business, training and spare time.  You pull out some 10-15 hours of your week – hours I did not have spare before the training started. This means I needed to prioritise and plan differently. I needed a much better coordination with my surroundings, and it forced me to enhance communication with my surroundings. It's easy in business – but in the private life I was not used to excel at this.

Another big change was the intake of food and drinks. I radically changed needs, and it influenced my family a lot – for the better. It’s amazing to what extend you can become in sync with your body, and learn how to “listen” to it, in fairly short time. It has been a huge eye-opener for me.

Tell us your greatest experience in sports

On the 14th of August the moment of truth had come – will I be able to finish – which was my primary goal?
Will I be able to finish between 12 and 13 hours - which was my secondary goal?

The swim leg was pretty easy, I felt like I wasted a lot of time on navigating and avoiding swimmers coming in the other direction – but besides this – it felt good, and I was out after 69 minutes. Transition went smooth – and I got on my bike. Again I felt good…everything was working out fine, I was focussed and I started enjoying the ride…. the fantastic feeling of being a part of a race. Every time I crossed a checkpoint became like a small victory and the fantastic spectators on the route gave nourishment for smiles and good energy – I had fun! Sounds a bit crazy if you haven’t done it – but I did!

In Holte on the second loop I realised I was ahead of my time schedule – and I slowed down the pace – starting thinking about the next stage – a marathon…. For the first time during the race I had to pick my self up and convince my self that there was only one way….Forward! I found my self say out loud  I CAN – and I WANT TO!
I got in transition – feeling very well – and started out on the run. It took me a while to adjust to the incredible crowd of cheering spectators – it was fantastic, and I started enjoying the scenery, and the feeling I had – I AM DOING IT – and I felt great.

The first 2 loops were easy and then it started to get a bit tough and “boring” – I hit a mental barrier again, but managed to get back and in. again I said out loud I CAN & I WANT TO!

Apparently I was drinking more than enough, so I made quite a lot of stops – and during loop 2-3 I made pit-stop simultaneously with another guy, who was apparently also drinking a lot   It started for me to become a source of energy, cause we would joke about the fact that we met at each pit stop. wired how you can find motivation in strange things, if you look for it.

Setting out on loop 4:
A fantastic feeling to get that last wrist band – The run had become more or less a question of survival – I was feeling like a machine and my mind was somewhere…but I’m not sure were exactly  
Anyway – I was coming down Kalvebod Brygge, when the pain started……At first it would only be a little sting up under my right knee every time I set my foot down. I deliberately ignored it and focussed my mind on something else but after a few more minutes it became worse, and finally the pain was so bad that I had to stop running – I was frustrated – I still had energy, I was not tired, but my knee was hurting bad and I could not run anymore – While I was tumbling with the analysis of the situation I kept walking – and I realised – that my initial objective was to finish….plain and simple – finish and not quit!!! I realised I could still walk – and so be it! I walked the last 8K and was frustrated about the situation – I was going to cross the finish line walking – what a disappointment! But….I was not going to quit - what a satisfaction.

When I crossed the line – with my kids in my hands and my wife just behind me, I was confused – I looked at the clock above me and it said 12.44.49 – I remember saying to myself – well at least you made it beneath 13 hours…. I was happy that I did it, and that I did not quit ! It was not until I sat in the car, and my wife asked me, how I felt about finishing in below 12 hours, I realised I had not been calculating correctly…..I was in starting group 7 - My time was 11.49.07!

What’s next?
A - Support my family and live NOW…. while moving forward!
B - I signed up for KMD Challenge Copenhagen 2012 already – I have learned a lot – and in my life it’s all about learning, training and optimising. The objective is to shave of 79 minutes and finish in 10 ½ hours or below.


What are my key lessons?

1.    My project has helped me get through a tough period – I guess my initial reasons for starting out on this journey, has proved right! Training/sport will stay my main source for energy.
2.    Success in sport is also based on my training (amount, quality, and conditions).
3.    Success is depending on what I eat and drink.
4.    Remember to look up………suck in all the positive energy surrounding you, and return it to the extend possible – At least….Smile.
5.    Ensure your surroundings are aware of your ambitions, in order for them to understand your behaviour and for an optimal planning.
6.    Ensure you know your surroundings ambitions, in order for you to take this into account, when planning.


Thanks to
Family and friends, without you It would not have been possible.