Nick Tierney is called the “Father of 4 Wheels” by buddies, household and people within the triathlon group. A 46-year-old athlete from Delaware, Ohio. Tierney isn’t any stranger to overcoming challenges on and off the pitch. Regardless of a busy house life with a loving spouse and 4 youngsters, he by no means thought of hanging up his sneakers. M&F sat down with “Iron Dad” to seek out out the place his vitality comes from, how he balances all of it, and why being lively is non-negotiable.
The indomitable Tierney’s journey is a testomony to the indomitable human spirit. A former soccer participant and downhill skier, he discovered his true calling in triathlon and made his triathlon debut in 2011 in Kentucky. When she gave delivery to quadruplets, her life was threatened. Iron Man Dream on maintain. The triathlon consists of a 1.2-mile (1.9-km) swim, a 56-mile (90-km) bike, and a 13.1-mile (21.1-km) run, and can’t be carried out with out correct preparation.
As a result of his drastic change in life-style, these round him thought his triathlon days may be over. However the devoted father had different concepts. In a accident, he returned to compete within the 2013 Ironman Kona Impressed program, qualifying for the coveted Ironman World Championship simply months after the delivery of his baby. Not solely did he compete and full the race, he additionally raised funds for the race eleanor rock charityproving that his coronary heart is as massive as his house. From then on, “Fourth Grasp” grew to become unstoppable. A 3-time Ironman finisher in Louisville, his story reminds us that with dedication and keenness, we are able to steadiness household tasks and private objectives. Right here, we ask Nick Tierney related questions:
As an athlete, what was your life like earlier than having youngsters? You could have extra time to coach and get better, proper?
Trying again, I had a whole lot of time to coach earlier than having children, but it surely by no means felt like this, and searching again, my coaching load wasn’t that top in comparison with what I do immediately. Everybody’s life is busy, however you all the time discover time to do the issues which might be necessary to you. After having children, my coaching grew to become extra environment friendly, primarily waking up earlier and going to mattress earlier once we put the youngsters to mattress. You will discover loads of time in your day to coach when it is advisable to, time that may usually be wasted on different distractions like tv and social media.
I educated throughout industrial breaks, on the playground, and ran stairs throughout work hours. (Tierney is a registered nurse and anesthesiologist) I additionally all the time attempt to keep lively with the youngsters. I liked working with the stroller, doing tabatas with them within the pool, and bouncing on the trampoline as a child. Now we get pleasure from 5Ks, hikes and bike rides collectively!
It will need to have been a shock to seek out out you had been going to be the daddy of four-wheelers!
We came upon early in our being pregnant that we had been having quadruplets. My spouse will need to have an ultrasound as quickly as doable. The obstetrician sat down and defined what she noticed within the photographs. I used to be at work when my spouse referred to as and requested me to go house early. She stated it wasn’t an emergency however that I wanted to go house instantly. I felt confused and frightened on the similar time. Once we sat down, she positioned the ultrasound footage on the desk. I used to be so pleased to see the 4 infants! We had been attempting to conceive for a very long time at that time, so I used to be tremendous excited.
It have to be an superior second, however are you additionally questioning in case your athletic pursuits will ever finish?
Not as soon as. Actually, when my very supportive spouse was on mattress relaxation within the hospital, I ran an area 100 mile workforce relay with a gaggle of buddies and ran the steps on the way in which to the hospital! The one drawback we had was that I signed up for a triathlon in Wisconsin. It was the identical time my child was due, so I needed to again out of that occasion. When the youngsters had been nearly a 12 months previous, we put them within the van and headed to New York for the New York Triathlon.
Then, that October, we additionally had the chance to go to Kona with Triathlon via the Triathlon Basis. Sporting occasions have all the time been part of our lives and we attempt to get the youngsters concerned as a lot as doable. I wish to see us have a constructive life that factors them in the proper path after they should make their very own choices.
That is so inspiring, though lots of people shall be questioning the way you match all of it into this! ?
Steadiness in life is so necessary and I really feel like we do a fantastic job of that at house. As most endurance athletes do, I made social sacrifices to compete. I do not keep out late on Friday night time. I get up at 4am on Saturday and Sunday mornings for lengthy stretches of train. No, I am unable to exit and watch Monday night time soccer. Sure, I missed necessary weddings and birthdays because of beforehand scheduled video games, however my fast household at house got here first.
My spouse and I do our greatest, dividing our time at house and at work in order that one among us can deal with the youngsters. As an alternative, I really feel like so long as I keep constant, lacking train will not have an effect on my coaching load. In previous years I’ve achieved chunks like January via Could and August via November. Primarily for preparation for working actions. I would cut back my coaching quantity within the lighter months to get better. Now that children are 12 years previous, getting good quantity in class is even simpler!
My spouse may be very supportive of my athletic adventures and even joins them with me. She was one among my pacers for the Burning River 100 cross-country race. We ran a 5K marathon collectively. In Boston, she ran a 5K the day earlier than the marathon and I cheered her on. At a triathlon in Texas, she volunteered to face on the end line. She even put the medal on me once I crossed the end line. marvelous! She is my largest fan, a fantastic spouse, and an exquisite companion in all my adventures.
Triathlon itself may be very strenuous. How do you cope with every stage?
Working is my greatest sport and my favourite among the many three. I’ve run Boston in 2022, 2024, and even the 100 miler in Burning River. Swimming is my weak spot and my largest motivation for diving. A part of that’s discovering time to hit the pool within the winter. I actually do not like getting out of the water and heading straight into the chilly air. Open water swimming in Ohio will not be a excessive level! Perhaps if I lived someplace with a greater swimming space, I might be extra inclined to leap in a lake and take a dip. My lifesaver is the Whole Fitness center machine I’ve in my basement. I can simulate swimming for 15-20 minutes and get in an excellent dry land exercise once I’m pressed for time and wish some swimming energy.
This 12 months you achieved a time of 5 hours, 45 minutes and 51 seconds in Louisville, which may be very respectable. However I assume the aim of the sport is to not win the sport, however to coach for the method of finishing the sport?
Having the ability to swim, experience mountain bikes, and run within the yard with them whereas coaching is one thing I can’t think about not doing. And, as a nursing anesthesiologist, I discover that I really feel sharper and higher at caring for my sufferers after exercising within the morning. I really feel like exercising within the morning is one thing I’ll by no means cease doing. When the pandemic hit, swimming pools had been closed and competitors choices had been restricted. That is once I raced Extremely and did the Burning River 100. So, I haven’t been to the pool since 2019. My current triathlon instances replicate my coaching and I hope to get shut to five hours once more subsequent 12 months.
Inform us extra in regards to the coaching course of
I prepare 6 days per week, within the morning. Relying on my work schedule, I get up round 4:30-4:45 am. On my days off and when the youngsters are in school or camp, I do lengthy exercises outdoors. Tuesday and Thursday are quick days, so I often attempt to swim on these days. On weekends; I get up early and go for lengthy runs and bike rides. When it is nearer to race time, 3-5 weeks out, I will often do two massive coaching days to attempt to obtain the quantity I need. That is roughly 80% to 90% of the gap in every topic. Most of my rides and runs had been achieved at nighttime in my basement. I watch TV exhibits to cross the time. Swimming was achieved within the pool, which I supplemented with the aforementioned Whole Fitness center bench.
What would you say to dads who say they don’t have time to be lively?
For these dads on the market who say they don’t have time – if it’s one thing you actually wish to do, you may make time on your goals and make them a actuality. Everybody has a difficult story however together with it come many excuses why you’ll be able to’t do one thing, if you wish to do it, simply do it! This may occasionally require some life-style adjustments and sacrifices, but it surely’s price it. There may be nothing higher than working laborious and sweating on your goals. The tougher you’re employed, the larger the reward once you cross the end line. The top of my sport at Burning River left me in tears. Not many individuals know what I completed, however the pleasure I’ve in myself will comply with me to my grave!
