A Look in the Mirror - My Reflection on Becoming an Ironman
Written by GE Athlete Todd Harr
It was the summer of 1982 when the idea of becoming a triathlete first crossed my mind. I was hanging out with a friend, Cam W., at his parents' farm in Woodstock, IL. We were checking out his brother’s El Camino and riding their 3-wheeler around. Cam said, “I want to become a triathlete.” I replied, “What does that mean?”
Little did I know, that same Cameron Widoff would go on to become a professional triathlete and Ironman, racking up multiple wins and accolades. That conversation planted a seed — my first real memory of being curious about triathlon.
Looking in the mirror back in 1982 was very different than it is today. At the time, the reflection was… larger — both physically and emotionally. It was hard to imagine myself ever running any distance, let alone completing a swim, bike, and run. As life went on, the mirror became harder to face. Work, marriage, kids — all the wonderful but stressful parts of life — slowly allowed excuse after excuse to take root. Eventually, I found myself in a dark place. The reflection had become bigger than the mirror itself.
Fast forward to 2015: I went in for my annual FAA medical checkup. The flight surgeon, a highly respected cardiologist, looked at me and said — politely but firmly — that I was becoming too unhealthy to be certified to fly. He added that he didn’t want to see me at his “day job” as an interventional cardiologist. That was the wake-up call.
That’s when the metamorphosis began — the shift from just “thinking” I was a triathlete to actually becoming one.
Today, I’m filled with gratitude — especially for Coach Jim and all my fellow Grit Endurance teammates. Their support, encouragement, and accountability have helped me consistently chase the best version of myself. They’ve been with me through every high and low in this journey — and continue to help me make that vision in the mirror, of an IRONMAN, a reality.
This year’s Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin was one of the most challenging races I’ve done — mentally and physically. After dealing with multiple injuries following last season, this race tested me in ways I didn’t expect. And honestly, it shifted how I see myself and my goals.
It reminded me how much strength it takes just to show up — and how easy it is, in the grind of training blocks, to forget the importance of staying strong and injury-free. Sometimes, we get so focused on the mileage and the pace that we skip the basics. The strength work. The rest. The recovery.
Looking in the mirror now, I see a different reflection. One shaped by years of perseverance, pain, progress, and pride. The ups and downs continue — they always will — but I move forward with a clearer vision. Not just of becoming an Ironman, but being one.