Coach, athlete and inspiration, Nadia Lemhadden recently faced one of the toughest challenges for any athlete: The Ironman 70.3. But it didn't stop there!
Soon after, she launched into race in the RX category at the Marbella Championship, demonstrating uncommon versatility and determination.
In this interview, Nadia reveals how she manages to balance her life as a coach, her training and her competitive challenges.
We'll discover her motivations, her most difficult moments, and advice for those who dream of following in her footsteps. Get ready to be inspired by the story of a woman who knows no limits!
Interview with Nadia Lemhadden – athlete and coach at CrossFit ® Cervia
Hi Nadia! Nice to chat with you! Can you tell us what inspired you to participate in your first Ironman 70.3 and how CrossFit ® helped you prepare for such a challenging challenge?
I wanted to mature as an athlete in one of the disciplines that are the basis of CrossFit ®. I have always heard of athletes who use triathlon as a training base and I was curious to test myself!
During your preparation for the Ironman, what was the biggest challenge you faced? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge, actually, was just getting out on the bike and being patient with the roots, the cars, the wind, etc. But in the end, with the right method and perseverance, you can achieve anything!
How do you balance running the CrossFit® box, your life as an athlete, and preparing for events as diverse as the CrossFit® Ironman and RX races?
Managing a box, especially when it's not yours, I admit it's quite a challenge. It makes you live every day with a good dose of stress, but on the other hand it gives a lot of satisfaction.
Improving people's lives, seeing them grow and achieve their goals is an incomparable satisfaction.
Finding the right balance between boxing, university studies, and preparatory training for competitions such as CrossFit® RX or Ironman 70.3 may seem impossible, but it really isn't.
You just need to learn to manage your time, surround yourself with the right people who help you and don't hinder you, and give the right weight to situations.
How long did it take you to complete Ironman 70.3 and which discipline (swimming, cycling or running) did you find most challenging?
I completed my Ironman in 6 hours, 40 minutes and 34 seconds, with 39 minutes and 56 seconds in the swim, 3 hours, 19 minutes and 1 second on the bike, and 2 hours, 13 minutes and 18 seconds in the run.
Unfortunately I made a few mistakes between the split times.
Did you have a specific time goal for the race? If so, were you able to reach it?
I didn't have a specific goal since it was my first experience. I definitely have a much clearer idea now!
Was there a moment during the Ironman when you thought you couldn't do it? How did you react to overcome it?
At the 15th km of the race, I admit that I had a very intense moment. That day, however, I had many people who came to support me and I thought about all the work I had done and that I was almost at the end.
So I didn't give up at all! It was an experience that really left me with a lot and I didn't expect it.
Doing an Ironman and then immediately competing in an RX race like the Marbella Championship is incredible! How does your approach to training change for such different events?
CrossFit ® is a real passion for me! During my preparation, I took part in the Strength in Depth in the RX category in Birmingham and, after the 70.3, also in the Marbella Championship.
As for the type of training, it always remains the CrossFit ® methodology, but obviously with less running and cycling. Swimming always remains one session per week, just with less time!
I still have a lot to mature and grow, because I have never reached the podium yet. It's already great to be able to qualify, and for me this is already a great achievement!
What advice would you give to someone who practices CrossFit® and dreams of participating in an Ironman or RX level races?
What I feel like advising is that everything can be done if you really want it. You just have to believe and persevere day after day, without ever giving up, even in those moments when it seems that everything is going wrong.
That said, however, nothing comes without effort: you have to get down to business and work!
Un big thanks to Nadia for sharing his story and his precious reflections with us. His ability to face so many different challenges with passion and dedication shows that, with the right attitude, nothing is impossible.
His experience is an inspiration to all of us, whether it's pushing our limits in CrossFit®, in Triathlon or in everyday life. We are certain that his path c