I Completed My 2026 Misogi: Sub 6 Hour Ironman 70.3

Eighteen months ago I heard Jesse Itzler talk about a misogi. It's a yearlong challenge designed to push you far outside your comfort zone.

Sunday I completed my 2026 misogi. Sub 6 hour Ironman 70.3.

Athlete in black triathlon suit and green swim cap running during race transition, smiling while passing metal railings with spectators in background — Mid-race and feeling strong during the transition

The Challenge

A misogi isn't just any goal. It's supposed to be something that genuinely scares you. Something where failure is a real possibility. That's what makes crossing the finish line mean something.

For me, that was finishing an Ironman 70.3 in under six hours. The race includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run. You can't fake your way through it.

After stepping down as CEO and entering my first few weeks of retirement, training for this race became a central focus.

What's Next

Next year I'm shooting for sub 5:30.

Athlete standing in triathlon gear next to Ironman Village sign under blue sky, wearing race number 644 and holding phone — Post-race at Ironman Village

That's the thing about a misogi. Once you hit your target, you don't just coast. You set a new one.

Key Takeaway

A misogi forces you to commit to something hard for an entire year. It's not about being comfortable. It's about proving to yourself that you can do more than you thought.

Pick something that scares you. Give yourself a year to train for it. And then go do it.

What's your misogi going to be?