Almost 4 years ago now, I met AJ Fitzhenry for the first time outside a local coffee shop in Lafayette, La. He saw my Ironman tattoo (thought I’d only do one back in 1995 so I got a tattoo) and asked me If I did triathlons. The rest is history!
From this point on AJ has been one of the hardest working clients I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.
As I do with all my clients, I informed AJ that road he was about to embark on, was not an easy one and that it would take discipline and sacrifice to accomplish the lofty goals he had set for himself. (Especially since he was on the road 330 days plus each year for his job) I also told him that it would take 3 years for him to achieve his goal race weight (he was 35 lbs of muscle over ideal endurance race weight at 5% body fat) along with everything he had set forth for himself.
Since this time, AJ has done everything that I’d asked of him and not once even during the holidays has he ever asked for a day off regardless of his outside training responsibilities or commitments. If he had to be at work by 7 a.m., and his training dictated 3 hours of training beforehand, then he’d get up at whatever time he needed to in order to get that days training accomplished.
It’s this steadfast determination that has delivered him a 75th overall placing at Ironman Wisconsin this year (3:25 run split) and a 4:24 at the 70.3 Ironman World Championships in Florida last week.
Great job thus far AJ, you are a pleasure to work with and I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us. But for now, it’s back in the weight room to move some heavy weights…..
In Strength,
TB
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Thank you for noticing what a dedicated, passionate man AJ Fitzhenry is. You have taught him well in his training for the ironman races. I so want to be in Kona when he qualifies and it will be soon, I am hoping this year. I know he will keep working hard, and you will keep training him with your wisdom and knowledge. I thank you.
Marianne Feldballe, AJ’s grandmother