The Beginning of My HYROX Journey: Balancing Training with a 9–5
If you'd told me a year ago I'd voluntarily sign up for a HYROX race, I probably would have blinked several times with a blank expression on my face. Hyrox, me, I barely know what it’s all about. Here I sit a year later with my training plan in hand and tickets bought for my first ever race at the end of the year. Having figured out what all the terms of elite, pro, double, single, and so on means and where I would class in the categories (I tell you straight up this was probably the hardest part to the whole process).
So here I am, officially starting my HYROX journey despite all doubts.
Like many others, I work a busy 9–5 job, my weeks are occupied of meetings and to-do lists, deadlines, and the usual challenge of balancing a work life balance. Finding time to train is has always been easy for me, it’s been part of my routines since long. especially running as it has allowed me to relieve stress and regain energy from hectic times at work. Now my challenge is to build up a training program that prepares me for my Hyrox race. I’m quickly learning that it’s not just in training the exact Hyrox stations but alternating the movements with other movements to support strength for a specific muscle group.
Now I sit here with a ticket and training program in hand and sore muscles after the first real week of training. Early weekend mornings have become a norm for training and hitting a double workout session per over weekends also doesn’t feel so absurd anymore. The funny part is, when you train towards something the entire training gets a whole new meaning and the skipping of a session isn’t so enjoyable after all.
What excites me most about HYROX is that it's about getting back to the arena. As a youngster, I competed in most sports I participated in and it’s a thrill and excitement that I have been missing but not quite known how to get back to… until now with Hyrox coming along. The weekly training s have suddenly also gotten more meaning. It's not just about lifting heavier or running faster—it's about building endurance, resilience, and mental toughness. Every workout feels like a small step towards reaching that something bigger and more meaningful.
I'm not chasing podiums or personal records just yet (although the inner competition I have in me is racing for high goals and prestige performance). Right now, the real goal is simply to show up, make it happen as a busy 9-5er and find the joy in competing as well as enjoying the process. There will be times that I will convince myself to skip a training, days when I feel over energetic and a lot of sessions of sore muscles, and probably plenty of set backs battling my competition head and realistic performance level for someone that just starts their Hyrox journey.
This blog will be my way of documenting the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If you're also juggling work, life, and ambitious fitness goals, I hope this reminds you that progress doesn't require perfect conditions—just the willingness to keep showing up.
Here's to the first chapter of the adventure.
Tag along and let’s build this journey together!
With love, Natty
