Dec 25, 2007 5:28 PM
[Repost] IM: Random Thoughts
This is a repost for our very own T-Girl. She is fast approaching the pinnacle point in her Dreams of Iron. Below are a collection of my random thoughts posted in my lead up to IMWI '06 and IMCdA '07. I am reposting only the ones that might help her punch throgh these final weeks.
I have many, many more of these stored in files in my computer. For now I'll leave our T-Girl with these and pull out others if needed.
Random Thoughts - Reposted from 'IMWI: 2 Weeks Remaining...'
o I know I?ve said it before, but I'll say it again: I?m living a dream. I can?t explain it more than to say it?s like an out-of-body experience. Somewhere along the way, probably back in June, I wound up the crank labeled ?Ironman Training? and sat back and watched my very self train in a more determined manner than ever before for the task of making an attempt at swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112, and running a full marathon, all on the same day, all within 17 hours. Wow. Insane. It?s like I am watching someone else. But it's not someone else. It?s me, for I feel the pings and pangs of accumulated miles. Yes, it is me.
TITHERS: Take a step back and realize the amazing spot you are in right now. Pretty amazing, isn't it?
o Along these lines (and yes, I've said this before, but it's on my mind), I don't know why but a part of me feels guilty at my good fortune that I'm able to strive for this dream. I mean, I have been blessed enough to have the health, the finances, and the time to put my dreams ahead of necessity. Not everybody can that. While I'm out there attempting to power my body over 140.6 miles, there are little children in Iraq walking an extra mile home to avoid the road with all the landmines.
TITHERS: You are fortunate. And gifted. Hang tough.
o For the first time in years, I have kept a training log. It?s a simple Monthly Planner with the weeks of the month laid out on two opposing pages. Since January I?ve markered Swim workouts in Light Blue, Bike in Green, and Run in Red. Through the "Red" marked highs of two solid Spring marathons, to the "Green" marked lows of a serious bike accident that earned me a front row seat in the back of an ambulance headed toward the local hospital, to the "Blue" marked anxiously funny time when on my swim I became the Old Man in the Sea?s daily catch, it is a colorful menagerie of blood, sweat, and tears and a whole heck of a lot of magic. The pages sparkle with color -- and solid workouts. I should take a picture. It?s that good. But insane. Whoever did that must've been crazy, or insane, or possessed... with Dreams of Iron.
TITHERS: Take a look back at YOUR training log. It will not lie. Fitness doesn't suddenly go away come raceday. You WILL do this. Your Training paves the way.
o I am honored and touched by the outpouring support on this very board. You guys rock! You really do. You have made me laugh out loud (thanks Purple, who doesn?t read anything longer than a sentence and wont see this shout-out J ), pump my fist in celebration (for your achievements far and wide), and shed many tears ? both of joy and sorrow (for heartwarming background stories and those of recent losses). Thank you for sharing your world and sharing in mine. We have a very good thing going.
TITHERS: Think about all the people in your life who support you. Your hubby supports you so much that there's suddenly a shortage of Aisle V products in the state of Georgia.
o I have over 2400 miles on my Tri-bike Wisconsin; I've had it since May. That?s a lot of miles ? for me, anyway. And to think I ?only? ride 4 times per week, sometimes 5 but never more. Did I mention how much I love that thing? Maybe as much as our very own Sheldon does his Tatiana. Really.
TITHERS: How many miles do you have on your bike? Don't answer. Just think about it. Miles don't lie. You've been doing the work.
o Speaking of the bike? I am a deep thinker. Always have been. This is why I love long distance running. I slip into the depths of my mind and take the journey of the day, wherever that may lead. Riding a bike for 6 hours takes this to a whole new level. It?s amazing the things you think about. For example, it was on the bike where I learned that I am truly in love, and no matter how much I am afraid of it, I cannot keep fending it off. Like this Ironman journey, I have to embrace it, live it, and love it. For it just is. Nothing more. Nothing less. Still have a hard time with it, but now that I?m aware of it, I?m working on it.
TITHERS: Get emotional. Put this journey into perspective. Embrace it in all it's forms, even the ones that make you tired.
o When the 18th mile of the Ironman marathon turns into much more than I can handle, I will think of the inspirational video ?Can?, the short video of Richard and Dick Hoyt, and play the song featured in it, ?Imagine,? over and over in my head. ?I can only imagine?? If they ?Can? do it with so many more obstacles than the pain and fatigue I am having, ?I can only imagine? ? I ?Can? do it, too!
TITHERS: What will pull you through he 18th mile of the marathon? Start thinking about this now. This is your final race preparations. Store all of these inspirational aids in your pocket for a later time. Pull them out during the race to get you through. You will need them.
o jwhblues2 had great advice: This is what blues said, and I quote: ?So, when you get to about miles 95 to 100 on the bike course, just picture some crazy guy on the side of the road with signs yelling ?get outta here, white boy!! go home boy!!?? And then at the end of the race, when your a$$ would be famous? http://reference to the escort vehicles participants asking me in mocking terms if I am someone famous... can they have my autograph.? Thanks for the fuel, blues! If the video "Can" doesn't kick me back into gear, this certainly will.
TITHERS: I meant what I said. Start thinking about what will get you through. Maybe you get angry at meathead at the LBS. Turn that anger into moving you forward, or getting you through the rest of your training.
o For Ironman I?m most worried about the swim. When I survive that, the party is on ? for 112 miles on the bike and then 26.2 on the run. Let the hills of the bike course eat me alive. I?ll get through them. But one thing I?m really curious about is to see how my legs respond when it comes time to run. I just hope I do well enough with hydration and nutrition to only have to deal with the pain and fatigue of a long day in constant motion. But seriously, I am very curious to see how I?ll respond mentally AND physically when I begin the second loop of the marathon.
TITHERS: Start your race preparations. Start thinking about the course of the day of your race and how it will go. Picture yourself strong and all-powerful.
o I'll never forget my first half-Iron. Last November at MiamiMan, my goal was to finish. Nothing more. After I got out of the water and settled down after my little celebration for still being alive, I got to work on the bike, all the while wondering what my legs would feel like once I hit the run. I feared a death march; I feared I wouldn't even make the finish line. But once I hit the run and my legs, like magic, came to life, and that's when, for the first time, I visualized the finish line as if it were something that might really happen. I visualized myself completing something I never thought possible; visualized myself achieving a dream. Every step the magic of the day grew. Every step dreams slanted more toward reality. I was driven as if from above. That feeling was magical. Two weeks from now, if I hit the run course and have run in my legs, I know that very feeling will return. I can't wait. To live a dream through, to witness it to the point you're right in the midd le of it, living it now, as if in slow motion... Wow. I'll pinch myself and smile at my good fortune.
TITHERS: Remember where you came from. Think about the smaller races and the amazing feelings they conjured to get you to where you are now.
o I already fear one of my post IM goals: The Goofy Challenge. It is kind of goofy of me to have signed up for this, but hey, it's ripe for the picking and will keep me on the straight and narrow after IM.
TITHERS: Set pre-Ironman goals. Now. Do it. Plan in rest time and a lot of downtime, but also plan out something that will get you off the couch and motivate you to continue your amazing transformation of lifestyle. Maybe you and hubby do a half marathon together.
o LeftRightRepeat: My running buddy deserves an entire bullet, but the thing is, just one isn?t enough. LRR has been instrumental in my journey toward Ironman on so many levels. We have not only trained for many a marathon together to get me to the point where I was mentally and physically ready to accept this challenge, he also kept me company when his season was all but done, kept me company when the last thing he wanted was another early morning run, and kept me company when it was pouring cats and dogs and all sorts of other four-legged creatures when I was about to partake on a solo run. Rarely did I ask his company; he was just there, as if it was something he had to do. He saw I needed a hand, and he lent it. Not one hand, but two; the other held a bottle of Gatorade out a car window because he knew, on a hot and humid morning, I would run o ut. He lent not one hand but two when, in his taper for his own race, wanting no part of a long training run, he got on his mountain bike and rode beside me telling me goofy jokes he learned from his kids (if you?re reading, tell the ones about the Electrons and Neutrons!) and letting me tell endless stories without punch lines. I could not have reached where I am today without his support. Thanks, bro! You are rock! I owe you a few beers after this little party I got coming up.
TITHERS: Thank the people who are helping you live out a dream.
o Time flew. It feels like such a long time ago when I looked at the calendar and had to flip through 8 or 9 pages to hit September. Now, it is only a page away.
TITHERS: And the rest of the time will fly for you.
o Best training tool I used was to incorporated "themed" bike rides to get in my mileage. My many trips from home to the girlfriends brother's house in Worcester, a whole city away, were memorable. Even more memorable were the rides from tiny Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh and then on yet another weekend, Lancaster to Baltimore.
TITHERS: If you're burnt out on the bike or run or swim, consider making it fun rather than a workout you dread.
o Last time I reported to you, I said that training for Ironman is more than a full-time job. It totally consumes you and takes up not only your free time, but also your planned time for other things. Well, in the last month it got worse. I used to schedule training into my life; in the last few weeks, I've had to schedule life into training. This is no exaggeration.
TITHERS: Training for Ironman is a full-time job. You know that. And that's why you're so tired. Hang tough. You are almost there.
o How cool is it to be in a position in life where you know -- you just know -- you'll remember and reflect back on for the rest of your life. Usually life just happens, and then you say, hey, that was cool, look what we did, and then you have your memory. Thing is, I'm in my memory right now. The time hasn't passed. It's here. It's here now. The memories are ripe and raw and forming right in front of me. That is pretty cool.
TITHERS: And that, my Tithered friend, is exactly what makes this journey so special.
I have many, many more of these stored in files in my computer. For now I'll leave our T-Girl with these and pull out others if needed.
Random Thoughts - Reposted from 'IMWI: 2 Weeks Remaining...'
o I know I?ve said it before, but I'll say it again: I?m living a dream. I can?t explain it more than to say it?s like an out-of-body experience. Somewhere along the way, probably back in June, I wound up the crank labeled ?Ironman Training? and sat back and watched my very self train in a more determined manner than ever before for the task of making an attempt at swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112, and running a full marathon, all on the same day, all within 17 hours. Wow. Insane. It?s like I am watching someone else. But it's not someone else. It?s me, for I feel the pings and pangs of accumulated miles. Yes, it is me.
TITHERS: Take a step back and realize the amazing spot you are in right now. Pretty amazing, isn't it?
o Along these lines (and yes, I've said this before, but it's on my mind), I don't know why but a part of me feels guilty at my good fortune that I'm able to strive for this dream. I mean, I have been blessed enough to have the health, the finances, and the time to put my dreams ahead of necessity. Not everybody can that. While I'm out there attempting to power my body over 140.6 miles, there are little children in Iraq walking an extra mile home to avoid the road with all the landmines.
TITHERS: You are fortunate. And gifted. Hang tough.
o For the first time in years, I have kept a training log. It?s a simple Monthly Planner with the weeks of the month laid out on two opposing pages. Since January I?ve markered Swim workouts in Light Blue, Bike in Green, and Run in Red. Through the "Red" marked highs of two solid Spring marathons, to the "Green" marked lows of a serious bike accident that earned me a front row seat in the back of an ambulance headed toward the local hospital, to the "Blue" marked anxiously funny time when on my swim I became the Old Man in the Sea?s daily catch, it is a colorful menagerie of blood, sweat, and tears and a whole heck of a lot of magic. The pages sparkle with color -- and solid workouts. I should take a picture. It?s that good. But insane. Whoever did that must've been crazy, or insane, or possessed... with Dreams of Iron.
TITHERS: Take a look back at YOUR training log. It will not lie. Fitness doesn't suddenly go away come raceday. You WILL do this. Your Training paves the way.
o I am honored and touched by the outpouring support on this very board. You guys rock! You really do. You have made me laugh out loud (thanks Purple, who doesn?t read anything longer than a sentence and wont see this shout-out J ), pump my fist in celebration (for your achievements far and wide), and shed many tears ? both of joy and sorrow (for heartwarming background stories and those of recent losses). Thank you for sharing your world and sharing in mine. We have a very good thing going.
TITHERS: Think about all the people in your life who support you. Your hubby supports you so much that there's suddenly a shortage of Aisle V products in the state of Georgia.
o I have over 2400 miles on my Tri-bike Wisconsin; I've had it since May. That?s a lot of miles ? for me, anyway. And to think I ?only? ride 4 times per week, sometimes 5 but never more. Did I mention how much I love that thing? Maybe as much as our very own Sheldon does his Tatiana. Really.
TITHERS: How many miles do you have on your bike? Don't answer. Just think about it. Miles don't lie. You've been doing the work.
o Speaking of the bike? I am a deep thinker. Always have been. This is why I love long distance running. I slip into the depths of my mind and take the journey of the day, wherever that may lead. Riding a bike for 6 hours takes this to a whole new level. It?s amazing the things you think about. For example, it was on the bike where I learned that I am truly in love, and no matter how much I am afraid of it, I cannot keep fending it off. Like this Ironman journey, I have to embrace it, live it, and love it. For it just is. Nothing more. Nothing less. Still have a hard time with it, but now that I?m aware of it, I?m working on it.
TITHERS: Get emotional. Put this journey into perspective. Embrace it in all it's forms, even the ones that make you tired.
o When the 18th mile of the Ironman marathon turns into much more than I can handle, I will think of the inspirational video ?Can?, the short video of Richard and Dick Hoyt, and play the song featured in it, ?Imagine,? over and over in my head. ?I can only imagine?? If they ?Can? do it with so many more obstacles than the pain and fatigue I am having, ?I can only imagine? ? I ?Can? do it, too!
TITHERS: What will pull you through he 18th mile of the marathon? Start thinking about this now. This is your final race preparations. Store all of these inspirational aids in your pocket for a later time. Pull them out during the race to get you through. You will need them.
o jwhblues2 had great advice: This is what blues said, and I quote: ?So, when you get to about miles 95 to 100 on the bike course, just picture some crazy guy on the side of the road with signs yelling ?get outta here, white boy!! go home boy!!?? And then at the end of the race, when your a$$ would be famous? http://reference to the escort vehicles participants asking me in mocking terms if I am someone famous... can they have my autograph.? Thanks for the fuel, blues! If the video "Can" doesn't kick me back into gear, this certainly will.
TITHERS: I meant what I said. Start thinking about what will get you through. Maybe you get angry at meathead at the LBS. Turn that anger into moving you forward, or getting you through the rest of your training.
o For Ironman I?m most worried about the swim. When I survive that, the party is on ? for 112 miles on the bike and then 26.2 on the run. Let the hills of the bike course eat me alive. I?ll get through them. But one thing I?m really curious about is to see how my legs respond when it comes time to run. I just hope I do well enough with hydration and nutrition to only have to deal with the pain and fatigue of a long day in constant motion. But seriously, I am very curious to see how I?ll respond mentally AND physically when I begin the second loop of the marathon.
TITHERS: Start your race preparations. Start thinking about the course of the day of your race and how it will go. Picture yourself strong and all-powerful.
o I'll never forget my first half-Iron. Last November at MiamiMan, my goal was to finish. Nothing more. After I got out of the water and settled down after my little celebration for still being alive, I got to work on the bike, all the while wondering what my legs would feel like once I hit the run. I feared a death march; I feared I wouldn't even make the finish line. But once I hit the run and my legs, like magic, came to life, and that's when, for the first time, I visualized the finish line as if it were something that might really happen. I visualized myself completing something I never thought possible; visualized myself achieving a dream. Every step the magic of the day grew. Every step dreams slanted more toward reality. I was driven as if from above. That feeling was magical. Two weeks from now, if I hit the run course and have run in my legs, I know that very feeling will return. I can't wait. To live a dream through, to witness it to the point you're right in the midd le of it, living it now, as if in slow motion... Wow. I'll pinch myself and smile at my good fortune.
TITHERS: Remember where you came from. Think about the smaller races and the amazing feelings they conjured to get you to where you are now.
o I already fear one of my post IM goals: The Goofy Challenge. It is kind of goofy of me to have signed up for this, but hey, it's ripe for the picking and will keep me on the straight and narrow after IM.
TITHERS: Set pre-Ironman goals. Now. Do it. Plan in rest time and a lot of downtime, but also plan out something that will get you off the couch and motivate you to continue your amazing transformation of lifestyle. Maybe you and hubby do a half marathon together.
o LeftRightRepeat: My running buddy deserves an entire bullet, but the thing is, just one isn?t enough. LRR has been instrumental in my journey toward Ironman on so many levels. We have not only trained for many a marathon together to get me to the point where I was mentally and physically ready to accept this challenge, he also kept me company when his season was all but done, kept me company when the last thing he wanted was another early morning run, and kept me company when it was pouring cats and dogs and all sorts of other four-legged creatures when I was about to partake on a solo run. Rarely did I ask his company; he was just there, as if it was something he had to do. He saw I needed a hand, and he lent it. Not one hand, but two; the other held a bottle of Gatorade out a car window because he knew, on a hot and humid morning, I would run o ut. He lent not one hand but two when, in his taper for his own race, wanting no part of a long training run, he got on his mountain bike and rode beside me telling me goofy jokes he learned from his kids (if you?re reading, tell the ones about the Electrons and Neutrons!) and letting me tell endless stories without punch lines. I could not have reached where I am today without his support. Thanks, bro! You are rock! I owe you a few beers after this little party I got coming up.
TITHERS: Thank the people who are helping you live out a dream.
o Time flew. It feels like such a long time ago when I looked at the calendar and had to flip through 8 or 9 pages to hit September. Now, it is only a page away.
TITHERS: And the rest of the time will fly for you.
o Best training tool I used was to incorporated "themed" bike rides to get in my mileage. My many trips from home to the girlfriends brother's house in Worcester, a whole city away, were memorable. Even more memorable were the rides from tiny Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh and then on yet another weekend, Lancaster to Baltimore.
TITHERS: If you're burnt out on the bike or run or swim, consider making it fun rather than a workout you dread.
o Last time I reported to you, I said that training for Ironman is more than a full-time job. It totally consumes you and takes up not only your free time, but also your planned time for other things. Well, in the last month it got worse. I used to schedule training into my life; in the last few weeks, I've had to schedule life into training. This is no exaggeration.
TITHERS: Training for Ironman is a full-time job. You know that. And that's why you're so tired. Hang tough. You are almost there.
o How cool is it to be in a position in life where you know -- you just know -- you'll remember and reflect back on for the rest of your life. Usually life just happens, and then you say, hey, that was cool, look what we did, and then you have your memory. Thing is, I'm in my memory right now. The time hasn't passed. It's here. It's here now. The memories are ripe and raw and forming right in front of me. That is pretty cool.
TITHERS: And that, my Tithered friend, is exactly what makes this journey so special.
)!!!!
