It's fairly common knowledge that nobody completes an Ironman race on their own. Though designed to be completed by the individual, a great many others are affected by training, racing, and recovery. Those people deserve as much recognition as the person who covers the 140.6 mile race.
For me, I must first and foremost thank my family. My wife assumed more than her fair share of the parenting responsibility during my 10 months of training. And she assumed an even greater share during the final eight weeks. While I did everything possible to ease the burden, anyone with kids knows that an hour here and a week-end there only go so far when there are 15+ training hours each week. This journey would have been absolutely impossible without the approval, acceptance, and support of my wife.
Along with my wife, my kids put up with long hours with their dad away from home. Though they are younger and have less say, they were definitely affected. And the greatest joy I get is seeing my kids excited about races. And having my son want to run "the whole race" with me tugged at my heart strings. I'm truly blessed to have a family as supportive as I have.
Goofy as it might sound, there is one thank you that spans the course of several years. Kewl Nitrox was an avid reader of my original blog. When the idea of me completing my first triathlon came up, he was right there with helpful advice, always offered with a true servant attitude. His constant encouragement helped keep me thinking about what was possible.
I'm unsure if the next comment falls into the "thanks" category, or the blame category. In September of 2006, my plan was to complete a second year of triathlon in 2007, including one half-IM race. Then, Roman Mica wrote a post about the opportunity to "Train Like a Professional." The first step was to register for IM Wisconsin 2007. At that exact moment, I decided that it would be awesome to race with everyone from raceAthlete, regardless of whether I became a sponsored member of the team. So, I took my shot. And found myself extremely disappointed when the race closed out before I was registered. Never had I been more disappointed at being unable to do something I didn't intend on doing in the first place.
Even so, taking a shot at registering for the Madison race provided the impetus to try again when Louisville was announced. And to do more than try again. I would dedicate more resources to the attempt and ensure I succeeded.
Shortly after registering for IM Louisville, Coach Mike Ricci agreed to be my coach. I had already benefitted from Mike's input as he provided guidance aimed at improving my swim skills. Though demanding, his suggestions paid off immediately, and given the opportunity to have him provide the training program for my first Ironman, I jumped at the chance. Mike deserves a lot of credit for his abilities as a coach, and I would strongly suggest anyone looking for a personal coach consider talking with him. His style was an excellent fit for my needs, and he was a huge factor in the success I had in my first Ironman.
Another group of people that must be mentioned falls into the category of training partners. These are the bloggers with whom I trained and raced during this season. One of these is George Schweitzer. I originally found The George's (inside joke) website and appreciated his detailed race reports. Over time, I learned quite a bit from visiting his site. And when he stayed with us during the High Cliff Ironman, I was absolutely amazed. He shared as much as he could from his experiences, and I learned an awful lot in those few short days. And as we've gotten to know each other, George has been a major source of moral support. His presence, both on-line and at races, has been a huge benefit.
Two others who raced High Cliff and became important pieces of the Ironman journey are Rural Girl and Iron Wil. Rural Girl is one of raceAthlete's greatest cheerleaders. I believe that one trait that she and I share is that watching others succeed is just as, if not more important than our own accomplishments. It will be an absolute thrill to watch her achieve her Ironman goals, and I'll be cheering extra loud for her in Madison.
Iron Wil, in the midst of her own training, went so far above and beyond the call of "team" when she put together the 2007 Wisconsin Ironman Brick Adventure. She deserves an immense amount of credit and thanks for her efforts, as do all those who worked with her on the project. Many of us will or already have experienced greater success because of the opportunities that training event presented.
Finally, I have to thank everyone who came along on this journey. I have tried to respond to comments when I have an e-mail address. Please know two things. First, just because a name isn't mentioned specifically in this post doesn't mean a lack of gratitude. It is mostly an attempt to keep this post somewhere less than twice as long as a typical and ridiculously long Academy Award acceptance speech. Second, I appreciate each and every visitor and value all of the comments you have left. Every comment ever received via e-mail is in a folder because each has a value of its own. In time, I will get back to each and every one of you, whether it's through e-mail or blog comments.
Finishing this Ironman is not the end of a journey. It is simply the start of another journey. A layover between different portions of this adventure called life. I thank you for your support and look forward to continuing the journey with all of you.
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Small Changes
In the movie "Contact," the lead character, played as an adult by Jodi Foster, is shown in her childhood learning to use a ham radio. Her father is teaching her that small changes are needed when searching the airwaves for signals. As an adult, she applies that knowledge as a researcher working for SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence).
It is advice we can all take to heart in our pursuit of triathlon.
As we hone our skills in the various disciplines of our sport, we must remember that small changes are best. Rather than attempt to become perfect swimmers overnight, we seek gradual improvement through drills that reinforce one small change. Then we move onto a another small change.
As we strive to make our bikes as comfortable as possible, we make minute adjustments. Millimeters, clicks, or portions of a degree are all that are needed when altering heights, lengths, or angles. Major changes are likely to create more problems than they solve.
On the run, we do everything we can to stay in the same shoe, as even minor differences between pairs can cause discomfort. As we tweak our outfits, nutrition, and stride, we seek that perfect mix that we will use, without change, as long as possible.
And the day to day changes we see are also small. Weight loss fluctuates so wildly that it is difficult to tell if that half-pound loss is water, actual loss, or an erratic scale. Changes in physical appearance and clothes size are also hard to judge. From our perspective, improvements in performance may be negligible or non-existent.
Over time, though, those changes quickly accumulate. Physical changes that seem non-existent on a daily basis become readily apparent when viewed over a six month time frame. Clothes that barely fit in December are three sizes too big in August. And workouts that would have killed us a year ago are now standard weekday sessions.
Diligence in training pays huge dividends. If you struggle to see these changes, find aco-worker or friend who exercises less consistently and have them train with you. If they complete a workout with you once or twice a month, they'll be able to tell you how quickly you are improving.
Small changes. They're difficult to see, but they make all the difference. Whether trying to find signs of alien life, run that first 5K, or complete an Ironman triathlon, those small changes the key to success.
It is advice we can all take to heart in our pursuit of triathlon.
As we hone our skills in the various disciplines of our sport, we must remember that small changes are best. Rather than attempt to become perfect swimmers overnight, we seek gradual improvement through drills that reinforce one small change. Then we move onto a another small change.
As we strive to make our bikes as comfortable as possible, we make minute adjustments. Millimeters, clicks, or portions of a degree are all that are needed when altering heights, lengths, or angles. Major changes are likely to create more problems than they solve.
On the run, we do everything we can to stay in the same shoe, as even minor differences between pairs can cause discomfort. As we tweak our outfits, nutrition, and stride, we seek that perfect mix that we will use, without change, as long as possible.
And the day to day changes we see are also small. Weight loss fluctuates so wildly that it is difficult to tell if that half-pound loss is water, actual loss, or an erratic scale. Changes in physical appearance and clothes size are also hard to judge. From our perspective, improvements in performance may be negligible or non-existent.
Over time, though, those changes quickly accumulate. Physical changes that seem non-existent on a daily basis become readily apparent when viewed over a six month time frame. Clothes that barely fit in December are three sizes too big in August. And workouts that would have killed us a year ago are now standard weekday sessions.
Diligence in training pays huge dividends. If you struggle to see these changes, find aco-worker or friend who exercises less consistently and have them train with you. If they complete a workout with you once or twice a month, they'll be able to tell you how quickly you are improving.
Small changes. They're difficult to see, but they make all the difference. Whether trying to find signs of alien life, run that first 5K, or complete an Ironman triathlon, those small changes the key to success.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Perception
A local elementary school held a "Bike Rodeo" aimed at promoting biking and bicycle safety. The kids moved through a series of stations aimed at teaching them how to fit and put on a helmet, ride safely in the road, avoid hazards, and use hand signals. They also completed an "obstacle" course designed to reinforce the lessons learned.
In addition to these stations, various local organizations were present to lend assistance and provide information. Local police showed up with MacGruff the Crime Dog and a well received magician. A local bike shop provided a mechanic who tuned up bikes the kids were riding. Brandon's Champions, a group dedicated to promoting bicycle and helmet safety in conjunction with medical information carriers, provided packets for the kids and had helmets available for those in need of them.
I was able to attend as a representative of the Fox Cities Triathlon Club and shared information about both biking and triathlons. Though the bike mechanic was perhaps the most popular person there, the kids were very enthused about the opportunity to learn about triathlons and the equipment used in races. It made their day to learn that they aren't the only ones told they MUST wear their helmets. I'm sure the other gear helped keep their attention, as well. After all, the police had a magician, but I had a wetsuit.
While there, I also had the opportunity to speak with some adults about triathlon opportunities. The most common reaction was, "Oh, I couldn't do that." When asked why, their response was nearly uniform. "I could never (swim/bike/run) that far." In every case, they were completely unaware that triathlon could mean something other than "Ironman."
Several of them, after learning that their are local events with 220 yard swims, 8 mile bikes, and 1.8 mile runs indicated they might enjoy trying such a race. While most people are aware that there are dozens of different distances for running races, all too many people believe triathlon is synonomous with Ironman. Responsibility for this lies, in large part, on our shoulders. We must take every opportunity available to share our passion for endurance sports with others. And we must make sure we let people know that "endurance" doesn't have to mean 140.6 miles. No more than "run" means 26.2 miles.
Likewise, we should work to promote unity across the spectrum of endurance athletics. My local tri club does a lot in that effort. They participate in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. They host both a triathlon and a major bike ride. They welcome endurance athletes of any type into the club, and membership is free.
Another free organization with a like mind is raceAthlete. While many of its members are triathlons, it is a group focused on all types of endurance events. Cycling, running, triathlon, ultramarathoning, whatever. And a great deal of effort is put into promoting events of all distances. The 5K runner is right next to the marathoner. The sprint triathlon is as much a triathlon as Ironman. A 30K time trial holds the same merit as a century ride.
We are all endurance athletes. And we are all ambassadors for the various sports we love. While much of our time is dedicated to training, some part of our day should be set aside for sharing our passion with others. As more people come to understand how many options they have, participation in all endurance events will increase. And that can only have a positive impact on the world.
In addition to these stations, various local organizations were present to lend assistance and provide information. Local police showed up with MacGruff the Crime Dog and a well received magician. A local bike shop provided a mechanic who tuned up bikes the kids were riding. Brandon's Champions, a group dedicated to promoting bicycle and helmet safety in conjunction with medical information carriers, provided packets for the kids and had helmets available for those in need of them.
I was able to attend as a representative of the Fox Cities Triathlon Club and shared information about both biking and triathlons. Though the bike mechanic was perhaps the most popular person there, the kids were very enthused about the opportunity to learn about triathlons and the equipment used in races. It made their day to learn that they aren't the only ones told they MUST wear their helmets. I'm sure the other gear helped keep their attention, as well. After all, the police had a magician, but I had a wetsuit.
While there, I also had the opportunity to speak with some adults about triathlon opportunities. The most common reaction was, "Oh, I couldn't do that." When asked why, their response was nearly uniform. "I could never (swim/bike/run) that far." In every case, they were completely unaware that triathlon could mean something other than "Ironman."
Several of them, after learning that their are local events with 220 yard swims, 8 mile bikes, and 1.8 mile runs indicated they might enjoy trying such a race. While most people are aware that there are dozens of different distances for running races, all too many people believe triathlon is synonomous with Ironman. Responsibility for this lies, in large part, on our shoulders. We must take every opportunity available to share our passion for endurance sports with others. And we must make sure we let people know that "endurance" doesn't have to mean 140.6 miles. No more than "run" means 26.2 miles.
Likewise, we should work to promote unity across the spectrum of endurance athletics. My local tri club does a lot in that effort. They participate in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. They host both a triathlon and a major bike ride. They welcome endurance athletes of any type into the club, and membership is free.
Another free organization with a like mind is raceAthlete. While many of its members are triathlons, it is a group focused on all types of endurance events. Cycling, running, triathlon, ultramarathoning, whatever. And a great deal of effort is put into promoting events of all distances. The 5K runner is right next to the marathoner. The sprint triathlon is as much a triathlon as Ironman. A 30K time trial holds the same merit as a century ride.
We are all endurance athletes. And we are all ambassadors for the various sports we love. While much of our time is dedicated to training, some part of our day should be set aside for sharing our passion with others. As more people come to understand how many options they have, participation in all endurance events will increase. And that can only have a positive impact on the world.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
One Third
With Ironman Louisville taking place on August 26th, it will be interesting to look at this year in thirds. January through April and May through August. Admittedly, August may be a bit of a wash between taper and post-IM downtime, but the periods work out well.
So, while I don't generally post specifics about training, here are the numbers from the first four months of 2007. One note, the roads have only recently become clear enough for biking (using Iron Pol standards). The bike mileage is deceptively low. There have been hours spent on the trainer, where mileage isn't documented.
The Swim
In mid-January, I began my 8-week swim focus aimed at improving my comfort in the water, as well as my ability to come out of the water fresh. Between January 1 and April 30, I completed 134,453 total yards swimming. Here are two bits of information to put that in perspective. First, that comes out to just over 76 miles. Second, it is only slightly longer than some of the longest single day swims completed by Martin Strel as he attempted to swim the length of the Amazon. In 2006, it was December before I had accumalated that much swim yardage. And true to Coach Mike's approach, my capabilities in the water are greatly improved.
The Bike
As mentioned above, using mileage alone is misleading when reviewing bike workouts. Through April, I have a grand total of 108 miles on the road. Brutal, especially if you consider most of it came in two rides. Put into proper perspective, my TIME in the saddle for the past four months totals 42 hours, 38 minutes. Using an average 17 mph, that's well over 700 miles. This will ramp up VERY quickly now that biking outside is a reality.
The Run
Admittedly my strong suit, running has taken a back seat to swimming and biking. Even so, I have logged about 40 miles more this year than the same period last year. With a total of 265.6, I am well on the way to a 1000 mile year. Like the swim, I have also seen significant gains in my run as I seek to break the 42 minute mark in the 10K. That is for purely self-gratifying reasons, as a sub-42 minute 10K will result in elite status for a local race. Just once, I'd like to start with the jack rabbits.
Now, it will be interesting to compare these statistics with the same information for the second four months of the year.
So, while I don't generally post specifics about training, here are the numbers from the first four months of 2007. One note, the roads have only recently become clear enough for biking (using Iron Pol standards). The bike mileage is deceptively low. There have been hours spent on the trainer, where mileage isn't documented.
The Swim
In mid-January, I began my 8-week swim focus aimed at improving my comfort in the water, as well as my ability to come out of the water fresh. Between January 1 and April 30, I completed 134,453 total yards swimming. Here are two bits of information to put that in perspective. First, that comes out to just over 76 miles. Second, it is only slightly longer than some of the longest single day swims completed by Martin Strel as he attempted to swim the length of the Amazon. In 2006, it was December before I had accumalated that much swim yardage. And true to Coach Mike's approach, my capabilities in the water are greatly improved.
The Bike
As mentioned above, using mileage alone is misleading when reviewing bike workouts. Through April, I have a grand total of 108 miles on the road. Brutal, especially if you consider most of it came in two rides. Put into proper perspective, my TIME in the saddle for the past four months totals 42 hours, 38 minutes. Using an average 17 mph, that's well over 700 miles. This will ramp up VERY quickly now that biking outside is a reality.
The Run
Admittedly my strong suit, running has taken a back seat to swimming and biking. Even so, I have logged about 40 miles more this year than the same period last year. With a total of 265.6, I am well on the way to a 1000 mile year. Like the swim, I have also seen significant gains in my run as I seek to break the 42 minute mark in the 10K. That is for purely self-gratifying reasons, as a sub-42 minute 10K will result in elite status for a local race. Just once, I'd like to start with the jack rabbits.
Now, it will be interesting to compare these statistics with the same information for the second four months of the year.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Worthy
Several others have posted on Jacob who bandited the Boston Marathon. To quote him, "I, Jacob Seilheimer, completed the Boston Marathon...DEAD LAST.And I'm damn proud of it."
This story is definitely worth reading, and Jacob is definitely worthy of being called by the title he earned. Marathoner.
This story is definitely worth reading, and Jacob is definitely worthy of being called by the title he earned. Marathoner.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Passing the Torch
It's amazing how perspectives can change in a short period of time. Twelve months ago, I was ALMOST to the point of swimming freestyle after months of TI drills. Swim workouts were measured in time because it seemed pointless to record swimming 200 yards. My training logs show the first recorded yardage in May, and those were 500-700 yard swims.
In May of last year I broke out my bike and started training on the road. Of course, my steed at that time was a lower end Giant mountain bike, all 35 pounds of it. Still, I hit the roads with a vengeance and logged some rides as long as 15 miles by the time my first race in June rolled around.
By that time, I had purchased my beloved Pol-R Express, and quickly ramped up to 40-50 mile rides. Training through June and July gave me the confidence to complete an Olympic distance triathlon in August, though I still felt distant from much of the triathlon community. While I had certainly invested some time and money, I just didn't feel "triathletey." (I'm fairly certain I just coined that term, so if you take it and make millions of dollars, please remember the little people).
I knew triathletes. They were the ones with all the stories about big races, long races, and lots of races. They wore their club gear at all the meetings and rides. They had months and months of blog entries about their training and racing. They knew all the pros, and had even met many of them. Me, I was just hanging out in their space. I wasn't REALLY a triathlete. Normally a loud and talkative person, I clammed up around real triathletes.
Then, I completed two triathlons in three weeks. The second was at the invitation of a co-worker running his first triathlon. Suddenly, I was the one who "knew everything." I'd been there. I'd set up transition areas. I'd seen wave starts and knew how to avoid the worst of the beating in the water. I understood how frantic you can be going from swim to bike and bike to run. And while I didn't really know all that much, my friend listened to everything I said.
Then Ironman Louisville became a reality, and I jumped feet first into the fray. Though it took me nearly three years to make the jump from half to full marathon, the journey from novice to Ironman was given 18 short months. The change from "wannabe" to triathlete took much less time.
Now, I hope I can be as motivational for all the fledgling triathletes as others have been for me. I try to make sure struggling swimmers understand that 12 months ago, I could barely swim 500 yards. When others cringe at the idea of biking 20 miles, I point out that my first rides, less than a year ago, were only 5 to 10 miles. And running is something that I continue to improve at as I head into my fifth marathon.
Triathlon has something for everyone. If you're new to endurance sports, remember that sprint distance races can be as short as 15 miles, including the bike and run. Often, the swim is in water so shallow the entire distance can be walked, if the need arises. And regardless of the distance, completing any event makes every competitor a winner. As you complete races, the feeling of being an "outsider" will pass. People will start to recognize you.
And they'll know you're a triathlete. Then, you too, can pass the torch.
In May of last year I broke out my bike and started training on the road. Of course, my steed at that time was a lower end Giant mountain bike, all 35 pounds of it. Still, I hit the roads with a vengeance and logged some rides as long as 15 miles by the time my first race in June rolled around.
By that time, I had purchased my beloved Pol-R Express, and quickly ramped up to 40-50 mile rides. Training through June and July gave me the confidence to complete an Olympic distance triathlon in August, though I still felt distant from much of the triathlon community. While I had certainly invested some time and money, I just didn't feel "triathletey." (I'm fairly certain I just coined that term, so if you take it and make millions of dollars, please remember the little people).
I knew triathletes. They were the ones with all the stories about big races, long races, and lots of races. They wore their club gear at all the meetings and rides. They had months and months of blog entries about their training and racing. They knew all the pros, and had even met many of them. Me, I was just hanging out in their space. I wasn't REALLY a triathlete. Normally a loud and talkative person, I clammed up around real triathletes.
Then, I completed two triathlons in three weeks. The second was at the invitation of a co-worker running his first triathlon. Suddenly, I was the one who "knew everything." I'd been there. I'd set up transition areas. I'd seen wave starts and knew how to avoid the worst of the beating in the water. I understood how frantic you can be going from swim to bike and bike to run. And while I didn't really know all that much, my friend listened to everything I said.
Then Ironman Louisville became a reality, and I jumped feet first into the fray. Though it took me nearly three years to make the jump from half to full marathon, the journey from novice to Ironman was given 18 short months. The change from "wannabe" to triathlete took much less time.
Now, I hope I can be as motivational for all the fledgling triathletes as others have been for me. I try to make sure struggling swimmers understand that 12 months ago, I could barely swim 500 yards. When others cringe at the idea of biking 20 miles, I point out that my first rides, less than a year ago, were only 5 to 10 miles. And running is something that I continue to improve at as I head into my fifth marathon.
Triathlon has something for everyone. If you're new to endurance sports, remember that sprint distance races can be as short as 15 miles, including the bike and run. Often, the swim is in water so shallow the entire distance can be walked, if the need arises. And regardless of the distance, completing any event makes every competitor a winner. As you complete races, the feeling of being an "outsider" will pass. People will start to recognize you.
And they'll know you're a triathlete. Then, you too, can pass the torch.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
One Long Swim
Congratulations Martin Strel
While few could relate to even the desire to attempt such a feat, Martin Strel has successfully swam the entire length of the Amazon River. The endurance swimmer who previously completed swims of the Danube, Missippi, and Yangtze Rivers began his quest to conquer the Amazon on February 1.
And for those of us who marvel at our own "crazy" yardage by considering the mileage we have completed in the pool, Martin Strel is truly amazing. His daily yardage averaged nearly as much as I have completed this entire year, and I like to think I've logged a lot of hours in the pool. Averaging 50 miles per day, Strel faced a great many challenges in mind, body, and environment.
Though his accomplishments are perhaps a bit extreme for many of us, Strel is still an inspiration role model for endurance swimmers. He establishes a goal, trains to achieve that goal, and overcomes the challenges and gremlins that stand in his way.
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