Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Hi Friends,
I am involved in a fundraiser for the Ironcops for Cancer, a program started in Edmonton with the Edmonton Police Force in the late 90’s. The Cancer fundraiser raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society through a variety of promotions and drives around Canada.
I am on Team BC for this year, and I am going to be competing at Ironman Canada 2006 in Penticton, BC, on behalf of this team.
Personally, I have some family members who have recently been affected and, this weekend, on my way home from Kamloops, I found out my grandfather has been diagnosed with colon cancer. It is quite advanced and, very sadly, with his age and condition it may be decided that the treatment is more painful than the disease. So, my family is bracing for this.
My participation with Ironcops for Cancer follows my belief in using skills and talents that I have to do something good for the world. For those of you who have ever heard of the Ironman, you know it is a tough day of endurance test. It consists of a 3.8km swim in Okanagan Lake, a 180 km road bike, and a 42.2 km run (marathon), all in one day. Most folks take between 12-15 hours, with the elite athletes finishing in 9 hours or so.
It is my goal to finish this race in 10 hours or better. That is a monumental task for me in terms of where I am, but in discussing things with my triathlon coach he believes that, if my training is good and my day is good, this is a possibility.
I also have a fundraising goal of $5,000 by August. Unlike other such programs (Leukemia’s Team in Training, etc.) I do not receive any race entry fee or free trip as a result of my fundraising. I do receive some promotional items from our sponsors (Powerbar, Sugoi, Kintec Footwear, etc.).
I’m e-mailing you guys as my friends and family across Canada to collectively support this cause. I know most of us have many charitable causes already, but that’s why I am e-mailing so many people. With a large collective group, we could make a huge impact with little effort from everybody. Here’s how you can help:
1) Purchase Powerbar products from the Running Room and save the receipts. If you send me the receipts, the Ironcops gets 10% of all powerbar products purchased. Even if it’s one powerbar save it and send it to me (obviously pool it with others).
2) Visit and purchase your footwear at Kintec Footlabs. They are in BC only I believe so this is more of a local thing. Again, say you are buying because of Ironcops for Cancer and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the program.
3) I am selling running hats bearing the Cops for Cancer program for $25.00/piece. They come in blue or white, and also there is a visor version for $20. If you are interested in buying these let me know. Pictures of them will be posted. They make great athletic hats as they are breathable.
4) Support me in the Ironcops program by going to www.ironcopsbc.com and click on the Team Members section. You’ll see my mug there and you can click on my profile and then click on “Here’s how you can donate”. All donations over $20 receive a charitable tax receipt.
If any company can donate over $1,000.00, I will be able to get the logo on my team uniform AND we will be able to get a little publicity on the website for Ironcops. Not that this is a “get out of jail free” card J for you for donating to a police program J…
Also, if you will be in Penticton on August 27th, 2006 (Sunday) that is the day of the Ironman. We’ll have a special area for supporters of the program, and, of course, you can come and cheer me on J. You’ll never see me in a more wasted state after 10 hours of exercise in the hot Okanagan.
If you have any questions, let me know. And thanks for your support. For the Vancouver residents, we are having an exhibit at the Inuit Art Gallery in Gastown on March 17th (St. Patty’s Day). It is $10 for a ticket and you get a free glass of wine with that. It starts at 5:30pm. Your $10 will also be applied towards the purchase of a special print made especially for the Ironcops program that our feature artist Andy Everson.
Regards,
Anthony Epp
www.ironcopsbc.com
I am involved in a fundraiser for the Ironcops for Cancer, a program started in Edmonton with the Edmonton Police Force in the late 90’s. The Cancer fundraiser raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society through a variety of promotions and drives around Canada.
I am on Team BC for this year, and I am going to be competing at Ironman Canada 2006 in Penticton, BC, on behalf of this team.
Personally, I have some family members who have recently been affected and, this weekend, on my way home from Kamloops, I found out my grandfather has been diagnosed with colon cancer. It is quite advanced and, very sadly, with his age and condition it may be decided that the treatment is more painful than the disease. So, my family is bracing for this.
My participation with Ironcops for Cancer follows my belief in using skills and talents that I have to do something good for the world. For those of you who have ever heard of the Ironman, you know it is a tough day of endurance test. It consists of a 3.8km swim in Okanagan Lake, a 180 km road bike, and a 42.2 km run (marathon), all in one day. Most folks take between 12-15 hours, with the elite athletes finishing in 9 hours or so.
It is my goal to finish this race in 10 hours or better. That is a monumental task for me in terms of where I am, but in discussing things with my triathlon coach he believes that, if my training is good and my day is good, this is a possibility.
I also have a fundraising goal of $5,000 by August. Unlike other such programs (Leukemia’s Team in Training, etc.) I do not receive any race entry fee or free trip as a result of my fundraising. I do receive some promotional items from our sponsors (Powerbar, Sugoi, Kintec Footwear, etc.).
I’m e-mailing you guys as my friends and family across Canada to collectively support this cause. I know most of us have many charitable causes already, but that’s why I am e-mailing so many people. With a large collective group, we could make a huge impact with little effort from everybody. Here’s how you can help:
1) Purchase Powerbar products from the Running Room and save the receipts. If you send me the receipts, the Ironcops gets 10% of all powerbar products purchased. Even if it’s one powerbar save it and send it to me (obviously pool it with others).
2) Visit and purchase your footwear at Kintec Footlabs. They are in BC only I believe so this is more of a local thing. Again, say you are buying because of Ironcops for Cancer and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the program.
3) I am selling running hats bearing the Cops for Cancer program for $25.00/piece. They come in blue or white, and also there is a visor version for $20. If you are interested in buying these let me know. Pictures of them will be posted. They make great athletic hats as they are breathable.
4) Support me in the Ironcops program by going to www.ironcopsbc.com and click on the Team Members section. You’ll see my mug there and you can click on my profile and then click on “Here’s how you can donate”. All donations over $20 receive a charitable tax receipt.
If any company can donate over $1,000.00, I will be able to get the logo on my team uniform AND we will be able to get a little publicity on the website for Ironcops. Not that this is a “get out of jail free” card J for you for donating to a police program J…
Also, if you will be in Penticton on August 27th, 2006 (Sunday) that is the day of the Ironman. We’ll have a special area for supporters of the program, and, of course, you can come and cheer me on J. You’ll never see me in a more wasted state after 10 hours of exercise in the hot Okanagan.
If you have any questions, let me know. And thanks for your support. For the Vancouver residents, we are having an exhibit at the Inuit Art Gallery in Gastown on March 17th (St. Patty’s Day). It is $10 for a ticket and you get a free glass of wine with that. It starts at 5:30pm. Your $10 will also be applied towards the purchase of a special print made especially for the Ironcops program that our feature artist Andy Everson.
Regards,
Anthony Epp
www.ironcopsbc.com
Thursday, February 23, 2006
"It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most human beings live only for the gratification of it." - Aristotle
This past weekend I ran the 1st Half Half Marthon in Vancouver and, by all accounts, came to a successful 1hr 32 minute finish. As I sat at the starting line I went through my expectations for the race. What did I hope to accomplish here? Part of me was saying "stay conservative, your goal is to run a consistent race and to practice your pacing" and the other said "run the race you want to run, and if you can't at some point continue, then so be it."
So, what did I do?
Both... and neither... I did start out with the intention of racing it all out, of taking the Steve Prefontaine approach of just giving everything the whole time and using my will to take me through. My rough pace was about 6:45/mile, well under what I hoped to accomplish (a sub 1:30 half marathon). And then, before about halfway, I fell back... I knew that I would not be able to continue this pace forever. I found myself at the halfway mark at 44 minutes and some change, which was still slightly ahead of where I wanted to be.
And then, as we rounded the seawall to head home, I could feel the legs getting a little heavier, and my form was starting to become less natural. I always know as I stop leaning forward that I am struggling. As the route came up to Lost Lagoon I had to settle into a shuffle for a few minutes while I got my legs back. I had fallen off that pace for sure, and as I came up to the 11 mile mark, at around 1:18, I knew that to break 1:30 would be pushing things quite a bit. At this moment, though, it came to me:
"You are so close to the finish, just bury your head and focus on each minute running a little more efficiently". My pace was faster those last 2 miles and I came in around 1:32, which was slower than I had hoped overall, but with a strong finish and a good start, I have to point at the race and say "good job".
In reflecting back, I am happy with my race but not satisfied with where I am. This seems to me to be part of the definition of a quest, and the hunger to push forward. If it was easy to run an ironman then there would be no need to train. If it was easy to get faster, more efficient, more disciplined, then we wouldn't care so much and it wouldn't mean so much to get to the finish line. There are roads and paths and tests along the way. Some will be affirmations, and some distractions. In a real way there are entities out there to take us off our mission. Enemies on the side of the road, so to speak. So, what are the enemies here? Distraction and procrastination, laziness, late party nights, poor nutrition, poor recovery, etc. There are many temptations to keep us from achieving our goals, and they are deliberate... Which is why to fight through those enemies is part of succeeding in this quest. It is not the pain of a Saturday bike ride, but the late Friday night that makes one lament the Saturday ride.
Discipline, strength, and commitment...
"There are times when a man should be content with what he has but never with what he is." - William George Jordan
That's where I am now...
This past weekend I ran the 1st Half Half Marthon in Vancouver and, by all accounts, came to a successful 1hr 32 minute finish. As I sat at the starting line I went through my expectations for the race. What did I hope to accomplish here? Part of me was saying "stay conservative, your goal is to run a consistent race and to practice your pacing" and the other said "run the race you want to run, and if you can't at some point continue, then so be it."
So, what did I do?
Both... and neither... I did start out with the intention of racing it all out, of taking the Steve Prefontaine approach of just giving everything the whole time and using my will to take me through. My rough pace was about 6:45/mile, well under what I hoped to accomplish (a sub 1:30 half marathon). And then, before about halfway, I fell back... I knew that I would not be able to continue this pace forever. I found myself at the halfway mark at 44 minutes and some change, which was still slightly ahead of where I wanted to be.
And then, as we rounded the seawall to head home, I could feel the legs getting a little heavier, and my form was starting to become less natural. I always know as I stop leaning forward that I am struggling. As the route came up to Lost Lagoon I had to settle into a shuffle for a few minutes while I got my legs back. I had fallen off that pace for sure, and as I came up to the 11 mile mark, at around 1:18, I knew that to break 1:30 would be pushing things quite a bit. At this moment, though, it came to me:
"You are so close to the finish, just bury your head and focus on each minute running a little more efficiently". My pace was faster those last 2 miles and I came in around 1:32, which was slower than I had hoped overall, but with a strong finish and a good start, I have to point at the race and say "good job".
In reflecting back, I am happy with my race but not satisfied with where I am. This seems to me to be part of the definition of a quest, and the hunger to push forward. If it was easy to run an ironman then there would be no need to train. If it was easy to get faster, more efficient, more disciplined, then we wouldn't care so much and it wouldn't mean so much to get to the finish line. There are roads and paths and tests along the way. Some will be affirmations, and some distractions. In a real way there are entities out there to take us off our mission. Enemies on the side of the road, so to speak. So, what are the enemies here? Distraction and procrastination, laziness, late party nights, poor nutrition, poor recovery, etc. There are many temptations to keep us from achieving our goals, and they are deliberate... Which is why to fight through those enemies is part of succeeding in this quest. It is not the pain of a Saturday bike ride, but the late Friday night that makes one lament the Saturday ride.
Discipline, strength, and commitment...
"There are times when a man should be content with what he has but never with what he is." - William George Jordan
That's where I am now...
Friday, February 17, 2006
The key to success in this sport is balance. You have to find ways to make sure that your non-Ironman life does not get strangled because of the long hours.
Realistically, I will begin spending about 15 hours a week training, probably by the end of the month. This could be even higher during the summer. Well, how do you maintain anything outside of that? Where is the energy to do anything else?
I find I am at my best when I am busy. When I am too sedentary, I tend to do even less. So, these days, I've added a series of other activities that, I believe, help balance out the rest of the training...I'm taking Spanish Classes on Wednesdays, training as a boxer on Mondays, doing yoga 2-3 times per week, and continuing volunteer work and travel.
Now, how can one add MORE physical activity to a 15 hour training schedule? Well, in some ways the boxing and yoga compliment my training, but also they are excellent releases from it. Yoga I see as the relaxing part of training. It is like sitting on the couch and relaxing only I am stretching out at the same time. After a couple of weeks of this I have seen a lot of benefits, both mentally and physically.
Boxing was a New Year's thought that has manifested itself into a passionate release for me. I truly enjoy it, and actually wish I could go more often. I enjoy the workout, which is not easy and definitely tiring, but I also enjoy the explosive energy and confidence that comes from learning quick, strong movements and footwork. When I started 1 1/2 months ago I couldn't even skip rope for more than 10 seconds and now I can go for a couple of minutes.
Both activities do build core strength, essential for Ironman... But, more importantly, they are NOT triathlon-centered. As much as you can be dedicated to something, you need to know that it is not the only thing in your life.
All of this has helped me become more focused and more determined, though, in my Ironman quest... I am starting to see greater possibilities and learning more and more about how to make the Ironman training a real part of my lifestyle through participating in these counter-activities. And THAT is the balance. By stepping back from the Ironman during these moments I am making the training something I come back to every day, but don't live for exclusively.
I am also building new relationships and friendships along the way. I find I am spending more time with a few people who really are part of this lifestyle. These people nurture and provide a safe haven to train, because we all share a common goal and purpose. I don't care if someone is faster or slower than me, because the point is not to race together, but to have a support group that understands each other.
I was part of a writing group once, and this was the same principle. We were obviously not all writing "together", the same story. We were writing our own material, but we'd come together weekly and share our experiences. The triathlon community can be that way too, if you find the right group of people with the right attitude. It's not about being the fastest in the group, it's about pushing and supporting each other, enabling each of us to get closer and closer to our potential.
I think that is the true value of a training group. The true value of being with people who truly do understand each other and accept each other, regardless of ability.
I am truly blessed with these friendships and associations. They are such a welcome by-product of this quest.
For this weekend, I am running the First Half Half Marathon... I consider it a baseline test of where I am at in my training, and I bought a new pair of runners for it. I know, that is basically breaking the cardinal rule of running shoe purchases... Don't buy new shoes for a race... Honestly I have no choice... After yesterday's mile repeats, I could feel my feet were pounding the pavement a little tougher than usual.
So, a light bike ride tomorrow, followed by a technical swim workout in the afternoon. That should be a good enough light workout for Sunday. Today I will try to go to yoga to relax for the race!
Happy training!
Realistically, I will begin spending about 15 hours a week training, probably by the end of the month. This could be even higher during the summer. Well, how do you maintain anything outside of that? Where is the energy to do anything else?
I find I am at my best when I am busy. When I am too sedentary, I tend to do even less. So, these days, I've added a series of other activities that, I believe, help balance out the rest of the training...I'm taking Spanish Classes on Wednesdays, training as a boxer on Mondays, doing yoga 2-3 times per week, and continuing volunteer work and travel.
Now, how can one add MORE physical activity to a 15 hour training schedule? Well, in some ways the boxing and yoga compliment my training, but also they are excellent releases from it. Yoga I see as the relaxing part of training. It is like sitting on the couch and relaxing only I am stretching out at the same time. After a couple of weeks of this I have seen a lot of benefits, both mentally and physically.
Boxing was a New Year's thought that has manifested itself into a passionate release for me. I truly enjoy it, and actually wish I could go more often. I enjoy the workout, which is not easy and definitely tiring, but I also enjoy the explosive energy and confidence that comes from learning quick, strong movements and footwork. When I started 1 1/2 months ago I couldn't even skip rope for more than 10 seconds and now I can go for a couple of minutes.
Both activities do build core strength, essential for Ironman... But, more importantly, they are NOT triathlon-centered. As much as you can be dedicated to something, you need to know that it is not the only thing in your life.
All of this has helped me become more focused and more determined, though, in my Ironman quest... I am starting to see greater possibilities and learning more and more about how to make the Ironman training a real part of my lifestyle through participating in these counter-activities. And THAT is the balance. By stepping back from the Ironman during these moments I am making the training something I come back to every day, but don't live for exclusively.
I am also building new relationships and friendships along the way. I find I am spending more time with a few people who really are part of this lifestyle. These people nurture and provide a safe haven to train, because we all share a common goal and purpose. I don't care if someone is faster or slower than me, because the point is not to race together, but to have a support group that understands each other.
I was part of a writing group once, and this was the same principle. We were obviously not all writing "together", the same story. We were writing our own material, but we'd come together weekly and share our experiences. The triathlon community can be that way too, if you find the right group of people with the right attitude. It's not about being the fastest in the group, it's about pushing and supporting each other, enabling each of us to get closer and closer to our potential.
I think that is the true value of a training group. The true value of being with people who truly do understand each other and accept each other, regardless of ability.
I am truly blessed with these friendships and associations. They are such a welcome by-product of this quest.
For this weekend, I am running the First Half Half Marathon... I consider it a baseline test of where I am at in my training, and I bought a new pair of runners for it. I know, that is basically breaking the cardinal rule of running shoe purchases... Don't buy new shoes for a race... Honestly I have no choice... After yesterday's mile repeats, I could feel my feet were pounding the pavement a little tougher than usual.
So, a light bike ride tomorrow, followed by a technical swim workout in the afternoon. That should be a good enough light workout for Sunday. Today I will try to go to yoga to relax for the race!
Happy training!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Welcome to week number two of the blog!
This weekend was great for riding. I was a little anxious when I woke up on Saturday and realized it was going to be a very sunny day, and that I would have an awesome bike ride ahead… Except that I was scheduled to take a blood lactate test that morning with the Ironcops program…. So, I had to reschedule my bike ride for Sunday…
The blood lactate test was at the Kintec Sports Lab in Surrey. They are sponsoring the Ironcops this year and are offering to donate 5% of every purchase to the Cops for Cancer program. All you have to do is mention “Ironcops” and the donation is automatic. So, check them out and buy some shoes! They do quite a professional foot strike analysis as well in order to fit you.
The blood lactate test is used to help set levels of training that I should be aiming for in order to maximize my improvement. Lactate measurement is far more precise than the outdated and inaccurate method of using percentages of maximum heart rate to set training zones. Because heart rate is an individual response, heart rate training zones need to be determined by measurement of physiological variables not set by mathematical formulas.
I will be getting this test back next week and then I will post it and reveal what it says about my training levels. I am also going to go back in July and get retested to see if I have improved.
I have not done a blood lactate test before but I have done a VO2 max test on a treadmill (running) and received some valuable information about myself. First of all, I learned a closer approximation of my maximum heart rate. During the treadmill test, I was able to get my heart rate up to roughly 203 beats per minute. There is really no way I could have known that this is how high it could go without actually getting to that level.
Now, knowing my maximum is really irrelevant, because there are few times that I will ever attempt to get to that level in a workout. But, the next area that I discovered was the heart rate level where I went from aerobic to anaerobic while running. And that number is around 180. Theoretically speaking, I should be able to hold a 180 heart rate and still be “aerobic”, and, with proper training, be able to hold that for as long as a marathon even if I really could. Now, theory and practice are two different things.
So that was my weekend. My training schedule for last week:
Monday - boxing & spinning (45 minutes)
Tuesday - swimming (2k) & 40 min run.
Wednesday - spin 30 minutes
Thursday - run 3x1 mile repeats at 6:10/mile, 1.5 hrs yoga Friday - 40 minute tempo (approx 9k) in morning, swim afternoon (1200 meters) Saturday - Blood lactate test (bike). Approximately 45 min of riding. Swim technique class with Dean.
Sunday - Bike 3.5 hours. Not sure of distance. Easy ride. 1.5 hrs Yoga in afternoon
There are two yoga’s and one boxing session. I have decided as I get older that I need to stretch more, and I am horribly undisciplined in this area. So, the yoga classes are becoming part of my training program. And the boxing? Well, I just use that to get rid of aggression… No, actually, it substitutes a weight workout and also is really good for mental focus and concentration. Plus, I think there is a certain level of confidence that you get from it.
This weekend was great for riding. I was a little anxious when I woke up on Saturday and realized it was going to be a very sunny day, and that I would have an awesome bike ride ahead… Except that I was scheduled to take a blood lactate test that morning with the Ironcops program…. So, I had to reschedule my bike ride for Sunday…
The blood lactate test was at the Kintec Sports Lab in Surrey. They are sponsoring the Ironcops this year and are offering to donate 5% of every purchase to the Cops for Cancer program. All you have to do is mention “Ironcops” and the donation is automatic. So, check them out and buy some shoes! They do quite a professional foot strike analysis as well in order to fit you.
The blood lactate test is used to help set levels of training that I should be aiming for in order to maximize my improvement. Lactate measurement is far more precise than the outdated and inaccurate method of using percentages of maximum heart rate to set training zones. Because heart rate is an individual response, heart rate training zones need to be determined by measurement of physiological variables not set by mathematical formulas.
I will be getting this test back next week and then I will post it and reveal what it says about my training levels. I am also going to go back in July and get retested to see if I have improved.
I have not done a blood lactate test before but I have done a VO2 max test on a treadmill (running) and received some valuable information about myself. First of all, I learned a closer approximation of my maximum heart rate. During the treadmill test, I was able to get my heart rate up to roughly 203 beats per minute. There is really no way I could have known that this is how high it could go without actually getting to that level.
Now, knowing my maximum is really irrelevant, because there are few times that I will ever attempt to get to that level in a workout. But, the next area that I discovered was the heart rate level where I went from aerobic to anaerobic while running. And that number is around 180. Theoretically speaking, I should be able to hold a 180 heart rate and still be “aerobic”, and, with proper training, be able to hold that for as long as a marathon even if I really could. Now, theory and practice are two different things.
So that was my weekend. My training schedule for last week:
Monday - boxing & spinning (45 minutes)
Tuesday - swimming (2k) & 40 min run.
Wednesday - spin 30 minutes
Thursday - run 3x1 mile repeats at 6:10/mile, 1.5 hrs yoga Friday - 40 minute tempo (approx 9k) in morning, swim afternoon (1200 meters) Saturday - Blood lactate test (bike). Approximately 45 min of riding. Swim technique class with Dean.
Sunday - Bike 3.5 hours. Not sure of distance. Easy ride. 1.5 hrs Yoga in afternoon
There are two yoga’s and one boxing session. I have decided as I get older that I need to stretch more, and I am horribly undisciplined in this area. So, the yoga classes are becoming part of my training program. And the boxing? Well, I just use that to get rid of aggression… No, actually, it substitutes a weight workout and also is really good for mental focus and concentration. Plus, I think there is a certain level of confidence that you get from it.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
"When you argue for your limitations, all you get are your limitations."
I want to give credit for that little quote but I can't find the author of it anywhere. I read it on the internet over the weekend and there is something there that rings true.
I think many of us are sometimes guilty of underestimating our own abilities. I confess that I have often dreamt big but expected little. I have wanted more but have been able to convince myself that this was the best I was going to achieve.
Ever get asked "how did you do?" in a particular race and respond with everything that went wrong? Ever been asked "how do you think you'll do in x race?" and said "oh, not good... training was bad, I have a bad leg, etc."?
Watch the athletes who throw out those tired cliches about "taking it one day at a time" and such. Nobody wants to set the expectation level too high. Now, I have a problem with bragging, "I'm going to leave everybody in my dust", especially if they can't back it up. However, certainly in a competition, it is important to give credit where credit is due... Especially to yourself. And to expect the best and put a swagger into your step. And accept nothing less.
If you set out on a training plan for something, be that an Ironman, a marathon, a hockey season, I think you have to believe at the start that you can and will achieve all the goals you set. If not, then what motivates you to do those little things to get ready to achieve that result? I know that I could not have qualified for the Boston marathon had I not believed that I would. When I posted my 3:17 marathon in Vancouver, I believed in my heart of hearts after that that I would qualify for Boston. In fact, I trained from June through October with that unwavering belief. And, low and behold, not only did I qualify but I qualified with time for a coffee and a muffin (3 hrs 00 minutes, 30 seconds).
But I have had other races where I set out my training thinking "well, I don't know... I could get injured, I could have a setback, I might have a bad race, etc." I said "I'm just going to get in my runs and see what happens... I've come up short lately so I don't want to set myself up for a bad race... etc"... What good comes out of that? Setting low expectations and a low ceiling in January for a race in August that you can, pretty much, already achieve, is not inspiring...
Here's a comment relating to nature... When a lion is hunting in a herd of gazelles, does it doubt its ability to catch one? Not at all... Does it always catch one? Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it comes easy. But I'll bet that most of the time the lion doesn't go hungry. The only thing that does not change is that the lion knows it has to keep hunting or it will starve. And the lion does not doubt whether it will catch a gazelle when it breaks into a sprint.
Competition has to be such that you firmly and wholeheartedly believe in your ability to achieve the goal you set for yourself... And, what I mean by that is the "challenging" goal. Could you get hurt along the way and have to change your plans? You know it's possible. But it hasn't happened yet, and there is no point in planning for a setback before the setback manifests itself.
Training for the Ironman is a hunt in and of itself. It takes preparation, dedication and commitment. Doing the little things every day to aid you in realizing the dream on race day. That also means believing in your heart of hearts that what you are doing will lead to a great result.
And never, ever sell yourself short. We are capable of far more than we ever realize.
This will be MY interpretation of the quote, which is always open for debate.
Now go out there and run!
I want to give credit for that little quote but I can't find the author of it anywhere. I read it on the internet over the weekend and there is something there that rings true.
I think many of us are sometimes guilty of underestimating our own abilities. I confess that I have often dreamt big but expected little. I have wanted more but have been able to convince myself that this was the best I was going to achieve.
Ever get asked "how did you do?" in a particular race and respond with everything that went wrong? Ever been asked "how do you think you'll do in x race?" and said "oh, not good... training was bad, I have a bad leg, etc."?
Watch the athletes who throw out those tired cliches about "taking it one day at a time" and such. Nobody wants to set the expectation level too high. Now, I have a problem with bragging, "I'm going to leave everybody in my dust", especially if they can't back it up. However, certainly in a competition, it is important to give credit where credit is due... Especially to yourself. And to expect the best and put a swagger into your step. And accept nothing less.
If you set out on a training plan for something, be that an Ironman, a marathon, a hockey season, I think you have to believe at the start that you can and will achieve all the goals you set. If not, then what motivates you to do those little things to get ready to achieve that result? I know that I could not have qualified for the Boston marathon had I not believed that I would. When I posted my 3:17 marathon in Vancouver, I believed in my heart of hearts after that that I would qualify for Boston. In fact, I trained from June through October with that unwavering belief. And, low and behold, not only did I qualify but I qualified with time for a coffee and a muffin (3 hrs 00 minutes, 30 seconds).
But I have had other races where I set out my training thinking "well, I don't know... I could get injured, I could have a setback, I might have a bad race, etc." I said "I'm just going to get in my runs and see what happens... I've come up short lately so I don't want to set myself up for a bad race... etc"... What good comes out of that? Setting low expectations and a low ceiling in January for a race in August that you can, pretty much, already achieve, is not inspiring...
Here's a comment relating to nature... When a lion is hunting in a herd of gazelles, does it doubt its ability to catch one? Not at all... Does it always catch one? Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it comes easy. But I'll bet that most of the time the lion doesn't go hungry. The only thing that does not change is that the lion knows it has to keep hunting or it will starve. And the lion does not doubt whether it will catch a gazelle when it breaks into a sprint.
Competition has to be such that you firmly and wholeheartedly believe in your ability to achieve the goal you set for yourself... And, what I mean by that is the "challenging" goal. Could you get hurt along the way and have to change your plans? You know it's possible. But it hasn't happened yet, and there is no point in planning for a setback before the setback manifests itself.
Training for the Ironman is a hunt in and of itself. It takes preparation, dedication and commitment. Doing the little things every day to aid you in realizing the dream on race day. That also means believing in your heart of hearts that what you are doing will lead to a great result.
And never, ever sell yourself short. We are capable of far more than we ever realize.
This will be MY interpretation of the quote, which is always open for debate.
Now go out there and run!
Friday, February 03, 2006
The quest for a story is the quest for life - Jill Johnston
We'll call this one "day 1" of my Ironblog...
So what is the Ironman? It is a long distance triathlon with the following distances:
3.8 km swim in a lake
180 km bike ride on the road
42.2 km run on the road
To put it bluntly, it's one long day starting at 7am and finishing at 7pm for some, midnight for others, and for the best of them... 3:30pm...
So there ya have it? The experience is tiring, sometimes painful, frustrating, joyful and exuberant all at once. And, really, the day of the race itself is a statement for all the work and time that gets put in to preparing for it... There are sacrifices that get made, like early Friday night bedtimes to catch a long bike ride in the morning, for one... Not one of my strongest habits, by the way!
But you always weigh the sacrifice with the rewards you feel, and training for the Ironman in 2002 was one point in my life where I really felt I came alive, despite being too tired to finish a sandwich some nights... And I'll share one moment from that wonderful day in August:
I came to the final 10km of the run, after about 11 hours of exercise in the heat in Penticton... I had walked a significant portion of the marathon. Significant for me, that is, considering that my full intent was to save my strength and run that marathon as best as I could. But I simply had no gas left at all. My stomach was feeling queasy, I couldn't get any energy from energy gels, fruit, cookies, or even straight chocolate - I'm not sure but there must have been a food that would have worked (more on this in later posts)... Needless to say, this was not the finishing touch to a year of training that I wanted.
I came to the 33km mark (less than 10k to the finish), and made that final decision for the race - I would run the rest of the way no matter what. Now, at this point in exhaustion, one's brain takes instructions from any source it can. I firmly believe that had someone suggested running naked would help, I would have bought it. It is like being thirsty in the desert... You'll drink sand if you think it is water and convince yourself it will work.
So, this final thought, this final cohesive suggestion, and I started running... All of a sudden I was thinking "why didn't I run before?" because I really started to feel good again. I wasn't tired, injured, or anything.
Passing the 8 km-to-go mark (5 miles), I saw a group of friends and that memory will stay with me forever. I could not acknowledge them as I was just afraid I would fall apart like a marshmellow and start crying. But I definitely couldn't ignore them. At that point I realized how truly lucky I was to be there, to have people in my life that I cared deeply about, to have a dream, work towards it, and to be in the process of realizing it. You know that moment where you actually think "I have arrived where I always wanted to be..." It's a moment. It doesn't last long (because once you have that you need a new place to go!), but it is everlasting in how it makes you feel.
At that moment it was no longer about the Ironman. It was about me and the world I had created for myself, with a family I love, friends I cherish, and my ability to dream and make dreams come true.
I love the sport of triathlon. I consider it a sport. It is not a hobby... Hobbies can be casual and uninvolved at times. This is a passion... It's a competition... But not a competition limited to me vs. him or her, although that exists. It's not only a competition against the clock, although that element, too, exists. It's a competition against the elements, against injuries, against the course, against the limits of your beliefs about yourself. You have to learn every day... You have to have a bad bike ride snack in order to figure out a good one... And you cannot take the Ironman lightly, or it will beat you senseless...
You have to trust in the folks who have completed this journey before you, but you have to realize that you are as unique and individual in your needs as the 2000 other athletes who are competing...
So, it's Day 1, it's february 3rd, and I am well into the base prep. time for my race.
Soon to come, the Ironcops for Cancer story... I'll save that one for another day, but in the meantime, check out the website of www.ironcopsbc.com and you'll find me on the BC Team!
Happy Training!
We'll call this one "day 1" of my Ironblog...
So what is the Ironman? It is a long distance triathlon with the following distances:
3.8 km swim in a lake
180 km bike ride on the road
42.2 km run on the road
To put it bluntly, it's one long day starting at 7am and finishing at 7pm for some, midnight for others, and for the best of them... 3:30pm...
So there ya have it? The experience is tiring, sometimes painful, frustrating, joyful and exuberant all at once. And, really, the day of the race itself is a statement for all the work and time that gets put in to preparing for it... There are sacrifices that get made, like early Friday night bedtimes to catch a long bike ride in the morning, for one... Not one of my strongest habits, by the way!
But you always weigh the sacrifice with the rewards you feel, and training for the Ironman in 2002 was one point in my life where I really felt I came alive, despite being too tired to finish a sandwich some nights... And I'll share one moment from that wonderful day in August:
I came to the final 10km of the run, after about 11 hours of exercise in the heat in Penticton... I had walked a significant portion of the marathon. Significant for me, that is, considering that my full intent was to save my strength and run that marathon as best as I could. But I simply had no gas left at all. My stomach was feeling queasy, I couldn't get any energy from energy gels, fruit, cookies, or even straight chocolate - I'm not sure but there must have been a food that would have worked (more on this in later posts)... Needless to say, this was not the finishing touch to a year of training that I wanted.
I came to the 33km mark (less than 10k to the finish), and made that final decision for the race - I would run the rest of the way no matter what. Now, at this point in exhaustion, one's brain takes instructions from any source it can. I firmly believe that had someone suggested running naked would help, I would have bought it. It is like being thirsty in the desert... You'll drink sand if you think it is water and convince yourself it will work.
So, this final thought, this final cohesive suggestion, and I started running... All of a sudden I was thinking "why didn't I run before?" because I really started to feel good again. I wasn't tired, injured, or anything.
Passing the 8 km-to-go mark (5 miles), I saw a group of friends and that memory will stay with me forever. I could not acknowledge them as I was just afraid I would fall apart like a marshmellow and start crying. But I definitely couldn't ignore them. At that point I realized how truly lucky I was to be there, to have people in my life that I cared deeply about, to have a dream, work towards it, and to be in the process of realizing it. You know that moment where you actually think "I have arrived where I always wanted to be..." It's a moment. It doesn't last long (because once you have that you need a new place to go!), but it is everlasting in how it makes you feel.
At that moment it was no longer about the Ironman. It was about me and the world I had created for myself, with a family I love, friends I cherish, and my ability to dream and make dreams come true.
I love the sport of triathlon. I consider it a sport. It is not a hobby... Hobbies can be casual and uninvolved at times. This is a passion... It's a competition... But not a competition limited to me vs. him or her, although that exists. It's not only a competition against the clock, although that element, too, exists. It's a competition against the elements, against injuries, against the course, against the limits of your beliefs about yourself. You have to learn every day... You have to have a bad bike ride snack in order to figure out a good one... And you cannot take the Ironman lightly, or it will beat you senseless...
You have to trust in the folks who have completed this journey before you, but you have to realize that you are as unique and individual in your needs as the 2000 other athletes who are competing...
So, it's Day 1, it's february 3rd, and I am well into the base prep. time for my race.
Soon to come, the Ironcops for Cancer story... I'll save that one for another day, but in the meantime, check out the website of www.ironcopsbc.com and you'll find me on the BC Team!
Happy Training!
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