Trusting process... looking beyond results...

I have often told my clinics to think “I am a marathon runner…” even before they complete their first marathon. The practical argument I make is that people who train to golf are golfers, people who train to play hockey games are hockey players, and people who train to climb rocks are rock climbers, etc. So, why is someone training for a marathon NOT a marathon runner already? Is the difference a medal around your neck?

In the wild kingdom, animals do what they are made to do… Lion’s hunt in a certain way… they hunt like, well, lions. They don’t hunt like buzzards, or like alligators, etc… They hunt like lions. They don’t question whether there is another way to hunt, they just do it the way lions do. Eagle’s soar like eagle’s, not like seagulls. So, if I think about it, we run like marathoners because we are, well, marathoners… Being a “successful” marathoner is another story (depends on your definition of success) but, for now, you have to realize that you are a marathoner the moment you decide you’re training for one. Or, at the least, you need to start acting like one.

And that’s where I get into the process, rather than the results. It is the process which makes us athletes, not the results. We are inspired to attempt a certain distance or goal, by whatever within us has given us this drive and determination. Ironman is not something you do on a whim, you are called to it. There are lots of folks who have no desire to even try to train, and that’s fine. That’s them. Whether it happens to be because you have a friend who trains for the Ironman and you think “I could do that” or you read about one of the many inspirational Ironman stories, something about it captures your (and my) imagination and causes us both to stir and think of a possibility…

For some, it will be climbing Everest. For others, it is a calling to serve the church, or build houses in 3^rd world countries, or build a company. Each of us is moved by different interests, and mine is Ironman. I also endevour to build a business, to be a writer, etc. but right now, in this moment, I am driven to complete the Ironman.

I see other triathletes toil in cells all over the lower mainland on Sundays, each riding in their own groups and training for something (some for Ironman, others for Half Ironman, etc.). We have a monk’s devotion to waking up on Saturdays (like a calling) and, like monks, some of us get these visions of glory, visited upon us on a breakthrough bike ride or a sudden feeling of an effortless run. And some of us see it at a distance, having progress come slowly, but still remaining stoutly devoted to the little voice inside us that says “keep trying”.

All this comes in planting the seeds of training, trusting in the process, and being around to cultivate the harvest when it sprouts. Some plants take months, some take days, but we can’t make ourselves grow faster or stronger by yanking on the roots… We can only focus on our process, which is unique. Keep doing what we do, with long rides and intervals, and swim sessions with pull buoys. In that discipline, we are ALL Ironmen (women), regardless of where we finish on race day.

“Man is asked to make of himself what he is supposed to become to fulfill his destiny.” – Paul Tillich

Qualifying...

I think there is something to be learned in focusing yourself onto something you really, really want, and doing what it takes to make that happen. I am teaching the Marathon Clinic at the Denman Running Room, and I always love the motivations that people have for running a marathon. I think that similar ones exist for the person running the Ironman too. But really, sometimes the marathon clinic is a good barometer of what we want to achieve. There are many reasons why people run marathons.

One of the most common is to qualify for “Boston.” Boston, of course, being the Boston Marathon. It’s a tough race to qualify for and many people never do. One thing I have noticed is that the people who dedicate themselves to this goal, though, often get there. Now, to preface that, it takes hard work and it is NOT always welcomed immediately. I have told folks over and over to be patient with themselves and just do the best they can. That’s all you can ask. Eventually, many of them do qualify for Boston. And it’s remarkable the confidence and inspiration in many of them, except I hope that we all realize that “qualifying and running Boston” is really just a result coming from a journey of dedication, desire, attitude and focus.

But it’s nice to get that accomplishment. I have to say that qualifying for Boston changed how I saw myself. I think part of my struggle the past few years has been in getting away from that feeling I had when I qualified, all of a sudden realizing I had something for this running thing. But I let that go a little… And I’ve discovered that I want to get back to that sense of self again. I’m not one for results, but having a few that kind of give you that sense that “you ARE good at this” never hurts. I think the biggest sense of accomplishment comes from knowing you’ve put your best out there, regardless of what the results are. None of us are perfect, and qualifying for Boston, or Kona (Ironman World Championships) just means your closer to your potential than before.

Secretly, I like being able to say I have done something that only a few people do…

It's only the beginning...

"The biggest difference in ultra endurance performance is learning the humility and patience required to play your best hand. The best athletes race from where their fitness is, rather than where they'd like it to be." - Gordo Byrn

I had to go away on a business trip this weekend to Lethbridge. As a result, I woke up early, got my rides and runs in, and made sure I made a semblance of effort to stick to the program as laid out. I enter this week with my first Half Ironman of the season looming large and approaching fast (actually, it is on Sunday).

So, with all this in mind you would think I was nervous about the race. Remarkably, though, I think I am fairly calm. I am trying to be focused and determined, but nervous is not the feeling anymore. I have no doubts about my ability this time around, more so I have to figure out just how hard I CAN push things. In the past few weeks I have learned that I can push about 5-10 beats per minute harder (in heart rate terms) on the bike and on the swim than I previously had tried to do. I think that has more to do with the fact that I accept the heart rate as a signal rather than my own brain, and am sticking to the results that the heart rate monitor has been giving me. For example, pushing a little harder on the tempo bike ride last Wednesday, I know full well I would have eased back, thinking I was around 80% effort, had I not had my heart rate monitor with me. By using that, I forced myself to ride a little harder to get to the zone I wanted, knowing that this was where I should be able to hold myself for the period of time required.

Until I train my brain to think the way my heart rate monitor does, I’ll stick to the HRM. It’s far more objective than my head (I should use it for other things J).

I was reading an interesting article by Gordo Byrn on the 3-4 year training cycle, and how we are somewhat ill-focused when we think in terms of “one year”. It confirms some of the recent thoughts I have had about where all this is heading, and I have come to a little conclusion in that I will definitely continue racing long distance after this year and not give myself too much of a break. Depending on my schedule (work or school) for next year I’ll decide what kind of racing, but I feel in order to truly see the long term benefits of the Ironman-“life”, one year is simply too short a time frame. I am making this decision now so as to avoid the typical post-race emotional decision-making I am prone to do… So, I will be training for SOMETHING next year, either Ironman, or something of equal value.

Anyway, back to this week… It’s the Victoria Half Ironman this weekend, and so I have somewhat of a taper week ahead. Tapering is really just taking your workload and condensing it so that your quality is the focus and not the quantity. And trying to make sure you are fresh come Sunday. So, 8 hours of sleep is the goal each night, and lots of water, and eating balanced, etc… I still have to wait to find out what my coach says the “taper week” will consist of training-wise…

Top Ten Reasons Why I am Shaving My Head:

10) To see if the bump I got when I fell on my head as a child left a permanent dent.

9) Improve my aerodynamics while running.

8) So my swim cap will fit easier.

7) Ran out of hair product… And really, it’s just a hassle anyway.

6) To see if it will ever… gulp… grow back!

5) I lost a bet.

4) To see the look on peoples faces when I do it!

3) Tired of looking at new grey hair in the mirror.

2) Because I am scared to do it!

And the number 1 reason I am shaving my head:

#1 – to raise pledges for the Canadian Cancer Society through the Ironcops for Cancer 2006 Ironman Team….

Who am I: Anthony Epp, Ironcop Team member and Ironman 2006 competitor

When will this happen? Wednesday, June 28, 2006 @ 6pm

Where am I doing it? Running Room, 679 Denman St.

How to donate? ONLINE at http://www.ironcopsbc.com/Anthony%20Epp.htm

Or just e-mail me at anbepp@shaw.ca if you’d like to sponsor my head shave!