Getting out the door..
can be a challenge when you have been training non stop for almost 12 months. I was on a ride on Tues. and I rolled up on some guys riding that I have done some training with in the past. One guy asked me an interesting question. "Am I sick of all this Ironman stuff yet"? It was something along those lines. The truth is I am not. I know it can be a drag sometimes, but honestly deep down I really love to just train. The racing really isn't what I love. It is logging miles, the discipline, the power to create something. Every Ironman I have done I have learned more about myself. Everyone has been a different life experience. As for Kona, yes I am tired. I am training not just for myself, but for everyone who wishes they where leaving for Kona in 3 weeks. A couple months ago I was in a funk. Just didn't feel like training. I was talking with a friend about it and here is the e mail he wrote to me. It completely turned my training around. It gave me a different perspective. I wanted to share it so maybe it can help some finding the motivation to keep pushing. I am going to leave his name out, but just let me say that he is going to be one hell of a coach in the future.
"Hey man, I was thinking about all the stuff you're going through on top of trying to focus on Kona and I can definately understand how tough it can be to get motivated. I think the thing you have to think about is the amount of prople who would give ANYTHING to be where you are right now. Think back a few months before Arizona and how you said you would never step foot on Kona unless it was to race the Ironman. Well, now is your shot, and it could be your last. I'm not saying you won't qualify again, but you never know. The point is, you need to race this race like it will be your last one of your life. It's a big race on a big stage and you don't want to fall."
RT
"Hey man, I was thinking about all the stuff you're going through on top of trying to focus on Kona and I can definately understand how tough it can be to get motivated. I think the thing you have to think about is the amount of prople who would give ANYTHING to be where you are right now. Think back a few months before Arizona and how you said you would never step foot on Kona unless it was to race the Ironman. Well, now is your shot, and it could be your last. I'm not saying you won't qualify again, but you never know. The point is, you need to race this race like it will be your last one of your life. It's a big race on a big stage and you don't want to fall."
RT
posted by Konatri at 1:25 PM
2 Comments:
Ron, it's normal to be in a funk sometimes, that's the ups and downs. I sure feel that way. Last week I was really tired, fatigued, etc.. This week I feel 100%, not sure why or how and I stopped trying to figure it out.
You will do great in Kona!! Steve
Some great thoughts from the heart. I also feel sometimes a bit self conscious in that I too do this more for the training than the racing. I enjoy the day to day banter and comraderie that comes from hanging with your closest friends while pushing to see what you can accomplish. Oh, to watch folks, including myself, change from being extra grande to being physically fit and mentally strong is also something that makes me keep coming back. Racing to me is more about validation for the hard work, but certainly less enjoyable.
Kona: That email says it all. Most triathletes (ME) would give almost anything just to walk down those steps into the water in Kona on race morning. I remember walking down those steps two days before the race, swimming with all of the people who were going to race in two days, thinking, do these people have any idea how much it means to get this chance? Most qualified, so I'm sure they do. It is good to remember back to before you qualified. I remember how bad you wanted it. You made it happen. Now...the reward.
Anyone that knows me knows that I will only rest after I race there or take a dirt nap. I'm hoping for the race....
Keep it up bro. After you kick ass out there, we'll train just to train....and maybe talk some smack.
TL
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