When the light bulb turns on!
While I was “running” today, Ralph and I had a very in depth discussion about life. Now understand, my version of running is more like an unstimulated zombie shuffle.
I do realize that I am aging (NOT getting old), overweight, stubborn, sometimes obnoxious, uber competitive, and very opinionated. Whenever I forget any of these things, Ralph sees fit to prod me back to reality.
Prior to my last 6 ...month assignment in Alaska, I worked out with a personal trainer two days a week and had “adjusted” my dietary habits some. This resulted significant improvement in my overall health as well as a 44 pound weight loss. While in Alaska I walked a couple of miles 2-3 times a week and erratically used resistance bands for upper body workouts. While I did not gain back any weight, my overall conditioning suffered fairly significantly.
A few weeks ago I went with my wife, Kat, to Augusta, GA for her to compete in her first IM 70.3 (half Ironman). I had the privilege of meeting many of her Tri friends there who were also competing. One of them slipped me some of their “koolaide” and I am now starting to train for a Sprint distance Triathlon at Memphis in May 2014, thus the reason I was out running.
I now am working with Leslie Brainard (triathlon coach extraordinaire – www.trinitytricoach.com) who has given me a personalized training schedule to prepare for the Memphis in May event. The workouts rotate between swimming, biking, and running. Now my version of running is more like an unstimulated zombie shuffle.
I live with a wife that started training and getting fit two years ago and has completed events from 5K, half marathons, and a Half Ironman 70.3. My competitive side thinks that I should be able to consistently run sub 15 minute miles, ride my bike forever, and swim like Flipper. My body tells me: WTH are you doing to me. And good old Ralph tells me that I am a fat failure, that I am too old to start this crap now, and many other “non-encouraging” remarks.
I consider myself a spiritual person. I have a God that I talk to on a very regular basis .When I run, I listen to a very eclectic array of music. Today, while Ralph was attempting to fill my head with self-doubt and excuses, “Through the Fire” by The Crabb Family began to play and light bulbs began to flash! The words say: “He never promised that the cross would not be heavy”.
That is when it hit me and Ralph was speechless. This isn’t supposed to be easy! It is work! I have watched Kat sweat and work very hard to be where she is. I have observed the price that these Triathletes pay to accomplish their goals. I needed to suck it up and get moving!
I deal with life and death situations on a regular basis and have been told I do it well. Well I have thoroughly explained to Ralph the following: 1) Water is just “wet”, I will swim better 2) The bike saddle hurts my ass, callouses are earned, I will earn some and 3) running is just putting one foot in front of the other and NO ONE cares how fast I get there as long as I don’t give up!
It is ok if Kat is faster, she will be there cheering me on when I get there. If Ralph or I need an “attitude adjustment” Kat or one of our Triathlete friends will have no problem giving us one while being there to encourage and cheer for my accomplishments, no matter how insignificant I think they might be.
Have a GREAT week!
I do realize that I am aging (NOT getting old), overweight, stubborn, sometimes obnoxious, uber competitive, and very opinionated. Whenever I forget any of these things, Ralph sees fit to prod me back to reality.
Prior to my last 6 ...month assignment in Alaska, I worked out with a personal trainer two days a week and had “adjusted” my dietary habits some. This resulted significant improvement in my overall health as well as a 44 pound weight loss. While in Alaska I walked a couple of miles 2-3 times a week and erratically used resistance bands for upper body workouts. While I did not gain back any weight, my overall conditioning suffered fairly significantly.
A few weeks ago I went with my wife, Kat, to Augusta, GA for her to compete in her first IM 70.3 (half Ironman). I had the privilege of meeting many of her Tri friends there who were also competing. One of them slipped me some of their “koolaide” and I am now starting to train for a Sprint distance Triathlon at Memphis in May 2014, thus the reason I was out running.
I now am working with Leslie Brainard (triathlon coach extraordinaire – www.trinitytricoach.com) who has given me a personalized training schedule to prepare for the Memphis in May event. The workouts rotate between swimming, biking, and running. Now my version of running is more like an unstimulated zombie shuffle.
I live with a wife that started training and getting fit two years ago and has completed events from 5K, half marathons, and a Half Ironman 70.3. My competitive side thinks that I should be able to consistently run sub 15 minute miles, ride my bike forever, and swim like Flipper. My body tells me: WTH are you doing to me. And good old Ralph tells me that I am a fat failure, that I am too old to start this crap now, and many other “non-encouraging” remarks.
I consider myself a spiritual person. I have a God that I talk to on a very regular basis .When I run, I listen to a very eclectic array of music. Today, while Ralph was attempting to fill my head with self-doubt and excuses, “Through the Fire” by The Crabb Family began to play and light bulbs began to flash! The words say: “He never promised that the cross would not be heavy”.
That is when it hit me and Ralph was speechless. This isn’t supposed to be easy! It is work! I have watched Kat sweat and work very hard to be where she is. I have observed the price that these Triathletes pay to accomplish their goals. I needed to suck it up and get moving!
I deal with life and death situations on a regular basis and have been told I do it well. Well I have thoroughly explained to Ralph the following: 1) Water is just “wet”, I will swim better 2) The bike saddle hurts my ass, callouses are earned, I will earn some and 3) running is just putting one foot in front of the other and NO ONE cares how fast I get there as long as I don’t give up!
It is ok if Kat is faster, she will be there cheering me on when I get there. If Ralph or I need an “attitude adjustment” Kat or one of our Triathlete friends will have no problem giving us one while being there to encourage and cheer for my accomplishments, no matter how insignificant I think they might be.
Have a GREAT week!
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