Now that we've all suffered mini heart attacks & I have
your attention, I can talk about current training issues like “does NormaTec
have a payment plan option?” and “It’s possible to chafe… where??”
I won’t go into that either. I’m sure this is just the tip
of the iceberg anyway of new “fun” issues that arise during IM training. Instead
I’d like to focus on my current level of motivation and inspiration. Somewhere
along the line, I have learned to enjoy (at least parts of) swim practices,
long runs and climbing hills on my bike. My coach would probably be happy to
hear this… but don’t tell him I said it!
I have to be honest… my new Garmin + uploading everything to
Strava has definitely been a great tool for a data junkie like me. I have more
to analyze and together they keep me & my workouts honest! It’s also fun to
see grand totals of swim/bike/run mileage J.
“Well according to Strava I've biked like, 500 miles, so I can totally eat this
cupcake right now.”
But seriously. That
will happen… and possibly has
happened already.
For the next 9 months my new normal will be soreness and
hunger. Some days will be better… a LOT better… than others, but all of that
will get me to the finish line and I will feel proud knowing that I've earned
the right to be called an Ironman. I've been deeply inspired by this quote from
Marianne Willamson:
“Our deepest fear is
not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask
ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Playing
small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light
shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated
from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Right away I associated this with Ironman training. I know
there are many other facets in life to become powerful & shiny in, but I
suppose since training has become such a huge focus for me I can’t help but
relate everything to a race or workout. My take away from this quote is that IM
is definitely an opportunity for me to shine, to find power, to inspire and
grow (in more ways than one). The biggest Pro and Con is that I’m fairly new to
the sport. My first triathlon was 2.5 years ago, so I’m still able to consistently
see big progress in all 3 sports, but it’s definitely a bit intimidating and
frustrating to not be as good as a REAL
Ironman. Sometimes I feel like such a faker & that I’m way out of my league
(this might be true, but don’t tell me if it is), but other times… most times… I just feel really awesome
that every single week I can honestly say “this is the most fit I've been in my
life”.
The feeling of this progress and constantly breaking down
the mental barriers of “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough”, and maybe a little
Avenged Sevenfold in the ear buds, carries me through the hard runs & steep
bike rides. The determination provides reprieve when I see “EVERYONE” on
Facebook having “SO MUCH FUN ALL THE TIME” and provides energy at 5:30am to get
my butt in the pool.
I’m attempting to stay social between my job and training,
but I may only make it to events in the afternoon. The window of opportunity is
slowing closing between the time I finish a workout and the time I need to be
in bed! But… I really love it. For me it’s definitely a time to shine &
prove to myself & others what is possible and why I choose not to
play small.
