333 days to go

Two statements have struck me as of late.  One is inspirational, the other is a reminder.  The first is from President Kennedy and gives props to my Longhorns.

But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win-

All who aspire to race the Ironman are asked why.  Why choose this as our goal? This is one of those "other things".  Like going to the moon, climbing Everest, flying the Atlantic, or the Owls playing the Longhorns, some things are worth doing because they are hard; because they require dedication, investment, faith, and imagination; because they require us to lean on those around us to make us better; because we cannot go at it alone; because the goal of the Ironman will measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, and now unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

Rice has only beat Texas twice in the 48 years since that 1962 quote, but about a month later they tied 14-14.

The other has been cited from coming from Bear Grylls' mom.  Not sure if that is accurate, but Bear has done some pretty cool stuff, so I'll go with that.

Commitment is doing the things you said you would do, long after the mood you said it in has left you.

We've been back about a month from Florida and the awe of being at that finish line has diminished.  You might say the mood I was in the morning of on-site registration has left me.  That mood has been replaced by early mornings, cold temperatures, and lonely workouts.  Though the mood has left, the commitment remains.  This is where Ironman is making me a better man.  I've been left by many moods in my life.  Rarely have I ever been in the same mood as I was at my wedding, or the delivery of my children, or acceptance of my job, yet my commitments to wife, children, and career are more resolved than ever.  Nothing compares to the season of salvation where sinner becomes friend of God, but my commitment to faith is steadfast.  The race is 333 days away, but I will learn from the important things in my life to see me through this.

Since the last post I completed the San Antonio half marathon in 1:59:02, making my goal of finishing in less than two hours.  Coach Boo has advised high risk and low reward for training and racing the Houston marathon, so I have decided to run another 13.1.  My training has switched to an out-season endurance and speed building plan which I am really enjoying.  The cool weather has even convinced me on occasion that I enjoy running.  Shins splints haven't been a problem and I am feeling good.  I've dropped a few pounds and hope to lose a few more to get the ideal composition of 12% body fat. (Christmas parties are slowing the efforts)  I had a great run into a beautiful sunset this evening.  Knee is a little sore, but some ice will fix that.  Next up- Houston half marathon 1/31/11

Be sure to catch the Ironman World Championships from Kona airing on NBC Sunday at 3:00.  Keep an eye out for T4H members Cindy & Clay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYYwBan8blk

358 days to go

I returned a few days ago from the 2010 Ironman Florida where I was privileged to witness Tobey Stevens complete his first 140.6 and become an Ironman.  His race report at www.teamstevenstri.blogspot.com will shed some light on why I'm doing this. Last year Ronnie Reeves completed the same task.  Ronnie's wife Cindy became an Ironman (yes, women are called Ironman too) in June in Coeur d'Alene then again in Ironman's Mecca of Kona Hawaii.  These athletes have demonstrated to me that the challenge of becoming an Ironman is extremely difficult, yet attainable and worth the price.

I met David White when I was about four years old.  After getting reacquainted over the Summer we made the 600 mile road trip to Florida together.  We'll do many more miles than that over the months to come.  I played Little League with Kyle Crowell and I like to think I had a small part in his professional baseball career.  Together we will train and race the Ironman. 

We are members of the triathlon teamTri4Him and coached by it's founder Jeff Booher, or Coach Boo as he's known.  It is through this organization we receive invaluable expertise, advise, and coaching.  They will also provide spiritual and physical support.  These will be the guys riding along side us on our 130 mile rides, swimming in murky ponds, and making sure we're getting in our daily workouts.  These guys will pray for us and with us as they have every other team member.  Our success is dependent upon this group of people.

Through it all my ambition is to glorify God.  To maximize this body he has given me. To be light in the dark triathlon community.  To help others keep going when their bodies want to stop.  I want my  children to see the reward of a life lived with discipline, purpose, lofty goals, and complete dependency upon God.  I want to maximize my healthy to have as many years with my wife, children, and grandchildren as I can.  I want to inspire others as I have been inspired. 

Lots of thoughts still unwritten, but as my wife lovingly reminded me after a lengthy phone conversation with Kyle it's almost a year away!