The Plan

Earlier this week Coach Boo sent out the 16 week race prep training plans that will prepare us for Ironman Florida.  As I awaited the start of a race Sunday morning I had a bit of an epiphany that has lingered on my mind since.  I have absolute faith that I will be able to complete the 140.6 mile endurance test known as the Ironman.  There are always variables that could prevent me from becoming an Ironman, but lack of fitness, endurance, or ability will not be an issue.  I make that bold statement based not on my own ability, strength, skill, or talent, but my faith in the plan, its author, and those who have gone before me.

The race prep is a classical periodization plan that includes mesocycles of measured stress followed by recovery.  Its focus is building endurance on top of the speed that was gained in the previous cycle and getting us from the beach to the finish line before midnight.  Its author, Jeff Booher, is a proven and qualified coach.  In addition to being the founder of Tri4Him and 4x Ironman finisher, Coach Boo is a USA Triathlon level II certified coach.  He is also certified by USA Cycling and USA Track & Field.  His 20+ years of coaching beginners to professionals has culminated in the creation of the TriDot system that creates individualized plans based on measured performance parameters as well as over 40 athlete-specific data elements that include age, body composition, experience, goals, capacity and many others.  The result is a custom built plan that when executed leads to proven success.

In addition to the plan, I base my confidence on those that have crossed the finish line before me.  In the past year I have seen some of my best friends become Ironmen.  Like me, none of these have been particularly gifted or talented athletes.  They have had to work for every bit of success they have achieved.  They woke up before sunrise and put in the long hours.  They endured the soreness, pain, and injuries and would unanimously agree the thrill of completing the race was all worth the sacrifice.

As I shared all of this with a friend I realized the parallels to faith.  In Hebrews we are told to "run with endurance the race set before us".  Just like in this Ironman endeavor, we are given a plan for the race of life.  Jeremiah states ""For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"".  This coach is also more than adequately qualified.  Hebrews continues, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Timothy described the plan as being "God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

These instructions to "run with endurance" and "fix our eyes are on Jesus" are preceded by accounts of those who went before or a surround as "a great cloud of witnesses".  Men like Noah who built the ark, Abraham whose faith was credited as righteousness, and Moses who lead God's people from slavery.  There was "Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies" not based on their own ability, strength, skill, or talent, but faith in the plan and it's author.

A complete guide to TriDot training system is available at http://www.tri4him.com/tlets/T4H-Guide-to-Training-Plans.pdf

120 days to go

Someone has to finish fourth.  There are three steps on the podium, three awards handed out, and three competitors recognized for their accomplishment.  There is no step, award, or recognition for the next guy.  That guy was me at the Sylvan Beach triathlon.

As I wrote in a previous post it was a victory for me to make the start of this race and accomplishment to finish, but perhaps the way I ended up in fourth is what made it hurt so bad.  I had a phenomenal race- my best effort ever!  A conservative swim set up a fast bike split and then a strong run.  Feeling great about a half mile from the finish line I picked up the pace and enjoyed the encouragement of the crowd.  I passed a training partner just a few hundred yards from the finish and shortly thereafter heard Todd yell "Run John!"  I did what I could, but I was passed by two runners, both wearing my age group on their calf as we entered the chute.  A local professional decimated us all by nine minutes, but 3rd place finished just six seconds ahead of me and 2nd place was only eight seconds ahead.  As I have reevaluated the race a hundred times since, I have come up with infinite ways I could have made up nine seconds and taken 2nd place.  I shouldn't complain too much though- 5th place finished just 2.9 seconds behind me.  In a race that took over 108 minutes, just 11 seconds separated the 2nd from 5th finisher.  A stomach bug the day before the race kept Kyle on the sidelines, but provided for David to make his race debut.  He put together a solid race despite getting the last minute call.

Two weeks later we all raced the Y Freedom tri (sponsored by Capital Bank).  This time Todd offered his "Run John!" advice before we started.  With that in mind, I pushed the entire race and finished in 2nd in the age group and 11th overall.  Kyle and David also put together good times finish 5th and 7th in the group.  Piper won her age group and was the second overall female in just her second triathlon.  Tri4Him continues to have a great showing in participants, supporters, and podium spots at all the local races.  Next on the race schedule is TriWaco where Tri4Him members from all over the state will convene for a time of fellowship, competition, and bragging rights.  Over 50 members are registered to race and over 20 from the Houston chapter will be making the trip.

I can't believe it's been 8 months since David and I stood in line to register for Ironman Florida.  I really can't believe in four months we will be retuning to Panama City Beach!  In just over a week, David, Kyle, Dr. John, and I will begin our 16 week race prep training plan that will prepare us for the 140.6 mile race.  I am thrilled to report that we are all in good health and our training has yielded fitness, strength, and speed gains.  Kyle and I are both at our lowest weights as adults and will be at out optimized racing weights soon.  Dr. John is a new addition to the group. He recently became an Ironman at the inaugural Ironman Texas and is up for a repeat. Training is will mature with rides over six hours and almost three hour runs.  I am grateful for those who have already supported and mentored us throughout this journey and those who make it their goal to get us to the finish line.  This includes a coach, pastor, and team mates whose lives are characterized by service and preference to others.

I took a week off of work and training to be part of The AEffect, Sagemont Church's version of youth camp.  Instead of a traditional summer camp the students spend part of their vacation serving in one of Houston's most impoverished neighborhoods.  Some spent their day loving on the local children while others painted houses, did landscaping, or performed maintenance and repairs.  I spent the week with a crew clearing abandoned lots that serve as hiding spots for drug sales and use, theft, prostitution, and other crime.  Despite a severe case of poison ivy I am still recovering from, it was a great week.  It was a blessing to see teenagers working hard with no benefit to themselves and to witness the response from the neighborhood.

Nicole and Claire had a great trip to New York. I am so glad they were able to get away and enjoy all the girly stuff the Big Apple has to offer.  Neartown Church continues to mature and we have been privileged and blessed to further relationships with individuals and families.  Two of my worlds recently collided when Neartrown's pastor became a triathlete.  I have predicted he will be "Ironpreacher" within two years.  I've been considering taking my passion for competition, training, health, and nutrition to the next level by becoming a USA Triathlon certified coach, so if you've ever considered this crazy thing, I may soon be able to drag you in!