305 Days to go

Happy New Year!  Even though we are two months into the year long preparation for Ironman Florida, the year in which it will occur is upon us.  I was born in 1979, ‘98 I graduated high school, ’01 engaged, ’02 married, ‘03 graduated college, ’04 started my banking career ’05,’06, and ’07 my children were born, ‘09 we moved to Friendswood.  2011 will be defined by the Ironman. 

My training plan prescribes workouts everyday; therefore I am provided daily opportunity for reflection and a few recurring thoughts help pass the miles.  I think about race day.  I am most frequently reminded of this when my body hurts or the external conditions are less than favorable.  I am reminded that I will hurt and we are not guaranteed flat seas or low humidity on race day.  It’s hard to accept in the moment, but training in all the wind we’ve had lately is a good thing.  I think of those who support me.  It’s rare I go out for a long run or ride without a familiar face waving or honking.  I often think about my wife and children and how lucky I am to have them.  I hope the result of all this is a better husband and father for them.  I hope they learn the value of fitness and chasing lofty goals.  I am daily reminded of the glory of God.  Ironman is a challenge of the human mind, body, and spirit; each of which was designed, created, and given life by God.  Each week as paces quicken and distances lengthen I am surprised by what this body is capable of.  God’s glory is also displayed in creation.  Sometimes it is in my favor, sometimes not.  I love running on a crisp day or into a bright orange sunset.  Other times it’s riding into a 25mph head wind or being caught in the rain.  All display the power and ability that is so much greater than my own.

Resolve to lose weight this year?  I rang in the 2007 new year at 220 pounds.  Fortunately that day a new 24hr Fitness opened near by and I was there almost daily for the next three months where I lost 30 pounds.  Over the next few months I got down to my healthy weight and have maintained it since.  In addition to working out regularly I quit drinking 48+ ounces of Dr. Pepper a day and adopted healthier and sustainable eating habits.  Without those changes, none of this would be possible.

Training is progressing well.  According to dailymile.com I just logged mile 1,000.  Cycling and running time trials have quickened and I am gaining technique and fitness on the swim.  I am in good health besides the IT band that keeps getting irritated and tightening.  I will take that over the shin splits that plagued my previous year’s training.  I have a few weeks left in outseason base training and then I will begin a race prep training for the Lonestar Half Ironman in April.  That race is at Moody Gardens in Galveston and great showing of professional and amateur athletes.  January will conclude will the Houston half marathon.  My original ambition was to run my first marathon, but I was easily persuaded that marathon and Ironman training may not be beneficial.  Watching the Ironman World Championship last month was a big boost.  It is saved on the DVR and played when I’m having a hard time getting off the couch.  I survived the holidays without putting on too much weight, but will focus on getting down to my “race weight” over the next few months.  Tri4Him is starting regular team workouts again and that is always a great time of work and fellowship.  As I logged onto the blog I read over Tobey's entries from this time last year http://www.teamstevenstri.blogspot.com/.  I was reminded of how much work is ahead, how quickly it will pass, and what an adventure it will be.  I am so glad to have all of you along for the ride- It’s going to be a good year!      

Shout out to the Hagans reading all the way from Angola Africa- thanks for taking my blog international!

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!