Beloit

The only thing better than running six miles on a beautiful day is . . . knowing that you can.

I was just back in my hometown for a few days and woke up to mid-70’s with a partly sunny sky. I sat on the back patio with dad for a while before contemplating what I would do next. That’s when I remembered, “Hey, I could run.”

It sounds simple, but as recent as two years ago, the words that would have likely popped into my head were, “Hey, I could take a nap!” Instead, I went into route-planning-mode and my body was a race horse anxious to get out of the gate.

I could go anywhere I wanted. A buddy’s house across town, Big Hill Park, my old grade school. So many options and each of those seemingly benign treks became electrifying because I had never explored Beloit, Wisconsin by run.

The thought was new. It was fresh. And I couldn’t wait to see all of the simplest little things I’d experienced a thousand times before, but from the window of a car.I cruised by the Boy’s Club on the bike path next to our vividly green neighborhood golf course. I fearlessly dove into “the hood” and discovered progress in the form of yet another new bike path. I crossed the bridge to the east side and ran along the immaculate riverfront into downtown. I was amazed by the run and bike luxuries that never existed when I was a kid.

I chugged past my childhood church, the sight of my first Little League practice, and the middle school that is no longer there. The memories flourished as I passed Tommy Johnson’s childhood home then lumbered up Lincoln Heights to my parent’s driveway.

Before I knew it, I was back on my patio, sitting in peaceful meditation as sweat dried from the backyard breeze. It was one of the simplest, yet most gratifying hometown tours I’d taken in my life.

Running is freedom. Just grab your shoes and go. It’s an expression that reminds me of how I felt tearing through local fields on my dirt bike as a child. Nothing is off limits, and more than ever, I understand how running is an art of being one with the soul of a city.Subscribe to this blog by email or follow me on Twitter @miketarrolly

When putting an Ironman in perspective, it may help to use landmarks and other interesting analogies to get you over the hump. It seems like an intimidating task and merely 3 months ago I would have laughed at the thought. But after finishing an Olympic triathlon I started to believe. Granted, it’s roughly a quarter of the distance, but feeling your body move through the seemingly impossible gives you a great boost.

Ironman Wisconsin starts and finishes in Madison, but I thought it would be fun to breakdown the distances in another way. Let’s start with the swim.

I’m a huge Badger fan and I got to thinking about what it would be like if they installed a one lane lap pool along the sidelines at Camp Randall stadium. In essence, while you’re sitting in the stands, sneaking hits of Whiskey from your flask and watching the Badgers beat up on Ohio State, you could track me real-time as I blasted back and forth for 42 lengths of the football field then back to the 24 yard line before stripping from my wetsuit to an ear shattering ovation after swimming 4,224 yards. If things were going right, I’d be done by halftime and unfortunately miss “Jump Around” at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

Then I’d have one of the Badger trainers pull my bike from the tunnel and tear out of Camp Randall on my way to I-90, heading south toward my hometown of Beloit, and home away from home, Rockford, IL. I’d wave to old friends at the Flying J truck stop and more fans as I screamed past the famous Clock Tower Resort on my way to O’Hare Airport. I’d actually stop about 21 miles short of O’Hare, but magically be transplanted to the runway with zero exertion of energy. One of the many fine baggage handlers would deliver my transition bag, let me change in the break room, and I’d be back on the road with fresh Yankz in my Pearl Izumis.

The run would wind right through the energy of downtown Chicago. I would admire the skyline for miles before I was actually under it, then look up at the buildings and get dizzy as usual. After I hit downtown, I would turn up the pace and roll through Cabrini Green completely unnoticed because pale white guys run through the area at will. As darkness fell I would be winding through the notorious South Side with no more than Gu for ammunition and my sights clearly focused on the finish line at Midway Airport.

So there you have it. Visualization is a powerful tool. When you have perspective, mountains don’t seem as tall, oceans aren’t as deep, and Ironman’s aren’t as daunting. But to be honest, I’m not sure this exercise has helped.

Race name :	Ironman Wisconsin
Date :	9/8/2013
Address :	Madison, Wisconsin
Country :	United States
Race type :	Triathlon (Full Ironman)
Organization :	World Triathlon Corporation
Website :	http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com/
Description	Swim 4224 yards Bike 112 miles Run 26.2 miles
Taking place in Madison, the race features over 45,000 spectators lining the course through Wisconsin farm land and downtown streets of Madison. The finish line is the most recognizable of all the US Ironman events; it is located in front of the Wisconsin state capitol in the heart of Madison.

Tag: Beloit

Running Is Freedom

Ironman Wisconsin in Perspective