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February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

What Can You Do In Six Days?

By Coach Robbie for The Crushing Iron Podcast

What if I told you . . .

You could have 6 entire days to yourself.

You could use each of these days to better yourself.

Test yourself.

Grow.

Disconnect from life and all the chaos and stress it brings.

Clear you mind.

Soul search.

Show yourself how far you have come and be grateful.

When you get back you will still have your job, family, friends, etc. Nothing will have changed for them. To everyone around you it will be like you were never gone but you will feel like an entirely new person.

Does this sound like something you might be interested in? Great! I thought so! Since last October I have spent 144 hours training. THAT IS 6 DAYS!!

The greatest part of all that time spent was that I kept it all for myself. No Strava. No Garmin Connect. No nothing.

I compare every single session based on my personal effort of that day. Isn’t that what training is supposed to be about? How we test ourself each day and then grow from it?

Yes, I am sure you will try to convince me of all the great features that applications like Strava have but i don’t buy it. I don’t buy any of it. What is wrong with keeping something for yourself these days?

Sharing is not caring . . . for yourself in this sense.

You end each run. You sprint to upload it and then spend minutes comparing it do a past route. A past effort. A training buddy. Your biggest rival. Most of us got into endurance sports for ourselves but quickly got swept up in screenshot wars. I know I did.

We lose sleep over KOM or QOM segments in a virtual world where no one knows you or frankly even cares how you are doing…. they just want to do better then you. Period.

So stop sharing every damn thing you do. Go for a run in a quiet place where you can hear a pin drop.

Stop halfway. Look around and feel it. Feel WHY you do these things and remember that of all the hours in the day you have very, very few precious minutes to yourself. I challenge you to disconnect from all the gadgets and comparison and reconnect with yourself. Be selfish with your time and I bet you wont go back.

The Crushing Iron Podcast releases every Monday and Thursday. We have over 130 Episodes, including several that focus on the journey of our athletes. Please subscribe to the Crushing Iron Podcast on iTunes or sign up for the Crushing Iron Newsletter on this page.

If you’d like to take your training to the next level, please consider C26 Coaching. We also offer Triathlon Camps in Nashville, TN that are held in beautiful locations, with great people doing challenging workouts. An excellent alternative vacation in a great city.

Be sure to sign up for the Crushing Iron Newsletter at the top right of this page. Thanks for reading and listening to the Crushing Iron Podcast.

December 23, 2013

Never Give Up

It’s obvious to say my proudest moment of the year was running through the finisher’s arch at Ironman Wisconsin. But, in reality, it was a moment within the race that trumps the medal by a long shot.

I wrote about it in my IMWI Race Report, but that heart wrenching moment deserves another visit because I think it was the most important lesson of the entire year. THAT moment was everything to me around Mile 25 of the Ironman marathon, it was staring me in the eyes.

I trained for that moment a hundred times. Night after night I fought through the pain along the dark paths of the Shelby Bottoms Greenway or torturous neighbor hood hills in the rain. Every time I’d reach one or ten sticking points that begged me to stop, but I wouldn’t give in.

Eleven hours into Ironman Wisconsin, I had exactly 10k left on my run. All I had to do was keep the pace just under 10 minute miles and I would finish sub-12 — which would be a major feat for a first time Ironman. The catch was, my watch didn’t tell me pace.

I chose to go by feel, and up until Mile 20 it worked perfectly. At that point I was 6 miles further than I had ever run in my life and fighting thoughts of “the wall.” So many people told me, “You always hit the wall.” “Beware of the wall.”

Everything hurt. My legs, ankles, knees, and head. I could taste the finish line, but a 10k was a major accomplishment only a year earlier, and I was getting delirious.

The amount of focus you need in an Ironman is almost laughable. The parties, the park benches, the curbs, the shore along the lake . . . they all invite you to relax. I can honestly say I was tempted to stop after every single step in that marathon.

But after my buddy, Wasky looked at me and said, “All you got is a 10k brotha, bring it home,” I knew stopping wasn’t an option. I was on my pace. A sub-12 Ironman was in my grasp and there was no way I was going to let go.

I was timing my pace by hitting restart on my watch at each mile marker. When I hit mile 24 I had exactly 20 minutes left to finish under 12 hours. I hit restart and ate everything I could grab at the aid station. I was lumbering and in more pain than I had ever felt during exercise. I had long forgotten I was racing an Ironman, now I was simply running, or jogging, or limping depending how you viewed it.

The course was a blur. I knew I was in Madison, but had only vague recollection of the course even though it was my second loop. I stared at my feet, into the trees, and tried not to veer off the road. Nothing was in focus and I even forgot to check my watch for a while. When I looked down, the counter read 10:48! What?!? Had I slowed that much? Anything was possible and I still hadn’t seen mile marker 25. I picked up the pace and scoured the landscape for the sign. It had to be close. It HAD to be.

All day I was calm and cool, now I was in a panic. Time kept ticking and there was no mile marker in sight. My panic turned into extreme disappointment. I had come this far and was this close. Now, my sub-12 dream was gone.

Even if I did see the marker now, I would have to run a sub-8 mile-point-2 to hit my goal, and I just knew my body didn’t have it. That’s when . . . I stopped.

I put my head down and started walking all while justifying “just over 12” was good enough. I was talking to myself. “You gave it everything you had, Mike, keep your head up.” “What an accomplishment either way.” “Your friends and family will be proud of you either way.” That was likely true, but it was that last line that snapped me out of it.

Everyone was waiting at the finish line and I’m pretty damn sure they were off the charts excited to see me finish under 12 minutes. That “walking sequence” might have lasted 8 or 10 steps, and that’s when it dawned on me that I may have missed the 25 mile marker.

I looked at my watch and it told me I had 8 minutes. That’s when I started saying it out loud, “I missed the marker . . . did I miss it? I think I missed it.”

Out of nowhere, I was a man possessed. I was running for the people waiting and all of a sudden it hurt less to run faster. I wish I had worn a Garmin because I’m sure that final stretch was my fastest of the day. The State Street crowds screamed as we ran by and I was passing everyone. I MUST have missed that marker.

I got to the Capitol and turned it up a notch. Let me tell you, there is nothing quite as stressful as watching your watch tick away when you don’t know how far you have left. It was now under 3 and barring a complete collapse I knew I had it. When I finally got to the finisher’s chute, I had 1:30 in the bank. I hit that carpet and the pain left my body as I scanned the crowd for family and friends. They were about halfway down on the left and I heard them screaming my name. I was floating now. I was a scared child moments earlier and now I was home.

I crossed the line in 11:58:58 and nearly started crying because I knew I’d almost given up. One tiny moment in life that nearly changed everything and I based my decision on nothing other than faith.

September 21, 2013

A Coach's Ironman "Miracle"

This is the latest submission from my coach, Robbie Bruce. I love it when he gets inspired and sits down at his phone to bust out a blog. This one is especially close to my heart because I just experienced everything he’s written about and I’m pretty sure some of this piece was influenced by my family on September 8th in Madison. The journey, the struggle, and how it impacts everyone who trains for Ironman.

The Miracle of Ironman Coaching
By Robbie Bruce

I sat down on the couch this evening to watch one of my favorite movies, “Miracle.” If you haven’t see it, you should.

It’s the story of the US hockey team’s remarkable and shocking journey to a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics. It became one of my favorite sports movies originally just because of the unique story, it involved sports, and I am just a giant patriot at heart, so I loved every second of it. Each time I watch the movie, I absorb more and more of the coaching aspect and how it relates to the athletes I coach who compete and train for Ironman.

Training for an Ironman is not like competing in the Olympics from an “athletic” standpoint, but both training processes have a lot in common from the approach of the athlete and coach. Both make a choice, a sacrifice to train, and go all-in for something far in the future, something unknown . . . all of it for one day.

Their friends and family are supportive but still wonder “why?” Why are you giving up so much of your life for such a long time, all for just for one day. One race? Then what?

In the world of instant gratification this is the opposite. It is counter intuitive in every way possible. It is giving up everything for the unknown. It is giving up everything today for something so far away that may actually never present itself.

From a coaching standpoint you take on athletes with all different backgrounds, personalities, goals, and experiences. It is your job to get them to buy in to the process. Every day will make “your day” and your day is Ironman.

Still, every time someone comes to me saying they want to do an “Ironman,” I know they have no idea what they are getting in to. They are changing their life, not just signing up for a race. They don’t know it at the time, but they aren’t just signing up alone, they are about to embark on a journey that takes friends and family with them. It is what makes coaching Ironman athletes so much different.

You know you are not only holding someone else’s dreams in your hands but also the hopes and nerves of parents, spouses, friends, co-workers and sometimes even strangers. They believe in the one who is racing and wonder “who is this person coaching them?” They have to believe in you without even usually setting eyes on you. They look to their athlete and if they believe in their coach the others will too. Belief by proxy.Ironman competitors become magnets. You follow their training. You follow their previous races. People follow them. The “Crushing Iron” following is a great example of that. You actually give others something to believe in. To hope for and to find joy in just from following or watching and even just refreshing an app. They mentally race it with you. They emotionally endure it with you.

I have had the honor to spectate and coach 2 Ironman races in the last 2 months. I imagine most people think the most gratifying part of my job is watching the athletes cross the finish line with their goal time. “MAN THEY CRUSHED IT,” as some people like to say. I am still not sure what you “crush” or “kill” but whatever. Yea, I used to think the same way from a time stand point. They meet their goal and it’s a win. Now, I watch them finish, glance at the clock with momentary elation, then watch them greet their support crew for the first time. Their families. Their friends. The expression on their faces, the tears of joy, the hugs, the smiles of relief….. Man. That is what it is all about.You realize you weren’t just coaching a person. You were coaching a crowd of believers all standing behind one soul. A person who goes off in the distance alone at 7 am and returns after most of the day is done. You share in a their nerves during the race, absorb them and when its over…. You let it out. The athletes stories, their wants, why they signed up. You know exactly what they are thinking when they cross the line. It is a community that brings you to tears.

Being responsible for having such a small part in an athletes journey to Ironman is an honor. Although stressful at times, it is the most rewarding job I could ever imagine. Watching the first hug they give as they finish…. It is the tightest and most relieved of squeezes….”I knew you could do it.” – ” I am so proud of you.”- “That was amazing.”- I cant believe you did so well.”- “I love you.”- and the “You did it’s.”

You cant imagine it or recreate it any where else or in any other sport. It is the sight of so many different people coming together as one. There might be one person walking away with a medal and the title of being and “Ironman” but everyone around feels like one. Proud. Smiling. Energetic and so happy. You may have “coached” 3-5 to “be one” but 25-30 walk away feeling like they too are an Ironman.

That’s the journey. That is what makes it so amazing. If the movie Miracle taught me anything it is that you can do anything once and take everyone else with you on the journey. Whether it is a gold medal or an Ironman, maybe it is time for you to take a trip………….

June 5, 2013

My 200th Post and A Lot of Thank You's

As if you needed more proof that endurance training has changed me, this is my 200th post on Crushing Iron. Over the years I have started dozens of blogs on various subjects and most have ended before I wrote 20 posts. Training for an Ironman has given me energy, focus, and follow-thru I have always desired.

But, it’s far more than training alone. The people are the true motivational force, and I feel very fortunate to have so many great ones in my life. Pushing me, supporting me, commenting that my journey has inspired them on some level.

It just happens to be National Running Day, and while I typically think these kinds of holidays are a crock, the spirit of today resonates with me on a deeper level than most. When you run you are free, compassionate, and creative. Competition is with yourself and the ugliest parts of human behavior are washed away.

So, in a genuine way, today is more like Thanksgiving than the formal holiday. I’m glad to be surrounded by people who want to be better. Who understand they are not perfect and relish the quest of that opportunity. I apologize if you’re not mentioned by name on this list because so many have touched my journey, and many of you are in the groups mentioned. Plus, I’m getting old and my memory is slipping.

I’ve included a lot of links and hope it helps build some new connections.

The Fab Five

Jim Schwan – The man who covertly convinced me to get up and act on a passion he knew was lurking beneath my facade. His dedication and sacrifice to this cause has changed my life.

Kevin Gammon – I watched as he struggled for over 16 hours to finish Ironman Louisville. His toughness and determination convinced me to take a deeper look at what’s possible. I signed up for Ironman two weeks later.

Daniel Hudgins – Who knew thrashing your body for hours on end could be fun? Daniel did. He laughs in the face of challenge and knows his body and soul are a gifts to be used to their fullest. Thoughtful and compassionate like no other.

Mark Scrivner – Mark pushes himself more than most. “Want to run an extra 3 miles?” Yeah, let’s do it. He’s battled injury since we began training and he’s fought right through most of it. He kept showing up and there may not be a better lesson in life.

Robbie Bruce (my coach) – Why wasn’t he my baseball coach? I might have actually pushed myself and be writing this as a retired major leaguer. Positive, inspiring, tough. A coach has never connected with me and my goals like Robbie.

Allison Miles (+1) – She’s trained with the Fab 5 since January and blown my mind with her determination. Every time it gets tough, she seems to get even tougher. Her half ironman at Gulf Coast is further than I’ve ever traveled and she’s far from done.

John Wasky (+2) – From seemingly thin air, comes John Wasky, and an insatiable passion for triathlon, a sarcastic wit, and a natural instinct for taking it up a notch. He made a seamless transition into the Fab 5 and has pushed us all to higher places. His wife, Carolyn has also been a phenomenal ambassador of this crazy lifestyle.

Rebekah Shulman – The support I get from Rebekah is unparalleled. On every turn she has encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions. She’s listened to complaints, helped find solutions, and endorsed my crazy pursuits with unwavering conviction. She’s gotten back into running and is now turning to triathlon with her signature determination.

Roger Jokela – Roger and I met at the Village Pub and is still in my phone as “Roger Badger.” Fellow Wisconsinite and dreamer, Roger recently quit his job, moved to the Keys and became a full-time musician. We drank together, trained together, ran our first 1/2 marathon together. I have a deep appreciation for Roger and the way he lives his life.

Season Kaminski – Season is proof that humans can live in their sweet spot. I used to pepper her with endless questions about triathlon and her love for the sport flowed back to me tenfold. Rarely do you meet someone with so much passion for the pursuit of a positive lifestyle.

Hunter Lane – It would be hard to find someone with this level of sincerity when it comes to training. He is a sponge and has a tenacity about nuances that is hard to match. He’s been amazingly patient with my amateur questions from the very start.

Lee Wilson – Oregon Duck track star opens a running store in East Nashville and it just so happens to be the place that kicked off my new lifestyle. His vision has changed the landscape of my neighborhood for the better, and his anti-Badger barbs have been a great inspiration to kick ass.

The Couch to 5K Crew from Nashville Running Company – There were about 40 of us that gathered that fateful day in January, 2012 and showed up 3 times a week in preparation for a seemingly impossible 5K. Many of them still run with East Nasty and it genuinely makes me happy to see their faces. Mike Clark continues to make a great commitment to beginning runners and, to this day, I thank him for being there. Year’s ago, I wanted to be a drummer, but my first teacher didn’t resonate. I quit and have regretted it ever since. The patience and dedication of people who volunteer their time to help people get started is possibly the most important nuance in life.

Jeff Stokes – I remember him from my East Nasty “table-saving-days” and he’s always been a wild card. Injuries were keeping him from running, so he turned his energy to swimming, and recently dove in with the sharks for “Escape from Alcatraz.” His energy and dedication to the pool have given me more jolts than he knows.

Mark Miller – The thoughtful and dedicated “leader” of East Nasty whose genuine love for running has inspired so many like me along the way. I don’t know him as well as I’d like, but I really believe his mission is to help others get more out of life. The power in that cannot be ignored.

Scott Piper for being himself and wearing a tube sock as a cooking glove.

Rachel Kice – The purest artist I’ve ever known. She is a master of moving energy and her ability to transform anything (or situation) into art astounds me. She’s also one of the few people that can visualize my quest for Ironman into a spiritual and creative journey. The other is . . .

Kenny Varga – One of the most creative, conceptual, and compassionate people I know. A brilliant musician, producer, wood craftsman, and meditative runner. Kenny simply understands.

Mike Donze – I never tire of hearing Mike’s interpretation of the world. He is a true observer who listens and translates his feelings into beautiful photography, words, and music. He’s also a runner at heart who truly appreciates the beauty in the human condition.

Seth Godin – His daily posts are brilliant, concise, and inspirational. He has an uncanny way of tapping a place inside me that yearns to break free. He’s been pelting me daily for months and I am very close to a place where his insight can be put to better use.

Robert Hartline – His entrepreneurial spirit burns like a wild fire and I’ve been lucky enough to experience that passion on many occasions.

East Nasty Running Group (This is going to have to be a group hug)
Every Wednesday night 2-300 runners gather on 14th Street and take off into the night. If you live in East Nashville, you have seen them, and possibly been irritated by them crossing in front of your car. I used to understand that irritation. I wanted to get home from work and didn’t seem to have the patience to wait 15 or 30 seconds for a parade of runners. Deep down, I knew the problem wasn’t the people in motion, but me. I was mad that I wasn’t involved. The East Nasty running club is all about the good. Raising money for charity. Donating shoes to schools and less fortunate wannabe runners. Generally unleashing positive karma in what used to be dark and dank East Nashville neighborhoods. These are good people who, through community, make many people’s worlds a better place to live.

The Open Water Swim crew. Corey, Jonathan, Sandy, Melissa, Marc . . .

The people who consistently follow Crushing Iron from afar, like Chatter, Ann in Naptown, IowaTriBob, Sarah in Louisville, rchackman, Kruzmeister, Athleteagain, BgddyJim, Isaac976, UltraSwimFast, KickStart Endurance. The people who follow from near, Kristine, Sallaboutme, Loni, Gina, Kelly, David, Gwen, Lisa, William.

My Co-workers – Steven for his newfound and contagious passion for triathlon. Sylwaski for listening and pushing himself when no one is watching. Armondo for his toughness and desire to tackle whatever comes next. Justin for caring enough to mention my 1/2 marathon improvements on air. Melissa who burns more candles than anyone I know and burns for fitness. Gil, who goes the extra mile in helping his daughter live the musical dream. Steven who puts up with my bitching over lunch and gave me a great deal on his pool. Big Joe for randomly showing up at every 5k I run. Rosemary, who refers to me as “Her Ironman.”

Jennifer for her love of running. Scott for taking pride in the yellow jacket.

Kathleen for being a great friend and supporting my journey even though it means we don’t see each other as much.

Zach Layne and Heidi Wilson for publicly acknowledging the awesomeness of the Bird Walk Reservoir Weed & Feed 6k.

Andy Moss and Mark Spencer for their outlandish across-the-pond-humor and running tenacity.

The crew at Village Pub for being the best place in town and understanding I needed a little break.

Andy and Matt, who I see nearly every morning pursuing their dream in the coffee shop and inspiring me along the way.

Everyone with X3 Endurance has dished motivation. Robert, Eddie, Brad, Sarah, Meg . . . Continually blown away by the power of community in triathlon.

Several of my college buddies like Eric, Mac, Marty, Pack, Freg, Dano, Pat, Pete, and Petey who have never seen this side of me but know I have it in me.

Mike Wright who is just as jacked as me while silently building his swim, bike, run chops in Rockford, IL.

My dog, Mattie, for putting up with my crazy schedule and teaching me to be more responsible.

And, of course, my family. My cousins Jim, David, John, and Susie in the Northeast. My cousins Tim and Jeni in Wisconsin. Jeni’s husband, Phil. And my cousin, Tiffany, who I’ve never met, but has been super supportive and will be holding a video camera on the Fab 5 at Ironman Wisconsin.

My brother Chris – We’ve had more in-depth conversations about human nature that I can count. Nobody understands me better than my brother, and I’m sure that goes both ways. We have spent most of our adult years apart, but the connection is undeniable. We had incredible synergy as a double play combination on the baseball field and an unspoken bond that pushes me daily to be a better person and pursue my dreams. Oh, and one day soon I fully expect him to be a phenomenal triathlete.

My sister Amy – She’s lived in Dallas for years and we don’t see each other enough. Amy and her husband, Gary are two of the most amazing people you’d want to meet. They have three gorgeous little girls. Not long ago, Amy ran the Dallas 1/2 marathon and I really wish I could have done it with her. Geography has kept us apart for most of my life, but, like my brother, she has always been a major source of support and inspiration. She’s a teacher by trade and sometimes I feel like I’m her most challenging student.

My Dad – Ironman training seems crazy to him, but it’s kinda his fault. He’s likely the main source for my incredible determination and confidence when it comes to athletics. We haven’t talked much about my training, but I’m pretty sure, on some level, he just expects me to crush Ironman.

Mom – She doesn’t really understand Ironman either, but it’s very exciting to her. She’s a mom, so she’s worried about her son, but I’m 99% sure she will be holding some kind of creative home made sign as I bike and run by her in Madison. Something like, “My Son is Crazy, but I Love Him For It.”

And finally, anything to do with my personal inspiration always seems to have a connection to Tim. He was one of my closest friends from childhood. We had a bond that you can never define.

He could call my bluff from a mile away. We never lived in the same town after college, but talked on the phone multiple times a week (or day) like little school girls. We dealt with so many of the same problems and became each others therapists.

Nothing was off limits and our connection always grounded us in hope. We pushed and inspired each other to follow our dreams, even in the middle of nightmares. Two years ago on Halloween, Tim died. I was legitimately crushed. Every day something reminded me of him and I’d pick up the phone to call. I’d look at the screen, see his number, and resist pushing “dial” with every bone in my body. I couldn’t believe he was gone. But even though we don’t talk, I hear his voice during every race. Pushing me to be my best.

He was gone before I started my transformation, but he was a major factor in the process. It sounds corny, but I know he would be proud of me. He was a truly selfless person on so many levels. Consumed with the concept of making life a happier and more enjoyable journey for everyone.

On September 8th, I will have a lot of time to think and I’m sure everyone I’ve mentioned and more will cross my mind at least once. It has been a great ride and I don’t plan on getting off the train anytime soon.