Tag: Rocket City Marathon

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A New Perspective on Digging Deep

I have experienced it first hand as I struggled to finish my first 5k.  I have watched friends complete half and full marathons while heat pummeled their bodies.  I have witnessed a good friend finish Ironman Louisville despite puking multiple times on his 112 mile bike ride.  The very nature of these races forces you to dig deeper.  But what if we looked at the concept of digging deep in terms of trusting your plan?

Saturday at 7 am, I stood near the start line of the Rocket City Marathon with two friends who were there to watch.  One of the guys said he signed up, but wasn’t running and like a flash, my brain skulled into overdrive.  I went from casual spectator, to seriously contemplating a 26.2 mile run.

My gut bubbled.  This would be the surprise of the day.  I would headline the 10 o’clock news; people would be astonished by my feat; I would be limping for a week.

Thank God, logic choked me.

The Huntsville Marathon was not part of my plan and I think this is why most companies, teams and people get in trouble.  They settle on a strategy, but ignore it for a deviant opportunity.  The Steelers, St. Louis Cardinals, and folks at Apple stick to a plan . . . and it works.

I was thinking like the Titans yesterday.  I was looking for a quick way to make fans and get closer to my goal of an immortal mortal.  I know the hail mary is bad form, but sticking to a solid, long-term plan is one of the hardest things in life.

In fact, I was even imparting this wisdom the night before.

“I know you’ll feel good early, but resist temptation to start this marathon too fast.  Finishing strong is a way better option.”

I mean, EVERYONE who runs knows this, but it is very difficult to stay with that plan.

“You’re running a race, for god’s sake, run the mother fucker!”

Of all the races I’ve completed, I did not take my advice in any of them.  I always go out faster than I should and imagine I would have done the same had I decided to launch into the Rocket City Marathon.

So, I’d like to put a spin on the phrase “dig deep.”  The obvious definition is to find something extra inside of you while you’re on the course.  To swim one more lap.  To spin when there’s nothing left.  To pick up legs that can barely move.  But what about digging deep when it comes to your character and a plan?

While I don’t know how deep I actually dug yesterday, I acted rationality.  We endurance athletes often confuse going the extra mile with what’s best in the long run.  I really try to remind myself to pull in the reigns with regard to training.  It’s one thing to be a pro and push your body to the limits, but a big reason I’m committed to doing an Ironman is for the side benefits.  I really believe it will unleash a better and more consistent person.

There is imbalance with any pursuit of passion and that holds true to training as well.  What point is all of this working out if it makes you hurt?  What point is there in settling on a plan and throwing it out the first time you’re tempted to do something else?  Or do we simply prepare to be predictably irrational?

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Heading to Huntsville Marathon

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be taking road trips to watch people run I would have slapped you upside the head.  Now if you told me that, I would say, “You’re right.”

My friend Roger moved to Nashville from Wisconsin about 15 years ago.  He settled into his Inglewood home and dreamt of the day he’d be a full time musician and/or songwriter.  That dream festered for years, but in less than two months, it will be a reality.  He’s taking his catalog of beach-friendly-originals and moving to the Keys, a true Cheesehead in Paradise.

We met at the Village Pub one night and have spent numerous hours reflecting on our Wisconsin roots over cold (and sometimes warm) beers.  He likes to say I’m not really from Wisconsin because I grew up a stone’s throw from Illinois and am not very good on a grill, but there is an undeniable connection that typically shines in the stories we tell about our friends.

Roger and I formed Badger Nation Nashville one night on a bar napkin and spent much of last season pounding beer and pulling for new quarterback Russell Wilson and our beloved Badgers.  But one night last November, we noticed a similarity neither of us liked.

We had slowly turned into blimp versions of ourselves and each vowed silently to address the problem.  The next year would be different.

Today at 1:00 I’m jumping in the car with Roger and heading to Huntsville for the Rocket City Marathon.  I’m not running, but will be screaming from the sidelines as Roger crosses the finish line of his first marathon.

I’ll also be cheering for my buddy Jim, who is setting his goals on the Boston Marathon.  Jim has completed two Ironman’s and several other long distance races, but this will be his first stand-alone marathon.  If all goes well, I will be running the last 6 miles by his side as he chases history.

If I had to point to one reason I am so involved in training and pursuit of Ironman Wisconsin, it would be Jim.  He sacrificed a lot of time to plod along with me as I learned to love running.  He spent countless winter nights holding back his pace and dishing out motivation as I slowly built my confidence and ability.  I really hope to give something back to him tomorrow.

It really is kind of crazy in my head to think about driving 2 hours to watch a marathon, but I know those limited sightings go a long ways in helping runners push toward the finish.  That, and the more I get into endurance sports, I realize it’s less about me and what I can bring to others.  Hopefully my presence helps both of these guys hit their goals.