The Quote That Blew My Mind #IMWI
Quotes come and go, but sometimes they hit like a ton of bricks and stick like tree sap on my windshield.
A few days ago I was feeling a little down and lacked motivation. Here I was, less than two weeks from Ironman Wisconsin and feeling sorry for myself, uncertain, and depressed. Then, our coach posted this:
“Need some motivation? Put your hand over your heart…. Feel that??? Some day it will stop….Now, go be amazing and do everything you’ve ever dreamed of doing.” – Robbie Bruce
Crushing Iron T-shirts #IMWI
Just wanted to put this out there to fans of the blog and aspiring triathletes who are in the process of crushing iron. We’re getting these cotton shirts made for Ironman Wisconsin and wanted to make them available to you if you’re interested. I need to place the order today and they will cost $20 plus shipping. Send me an email [email protected] with sizes and we’ll figure out how to get them to you. Thanks. 
The Next Few Days Are About Louisville
As much as possible, I am trying to “let go” of Wisconsin for a few days. The Southeast is heating up again and it’s time to reflect on a major reason I am in these shoes: Ironman Louisville.
Last year at this time I agreed to drive up to Louisville with Jim to watch Racer K tackle his first Ironman. Jim and I settled into Skyline Chili along the way, then went to the Galt House to find Kevin before regretting that I overloaded at Skyline Chili.
It was all so foreign to me at the time and I couldn’t believe how many people were milling around the host hotel talking about swim, bike, and run. I knew something big was about to happen, but didn’t quite understand the magnitude.
This year I will be going up to support coach Robbie, Corey and Wasky (pictured in that order below). Three guys that I’ve spent a ton of time with this summer and must be literally sitting on the edge of their seats as the clock counts down to cannon.
I haven’t quite “been there” yet, but I’m guessing there’s not much you can do those last few days other than pack up your shit and battle anxiety. There’s nothing left other than not losing your mind and finding a zone. It’s one of those weird places where you don’t want to be distracted, but really need a distraction.
I’ll be in Louisville tomorrow night, then getting up early to ride the bike course in case I choose to put myself through the fires of hell in August one day in the future. I may even run around the town a bit and down 4th Street to see if I can imagine the electricity that will be filling that finish line on Sunday night. I’ve seen it and it is definitely something to write home about.
Then Sunday morning, I will tread lightly as three close friends stand in the swim line ready to culminate months of hard work. And this is what I imagined when I created Crushing Iron. Being around people who push themselves to the limits to see how far that will take them. And while I’m not racing, this morning will be about the incredible journey we’ve taken together.
It will be about all those little things that help keep everyone on track. About the selflessness we all shared in order to bring out the best in each other. Hundreds of days and thousands of little inspirations that have all come down to this day. Now, it’s time for them to show everyone else why we have so much faith in what they’re about to do.
This is it boys, make no mistake where you are.
17 Days Out Lesson – from my Neighbor James – My lil James Jr. gonna come out that door right there and start yellin, “Mr. Mike, Mr. Mike,” and you gonna be like, “Damn, James Jr. out here screamin ‘Mr. Mike’ again.” And you gonna be right, but he just wanna say what up. Take a minute to say he a good kid.
Ironman Louisville . . . tick . . . tick . . . tick
I remember Louisville 2012 like it was yesterday. My first peek behind the Ironman curtain.
Jim and I walked in street clothes along side thousands of hopefuls, all dressed in skin tight suits, ready to throw it on the line. We stopped next to Kevin and offered awkward verbal support, but I’m pretty sure just being there was enough.
It was before sunrise and most athletes stared into the darkness contemplating their race. A massive grouping of men and woman, yet each stood alone. Words were no longer important, it was simply time to show the work. 
In a nutshell, I am pumped for Ironman Louisville. I have three good friends racing and know the experience will blow me through the roof for Wisconsin. Last year was my first Ironman experience, this time I will be spectating from a completely different perspective.
Being in the same training trench with these guys for 6 months builds something that can’t be taken away. Whether it’s a grueling 110 mile ride in the rain or a slew of 6 am open water swims, the connection runs deep.
It starts with Robbie Bruce, who I met at Calypso Cafe last Fall where he agreed to be my coach for Ironman Wisconsin. I think he must have a sixth sense because taking me on as an endurance athlete seemed a stretch but he obviously knew something I didn’t. He has pushed, pulled, and backed away at the perfect times. I’ve done the work, but his style and insight has been the perfect combination to take me from the couch to an Ironman. Make no mistake, he’s done the work as well, and now I will be on the other side as coach unleashes the athlete.
It continues with John Wasky, who I met on a random Sunday Fun Day at 3 Crow Bar. Wasky shares many characteristics with me including bleeding Badger red and the ability to seem
completely focused and scattered at once. His biggest challenge at Louisville will be pulling in the reigns. Wasky knocked out a 5:06 at Muncie 70.3 and he’s just warming up.
I told him he’s so pumped for Louisville he could likely swim halfway up the channel under water after diving off the pier. His answer, “You might be right.”
Wasky was the great addition to our group. He’s always willing to have a good time, but can instantly flip a switch and push our level of effort.
I just had a text conversation with them both and Robbie posted a screen shot of his bike and run times from last year at Louisville. To say it grates his ass is an understatement. He came out of the water 64th in the field, then fell apart halfway through the bike. He battled to finish the run, but Louisville is a painful memory.
I asked Robbie if he was pumped to go back this year and this is what he said:
Robbie: I was more pumped last year. This year, I’m just focused. Last year I attacked it like the Godfather with a Tommy gun. This year . . . like an Army Ranger sniper.
I pointed up at this as if to say it was a good lesson for Wasky, who replied,
Wasky: That’s the hope.
Robbie: Don’t hope.
Just great shit there.
Corey Coggins and I connected at Rev 3 in Knoxville. He was tackling his first half Iron distance and I was feeling his pain. The day was miserable. 56 degrees and rain the entire day. I had the Olympic in front of me, but Corey would still be on the course as I made my trek back to Nashville. And the whole ride I was checking for his splits and genuinely fired up when he finished. That’s the connection that can be made when you share conditions like that day at Rev 3. He spent over 6 hours in brutal weather chasing the finish line and it was a big moment for both of us.
A month or so later he made the decision to do Louisville and has been a mainstay at our open water swims. We’ve gotten a lot closer and Saturday he was rolling with me for most of that 110 miles in the pouring rain. Somewhere around mile 90 I was thinking it reminded me of Rev 3, and, about that same time, Corey said what I was thinking.
Last year Louisville was my awakening, this year will be more like confirmation. Training for and putting your hat into Ironman is a game changer and now I know what it really takes.
Months of training will funnel three good friends into the Ohio River for the test of a lifetime. They will take hot seat while I sit and watch, hoping my presence will somehow make a difference.
RX Endurance Athlete of the Week (My Training Partner)
It’s not always easy to come up with a new blog, but some days they fall right in your lap. I woke up to a text this morning about Racer K from our coach:
“For the sake of the Fab 5 +1, +2, I’m going to heavily edit Racer K’s Athlete of the Week write up because he talks ALOT of shit.”
I was confused because I had already awarded Racer K Crushing Iron Athlete of the Week right around the time he was East Nasty of the Week. So, he’s won yet another award?? Yes, he has. The coveted RX Endurance (our training group) Athlete of the Week has now been added to Kevin’s growing list of accolades.
Following is Kevin’s story and how his perspective on Ironman has shifted this year. He talks about what he’s learned and how training with a group of people dedicated to giving their best effort has impacted his life. I have witnessed Kevin ride a roller coaster of training emotions and can honestly say the most impressive and inspiring thing about Kevin is that, no matter what circumstances he faces, he is always ready to work, and in constant pursuit of improving, both in training and in life.
RxE Athlete of the Week- Kevin Gammon (Racer K)
This week’s athlete of the week is one of our more intriguing athletes, Kevin “Racer K” Gammon. In many areas Kevin has come as far as any of our athletes since the beginning of the year. His swim especially has transformed into a strength rather than a weakness due to his hard work and determination. We have shared a few CTJ rides together on the Trace where less than 10 words are spoken. He often keeps to himself but when he speaks you should listen. I asked Kevin to write about whatever he wanted and this is what he had to say…..
“It drives me crazy when people ask me to write about myself. When coach “asked” me to write this up my mind went in a million different directions. I didn’t want this to be your typical biography write-up because I already have a few of those out there. Luckily, after a short run it became glaringly obvious what I actually needed to type about. My journey with Robbie and the athletes of Rx Endurance has been centered on motivation. The past 8 months have been more mental in nature than physical. I believe that any progress I’ve made this year has been in my mind first and body second. Motivation is a tricky thing. Everyone’s motivation is different; there is not good measure of motivation. Worse, it can be fleeting and hard to repair when damaged. You can’t just “give” motivation; it has to be a spark from within. And yet it is the most important thing an athlete can have. Let me tell you where my motivation comes from and how RxE helped change it.
I started my trip seeking “things.” There are a lot of athletes out there, and I was one of them, that race “for the medal.” I have a wall full of them. I also wanted the magnet on the car. It is neat to be able to sit around and tell people you finished an Ironman. That can get you more free beer than you would think. A lot of people are like this and I’m not going to be the one to say anything is wrong with it. At least not on Facebook. Personally speaking I’ve found that if finishing was enough then I seldom improved. I just… finished. When I started working with Robbie I was still in this phase. That was, if I remember correctly, around last December.
Then you add in the people. The people at Rx Endurance are amazing. I can’t say enough about them and you will love hearing their stories. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than fighting with Mike at 6:00 a.m. trying to beat him to the buoy and back. My competitive history with Jim is well documented. I know it all sounds cutthroat. The reality is everyone in the group is very supportive of each other but we have a very healthy competitive attitude. Bragging rights can be great motivation. It’s no longer about the things, it’s about how you compare to others. This works great for a while and you can make leaps and bounds this way with the right competition. This is where my motivation came from and it was very limiting. What if Mike has a bad day? Do I still give 100% and pass him by or just enough where I can still give him a good elbow and take it easy? I think if you judge yourself based on the abilities of others then you lose the ability to define yourself. You’re really missing out.
The next thing in the mix comes from coaching. It doesn’t come all at once. It’s a more subtle influence and I think this has been the best benefit from my time under the RxE umbrella. Over the long months my training has become less about the things outside and more about me. What can I accomplish and what can I achieve? What else can I learn about myself along the way? My friends have become support and not competition. I really don’t care about the medals. I just love the sport. The actually race day is just a date on the calendar, I have no intention of stopping when its through. I want to be the best athlete that I can. More importantly, I want to be the best person that I can and live true to myself. I want to grow physically and mentally. Training for this Ironman and with this group of people literally changed my outlook on life. Motivation doesn’t increase in a linear fashion. I’ve had several bumps in my road (where coach promptly jumps in, I swear he has a freaking radar) but in the end I have never been this motivated to succeed.
Forget the medals. Forget the competition. Look inside yourself and run your own race. Always give 100% and don’t be afraid to fail to reach your goals. Everything else will work itself out. Just have a little faith. That’s where I’m at now. A big change from December. Totally worth it.
That’s my RxE story. I look forward to showing my growth this September at Ironman Wisconsin.”