triathlon blog

July 24, 2014

Battling Ironman Doubt #IMLOU

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” — Marcus Aurelius

Ironman training comes with a roller coaster of emotions, and one of the most prevalent is doubt. It doesn’t help when you’re sick a month from the race and battling Achilles and plantar fasciitis issues, but I am remaining positive and in “everything happens for a reason” mode.

Yesterday was massage day and my therapist basically told me, “my body is a wreck.” Oddly, it was my back and shoulders that seemed the most jacked up as she wrenched on the sore tendons. I told her to “Make me squirm,” and it was easy to oblige.

On top of that, I started getting a sore throat Tuesday night and spent most of the day inhaling fresh juice and tons of water. It took about a day to release that problem, but I’m still weak and congested. One month away from Ironman and I am not sure I could comfortably run a mile.

I keep reminding myself that Ironman training is a lesson in patience. You can’t “always” be ready to race and a major part of training is breaking your body down, so you can build it back up. Today, I have a great opportunity.

One thing I wish I did was keep a food journal because I think that is likely where my problem lies. I get sloppy with my diet because of ravenous hunger and next thing I know I am plowing down tortilla chips. That’s one place for change or I may soon be smiling on the open road behind the wheel of this truck.

Nothing about Ironman says “moderation” and honestly, that is a major conflict with my training and racing. I get to points where my body feels invincible and push it over the edge, only to wake up the next day feeling like I got run over by my own 18 Wheeler.

With that in mind, here’s my latest thought on training for Ironman with a month left. I’m supposed to be in “build” phase, but since I am “building” from a trough of exhaustion, I have to be careful about my workouts. Because if I have one mantra about racing an Ironman, it is this: “I simply want to feel great on race day.”

So, that could very well mean I won’t have a full distance swim, bike, or run under my belt when I toe the line in Louisville. In fact, I won’t even really be close in any of the three. My longest swim is around 3,200 meters, bike is 80 miles, and run is 12 miles. How in the hell do I think I’ll be able to do a full Ironman on August 24th?

With patience and confidence.

This race is one stroke, one spin, and one stride at a time. None of mine will (or should) be at max effort. For me it’s about finding your flow and managing pain.

As I write this, doubt is all over my body and mind, but it’s because of how I feel right at this moment. My opportunity is to listen to my body. To start fueling, resting, and “building” within my limits.

With one month left, I have to let go of doubt and fear, trust where I’ve been, and believe I will be prepared to face that moment with the same weapons I’ve been using today.

July 22, 2014

My Swim Coach Tied Me Up

I recently wrote about how I’m becoming a better swimmer, but apparently I have a ways to go.

After our warm up swim, my coach walked toward me shaking his head and said, “I’ve gotta get you to stop your hips from shifting around so much, and your head is coming too far out of the water when you breathe.”

Then he through me a race belt.

“Tie that around your ankles.”

Uhh…. okay.

So I wrapped the elastic band around my ankles, then hopped back into the water and started swimming. My legs immediately sank straight below me and I was cranking my arms at ridiculous speed to stay afloat.

I was in a mild state of panic, and of course, that is the last thing you want to experience as a swimmer. I struggled out to the buoy and held on for dear life before sucking it up to swim back in.

Not gonna lie, it wasn’t easy, but by the time I got close to shore I was much more relaxed. My stroke was longer and felt more powerful, which subsequently kept my legs and feet higher in the water.

Coach also told me that one eye should still be under the water when you breathe, which took me a while, but eventually I “sorta” got it down. I was also swallowing less water . . . which was nice.

In summary, this is a great way to work on body position and keeping yourself higher in the water. In fact, I loved it so much I’m thinking about trying it with a potato sack down at the YMCA.

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July 17, 2014

The Hardest Parts of Writing About Triathlon

I’m closing in on 500 original posts about triathlon. Seems like I would have run out of fuel a long time ago, but it proves to me this blog is about much more about the human condition than simply swim, bike, and run.

It kind of blows me away . . . mainly because I have stuck with it this long. I haven’t made money, but I’ve gained a better understanding of myself and how to deal with the intense ups and downs of training for Ironman and how that impacts our lives.

My blog traffic suggests that a fair number of people have enjoyed reading about my journey, but the truth is, there are always questions. Sometimes it’s like being all alone on your run at mile 19. You question the point and want nothing more than for it to be over. But as hard as that marathon can be, you have to keep moving.

I Don’t Know What I’m Talking About

As I write about triathlon there is always temptation to “start acting like I know what I’m talking about.” That’s what they tell you . . . “be an expert.” But the truth is, I am not.

I love to get into the mind. Play with the psychology. Explore the limits of this crazy pursuit. Find solutions and somehow get to the finish line.

The answers are never obvious and my opinions/strategies are constantly changing. But, the one constant is, “My body knows if I listen.” The truth is inside me fighting its way to the surface. Some days it may be different, and, in the end, I am pouring feelings, often unclear, onto the page.

Staying the Course

I’ve watched a ton of music documentaries in my life and there’s always a point when the band is getting popular and the label starts trying to control everything. But legendary groups stick to their guns and make the music that’s inside of them without compromise. That is how I want to approach my writing.

They say, “write what you know,” and for me that is passion. Passion for the sport, the lifestyle, and the quest to become a healthier person.

Do I want people to enjoy my website? Yes. Do I want to do whatever it takes to get the most views? Sometimes, but I would rather grow organically than by using artificial tactics that lose focus of the reasons this blog is important to me . . . and hopefully you.

“Marketing is Everything”

Ironically, I am a professional marketer by trade, but the writer in me refuses to listen to that asshole. Well, he’s not that bad, but like most executives, he has a tendency to overlook one very important part of the marketing mix: the product.

In my professional life, I spend a great deal of time writing what are ultimately lies, or at best, illusionary truth. Covering up flaws with beautiful words that hope to sway your opinion about something you don’t want.

That’s exactly the opposite of what I want to do here. I am fallible, vulnerable, impossibly human, and everything in this blog is a true reflection of those flaws. Those beautiful flaws that I believe everyone can relate to.

An Authentic Voice

This is about being real. Admitting my struggle, knowing that is ultimately the best way to get through it.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a ton of talented writers and musicians in Nashville. Great, creative minds that push the envelope with their thought. But often, that innovative soul is stripped in the name of commerce.

They pour music and words from their purest hearts, only to adapt mechanical approaches to please the masses. Their original material becomes diluted in the process of chasing numbers.

They learn nuances of “getting attention” and “manufacturing fans,” but it’s often a compromise that leaves them unhappy. This is where I struggle as a writer.

If we are quiet enough and listen to our gut, we instinctively know how to deal with any situation. But when “influencers” start impacting decision making, we tend to lose our way.

Are you willing to throw away your lyrics and your soul just to get a little attention? Are you willing to stop running just because it hurts?

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June 20, 2014

4 Things I Learned About Swimming Today

I’ve always loved swimming, but for some reason can only “figure it out” in very short stretches — and rarely remember what I’ve discovered. Sometimes it feels easy, but way too often it sends my pulse through the roof.

Today at the lake was one of those days when everything clicked. I just hope I can remember this stuff.

The Pool Tricks You

It’s very hard for me to relax in a pool, but today I was completely chill as I glided through a 7-800 yard warm up in the lake. It felt amazing from the beginning: I eased in, found a groove, and just kept going.

In between the drills that followed, it dawned on why a pool feels different. Likely because I’m always turning around then scrambling to re-find the stroke I just found.

I guess I knew that, but the even bigger discovery is this: Short laps in a pool have a tendency to deceive me into thinking I’m close to the end, which subconsciously pushes me to “finish” each length. I think this totally explains how I can occasionally be gassed after my first 200 meters.

Not only that, if you think about it, swimming in a pool is like running a 5k on a football field by doing 50 laps to the back of the end zone and back. It would probably be a great workout, but tough to find a running rhythm.

Swimming is Not Diving

Every time I hit the pool, there is always some A-hole effortlessly gliding by while I fight the water. I’ve always suspected drag and it finally occurred to me that I may be diving too deep on my entrance. Ie… my hand goes too far down after it hits the water. That pretty much means my entire arm, shoulder, head, and chest go under water, which is not good when you’re trying to stay on top of it.

I’ve heard that a lot of people do this because it “feels like” they are working more productively. But we’re fighting the water and it’s really hard to get a higher stroke count because you’re pulling with far more force than necessary.

So, I focused on keeping my hand and elbow higher in the water, which can also be a problem because you get sucked into “gliding,” so I made sure to work a quick stroke count. It seemed to click and I was moving smoothly with a quick and effective pull. The best part was, it also felt easier to keep my breathing under control.

Lake Water Feels Better

Is it just me or does walking into a lake on a warm summer morning feel like a Cialis commercial?

The very second my to hit the water, I felt like a different person. Something about the fresh air and the water being in tune with nature changed my entire perspective.

Being in a lake is like exploring. No rope, no concrete, and no chlorine. The sun re rejuvenates your body with each stroke and I honestly feel like lake water forms around your body differently. Like it’s not as heavy or something.

New Gear is Like Crack

As a bonus I wore my new ROKA SIM shorts and they really felt nice. They simulate the effect of a pull buoy, but let you swim naturally.

For some reason new gear always pumps you up and I can really see how they will help me learn to relax and get a better rotation in the water. If you decide to get some, please let them know Crushing Iron sent you.

10473555_10154284417495054_1547687357_o — Photo by Sarah Shearer

June 18, 2014

How Far Should I Run Before Ironman?

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The longest run of my life before Ironman Wisconsin was 14 miles. Now that I’ve signed up for Louisville, I have to decide if that was a solid plan.

When I got off the bike at Wisconsin the Finisher’s medal was 26.2 miles away and step one would be just as painful as the last. That run was 90% mental and my real goal is to bring that percentage down to 50.

I have to be confident

Having never run a marathon, I was skeptical and concerned about going that far. But now I believe I can run an Ironman marathon at a 10 minute pace and that confidence is critical.

I made the decision not to run the distance while training because I thought it would hurt more than help, but in the back of my mind I was pretty sure I “could” do it when faced with the ultimate challenge. Especially with the energy of the race and I’m putting a lot of stock in the crowd again (although the people that talked me into this are moving now).

I have to be patient

A guy I know absolutely crushed Ironman Louisville (tenth overall) last year and ran the marathon in 3:21 with an average pace of 7:40. But what stood out was his first split. Off the bike he averaged 9:17 for the first 2.5 miles. That’s all confidence . . . and patience.

I think a lot of people get caught up in the “race” part of Ironman. Sure, it’s timed and you’re racing, but I don’t want to confuse that with shooting out of the gate like a loose cannon. The excitement can sweep you away and most of us should really ease into each event.

Our bodies are amazing, but we have to be patient with their design. We are using different muscles for each discipline and it takes a while for our system to figure things out. For me that means at least 500 yards in the swim, 15 or so miles on the bike, and at, oh, let’s say 2.5 miles on the run.

I must have faith

I know a lot of really good runners who’ve been obliterated on the Ironman marathon. I don’t care how good of a runner I am, if I don’t navigate the bike course at my desired time with a lot left in the tank, my run is “screwed.”

How much more can it hurt? At some point the body just says, “Okay, as long as you keep it right here I’m good for unbelievable lengths.”

My gut is telling me to go crazy on the bike and skates for the next couple months and take my chances with the run. When you’re training for Ironman there are a million questions, sometimes you just have to believe.

June 17, 2014

Today You Have A Chance To Be Great

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A coaching friend of mine has always seemed to connect to endurance training on a different level. It’s a more inclusive approach that goes beyond assigning workouts and mileage. I’ve recently asked him to contribute to Crushing Iron with a regular voice that will surely motivate and inspire with simple, yet powerful concepts that resonate on a more integral level. Below is the first edition of Crushing Iron Coach’s Corner.

Coaches Corner: Today You Have A Chance To Be Great

In a world where we obsess and over-analyze our past races, or races a year away, the biggest casualty is today. And today is your chance to be great.

Giving our best right now isn’t nearly as glamorous as “talking” about an event we haven’t completed, but it’s how we get there. What is attractive is what happens when you put days, weeks and months of “today’s” together.

Do your best today. Then forget about it and be your best tomorrow. Repeat and stay present. That’s where improvement lies.