Do I Know You?

Was just starting my brick run today (very fast, with beautiful form, of course) when a truck pulled up next to me and asked if I was the guy training for Hawaii.

Huh?

Having no clue who this guy was, I approached his car, hoping for some candy. Or a Powerbar Gel.

He had seen the article in a local paper had about me going to Kona; he's been twice and wanted to offer any help, information and a training partner. Since I have started this adventure, it has amazed me (though it shouldn't) the people who have offered help - teammates, former pros, bike shop owners, and complete strangers. Just goes to show what a great community and support network triathlon can be.



Photo compliments of finisherpix.com


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Bring It

A few weeks back, my training scheudle included a day of 3.5k swim, 5 hour bike and a brick run. I looked at it and thought my coach was crazy. Tehre was no way I was going to be able to fit that in one day! Maybe a shorter swim or bike, maybe I'd just skip the brick run.

I ended up doing it all, just as prescribed.

Yesterday, same thing. I orginally had a 4k swim and a 5 hour bike planned; he added in a brick run for good measure.

"How am I going to fit this all in?" was my response. Maybe I could cut this corner; shorter swim or bike or......

Wait. I'm getting ready for THE IRONMAN. October 13 is going to go longer than what I did yesterday. But I'll never make it to the finish line if I don't do the hard yards (Kilometers? Miles?) now. It's also giving me time to practice nutrition/hydration, as well as developing the mental strategies for a long day.

Just looked at my schedule - looks like next week I have another day like yesterday. My repsonse?

BRING IT.



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Motivation

The final race instructions from the first Ironman, 1978:

 

"Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!” - Navy Commander John Collins

 

 That goes along with the joke of, "How do you tell a triathlete?  You don't; they tell you."

Will finishing Kona give me the opportunity to get a few free beers, tell some tales, and so on?  Sure; it's going to be a great accomplishment.  More than that, though, I hope to raise awareness and a few bucks for La Casa de Fe in Shell, Ecuador.  

When we were in Ecuador, on the edge of the Amazon, we happened upon La Casa de Fe.  We were welcomed in, and I had the most wonderful time just playing with the kids.  Some used me as their personal jungle gym, others just wanted my arm to help them give up their walker for a few minutes and go around the courtyard.  This is an amazing place; Patti Sue, the chief cook and bottle washer, started this orphanage in rural Ecuador several years ago; she currently takes care of 50+ children with no government support.  And with no medical background, she takes care of children with multiple, complex medical conditions that would make most pediatricians nervous; instead of spending their life in a hospital hooked up to machines, these kids are in the fresh air, playing with others, and getting the most out of life.  Her kids know they are loved; they know where their next meal is; they are given an education; they are given a chance when many of them would normally be left to die in the Amazon by their tribe.

Check out the work she does, and help her meet her current needs:

http://lacasadefe.org

I'll be carrying la Casa de Fe in my heart on the hard miles, thinking of that afternoon, and having my legs feel lighter with a smile on my face.