Encouraging Others

Was out last night at a triathlon event - Mirinda Carfrae was in town before Trimania, and had a casual Q&A in support of World Bicycle Relief.

(As an aside: WBR is a great organization, changing lives with $135 bomb-proof bikes. That's less than most of us spend on chamois cream. Go drop some loot for a great cause at worldbicyclerelief.org)



In a side conversation, CJ and I were talking about encouragement - specifically, how life-changing encouragement can be. His job - which is owning and running a successful business - came because he was encouraged to start racing bikes. My future was changed when a friend suggested I could do well in med school.

And on a smaller scale: how nice and energizing is it in a race when some stranger cheers?

Maybe this is all just a different take on the 'Pay It Forward' theme, but it sure is nice to see others realize their potential and make their dreams into goals into reality!


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The One Piece of Advice

"Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience... " Baz Luhrman

I'm sure we all remember this song - came out about 15 years ago. But how many of us remember sunscreen every day?

Guilty. I don't always put it on. You know, a quick 5k, why bother?

The reason why was driven home a few days ago: took care of a healthy triathlete, late 50's, who had a malignant melanoma that had spread to the brain. The first sign? A seizure because of the masses in the brain - note the plural.

The treatment for this patient? Palliative at best.

Worst part? It's preventable.

And we are all at risk from our outdoor life and activities.

(If you want a graphic image on this, look at my finish-line pic from Kona. I am still branded on my right thigh - 5 months out.)

Make it a daily habit. Put on extra before training, reapply often. Make it a habit like your RoadID and pre-workout nutrition.

Your family will thank you.

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Pinch me

3 days into my stay in Kona. Have hit Lava Java, rode into Hawi, swam at Dig Me Beach, and enjoyed (?) the heat.






My brother and I outside Hawi




Morning at the Pier



I always have time for my fans...



Gulp


(And made fun of the Europeans!)

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Do these spandex make me look fat?

Got together with some folks from the Boston Triathlon Team for a happy hour on Wednesday. Those that recognized me said I looked gaunt - that I was obviously training well.

Some didn't recognize me I've lost so much weight.

My weight - despite cramming everything into my maul that I can reach - continues to fall. Plummet. Tank worse than the Euro.


On the plus side: not feeling guilty about the ice cream.


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How's it going?

The most common question I get these days is "How's the training going?"

My answer? Better than expected, but not as much as I hoped for.

I was talking to a 2x Kona finisher; he said it's that way for everyone. Life tends to get in the way; the longer-than-expected day at work; family obligations; being absolutely exhausted from the cumulative stress of everything. But the day gets closer, the training is getting done. I look at the charts and graphs of my power output, pacing and such - and there is definite improvement. It is no longer 'if', but 'in what time'.

So how's it going? I'd say pretty well.



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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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