Quote of the Day

"Doubt can only be removed by action."

Think about this when you are half way through the run of an Ironman or Half-Ironman race and you are feeling blue. Your mouth is all gummy and one more gel would make you throw up. The smell of gatorade is nauseating. You're leaning against the wall as other racers start passing you more frequently. And they're all talking to you, "Come on..almost there." The head is dizzy. Just putting one foot in front of the other is like asking yourself to climb Mount Everest. You doubt you can finish. You just want to stop, fall down and lay on the side of the road. End it right there.

So, Think about those words. Take action. And finish that damn race. All Doubt will be removed.

Searching for Inspiration

Last year, training for Ironman was inspiring. This year, for some reason, it's another story. I'm still searching for that motivation to get out of bed at 5:30 AM to hit the pool or to keep myself on the trainer for 90 minutes and not just 75. At least on a consistent basis that is. In looking back at last year, I'm on par with the amount of training I put in but I could do more. The goal in 2007 is to beat last year's time not just equal it. But I'll be honest, I'm just not consistently hitting my training plan requirements. Maybe it's the weather. Last year, it was mild here in the East. We got outside for the bike almost every weekend and weekday. This year has been a different story with the cold weather coming in January and staying around. So, I'm in search of inspiration. For motivational tricks. Stay tuned.

Julie Moss

I remember seeing Julie Moss on Wide World of Sports in 1982. It was an incredible story then. Today, it's still an inspiration. I have to belive that almost all of us that do triathlon, especially Ironman, are still inspired by Julie's heroic efforts. If we can be as brave as she was then when we're faced with future challenges, then we'll be just fine. Julie Moss, Triathlon Hero, worth watching again.

Tri Stream of Consciousness

6 AM alarm clock. 7 AM ride. 14 degrees out. Saturday morning long ride. 2 1/2 hours on the trainer. No way. Get Outside. 6 layers of clothing. Hot packs. Face mask. Booties. Winter gloves. Why am I doing this? Friends inside on trainers. Music. Good times. Laughing. Not really. Hate the trainer. Too long. Pain. Should have gone out earlier. Daughter's swim meet. Need to drive her. Pick up bagels. Should have gone out earlier. Eagleman 4 months away. Lake Placid 5 months away. Knee's hurt. Right side cold. Thumb is numb. Hungry. Clif bar. Tastes good. Water bottle frozen. Gatorade. Ice. Slow pace. Stay in the heart rate zone. Face stings. Wind. Starting to get dizzy. Dizzy. Florida. California. Arizona. New Jersey. Feels like snow. Time to go home. Cut it short. Make up the rest. On the trainer. Full circle. Waiting for Spring. Body stings. As the blood rushes back. Shower. Out the door. Drive her to school. Tomorrow. Long run. Can't wait. For warm weather.