Why Ironman?

I get asked this question a lot.  So far the only honest response that I have is, “Why not?”

History
A lot of seeds were planted when I quit swimming back in 1999.  Until that point, I’d only ever known myself as an athlete.   My earliest memories involved the smell of chlorine and competitions to the other end of the pool.  Thus from an early age, I only knew of myself as an athlete.  However I had grown tired of the competitive aspect of the sport and I yearned for a more inward challenge.

Over the next several years I gravitated towards weight lifting and other gym activities.  I enjoyed the instant feedback and the time efficiency.  Few things in life are as simple as picking up heavy things.  Plus it only takes about three or four trips to the gym in a week to see results.  Unfortunately, I found the sport very isolating as I didn’t identify with gym rats, and I also had bulked up well over 200 lbs.  The worst part is that if you quit lifting, it only takes a few weeks for that muscle to convert to something less desirable.  After reading a great book called Muscle by Sam Fussell, I began to look for another athletic challenge.

By this point, I was entering my mid twenties and very much missing the feeling of being in shape and in tune with my body.  While I had grown tired of competition, I yearned to test my fitness and extend my limits.  Over time I’d come to realize that I much preferred competing with myself rather than anyone else.  I just selfish like that.  I also missed the camaraderie of team mates.  I missed workouts that were so hard that your brain shuts down and all you can do is just focus on breathing.  So it was with this in mind that I signed up for a half marathon with my co-workers.

Running
I hated running as a kid.  I didn’t feel any different about it after two months of training.  Still, I had committed to a goal and I needed some sort of accomplishment to build on.  Then one night about eight weeks out from the event, I had a magical moment while on a six mile run.  About three miles into my usual lap through downtown, my legs stopped aching and my head began to clear.  By mile four, I was riding an endorphin high.  I remembered this euphoria from swimming, however this time it was different.  This time there was an added component of time and space rather than just a black line on the bottom of the pool.  There was a sense of freedom, I felt as if I could run for miles.  Suddenly the entire city seemed accessible by foot, all I had to do was run.  This single experience overhauled a lifetime of negative running memories.

Eight weeks later I finished my first 13.1 race in just under 2 hours.  I found the crowds and experience so emotional that I smiled the entire way.  From that day forward I was hooked.

“You’re better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can!” – Ken Chlouber at Leadville 100 mile trail race

Ironman
Two years after that 13.1, I figured I could complete a half Ironman distance race.  The swimming portion seemed like cake and I enjoyed riding my bike, how hard could this be?  I began to read the literature about triathlons.  Compared to marathons or cycling events, triathlons were still considered a young sport and very much a niche area.  Still, most medium to large cities had tri groups and local races began to pop up everywhere.  I considered entering in a local sprint or olympic distance event to try it out, however those distances wouldn’t give me the challenge that I sought.  Besides, I was never a good sprinter in any discipline.  My mind and body respond to distance and that’s where I get the greatest sense of accomplishment.  So if I was going to try on a triathlon, it was going to be a half-ironman distance.

In June of 2005, Roberta and I both completed the Honu Half Ironman.  Like most challenges in life, I learned a lot.  First of all I seriously underestimated the training and secondly, I was taken by the sport.  I had found a sport that fit what I was looking for.   This sport might take a lifetime to master and still there will be things I could still learn from it.  I could train and race with friends but compete with myself.  There’s enough organization in the sport that I can find literature and groups to learn more about the training, yet it’s still somewhat in the early years and most of my discoveries will happen while training.  Plus, given that I was passed by a 72 year old Japanese guy about two miles from the finish line, this was a sport that I can do for the rest of my life.

No Plan, No coach.
Three years after finishing 70.3 miles in a triathlon, I had built up to an Ironman distance race.  I did it without any coaches or organized training programs.  I wanted this accomplishment to be mine.  For once, I wanted to be an amateur without professional help.  Hell, half of the fun is the self discovery.   I ran with my friends and mostly cycled alone.  I enjoyed nearly every minute of training.  The beauty of going far, is that it’s easier to get there if you’re not in a rush.  Pace yourself just right and you can go forever.  That was my goal, find the fastest pace that I could maintain and stick with it till someone tells me to stop (hopefully on the far side of the finish line).  Two years later, I still feel this way.  I had coaches for my first athletic career, this time I’d like to learn those lessons on my own.  Sure, I know I’ll waste time and energy repeating other’s mistakes, yet I’ll get to figure things out on my own and to me, there’s value in that lesson alone.

Surprises at Ironman
What surprised me the most at the first event (Ironman Florida), is that less than 800 of the 2500 in the race were first timers like me.  In other words, over sixty percent of the athletes at the starting line had done this before.  Until that moment, I figured that a 140.6 mile race was a once in a lifetime event.  Yet standing next to me on the gulf coast at 6:45 am were 1700 veterans of the sport who called this event a “lifestyle”.

The second major surprise of the event was the mass marketing that was everywhere.  Harley Davidson owners don’t have this kind of loyalty to a brand.  Everywhere you looked, there was an MDot logo and some sort of product for Ironman athletes.  On the course, it seemed as if every other athlete had an Ironman tattoo on their calf.  I too wanted one for a while.

In a way, the marketing both increased the hype for the sport while also in some ways, diminished my appeal for the sport.  After all, the great lessons from finishing an Ironman are self lessons that apply only to the individual.  I learned so much about my body, spirit, and mind from participating in this event.  I learned what happens to my legs when I don’t eat enough on the bike course.  I learned about lower back pain after six hours in an aero bike position.  I learned that most triathletes are terrible swimmers and more importantly, how little that it matters how well you swim.  I learned that red bull at mile 13 on the run is a magical thing.  I also learned that chicken broth can be the best food in the world when you’re tired, sore, and cramping.  Yet when someone asks me what I learned from Ironman, I’m at a loss for words.  Bill Bowerman once said “The magic is in the man, not the miles.”  I think that applies to this event.  Journey 140.6 miles on your own power and then we’ll talk.

I do Ironman events because they challenge my physical and mental resolve.   I enjoy the tests and relish the self discovery that accompanies each day of training.   If you’re at all curious about your own self discovery via Ironman, I urge you to sign up and give it a shot.




List Price: $13.99 USD
New From: $8.09 In Stock
Used from: $1.00 In Stock
Release date August 1, 1992.
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Life is good

Saint Vincent's Hospital

Saint Vincent's Hospital

A little over 24 hours ago we were in the hospital waiting for our son to have ear surgery.  Today he woke me up at 6 am with his morning song, something I haven’t heard in nearly a month.  As I was fumbling around the kitchen getting his bottle ready, I noticed an unusual sight, our backyard was covered in snow.  After over 30 years of experiences and surprises, I still find it incredible as to how much things can change in 24 hours.

In the past month, I’ve learned several new things about my life.  First of all, there’s no stress like that of worrying for your kid’s health.  Now Forrest had an ear infection, something according to the doctor happens all the time to little kids.  Still, we spent a month of sleepless nights worrying.  I also know that if the same happens to our future kids, we’ll probably worry much less.  In the grand scheme of life, this experience taught me that there’s little one can really do when your child is sick.  You’re basically forced to rely on others, which is tough to do sometimes.  I can’t imagine what parents of truly sick children do.  I have a new level of respect for them.

PendulumI have always described myself as half fatalist, half optimist.  In my father’s words, while we know that most of what influences our lives is beyond our control, we’re empowered to make the best of any situation.  I learned this week, that this 50/50 view isn’t always 50/50, rather it’s more like a pendulum that sways back and forth such that the balance is more like 80/20 at any given time.  However, this week with my folks in town and all of us looking after the little man, that 20% made all the difference.

I also learned that even 30 minutes of exercise during a stressful, sleep deprived condition, will do wonders for morale.  In the past, I’ve usually tried to sleep or distract myself with a book or movie.  Those remedies often have meager success, however a short run or session in the weight room is far more effective.

Rich heavy foods like pastas and meats are my favorites, yet I don’t seem to enjoy them as much as I used to.  I suppose that as we’re getting older, our bodies can’t process those rich fatty foods as well as in our younger years.  I still consider prime rib as one of my favorite meals (especially since I’ve perfected the cooking style that I enjoy most), however my body seems to respond poorly to this kind of meal.  As a result, we’re eating more fish and salads.  The lighter meals don’t seem to drag me down as much.  Funny, I never thought I’d pick fish over steak.

Here’s my parting thought for the day.  It’s a thought I have often when reflecting back on the world and the times we live in.   Life is so good.   I’m surrounded by people who love me.  I live in a society that offers opportunities for me to improve my life.  I have the ability and skills to do almost anything my heart and spirit desire.  I have been fortunate enough to have good people placed along my path in my journey though life.  Thank you Lord.

Uplifting book of the week:

Life Is So Good (Hardcover)

By (author) George Dawson, Richard Glaubman

List Price: $23.00 USD
New From: $3.94 In Stock
Used from: $0.01 In Stock
Release date February 1, 2000.

Life is so Good, George Dawson

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Lessons Learned

Dr. Peter Venkman: I make it a rule never to get involved with possessed people.
[Dana starts passionately making out with him]
Dr. Peter Venkman: Actually, it’s more of a guideline than a rule…

Here’s a list of Lessons learned that I strive to abide by on a daily basis (in no particular order):

  • Do one thing every day that makes you happy. For me, it’s usually smiling at my son or wife.  Other times it’s going for a run or walk to clear the head.  The important part is to take time for yourself everyday.
  • Spend less than you make. Easy to say, hard to do (easy to measure though).  The way that I’ve approached this dilemma is by eliminating all forms of borrowed funds (credit cards, loans, etc) then I setup auto savings drafts (Roth, 401k, emergency fund) from my paycheck and I live off what’s left.
  • Always think before you speak (though I struggle to do this). It only takes a few seconds to say something inside your head before it flows out your mouth.  I’ve put myself in many bad situations by letting my thoughts escape my internal editor.
  • Never do business with friends, unless you did business with them before you were friends. Nothing ends a relationship faster than a dispute over money.   This doesn’t mean you can’t make friends with individuals you do business with, however it’s important to keep the horse and carriage in the proper order.
  • Never stop learning. The world is filled with many wonderful lessons and insights.  Learning something new everyday is one small way to keep the brain going.
  • Never stop trying new things. I’ve learned so many great things in life by stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying things that were unfamiliar at the time.  A good example for me is running.  Had I never signed up for that company half marathon several years ago, I might never have discovered one of my great life passions.  The world is infinitely interesting yet at the same time it takes courage to wander beyond the familiar.
  • Work everyday on becoming a better listener. I actually borrowed this tip from Dale Carnegie.  My natural impulse is to talk and fascinate others with my wit and wisdom, however this rarely happens.  In most cases, they’re bored and/or just waiting for their turn to talk.  So with each opportunity to converse with others, I strive to listen more and to take an active interest in their words and their opinions.  This is very very difficult for me but I have already felt and noticed the change.  Seeing the world through someone else’s perspective opens the mind to alternatives that I may never have considered.  As a result, I find myself enjoying learning about the people around me.  In return, I’ve found the relationships around me stronger and better than before.
  • Be polite and genuine to everyone you meet.  I actually picked this behavior up from my father.  He seems to have a gift for making friends with strangers.  He always smiles and goes out of his way to be polite to everyone.  Simple acts like thanking the cashier or commenting on some one’s appearance goes a long way towards making the world more civilized and a more pleasant environment.  I often thought that he was doing this just to be nice to others until I tried it myself and noticed that it made my days more pleasant and enjoyable.
  • Rely on raw factual data rather than conventional wisdom. I have a natural curiosity for human nature, I suppose that’s why I majored in history back in college.  As I’ve grown older and witnessed many things, I find myself challenging so-called conventional wisdom.  A good example for me is running shoes.  Everyone tells me that I need a good pair to run, however as I discover more about the human body and the scientific studies on footwear, I’m finding there’s not a lot of support for why we need shoes.  As a test for my own benefit, I’ve started running without them.  While the transition hasn’t been easy, I’m finding the journey a lot of fun and my running has improved.
  • The journey should be as much fun as the destination. This one is my motto for life.  I never understood why I don’t enjoy finishing goals as much as I thought I would until I realized that goals represented the end of a journey.  When I finished my first Ironman back in November of 2008, I wasn’t relived nor was there a pot of self fulfillment at the end.  Instead there was sadness and a considerable amount of soreness.  What I came to understand was that the training and the work leading up to the race was the fun part and what I enjoyed most.   The actual race was nothing more than a victory lap of sorts bookmarking the end of a long trip.  Now as I take on challenges in life, I spend more time and energy determining if the journey will be fun rather than the destination.  After all, that’s where my time will go.
  • Talent is far less valuable than persistence. Our society seems to place a lot of emphasis on natural talent and genetic gifts.   However in my experience, deterimination and hard work achieve far more than talent ever will.  Focus, deterimination, and a steady effort will long out produce talent.
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The ‘NEVER AGAIN’ List

Well here’s a list of places, people, things that for whatever reason have made the LIST.  I’ll do my best to not place blame or judge such individuals, however since they’ve made the list, I’ve made a deliberate decision to avoid these places, people, actions, things FOREVER.

  • All Inclusive Resorts- We spent a extended weekend in Jamaica for a wedding back in 2007.  Under normal circumstances, an all inclusive trip to a resort destination in the Caribbean during the bleak February days would sound great.  Long story short: Tips included = lousy service
    (plus the rooms, food, patrons, lines everywhere, also added to an unhappy experience).
    Jamaica is over touristed and any interactions with the local communities seared images of the great divide between the haves and have nots. 
    –to credit the resort company, they did offer to make right our stay by offerring a free return trip, however we came to the conclusion that we were not their ideal customer (someone seeking: buffets, bottom shelf mixed drinks, and crowds of overweight Americans).  A return trip, whatever the cost, would be a repeat of the first experience.
  • Car Leases – Back in the early days when we first started dating, Roberta’s old car died and we made the fateful decision to lease a new car for 36 months as a replacement.  Being fresh out of college and poor, car leasing ranks high as one of the worst financial decisions you can make in your twenties.  Long story short, we were taken on the deal, over charged on insurance (2 doors + under 25 yrs old + leasing requirements = very very very very very high insurance).  The 36 month lesson taught us a great deal about finance and cars.  From that day forward, we never again borrowed a penny to buy a car.
  • Apartment Communities - Seems like every city in America is filled with these filing cabinets for twenty somethings.  You recognize them by names like Falls Crossing, Highlands Park, The Cameroon, Clarion Crest, etc.  They’re basically cheap housing with lousy workout centers and an office staff that can’t solve any problems.  We lived in several of these places over the years and none of them ever impressed me.  Since they’re run by investors and managed by some nameless corporation, the property managers have little to no authority to help you once your lease is signed (until the last month when they want you to renew).  As we never realized options besides these communities existed, we never thought to look elsewhere.  However once we moved to Nashville and moved into an older home owned and managed by a couple down the street, we realized what we had missed: having a landlord who is available and has authority to make decisions.
  • Moving during your wedding - OK, First off I never plan to get married again:  I’ve found the perfect woman.  Second, moving sucks in general.  Moving (especially when there’s a gap between living in your prior residence and future residence) while getting married is considerably worse. Having no place to call home during the stressful planning and days before the wedding is miserable.  On a related note, we preferred to have a simple service overseas but we felt that it would be considered rude and disrespectful to our relatives and friends (in retrospect, we should have gone ahead with the service overseas).
  • Renovating and selling a house, moving, all while your wife is pregnant. – This one is self explanitory.  We did it out of necessity, however I would highly recommend avoiding putting yourself in such a situation if it can be avoided.
  • Hiring an architect to design a house you can’t afford – As most young homeowners sometimes do, we felt the urge to improve our humble abode by making adjustments to fit our new dream lifestyle.  I hired a good friend to draft plans for a layout that would match our budget and our needs.  Several thousand dollars later we owned a really nice set of plans that outlined $350k in improvements to a house we paid $200k for.  Having studied finance, this deal was bad all around.  We ended up spending under $30k in minor improvements (hvac, paint, drywall, detail work) and sold the house.
  • World Gym – This experience was so terrible that I’ll even mention the company by name.  The owner/manager even tried to sue us for monthly fees after we moved two states away and after our contract had expired.  Long story short: NEVER SIGN A CONTRACT longer than 1 month for any workout facility.  There are many better options and if you do have to sign a contract, mark the thing up and limit the time period to one month.
  • Frontier Airlines – Our winter vacation to Northern Idaho involved round trip travel with Frontier Airlines.  Once a great discount airline with wonderful service, this airline has fallen far to the point where few employees seem to care anymore.  Long story short, this airline went to great lengths to make travel miserable (impolite service, yelling by gate attendants, and hundreds of hidden costs).  For all the travel that I’ve done in my life, Frontier has displaced United as the airline that cares the least.  We flew a week later to visit family via Southwest airlines and the attitudes of the personnel was like night and day when compared to Frontier.  Amazing how far a little courtesy and kindness goes in this day and age.
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Vulcan 10k

After a week off of running, Saturday morning I ran 10k along with most of the Birmingham running community.  My last run was over a week ago when my friend Srini and I ran the 11.2 at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.  Near the end of that run, I pulled a tendon in my left foot and thus took the week off to heal.  I also spent most of the week recovering from a mild case of the flu.

Anyways. . . the 10k was a blast.  After spending over a week sidelined, it felt great to be outside and running.  After many miles of hot summer running, running in November in Birmingham is wonderful.  The temperature for race time was in the upper 50′s with clear skies and a light breeze.

I showed up to the starting line with my favorite saucony long sleeve t-shirt and my old brooks run shorts with UA shorts underneath.  That and an old pair of sunglasses was it.  I will say that showing up to a 10k barefoot turned a lot of heads.  I tried to blend in but some people couldn’t believe that I didn’t have shoes.  Some mentioned the Born to Run book while others just stared in disbelief.  Either way, I had fun just watching everyone’s reaction.

I did manage to bump into one other barefoot soul.  He was considerably faster than me and my 8:30 per mile pace.  One thing I did notice among the many runners, something that I may not have noticed prior to going bare, a lot of the runners have noisy strides.  Their feet were hitting the ground hard and you could hear the impact.  Also, most runners had a very slow cadence with long strides.  Now I’m not an expert in running, but I have noticed that my injuries and pains have begun to disappear as I increased my cadence and relaxed my stride.  Just an observation though.

The only downside from the run was that I got a few blisters on my feet, probably from bad form but also from not running or walking outside in over a week and a half.  It’s amazing how quickly you can lose your pads after taking some time off.  I still have a long ways to go with improving my stride to reduce friction and impact, however I’m getting much closer to that goal.

According to the results site, I placed 66th in my age group.  Not bad considering I’m a slow runner and ran my marathon pace.  Hopefully I’ll be in shape and ready for Huntsville in six weeks time.

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New Site

Tiphone pics 891 (Small)his is the new site layout for nzdiary.com.  I’m busy thinking of new topics to add to the site: barefoot running, Ironman Coeur D’Alene, treadmill desks, Birmingham, wellness programs, child raising, dining out, and many other ideas.

I also plan on archiving my old photos and travels and trying to post them here as well.  We’ll see if that endeavor ever takes place.

Cheers,

Travis

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