Napolean Hill once wrote "what the mind of man can conceive and believe, he can achieve"...
To validate that statement, all we have to do is look around, read history or simply look at our own lives to know that we are capable of unbelievable accomplshments.
Stephen Covey talks about establishing your mission and vision and once established, decisions become easier. Chet Scott from Built to Lead teaches that it all surrounds your core.
As I think about this journey to the starting line at Ironman Wisconsin, I believe a set of goals will be absolutely critical to my success. Not just a training plan with specific mileage goals, intensity levels and aerobic/anerobic threshold level improvment, all necessary in preparation for the race, but I believe goals that will get me up in the morning when every fiber in my body is giving my mind an excuse to lay in bed.
I have the training plan established which is my road map, but for this post, I want to establish my goals for the race. I have several reasons why I'm doing this, some I wrote about in my first post, but here is what I hold myself accountable to:
Goal #1 Finish!
Goal #2 Finish in less than 13 hours
Goal #3 Weigh less that 190 lbs
Goal #4 Find out what I'm capable of physically/Mentally
Goal #5 Be moved and Inspired
Goal #6 Inspire someone else
It's as simple as that really, to do it and say that I did it. That would mean allot to me.
But that won't get me out of bed when it gets tough, or keep me from cutting a tough work out short, or keep me from picking up that cookie when everyone else is and I'm telling myself, "hey, you worked out today, you deserve it!" (no I don't by the way)
What will keep me going, getting out of bed and getting to that finish line has to be bigger than myself.
Watch the Ironman World Championship in Kona or see a true story like Rudy or the new movie The Pursuit of Hapiness and you see that their accomplishment was driven by something much bigger than themeselves. The man who completes his first Ironman in 6 months after watching a man with ALS do the same thing, racing to raise awareness for this dreadful disease.
Completing an Ironman is not a big deal, it happens all the time, but completing one IS a big deal, to me. I don't have a disease I am running for, I don't have a story that would be worthy of air time, but I have something that means a great deal to me, and that reason is because....... I said I would. I could not tell my family or my close friends that I'm doing this and then quit. It's not in my make up to look you in the eyes and just say " I couldn't do it".
So as I'm running, riding or swimming and it hurts to keep going and I want to quit, I'll think of them, because it's important I do it.
Have a great 2007!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
What will training for an Ironman be like?
Hard to believe it's Christmas Eve 2006. What a year it has been.......
The date of Ironman Wisconsin is September 9th, 2007, exactly 37 weeks from today (but who's counting?!).
The training program I am following incorporates a practice known as periodization and is 36 weeks in length. Basically it breaks your training into specific periods, gradually and deliberately building your endurance to a point that peaks on race day. I'm currently in the Orientation period designed to get my body used to the rigors of swim, bike and run after the off season. The workouts aren't long but help get my anaerobic levels back in line and help me get used to the 'cadence' of my training schedule. I've made the decision to double the Orientation period to 4 weeks, just to help build the base.
The next period of the training is pre - season, lasting 8 weeks and is just what the name implies. During this period my workouts during the week get a little longer and will be more difficult to complete in one session. I'll be looking at many lunches or after work sessions in the pool or on the road, cycling or running in addition to early mornings (I'm glad I have an understanding boss and family!). I'll also begin a few Brick sessions on the weekend. Bricks are back to back workouts with no break in between, usually a bike/run, sometimes a swim/bike, all designed to teach your muscles how to make the transition quickly during the race. Mostly they just hurt allot!
After pre-season, I'll begin the 'Base' period, lasting 12 weeks. The Base period does just that, builds your base. Bike and run sessions get longer, as do the workouts during the week.
Training volume per week will range between 11 and 16 hours. Doesn't sound like much, but with a full time (or plus) job, family and a fairly long commute, my time management skills will be tested as much as I will be physically! However, the average American watches over 4 hours of TV PER DAY, nearly 3 times what my training will be each day during the week! So, remind me again what excuse we have for not having enough time to start(insert your goal here) instead of cutting back on something as wasteful as TV?
Next comes the most intense period during the 38 weeks, the Competitive period. It is 12 weeks in length as well, but now it gets interesting! Bricks (bike/run)sessions or race simulation sessions (all 3 -swim/bike/run), will last as long as 4 to 6 hours on Saturday followed by another 3 to 4 hours on Sunday. I will also plan my race season in addition to Ironman Wisconsin around this period. So it's probable I would race in a Sprint, Olympic or even a 1/2 Ironman distance race one day and just continue in my training the next. It will just depend on what races are available and when...
The final period will be the Taper. The Taper lasts 2 weeks and is standard practice for any endurance type race. Marathoners taper before the race, all designed to allow your body to recover from very hard training, peaking on race day.
Finally, the last part of this entire process will be the post period, referred to 'Post Ironman Syndrome' or 'Post Extreme Endurance Syndrome'. According to the few articles I've read as well as personal experience after marathons, this post period can lead to depression, lack of motivation and extended muscle fatigue, soreness etc. Handling the period right after something like an Ironman isn't part of any training program, no one really knows what causes it, just some assumptions. I've observed how a friend and triathlete Brian Lavelle has handled it and I believe it comes down to one major success principle regarding goals. And that's to simply MAKE SURE you have another goal in place before you reach the one you're working towards. It's natural, in my opinion, to have a let down after you work so hard on something like an endurance race, you achieve it, and then suddenly you don't have that drive in place, working towards the next goal in your life. Goals are funny things, all you have to do is make the decision, write it down, think about it daily and you are nearly assured of achieving it, yet so many of us couldn't answer 'yes' if we were asked if we had specific goals identified and written down.
Think about the last time you REALLY wanted to do something, I mean really wanted it. Everything else was secondary. You made the decision and got to work, simple as that. Now think about the same thing, achieving a goal, but as soon as you achieved it, what happened? Did you go back to old habits ultimately leading you back to the place you were before, someplace you didn't wanted to be? Dieting is like that. We diet to get to a weight, have discipline, lose the weight and as soon as we get to the goal weight, we reach for the chocolate cake. Crazy!
Next weeks post will be about what my goals are for this Journey to Ironman Wisconsin, hope you check in!
Merry Christmas to everyone and thanks to all of you that have shared your encouragement, it's been great to hear from old friends! I can't believe the legs this blog has gotten over a weeks time, I think it's going to be fun!
Talk to you next week!
Dan
The date of Ironman Wisconsin is September 9th, 2007, exactly 37 weeks from today (but who's counting?!).
The training program I am following incorporates a practice known as periodization and is 36 weeks in length. Basically it breaks your training into specific periods, gradually and deliberately building your endurance to a point that peaks on race day. I'm currently in the Orientation period designed to get my body used to the rigors of swim, bike and run after the off season. The workouts aren't long but help get my anaerobic levels back in line and help me get used to the 'cadence' of my training schedule. I've made the decision to double the Orientation period to 4 weeks, just to help build the base.
The next period of the training is pre - season, lasting 8 weeks and is just what the name implies. During this period my workouts during the week get a little longer and will be more difficult to complete in one session. I'll be looking at many lunches or after work sessions in the pool or on the road, cycling or running in addition to early mornings (I'm glad I have an understanding boss and family!). I'll also begin a few Brick sessions on the weekend. Bricks are back to back workouts with no break in between, usually a bike/run, sometimes a swim/bike, all designed to teach your muscles how to make the transition quickly during the race. Mostly they just hurt allot!
After pre-season, I'll begin the 'Base' period, lasting 12 weeks. The Base period does just that, builds your base. Bike and run sessions get longer, as do the workouts during the week.
Training volume per week will range between 11 and 16 hours. Doesn't sound like much, but with a full time (or plus) job, family and a fairly long commute, my time management skills will be tested as much as I will be physically! However, the average American watches over 4 hours of TV PER DAY, nearly 3 times what my training will be each day during the week! So, remind me again what excuse we have for not having enough time to start(insert your goal here) instead of cutting back on something as wasteful as TV?
Next comes the most intense period during the 38 weeks, the Competitive period. It is 12 weeks in length as well, but now it gets interesting! Bricks (bike/run)sessions or race simulation sessions (all 3 -swim/bike/run), will last as long as 4 to 6 hours on Saturday followed by another 3 to 4 hours on Sunday. I will also plan my race season in addition to Ironman Wisconsin around this period. So it's probable I would race in a Sprint, Olympic or even a 1/2 Ironman distance race one day and just continue in my training the next. It will just depend on what races are available and when...
The final period will be the Taper. The Taper lasts 2 weeks and is standard practice for any endurance type race. Marathoners taper before the race, all designed to allow your body to recover from very hard training, peaking on race day.
Finally, the last part of this entire process will be the post period, referred to 'Post Ironman Syndrome' or 'Post Extreme Endurance Syndrome'. According to the few articles I've read as well as personal experience after marathons, this post period can lead to depression, lack of motivation and extended muscle fatigue, soreness etc. Handling the period right after something like an Ironman isn't part of any training program, no one really knows what causes it, just some assumptions. I've observed how a friend and triathlete Brian Lavelle has handled it and I believe it comes down to one major success principle regarding goals. And that's to simply MAKE SURE you have another goal in place before you reach the one you're working towards. It's natural, in my opinion, to have a let down after you work so hard on something like an endurance race, you achieve it, and then suddenly you don't have that drive in place, working towards the next goal in your life. Goals are funny things, all you have to do is make the decision, write it down, think about it daily and you are nearly assured of achieving it, yet so many of us couldn't answer 'yes' if we were asked if we had specific goals identified and written down.
Think about the last time you REALLY wanted to do something, I mean really wanted it. Everything else was secondary. You made the decision and got to work, simple as that. Now think about the same thing, achieving a goal, but as soon as you achieved it, what happened? Did you go back to old habits ultimately leading you back to the place you were before, someplace you didn't wanted to be? Dieting is like that. We diet to get to a weight, have discipline, lose the weight and as soon as we get to the goal weight, we reach for the chocolate cake. Crazy!
Next weeks post will be about what my goals are for this Journey to Ironman Wisconsin, hope you check in!
Merry Christmas to everyone and thanks to all of you that have shared your encouragement, it's been great to hear from old friends! I can't believe the legs this blog has gotten over a weeks time, I think it's going to be fun!
Talk to you next week!
Dan
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The beginning
Welcome to my blog!
I really don't know why I felt compelled to document my training for an Ironman in 2007, but something told me I should. So many events have happened in the last few years, teaching me life is fairly short and most of us take it for granted. I also know that 36 weeks is a long time and many things will happen along the way, so many things, that my hope will be someone stumbles upon something I learn or experience and who knows, maybe it will help them.
I also know that I will be challenged in my preparation over the next 36 plus weeks, I know I will need some help and encouragement. Maybe someone has just the right thing to say when I need it.
Why do an Ironman? Some people say it's crazy, finding it difficult to understand why a person would subject themselves to weeks and months of early mornings, twice a day workouts, pushing your body as far as you can, all in preparation for one day of racing that will test you to your very limit.
When a friend first described his Ironman experience, my mind was so far away from the possibility, I literally could not visualize it, let alone believe I could attempt one. Since then, I have pushed myself beyond my expectations and now believe it's possible. But that's not really it. Lance Armstrong said "It's not about the Bike". For me it's not about the Ironman." It really isn't. After all, its just one day of swimming, biking and running. It's about being introduced to the real me. You know, that you that wants to quit so bad that you don't think one more step is possible? When you don't think you can possibly do anymore, and yet you do? I believe we are supposed to know who that person is. I'm confident I will meet him, somewhere along this journey.
So that's it, that's why I'm doing it. Nothing great. Plenty of people have done much harder things than this, but this is my journey.
I encourage you to check back in once in a while, it may get interesting. Feel free to post your thoughts if you feel so compelled...I would love to hear from you.
Dan
.
I really don't know why I felt compelled to document my training for an Ironman in 2007, but something told me I should. So many events have happened in the last few years, teaching me life is fairly short and most of us take it for granted. I also know that 36 weeks is a long time and many things will happen along the way, so many things, that my hope will be someone stumbles upon something I learn or experience and who knows, maybe it will help them.
I also know that I will be challenged in my preparation over the next 36 plus weeks, I know I will need some help and encouragement. Maybe someone has just the right thing to say when I need it.
Why do an Ironman? Some people say it's crazy, finding it difficult to understand why a person would subject themselves to weeks and months of early mornings, twice a day workouts, pushing your body as far as you can, all in preparation for one day of racing that will test you to your very limit.
When a friend first described his Ironman experience, my mind was so far away from the possibility, I literally could not visualize it, let alone believe I could attempt one. Since then, I have pushed myself beyond my expectations and now believe it's possible. But that's not really it. Lance Armstrong said "It's not about the Bike". For me it's not about the Ironman." It really isn't. After all, its just one day of swimming, biking and running. It's about being introduced to the real me. You know, that you that wants to quit so bad that you don't think one more step is possible? When you don't think you can possibly do anymore, and yet you do? I believe we are supposed to know who that person is. I'm confident I will meet him, somewhere along this journey.
So that's it, that's why I'm doing it. Nothing great. Plenty of people have done much harder things than this, but this is my journey.
I encourage you to check back in once in a while, it may get interesting. Feel free to post your thoughts if you feel so compelled...I would love to hear from you.
Dan
.
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