Have you ever had one of those days? Those days represent different things to different people. For some it would be an exceptionally bad day, for others it could be a day that is jam packed full of things to do. Today was one of the longest days I can remember, not because anything bad happened, actually quite the opposite, today was a good day for my Dad. He will be going home in the morning if everything goes well tonight. Today didn't become one of those days because I was really busy. Today was one of those days where it seems that you accomplished nothing.
My day started around eight when I got up and got ready to go for my run. I felt pretty good after my three miles yesterday, the pain in my knee had subsided thankfully. I ran the first mile still feeling pretty good. I ran the second mile and decided that I was done for today. Not because I was exhausted, though the cold air was beginning to get tough to breathe. I was just bored to be honest. I never really got in a zone, my mind was somewhere else. I cannot even pinpoint what I was thinking about. One thing I do know about this training is that I have to listen to my body, and there is no use pushing myself on a day like today. My music wasn't working, I couldn't get my breathing right, and couldn't even focus on any one thing to occupy my mind.
This inability to focus carried throughout most of the day. Now at 9pm, the end of the day, I struggle to identify anything that I accomplished during the course of the day.
I also found out today, that Pastor signed the two of us up for a 5k in April. I am excited about a little bit of a warmup.
I guess today was just one of those "blah" days, they come and go. My to do list was unchanged today, but the more I think about it the more I realize how great it is to have a goal to strive for on days like today. I cannot imagine how those days must be for someone who has nothing that they are looking forward to. I believe this triathlon is going to change more than just my physical attributes over the next eight months, I believe that I will learn more than just how to swim, bike, and run well. This journey is already teaching me how to live well. I am so glad to have a few people who have committed themselves to do the mini triathlon. It is great to have others on this journey, to share the experiences, good or bad. The people along the way make "those days" much easier to handle.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Day One: Ups and Downs
I knew when I decided to train for a triathlon that there would be ups and downs along the way, however I had no idea that they would start on day one. I ran three miles this morning in the cold wind, up and down hills. I finished my run in just about 35 minutes, not exactly a blistering pace by any stretch of the imagination. My left knee started to hurt on the second mile though, not sure what is going on with that.
The ups and downs of the running were nothing compared to what was coming. Dad was put in the hospital today just as I was finishing my run. What a shock to the system. My Dad has been the strongest man I know for my entire life. I remember pulling on his arm and even using my feet for leverage when I was little, and I couldn't even pull his arm down with everything I had in me. I thought it was tough to see him in the hospital a couple years ago after he had a stroke. Today was much harder, even though from the first look it isn't nearly as serious.
You never expect to see such a strong person, a man among men, lying in a hospital bed. I am only 31 years old, but I still remember my Dad being the biggest, strongest man I thought that ever could be. Today I saw him in a totally different light. His hair is gray, he is weaker with age, and there was a vulnerability that I never could have imagined in him when I was growing up. It has been a hard thing for me to process to see him age. It has forced me to make hard decisions in my own life, like leaving a church that I love and people that I love.
I am sure that this process will cause me to make many more decisions, not just for him but for myself also. Seeing him lying in that hospital bed today made me more resolute than ever to train and to complete these two triathlons that I have laid out for myself this coming year. I know that none of us can stop what time will do to our bodies but I intend to do everything that I can to be healthier, not just this next year but for the rest of my life. I don't set these goals just so I can finish a triathlon, but so that I can have quality of life.
Today has hardened my resolve to see this thing to fruition. I am committed.
The ups and downs of the running were nothing compared to what was coming. Dad was put in the hospital today just as I was finishing my run. What a shock to the system. My Dad has been the strongest man I know for my entire life. I remember pulling on his arm and even using my feet for leverage when I was little, and I couldn't even pull his arm down with everything I had in me. I thought it was tough to see him in the hospital a couple years ago after he had a stroke. Today was much harder, even though from the first look it isn't nearly as serious.
You never expect to see such a strong person, a man among men, lying in a hospital bed. I am only 31 years old, but I still remember my Dad being the biggest, strongest man I thought that ever could be. Today I saw him in a totally different light. His hair is gray, he is weaker with age, and there was a vulnerability that I never could have imagined in him when I was growing up. It has been a hard thing for me to process to see him age. It has forced me to make hard decisions in my own life, like leaving a church that I love and people that I love.
I am sure that this process will cause me to make many more decisions, not just for him but for myself also. Seeing him lying in that hospital bed today made me more resolute than ever to train and to complete these two triathlons that I have laid out for myself this coming year. I know that none of us can stop what time will do to our bodies but I intend to do everything that I can to be healthier, not just this next year but for the rest of my life. I don't set these goals just so I can finish a triathlon, but so that I can have quality of life.
Today has hardened my resolve to see this thing to fruition. I am committed.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Anticipation
Well tomorrow is the official first day of my training for the mini triathlon and then the half marathon. I have been doing some running up to this point, but tomorrow will mark the first day of this journey that I will be taking for the next eight or more months.
I bought my Mizuno running shoes tonight, thanks to a gift card from a good friend. I have measured the distance around the block, .5 miles, and I am ready for the morning.
My goal for this week is 3 miles per day. That is the exact distance for the mini triathlon. I haven't found anywhere to swim yet. I also need to find and purchase a bike to start riding, but those things are second to running. Everyone I talk to says that the swimming is easy, and the biking is easier, if you can get your feet off of the pedals.
I am somewhat nervous about the running after talking to some people. It is the last part of the race, and can be the most challenging, that is why I start training for it in the morning. Wish me luck, and follow this blog, or anyone is welcome to join me and train for the mini triathlon.
I bought my Mizuno running shoes tonight, thanks to a gift card from a good friend. I have measured the distance around the block, .5 miles, and I am ready for the morning.
My goal for this week is 3 miles per day. That is the exact distance for the mini triathlon. I haven't found anywhere to swim yet. I also need to find and purchase a bike to start riding, but those things are second to running. Everyone I talk to says that the swimming is easy, and the biking is easier, if you can get your feet off of the pedals.
I am somewhat nervous about the running after talking to some people. It is the last part of the race, and can be the most challenging, that is why I start training for it in the morning. Wish me luck, and follow this blog, or anyone is welcome to join me and train for the mini triathlon.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
My First Blog
This is the first blog in what I am sure will be an up and down journey till my first triathlon in June and then the half marathon that I plan to do sometime around my birthday, late August for those who don't know when that is.
I'm sure that the first question most people will wonder is why would I want to do a triathlon for the first time at 31? Well to be honest, I feel like I need something to challenge me. I have always worked out. I wrestled in high school. I have gotten bored with working out and need a reason to train. I also feel that something like this will help me to get back into the best shape of my life.
I will start my training in earnest as soon as the holidays are over, and I hope to post on here at least a few times per week. I would love for you to follow me on this journey or possibly even join me in the triathlon. A few people have already signed on, and we would love to have more on the team.
I'm sure that the first question most people will wonder is why would I want to do a triathlon for the first time at 31? Well to be honest, I feel like I need something to challenge me. I have always worked out. I wrestled in high school. I have gotten bored with working out and need a reason to train. I also feel that something like this will help me to get back into the best shape of my life.
I will start my training in earnest as soon as the holidays are over, and I hope to post on here at least a few times per week. I would love for you to follow me on this journey or possibly even join me in the triathlon. A few people have already signed on, and we would love to have more on the team.
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