The long road to the 2011 USA Triathlon Nationals…

As my flight lifted off from the Cleveland airport toward Vermont I was trying to clear my head of the challenges of work and other stresses… As we rose up, I looked down and saw the stretch of road where this past winter, a training partner and I endured -4F temperatures to run our speed workout together.

** CLICK **

My entire mindset shifted just like that. A huge smile came across my face, and the prickle of excitement for what was about to happen ran down my spine. I was suddenly inspired to take a look back at the training, successes and sacrifices that I have made to get me to the point of racing in the USA Triathlon National Championships in Burlington, Vermont – August 20, 2011.

The frozen runs... trying to find a clear track... the intense spin sessions that I led and I followed... So much time in the pool, pushing to get stronger and faster.

Then spring came and the Boston Marathon was a big success, with a 3:08 PR on my 39th birthday!

Then summer and the two and three a day training sessions... the heat, humidity and punishment I put my body through. Just as I was about to crack, I would take a break.

Then I would have to travel... To China, to Germany, to Japan, to India - all this summer while trying to prepare for the triathlon season. Hard to train on the road like that, as you can imagine - but I did every chance that I had.

I truly believe you have to "Practice Suffering" - and I like to think I've put myself through the ringer a few times... I truly believe that will pay off this Satuday - when I push myself to places I've not been before.

I'm re-reading Chris "Macca" McCormick's book "I'm Here to Win" today. Great quote from it:
"You don't PLAY triathlon. You play soccer; it's fun. Triathlon is WORK that can leave you crumpled in a heap, puking by the roadside. It's the physical brutality of climbing Mt. Everest - without the great view from the top of the world..."


If you recall from an earlier blog entry, that 10 years ago, I was a 200lb couch potato that was out of shape and totally stressed out by life. In 24 hours, I will toe the line with the some of the best in the country in the Nationals! I won’t recall that entire journey again here… but it is worth remembering where I started from… if for no other reason, than to allow others to believe that at any time, they can make positive changes in their life – and there is no limit to the potential and possibility! To quote Nike – “JUST DO IT”! There is a lot of truth and power in that simple phrase…