Today marked the day that my
IMLP training began. I procrastinated a bit getting out the door, I was busy working at my kitchen table. I eventually forced myself to get on the road by early afternoon.
Once I got started, it all came back to me and I realized training is the best drug on the planet. I started feeling clarity again. This was the first training session since I sold the business, I wondered if it was going to feel different.
Was I going to not put in a strong effort at work and just care about training? Was I going to become mediocre at work? I didn't feel different and I realized don't know how to put in less than 100% effort.
Over the years I've had employees that started off strong when I hired them and then they transformed to "slackers". I have no respect for "slackers". They are two faced people. They pretend to be hardworking in the beginning and then their true "coasting through life" colours come out. It didn't take long to realize that "I'm no slacker". It's not in my nature.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me. I only have two switches, on and off. I have no middle throttle. It's either "go time" or "no time".
Today I also got the most inspirational tweet from
@tritwins after he saw my first workout online. He wrote "and so it begins". I loved it. I took what
Simon was saying as, "and now we are going to see some hard-core training". I took those four words as such a compliment.
Reid stayed home from school today. Yesterday he got braces put on his bottom teeth and was in pain this morning. Near the end of the day he was feeling better and was begging to go swimming with me. He wanted to practice his flip turns. He even prepared a workout set on cards for himself to follow.
I took him and he impressed me. With flippers on, he did 50 meters in 35 seconds. I was doing butterfly and he took it upon himself to tell me I wasn't using my hips enough. And he was right! In only twelve days, he's become an expert. I raced him, he had flippers, I didn't. For 25 meters, it was close, I can't remember who won. It was probably me who lost.
I'm blown away with his flip turns. They look so pro. He's even motivated me to try them. I did one perfectly and then really messed up the second one. By the time I popped out of the turn on the second one, I was swimming in the complete wrong direction and had no idea where I was, before realizing I was almost in the other lane. It was embarrassing and was glad no one saw my "bone head" turn.
I got a great email today. One I consider blog worthy. It was from Corey Philip, someone I've never heard from before. It read:
Hey Bryan,
I came across a link to your IMSG race report, which was hilarious by the way, congratulations on the great finish. I passed it on to some Ironmen I know and they are in love with your nutrition plan.
Since then I’ve been forced to take frequent breaks from work to catch up on all of your posts.
I’m sure you get many messages from people you’ve inspired to get in shape. With me I wanted to let you know you’ve inspired me to drink more beer, seriously it was all I could think about when I got home after finding your blog last Friday.
You have a great outlook on life, I am going to keep working on the beer consumption with the goal being at the 5k beer race.
Congratulations on selling the business, I am a business valuator and I work in transaction services so I can appreciate how much hard work it was, the stress involved, and the emotions and complications post deal.
Thanks again for the entertainment!
Now, isn't that a great comment. Anyone can inspire someone to get in shape, but how many people do you know that can inspire someone to drink beer?
I think I may have found my future career calling. Thanks Corey.
One last thing, I was out for dinner and drinks with Gary, a vendor / friend. He had a great story I'm going to post tomorrow. Before I left the house, I put on compression socks. At the end of the night, when I lifted my pants and showed Gary my socks and then had a moment of clarity.
I realized that if you're wearing compression socks, your taking triathlons way to seriously.
Mod Run - 43:25 / 8.20 km / 5:16 pace
Long Swim - 48:23 / 2100 meters
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Today marked the day that my IMLP training began. I procrastinated a bit getting out the door, I was busy working at my kitchen table. I eventually forced myself to get on the road by early afternoon.
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7 comments:
Yes you interpretted those words perfectly and I'm pleased they motivated you, it takes profound words to motivate a hard core Ironman.
What you didn't interpret was the envy they also conveyed. I was 2:1 up on you for Ironmans after China for the year, now it's 2:2 and soon to be 2:3. You have a good shot at Kona too and it wouldn't surprise me if you slot another one in there too somewhere along the way. Darn it!!
Enjoy, keep it real and keep it fun. (I know you will).
Check out this swim website - it is the best ever - www.swimsmooth.com/
Soooo, I don't remember who made the comment yesterday about being pissed if you don't make Kona because of the time they have invested in following your blog... I almost peed myself HAHAHA!
You need to tell Corey Philip one thing... you are from Canada... Canadians drink A LOT of beer, don't ever challenge one to a drink off ;) It will be an epic fail.
I think Reid may soon be your training partner, keep in mind, your $1k investment will amplify fast when he starts asking you for your old bikes and cycling gear ;)
Way to get back on the horse and ride!!!
compression socks? ahhh! you are serious! If you show up to party wearing those with your sandals I am calling the rubber room people! Look forward to following your training and hearing what it takes to get to the top! Cheers
I feel you on those "two switches"..and I wouldn't have it any otehr way.
"And so it begins"...that was the statement that wa sin my head in december '09 when I started training for Ironman Texas 70.3
go forth and conquer my friend....
I could not agree more with Corey. I remember that last year when I first read your blog I told everybody that beer and triathlon can go together and if they do not believe me they should read your blog.
Reid makes the whole swim thing look so easy. He's a natural swimmer. I tried a few times to do flip turns and I ended up drinking water and being totally confused about which way to go.
Thank you very much
S, thanks for the motivation. I kept thinking on today's ride "The Payne Train, has left the station". I guess in a way I'm lucky, this is my second season, winter was my first. Now at least I won't have to wear the toe warmers. Your words are going to motivate me for the entire IMLP training block. thanks. Also, Reid loves the swim smooth stuff.
M, haha, that was a great comment yesterday. I loved it. Funny, Corey is from Canada, from Toronto, but he's not in the world class beer drinking division. At least I don't see him at the club meetings. haha. I think once reid gets enough money to buy a 1969 Judge, they'll be no exercise for him. My stuff will be safe. haha.
JF, I'm with ya brother. I couldn't get drunk enough to wear those in public.
J, Thanks man.
D, your right, beer and triathlon does go hand and hand. It's a great pre and post training recovery drink. I'm with you on the flip turns. Wrong direction and nose full of water.
B
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