Do the Things You Think You Cannot

The Goal
For some time now I've had a secret goal to be an Ironman. At the beginning of the past two years I've considered if that would be the year. This year I have been seriously considering entering an Ironman Triathlon. The thought of it scares me and it seems impossible to me- 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile swim for a total of 140.6 miles. As I was seriously contemplating if I should commit or not this year, I heard a quote in church by Eleanor Roosevelt(Mrs. R wasn't there.) This really helped me to decide. So as I was pondering about this challenge in church that Sunday, the speaker quoted, "You must do the things which you think you cannot." Why would she choose this quote, on this day, at this time. I felt confident that day that I would do it. So I would like to further commit myself to reaching this goal by writing it down and saying it out loud. I am going to be an Ironman August 1, 2009 as I finish the Vineman Ironman in Sonoma County California. I am constantly on the verge of quitting this plan, but its something I really want to do. I've been training since the start of the year to meet this goal. Every time I finish training I think there is no way I can do this. It really does seem impossible to me. I must do the thing I think I cannot do.

Positive Attitude
They say that after the training is done, and the nutrition is right, the reason people don't finish is mental. Positive thinking gets you to the finish line. Negative thoughts keep you from it. I need the support of friends. This week I begin the Peak Training Phase, it requires 15 hrs a week with long bike rides and long bike runs. I look to my friends and family to help me keep the positive mental outlook I need to be successful. Among the several reasons, I have a specific reason for doing this. When I need to dig deep to continue I can go to that thought, but encouragement from my family and friends will be most important to me as I train and race, when the doubts, or fear, comes.

The Quote
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do...
I believe completing this personal goal will help me gain strength, courage, and confidence by doing something that seems impossible. So August 1st I will stop to look fear in the face, and I'll do the thing I think I cannot do. I could use all the encouragement I can get.330

3/22/09-2/28/09

This Week's Totals:
Bike:	4h 15m - 65 Mi
Run:	3h -18 Mi
Swim:	3h - 9000 Yd
Total:	10h 15m - 88 mi

I completed my planned training this week. I'm most proud that I got my bike working right all by myself. This is after I had it in the bike shop and thought that it would be fixed. I won't take my bike back there. I just finished my bike ride. It was pretty fun. I road out to lake ming. I also swam three times this week. Once again I was on the verge of quitting before each workout, but I got out there anyway. I was always glad that I had the discipline to get out there. I always feel better after the workouts. Also my head stopped hurting. I think it was allergies. Just one day I noticed I felt better. I hope next week is as good as this week.

This Week's Totals:
Bike:	3h - 45 Mi
Run:	2h 15m -13.5 Mi
Swim:	2h - 6000 Yd
Total:	7h 15m - 60 mi

I feel good about this week even though the training got squashed. I had my bike in the shop and Thursday I had a doctor's appointment all afternoon. It was just a busy week around here. I shouldn't have played basketball on Tuesday. Anyway I put in a long bike ride on Saturday. I have been riding on the trainer. Now that my bike is working, I was excited to ride outside. I went to Round Mountain and that was fun. However, I discovered that I am a super slow cyclist. I am going to change my schedule to a little more cycling.

Weekly Volume

This Week's Totals:
Bike:	5h - 71 Mi
Run:	4h - 24.29 Mi
Swim:	2h - 5000 Yd
Total:	11h - 98 mi

This week was great. I got all the training in and, as far as I remember, I enjoyed it. I've been running out in a farm and I didn't notice my allergies. The farm is north of my house. As runs get longer I'm going to keep running north to the next city. That will be fun. I've just finished my base phase and now we start building. The hours are added to the long bike ride and run. If I have the same energy I have after this week, I should be able to handle it. Having said that I did fall asleep at work and at a church meeting this week. Maybe that's what I need--more naps.

Weekly Volume 3/1 to 3/7/2009

This Week's Totals:
Bike:	4h 30m - 63 Mi
Run:	2h 30m - 15.29 Mi
Swim:	2h 0m - 5000 Yd
Total:	9h 0m - 81 mi

I struggled to get the training done this week. I missed one run I think. I did find out I still had 15 swims on my swim pass when I went to pay for another. Someone wasn't counting and it wasn't me.
I was really glad I went on my run late Friday after Porter's swim meet. I was so close to bagging it. The next thing I knew I was out running. When it was over, it was like no time had passed at all.
Next week I need to get to bed earlier, and I need to watch my diet. I think I'm not getting enough breakfast.