Thought for the day

"There comes a moment in your life when you stop doubting your abilities, and start believing in yourself." 

"A moment where you find a strength to push you through the greatest of psychological barriers."

"A moment when you find an inner peace."

"That moment is now"

~ Tristan Leigh Sharpe ~

Pain is Temporary, Pride is forever.

"There are people who have no bodies, only heads. And many athletes have no heads, only bodies. A champion is a man who has trained his body and his mind, who has learned to conquer pain for his own purposes. A great athlete is at peace with himself and at peace with the world; he has fulfilled himself. He envies nobody."

~Coach Sam Dee~

Sunday will always be a very difficult day to forget. It was a journey that started three years ago and peaked on the anniversary of my fathers passing. This is my story.

It was a day full of the highest emotion and pride. A day that was long and full of so many thoughts and feelings, yet there is no single word that could describe it and give it justice. The feeling is something you wish to share, yet it is very difficult. I will do my best.

I have spent years running casually, with the Melbourne Marathon in mind as a potential event to compete in one day. I say “compete”, as although there is no competing for the win, you are competing against all the darkest demons your body and especially mind can throw at you.

This year was the year I felt was the time to have a go.

Training was right on target. Pushing the extra mileage each week to take me to the 42km goal for race day. However I got sick a few weeks out. It was a nasty little chest infection that reduced my training to a dizzy mess after 5km. Not the kind of confidence I needed. 
I had to rest for the last few weeks leading into the run and knew once I reached the 30 km, I was in uncharted territory and anything could happen. I needed something special to get me through that last 12 km if my body couldn’t handle it. 
After all, any long distance runner will tell you 90% of the struggle is in the mind.

When the Friday before event day arrived I was beginning to feel a little edgy. This is when the mind starts to play games and it starts its 48-hour penetration of self-doubt. I was nearly losing the struggle but gripped onto every little bit of positivity I had and went about my weekend.

Saturday was an early rising and a visit to the memorial park to visit Dad. Still mind games running amok I sat there trying to find some peace and confidence. That little bit “extra” I was going to need.

I finished work on the Saturday and headed home. I had some food and chatted to Nat for a bit. I was feeling like I couldn't run 5 km. My mind and body were working against me. She again tried to restore some of my confidence and then it was time for some sleep.

Event morning came and the normal routine of nutrition. I was trying to keep very cool and keep the nerves at bay. I was feeling a bit better the day had arrived though. It was time to get to the ‘G’

I got some stretches out of the way and got to the line with a few minutes to spare. Just the way I like it, not much waiting around burning nervous energy.  Before I knew it we were off!

Over 6000 participants crossed the starting line all on their own journey and with a different purpose, all on a perfect Melbourne spring morning.

Strangely my longest event prior had been a half marathon and lots of things are felt; yet in this I really have nothing to say about the first 21 km.

It was a nice easy run down St. Kilda Road and around Albert Park. I found a very good easy pace and tried to sit on it to ensure I had something in the tank when I needed it.

I had made the 22 km mark and was not feeling any effects of being sick so was starting to feel a little more confidence. Though shortly after I felt a nice pop in my shoes, hoping it was just a blister I carried on though a little discomfort. Every time I would reach a first aid station, I would ask myself whether to get it checked but didn’t want to risk stopping and being held up for treatment and then not being able to get moving again. I was moving forward and that’s all I needed. One step at a time was bringing the finish closer.

The course was reasonably flat here but it was heading towards a turn around and all the other participants were already heading back. Usually this wouldn’t bother me, but knowing I had to still go all that way and then back again and then another 13 km. Ouch. Every time, you look up for the turn around all you can see is runners going the same way. No turn around in sight.  Oh wait there it is. Only 17 km to go. This is when the mind games started.

It was reasonably flat but had the feeling of a slow gruelling incline back towards St. Kilda. 

It was nice to see kids line the roads for high fives and handing out snakes and jelly babies through the course. Also the random strangers setting up their own drink stations for the runners. A big credit for all these people for their support, particularly around the back half of the course near St Kilda.

Finally I had gotten through the first bit of the pain, and had reached 30 km. A flat coast back along St. Kilda Road and run through the gardens and I’m nearly there. Got to stay positive! 
Unfortunately this seemed to mark the beginning of the end for a lot of participants. Some, including myself slowed to a walk through the next 5km. Some couldn’t handle the pain any longer and the gutters began to become littered with sore and sick runners, keeping the medics very busy. I hung in there but this is where I needed something 'extra'. The legs become very heavy and you begin to wonder if you will even make it. Even walking was painful. I think I felt a few more blisters pop.

I battered my way to 35 km and slowed to a walk again. I pulled my phone off my arm and messaged Nat - 35 km bleh!

She responded back and told me where she was. It was only a few km to her, and then a few more to the finish. Then she responded with a message my Mum had sent her. It got to me and I held back the tears. I wasn’t sad, I somehow knew I was going to get there, but it was going to hurt.

I picked up my stride. All of a sudden I was the only one running as we reached the gardens and the long climb to the 39 km mark. I started thinking of things and trying to push the pain out. The aching dead legs, the sore battered feet, the nausea, the sunburn.

I reached the 39 km marker. I knew Nat was just up ahead. I found strength and tried to keep pushing. When she caught my eye, she was waving and had a water bottle for me. I ran over to her and got pretty overwhelmed. I sucked back some water and air as she said some stuff to me. Then it was time to bring it home. She offered to walk with me for a bit but I declined.

The last 2 or so km were a feeling like no other. I could have had a broken leg, yet I would probably not have felt it. I fought every pain and took in every feeling running down along towards the MCG and onto the ground. To pass thousands of random people yelling for you and cheering you and telling you good effort as you hit the 42 km mark of a marathon is something you cant explain with words. It is isn't about distance. It is about overcoming the war, the shared struggle. It feels good, but not as good as the feeling of crossing that line and realising you have done it.  



That is a feeling I will hold and cherish forever......

See you on the track - follow your dreams

pathtoironman :)

Mid Year Race Reports

Here we are again, 8 weeks or so since the last update and it has been a roller coaster ride.

With the good we take the bad, and the last 8 weeks have been filled with a lot of good but some bad, which is too much bad for my liking.

After some busy weeks gearing up for The Age Run Melbourne, I was well prepared and it was drawing closer. Though for various reasons, I had to unfortunately and regretfully withdrawal.

The main reason being I pulled a muscle in my back the morning before and could hardly walk.

This whole situation still burns me and annoys me quite a lot. Being the first event I haven't committed to since starting and letting down myself and my sponsors behind the Heart Foundation cause. 

Very frustrating and embarrassing! This led to a few sessions of physiotherapy and a couple of weeks of soul searching.

What resulted was the ideal of me trying to harness this frustration into focus and motivation for the next 6-12 months. I asked a lot of questions of myself and had to look at it positively. 

Once I began training again, I quietly went about my sessions at the pool and on the track. Something unusual was happening though. I was dropping time everywhere. Short runs, long runs and long swims. I was shaving minutes of PB's. It felt good and I felt I was taking it pretty easy. Cant complain, but I was definitely feeling a lot fresher from another break.

So there was 5 weeks from The Age half marathon until the Sandy Point Half Marathon. 

I was intent on making amends.

Event day came around and it was a very fresh morning down on the Brighton foreshore. I was there and ready to happily cruise through the course. It appeared flat but has quite a few gently sloping hills.

As usual I waited and got off with the last third of the pack. I wasn't going to win but always enjoy doing a negative 10km split and passing hundreds of people that have gone out too hard. It was around 10 km down to Beaumaris then 11 km back to the finish. 

I eased into the run at a good pace and generally sat in with others. Once the turn around came I felt great and decided to take it up a notch. The crowd had significantly spread, so some were looking for faster runners to pace them back up to the groups ahead. I took advantage of this and got some fast heels to sit on. Didn't feel an ounce of pain or worry throughout the whole run until the last 2 km. Only because it seemed like 6 km not 2 km. But eventually the line was crossed.

Last years Age Run half Marathon recorded a 2:05 for me. I'm still unsure on the accuracy of this?

However going into this I was happy to go sub 2 hrs with the pace I was going to sit on. I cruised over the line in a comfortable 1:53 so was delighted with the result and hopefully can keep pushing to the 1:45 mark. 

Loved this course and smaller crowd and will keep going back for this each year.

Now to continue on with fresh body and mind. Next stop is the Melbourne Marathon in 8 weeks. Triathlon calendar is also out and just putting together some more races to take me through until next march. Hopefully smooth sailing ahead. However challenges and setbacks are not always a hindrance. They can provide more motivation to achieving your goals. :)

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.

~William Arthur Ward~

Sandy Point Half

Start to Finish events

Melbourne Marathon

pathtoironman :)

Reflection

I'M BACK!.. Again.

So last time I mentioned things were busy and I had a pretty busy training and work schedule. 

Unfortunately I got a case of the 'Man Flu' and decided to take some time out from training knowing that work would occupy a lot of my time and energy for the 3-4 weeks. 

I was feeling a tad run down and needed to relax a little and enjoy some of the finer things in life, like good food and drink... but not too much. 

In hindsight it was probably a good idea. After all I wasn't feeling great and haven't eased down on the training since the end of summer. Also with what will be my first event of my season coming up, it was better to get the break done now rather than later in the year in the middle of events.

So now we are around 3 and a half weeks away from The Age Run Melbourne (TARM). I had put in a lot of km training for the run before my break and was feeling very good. As expected, putting on the runners and picking it back up after a month off was going to hurt a little. The run felt good but definitely tired and felt a little sore earlier than usual. It still felt good to blow out the cobwebs. Then it was off to the pool for a swim and much need spa.

Since then it has been business as usual and back into the rhythm. A short run, a medium run and a long run a week. Plus also basketball once per week provides some great sprint/burst training. I also received a kind call from the heart foundation to check on my progress and thank me for continued support through fund raising for them. They also mentioned they had my photos from last years event on a board in their office. Very flattering. Its good to be supporting a cause close to the heart and for a fund who appreciate it.

As mentioned previously TARM will be my first run for the year. From there I will go on to another half marathon and then the Melbourne Marathon. 

Looking particularly forward to the marathon as it will be my first 42.195km attempt. The distance may seem a little daunting but I entered early so I can't back out now. Seriously though I am very eager to do this event. What a challenge!

The drafts are also being drawn up for the next Melbourne Triathlon season, so will be good to get that locked down and keep the motivation flowing.

Next week I'll be heading Brighton for some nice winter bay swimming. Kind of looking forward to it. Not sure why as the weather is hovering from 6-15 degrees at the moment. Water is going to be freezing!

For now it's off for an early night as tomorrow is an early rise for a nice long run. I'll leave you with some photos of one of my favourite places to run in Melbourne. It is around Princes Park in Carlton. Might see you there!




pathtoironman :)

Run Run Run!

Hello to all,

Where have you all been!

Between work and my new training plan it has been a hectic few weeks.

In my last post I mentioned I was running in The Age Run Melbourne in July.

Just give you a brief run through of where this is heading.

I am one week into my training for the end of year Gatorade series. 

However I have adjusted the running to be a little more aggressive and it is in line with a marathon distance training plan. Some may disagree with the approach though running is where I started and I still have a few things to cross off my bucket list. 

The marathon being one of them! 

Sure I could wait until next year when my ironman training is in full flight and it would be more appropriate but I'm not going to sit on my hands and watch them go by. I enjoy them too much and it will benefit my training in the long run. 

I have two half marathon events locked in for lead ups. There is one in July and one in August.

Hopefully this will prepare me ideally for the Melbourne Marathon in October.

A lot of km will go into the legs and so far I am loving the challenge. 

It has been about a year since I was covering 30+ km per week.

It's led to a tough two weeks (the blisters on my feet will vouch for the that) but I feel I'm getting back into the rhythm and breathing patterns nicely. I've missed my long runs. 

It's a good feeling knowing I can pick it straight back up with a nice easy 16km run. A great confidence booster!

I do 4 sessions a week but Sunday morning is my long run. 

So far the weather has been kind and really sets the tone for a nice Sunday. A nice feed and hot shower after it and the rest of the day with the fiancee. A good way to end the week.

So now I will slowly increase my load for the next 23 weeks to hopefully complete my first marathon. 

It will be hard but like everything else... crossing the line will be worth every minute of training and every second of pain.

"Workouts are like brushing my teeth; I don't think about them, I just do them.  The decision has already been made."
          ~ Patti Sue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

ironmanintraining

The Age Run Melbourne

Sandy Point Half

Melbourne Marathon

Age Run Melbourne 2012

A quick update...


So it is that time of year again. 
The Age Run Melbourne is coming up on July 15.
Again I will be participating in the half marathon. 
My first lead up event to this years Melbourne Marathon.


I will also again be raising funds for the Heart Foundation of Victoria.
A great cause that will receive 100% of donations I receive.


Hopefully I will see you at the start or finish line.


ironmanintraining :)


Check out my fundraising page and cause by clicking here <----


Age Run Melbourne

A fair assessment

The days after the triathlon I was appreciating a rest from training and the opportunity to sit down and really think about the next step. 
All while proudly recalling and soaking in the events of the past 13 months in my mind. 
It was nice to remember the feelings and emotions that came with the achievements, and describing it to friends and family trying to encourage them to join in on the fun and find out for themselves.
It can be difficult to explain the feelings that come with participating in one of these events. 


Something you wish you could share, but everybody has his or her own goals and path to follow.


I knew I needed to work on several things before the next race. There were 3 races left in the series but it was beginning to look like I couldn't make them due to other commitments. A little disappointing but yet again, I had a test run and now was keen to tweak my training to improve for next time.


I had to look for the positives and took aim at structuring a program to get me prime for next season starting in November. Not wanting to stay idle and lose momentum or progression, I needed to look ahead and plan. 
This would keep me motivated and encourage me to keep putting in the hard yards and long training sessions.


For me everything is about motivation. 
I don't lack it, but I think the key is to always have something to look towards. This commitment will require you to continuously do something to get to that point.
It's a simple theory, but very effective.


People who are not motivated possibly have no reason to be motivated. 
No goals perhaps? 


Most people may come home from work and do not feel like doing anything physical. 
I like to put myself in a position where I have no choice.
First key is to go home and don't sit down. 
Don't stop moving. 
Get changed and get out for a run or ride. 
Before you know it you are finished and can enjoy the rest of the evening a little more content knowing today was a day you took a step in the right direction.
Develop a mentality of each time I do this,


I improve my life and my body. 


I get closer to my goal.