On May 15, 2012,
in Certainly, you’ve heard of the bucket list. Or at least the concept of a bucket list. It’s a list of things that you’d like to accomplish before you die. Or turn 40. (To some, those milestones are one and the same).
Of course, The Bucket List was a movie back in 2007 starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. This is not so much about the movie but more about the concept.
So many of us have lists of things we’d like to accomplish during our lifetime. Some folk’s lists are more altruistic than others. For example, you could want to “rescue a dog or cat from a shelter”, “make a tangible difference in someone’s life”, “find a cure to cancer” or just “be happy”. Other folk’s list are more selfish, and could include things like: “earn a million dollars”, “own a Ferrari”, “Find a beautiful wife/husband”.
Multisport athletes are no exception to the rule. We love to have lists of things we either want to do, things we want to buy, or things we’d love to accomplish.
For the longest time, my bucket list included (1) do a marathon and (2) become an Ironman. My list wasn’t a “do it before I die” list, but rather a “do it for my 40th” list. I set out in 2009 to do both of these things, and lo and behold, I did. In February 2009 I ran my first marathon (26.2 with Donna, The National Marathon to End Breast Cancer) and… Read the rest
366 days ago, I spent the day racing Rev3′s Knoxville race. I had such an amazing experience last year that I had planned on the 2012 race at Knoxville being my first “real” effort of this season. This year’s Rev3 Knoxville race was this past weekend. Many of my Team Rev3 teammates raced this weekend – I was looking forward to meeting some of the new folks, reconnecting with folks who were on the team last year, and seeing some of the folks from Rev3 (Carole, Charlie, Eric, Ashley).
This year, however, I didn’t race. I didn’t even head up to Knoxville to be a spectator or volunteer. What did I do instead this past weekend? I went on a weekend retreat/mission trip with a group of middle school kids. I’d like to share a little about the weekend. I promise I won’t get preachy or too religious, but I’d love to give you a glimpse into our weekend and why this past weekend was every bit as good (and probably better) an experience as I’d have had if I was up in Knoxville racing.
This was the third year in a row I’ve gone on this trip, and each year I find it immensely satisfying, fun, and exhausting. There were about 150 sixth, seventh and eighth grade kids that went on this trip. We headed south from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach for 72 hours of wild and messy games, amazing music, and worship.
I roomed with 20 eighth grade guys – and I’ve… Read the rest
Photo/Marcy Browe & CNN
I suspect that the vast majority of us pay scant attention to physically challenged athletes when we’re racing. Except, of course, for when we’re getting passed by someone on a hand-cycle or in a wheelchair. Or when a visually impaired athlete and their guide pass us.
There’s no denying that folks with physical disabilities can be tremendous athletes. In fact, I’d argue that in some cases these athletes are better and stronger competitors than their non-disabled peers because of their challenges.
The fact of the matter, though, is that I have never paid attention to the rules that are applied to these athletes. Take, for example, the rule that a person with limited sight abilities and who is legally blind is required to wear “black out glasses” during the run phase of a triathlon. Seriously. It’s part of the rules for both USAT and ITU.
So…an athlete with 20% of their vision is required to become totally sightless via black out glasses in order to compete in a triathlon. That doesn’t seem right. In fact, isn’t depriving someone of what little sight they have actually dangerous? For example, a person with limited sight often has the capability to use peripheral vision. That peripheral vision could help that athlete avoid obstructions, other people, and stay on course in general.
I read an article on CNN today about Aaron Scheidies, a 30-year old legally blind triathlete from Detroit, who has filed a Federal… Read the rest
Glenn Keller – one of CNN’s Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge participants. Photo: Jeremy Freeman/CNN
Glenn Keller is an over-the-road truck driver. He’s also part of CNN’s Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge effort – an effort where a handful of folks are training for September’s Nautica Malibu Triathlon.
I found a blog series that he’s started to write and post to CNN’s webpage. I’m glad I did.
Glenn’s story is that he drives a lot! He’s on the road for more than two thirds of the year, often not in the same place from one day to the next. He works up to 70 hours per week. It’s a sedentary, yet busy, lifestyle. Perhaps as a result, he’s got some medical issues – sleep apnea, weight issues (he once weighed more than 300 pounds), and more.
And yet, Glenn is working to change his lifestyle. He’s exercising. Running. Cycling. Lifting weights. He’s on a path for transformation. His story is quite clearly very motivational – just check out some of his posts and the comments that follow them. Glenn represents the “everyman” – and if he can go through a transformation in his lifestyle and adopt triathlon (or heck, even exercise) as a part of his routine, then anyone can.
Here’s hoping that Glenn is successful — both in his personal quest to get healthy and complete the triathlon, but also as a motivational force for others.
Check out Glenn’s blog entries here. The title… Read the rest
Folks have hobbies. Some are gardeners. Others collect stamps. Some people collect Beanie Babies. Others play golf.
What do we do? We do triathlon.
Why?
Have you ever really thought about why we do this sport? What about this sport floats our boat? Is it the thrill of victory? The self-inflicted pain? The concept of being outside? What makes triathlon “it” for us – versus any other thing that could be our hobby-of-choice?
What about swimming, biking and running makes this sport fun? What drives us to do this?
It’s a tough question for me to answer. Frankly, I’m not sure why I like triathlon. Perhaps it just “feels” right. I’m certainly not going to ever win a race, so standing on a podium isn’t my motivation. I think I like the endorphins I get from exercise. I know I like going fast on my bike.
But – what makes really me interested in this sport? Why am I not interested in bowling or woodworking or sailing? Why am I not a fisherman? I wonder if this drive to tri is something embedded in my subconscious. A reptilian need for exercise, perhaps. Or maybe, the root is a desire to test myself. It could be, perhaps, that because others tri, so must I.
I don’t think I have an answer, fully. All I know is that I enjoy, therefore I do, triathlon.
What about you? Why do you tri?
Normally, this blog is just about triathlon, endurance sports, etc. I thought I’d take a break and share with you something I’ve been doing for the last several weeks.
If you’ve been a reader for any time at all, you know that I’m a family man. I’ve been married for a little over 18 years and have three awesome kids. I’d say that I have been really blessed. My wife is really a super lady. Great mother, my best friend, hard-working, loyal, loving. Literally, she’s been a God-send to me.
My wife, Jennifer, and I in Puerto Rico during the summer of 2011
Like every relationship, we’ve had some great times, some less than great times. Those cycles are inherent in all relationships. The thing with seriously long-term relationships is that sometimes they seem to lose the “spark” that you felt when you first started dating, first got married, etc. It’s life. Folks get comfortable and take things for granted.
I’m a firm believer that doesn’t have to happen in a relationship. So, I try really hard to reinforce to my wife how happy I am with our life together, how much I love her, and how much I really feel like our relationship is still “new”.
Thinking back over the years, my wife has always enjoyed when I’ve left her notes. My notes were never much – just a quick “have a good day” or “I love you”. Regardless, she always enjoyed them. Recently,… Read the rest
About The Fifth Element
On January 13, 2012,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Motivation and Inspiration Beyond the Ironman Journey
Many say that triathlons have four disciplines: Swim, Bike, Run and Nutrition. I’d like to add Mental Strength as the Fifth Element, specially if you’re involved in long distance triathlons.
It is without a doubt that an Ironman event is the ultimate test of speed, strength and endurance; a physical test like no other. However, it is very possible that the triathletes mental strength will be tested to an even higher degree.
Making it through one of the world’s most grueling events is not a matter of chance. No doubt you will come, as most do, physically prepared to endure the challenge. You will be ready to swim the 2.4 miles, to ride for 112 miles on your bike and to run a marathon (26.2 miles) because you have done your work. And all this, you’re asking your body to do in less than 17 hours.
But making it through the event is the easy part. Getting there is another story.
At this moment you could be in the honeymoon phase of training. You’re just getting started. Maybe you just returned to the pool and are getting a feel back for the water. After your session you still have a smile on your face. If the weather has been nice, you have a few rides and/or runs under your belt. Nothing long, nothing hard. You’re just getting your legs ready. You still have a smile on your face.
A little further down the road, a month of so (depending… Read the rest
About Mistakes
On January 9, 2012,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Motivation and Inspiration Beyond the Ironman Journey
“If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re learning. If you’re making lots of mistakes, it means you’re learning a lot.”
There are two kinds of people who never make mistakes, the dead and the unborn. The rest of us should strive to one day look back and consider all our mistakes as lessons, for this is what they truly are.
Everyone makes mistakes. Accepting that fact is easier said than done. We are all taught at an early age and reinforced through our entire life not to make mistakes. Additionally, we are trained to react negatively when we do make a mistake. Perfection seems to be a target of most people in their work, relationships and in life. But there’s big danger in that; perfection is not a place where we can ever be.
The bottom line is that we all make mistakes. The key here is to understand that when we do make a mistake, there’s a lesson to be learned; most, if not all mistakes, are gifts. They offer us the opportunity to explore an area where perhaps we are deficient, need additional training or simply just need to reevaluate our approach; perhaps we were rushing. Whatever the reason, we need to take time to explore what happened. We can learn what we need to, to correct the situation and to put systems in place so that this mistake doesn’t happen again.
I have made my share of mistakes. So many so, that following the above mentioned… Read the rest
Cancer is a dirty word. And a dirtier disease. Sadly, most of us are impacted by cancer – either directly or indirectly. While I’ve never had cancer (knocking on wood), I do know lots of folks who do…or have had. My father. My spouse. My step mother. One of my best friends. A college fraternity brother who ultimately succumbed to the disease.
Fortunately, there are lots of great doctors treating people with cancer. Lots of talented scientists trying to figure out how to prevent and cure cancer. Lots of tremendous organizations that help cancer patients and their families. And while you no doubt can name more than a handful of worthy cancer-related organizations, there’s one in particular that I’d like you to know about.
It’s the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. UCF supports young adults by providing resources, information, and educational opportunities for cancer survivors. Key among their initiatives are efforts to educate young adults in how to avoid and prevent sun damage, which could lead to skin cancer. They also offer support for young adult cancer patients and survivors, including one-on-one and peer support groups.
As you know, fighting the fight against cancer is not cheap. Setting aside the actual medical expenses, the costs associated with ongoing support and education can be astronomical. And that is where Rev3 Tri comes into play.
Rev3 announced today that beginning on March 26th, the staff of Rev3 will begin an epic “Run Across America” with a goal of raising… Read the rest
About Risks
On December 19, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
The word “risk” has always had a negative connotation attached to it. Depending on your point of view it could represent anything from failure and loss to danger, tension and stress.
But risk also has a positive side and it takes a special individual to see the chance of a big pay off, a big win.
Every time we make a decision, we’re taking a risk. Sometimes well calculated, sometimes not. Everyone knows and understands that it’s a pretty bad idea to take dumb, miscalculated risks; those that you expect to have no positive result in the short or long term. On the other hand, it’s equally foolish to pass the opportunity at an intelligent, well calculated risk; one which you expect to yield a positive result.
Most of us have learned to, and become pretty good at avoiding dumb risks. But we are equally bad at taking the intelligent ones. This is what separates the most successful folks from those who end up wondering what could have been.
Successful folks are willing to take those risks. They’re willing to stick their necks out because they know that the potential benefits totally outweigh the potential setbacks.
Usually the long term benefits of a risk well taken outnumber the consequence of a potential failure.
I have always been a risk taker. Always. Sometimes to the dismay of family and friends. I have failed more often than I have succeeded, but I dare not think of what could have been had I… Read the rest
