About The Best Of 2011
On December 30, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
This year I have taken to my blog a bit more consistently. This is post No. 51 for 2011. That’s almost one post per week. Not a power blogger by any stretch of the imagination but a steady blogger at that. I have seen the blog’s popularity, measured by “hits” per post steadily increase.
It is no surprise that the post that gathered the most traffic was the one entitled “About Becoming An Ironman“. It accumulated over 2,000 hits in just 48 hours. It was the most shared via twitter and liked on facebook of all posts.
This post takes the reader through my day at the 2011 Louisville Ironman. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, you can do so here.
The second most popular post and one that I feel strongly about is the post entitled “About Being Fit vs. Being Healthy“. I cannot measure its popularity in terms of “hits” because even though it was posted on September 29th, I still get comments via twitter and emails about it. Apparently this post made a few people think about their fitness and health.
A couple of other favorite posts of mine deal with the issue of the “Ironman Tattoo”. I brought the subject up in a post titled “About The Tattoo“, in which I used the subject to make a point… Read the rest
About Ironman Pride
On September 21, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
Three weeks and three days ago I completed one of the worlds most grueling events known to mankind: the “Ironman”. If you missed my race report you can find it here for this entry is not about the race, or the journey to get to the race, but about the pride of becoming an “Ironman”.
There are as many reasons why anyone would take on a challenge of this magnitude as there are people taking on this challenge, and it has been said that it’s one of the most difficult things to try to explain, specially to those who do not understand the idea of pushing oneself to unknown limits. I for one, gave up trying to explain. Here is how I chose to handled it.
Life has changed post Ironman. There’s a huge sense of pride in having accomplished something that someone like me could have never imagined possible when I started doing triathlons in 2008.
And expressing this pride has come in many different forms.
In addition to the usual and obligatory IM merchandise; visor, hat, shirts, tee shirts, Finisher’s Jacket, cycling jersey, coffee mug, car sticker, key chain, etc, etc, etc, I had a tattoo inked on my left calf.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
But this did not come without much thought and consideration. Most of it done pre-Ironman.
During the course of those eleven months spent getting physically and mentally ready, I researched the idea of the tattoo. Read countless accounts of why people… Read the rest
About "Post Ironman Doldrums"
On September 9, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
dol·drums… A period of stagnation or slump. A period of depression or unhappy listlessness.
I’ve been feeling a somewhat blue, so I went to the doctor, he diagnosed me with a slight case of “Iron Deficiency”.
Is this possible? Could this be true? Who me? Depressed? Anxious? Exhausted? Somewhere along the line I heard that this could happen but no one is certain of how and when… or why? Most importantly, once I recognize it, how will I deal with it?
I have just completed one of the most amazing, mind boggling event of my life. This was my goal, this was my thing. I trained and I trained hard. Day in, day out. For months at a time. My family began to wonder when and if they were going to get me back. And just like that… after 15+ hours on race day, I crossed the finish line. I became an Ironman!
So why the feeling of emptiness? What’s missing? Shouldn’t I be relieved that the pressure of the early morning / two a day training sessions are behind me? Logic would tell me that it should. Or could this be the problem? All that free time. Things were simpler then, my day was planned, there was no time to waste. And now there are several hours of daylight left and I have nothing to do. Nothing to do, but think.
I haven’t had much of a feeling of depression. I have been left wondering “what now?” For me, there’s nothing out… Read the rest
About Setting Big Goals
On August 26, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
Today’s message is about setting Big Goals… Do NOT be afraid of setting a huge goal for yourself, no matter how outrageous it may seem, no matter how far out you may be, no matter where you are in life. It is never to late to go get what you want. Just. Go. Do. It!
About Choosing a Goal
On August 25, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
The message today is simple… Choose a goal, any goal. Go for it. It will change Everything. Really, it will.
I am just 3 days away from fulfilling one of my biggest goals ever… competing in an Ironman. Well, a competition against myself and what the course has in store for me.
About What’s Left To Do
On August 24, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
Yes, we’re on the home stretch! In just about 90 hours (from the writing of this post) it will be time to get my game on in Louisville, KY.
The training is done, the tapering is in progress and the mind and soul are at peace for they know that with the able direction of coach Barry of Endurance Geeks, I have done the very best to get ready for this epic day.
The gear has been laid out on the couch for the past several days. I go over and over the list, ensuring that nothing is missing. There are five piles; swim, bike, run, nutrition and miscellaneous. Occasionally I realize that an item needs to be added, like last night at 1AM. So I proceed to add it and be done with it… for the moment.
I did not want to check on the weather predictions until Monday. This is something I cannot control, so I didn’t want to worry about it. Much to my pleasant surprise, the weather has been very favorable for Ironmaning!
High 85, Precip 10%, Humidity 67% Wind from N at 8
Yesterday and today the forecast had slightly improved, so I’m hopeful.
I have had to find stuff to do to keep busy. Some of you may know that I am recently retired and I’m in the process of getting a few projects off the ground, one of which is a Translation and… Read the rest
About The Home Stretch
On August 19, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
It’s just 9 days away. It seems like just yesterday I made the decision to sign up for Ironman Louisville 2011. And now it’s just 9 days away!
At this point is all about the taper. Doing what is right at this point is more important than at any other time during training. Understanding that the hard work is behind me and allowing the training to take over from here.
I find, as I have done with any other race / any other distance I have ever done that at this point it’s about getting the mind and psyche in order. As mentioned in the previous post it’s time to calm the heebie jeebies.
And I think a turning point came last Saturday. I had a 4.5 hr training bike ride followed by a 1.5 hr run. They were both tough, as I guessed they would be, but they were both well within my comfort zone.
After I finished the run, with chocolate milk in hand, I felt a sense of peace overtake me. A feeling of calm, a sensation of satisfaction. I got the chills and if I must confess I got chocked up and a bit teary eyed. I knew that this was the last really long training session in my plan. I knew that the rest of the trip would be up to my head.
This week it hasn’t been easy by any stretch of the imagination. Race day logistics questions have overtaken me. What needs… Read the rest
About The Louisville Heebie Jeebies
On August 5, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
Usually defined as nervousness or fright; jitters; creeps… and I’m beginning to feel them.
This usually doesn’t happen to me until race week. Usually a few days before is when I begin to question everything. Additionally, every little incidental twitch, ache, pain, etc. seems to be magnified. “What is that? Where did that come from? Oh, no… not now!”
So, why have I already been visited by “The Louisville Heebie Jeebies”? And why can’t I shake them? There’s still 23 days until Ironman Louisville! It’s not time yet, not the time to be at this point. It’s to early, to soon, to fast.
I have upon me a tapering period. During this time, I will meticulously reduce the length of my training, in time and in distance, but not the intensity (see Coach Barry, I am listening). I will continue to swim laps, ride miles and run for hours, but I will allow my body, physically and mentally to recuperate, recover and rest. Oh, that much needed rest is very welcome at this point. All I seem to want to do is eat and sleep.
I will use this period to strengthen my resolve. My mental wellness and preparation for this event needs to be solid. I will make sure that I have a plan of execution for race day, but will be prepared to adapt and adjust as needed, for all plans are useless unless you can adapt them to present conditions.
I will come to Louisville trusting that… Read the rest
About IM Louisville Bike Course
On July 25, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
Of all the training I’ve done, of all the miles I’ve logged, of all the sweat I’ve poured, pounds I’ve shed, last Saturday’s ride on the Ironman Louisville course had to have been the most productive, the most painful, the most amazing.
Let me start by saying that preparing for 112 mile ride knowing that the heat and humidity was going to be brutal was the most difficult of all preparations. Convincing your mind to accept the fact that for some seven hours the body was going to be submitted to some extreme conditions was a task above comprehension.
The training ride was a non-sanctioned ride organized by Bob of the Ironman Louisville group on iamtri. A total of 127 riders showed up and rode the 112 mile course (some opted for the one loop around La Grange which gave them an 88 mile ride). It was extremely well supported with sag vehicles and plenty of rest stops with hydration and nutrition available. Thanks to Bob and the other volunteers that stepped up to help us have a terrific day.
The ride started non eventful and on time; 9:30am. Waves of 25-30 riders were sent at a time due to the fact that this would be an open course and for safety purposes, smaller number of riders together would be ideal.
I’m going to spare you turn by turn details of the ride. This would serve no purpose. What I will tell you is that once on Hwy 1694… Read the rest
About The Tattoo
On June 23, 2011,
in Blogs,
by Mauricio
from Mauricio's Triathlon, Running, Fitness, Motivation & Inspiration Blog
A while back I read a quote that in regards to the triathlon lifestyle, I find more true as time passes by:
“From the outside looking in you could never understand it. From the inside looking out you could never explain it.”
I am often asked, as I am sure every triathlete has: “why do you do this?”
The first time I heard this I remember giving a short and sweet answer: “to stay healthy” and I also remember the conversation going to places I had never imagined. I was told the numerous other ways I could stay “healthy” without having to inflict my body with so much “pain and torture.”
As time passed and my distance goals changed, conversations like this got more interesting. I had developed an arsenal of reasons. “Because I want to push myself”, “Because I want to see how far I can go.” and again I always received blank looks as if they were trying to say “I still don’t get it”.
I find that there’s great respect from the general population towards triathletes. Folks understand the massive commitment necessary to do this; physical and mental. What most folks still cannot comprehend is the “why” do we do this?
I have toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo once I finish my first Ironman. I have not been a fan of tattoos. As a matter of fact, I fought long and hard with my daughter to try to get her not to get a tattoo. Well, she… Read the rest
