I embrace this road I have chosen to travel. Yes, the path will lead me to Ironman Louisville, which is my targeted event for the 2011 season, but the ultimate goal is having a fulfilling experience. Training is part of this experience, and one I welcome. Not everyone likes to train, and those who don't are all too anxious to simply do the race...and then the next one. Don't get me wrong, I love a great event as much as the next guy, but I also love the road I travel to get there.
When I go to the pool to swim, it's always a new adventure. I wonder how it's going to go. I wonder if I'll do better than the last time I pulled on my TYR Racer and took to the chlorinated human tank. I am curious to see how I will respond to added distance or redlining speed. I wonder if while I'm walking toward the showers afteward, if I will be feeling inspired by what I was able to do, or disappointed because it didn't go quite the way I wanted. Regardless of the outcome, it's all a part of the journey, and the journey is what makes the adventure.
When I ride on my indoor trainer I am putting in my time. I find solice in knowing I am gaining...or at least maintaining fitness and when the time is right, I will be able to break out onto the open road with a reasonable engine, to motor my rig forward. It is part of the process, part of the task at hand, part of the journey that I travel, so I take it in.
I'm looking forward to running again. Without running there is a piece clearly missing. My journey feels lacking without this component of my training. I don't feel as strong as I can be. I don't feel like I'm building and traveling the road the way I can. The way I should. However, that time will come too, and I will again enjoy putting one foot in front of the other while going down the road I've chosen to travel.
When the road I'm traveling is paved smooth, the travel is easier, but the bumps and turns make it interesting. Mind you, interesting does not always equate to wanted or welcome. Injuries, illness, and poor weather can make travel more challenging. Overcoming these obstacles builds patience and character. Frankly, I'm good with having the road paved smooth, but if I have to build character through dealing with rough road, I will. I'm not going to stop and I'm not going to give up. I will look forward to it being smooth again. I will cherish that I can follow any road at all.
I've chosen my course and I'm traveling the road to Ironman Louisville.
Inspiring!! I, too, love the "training journey" just as much (if not more) than the "racing journey". It gives me an opportunity to explore the world I wouldn't necessarily have explored if I wasn't swim/bike/running it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you krystyna. Outstanding.
ReplyDeletePeace.
Wow. You said it so well. It really is the journey of training that teaches us so much about ourselves and the people we carry with us on the adventure. The race - well, that's a day where hopefully it all comes together - but it's almost a celebration of the journey and definitely not the blood, sweat, and tears that led up to it. It's the B,S,T that changes lives and hearts.
ReplyDeleteYour perspective on the bike training has re-motivated me to get on the trainer in earnest. Without the base, those spring rides outside are going to be both embarrassing and demoralizing. Thanks for reminded me why we put the deposits into the bank now..I lost sight of that.
Great post!
IronMin. Thanks. This helps ME to stay motivated as well. I.T. rides are my biggest mental challenge during this time. Let's continue to get after it. :)
ReplyDelete