Week one of three of Run Camp One is now in the books. And any doubts that I had about the future and what I wanted to do about triathlon and now behind me. I am once again a happy but tired camper.
This first week of run camp has been a little bit different from some of the others that I have done. This is my third run focus since I have been working with Hillary and this one is more about frequency than volume. Now don't be mistaken volume is a consideration as I knocked out almost 50 miles last week. 50 is not that much unless, like me, you have not run more than 24 since Kona.
What does it mean that I have no more DOUBT about what I want to do with triathlon? Well afyer Kona I took a much needed break. I let myself go - I did not train - and I ate whatever I wanted. And after doing that, I did not like what I found. I was soft and lazy. And I started to dislike myself again. I hated how I felt about myself and right then I knew I was not done.
Triathlon saved my life. Without triathlon I would be 350 pounds and likely dead by now. Triathlon will always be a means to fitness for me. And I do mean always. Preston Miller is my model - I want to be fit and ENJOYING my health well into my 60's.
However, somewhere along the way, triathlon became more than a fitness goal and more of a competition. My performance at Kona has haunted me for a couple of months. I am a bit frustrated and a little embarassed by my time. And I know if I leave it there it will haunt me forever, And I cannot accept that.
I really think Thomas Edison may have said it best:
Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
I was so close to achieving all of my goals and if I hadn't gotten injured in Germany I may have achieved all of them. For at least another year, I am motivated, content and satisfied with the competitive aspect of Ironman and the pursuit of another Kona start. I have a good Kona in me and that is definitely the driving force behind me right now. I want to get back to Kona and I want - no - I am driven to go under 10 hours sometime at Kona.
There it is - the gauntlet is down - the goal is set - sub 10 at Kona - and just for good measure a sub 9:30 at Switzerland this summer. And here is how I am going to get it done. I am taking my future in this sport one workout at a time.
As far as the future goes, I think Abraham Lincoln may have said it best:
The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.
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