See Tom Tri: One man's mental & physical journey training to be a 2011 IronMan®

today is EVERYTHING

until its over….. It may still be something tomorrow, but it certainly isn’t as important. Then, a few years from now, it’s pretty much a memory (maybe). I actually hit for the cycle in one baseball game. That was a single, double, triple and homerun during a single game. There may be one or two other people who would even remember that besides me. Of the at least 17 other people there, no importance or weight was given to it since that day. And if I didn’t bring it up right now, the one or two other people that . . . → Read More: today is EVERYTHING

Invincible…. until you are not

Her hands and voice were shaking uncontrollably because she felt helpless. She knows that it’s going to just get tougher. The strength that he used to have has been rapidly decreasing, and will not return. It’s been 6 months since the diagnosis and the picture is bleak, dark… horrible. “Don’t get old” he told me as we made our way into the living room. The corner of the comfy couch was our destination. As he plopped into that corner, there were many short gasping breathes before it became semi-normal again. It’s certainly not like it used to be… even . . . → Read More: Invincible…. until you are not

You can learn a lot

You just rode a bike 18 miles! Eighteen miles. That’s pretty far.

He looked exactly like I did as he walked out of the driveway and ‘attempted’ to balance on the bike for the first time. I suggested he go up the street to get comfortable balancing. Thank goodness no cars were coming in either direction. I rode next to him and could see his hands with a strangle grip on the bars, and the front tire was weaving because of it. We, thankfully, made it to the top of the hill (the first mental obstacle) without hitting anything . . . → Read More: You can learn a lot

that’s the best part

Last night I ran for 4 miles. I don’t think I ever run fast, but last night I tried to run slowly (you know, jog).

Knee brace: check.

Ankle brace: check.

Walkman set to Awesome Mix 7: check

Wrists and forehead sweatbands: check

Knee high socks: check

My favorite ”yea, I jog” t-shirt: check

While jogging (which I love to do, especially on cold days when I can wear my jogging suit) I tried to concentrate on landing solidly directly below my body. Though my concentration only lasts for a few steps at a time until I’m distracted by 1000 other . . . → Read More: that’s the best part

We’ll see

It’s been a week since my mistake of running without braces. The swelling is down and I have no more constant pain. Now, one more day and I’ll attempt to run again (with braces this time). We’ll see.

With 6 months of training left, I really need to get on the road. My biggest obstacle last year was having enough in my tank for the marathon. I didn’t train enough for the run (that was obvious to me). As it turned out, it was my least favorite of the three during training. Learning to swim and going fast on . . . → Read More: We’ll see

Ouch

I spent Saturday and Sunday on the couch, which was a little upsetting because of how nice it was this weekend. In my attempt to start my running training, I ran last Wednesday. I wasn’t going to go very far, or very fast (even if there were ghost runners out there) so I decided not to wear either my ankle and knee braces. Big mistake….. I felt fine Wednesday night and most of Thursday, but by Friday a spot about two inches above my left ankle was really tender.

Fawn says it’s where my tendon attaches to my bone….. That’s cool, . . . → Read More: Ouch

The lesson is at the end

I’ve heard that the lesson to be learned to anything is at the end. Hmm. The end of what exactly? The end of the day, the week, the event, the story….? Is the lesson a stand alone lesson, or is it contingent upon previous lessons? Would I take the same thing away as someone else or does that only happen when when we are told exactly what we should learn, like in a fable? We’re all sort of living in our own fable. We tell each other stories about how we overcame this or that. How we applied a . . . → Read More: The lesson is at the end

some things you get

to buy, some things you get to do.

I’ve bought things. Most of which, I’m ready to give back if I haven’t already. The things I got to do, however….. I wouldn’t want to ever give back even if I could.

I’m not an adventurer, thrill seeker, or someone who normally enjoys risky activities, nor do I just try things just so I can say I did. The things I get to do, for the most part, are pretty mundane. I really don’t get to do a whole lot. In fact, I’m starting to get depressed typing this….

Actually, I’m really . . . → Read More: some things you get

slow motion swimming

Is there a term for exercising without hardly moving and breathing like you are sleeping? The last two times I went swimming, I tried to move as slowly as I possibly could. The slow movement is almost meditative, as my breathing is calm and smooth. When I would breathe, I’d watch my hand exit the water and make a very slow arch until it entered again with as few bubbles as I could make. Each time up the pool I tried to go even slower. Though it may seem like a strange way to swim, especially if you happened . . . → Read More: slow motion swimming

I can’t freaking wait!

I just checked the participant list for Arizona Ironman and…. THERE I WAS! It written down, I’m on the list, there is nothing I can do about it but …. GO. Why does it have to be so long from now?

I’m just getting out to run a bit. Yesterday I went 3 1/2 miles and felt OK. The first 1/2 mile I was (like usual) tempted to walk. I started getting really warm about that time and welcomed the feeling. I can’t explain it fully, but when that feeling of warmth takes over, it gives me a sense . . . → Read More: I can’t freaking wait!