I have a theory that with the right training, the right mindset and the right diet, anyone can do an ironman. Some can probably do it in a quicker time frame, of course, but I think everyone can do it.
Yesterday Don went with me on the bike ride. He’s had his bike for about a year and would ride to work every other day or so for a few months. He told me that he thought that the 4.5 miles was a long way and felt that he got a decent workout. He couldn’t conceive of riding even 20 miles at a time. His head was stuck on knowing he could make the 4.5 miles and wasn’t willing to try to go further.
When I got my bike, he thought it was crazy when I told him I did 25 miles. Then when I hit the 50 mile plateau, he agreed to try to go farther than the 4.5 he was comfortable with. The first time beyond that amount of miles that he was willing to try was 20. We ended up going 22 that day.
When we got back yesterday, he texed his mom, and his friends to tell them how proud he was of his accomplishment (much the same way I did!). Apparently when he got home, he passed out.
Today, with his legs still hurting, he said “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you”. I didn’t help him by pedaling for him, all that I did was show him that it was possible, he did it all himself. And no one can take that away from him. Thanks Don for at least humoring me in this endeavour.
