Saturday, March 26, 2011

ATB Countdown

Its late. I should really be in bed already. I like to check my email before slumber, otherwise I think about all the outstanding messages that might be waiting and it keeps me from sleeping. Yes, its a problem I have.

While checking email I finally opened the envelope with my race bib in it. When I pulled it out I couldn't help but get a bit overwhelmed by the fact I'm finally doing a running race. How can I be 33yrs old and have never at least tried something as simple as a 5km running race? Everyone knows I dislike running, but is that a reason to not at least try it once? Why do I hate running so much? Why DID I hate running? I hadn't run longer than 2km when I started out on my triathlon journey. So if I had not done any running whatsoever, how did I develop that dislike for it? Where did it come from? Running was just a necessary evil on the road to Ironman. Running was nothing more than a means to an end.

24 weeks ago I was grateful for a 6:45min/km(10:51min/mile) pace for no more than 5km. That was a good day for me. Going faster, going farther seemed to impossibly far away. I was so slow at running that it was frustrating. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't run any quicker. I disliked running because I sucked at it.

I was determined to improve though, after seeing what an honestly executed training plan did for Rodney's IM Muskoka results. I knew that this is what I wanted. I was here to give running on honest chance. To stick to a plan. To not make excuses. This race bib in my hand is everything I've worked for all winter long. My BHAG (Big Hairy A$$ Goal) of the winter. The mission was simple: turn a 2km shuffle into a respectable 30Km Run in 24 weeks.
Don't see excuses. See opportunity.
At first it was the darkness, I ran.

Then the cold set in, I still ran.

When the snow arrived it took some serious adjustment. Injuries, adaptation, misery, but - I still RAN.

When the snow turned to mud and slush in the pouring freezing rain, I still hit my trail runs.

The snow just got deeper, the blizzards came Every. Single. Phuckin. Weekend. But I still, Ran.

Over 170hrs of training.. Over 65hrs of that running  (650Km) - 3 Times a week. Every. Single. Week.

Sure some workouts were missed, some were shuffled around but that was sparse and I always paid my dues. I executed an honest training plan. I did what I needed to do. I got it done. Without any doubt whatsoever, I can say I am ready for this. I am ready to do my first running race. I'm ready to take on the challenge that has burned in my mind for over 5 months. I have come to realize a new found passion. Something that had aluded me my entire life, until now. Something that I didn't give a chance:

I like to run.

Why didn't I do this sooner?

Race Bib #5377


My Pit Crew (2007)


7 comments:

  1. Inspirational story and beautiful family!

    Good luck and have a GREAT time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Outstanding dedication to your training! It will payoff. Funny your take on running really sounds like my experience with swimming! Have an awesome race and maybe I'll see you there (if not I think I'm doing Milton, which will be easier to find each other)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats John! Your training paid off. I watched you on Sportstats and you had a great race. I'm looking forward to read your race report.

    Miha and I were registered for this race, too, but our son got really sick and we had to cancel it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. If it wasn't for the odd age gap, no one would ever know you adopted the boys. They look more like you than Fran!
    Now, where is that race report?
    Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great run, great result, way to beat the LBG :)

    ReplyDelete

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