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)