My weekend sort of set the stage for this post. Yesterday I returned from a quick trip to Myrtle Beach (pics here and here). The kids and I drove 360 miles each direction for 40 precious hours at the beach. Throughout the weekend, we talked about things that we don't normally discuss a whole lot - dating (no hurry), how to hold a wine glass (stem), drugs (spend that time and money making life genuinely and not artificially happy), why the shower curtain should go IN the tub (avoid flooding), what makes a life happy (little to do with money). It wasn't preachy or dictatorial, just conversational -- suggesting things for them to consider as they formulate their own ideas along their life journey.
So when I woke up at 4:11 am today, I knew what I would do with this post - 60 thoughts gleaned from my tri journey and reflected in the 600 blog entries written since May 4, 2008.
In absolutely no order and typed in one sitting:
- At least once, run under a full moon
- Dream bigger than you think you should
- Smile for the race photographers, it won't slow you down
- It's OK to invest in a decent bike, but focus on your engine
- Train consistently - NO excuses (or at least very few)
- Train in solitude enough to develop your own positive thought patterns
- Give up soda
- Don't look at race results right after you finish. Wait and linger in your personal feelings before breaking the spell.
- For most people, it only takes six weeks to train for a 5K (not six months) and maybe 12 weeks for a sprint triathlon...not six months. Don't make it too big a deal.
- Run and race an assortment of distances. Know how to go long AND fast.
- Find goggles that work and buy multiple pairs
- Have a good massage therapist/rolfer/ART etc person
- Wake up early every day and go to bed early as often as you can
- Hang up your workout clothes to dry, they will last much longer
- Don't go out of your way to add carbs in your diet, we get more than we need
- Keep "emergency" clothing in your car just-in-case: arm warmers, hat, gloves, rain jacket, etc.
- If you want to race your best, work with a coach if at all possible
- Learn to change a flat...really...it's time.
- Have the equipment you need, but not to excess. Take care of it and it can last a long time.
- Support your local running and bike shops even if it means spending a little more to shop there
- Be systematic about race packing - have a list and keep all your race things together
- Live a healthy lifestyle, but don't be an annoying martyr
- Talk less about your sports, people aren't really that interested
- You should be hungry a few times a day (except pre-race day)
- Pump your tires and be sure your bike wheels spin freely before every ride
- Track your workouts (online is best)
- Get race nerves under control or they will wreck your enjoyment of the sport
- Eat green veggies, at least once but preferably twice per day
- Strength train 2-3x a week
- Keep emergency food in your car so you won't eat junk. It should be healthy, but not too tasty (so you won't eat it unless you need it).
- Accept that injuries are part of the journey and they have much to teach us. You'll bounce back.
- Plan your training and fit it into your schedule. It WILL fit...somewhere (even if at 5 am)
- Take a moment to be grateful every time you swim/bike/run
- Race in costume once in a while
- Encourage newcomers and others in the sport, be inviting and not exclusionary
- Don't take yourself too seriously (we are not professional athletes)
- Doctors are mainly helpful if something is broken or torn; for all other cases see a GOOD sports physical therapist or soft-tissue expert.
- Double-check the forecast, but train regardless of the weather
- Eat fast food nearly never; eat ice cream regularly
- Get off the road and hit the trails. Your soul and legs will thank you.
- Learn to suffer in workouts (where appropriate) so it's no big surprise on race day
- Don't overthink how you feel during a race week taper. Just ride it out.
- Keep your phone in a ziplock bag or waterproof case no matter what the forecast.
- Don't expect miracles on race day and be disappointed when they don't materialize
- Establish good pre-race routines - eating, packing, setup, warmup - and stick to them
- If you get the chance to race at a national level race, do it
- Eat out as a special occasion, not as a matter of habit (or laziness)
- Listen to your coach 98% of the time; reserve 2% to be a bit of a rebel when needed
- Don't waste time thinking about limits, you can't possibly know what yours are
- Have a little in reserve for that finishing kick, then burn up everything you have left in the tank even if there's no one chasing you.
- Invest in many identical pairs of high quality running socks; it makes laundry easier
- Have a professional critique your swim stroke periodically
- Be open minded (often requires shutting mouth and opening ears)
- Inspect and replace swim suits and bike shorts as needed, we really don't need to see your butt crack through the paper thin fabric
- Stretch and roll
- When injuries hit, don't waste time. Get help pronto (PT or massage) -- the root causes can extend beyond the area of pain.
- Don't complain out loud; it's probably petty anyway
- Have a trusted adviser outside of the sport
- Be silly on a regular basis
- Love and be loved
To think I was the kid in school who would write big and use huge margins to "stretch" my papers out because I hated to write....LOL!
Thanks to all who read and comment and share a piece of their own journey with me!!
