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Who Are You
This week's photo is Lex seeking comfort after Daddy used her for a bit of (gentle) air guitar. Not popular in case you were wondering. In following our athletic journey, we are often seeking a transformation from what we "are". More specifically, we are using athletics to change the view we have of ourselves. OR... we use our results to resist the view that others appear to place against us. Seeking transformation can freak people out. With good reason! Major personal transformations (or obsessions) are often triggers for relationships ending. Is it any wonder that we tend to gravitate towards folks that share our addictions, in all forms. If I could just:
Then I would be... Probably... would be pretty tired! Length of New Zealand Trip Why do the trip? The why is obvious for me -- I enjoy touring. I enjoy the way the trip enables me to define myself... the Ultraman that rides across countries. Has a nice ring to it. Very appealing to my psyche. I haven't figured out the "how". I have been going back-and-forth between survive the minimum requirements (30K/2400K/105K of swim/bike/run) to aiming for my highest average speed across the country. I've always wanted to try the highest average speed format. What is my optimal "small country" wattage? How fast can you ride a country if you surround yourself with a pack of super fit IMers? TTing the country appeals and, with recent revelations, lets me achieve my own goals independent of how others choose to play the game. I'll keep you posted. Self Image and Athletics Ultraman enabled me to achieve an integration of my physical side with my mental/spiritual side. It was a fantastic time for me because the training let me get through a tremendous amount of angst/pain. I would do crazy solo training and go through all kinds of mental turmoil. Quite often in our busy lives, we see training as a treat, or a reward. We "earn" the right to train, either by a full day at the office or through a form of scorekeeping with a non-athletic spouse. Monica helped me understand that an athlete is a physical being "first", and an office worker "second". Exercise is a fundamental aspect of the experience of our marriage. When I start getting noisy upstairs in my head, it typically means either: One of the things that niggles me about Ironman is the event requires huge swings in training load. These swings are risky for people who have a well being that relies on getting a little exercise each day. Somewhere between injury, exhaustion and maximal performance lies our personal sweet spot for the physical side of our lives. Where does that sweet spot exist for me? With all my friends, it nearly always appears to be "less" but surely that doesn't apply to me! While there are lessons to be learned by visiting the fringes of personal endurance, be wary of the habits that might prevent you from enjoying the physical side of your life. I have a feeling that this might be my last really big trip in New Zealand. Thinking through how I want to go out. g
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I suppose that a more appropriate title for this piece is "Who Am I" but there's such a good connotation with "Who Are You" that I couldn't resist.