Today I feel good!! I had a good morning of training. I could not sleep well last night as my thighs and calfs were so sore that staying still was hard. I tossed and turned all night but after like 1:00AM I finally fell asleep. I woke up before the alarm went off and I felt sleepy but I felt good enough to show up for training. I immediately noticed the ROTC platoon that was starting to assemble for PT training at the track. It brought back lots of memories. I remember running thru and thinking "that is exactly what I need". I though for a moment that I would talk to the commander and see if they would allow a fellow veteran to train with them. They have a Special Forces unit so I can probably contribute something to those kids as I know first hand what being a Special Forces unit is all about. My thinking was that it would be fun for me while I would get the pressure of training within an Army unit which would be great motivation. I could give more time to coach K with his other athletes by freeing some time from my supervision which at this point is a lot. However, I saw how they trained. They were doing their biannual PT test, a protocol and standard I have known by heart since I enlisted at 17 years old. Most of these guys were failing or close to failing. Their form was horrible and that unit had absolutely no spirit. Their military form and function was very informal which is unheard of in the military and knowing what I know, the officers in that unit would only get offended if I even suggested what a unit should look and sound like. So for the time being it is better to leave it alone and do what I am doing. Lots of memories past thru my mind but that is indeed water under the bridge.
I did my running as coach indicated. I ran a few laps and walked a few laps. I noticed that it takes me a long time to really get warmed up and that is just part of the learning I have to do in order tho better understand my strenghts and my weaknesses. I finished my training as prescribed and felt pretty good about my performance today. I even ran a 9:00 minute/mile pace for 1 lap which is a step up. The best thing is that even in the shape I am in I ran a 16:25 mile and a 16:42 mile while only running 400M of each mile. Not quite the 14:00 minute pace I need but in 1 year I should easily be able to run 800 Meters and walk 800meters at 14:00/mile. That means I can walk half the distance of the Ironman and that is encouraging. It does not mean that is what I want to do but for now I am just focused on minimums which is to finish in 17 hours. Regardless of how strong I get or fit, it won't even matter. Even if I finish the Ironman in 8 hours like the pros, I made a promise I will keep at all cost. I will cross the line holding Dawn's hand so if I make it before she does I will grab myself a chair and wait for her for as long as I have to, although I think she would probably be the one waiting for me, so come to think of it we will probably need that chair anyway. "We don't leave our people behind".
Despite my success today I felt frustrated at what I have become. Let me first clarify frustrated. In this case it is a positive because it allows me to look at myself and identify exactly what it is that I want to change or improve. I remember in school, college, athletic teams, the military, and almost everywhere I went in my life that involved any physical activity there was always one common character. The fat, slow, and always last guy who always struggled no matter how simple the exercise felt to you. When we were kids these characters were always the victims of ridicule, hardship and abuse. Looking back I never participated in those type of things I never ridiculed or abused anyone of those kids I knew then what I know now which is that they were not having a good time doing what they were being asked to do. However in retrospect I could have done a lot more than what I ever did to help them get better or get thru the line. I never messed with them but I never helped them either. I could have done more and I did not, so in turn all I can do is teach my kids especially Jochi what the right thing to do is. I am confident that he will learn and I believe that his noble nature will carry him further than I could ever go in that aspect. So today's frustration settled in. Guess why? The group was about 20-25 persons today. We did a group warm up and a group drill session which was very good. However, I was the one who played that most important character in the life and blood of all sports and physical fitness. Yes, you guessed it! I was the fat, slow, and last kid thru the line, and I was consistent too. I did not loose the spot once all morning. I can't say by an Ironman marathon that anyone even thought about ridicule or hardship with me. Totally the opposite. All I got was encouragement and smiles. I guess we have all matured in that aspect by now. So you see, I hate being that guy even if I can sympathize with the issue, but the only way to get rid of the label is to get fitter, stronger and quicker. Today my frustration is my best motivation and in a short time I am determined to go from last to first and I am not planning on stooping on my way to the front.
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