Tuesday, January 11, 2011

From Burnout to Two Ironmans

I was hopping on the trainer at 5:15 AM and thought to myself, two years ago I was on the verge of burnout. I was only doing olympic distance races, my training was riddled with missed workouts due to lack of motivation, and forget about getting up for a 6 AM swim workout (been there, done that...ever since I was a kid). I didn't even race the first half of the year and only came back to racing after some teammates urged me to in order to get some points for a team race. After 17 years in the sport, and doing my first triathlon at 19 years-old, I wasn't sure how much longer I wanted to race. After several failed attempts at the ironman distance, I gave up and decided I would come back when I was 60 and most of my competitors were either playing golf or having reconstructive knee surgeries. Then I stumbled onto the blogosphere.

I can't remember how but I came across Bree Wee's blog and well, it was like a breath of fresh air. Her energy and enthusiasm for the sport was inspiring and contagious. As I followed, I started reading comments on her blog and from there, I was guided to other blogs, like Ian and Charisa. Over a rather short period of time, I was feeling inspired and motivated. As I kept following these blogs, and adding several more, I was stoking the fire within to race, and specifically to race the ironman distance. I had unfinished business. The whole process back was pretty organic and organic is good. Since then, I've armed myself with a gaggle of blogs for motivation and inspiration. Thus, when I'm up at 5 AM, I feel like I have company knowing that Libby was 30 minutes ahead of me (actually 3 hours and 30 minutes since she is in Florida), and several others whose day of training begins well before sunrise. It's funny how I went from burnout to two ironmans in one year, and if I'm lucky, I'll get a bonus ironman in October.

8 comments:

Beth said...

I totally agree! Blogs have inspired me quite a bit over the years. It's like a whole bunch of virtual training partners that cheer you on and motivate you each day. Very excited to follow along during your multiple IM year and to be inspired/motivated by your journey!

Charisa said...

I agree. Tomorrow when I get in the pool at 5am it will help knowing you are on the training or in the pool or whatever...

:)

IAN said...

You don't need luck. You just need to use the talents, ability, and smarts that you have.

And thanks for making me feel like a sad sack as it is now 6:08am and I am still drinking coffee before I go run ;-)

Kathleen @ ForgingAhead said...

You guys are my team and I love reading what you're up to - totally motives me.

Libby said...

love it! you are going to rock your two Ironman year. too bad we aren't in the same time zone to chide each other by text at ridiculous hours in the morning :) keep it up and with some luck maybe we will both have a bonus ironman in october! that would be awesome!

JC said...

Thanks for the motivation:)
You are going to have an AMAZING Year this year!

Teresa said...

You got this!!! And we are backing you all the way!!! So excited for you!

tn

jameson said...

totally dude! after 2008 i was completely burned out on triathlon... even though i was having a blast racing Xterra i was just over the SBR training... through blogs and my friends (and incredible wife's) IM training racing i got hooked...

i some motivated right now to train and tackle IM!!