Volume 13, Week 12: No Fear!
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
I Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Nope. That is most definitely snow this week!!
No fear. Well, maybe a little. I would be lying if I told anyone that I have absolutely no fear or worries about doing a full Ironman race. Just glad that it's not in January with 6" of snow covering the sand in Panama City Beach (thought global warming was the hot topic issue...) But I'll get to that soon. Here are my weekly stats as normal to kick off the blog!
Weekly Stats:
- Weight: 177.6
- +.4 lbs from last week
- -3.0 lbs from start
- Swimming (2x)
- 3.12 miles (5,500 yards)
- 1:57:52
- Biking (3x)
- 37.31 miles
- 2:09:19
- Running (4x)
- 17.99 miles
- 2:48:47
- Strength (1x)
- 43:01
- Yoga (1x)
- 40:57
- Totals:
- 12 Workout Session
- 58.43 miles
- 8:19:56
Overall, it was a good week of workouts. I had two swims this week. My first swim on Monday was a disaster. As I started the swim, I had a leak in my left goggle, so I had to stop and clear it. Thought it was from the swim cap pushing down--I've had a leak the last couple of swims and was trying to put the goggles on first, then the cap on top. So I tried the other way, and was still getting a leak. So I pulled the cap off altogether, and still had issues. It's really hard to swim with only one eye available, and closing the other. So I cut the swim short and went out and bought a new set of goggles. Probably way overdue as I've had these for at least 3 years. Wednesday the googles (and cap!) worked perfectly, and I pushed myself to do a full Ironman distance swim. Finished 4,250 yards (2.4 miles) in 1 hour, 23 minutes! So now I know I can do it. But it's still a long way. Only 138.2 miles to go in the race then!!
I did 3 bike rides on my trainer, still using ROUVY as my app of choice. ROUVY is now the official sponsor of Ironman, so they now will have many Ironman races (including the two I'll do this year) as options to ride virtually. I'll definitely be using those as training rides at some point! I made it to Zanesville, OH on my ride across America. I topped 700 miles since I "left" eastern Long Island in New York.
For running this week, I hit the treadmill, AKA "Judge Tread". On Tuesday, it was -5 degrees outside, so I sucked it up and hopped on. Hated it. I posted in the Everyday Ironman Podcast (EIP) FB page to see how many others disliked the treadmill as much as me. Several agreed but commented on how the treadmill can benefit your training. I had an attitude adjustment thanks to those on EIP, and decided that for the next couple of weeks I would devote to use Judge Tread for my runs. Strangely, Thursday's run was actually not bad. Almost enjoyed it. It was odd how fast I could have a different mindset--guess I just had to get the negative out of my thoughts. Completed another 10K on Thursday and a 50-minute run after a 1-hour+ ride on the bike on Saturday. Thanks to the tri community (I was really hoping for everyone to agree with me about how evil the treadmill was though) for helping me change my mind. Still would rather run outside, but I think I'm over the avoidance of the treadmill.
I only got one strength and one Yoga session this week, afternoon schedules got in the way and really didn't feel like anything else on Wednesday after the long swim. I'm still working on my official training plan for the 70.3 Eagleman in June. I'm planning on doing a 16-week plan using the 80/20 concept, and am working through what that actually looks like. But I'm confident I'm ready for that to start and am looking forward to the plan.
Lessons I'm Learning: Fear is not a bad thing. In fact, some fear is healthy. It keeps me from doing stupid things (usually) or keeps me motivated to do what I know I need to do. I'm not "worried" in a bad way about IM Florida--I know I'll be able to complete the swim, the bike, and the run as long as it all goes to plan and I train how I should. People ask if I have a fear of swimming in the ocean with sharks. Nope. I can't wait (I actually hope I see sharks). But to be completely transparent, my biggest fear is simply not finishing in Florida. No matter what the reason, I don't want a DNF (Did Not Finish) at the end. Weather, mechanical issues on the bike, or something with my body that doesn't allow me to finish scares me a little. But I can't let that paralyze me in my training and mindset. I can only keep training and working towards this huge goal. I am usually pretty confident in myself that I can do what I set out to do. I would say I get more "nervous" than actually have fear. When I was interviewing in my Chiefs' interview for the fire department (the last step before they give you an offer), I was asked how I'd feel the first time I was at the door getting ready to go into a burning building. I answered that I wasn't sure until I got there, but there would be some fear there. For something that is inherently dangerous and normal people wouldn't want to do. But I said I would default back to my training and know that I would do it right, so it was really more nervous than scared. That's how I feel about November for the full Ironman. And even June for the half. Although I've done 3 Half-Ironman distances before, so many things can go haywire on race day. But I'm not going to let that drive my thoughts. I'll deal with race day on race day!
Reflections: Life can bring fear. I sometimes fear for what the future holds (I know I'm not in control and don't want the bad stuff of life); I fear for my boys and pray they make the right decisions and live a life worthy of Christ and our family name; I fear for the unknown. To say I have no fear in life would not be truthful. But at the same time, I'm not fearful. I don't let fear rule my life. Because I know Who has the ultimate control. And it's not me. Humanly, I try and live my life within my control, but ultimately have to give my life over to God. I Timothy says we "don't have a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline". Anyone can look around and can name someone who lives in a life of fear, who is always on edge and is paralyzed in life because they are scared of what may or may not happen. I get it. It could be easy to allow fear to take over. But knowing that God does not give us that fear can help take it away. That doesn't mean I won't ever feel it, but I can break through it and keep moving forward. I've heard that "Do not fear" is in the Bible 365 times. I haven't ever counted them, and I'm sure that those exact words aren't always used depending on the translation. But it is said quite a bit. So there's a reason for that. 365 times for each day of the year? Maybe. But even if it was only said once, if we listen to it, we can live a life free of paralyzing fear.
Hitting "Submit" on my Ironman registration scared me. It was such a huge decision and commitment and there was no going back. Asking Julie to marry me and getting married a year later scared me (even though I knew it was right and was good). It was a big step. Having kids scared me and still does. Sometimes now more than ever as they become full-fledged adults and are making their own decisions (again, out of my control). Changing careers after 16 years in law enforcement to a new career in the fire service scared me. But again, I knew it was right. However, none of those things stopped my life. I figured it out, I battled through self-doubt and failure (and still do), and I keep moving forward. I don't fear the future. I just don't want bad things to happen to me or my family. I would think that would be the thoughts of 100% of everyone I know. I know Julie has fears, I know my boys have fears. But they keep moving forward. Julie started full time job this year after years of substitute teaching. Matthew is getting married. Rylan earned his full-time firefighting job and is learning how to do the job for real. Ethan is finishing up high school and is looking at what college holds for him. Be bold and do something new. Try something that scares you and you're not sure you could ever do. Keep moving forward! As I wrote a lot of this on Saturday, I jotted down these thoughts that were in my head this week. Then this morning (Sunday) during the sermon, Pastor Kevin talked about the book "The Cycle of Victorious Living" by Dr. Earl Lee (my OG pastor from when I was born). In that book, Pastor Lee says a part of the cycle is "Do Not Fret", and that tension in life is normal and natural. Fret, worry, or fear (whatever you want to call it) is like a car in neutral while jamming the gas pedal down. Lots of noise and maybe some exhaust, but not going anywhere. But if we put the car in gear (even 1st gear), we start moving forward. Then as we get warmed up (through God), we can hit the higher gears. I just have to keep going forward. Only God gives us the spirit of power, love and self-discipline. As long as I rest in that, fear can't hold me from living life. "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength", Paul wrote to the Philippians. If I believe that, I can do anything. Including an Ironman.
Ok, I do fear this. For real. Especially if someone has a camera nearby!
And now some breaking news for those who stuck around long enough...I am going to be a guest on the "Everyday Ironman Podcast" in February! More information to follow the next two weeks, but I'll record the first week of the month then the episode will air a week or so after that. If you'd like to listen in to what the podcast is all about, look it up on any of places you find your podcasts or clink the title above. Excited to talk about my passion with others who share it. Just another step in this journey!
As always, thanks for supporting me by reading this blog. This is for me as much as for you who are reading along, but knowing you're cheering me on is part of my motivation! Until next week. Oh yeah. GO CHIEFS!
I Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
- Weight: 177.6
- +.4 lbs from last week
- -3.0 lbs from start
- Swimming (2x)
- 3.12 miles (5,500 yards)
- 1:57:52
- Biking (3x)
- 37.31 miles
- 2:09:19
- Running (4x)
- 17.99 miles
- 2:48:47
- Strength (1x)
- 43:01
- Yoga (1x)
- 40:57
- Totals:
- 12 Workout Session
- 58.43 miles
- 8:19:56
Overall, it was a good week of workouts. I had two swims this week. My first swim on Monday was a disaster. As I started the swim, I had a leak in my left goggle, so I had to stop and clear it. Thought it was from the swim cap pushing down--I've had a leak the last couple of swims and was trying to put the goggles on first, then the cap on top. So I tried the other way, and was still getting a leak. So I pulled the cap off altogether, and still had issues. It's really hard to swim with only one eye available, and closing the other. So I cut the swim short and went out and bought a new set of goggles. Probably way overdue as I've had these for at least 3 years. Wednesday the googles (and cap!) worked perfectly, and I pushed myself to do a full Ironman distance swim. Finished 4,250 yards (2.4 miles) in 1 hour, 23 minutes! So now I know I can do it. But it's still a long way. Only 138.2 miles to go in the race then!!
I did 3 bike rides on my trainer, still using ROUVY as my app of choice. ROUVY is now the official sponsor of Ironman, so they now will have many Ironman races (including the two I'll do this year) as options to ride virtually. I'll definitely be using those as training rides at some point! I made it to Zanesville, OH on my ride across America. I topped 700 miles since I "left" eastern Long Island in New York.
For running this week, I hit the treadmill, AKA "Judge Tread". On Tuesday, it was -5 degrees outside, so I sucked it up and hopped on. Hated it. I posted in the Everyday Ironman Podcast (EIP) FB page to see how many others disliked the treadmill as much as me. Several agreed but commented on how the treadmill can benefit your training. I had an attitude adjustment thanks to those on EIP, and decided that for the next couple of weeks I would devote to use Judge Tread for my runs. Strangely, Thursday's run was actually not bad. Almost enjoyed it. It was odd how fast I could have a different mindset--guess I just had to get the negative out of my thoughts. Completed another 10K on Thursday and a 50-minute run after a 1-hour+ ride on the bike on Saturday. Thanks to the tri community (I was really hoping for everyone to agree with me about how evil the treadmill was though) for helping me change my mind. Still would rather run outside, but I think I'm over the avoidance of the treadmill.
I only got one strength and one Yoga session this week, afternoon schedules got in the way and really didn't feel like anything else on Wednesday after the long swim.
I'm still working on my official training plan for the 70.3 Eagleman in June. I'm planning on doing a 16-week plan using the 80/20 concept, and am working through what that actually looks like. But I'm confident I'm ready for that to start and am looking forward to the plan.
Fear is not a bad thing. In fact, some fear is healthy. It keeps me from doing stupid things (usually) or keeps me motivated to do what I know I need to do. I'm not "worried" in a bad way about IM Florida--I know I'll be able to complete the swim, the bike, and the run as long as it all goes to plan and I train how I should. People ask if I have a fear of swimming in the ocean with sharks. Nope. I can't wait (I actually hope I see sharks). But to be completely transparent, my biggest fear is simply not finishing in Florida. No matter what the reason, I don't want a DNF (Did Not Finish) at the end. Weather, mechanical issues on the bike, or something with my body that doesn't allow me to finish scares me a little. But I can't let that paralyze me in my training and mindset. I can only keep training and working towards this huge goal. I am usually pretty confident in myself that I can do what I set out to do. I would say I get more "nervous" than actually have fear. When I was interviewing in my Chiefs' interview for the fire department (the last step before they give you an offer), I was asked how I'd feel the first time I was at the door getting ready to go into a burning building. I answered that I wasn't sure until I got there, but there would be some fear there. For something that is inherently dangerous and normal people wouldn't want to do. But I said I would default back to my training and know that I would do it right, so it was really more nervous than scared. That's how I feel about November for the full Ironman. And even June for the half. Although I've done 3 Half-Ironman distances before, so many things can go haywire on race day. But I'm not going to let that drive my thoughts. I'll deal with race day on race day!
Reflections:
Life can bring fear. I sometimes fear for what the future holds (I know I'm not in control and don't want the bad stuff of life); I fear for my boys and pray they make the right decisions and live a life worthy of Christ and our family name; I fear for the unknown. To say I have no fear in life would not be truthful. But at the same time, I'm not fearful. I don't let fear rule my life. Because I know Who has the ultimate control. And it's not me. Humanly, I try and live my life within my control, but ultimately have to give my life over to God. I Timothy says we "don't have a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline". Anyone can look around and can name someone who lives in a life of fear, who is always on edge and is paralyzed in life because they are scared of what may or may not happen. I get it. It could be easy to allow fear to take over. But knowing that God does not give us that fear can help take it away. That doesn't mean I won't ever feel it, but I can break through it and keep moving forward. I've heard that "Do not fear" is in the Bible 365 times. I haven't ever counted them, and I'm sure that those exact words aren't always used depending on the translation. But it is said quite a bit. So there's a reason for that. 365 times for each day of the year? Maybe. But even if it was only said once, if we listen to it, we can live a life free of paralyzing fear.
Hitting "Submit" on my Ironman registration scared me. It was such a huge decision and commitment and there was no going back. Asking Julie to marry me and getting married a year later scared me (even though I knew it was right and was good). It was a big step. Having kids scared me and still does. Sometimes now more than ever as they become full-fledged adults and are making their own decisions (again, out of my control). Changing careers after 16 years in law enforcement to a new career in the fire service scared me. But again, I knew it was right. However, none of those things stopped my life. I figured it out, I battled through self-doubt and failure (and still do), and I keep moving forward. I don't fear the future. I just don't want bad things to happen to me or my family. I would think that would be the thoughts of 100% of everyone I know. I know Julie has fears, I know my boys have fears. But they keep moving forward. Julie started full time job this year after years of substitute teaching. Matthew is getting married. Rylan earned his full-time firefighting job and is learning how to do the job for real. Ethan is finishing up high school and is looking at what college holds for him. Be bold and do something new. Try something that scares you and you're not sure you could ever do. Keep moving forward!
As I wrote a lot of this on Saturday, I jotted down these thoughts that were in my head this week. Then this morning (Sunday) during the sermon, Pastor Kevin talked about the book "The Cycle of Victorious Living" by Dr. Earl Lee (my OG pastor from when I was born). In that book, Pastor Lee says a part of the cycle is "Do Not Fret", and that tension in life is normal and natural. Fret, worry, or fear (whatever you want to call it) is like a car in neutral while jamming the gas pedal down. Lots of noise and maybe some exhaust, but not going anywhere. But if we put the car in gear (even 1st gear), we start moving forward. Then as we get warmed up (through God), we can hit the higher gears. I just have to keep going forward. Only God gives us the spirit of power, love and self-discipline. As long as I rest in that, fear can't hold me from living life. "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength", Paul wrote to the Philippians. If I believe that, I can do anything. Including an Ironman.
 |
| Ok, I do fear this. For real. Especially if someone has a camera nearby! |
And now some breaking news for those who stuck around long enough...I am going to be a guest on the "Everyday Ironman Podcast" in February! More information to follow the next two weeks, but I'll record the first week of the month then the episode will air a week or so after that. If you'd like to listen in to what the podcast is all about, look it up on any of places you find your podcasts or clink the title above. Excited to talk about my passion with others who share it. Just another step in this journey!
As always, thanks for supporting me by reading this blog. This is for me as much as for you who are reading along, but knowing you're cheering me on is part of my motivation! Until next week. Oh yeah. GO CHIEFS!
Keep fit, Stay THE Course, and Keep moving forward.
24,066,523 seconds until I stand on the (hopefully snow-free) sand....
24,066,523 seconds until I stand on the (hopefully snow-free) sand....
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