I spend my weekends at a shoe store. Well, we sell shoes, but it's not just any shoe store. It is one where dreams literally do come true. People walk into that store in every shade of life you can find. Young, old, fast, slow. Most are somewhere in the middle and just trying to be healthy. Many people come simply to replace their old shoes, the ones they've loved for miles but are ready to retire. Others come because they have received a prescription from their doctor saying, "go to them, they will help." Still others wander in just because it's there. We welcome all and take all. Whatever the need, the store usually has something to provide.
When I found my way to this store about a year and a half ago, I was down. I mean really down. Unemployed, overeducated, and with little "career" prospects headed my way, I had gone to the classifieds to find seasonal work. Thankfully, they took a chance on me and I on them.
It was in this store where I learned some of life's most important lessons. Lessons about hard work, determination, and finding a way to sometimes just let it be. It became more than a job to me, it was a community, a network, and a family. Some of the best people to walk the Earth can often be found within that store.
Getting this job at this running store was one of the best things to ever happen to me. It was a situation that I never wanted. I wanted to be a lawyer, using my degrees, and out in the "real" world. But, in the end, being there did more to shape me into who I am than many other "professional" experiences I have had.
It really is funny the way life works. Did I move from to Washington, DC, to work at a shoe store? Nope. But, would I have if I had known then what I do now? In a heart beat. Unfortunately, it took me a year of being in DC to stumble onto this place. Only in this space and time, did I really dare to open the doors to myself. And only under these circumstances did I decide to push myself to the physical limit and dream of the Ironman.
If not for this store, would I have set out on this journey I am on? Probably not. But, like I said, this store is a place where dreams come true.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Week 18
April 19, 2010
Today is the first day of week 18 of our 36 week training plan. By this time next week, we will be half way there. Do I feel half way there? No. Am I telling myself that I am? Yes.
This weekend was a turning point for me. There was a moment where I really knew within my heart of hearts that my goal is one I can obtain. It was on a five mile run that completed my four hour brick. A brick is when you do two disciplines in a row; so swim, then bike; bike, then run; etc.
On the run, I had a moment where I felt in my bones that I would finish this race. It was going to be rough, long, and the hardest thing I've ever done. But, for a moment, I believed I would finish.
Hopefully, the belief made a connection in my brain and the seed only grows stronger as time goes on. Either way, in 18 weeks, I'll set out on my 17 hour race that I've spent thousands of hours working towards.
Today is the first day of week 18 of our 36 week training plan. By this time next week, we will be half way there. Do I feel half way there? No. Am I telling myself that I am? Yes.
This weekend was a turning point for me. There was a moment where I really knew within my heart of hearts that my goal is one I can obtain. It was on a five mile run that completed my four hour brick. A brick is when you do two disciplines in a row; so swim, then bike; bike, then run; etc.
On the run, I had a moment where I felt in my bones that I would finish this race. It was going to be rough, long, and the hardest thing I've ever done. But, for a moment, I believed I would finish.
Hopefully, the belief made a connection in my brain and the seed only grows stronger as time goes on. Either way, in 18 weeks, I'll set out on my 17 hour race that I've spent thousands of hours working towards.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Back in the Game
Sunday was the first time I have run more than five miles since the day of my worst decision ever. Almost six months ago, I did a marathon. I had an amzing time in the destination city, I had an amzing race, and I was so happy to finally run a marathon. So happy, in fact, that I figured why not do another one a couple weeks later?
A bib came across my lap, and I simply could not resist. I went into the Marine Corps Marathon thinking, "You can do this, you just did one, don't push yourself, but get to the finish line." After the first mile, my knees felt as if I'd already done ten. Mile eight and a sharp downhill forced my knees to buckle under pressure they weren't ready to bear. It was just too soon. I knew right then that it was going to be a looong day. Four and a half hours later, I crossed the finish line.
Doing that race was one of the worst decisions I've ever made, and one that I am still regretting to this day. My eyes were bigger than my body. All the racing I had done that year led me to believe I was up for back to back 26.2 milers. That day was a humbling one. I spent the better part of five hours debating whether it was better to quit and save my body the beating I was giving it or to finish despite the pain and adversity. Unfortunately, my sticktoitveness prevailed on that day.
The following weeks, then months, were spent hobbling, icing, stretching, medicating, and phsyical therapying. This was the first time in my life where I could not do what I wanted to do because of an injury. I never realized the frustration and fear that comes with injury. As someone who lives by making plans and setting goals, it drove me crazy to have no idea when these injuries would recover.
Since extra time in the pool never hurts, I spent my days doing what I could, minimizing my impact, and working with what I had, so to speak. About a month ago, I put on my running shoes again for the first time since race day, I laced them up and set out. My legs were strong, but my tendons tender. The conversation kept me going, and in the end, I did the whole five miles. One of the happiest days of my life! Knowing things would be ok was huge.
So over the next four weeks, I would run or run/walk up to an hour but never go near the ten miles that I would face at Cherry Blossom. Ten miles for average Joe Shmoe is hard, but ten miles for the former me was a breeze. So I wondered, where on the spectrum would I fall? I hardly slept the night before, worried that I might not even be able to go the distance. Race day came, the weather was amazing (even though the cherry blossoms had long since peaked and withered), and I was excited about being back at the starting line.
An hour and forty-three minutes later, I crossed the finish line, screaming and pumping my fist the whole way! Another best day.
A bib came across my lap, and I simply could not resist. I went into the Marine Corps Marathon thinking, "You can do this, you just did one, don't push yourself, but get to the finish line." After the first mile, my knees felt as if I'd already done ten. Mile eight and a sharp downhill forced my knees to buckle under pressure they weren't ready to bear. It was just too soon. I knew right then that it was going to be a looong day. Four and a half hours later, I crossed the finish line.
Doing that race was one of the worst decisions I've ever made, and one that I am still regretting to this day. My eyes were bigger than my body. All the racing I had done that year led me to believe I was up for back to back 26.2 milers. That day was a humbling one. I spent the better part of five hours debating whether it was better to quit and save my body the beating I was giving it or to finish despite the pain and adversity. Unfortunately, my sticktoitveness prevailed on that day.
The following weeks, then months, were spent hobbling, icing, stretching, medicating, and phsyical therapying. This was the first time in my life where I could not do what I wanted to do because of an injury. I never realized the frustration and fear that comes with injury. As someone who lives by making plans and setting goals, it drove me crazy to have no idea when these injuries would recover.
Since extra time in the pool never hurts, I spent my days doing what I could, minimizing my impact, and working with what I had, so to speak. About a month ago, I put on my running shoes again for the first time since race day, I laced them up and set out. My legs were strong, but my tendons tender. The conversation kept me going, and in the end, I did the whole five miles. One of the happiest days of my life! Knowing things would be ok was huge.
So over the next four weeks, I would run or run/walk up to an hour but never go near the ten miles that I would face at Cherry Blossom. Ten miles for average Joe Shmoe is hard, but ten miles for the former me was a breeze. So I wondered, where on the spectrum would I fall? I hardly slept the night before, worried that I might not even be able to go the distance. Race day came, the weather was amazing (even though the cherry blossoms had long since peaked and withered), and I was excited about being back at the starting line.
An hour and forty-three minutes later, I crossed the finish line, screaming and pumping my fist the whole way! Another best day.
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