Do An Ironman? Who, Me?
I believe its tragic when a person is moved and intrigued by the Ironman or “Ironstruck”, but yet see it as an impossible dream they will never realize.
Maybe they picked up a triathlon training book
Possibly they look in the mirror and are dismayed by what they see.
Being successful in reaching the Ironman finish line is not necessarily about complex workouts and gear ratios. Often, its being honest about where you have been in life and where you would like to be. Being “Ironstruck” gives you an opportunity to consider where life has taken you, and how that direction can be changed, and how a seemingly impossible dream can become possible.
When you look in the mirror today, what do you see? Do you see middle age creeping in? Do you see an overweight and out of shape body that’s fallen victim to years of neglect and abuse? Do you see the red eyes of too much to drink the day before and maybe nicotine stained fingers from yet another package of cigarettes? Do you see in your own eyes, the resignation to another day much like the last. Another day lost without realizing your true potential.
Whatever you see today doesn’t mean a thing.
What matters is this.
Its a year or two later. Its four in the morning. You’re in a motel in possibly a town or city that you are experiencing for the first time. Once again, you are looking in the mirror. What you see is a firmer more toned body. You are seeing eyes that are bright and full of life. You feel a heart that beats in your chest with strength and purpose and possibly a little fear and anxiety. You are in fact, 3 hours away from the start of your first Ironman.
Can this be you? Damn right it can. Oh yes! If you want it bad enough this most definitely can be you. With all my heart I believe that.
To me the human body is a miracle. To me it is the FIRST wonder of the world.
Just think. You are the master of this creation. Whatever you do, your body will adjust to the demands you place upon it. Hey! If you want to smoke and enjoy a diet from Hell your body will accomodate you. Spend most of your life sitting at a desk or laying in front of the T.V. with your favorite snack and your body will cooperate by slowing the flow of blood through your constricted veins and will gladly store your excess fat for as long as you want.
Consider a blind person who lives alone. Such courageous, amazing people. Their body, realizing the demand, will fine tune itself to hear the ticking of the clock or the dripping faucet. It will enable fingers to become more sensitive to touch. To heat. It will sharpen the sense of smell to give an alert to the danger of smoke.
Or a person restricted to a wheelchair. Their arms and shoulders will grow stronger in order to propel them and yet their legs will suffer from atrophy from lack of use.
In each case, the body, wonder that it is, is responding to the demands placed upon it.
Try it. Jog a block or two. Take that mountain bike out for a 2 or 3 mile spin. Swim a few lengths. I “guarantee” your body will rebel………at first.
It will say, “Hey, whats going on out there. This is different. You havn’t used these muscles before. Holy crap!”
But you persist. You live with the discomfort and slowly after a few days or weeks the aches and pains subside as your body accepts its new fate. Remember, you are the master. As the weeks grow into months you stretch out the distance and now your 2 block run is 5 miles and then 10. Now your heart begins to work with purpose and it beats strongly as your constricted veins become clear and the blood flows freely.
Keep pushing your boundaries. Just watch
YOU are the butterfly emerging from the cocoon of lost dreams, unrealized potential and opportunities lost.
YOU have been “Ironstruck” and have come home. You are in a place that offers inspiration, support, and most of all, hope. Hope for everyone who has one eye on that elusive finish line. Its about living the dream and realizing how amazing you really are and for the first time unleashing your full potential on pretty well every level.
This is the greatness of the Ironman. This is what it has brought to the world.
The Ironman highway is more than a path to the finish line. It is the road to awareness and self-discovery. It is in essence, the new you waiting to be reborn.
Listen! Do you hear the Iron Gods calling you?
“Come. Come and show us. Come show us what you are made of.”
So. Now you have been challenged.
Answer that challenge and your life will change forever.
My name is Ray and I’ve been an endurance athlete for over 25 years. I’ve competed in over 30 marathons, 2 — 50 mile races, 14 Ironman triathlons and countless shorter races.
I’ve created a website called “Ironstruck.” The main purpose is to provide training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman.
come for a visit……
http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com
also..”Ironstruck” the book, has been published online and can be viewed here….
http://www.lulu.com/content/543252
It is available in paperback or download and may well be the most valuable Ironman Triathlon guide you might ever purchase.
Tags: finish line, Ironman, ironman triathlon