For some reason, today I was fascinated by the writings of Chief Tecumseh. I guess I was looking for some mental motivation to offset the growing physical craving for daily exertion. There are just days when your mind isn’t into your workout plan. So, being concerned that I would fall off the healthy wagon and crush the solid habit I was forming, I went googling for wisdom.
It’s easy to become distracted by life, the universe and everything (oh yeah – a Douglas Adams reference – full respect to that twisted genius). That’s what was going on with me. So when this happens, I need something to help simply / home my focus on where my energy should be expended. In short: I needed a reminder on priorities.
Enter Chief Tecumseh. Here’s something he wrote that was even referred to in a movie called “Act of Valor” a couple of years ago.
1) it’s never a good idea to ride New Jersey Transit sans caffeine. Ever.
2) I need to channel my inner Dr. House less frequently while on mass transit. I’m sure there’s a good reason why it’s necessary for that guy to blast Pitbull in the train car while everyone else looks on in anger….and I’m sure there’s a solid rationale for that guy in the corner not covering his face when sneezing, resulting in his nose doing a great impression of a Windex bottle….and there must be a sound cause for…..OH SCREW IT – THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW.
3) When cornered by a Scientologist in a locale that doesn’t easily promote an opportune exit, just nod a lot as he/she exclaims the simple fact that Dianetics will change your life. That L Ron Hubbard was God. And that holding two beer cans in your hands attached to a metal box by a string will provide me with clarity as to my own internal strife. OH SCREW IT – THE DOC MADE A HOUSECALL HERE TOO. (I couldn’t resist).
SD (Scientologist Dude): “…and if you give me a few minutes of your time, I can help audit you and we can determine together how best to right the ship…”
That was my cue.
Me: “OK Sparky – hear me out. Dianetics – a fun little science fiction novel. Read it for shits & giggles back in college. It reads like space-aged Dungeons & Dragons, and I was a childhood nerd – so two snaps in Z formation for ya. But L Ron Hubbard wasn’t God. How do I know this? Because I chat with the Head Hombre daily, and I know that He would never chill here on Earth dressed like the Skipper from Gilligan’s Island. Juuuust sayin’. And the whole “here – hold these beer cans while I audit you” thing – well unless you fill those cans with Heineken, you won’t have my attention for more than 4.8 seconds. But thanks for the entertainment.”
Some woman just simply stared at me as my inner Dr. House made this latest appearance. As I turned to exit the train, she just…..kept….staring. As if my hair had just caught fire. So I momentarily looked at her and added “…and THAT’S how we roll in The Shire.”
…..that got some dude in the row nearest the door to shoot coffee from his nose like a caffeine breathing hydra.
Today I learned the value that comes with practicing the little things. In this instance, I am referring to putting all of my training together and running through how it will feel to go from swimming to biking to running all in one continuous event.
I started my Sunday morning with a 30 minute swim in the pool. Then I hauled to my locker, got changed and headed tot the basement of my building to grab Maximus and bike for 15 miles (3 loops of the park). I then rode home, dropped the bike back in the basement, and headed upstairs to quickly change into running gear. I completed the 10k triathlon course and then waddled home to survey the damage.
My legs felt like cinder blocks. I was definitely dehydrated. Really hungry. And the sun royally kicked my butt. However, the transition from swimming to running was quick and painless (yes, I know, getting out of a full body swimsuit will be much different – but work with me here), and the transition from biking to running sucked…but it was no surprise.
In short, today was the day I first began to feel like I am ready for July 14th. Sure I’ll figure out some dumb way to screw up during the actual race – but I practiced all of the steps, and I’ve left nothing earth-shattering out. I am ready.
Today I was reminded of the incredible value that comes with running with a team / group. If you run with a team or a pacing group, you receive the added motivation of stating with friends as you fun for a mileage goal or a pace goal.
I find that I do a majority of my training solo. While some people feel fired up to go out and do their own thing….I’m more prone to getting really lazy really fast. So my group runs throughout the week really make all the difference in my training.
A quick recommendation: let’s just say that none of your circle of friends have any interest in tempo runs or hill repeats – may I suggest zipping over to your local running store. They usually organize weekly runs for their current (and hopefully future) customers. And don’t worry about your pace not being quick enough, your level of experience being too junior, yada yada yada. All of those excuses sucketh. (That’s right – the excuses suck so bad that I had to bust out the Old English way of pronouncing it).
