A Race I'll Never Forget

I didn't complete last week's Ironman triathlon, and it was the first race i was unable to finish. Lots of mixed emotions and i've stopped entertaining the what ifs. In short and without any excuses, i let my training down due to carelessness. Thankfully, no permanent injuries.

In fact, i've had a good week of rest and recovery. It's time to train for my next sprint race in May. Good lead-up to OSIM in the second half of the year and i feel i need more races to be better prepared for the big ones.

I sure could use some distraction too. Looking forward to a new phase in life come April/May. Change is good, let's you know that you're moving on and not staying stagnant.

My Sweet Escape

Whenever i'm going through a tough time, i punish myself... by signing up for another race.

In September, when i wanted to forget someone, i signed up for the Ironman triathlon. Today, i signed up for May's metasprint triathlon.

Here comes the pain.

Almost there...

It's finally here. Just 5 more days to the big race. Mental note: Go easy, no rush, survive. I've done all the training i can and now it's all about resting well, carbo loading for what's going to be 7 hours of going on and on and on and on...

The biggest dread i have is the mental part. It's perfectly normal to feel fatigue, but the dreariness of having to continue will be the biggest challenge i foresee in this race.

But thankfully, then again, i might have enough "issues" to keep my mind occupied. The two biggest concerns, work and girl issues (again?!) are undergoing major changes.. and there's lots to reflect on and keep my mind and emotions away from the monotony.

So exciting.

Perspective

It's all about perspective and the past month has been a real eye-opener for me. Really blessed to have the right people or in this case, a particular friend who's been an important emotional and spiritual guide for me. It's one of those moments when you have the lids taken off your eyes and realise, "how couldn't i have not seen that all along?" 

In short, life's getting so much better and i'm so sure it can only keep going up.

In normal circumstances, i would be complaining about my lack of preparation for the big race in 2 weeks' time. But it's all about perspective and i'll keep doing what i should do and enjoy the journey. Even if i don't do it, there's going to be more oppotunities for me to race in other events. 

At this moment, i'm only clocking 28km runs, 40km bike sessions and 2km swims with a couple of weight sessions in between. Very very far off from being race-reader for a 70.2 ironman race if you ask me. 

Still enjoying the occasional tanning session at the pool. After a goo 2km swim of course.

But yes, it's all a matter of perspective and being emotionally and mentally stronger has helped so much. In racing or training, i've put aside motivation that spurs me to compete with others. There's no point putting myself against other racers, most of who i know are semi-pro and champions.. the only person i'm competing against is myself. And that cannot be any more true. It's that small voice that tells you, it's ok...you can stop. It's that voice of reason, that wisdom of self-preservation, that lazy part of you. It's evil.

And there's power in the spoken word. It may make you look mad, but hey, i tell myself audibly that i won't stop until i am done. i ran today, or i didn't..there's no tomorrow. Just. keep. moving. go. go. go.

Thank God for it all. In everything, He's the first and the last. In pursuing a new (old) career, in relationships, in all my success. Always seeking and putting Him before all else makes everything fall perfectly into place and it has given me the ability to love others better, become a better me.

There's no complains. It's gotten and will continue to get better. Looking forward to the big race in 2 weeks' time!