Focus: leading up to Ironman.

" I think the reason is she [Natasha Badmann] focuses within, we're all looking back wondering where she is like "Where's Natasha?" "Where's Natasha?" and she just going on her way."

-Jo Lawn on Badmann's Ironman success.



Well if you follow the other blog my training for the Ironman is progressing. I'm about the same on the swimming, I'm a little ahead on the cycling game from last year, and a little behind on the running. I have 3 weeks until I fly out so I have time to build to one last long run, granted it's going to be a more conservative load, but I'm confident I'll survive the race. I've looked at the entry list there are 3 other guys representing the stars and stripes and 28 of us young studs throwing down. Last year there were 43. I know two of these guys beat me last year everyone else is an x-factor.



But every race is an X-factor, training goes right or wrong, people who do this on a whim go out and shock the world, that kid who consistently gets a mud hole stomped into them suddenly gets sweet revenge, you flat, you cramp up, you get a tail wind, you get a refreshing downpour on the run...you could run all the variables through your head but it makes no matter worrying before hand. You take it as it comes, you focus within, you look at realistically what can I do now? You react to changes, you adapt, improvise, and hopefully overcome.



Pre race you sit there you talk about qualifying slots, you dream while you train, while you rehab, while you number crunch, while everyone around you calls you an "idiot" and you start second guessing then dismiss it. You go into the zone, into the basement, into that spot you feel invincible.



Pain is suddenly for other people, doubt is suddenly for other people, the bills, worries, papers, deadlines, meetings, are for another time, you train and get them out of your system, you'll handle them as they come. Just like the rain, just like wind, the snow, the cold, the heat, the sun.

You stop griping and start working the only thing certain in your mind that you are going to go from A-B. It might be a nice straight line a path of no resistance...it might curve like a serpent like Alpe Du Huez, up hill down hill, treacherous and demanding, trying body, mind and soul like nothing else.



You look at what you ache for, what you want so badly you would give anything for, it is what drives you to run outdoors when others are content to sit around in their warm dry homes, it is what drives you to ride your bike when everyone else is thinking a movie might be nice, it is what gets you in the pool after a full day of work, classes and life's problems, when others would head home crack open a beer and pass out infront of the tube, it is what gets you through all the training, all the days at work, all the times people stare at you like a six headed goat, the times when you just want to pack it all in and say in one resounding voice " I quit Life!" It's what helps you hang on.

And then race day comes, all the training, all the sacrifice, all the kind words, all the vulgar ones that fuel your resolve, the scrimping, saving, selling your soul, comes to fruition, the normal fears enter your head..."why did I sign up for this again?" the distance becomes real, the butterflies knot up in your throat and gut as you nervously head to the portolet 2, 3, 4 times just to make sure your bladder is empty... then you get into the water you take a few warm up strokes and get into you groove. You tell yourself it's just another race like any other , you take a deep breath and wait for the cannon and suddenly you know: You are ready....