Key #1: Patience

January 3, 2011 - Day two of...

Ohh... kinda stiff and sore today.  You know how on these movies and TV shows, guys are running (sprinting) loaded with gear, uphill, chasing or being chased by bad guys?  1) It's television, not real.  2) They sure as hell didn't get that way overnight!  This was the thought running through my head as I was running through the woods.  I wonder how long it takes for Special Forces guys to get into the shape necessary to be able to do the things (television says) they do.  I don't know the answer, but it's certainly not overnight.

Patience is the key.  Well, one of them.  Other keys to be discussed later, for today... patience.  Don't just think, KNOW that this won't happen quickly.  That's why I've given myself 2 years to train.  After the first YEAR I may sign up for a marathon.  I should be able to get to that point in that amount of time at least.  Also, I looked up how much a bike will be...  Yikes!  But, I have at least a year to save and prepare.  There are spin classes at my gym, my roommate has bikes that he's willing to let me borrow.. I can train, but eventually I'll need my own bike.  The key:  Eventually!  Patience!

When looking too far forward, it's very easy to overwhelm yourself.  But how far is too far?  For now, next month is too far.  I need to focus on the daily workouts, and the weekly meal planning.  That's all that matters right now.  Later, as I always say, can be dealt with later!  What's important is that today I got through another workout with Sarah.  She pushes, nicely.  :)  After running to the track, we completed 4 fartleks (jog the turns, sprint the straights)!!  That was hard and Sarah smoked me!  I'm so proud of her, she's training for her own tournaments.  After that, she said "So, how about some strength training?"  Uggh.. "Of course!" I said.  We did squats, lunges (front and side), push ups, and some ab work.  Then it was time to walk home.  "You aren't gonna walk that portion of the Ironman, are ya?" Sarah inquires.  It was time to run home.  :)

My eating was OK today, could be better.  Had oatmeal with turkey sausage and flax for b'fast, the last of the left over sloppy joe for lunch, and Barberitos (my FAV!) for dinner.  Except for my post-workout protein shake, I didn't have any snacks.  That's something I'll be working on since they say you should eat every 2-3hrs.  Gotta head to the grocery in the morning.  It's hard to plan meals with an empty fridge!

So, as I'm surfing the net (does anybody say that anymore?), my mind is wandering into the future and I have to stop myself!  Patience.  The future will get here sure as the sunrise, use today to prepare for it!

Even 140.6 miles begins with a single step.

:-D