Respect for IRONMAN!

I was raised to be respectful and with the belief that, when earned, compliments are free to give and usually quite welcomed. Serving in the U.S. Army for eight years, I learned more about “respect”, one of the Army’s listed, key values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage). Later in my military career, I served as a Behavioral Science Specialist (Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, etc.). This gave me an even more in-depth look at the almost mystical power of a compliment.

Compliments are the simplest way to deliver praise and show our respect. They demonstrate awareness of the positive achievements of those around us. Even the most modest of people will benefit from being the object of a compliment. And… we benefit from the act of giving a compliment! Finally, not only does a compliment recognize past achievements, it is a very powerful motivator. People will often re-double their efforts to do even more of what solicited the positive feedback!

With this primer on respect and compliments out of the way, let me clarify that I am not an idol-worshipper. Oddly enough, I am more thrilled by the prospect of watching someone new to triathlons conquer their first open water swim than I would be meeting Olympian, Michael Phelps. I attribute this to how I think of myself as an “everyman”. I was never particularly “great” at any one thing, but that never stopped me from doing the best that I could at whatever activity I was engaged in. In the vein of “it takes one to know one”, I find myself rooting for the “everyman” and being more in awe of their achievements. Being one of them, I know what it takes to achieve their goals.

This brings me to IRONMAN. I have finished my base phase and, this weekend, will complete my first build phase. My coach put a very nice and motivating little message at the beginning of next week’s workout. It essentially said that I am doing great, about to begin my “Major Build Phase”, and to keep up the good work. Without looking at it again, I am not sure if it said something like that or, “Mwahahahahaha! Prepare to REALLY suffer!!!” I am afraid to confirm what it really says because I sort of black out every time I start looking at it…

All joking aside, I have always had a very deep respect for anyone able to train for and complete an IRONMAN triathlon. After spectating last year’s IRONMAN Florida, I could not say, “Good job, IRONMAN!” to enough of those weary finishers. The power of that compliment/acknowledgement was AMAZING! Their backs would straighten, they would stop wincing for a few seconds, smile, and offer a quiet, “Thank you!” I almost tear up thinking about it again.



That was probably one of the more powerful memories from that amazing experience. So much so, that when things are toughest, somewhere on the dark streets around mile-20 of the marathon, THIS is the thought I will pull up to help me push through my IRONMAN Florida 2014 bid. Yes, I want to hear the announcer say, “Ronald Harrison… YOU are an IRONMAN!”, but I think I will be even more emotional just hearing, “Good job, IRONMAN!” from friends, family, and strangers.




I have often heard that the actual IRONMAN race was just a celebration of all of the hard work done just to get to the starting line. As I live through that, it becomes so much more than just words. It is so much more than just the training. I have jokingly written about the number of bike bottles I have to clean each week and the amount of dirty laundry from all of this training. And, I am sincerely flabbergasted by how much effort I have to put in to packing multiple gym bags and backpacks when I have a swim before work, a run or bike after work, and God-forbid, a family or social obligation after THAT! If you see me wearing running shoes with my suit and dress shoes on a run, just shyly point it out?!


So, here is to you, IRONMAN! I just want to let you know that I am one of your biggest fans. My respect for you is growing every day, every mile, every dirty bike bottle, every load of laundry, and every time I pack another gym bag! I admire you more than words can express and hope to one day, soon, be like you!



OK, time to go look at next week’s workouts…

Find YOUR Confidence!

Sunday called for the first and shortest "Big Day" workout I will be completing on my way to IRONMAN Florida. This consisted of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 1.5-hour run. All meant to be executed as I would on race day, mimicking the intensity, equipment, clothing, hydration, nutrition, etc.

I showed up at the pool at 10 am only to realize that I had misread the hours on their website and the pool didn't actually open until 11:30 am. With thunderstorms projected for mid-afternoon, I decided that waiting around to start my swim would be ill-advised. I jumped forward and decided to do the bike, run, and then the swim. I figured this change would just increase my chances of missing the afternoon showers on the bike and run.

Well, the weatherman forgot to tell Mother Nature about his little "forecast". Within ten minutes of starting my ride, the rain started. Slowly, at first, but picking up intensity until it became a full-on downpour. The rain drops were huge and started to actually hurt. Visibility was becoming worse and worse and the roads were starting to become more obscured by debris and puddles. This first squall lasted ~45 minutes before breaking up into clear patches with periods of light rain. I was finally able to pick up the pace and hoped that the worst was over. I made the final turn for the last 14-mile stretch when the sky darkened and an even worse storm hit. This one not only had a wall of rain, it came complete with thunder, lightning, and swirling winds!

I made it back to my truck, changed, and started my run in what had turned into a very light rain. I would normally welcome the cooling rain on a run, but after being so waterlogged on the bike, a squishing, sloshing 1.5-hour run was not the highlight of the day. The worst part was thinking about the effect that the early, but distant, rumbles of thunder were going to have on my swim. Our local pools are definitely safety-conscious and will close at even the hint of a rumble of thunder!

Somehow, my luck turned. I finished my run, quickly drove to the pool, and ended up being greeted with a beautiful, sun-drenched, afternoon swim! YAY! Big Day #1, SURVIVED! And therein lies my confidence builder.

Rather than be disappointed by a slower than normal bike pace or a truck full of sweaty, stinky gear holding more water than I thought remotely possible, I looked for the positives. I found things to help build my confidence. Well, at least my confidence that if I'm faced with a rainy, stormy, waterlogged race day, I'm going to be able to make it!

Personally, I am building the most confidence by being as consistent as I can be with my training. Life happens, so it is nearly impossible to hit the mark and complete every workout, meeting every goal for that workout. And, we always have to listen to our bodies and our mental health! Physically, there are DEFINITELY those days where skipping a workout is going to be much, much more beneficial than simply slogging through with poor form. Psychologically, mental fatigue (burnout) is real and must be avoided. VERY few of us are trying to make a living at this, right?! So, if it is supposed to be fun and it becomes no longer fun, why do it?! Do not get to that point. Take a break when needed.

What have you done to find YOUR confidence?

• Fixed a flat tire.
• Completed a particularly difficult workout.
• Felt GREAT after that long swim, bike, or run.
• Conquered an open water swim.
• Made yourself get up for that EARLY morning workout.
• Made yourself go to bed so you can get up for that EARLY morning workout. (LOL!)
• Put together days or weeks of consistent training.
• Pushed through that workout in inclement weather.

Like stacking up bricks in a wall or tying knots in a rope, think of each brick or knot as one of those accomplishments you have had during your training. Look not only for the obvious accomplishments, but for the successes that are the result of overcoming adversity!

I tend to think that the lessons learned and confidence gained by overcoming adversity can be more valuable. After all, what will you likely find more valuable on race day, the confidence/ability to change a flat tire or the memory of the personal record (PR) you set at that early season race?

Start stacking up your bricks or tying your knots! Your day is coming!