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…