Sunday, May 20, 2012

What does it take?

Yesterday brought more evidence that The Woodlands is a special place for endurance athletes. For the second year in a row, my new 'hometown' has hosted Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas. It's crazy to think that some of the world's strongest athletes compete just a couple miles from my little apartment! I served multiple roles over the weekend: starting with hanging out at the PowerBar booth at the expo Friday, volunteering at a run course aid station, then taking my bike from point to point to provide support and encouragement to the runners braving the Texas heat.


Okay...about those racing conditions....

I biked a short 15 miles in the middle of the afternoon, had ample shade, yet managed to suck down a couple bottles of water and another bottle of Ironman Perform and was feeling it. For what it's worth, I did put in 12 miles that morning! These individuals were out running a marathon in the middle of the day after swimming 2.4 and biking 112. After spending a short amount of time preparing for short course tris, working with and working out alongside Ironmen, I am constantly gaining perspective of the preparation, race-day demands, and perhaps most importantly-the mindset-of an ultra-endurance athlete. While covering 40 miles of the IMTX course my bike ride this morning, I thought a lot about what it takes to compete in an Ironman.

The following characteristics are just some of my personal observations and opinion, so feel free to chime in. To meet the demands of long-course racing, successful athletes:

-Practice perseverance. They simply do not take "no" for an answer, disregarding often intense physical fatigue. 
-Manage their time. Life is a balancing act, and regardless of background, these athletes often fit training in around jobs, family, social, etc. 
-Trust their training-and put in a LOT of it. I train 10-12 hours per week currently, ameteur Ironman and ultrarunners spend 15-25 and professionals up to 35-40. 
-Are mentally prepared. Very mentally prepared. They have a plan to deal with anything that comes their way, because anything can happen in the course of 140.6 miles. I listened to some of the live coverage while getting ready to attend my volunteer assignment and Chrissie Wellington talked at length about mental preparation and management of the course.
-Maintain a positive attitude, or at least are able to stay task-focused (even if it means just running to the corner or swimming to the next buoy).
-Set high goals for themselves and reject mediocrity. Why just live a life inside your comfort zone?
-Display very high levels of mental and physical toughness. A requirement to compete in Texas in May. Period. 

Endurance sport is not for everyone, but you are not everyone! 

Stay the course.





4 comments:

Jill said...

If (when??? :)) I ever do an Ironman, I'm hiring you!!

misszippy said...

Great observations from one who can analyze it well! I did an IM in '99 (dark ages, I know!) and I think the fact that quitting was never an option in my head definitely played a big role. That said, mine was in nice, cool Lake Placid--can't imagine doing IMTX!

Thanks for the link you gave me--sorry you too have been through it!

Richard said...

Great write up here! I agree with all your observations. It was indeed a tough day, but after all Ironman isn't supposed to be easy. ;-)

Thanks for volunteering! I'm sorry I don't remember seeing you but I am glad you were out there.

Raina said...

Great thoughts on what it takes. I saw the ironman champs in Kona once. It just floored me what these people were willing to do when the morning temps were 78 at 6AM. It takes a very special person to willingly do that.
Pretty sure you have what it takes :)