The Basics of Triathlon

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Why? – Why not
Why would anyone want to do a triathlon?  Well I cannot answer that question for anyone except myself.  And I shouldn’t answer for anyone else.  Come up with your own reasons why you do it.    I can say this about why I’m doing it – Because it sounds Awesome!  I like the idea that I will be able to say that I was able to complete three separate events back-to-back-to-back.  I like that I will be able to call myself a triathlete.  I’m doing it as awesome motivation to lose weight.  I have set the goal to finish a race and I’m using that as motivation to work out more.  I’m using it as a motivation to eat better.   I’m using the fact that I am committed to this event, to gain the commitment of others to compete along with me.  In gaining the commitment of family and friends to run, I am helping improve the overall health of the people around me.  – Awesome!
The events
So.. What are the three events of a (tri)athlon?  Traditionally they are swimming, biking and running.  What else is there to say.  You swim for a distance, then bike for a distance and then run for a distance.   Distances vary from race to race, depending on the overall objective competition level and limitations of the course venue.
Typical distances
Sprint
This is the shortest of all the distances.  Contrary to its name, its not likely that you will sprint the whole way through.  Typical sprint distances would be in the range of
Swim    500-700 Yards
Bike    12-15 Miles
Run    3-5 Miles

Olympic (Standard)
Swim    1.5K
Bike    40K
Run    10K

Ironman (AKA Ultra Triathlon)
Swim    2.2 Miles
Bike    212 Miles
Run    26.2 Miles

Gear
On the most basic level, there isn’t much you need to complete a triathlon.  Great gear can be an advantage but it is not a necessity for the enjoyment of the sport.  There is an amazing amount of information out there on all sorts of awesome gear.  But from the start all you really need is:
1. Something to swim in (Swimsuit, cap is usually provided)
2. Something to Ride (Bicycle and Helmet)
3. Something to run in (Shorts, T-Shirt, Shoes)
That’s pretty much it.

Triathlon Awesomeness

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So I have set a goal for myself to complete a sprint triathlon without taking any breaks in 2012.  This is something that I have wanted to accomplish for a long time.  I remember as a kid watching coverage of the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii and thinking to myself, “These people are amazing!”  The strength and endurance these people have is truly awesome!
While the Sprint distance is more my level versus an Ironman, it is still an awesome event.  I have to admit that there are some ulterior motives in play here.  The goal of completing a triathlon is not the only reason that I am competing.  I am also using this event as a motivator for weight loss.  Along with that, I’m trying to use the event to help inspire those close to me to get healthy as well.  How awesome would that be?

Getting Back At It

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There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says:

“The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago, the second best time is now”.

It’s never too late to get started – or to start over.  If you want something in your life, to achieve some goal, then there is no better time to start than now.  If you want to lose weight, or save enough money for retirement or maybe start your own business – now is as good a time as any to get moving.

So here I am, basically starting over.

But so what??

- if I don’t do it now…. then when?

Watching a Child Learn is Awesome

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It’s always awesome watching a child (especially) a young child learn and grow.  I have been watching my daughter go through the various stages of mobilization  lately and it is purely awesome.  First was the belly crawl and rolling over.   Then she was able to get up on her knees.  Now she is a certified crawler.   But that just isn’t enough for her.  She has now figured out how to pull herself up and stand.   It’s awesome!  A table leg, a pant leg, the couch.  Whatever she can get her hands on.  And the pure excitement of when she finally pulls herself up is contagious.  Her huge smile,  all six teeth visible.  The look at me, look what I did baby shriek and giggle.  And then just watching her mind work.  You can see her thoughts as she is trying to figure out how to move her pudgy little legs around while standing up just like everyone else.  Soon enough.  Soon enough.  Better make sure all the baby gates are back in place!

Stop Procrastinating

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There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago, the second best time is now.”

Basically, it’s saying that it’s never too late to start.   If you want something different in your life then get started.     You want to lose weight, you want to save for retirement, you want to start a business.  Sure things might be easier if you had started earlier in life but, those kinds if thoughts are useless.  You cant travel back in time to change your history.  Who cares what you should have started years ago.  If you have a goal for your life then get started now!

Celebrate Greatness When You See It

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I have recently been witness to someone who just lost her 60th pound.  That is so completely awesome!  I cab hardly contain it. Over the course of two years (including a pregnancy) she lost 60 pounds.  What a display of discipline, dedication and self control.  And she is still working on losing more striving to achieve her ideal BMI.  What’s funny about the situation is that she isn’t celebrating the success half as much as I am.  In her mind it she feels bad that she was that over weight in the first place.  Here is where I say.  Are you kidding me!  Who cares?!  What matters is that you realized that there was a problem and you went out and kicked it’s ass.  And not only that, while it’s on the ground you are planning on kicking it around awhile.  Take that awesome success and turn it into motivation to conquer all.   It’s amazing.   It’s awesome and I am so proud of you.

The Six Steps to Achieving Your Dreams

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I believe there is a six step process that successful people go through as they accomplish awesome things.  This post is a summary of the steps – the cliff notes version if you will.  Let me know your comments.

As Always:

Stay Awesome!!

Step 1: Find Your Vision

The first step to achieving anything is to figure out what it is that you really want.  What is it that you really want to accomplish?  What do you want to be?  How do you want to live?  This step involves determining what your dreams really are.  Remember to think big; but try to find out what it is that you are truly looking for.  For example you might say I have a goal of earning a million dollars.  But what is it that you are really after.  Is it financial security?  Perhaps it’s a legacy you want to leave to future generations of your family.  Think about what it is that is driving you to these thoughts.  That is what you are truly after.  Knowing the root of your vision will make it more meaningful and more motivating as you begin to pursue it.

Step 2: Set the Stage

Time for a reality check. Time to acknowledge everything in your life that is holding you back.  What?  Didn’t I just say start dreaming?  That’s right I did.  And if you really want to get to those places in life you are dreaming about, you better find out where you are.  If you don’t know where you are, you will never know where to start.  And if you don’t know where to start how will you know when you are finished.  This process isn’t only about understanding the negative forces that are working against your vision; it’s also about acknowledging the positive forces as well.  You need to see the whole picture, or at least as much as possible so you can make a plan and measure your progress.

Step 3: Create a Plan

Step 1 says determine what you want.  Find out what the end state in life you are trying to achieve.  Step two says figure out where you are starting from.  Step three is about connecting the dots between the two.  What is it going to take to go from where you are to where you want to be?  Your plan should be based in reality of what is achievable.  If you desire to lose 30 pounds, don’t make you plan to lose 30 in a month.  It may be possible but it’s not likely that you will keep it off.  Try to spread out the time frame.  Remember you have a lifetime to accomplish your goals.  If you extend the time of losing that weight to 6 months, you only have to lose 5 pounds a month, or one pound a week, or 2.3 ounces per day.  Now that doesn’t seem hard does it!?  It’s OK to start small and take baby steps, as long as they keep you moving forward.

Step 4: Get started

While it sounds obvious and easy, this can be one of the most difficult steps to take.  Taking that first step toward your dream can be a daunting feat.  You are about to embark on a quest that could dramatically change your life.  The reason this is Step 4 and not Step 1 is to make it an easier step for you to take.  Remember by this time you have solidified what it is you are seeking, you know where you are starting from, and you know the path you are going to take to get there.   All you need to do is begin!

Step 5: Stay Motivated

Do what you need to keep yourself motivated, to keep yourself going.  When you are in the middle of working to your goals it can become easy to lose sight of what it is you are really working hard for.  Especially when life throws some unexpected challenges your way.  Keys to this step are setting intermediate goals during the planning stage and celebrating your successes along the way.  Remember don’t celebrate by doing things that work against your goals.  If you are paying off debt, don’t go out and buy a brand new TV on credit once you pay off one card.  Or don’t eat a chocolate cake to celebrate losing 10 pounds.  While these may sound like exciting ways to celebrate what you have accomplished they can be demotivating and the ultimately work against your goal and make it that much harder to accomplish.

Step 6: Repeat!

Say what?  That’s right it is critical to keep refining this process.  You may find that along the way your dreams change, or that life changes them for you.  Perhaps you now have a family and saving for college becomes priority number one.  Maybe you realize that you didn’t set the bar high enough for yourself when you first started.  Maybe 30 pounds wasn’t that hard to lose, or half way there you see the progress you are making and decide that 50 pounds would make you he healthier person you are striving for.  So take another look; go back to step one and go through the process again.  This time aiming higher and achieving even more than your thought you could.

Need A lift? Then hold out your hand.

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Recently, I’ve been a little down about my daughters progress and behavior. We are worried that she wont be ready for kindergarten next fall. Plus she has been acting up at daycare. We have received several calls and she was even sent home once this week. Then I saw a very disturbing article about another family dealing with autism and how they are being sued by their school district. I had my own mini-meltdown and linked to the article on my Facebook page. I posted what I though and how I am worried about having to deal with schools in the future.

Then out of the blue I got a message from my best fiends mom. (Yes we are FB friends too.) Anyways, she sent me a note about the struggles she had with her other son, my friends brother. The gist of the note said: Hey, you are doing the right things and fighting the good fight. Keep your head up and march on!

Man, What an AWESOME feeling it was to get that note!

But why did she offer to help me? Sure she is my friends mom, but I mean why now? It’s not like this is new news to anyone. We have known for a long time about my daughter being Autistic. So, why all of a sudden did she offer her support? How did she know?

The obvious answer is that I finally put out my hand and asked for help. Maybe I didn’t ask for help directly, although I probably should have. I think that is a problem for many of us. We don’t’ ask for help when we need it. We get too caught up in dealing with our won life that we forget to ask for help now and again.

So I encourage you; if you are struggling with anything right now, (debt, weight, parenting etc), just ask someone for some help. Ask anyone, ask a friend, a family member, a coworker. Find Blog or Forum where you can ask what you need. There are so many people out there with great advice, who are willing to help. Most times all you need to do is ask.

And remember that you too can be the one who offers encouragement and advice. Don’t be afraid to lend a hand and help someone out. This is a great way to be Awesome and feel even more Awesome at the same time. But I will save that for another post!

Remember stay Awesome

PS. Thanks Mrs. B!!

What does it take to be Awesome?

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The dictionary defines Awesome as something awe-inspiring, breathtaking, excellent or very impressive. Basically something that makes you say WOW!

I like to think of being an awesome person a little differently than the conventional definition. Awesomeness is a state of mind. Being awesome is about having a positive mental attitude. Being awesome is knowing that there isn’t anything life can throw at you that can keep you down. Sure you may get knocked down from time to time, but being awesome is having the ability to get back up brush yourself off and start moving forward again. It’s about being able to look at any situation and find that silver lining. It’s not only taking the lemons in life and making lemonade, it’s about enjoying that sweet concoction and being refreshed.

Here is an awesome quote:

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt.

Modifying this quote, I would say Nothing can make you feel defeated without your consent.  If you refuse to let non-awesome things bring you down, you will always be able to see the awesome in everything.

I believe that feeling awesome, and having an awesome life, starts with your attitude and your actions. If you want to be awesome, you need to think awesome thoughts and do awesome things. You need to look at things with the innocent eyes of a child – as though you are seeing them for the first time all over again.

Thanks for taking the time to visit, I hope we can take this awesome journey together.

Until next time – Be Awesome!