Iron Pol

I've said it before, and I'll say it, again.  I don't understand people who like to train naked.  Sure, there's some amount of freedom.  There are no worries about what to wear.  There are no concerns about things being too loose or too tight.  And there are no funky tan lines to explain.

But that's outweighed by the self-consciousness about what ISN'T there.  It just FEELS wrong.  Plus, there isn't anywhere to keep things that might be needed, later.  And there's just no telling what people might think as they watch you train.  "What is that lunatic doing?"  "Wouldn't he be better off with the proper attire?"

But sometimes, things get left at home.  And when that happens, there are two choices.  Go home and call it a day.  Or train naked.

That's what happened to me, this weekend.  I got to the YMCA on Saturday and realized that I had left not one, but both watches at home.  I was wearing my dress watch, but it's fairly useless in terms of swimming and running.  So, I was free of personal timing devices.

That changed the swim plans.  I use my watch to track laps and sets.  Without that, it is too difficult to work through and later recall the actual workout.  So I looked at the clock, started at a convenient time, and completed a half-IM swim.  Well, 2100 yards, but I think I could have made the last 12 yards in a race.  Using the highly accurate timing device, that took 46 minutes.  Then again, I wasn't wearing my glasses, and the clock is 30 yards away.  It could have been anywhere from 45 to 50 minutes.  When you're naked, you have to sacrifice accuracy for convenience.

After the swim, I headed to the track to run.  Some co-workers scheduled some training, and my plan was to get about 45 minutes of running in before they arrived, then finish when they did.   As the last paragraph mentioned, sometimes plans change.  By the time they were 30 minutes "late," I figured things must have come up, so I decided to put the time to good use and complete the half-IM run, as well.  I added a half-mile for good measure, as I was having to count laps and then mark them down on paper every 30 laps.  Remember, I still didn't have my watch.  I used a stop-watch function on my cell phone to time the run.  Just short of two hours later, I had completed just over 13.6 miles.

Two-thirds of a half-IM.  Naked.  Well, almost naked.  I did wear shorts and a tri-top.  But no watch.  And that may as well be naked.

Sixty-six years ago, today, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  Then President Roosevelt referred to it as "a date which will live in infamy."  The attack pushed the United States into World War II and caused a great loss of life and property.  It also showed the strength of the United States people.

Rather than collapse under the Japanese offensive, military and civilian personnel in Hawaii proved that heroes are everywhere.  People with no medical training found themselves in the position of providing aid to hundreds of wounded and dying.  "Ordinary" people in tragic situations performed amazing acts of heroism.  Military personnel, facing overwhelming odds, did what they are trained to do.  The defended the United States at tremendous personal risk and at a great cost in human lives.  Rather than question what was happening, they reacted to stop it.

Even after the attacks, people had to show their mettle.  Martial law was declared, individual liberties were greatly restricted, and the status quo was turned on its head.  And the people endured.  Their liberties would mean little of the looming threats came to pass.  So they did what was required.

It is fitting that the Ironman World Championships occur in Hawaii.  And it's more than just that being the birthplace of the Ironman.  During the attacks of December 7th, 1941 and in the weeks and months that followed, the people of Hawaii showed that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.  And that's what triathlon and Ironman are all about.

As we look back to remember the price that was paid on this day 66 years ago, we must also look to the heroes of today.  Members of the United States military are stationed around the world doing what they have always done.  Defending our nation and defending others.  They do so for too little pay, nearly zero recognition, and at great sacrifice.  So, when you see a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine, remember to thank them for serving.  And if you see a veteran, especially a member of the Greatest Generation, thank them for all they gave, as well.

I was sitting in the hot tub after this morning's swim when another swimmer joined me.  The first thing she did was thank me for keeping her going during her workout.  She mentioned that she wasn't overly motivated when she started her swim, but kept going to keep pace with me.  Oddly enough, I focused on keeping pace with her during the last few hundred of my workout.  I was tiring out and she was keeping a good pace.

It's pretty amazing how participants in a specifically individual sport share such a strong sense of comaraderie.  Whether in training or racing, we support each other, often just by being there.  Even in the pool, where interaction is a bit challenging (and dangerous), other people can motivate us.  Faster swimmers push us to improve.  Swimmers "going long" often encourage us to go a few more yards when we are ready to call it quits.

The bike is similar.  While I generally ride alone, the sight of other bikers can be just the boost needed to get through some difficult miles.  I recall one Saturday prior to Louisville when I was out doing a particularly tough set of LT thresh hold intervals.  After completing the final set, I was ready to lay down at the side of the road and die.  Until I saw a group of riders from my triathlon club.  They were a ways ahead of me, and the desire to catch up to them pushed me to maintain the pace called out in the training plan.

We all know about race day magic.  It is amazing how well we perform when we have others around us.  The excitement and adrenaline surrounding a race have that impact.  With the proper frame of mind, we can get a bit of that magic during any workout just by interacting with others around us.  Often, that will turn a "blah" day into a great training day.

First, a word of warning.  If you are using tabs in Internet Explorer AND trying to get used to a new laptop keyboard, I strongly advise creating your post in something that will save regularly.  Things have the potential to get quite frustrating if you accidentally click when your mouse isn't quite where you expect it to be.  Theoretically.  I mean, I have a friend...

Now, on to the verklempt part.  It was quite an honor when I saw my blog listed on the raceAthlete Best Blog post.  Mostly because I couldn't figure out how to nominate anyone.  So to everyone who DID figure it out, my hat is off to you.  And given the group of sites listed there, it was really humbling to see this site included.

Today, an E-mail came stating that the Iron Pol site was included in the Top Ten list.  If you haven't seen the list, give it a read.  There are some amazing sites listed, most of whom are on my "to read" list.  From serious to zany to informational, this list has some big hitters.  Regardless of the outcome of the voting, it's an honor to be put in the same group.

When you are checking the list out, be sure to cast a vote for your favorite blog.  Rather than pressure you to vote for me, I'll point out that you get to pick your top three.  And if I happen to be included in that top three, I'll be honored, again.  Of course, when you see the list, you may have a tough choice.  There are some "pee-your-pants-funny" sites.  The best I've ever had said was a reference to spitting food all over the place.  Spit-take funny is good.  But it struggles against pee-your-pants funny.

So, take some time to check out all the blogs if you aren't already familiar with them.  You'll consider the time well spent.  And thanks, again, to everyone, for reading.

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The other day I was driving through town when I saw something that really made me think.  Two girls were on a bike, one standing on back wheel pegs.  The girl on the back was talking on a phone.  But the truly scary part was that the girl actually driving the bike was either dialing a number or sending a text message.  Given the amount of attention she was paying to the keypad, I'm willing to bet she was texting.

The frightening part isn't that this was occurring.  They were on a bike, and the biggest threat they posed was to themselves.  What is frightening is that these young ladies will soon be moving into motor vehicles.  And too many recent accidents involving young people appear to also involve cell phones and text messaging.

Some might consider me an old "fuddy-duddy" for saying that text messaging and driving (anything, motorized or otherwise) don't mix.  I would counter by saying I oppose draconian laws restricting the use of phones in the car.  I do, however, fully support prohibitions against texting while driving.  Of course, my dad pointed out enforcement is a bit of a challenge.

He's probably right.  Laws are probably the wrong approach, anyway.  Education, example, and culture would likely have better results.  Just as my kids will never see me in a vehicle without my seatbelt fastened, they will never see me dial a phone while I am driving.  And if I am talking on the phone, it is hands-free.  By setting a good example now, it will be easier to educate them about safe cell phone use as they get older.  As individuals gain an understanding of cell phone safety, culture just might change.

As a parent, I can understand the benefits of allowing minors to have cell phones.  I would argue that such decisions must be based on maturity, education, and experience.  It is a similar decision to allowing a minor to ride a bike or skateboard, drive a car, or use a firearm.  Few parents would ever hand over the keys to the family car without going over the rules.  Cell phones should receive the same consideration.

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While triathletes around the country were busy watching the broadcast of the Ironman World Championships, I was typing out an E-mail.  What, you ask, could be so important, and time-consuming, that an E-mail could occupy the entire 90 minutes of the race?  Read on...

My letter to NBC26, WGBA out of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The purpose of this E-mail is to express my displeasure with the decision to preempt the Ironman World Championship broadcast by NBC on Saturday, December 1, 2007.  Given the "show" that replaced this national and often award winning broadcast was a far less compelling infomercial, the decision is even more baffling.  Without the benefit of concise data, it is only a guess, but my assumption would be that your viewership for the day dropped significantly.

Those of us active in the triathlon lifestyle often struggle with our sport being associated only with the race in Kona, Hawaii.  NBC's coverage of the event, however, has been amazing at growing the sport.  To have the one event that receives network coverage preempted by an infomercial is sad.  It also shows a lack of understanding of the triathlon demographic.  In case there actually is that lack, the average triathlete is an active professional with significant disposable income.  Instead of reaching out to that market, your station opted to shun it and broadcast an extended commercial on gaining energy.  Broadcasting the triathlon would have provided a more realistic answer to that goal.  Getting active through events such as triathlons is a far better solution than whatever was being promoted on the infomercial.  Unfortunately, I am unable to speak directly to the infomercial as I turned it off in disgust.

Yep, that was how my day went.