Monday, September 5th, 2011
It could be just me, buy I constantly find myself stumbling into abduction meeting other triathletes without even trying.
A few months ago, I was at the wedding reception for my friend who will be the best man at my wedding. I walk in with Sam and I head to the bar to get us some drinks. I spark up a conversation with a couple standing next to me and seconds later, we are talking about Team In Training, swimming at Walden and her training for her first sprint triathlon.
Sam comes over to grab her drink, realizes what has happened and just rolls her eyes. Because it happens ALL. THE. TIME.
I could be in the backwoods of Maine or a fancy restaurant in downton Boston, I have an uncanny ability to run into athletes no matter where I am without even trying. I try not to be “that guy” whose life revolves completely about triathlon and have meaningful conversation about anything other than swimbikerun, but somehow I keep falling into these scenarios of meeting fellow triathletes.
I have a couple theories on why this keeps happening, but no research supporting any of them. Everything from the smell of adrenaline and sweat acting as pheromones to our uniquely low heart rates resonating with one another.
QUESTION: Is it just me or does this happen to you too? What random places have you met other triathletes?
| Posted in Life, Triathlon | 6 Comments »
Friday, August 5th, 2011
When a lot of people talk about their motivations for getting into triathlon, they talk about the physical challenge, testing themselves, inspiring others and all of that other stuff that sounds sorta like a corny movie preview.
Those are all part of the reason why I do what I do, but deep down there is a much bigger motivator.
Fear.
Fear of what would happen if I don’t train my body on a regular basis to get progressively fitter and healthier.
I see obese people every day and get freaked out by all the things that they can’t do because of their size. I freak out about all the things they don’t even bother to dream about because they don’t even realize they are possible. I freak out about the possibility of one day not being healthy enough to watch the kidsI hope to have someday grow up. I freak out about how big the diabetes products section at CVS is and hope I never have to buy anything from there. I freak out about all the fat smoking chefs I see outside the culinary school near my work. I can’t help but think “How the fuck am I supposed to eat healthy when the next generation of restaurant chefs have a head start on destroying their OWN bodies!? And why are they going to school to become chefs? Do they want to get paid to feed me the same poison that they feed themselves?”
It scares the shit out of me sometimes.
Some people are blessed with genetics that help them become amazing athletes. I, on the other hand, have likely inherited some genetic predisposition for everything from addiction, to cancer, heart disease and a whole mess of other diseases and conditions that may or may not have a genetic link. To balance those out, I have triathlon.
Not that working out working out will control or stop these predispositions from becoming reality, but you better believe I am going to do my best to play an active roll in making sure that they don’t.
I may have found a positive way to act on my fears to manage them and make positive decisions, but that doesn’t make me any less terrified of the idea of “What happens if I don’t?”
Tags: fear motivation, sports psychology | Posted in Life, Triathlon | 9 Comments »
Monday, July 4th, 2011
Happy Independence Day Everyone!
Hopefully you have some nice weather wherever you are, you get out for some nice swimbikerun and enjoy some post-workout burgers, beers and fireworks with friends and family.
To celebrate, here is my latest mankini design.
Now I’m off to watch the Tour de France, jump into Walden for a swim and head out to spend the day with the (soon to be) in-laws.
| Posted in Life, Swimming, Training Log, Triathlon | No Comments »
Friday, May 27th, 2011
Okay, I’m getting borderline preachy lately with all the PSAs, but bear with me. This is legit.
WEAR SUNSCREEN
Granted, you could completely disregard this entire post because I spent my teenage years as a lifeguard, and never touched sunscreen once. I had one nasty burn every June, and was a dark mocha by August. So apparently this is one of those “do as I say, not as I do” scenarios. Even as I’ve gotten older, I haven’t gotten any smarter. Every spring, I usually end up looking like this.
Or like this…
But this year I’ve decided NO CRAZY SUNBURNS.
LEARN TO LOVE THE SUNCREEN.
With all the time that we all spend out in the sun, we are at increased risk of skin cancer, so protect yourself and check frequently. If anything looks suspicious, get it checked out.
Watch this video, and share it on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.
Tags: dear 16 year old me, skin cancer | Posted in Life, Triathlon | 1 Comment »
