Commitment Continued

In the last post I spoke about what it took to tri - commitment and consistency. Since then I've been thinking more about commitment, specifically what it takes to be committed.

There are number of things in my opinion.

Goals

Goals re extremely important. Notice I said goals. In my opinion, we should set long term and short term goals. Long term goals sit on the horizon - reachable but from your present position still a long way off. Short term goals are your measuring sticks to determine progress.

But goals go even deeper because within the long term and short term buckets you can set goals related to outcome e.g. finish an event in a certain time. You can set goals related to process. e.g. setting a realistic training schedule. And you can set goals related to form and function e.g. improving your swimming technique.

So what ever your goals, if they are realistic, achievable (without being too easy), and measurable, you'll remain committed.


Tell Someone Your Goals

Having someone know your goals is a great way to keep up the commitment levels because you've now made yourself accountable. Make sure to make this an important person in your life who will give a kick in the behind if you are slacking off, and who you'd be a bit ashamed to let them know if you are not doing what you should.

Tri'ing for a Cause

While triathlon is very much an individual sport, training and racing in support of a worthy cause is an excellent way to stay committed. Because a group is counting on you, you don't want to let them down. This is an excellent motivator, and will help you get up early on Saturday to get your cycling miles in.

Tri'ing for yourself

For many of us, pulled in so many directions at work, home, we often neglect ourselves resulting in poor health - physical and mental (i.e. stress). It's easy to wonder how we let ourselves go because it happens so gradually. One day you look in the mirror and wonder who is that person.
So make the investment in yourself, start moving. The benefits are immense. Greater energy, improved health, mental sharpness, the ability to keep up with your kids, fewer sick days etc.
Doesn't that sound better than being a grumpy, tired, couch potato?

Stubbornness

No one likes to be told they cannot do something - it's insulting. And it makes me work even harder. So maybe you need to hear from someone that "there is no way that you'll be able to do a tri" Use that as motivation to remain committed and to prove them wrong.

So, whatever it takes for you, find it and keep tri'n.

Until next time.....

What does it take to tri?

First, thanks to those who have read my first three posts. While the numbers are still small I'm heartened by the fact that someone has taken the time to read my thoughts. Input is appreciated, and if there is a topic that you want discussed...let me know...I'd be happy to give you my thoughts.

So back to the topic at hand.

Let me start with a story. A while ago at the gym, a young buck was speaking about his recent workout. He lifted a ton of weight, ran insane inclines on the treadmill, and did hundreds of pull ups. But the really interesting thing was the question he posed to his locker buddy. "Was there one way to becoming/being fit?"

Being a bit nosy, I walked around the corner to give him my answer. I wasn't sure he was expecting any sort of answer, let alone from me (a stranger), but I told him that in my opinion the answer to his question is yes. Want to know what it is? Commitment and Consistency.

"But what about all the different exercises?", he asked. "Commitment and Consistency are what will get you to do the exercises", I replied. You can choose the appropriate exercises and sessions for your activity, but if you are not Committed and you do not train Consistently, what you do will not really matter.

Ever wonder why diet programs and gyms do so well...they know that most of their Clients are not Committed or Consistent.

So what do these two words mean? For me they mean this:

(i) Commitment comes down to setting a goal and being prepared to do the work to make that happen. Sometimes you can get others to help your commitment, but at the end of the day it comes down to you.

(ii) Consistency comes down to not taking short cuts, of putting in the time, and putting in the work - repeatedly.

So if you are interested in doing a tri, or any type of activity for that matter, I suggest that the first two questions you need to ask are.

Can I commit?

Can I what it takes consistently?

If the answers to both questions are Yes, then you are on a great platform to begin your journey.

If you have one or two No's, then try to determine what it will take to make them a Yes. Is it you? Do you have track record or staring things hot, and burning out? Is it something else - work or family requirements? Is it an injury or some other physical / health issue that needs to be treated.

So whether you are new to the sport, or a seasoned veteran, ask your self, do you have what it takes to tri?

Until next time, keep tri'n.

But it's raining/cold/windy outside.

As I got caught in a heavy downpour during my ride this morning I started thinking about the benefits of training in poor/bad weather.

Oh sure, I receive comments at home, and glances from drivers and pedestrians who are trying to get inside, but the truth of the matter is that these days prepared me for less than ideal race day conditions.

The purpose of training is to prepare your body and your mind for race day. That means trying to replicate, as closely as possible, the different course conditions. And weather is a condition that needs to be considered.

We all like to think (read hope) that our race days will be sunny, warm, and wind free. But the reality is that we cannot predict race day weather...so a dark, cold, wet, and/or windy day is just a likely.

So by choosing to train in less than ideal conditions you will be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you on race day.

Wet? You'll be confident handling your bike on the wet road. And you'll know that you need a band aid to keep the blisters away during the run.
Choppy water? You know how to time your breathing so you don't swallow water, and adjust your stroke.
Windy? You know what gearing you'll need to spin through the gusts.

So when race day conditions are not so great you will be able to concentrate on the task at hand...getting to the finish line.

So the next time the weather forecast is less than ideal look at it as a perfect training day. Grab the proper gear and have a great session.

But remember safety first. Do not go out in unsafe conditions. Thunder, poor visibility, extreme heat, extreme cold are conditions that make me think twice.

|Have fun, and keep tri'n.

Why do I tri?

A simple question with many different answers.

The simple and most obvious answer is that it keeps me healthy. Physically I am in the best shape of my life. Consistent training will do that for you. Mentally it has strengthened my capacity to deal with challenging situations, and more importantly focus on the present.

Peel another layer on this onion and I will tell you that I am a competitive person. This description can conjure up scary images of Double A Type, sore loser, win at all cost personalities. That's not me.

Don't misunderstand...I do not like losing, I do not like under performing; but if I did not put in the work, or someone simply out performed, then I'll be the first to shake their hand. I am competitive with myself first, then I compete against others. Triathlon gives me this opportunity because it is me against the clock.

So let's peel another layer. I see myself as an athlete. I've played many sports - team and individual. I love the physicality of being an athlete, the camaraderie of teammates, of pushing my body, going to practice or training.

Going deeper it becomes more interesting as it gets to the psychology of me. I like the fact that it differentiates me.

Triathlon, while growing in popularity, is still a sport that is not understood by the majority. Say you are a runner and people nod and move on. Say you are a triathlete and see what happens. Raised eyebrows, questions about distances, why we wear skin tight clothing, why we train in the rain, do we ever eat junk food etc., are only a few of the questions.

Beyond the physical and psychological aspects triathlon has allowed my wife and I to see the world - not the expected places, but places you never heard of - some of the most beautiful places you could imagine, whether in our province, our country or half way around the world.

So that's why I tri.

Will you tri?

Keep tri'n

The Horn Has Sounded

Welcome to Every One Tri.

I love the sport of triathlon. And I want to share this love with the rest of you.

After over a decade of being a "triathlete", I've participated in race distances from sprint to Ironman; swum, cycled, and ran thousands of kilometers; learned about myself - physically and mentally; learned what not to do; and have been asked thousands of questions about races, fitness, nutrition, and training.

Make no mistake, I am not a professional or even an elite athlete. I have no official designation as a coach or nutritionist. I work 9-10 hours a day in the advertising industry, am married (to a new triathlete), and lead an active, busy life.

What I do have is a decade's worth of experience; a love for the sport; a sense of humour; a belief that every one can participate in this sport; and a desire to share this with you.

My goal is to share stories, provide tips and hints, information, and a perspective about the sport.

I hope that you enjoy.

Keep tri'n.