Why would you possibly want to do this?


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Call it crazy, call it a 'mid-life crises', call it boys being boys... I don't mind. I am 45 years old, been physically active most of my life (interspersed with brief periods of sheer laziness) and have decided to complete the South African Ironman in April 2008. (3.8k Swim, 180k Cycle, 42.2k Run)

Someone told me that when you are 45, rich and bored you buy a Harley or a sports car. When you are 45, poor and suffer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) you do the Ironman.

In 1987 I completed a canoe Ironman triathlon and suddenly realised that if I completed the Ironman in 2008, it would be almost 21 Years to the day since my last big physical challenge.

I have been training for a few months now but took 4 weeks off all training before the 'big push' that starts TODAY (2 July 2007). This BLOG will be a daily Web Log of the life and times of a Ironman Wannabe. I trust you will enjoy the experience with me and please feel free to comment on any of the blogs.

PS. I am doing this for charity and the details of that will soon be posted here, as well as on my own site at www.brandstrategy.co.za and at the TTMAD site (Tri-ing To Make A Difference)

Thursday, August 2, 2007

254 Days And Counting


Ever been to a biokineticist? Great for the body... really crap for the ego! I mean there I was thinking I was in good shape, strong, an Ironman in training, and in a few minutes I am this self conscious, nervous, sniveling wreck. I mean all she did was ask me to sit up straight, hold onto a couple of lightweight plastic balls and breath correctly!

"Your quads are a little week, your calves are under developed, you don't use your core muscles very well do you? Your upper back has been neglected, you don't stretch enough, wow you need work!"

You know who you are, you destroyer of egos! But you are probably right, 254 days from now I will be thanking you. Doesn't mean I can't curse you in the mean time. So if you wanna find out where you really stand or more importantly HOW you really stand visit the Marque De Sade at Xtreme Fitness in Village Walk and let them take you through the paces.

Stickers are being made for the bike and hopefully the rebuild will be done soon and I can get on the road. It is warming up nicely at the moment. Pool sessions are still a grind for me, still my big worry, but I will keep doing them and trust the process. Gotta try and put in some serious distance this weekend! Or at least some Loooooooooooong spinning sessions while I wait for the bike.

2 comments:

Ivanb said...

Hi Mike

I am glad to see the blog and pages looking so good.

When will the bike be ready. My news cranks are here so lets build the bike with them.

I know you will suceed at this venture, the passion and determinbation you have proves it.

I am definitely pledging to you and will get others to do the same.

'Just Do It' as a famous brand says

Maria Botha (Ripples For Good) said...

Hi Mike!!Your blog looks great. Love the counter!! Keep up the training.

I Share My Road...

(This article I wrote, recently appeared in the SA Mens Health Magazine in July 2008 as the letter of the month)

I Share MY Road…

MY road? Well it’s not really MY road, I don’t really own it, in fact I don’t even live on it, but I do run it almost everyday and in my head that makes it MY road. I set out at about 5:15am most mornings and I share MY road with so many others.

There are the sprinters, the joggers and the walkers. What strikes me most about these people is that they are not wearing the latest in high tech running shoes or specially designed shirts to wick sweat from the body as they cover the kilometers. No GPS heart rate monitors strapped on these chest. In fact most are in ordinary clothes, overalls, construction boots, reflective security jackets, in fact, just about anything.

They are not running to get fit or to complete some race they have circled on a calendar, they are running to get to work, to catch a taxi, to make a change of shift or even to get home after pulling an all nighter. They are running to bring home the money they need to live, they are truly professional athletes.

We nod to each other as we pass and sometimes even share a greeting over the music blaring from my iPod. And each day I am reminded just how fortunate I am to have the opportunity and the means to choose when I run, to choose why I run and to choose where I run.

So to all those who share MY road with me, thank you for the lessons you teach me everyday and Gods speed and safety on your journey.

Mike Said
Somewhere on MY Road
Senderwood