I feel good. I have my health. I have no injuries. I have a positive outlook. I’m excited about the new year and the experiences it will bring.
My goals for the upcoming year are quite simple:
(1) Finish an Ironman-distance race in 8:2X (under 8:30) – that’s the time I want to see on the finish line clock when I cross the line. This is an objective goal that is easily measurable – either I make it or I don’t.
(2) Live a more balanced life. While I accomplished a lot last year, racing 3x Ironman races and race directing 6 triathlons in 3 months (including 3 back to back to back directing weekends) was a little much. I did all that successfully, and I’m very happy to have the experience under my belt, but it came with a plethora of anxiety, stress and exhaustion – both physical and mental. I just wasn’t a fun person to be around.
(3) Live a more meaningful life. Another nebulous goal, but one that I feel has more depth than the first two. What is meaningful to me? That’s what I want to find. I know that it includes developing deeper relationships with my friends and my family. I know that encompasses expanding my experiences and reaching outside of my comfort soon. I know that it does not include collecting more things, but rather simplifying my life.
Why these goals?
Why not, I say. An 8:2X Ironman is a goal that I’ve had on my mind for quite some time but the second two I formulated only five minutes ago when I began typing this journal entry. Because the second two are so subjective, the goal for each is not necessarily a measurable end state but rather the experience towards an aspirational outcome.
Let me provide more context on why these goals and what I’m all about. In September last year, I was contemplating doing something ludicrous – attempting to complete 24x Ironman races in a year. A friend asked me simply, “Why?” I copied my answer below:
A primary motivation for me is fear.
Fundamentally, I am afraid of “not living.”
I am afraid of looking back on my life one day and thinking, “I wish I had…” or “I wonder if…”, etc. I don’t want to be like my parents’ friend who retired early this year after working hard for 30 years and never taking a vacation with the intent to spend the rest of his life enjoying life. He died of a heart attack the next weekend. Dead. Gone. No more. Game over.
I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 23. That was a wake up call. A slap in the face. A few years later, I almost died from a yellow jacket sting when I was biking on the W&OD. When I arrived at the Herndon Fire Department for help, my vision was blurred and the paramedic couldn’t read my blood pressure initially because it was so low. A few years ago, I was in multi-car collision on a California interstate at 65 mph. I’ve been intentionally “buzzed” by a Fairfax County bus on my bicycle. For some unknown reasons outside of my control, I am still alive. I am thankful to be alive.
A few years ago, I unintentionally started down a path of trying to optimize my life experiences in order to live life to its fullest in everything I do – my job, my hobbies, my friendships and my relationships with others.
In 2006, I walked away from a corporate job because it gave me little satisfaction. I felt like I was stagnating. I was willing to take a chance that if I followed my passions that I could make a living and achieve happiness at the same time. I was willing to risk material comfort and my lifestyle for a chance for more self-satisfaction. I do not regret my decision.
Doing 24 IM’s has nothing to do with ego or arrogance nor is it about an obsession with triathlon (I think). It was everything to do with life experience. Finishing 24 IM’s in a year is both an uncertainty and a tremendous challenge. I am not even sure my body can handle it but I’m willing to take the risk and find out. Truthfully, it does not matter whether I succeed or not – what matters is that I’m willing to pursue something purely for the sake of doing it – i.e. “flow.” It may even open up more doors and opportunities for myself or for others – for example, I could complete the 24 events for the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation in order to create awareness about melanoma.
For me, triathlon is what I do now. I enjoy the sport. I may not do it tomorrow. However, I do want to continue to “push the envelope” while I still enjoy doing it. I have a time goal to go under 8:30, which I think I can do at the Quelle Challenge in Roth, Germany. I could have finished in 8:4X this year at Roth but I made a mistake by not ingesting enough electrolytes on the bike / run until late in the race, which resulted in me cramping on the run. Race directing SavageMan was a huge stretch challenge for me. I’ve never organized something as big or as high profile as that event. I walked away exhausted but with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. That feeling of accomplishment from myself was what I was looking for.
Two years ago, I took a Nordic (cross country) ski lesson from a four-time Olympian in Vermont. I asked him about the Olympic experience and complimented him on his success. He replied back, “You could do it, too. You just need to want it and be willing to work for it.” That struck me as profound.
Twenty-four Ironman races in one year is not in the cards for me this year, as I still want to go faster at the distance. Maybe next year or not. It doesn’t really matter.
Happy New Year!
David
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David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: davidglover.net
Business Web: enduranceworks.net
©2008 David B. Glover
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