Advice from a River – Go with the Flow

From Advice From a River by Ilan Shamir:

Live simply and gracefully in Your own True Nature

moving, flowing, allowing,

serene and on course

It takes time to carve the beauty of the canyon

rough waters become smooth

Go around the obstacles

Stay current

The beauty is in the journey!

My goal race and focus for this year is a sub-9 hour race at Ironman Coeur d’Alene (2.4-mile swim / 112-mile bike / 26.2-mile run) the end of June.

After racing 4 triathlons in 3 days from May 21-23 as part of Triple-T (TTT) in Ohio (read my Triple-T race report), I became just like “Angry Closet Monkey” from Family Guy or perhaps I was could be more appropriately named “Tired, Stressed-out, Irritable Closet Monkey.”

After TTT, I had hit a low point in my Ironman training.  My right hip hurt all the time.  I was exhausted and in a frequent state of anxiety from a combination of organizing or racing events every single weekend since early April.  Little things set me off and I was grouchy and irritable.  My goal for another sub-9 Ironman at Coeur d’Alene seemed simply unattainable.  I had reached a point where I was considering the plug on Coeur d’Alene and just calling it quits.

It is always so, so tempting to give up on an epic goal and choose an easier path.

Truthfully, around every bend of every epic journey is a new challenge.  Consequently, the journey is all about the highs and lows and everything in between.

In spite of my week of lowest lows, I swam the fastest 2-miles I’ve ever swum at the Jim McDonnell 2-Mile Lake Swim in Reston last weekend by several minutes.  My hard work in swimming and working with Coach Doug Alban at Goucher College Masters was reaping results.

Furthermore, after a visit to Ted Annenberg, L.Ac., P.C. in Columbia, MD on Thursday for contemporary acupuncture, dry needling and Kinesio Tape, I now feel no discomfort or pain in my hip.  One visit.  Wow!?!?!  How did he do that?  I honestly don’t know, but it worked.

Yesterday, the inaugural Shenandoah Valley Sprint Triathlon, which I organize, went off without a hitch thanks to all the incredible volunteers, safety personnel, Luray Parks Staff, business partners and community sport.

Tomorrow starts a new day and a new week.

I’ve successfully navigated past several challenges, recognized some “Wins” and am now ready to focus on the last 3 weeks of my journey to Ironman Coeur d’Alene where something very, very special will happen.  I believe it.

Go with the flow.  Stay the course.  The beauty is in the journey!

Live strongly and boldly!

David

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David B. Glover, MS, CSCS
Triathlon Coach, Athlete and Writer
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine: Fitting Iron Distance Training into Every Day Life
Web: enduranceworks.net

© 2010 David B. Glover