Thursday, March 31, 2011
10 months, 10 weeks, 10 days...
One and a half days! Man time flies. Here I sit a day and a half out, I hope to be in the last hour or so of my race this time 48 hours from now. Crazy right. First off I want to thank God for all the time and health to be able to prepare for this. I want to thank Emily, Annie, and Cameron for letting me sneak out and log some miles and for supporting me in my goal. My work has also been a great source of encouragement and letting me take long lunches and bail out early many days to get the time in. I am blown away at how many friends have been with me supporting me asking me and most of all believing in me, I am honored and touched by all of you. There is nothing more I can do till the gun fires for my heat. All the hours all the pain all the doubt, all the belief and will have been put in. I am going to leave it all out on the course, me and God running the race laid out for me. I will be using all of the well wishes and thinking of all of you that have believed in me when I was not so sure I made a smart decision signing up for this to keep me going forward. Bib number 2403 Craig Stevens 44 Ventura CA, you can see how I am doing on the Ironman site they will post up my times as I move throughout the race. I see my beautiful wife and kids at the finish line, Its a good picture in my mind. I will cry if I cross the finish line or not. Its been such a journey, I am transformed physically I have lost 40 pounds, I can not even remember the last time I was under 200 pounds. I am closer to God and so grateful for the time we spent together training. No matter what happens Saturday I will praise God. I love run rule #1 No form of locomotion other then running, walking, or crawling is allowed. Good to know I can crawl across if I have to. This morning I was stressing and worrying about the whole deal and I got an email with the time and location for the Iron Prayer meeting and knowing I am not alone out there has changed my stress level in a good way. I will keep you all up to date as I can. Keep the thoughts and prayers coming.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
2 weeks or 14 days or 336 hours
Actually a little less since its 10 at night.
Still hard to believe that its coming up so quick. The favorite question at this point is "Are you ready? yes...no...maybe...I sure hope so, not much I can do to change it at this point. I have done my best to get all the training in that I can. I know that God will be with me on this, it has been as much a spiritual event as mental and physical.
Funny how sports are the perfect analogy for just about everything. You play like you practice is one I use all the time to my softball and baseball kids. Leave it all out on the field, dont come in thinking I could have/should have done more, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little extra. I cant be 2 weeks out without having done the last 6 months of running, riding, swimming, spinning, push/pull ups, sit ups, eating right, sleeping, and praying. You gotta put the time in, cant get to the starting line without putting in hours and miles. "For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).
I swam in the ocean today. A shock to the hands and feet, the water was cold! Spending an hour in it should be fun. I was told that the wetsuit and the salt water would make me float more, I had no idea how much. I am impressed. I need to spend some more time in the ocean in the next 14 days for sure, so I am not freaked out come start time. I will be in wave 4, 5, or 6 starting at 6:50, 6:53, or 6:56 which gives me a good bit of time to finish before they close the course. I just hope my slow pace does not get me swam over by the 17 waves after me. I hope I have a bright swim cap. Randy thinks I am ready,he has never thought I could not do this and I am grateful for his help and encouragement.
I had a lot more to say when I sat down to type. It has all faded away though...I am humbled and overwhelmed, grateful that I am 2 weeks out. God has been so good to me, Emily and the kids have been wonderful for allowing me to go swim, ride, run, sleep a bit longer, my job has been supportive and encouraging, all of my friends have been there keeping me on task and honest about my training, a man named Skip who I have never met has helped with my rookie questions. I have no idea what to expect on April 2nd, but I am going to leave it all out on the course, I am doing this for God, Emily, Annie, Cameron and all of you.
When I remember what else I had planned on posting, I will
Still hard to believe that its coming up so quick. The favorite question at this point is "Are you ready? yes...no...maybe...I sure hope so, not much I can do to change it at this point. I have done my best to get all the training in that I can. I know that God will be with me on this, it has been as much a spiritual event as mental and physical.
Funny how sports are the perfect analogy for just about everything. You play like you practice is one I use all the time to my softball and baseball kids. Leave it all out on the field, dont come in thinking I could have/should have done more, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little extra. I cant be 2 weeks out without having done the last 6 months of running, riding, swimming, spinning, push/pull ups, sit ups, eating right, sleeping, and praying. You gotta put the time in, cant get to the starting line without putting in hours and miles. "For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).
I swam in the ocean today. A shock to the hands and feet, the water was cold! Spending an hour in it should be fun. I was told that the wetsuit and the salt water would make me float more, I had no idea how much. I am impressed. I need to spend some more time in the ocean in the next 14 days for sure, so I am not freaked out come start time. I will be in wave 4, 5, or 6 starting at 6:50, 6:53, or 6:56 which gives me a good bit of time to finish before they close the course. I just hope my slow pace does not get me swam over by the 17 waves after me. I hope I have a bright swim cap. Randy thinks I am ready,he has never thought I could not do this and I am grateful for his help and encouragement.
I had a lot more to say when I sat down to type. It has all faded away though...I am humbled and overwhelmed, grateful that I am 2 weeks out. God has been so good to me, Emily and the kids have been wonderful for allowing me to go swim, ride, run, sleep a bit longer, my job has been supportive and encouraging, all of my friends have been there keeping me on task and honest about my training, a man named Skip who I have never met has helped with my rookie questions. I have no idea what to expect on April 2nd, but I am going to leave it all out on the course, I am doing this for God, Emily, Annie, Cameron and all of you.
When I remember what else I had planned on posting, I will
Monday, March 7, 2011
T minus 26 days
Its hard to believe that the Ironman is in 26 days. When I signed up I had forever till April 2nd. Funny how 30 days can seem like forever when you are waiting for something or how quickly 30 days becomes 1.
I had a great week of training last week. Some days I feel like I could ride or run and yes even now swim forever. Then other times before, during, or after I feel like I cant even go one more foot. I think that they should call the events a quad not a tri. You have the swim, bike, run, and the forth is the mental part. Its really a mental challenge as much as physical. I am really trying now to keep in mind pace, I know from past events that the emotion of the day will make me feel like going super fast, then bonking way too soon. I have not used music for quite some time now and being in my head for hours on end can be a scary place. I also find it funny that I can remember song lyrics from 20 year old songs when I hear the music but can only remember one annoying verse or song I dont want in my head without music. So I pray, I use Dore's just keep swimming/running/ridding, or the one two, one two, one two. I am a chatty kind of guy maybe on race day I will find another snail that like to chat.
I really appreciate all of the support I am getting. I cant tell you how much it helps to be asked how is the training going? It keeps me on task and honest. Most of all though I am so grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to do this.
I had a great week of training last week. Some days I feel like I could ride or run and yes even now swim forever. Then other times before, during, or after I feel like I cant even go one more foot. I think that they should call the events a quad not a tri. You have the swim, bike, run, and the forth is the mental part. Its really a mental challenge as much as physical. I am really trying now to keep in mind pace, I know from past events that the emotion of the day will make me feel like going super fast, then bonking way too soon. I have not used music for quite some time now and being in my head for hours on end can be a scary place. I also find it funny that I can remember song lyrics from 20 year old songs when I hear the music but can only remember one annoying verse or song I dont want in my head without music. So I pray, I use Dore's just keep swimming/running/ridding, or the one two, one two, one two. I am a chatty kind of guy maybe on race day I will find another snail that like to chat.
I really appreciate all of the support I am getting. I cant tell you how much it helps to be asked how is the training going? It keeps me on task and honest. Most of all though I am so grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to do this.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT
Today God has made something possible I did not think was going to happen. I actually swam OVER A MILE in large non stopping chunks. I am besides myself at the moment.
I had a goal to do 500 without stopping today which would have been reason enough to celebrate since I have not done that to date. I usually swim 100's, or 50s' with breaks on the wall. I have been thinking and praying about the fact that the ocean has no walls every 100 yards. In the pool I can take it easy because there is a wall. But come race day I have to as Dore in Nemo says "just keep swimming...just keep swimming" Today I was going to break my own record and do 500.
I started out the 500 and about 300 I was thinking that's good, but stuck with it and made the 500. Praise God. Then I set out to do it again at 500 I just kept going and going and going like the energizer bunny in water and did 1000 yards! No way! Way! I praise God and think I am feeling good lets try for another 500 so I just keep swimming and I lost count because I was so excited but I think I ended up doing another 650 0r 700 yards or so. All together over 1.2 miles with only 2 small breaks.
A word on form an function...it was not pretty or efficient but I found a rhythm that worked. Now I just hope I can find that same rhythm again. I was under the Life Guard tower where I dont like to go because I dont want them laughing at me the whole time but it was the only lane open. I swam to swim today with out thinking to much and just doing.
Thanks to all who have said prayers keep them coming. A special thanks to Randy (aka coach Randy) for not giving up on me and even sacrificing his eyes so I could use his goggles the other day when I forgot mine. He looked stoned for 2 days--sorry and thanks. By the way I think it was the cool goggles that helped today Randy. There has also been a guy on the Iamtri site Skip that has been a great encouragement to me. He has done several races and has taken the time to answer my silly questions of a newbie. Which is one thing I love about sports, even though its a race some people still take the time to pass along advice and wisdom to help others. a cool thing for sure.
39 days to go and today I feel like I am on track in all 3 events.
I had a goal to do 500 without stopping today which would have been reason enough to celebrate since I have not done that to date. I usually swim 100's, or 50s' with breaks on the wall. I have been thinking and praying about the fact that the ocean has no walls every 100 yards. In the pool I can take it easy because there is a wall. But come race day I have to as Dore in Nemo says "just keep swimming...just keep swimming" Today I was going to break my own record and do 500.
I started out the 500 and about 300 I was thinking that's good, but stuck with it and made the 500. Praise God. Then I set out to do it again at 500 I just kept going and going and going like the energizer bunny in water and did 1000 yards! No way! Way! I praise God and think I am feeling good lets try for another 500 so I just keep swimming and I lost count because I was so excited but I think I ended up doing another 650 0r 700 yards or so. All together over 1.2 miles with only 2 small breaks.
A word on form an function...it was not pretty or efficient but I found a rhythm that worked. Now I just hope I can find that same rhythm again. I was under the Life Guard tower where I dont like to go because I dont want them laughing at me the whole time but it was the only lane open. I swam to swim today with out thinking to much and just doing.
Thanks to all who have said prayers keep them coming. A special thanks to Randy (aka coach Randy) for not giving up on me and even sacrificing his eyes so I could use his goggles the other day when I forgot mine. He looked stoned for 2 days--sorry and thanks. By the way I think it was the cool goggles that helped today Randy. There has also been a guy on the Iamtri site Skip that has been a great encouragement to me. He has done several races and has taken the time to answer my silly questions of a newbie. Which is one thing I love about sports, even though its a race some people still take the time to pass along advice and wisdom to help others. a cool thing for sure.
39 days to go and today I feel like I am on track in all 3 events.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Holy Brick
Yesterday I did one of the hardest workouts I have done in some time (maybe ever). A brick workout is when you stack 2 workouts on top of each other. I did 3 bricks or I started a wall yesterday.
After church I got on the bike and rode out to Peck road in Santa Paula and back 15 miles (52 minutes). It was an awesome ride heading to the mountains with snow covering them. Cold and windy though, glad I had on my long sleeve shirt, wind breaker, and gloves. Then I put on my running shoes took off the wind breaker and gloves ran almost to Victoria and back home (I was shooting for 2 miles, ends up I went 2.86 miles 24 minutes) Changed shoes put on the jacket and gloves rode back out to Santa Paula and back 15 more miles (55 minutes). Came home changed shoes and ran again 26 minutes. Grabbed a bar and some G2 and headed out to Santa Paula again the first 10 miles were great the last 5 I was digging deep for energy and desire (1 hour 2 minutes). Then the final run 27 minutes. I felt OK slow but what a workout.
I thought that I would not be able to walk today, but the legs feel OK. I am however, going to take the day off and recover.
Last week I swam 1.1 miles! Not all in a row but I did the distance, if I did my math correct in the pool I would have did the last 50 to make 1.2 miles but I know I can do it now I just have to get in the ocean and see how that goes with out walls on each end.
The event is 40 days out. A lot can happen in 40 days! 6 weeks seems like a long time but it will be here before I know it. I feel like I am on track for the most part. God is good and is keeping me healthy. Phil 4:13 I can do all things though God who strengthens me.
The endurance stage goes for one more week, then active recovery and then competitive stage followed by the taper and finally the CA Ironman.
After church I got on the bike and rode out to Peck road in Santa Paula and back 15 miles (52 minutes). It was an awesome ride heading to the mountains with snow covering them. Cold and windy though, glad I had on my long sleeve shirt, wind breaker, and gloves. Then I put on my running shoes took off the wind breaker and gloves ran almost to Victoria and back home (I was shooting for 2 miles, ends up I went 2.86 miles 24 minutes) Changed shoes put on the jacket and gloves rode back out to Santa Paula and back 15 more miles (55 minutes). Came home changed shoes and ran again 26 minutes. Grabbed a bar and some G2 and headed out to Santa Paula again the first 10 miles were great the last 5 I was digging deep for energy and desire (1 hour 2 minutes). Then the final run 27 minutes. I felt OK slow but what a workout.
I thought that I would not be able to walk today, but the legs feel OK. I am however, going to take the day off and recover.
Last week I swam 1.1 miles! Not all in a row but I did the distance, if I did my math correct in the pool I would have did the last 50 to make 1.2 miles but I know I can do it now I just have to get in the ocean and see how that goes with out walls on each end.
The event is 40 days out. A lot can happen in 40 days! 6 weeks seems like a long time but it will be here before I know it. I feel like I am on track for the most part. God is good and is keeping me healthy. Phil 4:13 I can do all things though God who strengthens me.
The endurance stage goes for one more week, then active recovery and then competitive stage followed by the taper and finally the CA Ironman.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Opposition
I have been facing a whole lot of opposition on my goal to finish the California Ironman, I felt this week like I should scrap the whole idea. I had a bad week of swimming last week and was sick over the weekend, still have something in the chest/lungs. This is one of the hardest physical things I have ever set out to do. What was I thinking anyway, crazy that's what. I could just chalk it up to a great weight loss plan--after all I have lost 23 pounds and all my clothes fit and people notice a change.
I have a problem though, I don't want to quit. I don't feel like God is telling me to quit, I want to finish to give God honor and glory. I want to do it for my kids, to show them that hard work and dedication can accomplish things. I want to do it for my wife, she is so awesome and her faith has proved to me that I can get through this. I want to do it for the people who said that I have inspired them to do something, to get moving, to set a goal. And I want to do it for the people who think I am a bit crazy for even trying. I want to do it for me, quitting is easy, justification to quit is easy, rationalization is easy. I feel God has a purpose for me in this.
So why all the struggle this week? I was really down and beaten. Fear took over and failure was an option. I have read that the enemy loves to oppose joy. Crush those dreams and goals make me feel less than, make me feel worthless.
Yesterday I told Emily how I was feeling, she is behind me either way and will love me whatever I choose to do. I emailed my friend Doug whom I have raced with and trained with for many events. He said many wonderful things and even through in this quote "You can't put a limit on anything. the more you dream,the farther you get." Michael Phelps. I ran yesterday 4.6 miles coughed up a 1/2 lung and felt OK. I probably could have taken another day off and let the lungs clear, but it was a good run--a not quitting run. One of the lines from a Train song that I heard on the run stuck out (I usually don't remember the songs I hear) "I wont give up if you don't give up" " I need a sign to let me know your here" "I wont give up if you don't give up"
After a great bible study this morning, where we talked about the boldness of Steven standing up against the Sanhedrin looking to God filled with the Holy Spirit and taking his faith to death. I asked the guys to pray for my swim, I feel like I am at the cross roads, do it or not. The thing about the swim is you have to swim, on the bike you can coast, on the run you can walk...on the swim you have to swim or sink.
I took the kids to school and decided to spin for a 1/2 hour in the garage to keep the legs moving. I had a good workout 13 miles and a lot of sweat and coughing. Then I am in the shower after some push ups, pull ups and crunches. A thought pops into my mind, the enemy oppresses joy, he does not want me to have the joy, he does not want me to give God glory as I raise my hands to God as I cross the finish line. I got out of the shower and I prayed, I prayed for God to fill those oppressing thoughts, I also told the devil to take a hike, he has no hold on me or my joy. As my friend said this morning "I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phil 4:13.
I am at work feeling good about myself and my hope that this will be the week that "I get it" the swim that is, I get an email from the FCA (Fellowship of Christan Athletes) Endurance the group that does triathlons for God. The main story was of a woman that qualified for Kona the big daddy of Ironman and found out she had a broken bone in her foot 2 weeks before the race. She felt God wanted her to be there so she raced with one shoe and a walking cast. She was inspired to wear a shirt that said "I CAN" on the front and "Phil 4:13" on the back, she said that the light of love and hope that followed her on that day was amazing. She also was on the recap of that race that aired on NBC a few weeks back and I remember seeing her while Cameron and I watched the race.
In that same CAN DO attitude, I CAN, I WILL, with strength from my God.
I have a problem though, I don't want to quit. I don't feel like God is telling me to quit, I want to finish to give God honor and glory. I want to do it for my kids, to show them that hard work and dedication can accomplish things. I want to do it for my wife, she is so awesome and her faith has proved to me that I can get through this. I want to do it for the people who said that I have inspired them to do something, to get moving, to set a goal. And I want to do it for the people who think I am a bit crazy for even trying. I want to do it for me, quitting is easy, justification to quit is easy, rationalization is easy. I feel God has a purpose for me in this.
So why all the struggle this week? I was really down and beaten. Fear took over and failure was an option. I have read that the enemy loves to oppose joy. Crush those dreams and goals make me feel less than, make me feel worthless.
Yesterday I told Emily how I was feeling, she is behind me either way and will love me whatever I choose to do. I emailed my friend Doug whom I have raced with and trained with for many events. He said many wonderful things and even through in this quote "You can't put a limit on anything. the more you dream,the farther you get." Michael Phelps. I ran yesterday 4.6 miles coughed up a 1/2 lung and felt OK. I probably could have taken another day off and let the lungs clear, but it was a good run--a not quitting run. One of the lines from a Train song that I heard on the run stuck out (I usually don't remember the songs I hear) "I wont give up if you don't give up" " I need a sign to let me know your here" "I wont give up if you don't give up"
After a great bible study this morning, where we talked about the boldness of Steven standing up against the Sanhedrin looking to God filled with the Holy Spirit and taking his faith to death. I asked the guys to pray for my swim, I feel like I am at the cross roads, do it or not. The thing about the swim is you have to swim, on the bike you can coast, on the run you can walk...on the swim you have to swim or sink.
I took the kids to school and decided to spin for a 1/2 hour in the garage to keep the legs moving. I had a good workout 13 miles and a lot of sweat and coughing. Then I am in the shower after some push ups, pull ups and crunches. A thought pops into my mind, the enemy oppresses joy, he does not want me to have the joy, he does not want me to give God glory as I raise my hands to God as I cross the finish line. I got out of the shower and I prayed, I prayed for God to fill those oppressing thoughts, I also told the devil to take a hike, he has no hold on me or my joy. As my friend said this morning "I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phil 4:13.
I am at work feeling good about myself and my hope that this will be the week that "I get it" the swim that is, I get an email from the FCA (Fellowship of Christan Athletes) Endurance the group that does triathlons for God. The main story was of a woman that qualified for Kona the big daddy of Ironman and found out she had a broken bone in her foot 2 weeks before the race. She felt God wanted her to be there so she raced with one shoe and a walking cast. She was inspired to wear a shirt that said "I CAN" on the front and "Phil 4:13" on the back, she said that the light of love and hope that followed her on that day was amazing. She also was on the recap of that race that aired on NBC a few weeks back and I remember seeing her while Cameron and I watched the race.
In that same CAN DO attitude, I CAN, I WILL, with strength from my God.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Discouraged, beat down...but not defeated!
It has been a hard 30 days with all the busyness of December all the extra food and sweets around and a lack of time. I have not been feeling as if I can do this race; actually I have stopped calling it a race and started calling it an event...since I am not really racing anyone but the clock.
The pool was closed for 2 weeks, so I could not swim and the ocean was not a place to be after all the rain, so I did not get my swims in. I struggled when I did get back in the pool and wanted to be farther along then I was. Last Monday I had a really bad swim, then Tuesday I had a really bad run, followed by another bad swim on Wednesday. I was really discouraged, beat down and felt defeated and I was really questioning my ability to to do the event. Since its only going to get harder.
My poor swimming habits (breathing) were making it really hard to go the distance. Holding my breath and sucking in water were not helping me go very far. I surrendered, gave up/in and prayed for help. Went online to the discussion group for the race and posted my frustration. I received a quick reply of encouragement and a few ideas, I also went to the web (everything can be found there) and watched so really good training videos with some drills. Randy was great he has been showing up and telling me I can do it, but I was not hearing him. With Randy's and Skips encouragement I set out on Thursday to try to swim without expectation and focus on doing it right even if I only could swim 100 yards. I practiced the drills and felt ok about the day.
Friday I ran with the kids from Em's class at Arroyo Verde and had a great run, then it was time to meet Randy at the pool. I was going to just do 25 yards at a time focusing on my stroke and breathing. Really when I think about it if God wanted us to breath in the water we would look more like a fish! I swam 1000 yards a bit over a 1/2 mile, 25 yards at a time. That works out to 40 laps and I did 30 very well. I ended the week hopeful. once again.
The weather was awesome on Saturday for a ride so Ryan and I headed out to Wheeler Canyon and had a great 30 mile ride.
Heard a great message on Friday about my idol (finishing the race) I forgot that without God I am not going to do it at all and I was reminded to bring him with me. Then on Sunday heard another great message about knocking out the negative thoughts and staying positive. Pastor Matt even ended the sermon with a Ironman story.
Today is Monday I had a good swim, not perfect but getting better did 1250 or .71 miles, I think I am so close to figuring it out. I tried to run holding my breath every 3 seconds and its not a good way to run. I just have to swim like I run so I can keep moving without starving for oxygen which make me tired and my stroke fall apart.
A big plus has been having people to ride and swim with. So if you want to join me on a swim, ride or run lets do it.
The pool was closed for 2 weeks, so I could not swim and the ocean was not a place to be after all the rain, so I did not get my swims in. I struggled when I did get back in the pool and wanted to be farther along then I was. Last Monday I had a really bad swim, then Tuesday I had a really bad run, followed by another bad swim on Wednesday. I was really discouraged, beat down and felt defeated and I was really questioning my ability to to do the event. Since its only going to get harder.
My poor swimming habits (breathing) were making it really hard to go the distance. Holding my breath and sucking in water were not helping me go very far. I surrendered, gave up/in and prayed for help. Went online to the discussion group for the race and posted my frustration. I received a quick reply of encouragement and a few ideas, I also went to the web (everything can be found there) and watched so really good training videos with some drills. Randy was great he has been showing up and telling me I can do it, but I was not hearing him. With Randy's and Skips encouragement I set out on Thursday to try to swim without expectation and focus on doing it right even if I only could swim 100 yards. I practiced the drills and felt ok about the day.
Friday I ran with the kids from Em's class at Arroyo Verde and had a great run, then it was time to meet Randy at the pool. I was going to just do 25 yards at a time focusing on my stroke and breathing. Really when I think about it if God wanted us to breath in the water we would look more like a fish! I swam 1000 yards a bit over a 1/2 mile, 25 yards at a time. That works out to 40 laps and I did 30 very well. I ended the week hopeful. once again.
The weather was awesome on Saturday for a ride so Ryan and I headed out to Wheeler Canyon and had a great 30 mile ride.
Heard a great message on Friday about my idol (finishing the race) I forgot that without God I am not going to do it at all and I was reminded to bring him with me. Then on Sunday heard another great message about knocking out the negative thoughts and staying positive. Pastor Matt even ended the sermon with a Ironman story.
Today is Monday I had a good swim, not perfect but getting better did 1250 or .71 miles, I think I am so close to figuring it out. I tried to run holding my breath every 3 seconds and its not a good way to run. I just have to swim like I run so I can keep moving without starving for oxygen which make me tired and my stroke fall apart.
A big plus has been having people to ride and swim with. So if you want to join me on a swim, ride or run lets do it.
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