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Looking Forward to the Future
Have you ever watched a child riding his bicycle? He seems to be flying through the air feeling the delight of being unattached by gravity to the ground below. Watching this always brings a smile to my face.
I recently saw something that brought on that same smile. I watched as he peddled round and round a long circular driveway, gaining speed, relaxing on the downhill after working the uphill. The smile on his face was no different than that on a young child's face. The difference was that this was my father. My 96-year-old father.
Watching him started me thinking.
I live in a world where people train and compete. We're always looking for the "silver bullet" that will make us stronger and faster. We spend money on upgraded equipment and aerodynamic apparel. Every magazine is read cover-to-cover hoping to find something we might incorporate into our workout schedule. And I believe all this is a good thing. We get faster and stronger and smarter about sport.
But, at least in my case, when I look at why I choose to live like this, it's really because I want to be fit and healthy. I believe that if I stay strong, perhaps I can fight this age thing. And training and competing in triathlons as I do keeps me surrounded by other like-minded folks and reminds me every day that I'm on the right track. Win or lose, I'm enjoying a healthy lifestyle and that's why I do it.
It was a cold day with a bitter wind that cut to the bones as my father pulled up after his joyful spin around the driveway. He gave us a quick "good-by", pushed off, swung his leg over the top tube and settled into his saddle to start his daily bike ride. He cared not a bit that his big ski parka was anything but aerodynamic and that his bright orange helment was nearly as old as he was. He wore a scarf made of old wool socks tied together; around his shoes he wore rubber bands to keep his shoe laces from tangling in the chain. And he also wore the biggest smile you've ever seen. He's 96, he rides his bike every day, rain or shine, and he's beating the odds.
And at that moment, I realized that when I grow up, I want to be just like Dad.
2007 was a banner season for me - a comeback after a lay off in 2006 due to
injuries suffered in a bike crash. How I'd return was an unknown, but I "ran
the table", winning every event I entered: two Olympic triathlons, three
70.3 events and two Ironman races, including the World Championships in
Kona, Hawaii.
To accomplish this, I followed a smart season-long training plan and used
MAP to support that plan. I put in the work and counted on MAP
to do the vital recovery work for me. This strategy took me through this
winning season 100% healthy and strong.
I'm currently enjoying the off-season and will start back in January with my
first Ironman planned in April and MAP by my side. - Cherie Gruenfeld
Articles from Cherie:
Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race Part I - Part II - Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race - Analyzing the Last Season to Have a Better Next Season - Setting the 2006 Calendar - Breaking it Down - Something for Nothing - Work + Recovery = Peak Performance - Getting Back in the Game - To Race or Not to Race? - Kona Moments - PERIODIZATION Ð MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU - New Age Group Record at IM Arizona - Critical Success Factors for a Great Ironman - The Ironman Run: It's a Mind Game - Remain a Competitive Racer - What's This Race All About - To Every Workout There is a Purpose -
My 2008 Resolutions
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Looking Forward to the Future
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How About the Kids? -
Other Kids
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Become An Ironman
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Beware the Pitfalls
To have racing success
Back to the Future
Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3
Circling the Drain
Lessons From Beijing
From the Desk Of Cherie Gruenfeld
Ironman – Now That You've Committed
It's All About the Run
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