I appreciate commitment to a task. Its the worker bee in me, I think. I love to hear about how some people give everything they have to prepare to be the best they can be.
Triathlons are filled with these kinds of people. The reasons are varied. Maybe you started to lose weight and used a race as incentive. Maybe you got in deeper and then decided an Ironman was the next logical (I know, insane) step.
Whatever you choose, its usually for the best reasons and then it is consuming.
Ray Lewis is a future Hall of Fame linebacker with the Ravens. He is supposed to be the enemy in Cleveland, but to be frank, I don't hate this guy. What I respect is the intensity on how he prepares. Its full speed ahead for him. This article in Mens Fitness describes a little bit about how he trains. I imagine if you bought the magazine you would get alittle more than what is offered on line.
I have been down on the NFL sidelines and seen this guy up close. I have been outside his lockeroom as he comes out and gets ready to take the field. I have seen how he riles up his teammates...how he expects them to be great...how he elevates their game. Its amazing to watch and what he has done is lead a defense that over the course of his career has been pretty darn good.
He might breath fire and he is successful. I don't however think everyone can prepare and compete like Ray.
So, why is Ray the way he is and why are you the way that you are?? Elementary question but it might take a team of psychologists to come up with an answer.
I have seen people in triathlon show that intensity and I have seen great results from those folks.. I have seen others who seem quiet and low key and then they hit the water and they are transformed.. On a real personal level, its a case of someone becoming more of what they really are by tackling a tough endurance event. Aches and pains are little obstacles. The plan is being executed and no one can stop them.
Training for the 50 k Winter Buckeye Trail is going well...Hope yours is going well too!!!
Life's a Blast
Triathlons are filled with these kinds of people. The reasons are varied. Maybe you started to lose weight and used a race as incentive. Maybe you got in deeper and then decided an Ironman was the next logical (I know, insane) step.
Whatever you choose, its usually for the best reasons and then it is consuming.
Ray Lewis is a future Hall of Fame linebacker with the Ravens. He is supposed to be the enemy in Cleveland, but to be frank, I don't hate this guy. What I respect is the intensity on how he prepares. Its full speed ahead for him. This article in Mens Fitness describes a little bit about how he trains. I imagine if you bought the magazine you would get alittle more than what is offered on line.
I have been down on the NFL sidelines and seen this guy up close. I have been outside his lockeroom as he comes out and gets ready to take the field. I have seen how he riles up his teammates...how he expects them to be great...how he elevates their game. Its amazing to watch and what he has done is lead a defense that over the course of his career has been pretty darn good.
He might breath fire and he is successful. I don't however think everyone can prepare and compete like Ray.
So, why is Ray the way he is and why are you the way that you are?? Elementary question but it might take a team of psychologists to come up with an answer.
I have seen people in triathlon show that intensity and I have seen great results from those folks.. I have seen others who seem quiet and low key and then they hit the water and they are transformed.. On a real personal level, its a case of someone becoming more of what they really are by tackling a tough endurance event. Aches and pains are little obstacles. The plan is being executed and no one can stop them.
Training for the 50 k Winter Buckeye Trail is going well...Hope yours is going well too!!!
Life's a Blast
19 comments:
Compared to me, it's looking like ole Ray Ray is getting a bit flabby ;-)
Hmm...good points. I think one of the biggest challenges we face when we get out there is our own minds. The really outstanding professional athletes have the mind thing down.
I mean, why did the Cubs choke? The mental pressure.
WHy did the Dodgers lose? Well, they just plain suck. But last night...man...it looked like Little League at times! Why? B/c of the mental game.
People don't realize how real it is, but the point is that to be intense, to be IN IT, your mind has to be 100% trained to know what to do when the pressure is piled on.
Good post, JT. Love the things you ponder!
Nice thoughts. I like those kinds of people too. My wife is definitely one of them!
And where'd you get that photo of me with my shirt off?
;)
Glad your training is going well.
So true wrt the quiet athlete, my tri-friend reflects that everyday...quiet, methodical, "gets the job done"
You're definitely right... aches and pain are only LITTLE obstacles when it comes to tris. Nice post :)
that guy's an animal on the field. I wouldn't want to go up against him on the field. he'd knock my head off. More pros should train like him. They are getting paid for it.
Cool post, JT!
:-)
Jodi
Glad to hear your 50k training is going well.
Intensity? wondering myself he comes out better at the end.
Very cool post, JT. My boys would think you have the coolest job in the world getting to see those NFL players up close! Any neat tidbits about Witten or Ware from the Cowboys I could tell them about??
Love the thoughts about what makes us the way we are. Makes you think. I am generally a calm, quiet person but something changes when I get on the bike with hills and speed. I've been know to hoot and holler and growl, and it's so fun! I started running/triathlon to deal with grief, but along with helping me through that it's taught me so much more :-)
Have fun with the 50K training!! I know you will ;)
Good post JT! I'm glad that your training is going well :-)
And is that a new quote I see over there? ;-) I dig it! ;D
keep up the 50K training. i agree - triathletes are focussed on task!
From the home of Ray Lewis, thanks for checking out my blog!
Certainly anyone that can focus on training for an endurance event has at least a piece of what Ray's got (at least I'd like to think so.) Whether it's a marathon, triathlon, or century ride, you've got to get through months of sometimes grueling training. Ray most certainly takes it to another level.
All these people talking about me - Ray...wow.
I will take anything away from the way Lewis prepares and the plays the game. I still have issues about his off field antics years ago. I think I am one of those strange birds who actually think athlete should act like the role models they actually are.
Hmm... I've often wondered about this too; where does the drive come from? How come certain people "hit the water and...are transformed"?
I have never come to any clear conclusion but man, do I like it!
Your post reminds me of the quote by Lou Holtz that I used to have on my blog:
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
I love when athletes, regardless of their sport, have confidence without ego. Those athletes who understand the competition is bigger than any one athlete out there. But everyone together...well that's something.
Very cool post (as always ;)) JT.
(btw I live in Baltimore, but am a die-hard skins fan ;))
I hear ya'. You bring up some interesting thoughts to chew on...
I just read (the first half of) Mental Toughness which is aimed at baseball players (which is why I only got through half), and it surprised me how much people in team sports have to prepare. I always thought their jobs were kind of kushy, but I guess not... Turns out they have to work pretty darned hard just to run around that tiny littly Baseball diamond...
I can't seem to comment on your latest posts, so I'll just comment here.
Awesome list! My favorite is clearly writing the number longhand. I'm going to ask for that next time.
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