I've opened a new chapter in the sport. After two years on the Titans board, I was acclaimed president earlier this month for 2013.
Tim Moore, President
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Steep pitch
My best friend this week wrote that life is as simple or as complicated as one chooses. In racing as in life there are times when you can't deny results. Doubts emerge, whether warranted or not. Am I doing the right thing? Why am I doing what I am doing? Should I be doing something else?
I can only speak for myself. My fastest Ironman came in 2003 and my second fastest in 2004. That is an increasingly longer time ago. I can't deny the reality that my pursuit of a Sub 10 finish seems further and further from reach. Perhaps I have lost it? (That is rhetorical!)
My pursuit of that Sub 10 is as legitimate to me now as ever. I believe it is not only within reach but that it is easily within my potential. I am far fitter now than ever. I am far more ready when race day arrives. I just haven't - for some reason that remains elusive and I am determined to uncover - achieved it, yet. (I think the key is within my mind, to trust myself, to relax and let it happen.)
My Ironman dream is more alive each day. I don't constantly think about it but it is never far from my present thoughts. It is more vivid. It is more real to me. It is a sign of how much I love being a triathlete. Reading this might suggest I have lost perspective but I can assure you that I am fierecly grounded. Ironman is simply a part of my life, not even close to being the most important.
Each of us set objectives for ourselves, most not sport focused. For some the objective is very low and for others very high. My advice to anyone who is interested, reach as high as you can and then climb up the tallest ladder you can beg, borrow or steal (temporarily). Push yourself or find someone who can push you. Challenge yourself to be the absolute best you can be. never give in, never give up. Be open to constructive criticism. Be honest about your effort. Be willing to rethink, reasses and to reach out for help.
We at times doggedly pursue our objectives. I say doggedly after being reminded again this week by our Luka that the pursuit of happiness - in his case chasing a tennis ball on the beach - is worth a few sand blisters. It is similar to how I felt, in a way, with the soreness that comes while, and after, racing. You learn to embrace it and accept it. Walking awkwardly for a few days after a race is a sign I put in a solid effort.
A week ago I ran a marathon. It was a challenging day with crazy wind and heavy rain. I had the option of not starting. I wasn't alone. There were about 9300 entered, more than 2000 chose not to start and several hundred others did not finish. As I said, the weather was crazy.
My silent objective was to run Sub 3. I was confident that I would finish faster than 3:10 and reset my personal best. Somewhere along the road I lost my focus and while I recovered, I left myself with too little road to stop the clock as fast as I would have liked. I ran 3:14.
In terms of the numbers, the race was neither my best, nor my worse. At the moment it ranks as my third fastest, my fastest in five years. I always look for context - the result of more than 12 years of writing nut graphs at Bloomberg News in Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney.
The day that I stop loving what I do or the day that I stop trying to improve is the day that it is time to do something else. Until then it is 110 percent about moving forward on the paths I have chosen, with the people who I connect with.
This week I pared back some friends on Facebook. I have a simple rule: if you can't be bothered to even 'Like' something that I post once in a while, then we aren't really friends. That is OK.
The things that I do with my life and the people I want in my life must be like-minded. Just because the road ahead is steep is no reason to look for an alternative. Failure is a positive because we learn far more from adversity, I think.
As we prepare to drive north this weekend we are in reflective moods. It has been a week of highs and lows, not unlike the past year. We were blessed with three stunning late autumn days, ocean breezes, sand on our boots and some breathtaking views.
I was awake early this morning, long before daylight. Margreet followed. And now Luka has arrived, smiling, tail wagging, eager for another run on the beach.
I can only speak for myself. My fastest Ironman came in 2003 and my second fastest in 2004. That is an increasingly longer time ago. I can't deny the reality that my pursuit of a Sub 10 finish seems further and further from reach. Perhaps I have lost it? (That is rhetorical!)
My pursuit of that Sub 10 is as legitimate to me now as ever. I believe it is not only within reach but that it is easily within my potential. I am far fitter now than ever. I am far more ready when race day arrives. I just haven't - for some reason that remains elusive and I am determined to uncover - achieved it, yet. (I think the key is within my mind, to trust myself, to relax and let it happen.)
My Ironman dream is more alive each day. I don't constantly think about it but it is never far from my present thoughts. It is more vivid. It is more real to me. It is a sign of how much I love being a triathlete. Reading this might suggest I have lost perspective but I can assure you that I am fierecly grounded. Ironman is simply a part of my life, not even close to being the most important.
Each of us set objectives for ourselves, most not sport focused. For some the objective is very low and for others very high. My advice to anyone who is interested, reach as high as you can and then climb up the tallest ladder you can beg, borrow or steal (temporarily). Push yourself or find someone who can push you. Challenge yourself to be the absolute best you can be. never give in, never give up. Be open to constructive criticism. Be honest about your effort. Be willing to rethink, reasses and to reach out for help.
We at times doggedly pursue our objectives. I say doggedly after being reminded again this week by our Luka that the pursuit of happiness - in his case chasing a tennis ball on the beach - is worth a few sand blisters. It is similar to how I felt, in a way, with the soreness that comes while, and after, racing. You learn to embrace it and accept it. Walking awkwardly for a few days after a race is a sign I put in a solid effort.
A week ago I ran a marathon. It was a challenging day with crazy wind and heavy rain. I had the option of not starting. I wasn't alone. There were about 9300 entered, more than 2000 chose not to start and several hundred others did not finish. As I said, the weather was crazy.
My silent objective was to run Sub 3. I was confident that I would finish faster than 3:10 and reset my personal best. Somewhere along the road I lost my focus and while I recovered, I left myself with too little road to stop the clock as fast as I would have liked. I ran 3:14.
In terms of the numbers, the race was neither my best, nor my worse. At the moment it ranks as my third fastest, my fastest in five years. I always look for context - the result of more than 12 years of writing nut graphs at Bloomberg News in Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney.
The day that I stop loving what I do or the day that I stop trying to improve is the day that it is time to do something else. Until then it is 110 percent about moving forward on the paths I have chosen, with the people who I connect with.
This week I pared back some friends on Facebook. I have a simple rule: if you can't be bothered to even 'Like' something that I post once in a while, then we aren't really friends. That is OK.
The things that I do with my life and the people I want in my life must be like-minded. Just because the road ahead is steep is no reason to look for an alternative. Failure is a positive because we learn far more from adversity, I think.
As we prepare to drive north this weekend we are in reflective moods. It has been a week of highs and lows, not unlike the past year. We were blessed with three stunning late autumn days, ocean breezes, sand on our boots and some breathtaking views.
I was awake early this morning, long before daylight. Margreet followed. And now Luka has arrived, smiling, tail wagging, eager for another run on the beach.
Monday, December 3, 2012
In review and ahead
I hadn't planned to train or race as much as I have this calendar year. As the New Year begins to approach I can say that I have had a superb year. I still love to train, in many ways I have had that renewed this year. I love the feeling that comes from being fit.
My year began with the First Half half marathon in February and it came to a close yesterday on the approach to the State Capitol building in Sacramento at the end of the CIM or California International Marathon. I ran 3:14:10. That was my fastest marathon in more than five years and my third Sub 3:15 finish.
In between I ran a half marathon in Washington state, the April Fool's half marathon on the Sunshine Coast, a 10k down Yonge Street in Toronto, a half ironman in Oliver, a half ironman in Vancouver, the Squamish Triathlon and Ironman Canada.
I am so looking forward to 2013. My race sked is already developing with the First Half, the Victoria half iron in June, the Vancouver half iron in July and Ironman Canada in Whistler. I also will consider the Squamish tri and we may well return to CIM. I want a new marathon PB.
I have so much to be grateful for as the holiday season approaches. First, I have a superbly supportive life partner in Margreet. When it comes to training and racing she inspires, motivates and is my reality check. And she's been challenging me to be a better athlete for 12 years as of this month.
These past 12 months will complete the most productive and also the most frustrating year Margreet has had as an athlete. What put her running on hold in June remains unknown and yet she's swimming and cycling again - after a more than seven year break - in preparation for IMC. She is fearless, a quality that in my opinion is among her greatest strengths.
Second, I am grateful for my health. I don't overthink it but I have been reminded recently of the importance of taking advantage of it. Our days are numbered, our time is limited. Live each day to its fullest. Live in the present as much as one can. Live with less - less stuff, less clutter, less chaos. Focus on right now. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
It is difficult to find one's balance. I struggle with it a lot. It is not that I want more per se, it is that I want better.
Third, I am grateful for all that my Dad does, has done, to care for my Mom. It is about never losing hope despite all the crises and the chaos - and there have been far too many. It is about total commitment.
Fourth, I am grateful for having met a very select group of people who I can tap for advice at the drop of a hat. People who understand the importance of integrity.
I am excited about what lies ahead in 2013 ahletically because it is now firmly part of who I am. Yet I say that my athletic life doesn't define me. I have this blog but I don't have a log book. Being fit is among the most important things in my life because of all the doors that it gives me the potential of opening.
I believe there is still a lot of room for improvement and for me it is increasingly about the little things.
My key focus for 2013 will be 'focus'. I was reminded of it yesterday and I was reminded of it during IMC in late August. I am more determined than ever to get the most out of every training session and every racing opportunity. I will be writing and thinking about it a lot in the pending 12 months.
All the best for the holidays. Merry Christmas!
My year began with the First Half half marathon in February and it came to a close yesterday on the approach to the State Capitol building in Sacramento at the end of the CIM or California International Marathon. I ran 3:14:10. That was my fastest marathon in more than five years and my third Sub 3:15 finish.
In between I ran a half marathon in Washington state, the April Fool's half marathon on the Sunshine Coast, a 10k down Yonge Street in Toronto, a half ironman in Oliver, a half ironman in Vancouver, the Squamish Triathlon and Ironman Canada.
I am so looking forward to 2013. My race sked is already developing with the First Half, the Victoria half iron in June, the Vancouver half iron in July and Ironman Canada in Whistler. I also will consider the Squamish tri and we may well return to CIM. I want a new marathon PB.
I have so much to be grateful for as the holiday season approaches. First, I have a superbly supportive life partner in Margreet. When it comes to training and racing she inspires, motivates and is my reality check. And she's been challenging me to be a better athlete for 12 years as of this month.
These past 12 months will complete the most productive and also the most frustrating year Margreet has had as an athlete. What put her running on hold in June remains unknown and yet she's swimming and cycling again - after a more than seven year break - in preparation for IMC. She is fearless, a quality that in my opinion is among her greatest strengths.
Second, I am grateful for my health. I don't overthink it but I have been reminded recently of the importance of taking advantage of it. Our days are numbered, our time is limited. Live each day to its fullest. Live in the present as much as one can. Live with less - less stuff, less clutter, less chaos. Focus on right now. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
It is difficult to find one's balance. I struggle with it a lot. It is not that I want more per se, it is that I want better.
Third, I am grateful for all that my Dad does, has done, to care for my Mom. It is about never losing hope despite all the crises and the chaos - and there have been far too many. It is about total commitment.
Fourth, I am grateful for having met a very select group of people who I can tap for advice at the drop of a hat. People who understand the importance of integrity.
I am excited about what lies ahead in 2013 ahletically because it is now firmly part of who I am. Yet I say that my athletic life doesn't define me. I have this blog but I don't have a log book. Being fit is among the most important things in my life because of all the doors that it gives me the potential of opening.
I believe there is still a lot of room for improvement and for me it is increasingly about the little things.
My key focus for 2013 will be 'focus'. I was reminded of it yesterday and I was reminded of it during IMC in late August. I am more determined than ever to get the most out of every training session and every racing opportunity. I will be writing and thinking about it a lot in the pending 12 months.
All the best for the holidays. Merry Christmas!
Fastest marathon in five years
Eventhough I had higher - or rather faster - expectations, on Sunday I ran my fastest marathon in more than five years. I now have three Sub 3:15 finishes, the first two came on the Gold Coast course in Australia.
2012 CIM 3:14:10 (top 10pc of field, of age group)1998 Portland 4:14:29
1999 NYC 3:49:56 (10k 54:38, 1/2 1:52:17)
2002 Sydney 3:29:40 ish
2003 Gold Coast 3:24:54 (1/2 1:38:21)
2003 Honolulu 3:33:14
2006 Gold Coast 3:13:51 (1:36:19, 1:37:32)
2007 Gold Coast 3:10:38
2008 Victoria 3:22:14 (1:36:17)
2010 Bellingham 3:25:15 (6th in 45-49 age group)
2011 Victoria 3:16:38 (1:34:26 - 10th in age group)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
