Breaking It Down: Part 3, The Run

Today's picture was taken near the end of a 3 mile run in a sprint distance triathlon. There is some suffering in sprint triathlons, but the pain is acute and short lived, relatively speaking. And that leads us to the third leg of an iron distance triathlon, a 26.2 mile battle.

The bike leg will end at the picnic shelter at Veteran's Park on Valleydale Road, just behind Spain Park High School. My running gear will be provided by my mobile support team and after a quick change in the restroom, I'll head out on the trails.

Course Description: The running trail is not paved, but it has been packed with a small gravel or stone. It is an awesome running surface. There is a measured 8k loop (4.99 miles) that I will run five times and then I will begin a sixth loop for the remaining 1.25 miles. I have configured the run so that the finish line will be at the monument in front of the picnic shelter.

Strategy: It's not a complicated one. I will start running 10 to 11 minute miles and I'll keep it up as long as I can. I will take walk breaks every 5 to 10 minutes. I find this helps reset the leg muscles and delays the onset of heavy fatigue. At the snail's pace I am going, it really only adds about 10 - 20 seconds per mile.

Fueling and Hydration: The course I am running is more or less a figure 8. I will be passing by the picnic shelter every 15 - 20 minutes so I will have easy access to my supplies. I will stick with Hammer Gel (raspberry, apple cinammon, and espresso), some Perpetuem, and plenty of water.

The End: Barring catastrophe, I hope to finish in the neighborhood of 7 - 8 o'clock.

Hope to see you there. I'll make one last post tomorrow before the big event.

Blessings to all,

Chris

Things I Can't Do

Only five more days to go until the big event!! Today's picture comes from my 2008 summer family vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  My sister, cousin, and I would do an open water swim to a nearby pier and back. It's great open water training and we were able to swim in everything from calm to rough conditions.  

Word has spread about the 140.6 Swim, Bike, and Run to the Cross One Man Triathlon and I have received much encouragement.  Thanks to all you who have supported me and plan to drop by at some point during the run.  It means more than you know.  

Over the last week, many people have asked me if I can really make the 140.6 mile distance or they wonder how I am going to complete such a crazy challenge.  I've got to say that after my "drop out" in Arizona in April, I too, have doubts.  It raises the question, is a 140.6 mile triathlon something I can't do?  I don't know and won't know until I try.  And in a weird way, that's why I like tough challenges.  The outcome is in doubt.  

No one, including myself, is going to be able to answer the question of whether I will finish or not until sometime on the evening of January 30.  All of you will know the answer the same time as me!  No amount of self talk, whether positive or negative, will guarantee an outcome.  

So here I type, wondering whether this is something I can or can't do. What am I going to do? First, I am going to take to heart the verse, Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  These are great words to remember for everything.

Second, I am going to focus on things I can do:  

• I can be grateful for having a body and mind able to try this challenge
• I can be grateful for being able to spend all day (and then some) outside in nature among the elements.  
• When swimming, I can focus on putting one arm in front of the other.  
• When biking, I can concentrate on making smooth circles with the pedals.
• When running, I can keep putting one foot in front of the other.  

Third, I can keep praying for Daniel and Magen Davis and their quest to be missionaries in France.  

As you can see, I've got a long list of things I can do before I ever need to grapple with the unaswerable question of "What Can't I do."  

Take care and I'll post again soon.

Chris

Doors Opening and an Announcement

The countdown continues.  One of the cool things that has happened as this one man triathlon has taken shape is the opportunity to make new friends and strengthen relationships.  I have a couple of thoughts on this.  They are not earth shattering, but are worth mentioning.  

• Meet new people.  What started as an idea to do a solo triathlon has moved into the chance to work on a missions project with two missionaries, Daniel and Magen Davis, and the missions pastor, Pam Bates, at Christ Church.  I have three new friends.  
• Learn new technologies.  Twitter, Facebook, gmail???  All new to me, but I'm getting there.  It's amazing what is available to connect with people and share information.  I had no idea.  
• See things from a different perspective.   Yesterday I had the chance to have coffee with a friend and run through my entire plan for the race, supporting Daniel and Magen, etc.  His response was, "Cool, a rogue ironman.  You ought to charge people to join you as individuals or as a relay."  Interesting idea.  Definitely one that I never contemplated.  
• Have people asking to pray for me.  A couple of folks have asked if they can be on the "team" and pray for me during the weeks leading up to the event.  Humbling.
• Get out of my comfort zone.  Virtually everything I'm doing is a first for me.  It's easy to look forward and get overwhelmed or anxious.  I'm trying to focus on today.  Tomorrow will come.  Phillipians 4:6 is a good one to remember.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thansgiving, present your requests to God."  

It is stating the obvious to say these things are happening because I took action.  That's the way it works.  Action leads to a result.  Why is it that in the spiritual realm (that's God for all those following along) so many people, present company with a season ticket in the front row included, are content to sit back and watch?  Is it because people don't know what to do?  Is it because people don't want to or are afraid to do what they think they should do?   I can say I have had all these feelings and probably will in the future, too.  But before saying no to something out of perceived fear or difficulty, I'll know in my conscience that the blessings that I received in the one man triathlon endeavor outweighed any fears or challenges.  Finally, thank you to all those unnamed people who too action, large or small, to spread the knowledge and the Word of the Lord.  It has helped me immeasurably.  

Announcement:  Our race flyer is finished!!!  I am attempting to attach a link to the race flyer on the right hand side of the blog.  We'll see how it goes.  

Over the next day or so I will be sending out emails with the flyer to friends, family, and contacts I have in the triathlon world.   It will be exciting to see what happens.  

Until tomorrow

C

Meet Daniel and Magen Davis

24 more days to go! For newcomers to the blog, please read the first post on Jan. 3 for background on what I am undertaking.  

Today I would like to introduce you to Daniel and Magen Davis, missionaries to France.  I am attempting this 140.6 mile triathlon to raise awareness for what's happening in France with Christianity and to raise financial support for their mission.  

Daniel and Magen Davis

Daniel and Magen are in their early twenties and are both graduates of Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL.  They grew up in the Birmingham, AL area and they both share a deep love of the Lord.  Their official biography is on their website www.francemission.com and I encourage you to visit their site to learn more about them.  

Prior to meeting Daniel and Magen, the only missionary I had ever met was a kind lady working at the local coffee shop.  She and her family had spent almost the last 20 years in the Ukraine and I enjoyed hearing stories about their adventures.  I often wondered why someone would enter the mission field.  Was it an alternative to getting a traditional job?  Was it a dissatisfaction with something going on in the United States?  Was I missing something?  What did this idea of being "called" really mean on a day to day basis? 

Many of my questions have been answered as I have gotten to know Daniel and Magen.  Their actions, goals, and kindness have opened my eyes to a few things.  

1.  They are regular people.  Wow, this one is going to be interpreted in many ways, I'm sure. What I mean is that like many others in their early twenties, not only can they text message like a court stenographer, but things like Facebook, Twitter, and the iphone are a normal part of their day to day lives.  

2.  They are smart.  Both Daniel and Magen are sharp.  I am so impressed by the caliber of their knowledge, kindness, and enthusiasm that it is obvious to see they would be successful in whatever endeavor the pursued.  Any thoughts I had that becoming missionaries is a backup plan have been burst.  

3.  They are different.   Read The Great Commission in Matthew 28: 18-20 where Jesus told his disciples, and I am paraphrasing here, to go to all nations and make disciples, teaching them all things I have commanded.  This is a powerful passage.   Jesus is asking all followers to do something.  Believing isn't enough, action is required.  

The difference between Daniel and Magen and many others is that they are devoting their lives, their careers, their jobs to following this commission.  They have received many Holy nudges from God and know this is their path.  

The most striking difference I see in Daniel and Magen is that their call to be missionaries in France isn't a "we have to do this" attitude, it's a "we get to do this."  

It's clear to me that Daniel and Magen are following a path that has value for eternity.  In a world that constantly barrages us with the importance of accumulating "stuff," the treasures Daniel and Magen accumulate as missionaries will be eternal.  I can not help but have a deep sense of admiration for this incredible couple.  

Kindest regards until tomorrow

CH

Dreams, Goals, Challenges, France

If you have made your way to this blog, welcome. Over the next 27 days, I am going to chronicle my journey as I attempt to complete an Iron Distance triathlon. There are lots of twists, turns, nooks and crannies to explore as I recall what has gotten me to this point and where I hope to go. My blog posts are going to be a blend of athletics, spiritual reflection (that's God for all those wondering), and preparation as I make my way to the starting line on January 30th. Grab a beverage, pull up a chair, and come along for the ride. My goals are set, but the outcome is far from certain.

Personal Background

My name is Chris Hartwiger. I'm 44 years old and live in Birmingham, AL, with my wife Kathy and two children. I've been involved in sports for most of my life and over the last ten years my main athletic interests have been running marathons, playing golf, and triathlons. I'm average in these pursuits but I enjoy setting goals for difficult athletic challenges.

A love of golf and endurance sports may seem contradictory, but they share several things in common. Both are solitary and leave plenty of time for contemplation. One can get "lost" in an hour on the driving range or on a run. Both rely on your efforts only. You control your fate. It is a lonely yet exhilerataing feeling to need two pars to break 80 and going bogey, bogey. It's the same way trying to keep your pace going for the last four miles of a marathon and slowing to a crawl. I've done both and they always leave you wanting a little more.

Summary of What I Am Doing

To get the blog started off on the right foot, I better explain now what this is all about. Below is a summary of what I will be attempting on January 30, 2009. I'll fill in the details later in the post.

On January 30, 2009, I am going to attempt to complete an iron distance triathlon in Birmingham, AL. I will be the only participant. The first question most ask is, “Why?” There are three main reasons.
1.) Honor God and acknowledge His influence on my life. I learned in Mark 5: 21 – 31 that Jesus heals all types of people. He asks some to acknowledge the healing publicly and others privately. Developing a personal relationship with Jesus has meant more to me than words can say.
2.) Publically and financially support missionaries Daniel and Magen Davis in their calling to France. I have benefitted immeasurably from reading the Bible, attending church, and listening to teachings on the Scripture. All these occurred because someone took action. I have the opportunity to support Daniel and Magen as they take action in France to spread God’s Word. By following the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), they will have an impact for generations in France.
3.) Attempt the greatest physical challenge of my athletic career. I participated in Ironman Arizona in April and fell short by thirteen miles. I would like another crack at this challenge.

Questions??
Is this an "official" race?
It is not an official race. I am the only entrant. I put together the course. I decided it would not be the best use of my family's resources to travel to an official race. I would rather support Daniel and Magen Davis in raising funds for their mission to France and awareness about Christianity in France. My goal is to complete the distance. It isn't important to me to do it an official race.

What is an Iron distance triathlon?
An Iron distance triathlon consists of 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running.

Where will the race take place?
Given the temperatures outside and the need to start before sunrise, the swim will be in a pool. The bike course will be the roads south of Birmingham, AL in north Shelby County. The run will be on the trails at Veterans Park in Hoover, AL.

How can I learn about Daniel and Magen Davis and their mission to France?
They have a website www.francemission.com and an email danieland magen@gmail.com.

Preview of Tommorrow's Post

Wilting in the Arizona Heat - My First Ironnman Attempt

All the Best,

C