The Volume Game

I found this gem over at Nancy’s:

“Ironman is a volume game. Anyone that tells you otherwise is most often trying to sell you something. In an over-scheduled society there will always be a profitable niche available for those teaching how to perform with less. You can become decent (better than you ever thought possible) but you will never fully tap your potential. Not the most popular message to some but a fact of life at the top level.”

- Gordo Byrn

I just love Gordo’s simplicity and honesty. I’m not naturally gifted in any way. My VO2 numbers and what are are barely above average. But while I’m out there training, I often think of folks that aren’t training at all and those folks that may be training but not as much and it pushes me to want to do even more. The attitude that “I may not be as gifted as you, but I’m certainly going to out train you” is well… inspiring.

But alas. Those were days of old and for days to come. Back to the present. No swimming for me today, but I did manage another run. There was less aching in my knee today which I’m happy about. Hopefully, all this voodoo rehab that I’m doing is actually working. I call it voodoo because nobody really seems to know what causes one’s ITB problems, so I’m just doing every treatment in the book in hopes that one of the things I’m doing will fix me. It worked last year. No reason to think it won’t this year.

I’m still raceless in 2006. I’m sort of leaning towards maybe doing a year of short course and 1/2s. Maybe a standalone marathon? And I’m still planning to make it out to Wisconsin to watch Wil tear up the course. Still, not a registration form has been filled nor any rooms booked. I need to do something about that soon.

9 Responses to The Volume Game »»


Comments

  1. Hey Chris! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’ve REALLY missed you.

    Look forward to catching up with you. I’ve had ITB problems in the past. So, I know your pain!!

    Take care, Bold.

    Comment by Bolder | 2006/01/04 at 21:54:45
  2. Hope that knee gets inline soon! When is that pretty bike gonna see the sun again???

    Comment by Flatman | 2006/01/05 at 07:54:43
  3. You know, I think “Gordo’s” message can be applied to almost anything. There may be some short-cuts in life, but ultimately, you get out what you put in.

    Comment by Phil | 2006/01/05 at 09:21:37
  4. that sounds like a good plan. Who says you have to go long every year. A year of 1/2 IM or 1/2 marathons maybe a century ride, is still a great year.

    Comment by commodore | 2006/01/05 at 11:43:00
  5. There’s always room for you in the Steelhead 1/2 IM that a bunch of us are doing, you’re more than welcome to join.

    Comment by Chris | 2006/01/05 at 15:38:36
  6. Chris,

    That’s what i love about endurance sports. It is mostly about training. I don’t think i am very skill at this. I can’t swim…(sinking ain’t swimming), I can’t bike and I can’t run. The only thing I know is going out there day in and day out. Get those training in. Brick by brick.

    Comment by Cliff | 2006/01/06 at 14:23:37
  7. Gordo is awesome, and I appreciate him for the same reasons you do. Right to the point. Hey, thought about Steelhead as a half?? Would be so cool to see you before IMWI (and I’m REALLY appreciative that you’re coming out there!!)

    Take care of your knee, glad to hear that it’s getting better!

    Comment by wil | 2006/01/06 at 17:13:56
  8. Did you check out the Liberty Tri June 10? It’s a half at Lake Independance. I’m hoping to do that one as my first half-than train the balance of the summer and do Pigman in August as a final race adjustment. The new uni’s are in at Gear West and the training is off and running-Iron Jenny is even doing spin classses in her kitchen on Weds evenings. If you thought about volunteering at Madison, it would be great fun to work the same water stop on the run segment. ok, I’ve rambled on enough….

    Comment by trimama | 2006/01/07 at 08:27:38
  9. Short course? Yeah right. You’ll be at Moo this year. I am predicting you will be registered by the end of the day on Monday. Time is going to tell on this one :).

    Comment by tjs | 2006/01/08 at 09:58:05

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