"Boundary Conditions"

((I wrote this Friday night...but apparently was so excited to get to sleep I forgot to post it....when I sat down this morning -Sunday- to write up my recap, I found it waiting to be posted...so here it is...))

Every day this week I've woken up and shared my crazy dreams with my husband.  He's so sweet to listen...mostly I think he's amazed that a person's dreams could be so bizarre!  I considered writing them out, but honestly, either there's no way anyone would believe them...or someone would try to have me committed.  Yes, they have been that strange!!  But...I also have had no doubt they are all related to anxiety over my first triathlon.

This morning after my husband patiently listened to the unbelievable overflow from my subconscious brain...he did what he does best....he explained me to me.  (How is it possibleb this man knows me better sometimes than I know myself???)  He told me on top of my worries about performance, I was experiencing "boundary condition" nervousness.  In his factual, mathematician, brainy way he explained my problem was "boundary condition" anxiety or stress.

He began to explain...in math there are a special class of problems...  My eyes started to glaze over so, knowing me like he does, he went back to talking about something I could understand.  He said the real anxiety comes from the transitions (well, in addition to performance anxiety).  He went on to say the act of running, biking and swimming doesn't cause me anxiety because if it were a race in any one of those sports I wouldn't be AS nervous...but it's what happens in between those events that makes the race "interesting".  He almost lost me again when he said something like it's the same in math boundary conditions...


Now...let me say, my husband is the KING of the game Balderdash.  That's the game you try to make up believable definitions to strange words and get people to think you are giving the actual meaning.  He has fooled me on more than one occasion outside of playing the game.  I immediately looked up this theory, or math law, or whatever it's called....and sure enough, he was telling the truth!!!

Math "boundary condition"

In a numerical simulation, it is impossible and unnecessary to simulate the whole universe. Generally we choose a region of interest in which we conduct a simulation. The interesting region has a certain boundary with the surrounding environment. Numerical simulations also have to consider the physical processes in the boundary region. In most cases, the boundary conditions are very important for the simulation region's physical processes. Different boundary conditions may cause quite different simulation results. Improper sets of boundary conditions may introduce nonphysical influences on the simulation system, while a proper set of boundary conditions can avoid that. So arranging the boundary conditions for different problems becomes very important. While at the same time, different variables in the environment may have different boundary conditions according to certain physical problems.

And, it makes sense....and completely fits.  I've practiced transitions, but this will be the first time I get to experience them in reality.

One of the recurring themes in the dreams is forgetting something-mostly my shoes.  The other recurring theme--people from high school are there in one way or another.  It's bizarre.  I think it's because I've sort of "reconnected" with so many people from my past through FaceBook.  I'm NOT who I was back then.  I didn't even like to participate in PE much less do exercise willingly...much less look forward to it!  But, I digress....

Anyway...tomorrow I'm going to just try to do my best and remember this is my first time....it's okay not to know everything.  I just need to try to learn from the experience.....but just like the above quote  says (that I'm guessing you skipped over like I would have...), "...different variables in the environment may have different boundary conditions according to certain physical problems."  Meaning...every race will have its own set of challenges that will be different from every other race.  A lot of what I learn tomorrow won't carry over because it's a reverse tri (run, bike, swim instead of swim, bike, run).

Ah well...off to bed.  I'm hoping that since I'm packed up* I should be able to skip the anxiety dreams tonight.  (*Having used the list my coach sent out I didn't forget my swim cap and goggles-something I had not packed prior to looking at the list!)

.....But, let me just spell out the "boundary conditions" for tomorrow and walk through what I'm going to do when I get there....

I'm going to

• unload my bike and find a good spot close to the mount/dismount line (to avoid running in my bike shoes to far).
• set out my towel with items needed for transitions--thinking/writing through this below
• pick up my packet and get my leg marked (SO COOL!!!)
• tape my Gu to the bike (I need to think about when to take in fuel, or if I will even need this)
• walk through the whole area and know where the race will start, what direction I'll end the run, what direction to turn on the bike, where I'll come in from the bike leg, and how to get to the pool from the transition area
• go to the bathroom
• run a warm up half mile or mile

Tri "boundary condition"**

Thinking through transitions...the run is first...next is the bike, so I'll

• put out my bike shoes with the velcro undone ready to slip my feet in
• lay my helmet down and open the strap, front facing where I will stand so when I lean over to put my shoes on I can (while I'm down there) take my running hat off and grab my helmet to put it on while at the same time I'll slip my running shoes off and bike shoes on.
• put my sunglasses in the helmet-put them on before the helmet

Then comes the bike/swim transition...I'll have to rack the bike, take the helmet and sunglasses off, slip the shoes and socks off, take my Garmin off, grab my goggles and swim cap and start running to the pool...I'll put the cap and goggles on before I get there.

Fuel is another concern...I started to say I have no idea how long I'll be racing...but the run is two miles...I think that will be anywhere from 17-18.5 minutes (8:30-9:15 miles--hopefully I can hold that for two miles).  The bike is 15 miles, but I have no idea what the route looks like, or how windy it will be...an hour or longer.  The swim is a complete unknown, but it's last.  I think I'll take a Gu about 15 mintues before the race (I like the little boost of caffeine) and then tape one to my bike to take about 1/2 way through the bike leg.

Okay....now I'm going to sleep.

Thanks for stopping in...come again tomorrow to read about the race!!!
:D

**Uh...NO, that's not MY transition area--that's a man, and notice his shoes are already attached to his bike--something I have not even tried....yet.

;D

I Want To Be FAMOUS!!!

I have mentioned before...the only podcast I listen to faithfully is The Marathon Show.  It's really a Blog Talk Radio show, but I just download the podcast so I can listen when I want to...not to mention I seem to be busy every time it's on live.

I love that show.  The host, Joe Taricani, is AMAZINGLY talented at keeping me entertained.  He interviews people, but his questions are not canned and stale.  They are insightful and interesting.  He has talked with elite marathoners, race directors, product inventors (SnuggBuds and Head Sweats to name two)...he's even recorded while running a marathon of his own!!  The show never fails to inspire me. 

I discovered this gem last year when I driving to Arkansas one day to see my son.  I was going to be in the car for about 12 hours (there and back), so I searched for some podcasts to keep me entertained....and struck GOLD.  I ended up listening to every single show he had recorded up to that point (it was a very new show then)...and wanted MORE.  I've listened to every show since then, some more than once!  Last summer when my goal was to run Rocket City in December, the show pumped me up about the race....but even after that goal was postponed, the show continued to inspire and motivate me.

Here's what it says on the home page:

The Marathon Show is an online radio show for and about marathons and marathon runners. We cover topics that make you think, make you smarter and make you laugh about running. It's a show for runners of all abilities. We speak with elite runners and the top names in marathon running, but we mostly speak with people just like you. We like to make average famous because every one of you has remarkable determination. We celebrate the finish line on The Marathon Show, not the finish time.

I think no matter where in the pack you are, the show has something to offer for anyone who loves running.  Somehow Joe manages to keep coming up with great ideas.

One of his latest ideas is to have a guest host contest.  My first thought about the contest was "NO WAY anyone will EVER come close to being able to fill Joe's shoes."  I didn't even consider entering.  The way you enter is to post a photo in his "guest host entries" photo album on FaceBook....the top five most liked people will then submit a one minute long monologue that will be scored by a panel of judges.  For the record, I really don't have a lot of FaceBook friends.  The two people who were already entered were Endorphin Dude and the (GORGEOUS) creator of Sweaty Bands.  Come on...there was no way I was going to enter a popularity contest with either of them.

Click here to LIKE it.

But, as time went on, I realized everyone must be thinking the same thing as I was because no one was entering the contest.  Let me tell you...if there are only three people entered, chances of being one of the top five most liked is VERY HIGH!!!  :D  So, I decided to throw my fears by the wayside and my caution to the wind and enter.  After a few agonizing minutes of trying to decide what picture to post, I went with this one.  It's fairly recent, shows me in running gear, and hey...I'm showing off my first half-marathon medal--I LOOK like a WINNER!!

Well...I immediately posted the link on my FaceBook wall.  My mom liked the link, but didn't understand she had to click on the picture to like just my picture.  I was going to send her an email to clarify...and decided why not send out the link and instructions to a few other people, too.

I don't know what made me do it...but I sent out an email to EVERY SINGLE CONTACT IN MY COMPUTER!!!!!  Yes, every single one.  Yes, on purpose!  All my neighbors, all my kids' past teachers, everyone I had ever sent an email to or received an email from.  EVERYONE.  I've never in my life done anything like that.  I almost chewed my hand off wondering what kind of responses I'd get.  I thought for sure I'd get some back telling me they didn't appreciate the spam.  Maybe there were some people who thought it, but more than that....I got LIKES!!!!!  So far I'm up to 55 LIKES...and that doesn't include the other 19 people who liked the link (it's a little confusing...you have to "like" the picture itself, not the link to the picture.  If it comes down to 19 votes, don't think I'm beyond messaging those friends with a tutorial.  As it stands now there are still only three of us entered, so that might not be necessary.  :D

I'm already getting nervous about the monologue.  Now, don't get me wrong, I can talk for DAYS...but it's not the most interesting banter.  Just ask my husband.  On top of that...I really can't stand my recorded voice.  I want to believe that's NOT what I really sound like to everyone else...but it's funny how other people's recorded voices sound exactly the way they do in person.  I'm going to have to somehow get past that before it's time to record.  Thankfully Joe will be helping with that part of it...so I have to believe it's going to be just fine!!

I'll let you know how it goes...but in the mean time....PLEASE, go LIKE my picture!!!

((You'll first go to The Marathon Show on FaceBook...you'll click the "like" button at the top of the page....then you should see my picture on the top row of photos...click on it....just under my picture you'll see "like  comment"...click on "like".  If you don't see my picture...go to the left hand side of the screen and look for "photos", after you click on that, click on the "guest host entries" album, then click on my picture...and like it!!  ... you just helped me on my quest to be FAMOUS!!!  THANK YOU!!!))

Here's the link straight to my picture.

If you are logged in to FaceBook, and you have liked The Marathon Show, you will be able to like the picture....if you don't see "like" under it...then you'll have to go back to The Marathon Show's page and "like" it first.  While you're at it...shoot me a friend request, too!!  If you're still reading, you're already my friend-even if we've never met!!!!

Thanks for stopping in!  Come again soon!
:D

Motivational Quotes

A friend of mine posted a quote on FaceBook...

"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells "CAN'T", but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper "can".  And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are."

I wanted to see who said it so I Googled...and found a real gem of a website: http://www.tonystocker.com/misc/motivational.html.  In fact, I LOVE this site so much I'm not only book-marking, I'm going to put the link right on my computer's desktop.  There are so many great quotes on there I'm a little overwhelmed!

The reason motivational quotes are so inspiring is because they resonate with something inside of us.  The words my friend posted on FaceBook spoke to something deep within me that has been fighting to get out...something that is breaking the surface--that still small, but ever growing, voice that whispers "can".

I've been telling everyone I'm coaching, the biggest challenge to running is not your body-it's your mind.  I have come to believe the people who run well are the ones who have learned to listen to their bodies, not the chatter in their heads.  I haven't met a runner yet who doesn't have the chatter. I think the difference is where the chatter comes from.  For many of us, it's internal, but for some it's external.  How we overcome the chatter is the same...doing "it" anyway.

Eric Charette (siriusultrarunner.blogspot.com) says this:

I'm just an ordinary person with average abilities striving to do extraordinary things and through hard work, every day I get a little closer and if by sharing my experiences with you, it enriches your life, then my work is complete.

Check out his latest blog entry on his experience attempting to run the Delano Park 50 Mile race.  He  says, "We all have our own personal kryptonite and mine lies above my shoulders."  I think that's true of most people....but some people either have stronger kryptonite in their heads, or they just haven't strengthened enough to overcome the effects.  I believe, since none of us are Superman, we CAN certainly overcome the effects of kryptonite.

I started to say I am not saying people can do anything at all...but the more I think about it, the more I disagree with my own initial thought.  Here's the thing-no matter what the obstacle is, there is someone out there who has overcome it.  People with NO LEGS run.  Okay....there's a guy with only half an arm (ONLY half an arm, the other one is completely missing) who competes in triathlons.  He placed 674/728 in his second tri--and he was the only physically challenged athlete in the race.  This video is interesting, although a little long...if you can't watch it all, skip ahead to 3:50 and then again to 5:15.




When I see things like this, I can't help but think...if he can do it, I can certainly do it.  The thing is, it's not his body that stronger (although it is), it's his will, his determination, that far exceeds my own.  One of the differences between Hector Picard and myself is that my first thought earlier was to say although I can do some things, I CAN'T do "anything", Hector would say, "I'm going to figure out how I CAN do anything." 

The quote, changed to suit my own needs:

My biggest challenge isn't someone else, or even my body. It's voice inside me that yells "CAN'T".  I won't listen.  I'll just push harder until I hear another voice whisper "can".  I am discovering the person I thought I was is no match for the one I really am.

Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D