Welcome to my site!
The contents of these pages include mountain biking, distance running and my favorite ….Ironman Triathlons. In 2008, I am attempting to finish Ironman Arizona within a 12 hour time frame. I don’t like to think about going over so don’t ask what happens if I don’t make it. NOT an option so to clarify, anything under 12:59:59 is Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner baby!
My challenges are widespread and common, yet still difficult, in that I have a full time career, two young daughters to tend after and a wonderful wife to share my time with. All this translates into a huge time/resource allocation exercise and quite a bit of extra challenge related to being an Ironman. For some people, like many of the professional athletes, this goal would be an easy task.
Side line comment - I have such admiration for what the professional athletes can do and I find their performances simply amazing. From time to time I will boast in my blogs about seeing Michellie Jones or Norman Staddler training in my area. When you see one of these super athletes it takes about two minutes to see the difference in caliber between professional and well….me. Practice may be one thing but when it comes to race day, their performance is something from another world.
During race day each athlete has their own set of challenges which they had to overcome in order to get to the start line. Some have physical conditions, others have personal agendas in which they are making a statement, but each racer deserves respect for their accomplishments of training and hopefully the reward of recording their goal in record books at the end of the day. I feel my presence at the starting line is a tribute to my dedication and represents the balanced lifestyle which is a core element of my personal values. For this, I look forward to the challenges I create for myself and for all those who come out to cheer, no only myself, but each of us throughout the day.
Anyone close to me would attest to the fact that I enjoy being challenged. A few years ago my challenges started with half marathons from runners who work in my office. These people knew I raced mountain bikes and baited me with comments like “when you are ready to do a half marathon in under two hours let us know”. Challenges such these can never be walked away from and thus the saga began. Before I knew it, a half marathon turned into a half Ironman (as my first triathlon) and then a full Ironman. This year I am reaching for my own goals both on and off the track. 2008 looks to be filled with very high hurdles to conquer and I expect the rewards to be equally as sweet. I say, let’s go and don't look back!
There is a popular legend of a lifeguard and surfer in the Hawaiian Islands named Eddie Aikau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Aikau) who faced life’s challenges and became a hero in the Hawaiian Islands (my favorite place in the world). Aikau was a legend on the North Shore, pulling people out of waves that no one else would dare to. That's where the saying came from – “Eddie would go”, when no else would or could. Only Eddie dared. I find this story appealing and although I may not be as daring as Eddie, when faced with challenges, I will always rise to the occasion. So no matter what comes my way, in sport or in day to day life, I will always be reminded by the story of Eddie Aikau.
So I say, embrace the standards of the professionals and legends who set the bar high! A loud “GAME ON” for the challenges in 2008! I am bringing a strong “CAN DO” attitude to my training, lifestyle and importantly the starting line in November!
What the heck, Eddie would go and so would I! J
Scott Thatcher, Ironman