Aaron. Part 1. It’s Not Easy Being Green.
The power of “Yes.” Had Aaron not said, “F*ck it” … I’m not convinced I ever would have taken the time to know his story.
I’ve known Aaron for about 5 years …
About a month ago I launched a non-profit called Forward for Victory [a tale for another day]… Knowing clips of his journey, he was at the top of my list to wrangle in for the event … So I gave him a call.
Ring, Ring …
Zach: “Hey Aaron I have this event I’d like you to run in, are you interested.”
Aaron: “Ya, I got your invite online [side note: I must have sent it to him 3 times — but he says it really calmly … but you have to understand — Aaron has this tone in his voice that has both the calming effect of Morgan Freeman narrating yet another Nature Film by Disney partnered with this dry-self-deprecating comedic affect at times] … 5 miles right? With a weighted pack right?
Zach: “Yup. That’s the one … [I’m about to drop the right hook] … But … I’ve got this 10 mile division I’d like to beta-test — I thought you’d be the guy to do it.”
Aaron: “Well the 5 mile sounds painful enough, and I’ve never raced with a weighted pack … I’m not sure … What does the 10 mile one look like?”
Zach: “Phase 1: Ruck 2 miles with 10# Pack, Phase 2: Ruck 2 miles with a 25# pack, Phase 3: Ruck 2 miles with a 35# pack, Phase 4: Ruck 2 miles with a 40# pack, Phase 5: Ruck 2 miles with a 45# Pack.”
Aaron: “Oh that’s it Zach.” [Good thing we are friends — He drops Morgan Freeman partnered with Ferris Bueler’s ‘Dry-eyes’ teacher on me].
Zach: Rocking back on my toes — I feel his lovely little poke to my side and I can just see his side smile and chuckle as he says it … I responded with one word … “Yup.”
Pause number 1 … It was a dirty 3–5 seconds … Aaron just leaves me hanging. This a**hole is testing me. I’m loving it, and almost add to my “Yup” … but then …
Aaron: “Well I’m not so sure. I just finished a nasty triathlon less than a month ago that I’m still tapering off from.”
Pause number 2 ………………………….
I wasn’t sure if he was asking a question or making a statement — either way … Negotiation Tactic 101 … The person who talks first … Loses. And I could honestly give a sh*t about his taper … I’m talking to Ironman for god sakes. So I stay quiet.
[6 seconds later]
Aaron: “Ah f*ck it lets do it.”
Zach: “My Man!”
Welcome to the story of the real Ironman.
Right here is the power of “Yes.” Had Aaron not said, “F*ck it” … I’m not convinced I ever would have taken the time to know his story.
It’s Not Easy Being Green.
Why he chose to run his first marathon at 17 years old … A look at his decision and journey in becoming a marine … How he processed his two tours in Iraq … What it’s like to have a mortar round blast through your quadricep leaving a straight-thru-hole the size of a 50 cent piece … How his experiences mentally impacted his recovery and daily approach towards life … The reason he chooses to leverage fitness to position his mind in a way that makes him a better husband, father, man, and athlete.
This is The Other Side of the story. Part 1.
Zach Howland.
