Becoming an IronMan — Day 1
a lot of lives is just decomposing mass.
2014 started with a dive into the dark waters of an ocean. my first, my biggest fear. I came out alive, more alive than ever, I had seen the unknown, the unknown I feared. I was more scared of this than jumping of bridges or planes, but I did pretty well and had put my recently earned diver certification to use.
I entered 2014 injured because of a drunk asshole hitting a tuk-tuk I was travelling and topling it over. I missed running mumbai marathon, and I missed out on starting my IronMan training. I was off training for a little over 2 months, and my performance was sub-par at the first olympic triathlon I took part and had a flat in the next one. my other life, as an entrepreneur was facing its own struggle. We had failed to raise our series A, and so more bootstrapping days ahead.
3 months into 2014, and feeling almost fine. I started my training and this time with a coach, an Indian based in Australia who I would presume is the fastest Indian on the course. My lifes goal was becoming increasingly clear. At the top was, I wanted to build consumer technology for issues dealing with careers, commute or putting every device and being on the internet i.e build a more connected world of the future and empower the individual.
Second, was pushing my physical boundaries. IronMan was perfect and I set myself a goal to qualify for KONA in the next 8 years, a tough goal considering age group competition was mirroring pro’s. But if you are dreaming, might as well dream big and it doesn’t get bigger than KONA. I love IronMan for two things, its complete sport and uses almost all of your body and mental strength. Second, as the race is 140.6 miles and last in excess of 8 hours mostly, the genetical advantage or disadvantage is almost nullified if you train hard and long enough. It was a combination of intensity, madness, addiction and endurance — a combo I think I am built for. Focus is my weak point and probably the 5th pillar for IronMan — and I was hoping it will help me build that and that translate into other parts of my life too.
So April 7, I started on my journey to become an IronMan and then someday a KONA IronMan. The difference between the two is as wide as between complete and compete. I decided, I am not happy with finisher medals — I want the champion medal. It was going to be the second toughest part of my life —tech entrepreneurship was no.1.
So day 1 update:
Diet was easy to follow. Not being a foodie and being OK with simple, bland and light food — this was the easy bit. I had a 30 min swim, 20 min free hand workout, 10 min core and 20 min stretches scheduled for the day.
At 1830 hours, I left for the pool. Excited. Very Excited and planning my drill in my head. I reach the pool, and see the gate to the parking closed — Damn! Mondays are off for the pool. What a bummer. I drove back, spoke to my ex in NYC — got some motivation. Did my first workout of the day — 200 push ups, 120 squats and 75 burpees followed by a moderate core session. I made a note to self to increase intensity on core the next time and take less break in between free hand workouts.
Stretches for 20 minutes was the most boring thing I had ever done in my life. But as my coach said, I was not allowed to skip even a single minute of it. So I kept at it. have to get around this thing, make it more interesting. Maybe introduce some stretch bands, light weights, or just fall in love with it. Anyway, a piece I will figure out.
Details on my meal and my workout can be viewed here.
I had some work and then going to crash by 2300 hours for a 0430 workout on Day 2. It was to be an interval training day — I decided to use my old, worn out, Nike Vomero to run tomorrow and see how I feel. I also had a swim tomorrow morning — 40 mins. It should be an easy 1.25 km tomorrow with some drills.
