12 Minutes That Will Change You From Claire Wineland's Message: It's Just a Disease

     I have the honor of co-producing an event called TEDxLaJolla where spectacular speakers and musicians are selected to present their stories, ideas, music and adventures via a live video feed to the world.
     This year, from an open air stage overlooking the ocean in La Jolla, California, there was one speaker that received not one, but two standing ovations. Her name is Claire Wineland, and the best way to meet her and understand her message is to see her video.
     Tony Farwell, from the exciting new specialty site for the Military called www.GovX.com and Farwell Capital, said after watching Claire's video yesterday, "It reminds me of a saying that means a great deal - 'After health, everything is profit' "   So very true. So easy to forget.  Claire is a superhero.  Claire has done an "Ironman" every day of her life.
     Click this video below to hear her story. Also, the photo gallery from the event is below - join us next year! You can find out more about the event, apply to attend and watch other videos at www.TEDxLaJolla.org

The First Two (of 5,000) Triathlon Secrets

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Photo: Kona Morning

So where do we begin?  Let's start with two triathlon secrets from the more than 5,000 secrets I've learned about this sport in the last decade:  

Photo: Mitch Thrower Running in Ha

1. By taking control of your thoughts when training and when racing, you can improve your performance by 25% or more.  Think about it.  What are you thinking about right now? Consider everything that pops into your mind as you read this.  

It would be safe to say that if you are like most people, you ride your thoughts throughout the day rather than DRIVE your thoughts throughout the day.  Have you ever asked yourself, "What should I think about now?" and what should I spend time considering?  What about before a workout?

Disciplined thought and asking yourself the right questions while working out, like "What are the most enjoyable and memorable parts of my life?" or "How can I be faster right now?" are questions you can choose. But, again, if you are like most people, when you go for a run, you'll see a road sign with a name of someone you know, then you'll remember you need to call that person when you get back to the office, and then you'll think of his last email to you, and then you'll think of his cousin who also reached out to you and was looking for a job, and then you'll remember you wanted to update your resume, then you'll think you need a raise, etc. Take control. Don't let your mind float.

When I do mental prep for an Ironman, or any triathlon, I think through the race itself and I also think through the questions I'll ask myself during the race.  Try this when you are racing and training, and also try it when you're just going about life, outside of the sport.


Lesson: Pay attention to what you are choosing to pay attention to.  Choose wisely.

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2. Sign up for more races than ones you actually want to do.  Why?  I have learned that life presents us with temporal challenges.  

Time commitments will overflow into your race weekends and injuries are unpredictable. The seasonal cycle of our sport and of training and racing mean that several windows will open and close for you to perform at your best.  

Because so many races sell out so quickly, it's always a good idea to have back-up plans and registrations at events that can serve as a second chance at a peak performance or exciting travel weekend.  

It may be expensive, but so is insurance and if you've been in the sport long enough, you know that you just never really know what can happen.  I've said before you can take Ironman's tagline in a positive or negative direction, read the following, thinking good then bad...  "Anything is possible." - or - "Anything is possible."   


Lesson: Register for a few back-up races so you have options.



Train Smart,


Mitch

The Island of Hawaii

"Triathlon is just like life - it's not about the time displayed at the finish, it's about what your soul can display in the time before you finish." -Mitch Thrower

2011 Ironman Swim Start - Photographer: Amanda Grant

After a year of reflection,

I'm back.

What a journey it has been. So many lessons, people, and places to write about.  So many articles, blog posts, photos and dreams now to share.

It has been an honor over the past decade to contribute perspective to the sport of triathlon and curious minds around the world.  And I must say, it's been refreshing over the past year to take a deep breath and just experience life, without putting it all into words.

Stay tuned also for several very exciting things my group has planned in the media and interactive space.  Projects launching include an entirely new way of doing business in the realm of participatory sports transactions and, separately, Triathlete.IM - the next generation of triathlon social and interactive media.

It has been said that the only thing you can be certain of is that things change.  Careers change, business models change, triathlon changes, we change.  I've seen all of the above. Think Myspace and Facebook, Microsoft and Apple. Think about wetsuit companies and bike companies that no longer exist, and the current ones in the spotlight.  

Photo: Mitch Thrower - 22nd Ironman

With close to 3 million triathletes racing now, and races selling out just minutes after registration opens, the chemistry of our sport continues its journey into the mainstream.  Some people embrace this growth, while there are still some who think the sport is too big now and wish they could finish the Hawaii Ironman World Championship like the sport's Dr. Seuss - Bob Babbit did eons ago, under a dim light bulb hanging from a tree.


And triathletes are quite different than they were back in the days when San Diego was ROME in the Empire of Triathlon.  The sport has since been filled with events and personalities, egos and entrepreneurs around the world.  The sport is now grown up.  It's global. It has changed the world, and many lives for the better.
 Almost two weeks ago, I finished my 22nd Ironman triathlon (14th Hawaii). Once there are more than 10 of these races under your belt, the moments and memories of them tend to blur together; but what can never blur or fade is the light in your soul sparked and strengthened by the choices you make in the process of making triathlon a lifestyle.


If you discover triathlon and stay in the sport, your life's dreams and goals will come into focus in a way you never imagined.  I'm here to help.

Photo: Dig Me Beach & The Future of Triathlon