I figured it was a good time for an update. I'm back in the groove, and feeling pretty good since resuming training in mid October. I have lost some weight - about 14lbs, but still have much to go. Most weeks I have been doing something 6 days a week, with a few exceptions (hiccups) along the way.
As much as the physical side of this is fun, it is the mental side of training that really proves equally so and at times, even more challenging. So that's what I thought I'd share about today - as maybe more people can connect with this and apply it to whatever life goal your after. When I set out to get back into triathlon, one of the first things I did, was pick a BIG goal. Ironman Florida in 2013 was the 'A' race. This has become my BIG picture, and at times it can be overwhelming. Lots of friends have asked me about what my goal is at the race, and usually I have a set answer for this. Ok, usually its a very particular answer with at least 3 identified goals :-)
At this time however, I have had to take a different approach. It is simply to early to tell what a realistic goal will be come race day, as I am unsure to the gains that I will find - or rather, how quickly they will come. Its hard not to think about that day, and how good or how bad I may do. And it is very easy to become distracted by it. The BIG picture is important, but if you let it can become a distraction - overwhelming you or even discouraging you. At times, it seems like that BIG goal you've picked is THE thing, but the truth is, once you've identified it - it almost has to become secondary. There is something more important - what is it, you may ask? The small picture.
The small picture is what you do each day. It is the little tasks, or decisions that you need to make to build upon each other to either take you closer to that BIG thing, or if you fail to execute them, take you further from it. Of course, the small picture task is always connected to the big picture, and derives its importance from it, but what I find is that you cannot forgo the small picture or you risk severing or severely changing that big picture that you are dreaming of.
Its ironic really - the BIG picture is what always gets the attention. In this case, its Ironman racing, but for other people, its loosing 30lbs (or a magic number of weight), or getting the next promotion or (insert your pick here). The big picture is often sexy. Its admirable, its noteworthy, it gets the attention - but the secret is this: you have to flip it upside down in your head. You have to make the small picture sexy! :) Its a complete mental challenge, trust me. Not many people are going to cheer you on to do the little things right, it just doesn't happen that way. In my case its things like, going to the pool at 7am after a 12 hour shift, or heading down to the basement to do a ride or a run at 10pm (or later!) after putting kids to bed or just chilling for a moment after a super long day. But these are the small picture things that require attention.
So, here's the take away - Focusing on the small picture each day, is really the key to BIG success... make it sexy! ;-)
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