High Hopes vs. The Voice of Reason
“Just what makes that little old ant, think he could move that rubber tree plant? Everyone knows an ant – can’t—move a rubber tree plant! But he’s got high hopes…” and so the song goes. Well this ant, I think, has been defeated by “The Voice of Reason.” Here is a condensed version of the conversation Lizzie and I had last Wednesday afternoon during our dinner hour. I’m typing as clearly as I can recall.
In the car, on the way to Miyake to have sushi:
Lizzie: So, are you doing Pacific Grove?
Me: Well, I really, really want to.
Lizzie: Do you think you’re ready?
Me: I’m really nervous about it because I feel I haven’t been training as much as I should.
Lizzie: Maybe you shouldn’t do it.
Me: But I really want to! If I don’t do it now, it’s going to be harder next year!
Lizzie: If you don’t do it now it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to do it.
Me: But I really want to do it!
Lizzie: So, then do it! In fact, it would be good if you did it. See what you’re up against. Only, be prepared for the possibility that you may not be able to finish.
Me: What?!
At this point, we had to get out of the car and go into the restaurant. We got seated and ordered.
Lizzie: So, what was the longest you’ve swam at the lake?
Me: 6 laps at 135m per lap. (calculations were done at this point and took about 10 mins. edited for length, we both can’t do math) That’s 810m.
Lizzie: So you need to do twice that much, approximately.
Me: Yes.
Lizzie: And when was the last time you biked 30 mi.? In the fall, right? And how much have you biked on the road this summer when you to Tahoe?
Me: 4 very flat and very slow miles…
Lizzie: I see, and what’s your farthest running distance on the ground?
Me: 4 miles.
Lizzie: And Pacific Grove is in 1 month. And you expect to catch up and do an Olympic distance course in 1 month without injuring yourself? No, not 1 month, more like 3 weeks because you don’t want to be training up to race day.
Me: Maybe.
Lizzie: Judith, what is wrong with just doing sprints? We’re doing See Jane Tri right? Why can’t you do that and let Pacific Grove go?
Me: Because. I couldn’t call myself a true triathlete until I do an Olympic distance.
At this point, Lizzie poured in the pep talk and started more and more like The Voice of Reason. I started more and more feeling like a loser. She starts planning for me doing Wildflower next year.
Me: No! I am not doing Wildflower!
Lizzie: Why not?
Me: Because I can’t do it. It’s a difficult course and I am most likely to get a DNF. This is NOT the example I would want to set for my children. You do not start what you can’t finish!
Lizzie then starts to throw in training stuff and telling me how I CAN do Wildflower. She’s wonderful and encouraging, and I think she very well can be right. Only I’m not doing it. Wildflower I mean.
I can’t move the rubber tree plant! Right now, I’m at a low and feeling like a failure since I know I will not accomplish my Olympic distance goal this year. $#;+! I so do not need this. But then, what other choice do I have? I need to do an Olympic distance. Just one, and then I’ll do sprints after.
So, just to cheer myself up, I decided AGAIN to do Pacific Grove next year. Next year, I will be ready for it! I have a whole year to train and won’t take a vacation next summer! There!
Hey, I’m doing pretty well most things considered. Seriously! Here are the other things I do (not in order of importance, just what came to my mind first):
a. Work about 30 hrs. a week
b. Take care of kids (including but not limited to) driving to/from school, homework, packing lunches, keeping calendar straight, etc.
c. Household chores and errands (including but not limited to) laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, cooking dinner on semi-regular basis, paying bills, etc.
d. Volunteer at kids’ school at least once week (required) and do the occasional field trip driver bit once in a while for each kid.
e. Spend time with husband and kids and do family stuff.
f. Spend time with friends (not including training time) and extended family.
g. Sleep (and eat). Very important!
h. Miscellaneous stuff like working on blog, reading, occasional visits to car repair shop, etc.
i. Training for triathlon.
It’s a very busy schedule at best, somehow I need to make do. I swear I’d do that Olympic distance next year. The only thing missing is taking care of the family dog! I say – Bring it on! Hanggang sa muli … until next e-time…
In the car, on the way to Miyake to have sushi:
Lizzie: So, are you doing Pacific Grove?
Me: Well, I really, really want to.
Lizzie: Do you think you’re ready?
Me: I’m really nervous about it because I feel I haven’t been training as much as I should.
Lizzie: Maybe you shouldn’t do it.
Me: But I really want to! If I don’t do it now, it’s going to be harder next year!
Lizzie: If you don’t do it now it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to do it.
Me: But I really want to do it!
Lizzie: So, then do it! In fact, it would be good if you did it. See what you’re up against. Only, be prepared for the possibility that you may not be able to finish.
Me: What?!
At this point, we had to get out of the car and go into the restaurant. We got seated and ordered.
Lizzie: So, what was the longest you’ve swam at the lake?
Me: 6 laps at 135m per lap. (calculations were done at this point and took about 10 mins. edited for length, we both can’t do math) That’s 810m.
Lizzie: So you need to do twice that much, approximately.
Me: Yes.
Lizzie: And when was the last time you biked 30 mi.? In the fall, right? And how much have you biked on the road this summer when you to Tahoe?
Me: 4 very flat and very slow miles…
Lizzie: I see, and what’s your farthest running distance on the ground?
Me: 4 miles.
Lizzie: And Pacific Grove is in 1 month. And you expect to catch up and do an Olympic distance course in 1 month without injuring yourself? No, not 1 month, more like 3 weeks because you don’t want to be training up to race day.
Me: Maybe.
Lizzie: Judith, what is wrong with just doing sprints? We’re doing See Jane Tri right? Why can’t you do that and let Pacific Grove go?
Me: Because. I couldn’t call myself a true triathlete until I do an Olympic distance.
At this point, Lizzie poured in the pep talk and started more and more like The Voice of Reason. I started more and more feeling like a loser. She starts planning for me doing Wildflower next year.
Me: No! I am not doing Wildflower!
Lizzie: Why not?
Me: Because I can’t do it. It’s a difficult course and I am most likely to get a DNF. This is NOT the example I would want to set for my children. You do not start what you can’t finish!
Lizzie then starts to throw in training stuff and telling me how I CAN do Wildflower. She’s wonderful and encouraging, and I think she very well can be right. Only I’m not doing it. Wildflower I mean.
I can’t move the rubber tree plant! Right now, I’m at a low and feeling like a failure since I know I will not accomplish my Olympic distance goal this year. $#;+! I so do not need this. But then, what other choice do I have? I need to do an Olympic distance. Just one, and then I’ll do sprints after.
So, just to cheer myself up, I decided AGAIN to do Pacific Grove next year. Next year, I will be ready for it! I have a whole year to train and won’t take a vacation next summer! There!
Hey, I’m doing pretty well most things considered. Seriously! Here are the other things I do (not in order of importance, just what came to my mind first):
a. Work about 30 hrs. a week
b. Take care of kids (including but not limited to) driving to/from school, homework, packing lunches, keeping calendar straight, etc.
c. Household chores and errands (including but not limited to) laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, cooking dinner on semi-regular basis, paying bills, etc.
d. Volunteer at kids’ school at least once week (required) and do the occasional field trip driver bit once in a while for each kid.
e. Spend time with husband and kids and do family stuff.
f. Spend time with friends (not including training time) and extended family.
g. Sleep (and eat). Very important!
h. Miscellaneous stuff like working on blog, reading, occasional visits to car repair shop, etc.
i. Training for triathlon.
It’s a very busy schedule at best, somehow I need to make do. I swear I’d do that Olympic distance next year. The only thing missing is taking care of the family dog! I say – Bring it on! Hanggang sa muli … until next e-time…
posted by judith at
7/30/2006 11:26:00 PM
6 Comments:
hey silly girl, as I've always said "if you want to do this race, then do it." You asked me if you thought you could do it, and we talked over all the facts. You know what you are up against, but no one is stopping you.
And you aren't a failure. Never have been, never will be. Don't be so hard on yourself.
By
erein, at July 31, 2006 6:26 AM
Thanks guys. Really, thanks.
By
judith, at August 01, 2006 10:26 AM
Well, the hypothetical racer has similar and different issues from me. I agree with one of the comments, you sign up for the race, you do it! I can't get a DNF. It would be too expensive financially and emotionally. I agree with most of the comments though, it would be a great hypothetical story! Thanks Rebecca. P.S. Do you personally know this hypothetical racer?
By
judith, at August 01, 2006 11:06 PM
Hey, you can do WHATEVER you want babe! Just set realistic goals. You can do it if you want, and if you aren't in tip top shape maybe you'll have a long race time...but you CAN do it. There is no doubting that. I'm still batting the idea around in my head, but let's just say my vacation hasn't been as centered around training as I would like...hahaha.
By
Unknown, at August 02, 2006 11:04 PM
I agree! You can take your time! =)
By
Anonymous, at August 03, 2006 2:55 PM
I've resigned myself to doing See Jane Tri so I'll have a season of 2 tris. I'll do my Olympic distance next year. Most likely it will be Pacific Grove (unless an all women one comes along before that). Thanks for your encouragement E & D. Its very much appreciated.
By
judith, at August 04, 2006 3:43 PM
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