A Congratulations to Odyssey athlete David Lowe, who just qualified for Kona at California 70.3 by placing 2nd in the M60 division. A time of 5:34 on that course...impressive to say the least.



Last week was ok, and my strength is increasing as I approach the taper. Today's 5 mile run, 4000 meter swim followed by a 35 mile ride with 30 minutes of power intervals went well, and I felt strong on all 3 segments. Heart rate is remaining low on both the bike and run, and rapidly responsive when stressed, but then falls quickly. My bike power has increased slightly allowing for the same heart rate which is a good sign. I hope to maintain this feeling for another week and a half. Other than that, no soreness, no injuries, absolutely no feeling of fatigue or lost power.



2001



"I dont think I can do this man, I gotta turn back."



"Look dude, just stare straight at the wall and just inch a little bit sideways. Step by step"



"I'm serious man, I dont think I can go on, I'm turning back"



"OK, we've gone this far, I know the top is right there. Just keep inching across the face, then we only have a 30 ft ascent to the top. Dont look down, dont look across. Just stare at the wall man, just keep moving!"



This was pretty much the final conversation I had while sumitting Mt Hood in 2001, the first of my 3 climbs up to the top. We had never climbed Hood, and decided to start at midnight in hopes to summit near sunrise. To watch the sun stream over the Columbia valley at dawn.

It total darkness except for nominal head lamps, we came across the Bergstrom. The edge of the glacier on the route up, about 10 ft across and around 30 ft deep. We decided to try to hike around it so we moved across the west slope. Then up and over. We didnt realize until on our way back down in daylight, that we scooted across a wall that was about 75 degree angle, for about 50 meters. All the while, the bergstrom only a few feet below us. This would explain the ice wall nearly touching our chests as we inched across. My friend decompensated a bit, then found the strength to forget everything around him, and just stare at the task in front of him. Once his focus point was found, we both were able to forget our surroundings, the pitch we were on, the darkness, and yeah, probably some risk.

That was my first summit of Hood and it was the most unforgettable. Seeing the curvature of the earth, the brilliant red sky, the northern volcanos perched on the valley floor with the sun reflecting off the Columbia river below...it really was spectacular.



Likewise, my first Kona, 2004 will always be unforgettable. I remember the torture I faced on each step as I felt the energy leave my body. No joke...I actually felt a wave of weakness pass right through me, then a chill, and then total shut down. All I could think about was moving forward to the next aid station so I could walk 2 minutes take some fluids and move on. This was about mile 8. With each 12 minute mile I crept on. It seemed forever to get to the energy lab which is where the true challenge began.

Like my friend on the mountain that night in 2001, I faced my wall. I had to come to a decision. To move forward? Or to just quit. I had come a long way from my first triathlon only a year prior, to my first Ironman that very summer, and now Kona. No one would be disappointed...maybe I had done enough. Then I remembered seeing Ann at mile 8, who broke down crying immediately when she saw me, apparently because she had watched me compete in the past and had never seen me in such a sad state. I wont ever forget that. That image became my focal point, and I remember, I couldnt let her down. I distinctly remember saying to myself over and over, for at least 15 miles, "one step...just inch forward...keep moving forward, this one's for Ann"

I decided that I wasnt quitting that day. I decided I would have to die on that course because I was getting over that mountain. I was not going to stop until I saw the view from the summit.

Well, that view from the summit, the final 100 meters to the finish I will never forget.



We are told when we climb to respect the mountain. We are told to respect the race.
I do respect these things, but by all means, I do not fear them. Respect and fear...these are distinctly different.

Respect the Ironman, but do not fear it. You are there to conquer it, by whatever means you have on that day. So, while one can respect a task, a goal, you should always remember the task at hand, you are there to prove to yourself you can withstand the pain, the suffering. You can, and will succeed.

So,if the cards that day arent in your favor, and you start to get a little frightened, begin to lose your sense of confidence, begin to bonk, just remember...find your focal point. It doesnt matter what your focal point is, but find it.

You will get to that line. You have GOT to get over that mountain. The view from the top is unforgettable.