narrative

Recently I have been in a discussion with my good friend Dan about what amounts to the purpose of public discourse and how we, as individuals, can be most effective. I have long advocated a personal approach. An approach that focuses on personal narrative.

Dan, in recent times, has used his most public persona as a clearing house for information that can be mostly interpreted as apocalyptic enlightenment. Although I don't fundamentally disagree with his general thesis, (I will save that for a later post, but essentially, my outlook is less dire, more personalized and ultimately more optimistic.) I will say his approach is limited and inaccessible.

In a time where attention spans are limited and entertainment is placed at a premium our most vital attempts to influence the public discourse have to be both interesting and pertinent. We have a duty to attempt both.

The only way this can be achieved is through an experiment in personal narrative. By personalizing your thesis, you make it relevant. Although I am not and never will be an ardent supporter of organized belief of any kind, especially religion, we can learn many things from the Protestant Christian Fundamentalism movement. They have always emphasized the personal story of conversion, of acceptance, of being saved, because it serves dual purpose as evangelist tool and a rallying point of interest. It is allows the consumer to relate. They have either been converted or hope to be, in either case they can find some common ground.

Ultimately, it is being interesting that allows anyone to reach an audience. So, as a challenge, if you want massive or even spherical influence find it through a personal narrative. Find influence by understanding your intent through empirical experience and go tell it on the mountain.

congrats

Congratulations Aleck! You had a great day.

boston

The word in itself conjures all kinds of visions. It is steeped in American lore. Tea Parties. Red Sox. Fall Leaves. For many Boston means the marathon. I lived there for four years and never ran in this vaunted and special event. I did, however, participate in the state holiday portion of the day with full fervor. Patriot's Day, awe, easily my favorite day on the Boston calendar. I went to early Sox games. I cheered the great Kenyan runners down Boylston street to the finish. I drank beers in the Pour House as a symbolic anti running event. I loved it. I was witness to the American distance running resurgence in 2006. I am already, as a fan and participant in endurance sports, a former resident of Boston and a good American, exicited for 2009. Our greatest American hope has decided to particpate next year. Good Luck and Godspeed, Ryan Hall.

sophomore

Last night was the annual Ironhead Beer Mile. After I had completed my first beer and started my lap I knew I was in trouble. This sophomoric event, although great for camaraderie, leaves much to be desired in the digestive tract. All I can say is ughhh! I chose to import some Rainier Cans from Seattle. (Really they were leftover from the UW/Notre Dame massacre.) In honor of this fine beer, its rich tradition and this year's beer mile I have collected some classic Rainier commercials.

Race Report: Ironman World Championship 70.3

Ironman World Championship 70.3

Swim: 1.2 Miles
Bike:56 Miles
Run: 13.1



Wake up time as usual was early, 4:15a. I slept well. I wasn't overly nervous race morning, Just excited about the day ahead. I knew, if nothing else, I was going to have fun. As many people told me, I was going to enjoy the experience. This really set me up for a good day. Attitude is everything. Breakfast was not exotic, the standard 800 cal of Orange Endurox. I meant to have a gel before the swim, but forgot.

We arrived at the race around 530a. Warm up consisted of little more than some stretching. My heart rate was a little high all morning. It wasn’t really nerves, but more like excitement for the day. I always take the position that there is nothing I can do now, just have a good day, stay focused and have fun.

Swim

I started in the third row. The beach start was a little hectic; they didn’t really get us through the shoot and on the beach in time to jockey for ideal position. I just took what was available. I would have liked to get a little further to the front. I had to climb over some people and in the end this probably hurt my time a little. In the beginning I felt a little slow. It was probably due to the lack of a real warm up in the water. About a quarter of the way in things loosened up and I felt like I was making up some good ground. After the turn I really started to pull. Drafting was a little more difficult than I expected due to the ocean currents and waves. Any slightest wave would either move me or the person I was drafting off and it took some time to get back on.

After the turn, coming back in was difficult. There was a less than zero percent chance of seeing the finish line because of the glare. It was even pretty hard finding the next buoy. This was a little disconcerting until I was able to sight off the pier about a quarter of the way from the finish.

Swim Time: 31:25

T1

I never really know what to say about transitions. Most of mine have been realtively inconsequential (Save for Boise this year.) I probably should have started with my shoes on the bike. I couldn’t decided the best course of action the day before and am still unsure which would have been best.

Time: 3:06

Bike

I went out at a good pace. With the Causeway right near the beginning it is tough to keep the heart rate down going over it. I felt like I paced the beginning, but started to lag toward the end. Part of this was some frustration seeing large packs fly by while I felt somewhat helpless.

The bike was interesting on a lot of levels. I expected to be swept away in some peloton. I expected this to happen in the first couple miles. I expected to not have a choice; that they would sweep by and I would be caught up in its massive draft vortex. None of these assumptions were true. I didn’t really get passed by more than one person at a time until the 25 or 30 mile mark. By this time I had promised myself that no matter the situation I would stay out of the packs, ride my own race and be confident in my time. Around mile 40 or so the packs kept flying by, but I stayed out of them. I knew I was sacrificing places, but it was more important to feel good about my race when I was done.

I know that mid November on the triathlon calendar is reserved for the endless debate of drafting after the races in Panama City and Clearwater, FL. Sure there was drafting at Clearwater. There was a lot of it. I stayed out of it. I knew I wasn't going to be on the podium that day and it was more important for me to feel confident in my time. I wanted to feel like my day was exactly that, my day, not day where I would have to share any credit with the peloton screaming down the road. I don't participate in this sport for glory or podiums, but rather for the personal challenge in front of me on any given day. I can't and never will be able to change other racers approach to this sport, only approach each day with my best.

Bike Time: 2:27:09

T2

No problems. I decided to put socks on, that cost a couple seconds, but not enough to worry about.

Time: 2:16

Run

My first mile was about 6:40, so I slowed down considerably. I may have slowed down too much. I was supposed to start pushing it at mile 8, but this was the base of the Causeway bridge. I decided to wait until the top of the bridge. This kind of threw off my pacing. I probably could have pushed a little harder though out the run.

I didn’t feel like I ran into any major problems within the framework of my own race. It was important, however, to stay focused on my own race and not worry about the people passing me. I had an expectation of going 4:30. This I realized wasn’t going to happen and sort of made me loose focus. Also, my knee had some pain again at about mile 9 in the run. I really need to figure out what is going on with this. I have some assumptions and am working on getting it straightened out.

Run Time: 1:35:06

I am very happy about the PR by over 4:30, but again I think I can go considerably faster.

Finish Time/place/AG place: 4:39:09/426/84( of 126)

Thanks again to everyone. Scott, My Family, Jack and Brigitte, Most of All Dacia.

sunshine

I know many people are awaiting my race report from Clearwater. However, while in Florida I couldn't justify an afternoon inside writing while the sun is shinning outside. When I get back to Portland I may not see it again until sometime next year. I have to soak in the Gulf Coast as much as I can while I am here.