Thursday night rant.... :)

Hey T!  The one thing I learned at Ironman was that it's nothing more than a bunch of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  Everyone has this illusion that you've gotta be just one step below Normann Stadler to even think of competing in one of these races.  Nothing is further than the truth.  It's full of skinny people, not so skinny people, tall people, short people, disabled people...the list goes on.  And you and I fit right in there.  Screw the naysayers.  Do this for your own reasons.  I just love those people that come across with their "I'm OK, you're an a$$hole" mentality.

I'll be watching you cross that line.  Don't let yourself down.

In most situations I'm most likely the one to call for peace.  Of course, some situations call for peace and some call for pieces.  I'd like the jerk to have the balls to put his name to the comments so I can get a piece of him.  Who the f* does he think he is?  Those comments reveal him to be something snively and weak, mean spirited and probably disappointed with his own life and taking it out on others.  Making them anonymously makes him something less than a man, in my eyes.

Thomas, you rock.  Your race adventures are epic.  I can't wait to see you cross that finish line.

We all get the same medal at the finish line.  This perverse thing we call Triathlon is about personal accomplishment and uplifting each other.  You know that and we know that...someone missed the memo.

If he's going to say something like that, be 'man' enough to own up to it.  A-hole.

I try to follow the 4 agreements which are

1/Be impeccable with your word

2/ Don't take anything personally

3/ Don't make assumptions

4/ Always do your best

Basically, number two sums up this way: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

And then number 4: Always do your best. That is what you are doing right now training for your ironman. Its yours. No one elses...you are going to get out there and do the best you can at the best of your ability. Thats all. Piece of cake.

I wouldn't even give this person any more energy than that...its not about them.

Good luck. You will be great.

Honey, I've seen your logs and you have been doing things, despite what some anonymous asshat may think.

You may not be training for some insane sub-10 hour time (or other ridiculous IM time, I just don't know what qualifies as insane) but you know what? You've done everything you can and of all the folks I know who could pull something out on less-than-perfect training (but NOT 'zero' training by any means!), it is you.

And dammit, at least you're going out and giving it a shot.

Any one who doesn't have the balls (or the ovaries as the case may be) to say who they are when they decide to criticize you isn't worth your time or energy.

I'll be following you and cheering you on next weekend, you can bet on it.

Don't give this guy the satisfaction of knowing that he got to you.  Your Ironman and the path you take to get their is all about you.  Its your accomplishment alone, and regardless of what happens on race day, your TRUE BT family will be here for you, cheering you on.  When the pain comes, don't let your anger pull you through; let it be us!  Remember that you have friends here that see you as an inspiration.  I hope that will be what pulls you across the finish line!

You rock, Welshy!  Keep that in mind, OK?

dear ken,

you are mean.  

"I eat pieces of sh*t like you for breakfast!"

"You eat pieces of sh*t for breakfast?......."

".............No!"

I'll see you in Arizona!  The troll is not even worth comment.

DNS<DNF<DFL

Welshy... you are one of my heroes here.  Seriously. 

I mean... I admire people who have natural athletic ability.  But, for them to succeed seems like a given.  

But the people who have to work hard against all the odds, against their own personal demons, against genetics... these are the real heroes.

Trolls, on the other hand, aren't worth the electrons required to dismiss them.  Just another example of how trolls work... they can't contribute to the conversation, so instead of staying out, the bring the whole thing down to their level.

Of course, I'll bet you think of this a-hole during your race, and push that much harder to prove him wrong.

Anyway... I knew a Ken once when I was younger.  And he didn't have any balls.

If you keep cutting the bastards off at the knees like that, they'll never be able to touch you.

Just keep moving forward.

Did you rent that from Gene Simmons? 

Gene Simmons? Pffft. Copy cat....

Welshy!!

A. Ken is a d!ck.  Probably because he doesn't have one.

B. You're one of my favorite people on BT because you could care less what people think and you are who you are.  Definitely not a poser.

C. You're hot. (nice tongue)

D. You have a TON of people who will be pulling for you on April 15th.  I can't wait to read your race report.  You CAN do this!!!

XO,
E