Fellow blogger Ryan ( http://caughtontherun.blogspot.com/) (Someone please help me with this link thing....) got me thinking about a motivational hero for 2008. A person that when thought of inspires me to train harder or better. I so looked around and Faris Al Sultan seemed interesting to me. I found a podcast interview in which he seemed really cool and laid back, and he still rocked the speedo's. He talked about his fathers nationality and being Muslim and how it mixed with triathlon. I can relate to the Arab background and this was cool to me, its always compelling to hear about 2nd generation success stories. If someone would have described to my father 35 years ago the family he has today he would have told them they were out of their mind. OK, I'm off topic sorry... 
So, I slept on that thought of "is this guy capable of being a hero" the answer is no.. Not to me, Faris (translates to Knight) is a natural athlete, he still has to work hard but not as hard as lets say Matt Reed... Now Matt Reed is a big dude, 6'5" Nickname "Boom Boom" again I can relate to his disadvantage.. But he's not inspiring to me, Impressive yes very much so, but Boom Boom isn't getting me out of bed at 4am to train. 
My inspiration comes from the local newspaper that highlights the accomplishments of young high school students. The most recent phenom is Lauren Smith, http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3a3b3b3ffcc30b19 at 16 years old shes doing great things. Breaking records and with dreams of being in the Olympics, whats more inspiring than that? Or think of Steve Prefontaine his story (although it has holes in it) will lend a hand to the eye of the tiger.
I need to end this post, unfortunately I don't have an answer for Mr Caught on the Run. I've come up with a few possible answers...
1. I've driven by those with whom I race with and email daily speaking Language O' triathlon.
2 The fact that most of my training sessions are at the expense of my preggers wife's time/sanity and I want to make the best of it.
3. Most of all I think its the fact that until I met triathlon my life was job, job, job. My friends were work related, activities, social events, etc.... Could it be selfishness, or could it be me wanting to crank up the competitive creature inside. Like when I was that teenager with huge dreams wanting to see the moon!!!!
OK, Enough of the seriousness.... this isn't me... is anyone reading this, am I talking to myself???
Pace Less Hammer More!
Europeans don't seem to have the groupie mentality. Kid Rock
3 comments:
Faris and his speedos... it that why he's your hero? Do you have an Arabic background? I think the award should go to your wife for putting up with your training, sweaty clothes and money you spent on tri-stuff.
Hey I saw that you are "in charge" of the open water swims now. Remember from Spiderman - with great power comes great responsiblity. Don't be a Twin Lake nazi - "no open water swim for you!"
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Nice post, it is hard to find someone who is really inspiring. I find that I get excited by discovering what I can acomplish because it is usually a little more than I would have thought. I also get inspired by all the other people I race with, seeing all those regular people out there giving it their best makes me feel good about what I am doing.
I've decided that when I can "rock" a speedo like Faris, I will be my own hero! Until then, I'm just a big guy with a small swimsuit, "smuggling plums."
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