NothingMan IV

Wow, I can't believe my FOURTH one is coming up this Sunday.

I have been experiencing some glute/hamstring pain that I know is being referred from elsewhere, since I haven't exactly injured those muscles. I have recommitted to my core work, and it's gotten much better. I still don't know whether I can actually RUN in NothingMan--I will test the system out tomorrow--but if I can't, I will just do 5 hours on elliptical trainer as substitute. That sounds crazy, doesn't it? Well, I am committed to NothingMan and it WILL get done. Maybe the taper I've been doing plus core work will do the trick and I will be just fine to run 26 or 27 miles on Sunday, which I would totally enjoy.

I look forward to every NothingMan because each one is different--there are different things going on in my life or not going on in my life and NothingMan is always a marker of where I am with myself in time. Right now I am at a great place with myself--Ultraman Canada is done, I am changing positions at work and getting some home tasks done that languished during my last training cycle. Hell--I am excited about taking this Saturday totally off from training! Halloween is approaching, which means I can shop for all things skull-related, my niece's baby shower is approaching and I will get a reverse taper after NothingMan. What is NOT to be happy about?

NothingMan, more so than any organized race I have ever done, is an opportunity for me to delve deeply into myself for an entire day. I rely on only myself, I need to derive my motivation completely from within, and perhaps during the last 1 or 2 hours, I need to convince myself that finishing up is the right thing to do. Even though I won't be racing, I won't be exactly fucking off, either. NothingMan is fun to me, and Sunday should be no exception.

NothingMan is completely unnecessary. I don't need to do it to prove anything to anybody. It just is my way of celebrating the incredible joy that I receive from my fitness. I don't need a medal, t-shirt or spectators. I don't need to be told, "YOU CAN DO IT!" because I CAN and WILL. This time will be particularly special, because I get to feel how "just" an Ironman feels after having done an Ultraman. Damn--I am so lucky!!!

Usually I put out the word that if anyone wants to come and do part or all of it with me to get in touch, but I really could care less this time. I am going to do it by myself, for myself, and if someone happens across my path while I am doing it, great--they can join in! Truthfully, I know very few people who will do this, and probably few who understand why I choose to do it.