Feeling Free

Good morning.

We saw a terrific play last weekend, namely, Billy Elliot.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It's a story of a boy that is different from most boys. He is a young lad growing up in a tough mining town.

Can you imagine how you would feel if you were growing up in this small tough mining town as a boy and realized, as you were, "finding yourself," that you enjoyed dancing and ballet? What a dramatic dispairity.

Well, I will not tell you so much because I would rather you see it with fresh eyes.

But, it's a story of a boy that realizes his talents and pursues his dreams as a ballet dancer through all the towns pressures.. A very touching story.

There was one part of the play that had a signifigant impact on me. It was when Billy was auditioning for something important. He did not have all the answers to the judges questions. All he wanted to do was show them how well he danced. He wanted to express himself through movement.

The panel did not ask him to dance. Dejected, he slowly walked away when one final question sounded from the judges. The lady asked, "Billy, how do you feel when you dance?"

For some reason this choked me up. I thought that was an awesome question. This was the question Billy was waiting for. He would show them how he felt through movement and dance.

I also put myself in Billy's shoes and thought about, "how do I feel when I run?" How do I feel when I swim, bike and run?" How do I feel when I train and compete?"

It was an emotional introspection. I did not have a great answer as I pondered the question. But, as Billy fluidly danced around the stage and let his talents shine he answered that question for me.

FREE. I FEEL FREE HE SHOUTED!

I thought about that. Yes, that's how I feel too.

As I swim, bike or run, as I train and compete, I too feel free.

Thanks Billy.

I also will continue to persue my dreams. One of those is to do a full Ironman. My goal is to sign up for Ironman Wisconsin 2011. There was a glitch in registration yesterday so Ironman will reschedule the registration. I have booked my hotel room though.

I felt free yesterday as I swam and ran. The morning swim was in the pool and consisted of a 500 yard warm up then 5X100 sprint and then 500 yard moderate pace. My times look good.

Later in the day I ran 8 miles. This will be my long run for the week leading up to the 1/2 Ironman on Sunday.

Split Time Moving Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Best Pace Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:09:44 0:09:27 1 0 6 9:44 9:27 7:01 122 135 0 69
2 0:08:26 0:08:19 1 10 0 8:26 8:19 5:46 130 139 0 64
3 0:08:10 0:08:10 1 3 7 8:10 8:10 4:55 136 140 0 66
4 0:08:15 0:08:11 1 0 11 8:15 8:11 5:09 135 139 0 62
5 0:08:02 0:07:59 1 21 3 8:02 7:59 5:52 136 146 0 59
6 0:08:21 0:08:04 1 0 2 8:21 8:04 7:01 138 154 0 56
7 0:08:04 0:07:59 1 0 6 8:05 7:59 6:15 142 152 0 59
8 0:07:49 0:07:41 1 6 8 7:49 7:41 6:44 148 161 0 60
9 0:00:17 0:00:15 0.03 0 0 8:19 7:13 7:07 149 152 0 2
Summary 1:07:11 1:06:05 8.03 39 43 8:21 8:13 4:55 135 161 0 497



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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."

* It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin