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Friday, August 6, 2010
Random 'Holland' Thought s- #11 - 'Post-week Ironman Thoughts Concluded!Welcome back on this first Friday in August.
On Monday and Wednesday I shared some 'Post-Ironman' thoughts and today I would like to conclude my thoughts from
the week after the race. In my first
ten posts of 'Random Holland Thoughts' I have shared thoughts
on the following topics:
* 'Humor'
*
'Connection to Nature'
* 'A Few Words Can Teach Big Lessons'
* 'Dreams - What to do
if they don't come true!''
* 'Actions teach so much better than words!'
* 'Respect and Watch your Mouth!'
* 'Dream Big and Dare to Fail!'
* 'Ironman Musings......Lessons of Failure'
* 'Life-Change is Tough'
Today's 'Random
Holland Thought' is what I want to call:
* 'Life is about Becoming..........'
In my previous two posts of this
week I have shared some thoughts from the 'Lessons on Failure, Ironman Musings'
and my own 'Life-Change is Tough' challenge with Sierra and Mariah
moving to Seattle. The emotion and emotional highs and lows of the last two weeks of my life quite frankly has been more
than I have ever experienced.
As many of my faithful readers know I'm a dreamer......a goal-setter.......a
risk taker, however above all these things I truly believe life is not about 'attaining' something tangible but is about becoming......becoming
the best YOU, YOU can be. I posted this quote on my 'Holland Meads Consulting' Facebook page this week and I loved
it:
"In the world to come, I shall not be asked,
"Why were you not Moses?" I shall be asked, "Why were you not Zusya?"-Rabbi Zusya
That thought captures it for me.......I want to be the best 'Me' I can be. I have finally stopped worrying about
what everyone else thinks of me......of what I should be or do and feel a great peace knowing I am living from my heart
and soul. You may not like or agree with me and my choices and that is your right but I don't really care anymore. My 'life
goal' if you will.....is to hear this: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant!'
And for me, I know the only way to hear that, is to live from my core, to embrace my heart and soul.
I want to
conclude today's thoughts with two notes I received from Sierra and Mariah. The first is a hand-written note from Sierra (Age
15) I found Ironman morning (4:00AM) next to my blender where I make my 'Glass of Goodness'! (A fruit Smoothie)
"Daddy: Well first off I just wanted to say that I'm really
proud of you for more reasons than first the Ironman. That is a huge goal to accomplish but along the way you have taught
me so much more than just diet and exercise. You taught me that sometimes I have to take risks even though they may be hard
to reach goals. You taught me to stay competitive but know when to step-down and admit 'you're right and I'm wrong.' Also,
you showed me how to 'live' for something, a goal, a dream (like Ironman) Although I still don't know what I'm living
for quite yet. You taught me how to 'work hard but have fun' and that's just from the Ironman. No pressure, but you are my
hero and always will be! Distance can not keep us apart and I promise I will always keep in touch and I will always, always
love you no matter what you do or don't accomplish. I have to believe that this move won't separate us but bring us closer.
To think I won't see you every other week kills me but I know the mere 3000 miles between us means nothing. I
will miss your warm hugs, NCIS marathons with brownies, blasting country music, deep conversations and hitting you in the
arm because you made a joke about me and my sanity. I know that these simple things will mean more and more everytime I see
you. You are one of the strongest, bravest men I have ever met and I'm not exaggerating. Pop Pop (Holland's
Dad) would be soooooooo proud of the father/man you have become. You raised us well so that we can 'fix' this country/change
the world.
I wish that eventually someday I can become half the parent that you have always been to me, that alone
I would consider a success. Seriously, I pray for you each night and I honestly consider you one of my legitimate role models
and heroes. You may not 'cure' cancer or travel to the moon but you have taught me how to love, live, dream, pursue and for
that I am so grateful God gave me you as a father.
You will do well today because I know as my dad you will
give your all and not give up, because that's how you raised me. And no matter what they say you're my Ironman but most
importantly my father and for that I will travel no matter the distance to see you!
Never forget that God and I
Love You. You're the best father a girl could ask for!
I Love You More, Forever and Always Sierra
PS: I Love Your Cowboy boots and how you dress up!"
The second note was from Mariah (Age 13) and it was posted on my Holland Meads Consulting
Facebook page at 7:30 PM Ironman evening:
"Daddy, I am so so so so so so so so so unbelievably proud of you. Words can NOT describe how proud
of you I am! I Love you so much! you did so great today! And No matter what, you will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, be my Irondad!
I love you SO SO SO much. and I'm SO SO SO SO proud of you dad! You did great! I can't wait till next ...year! I love you so much. And whenever you're down, remember, DREAM BIG AND DARE TO FAIL! I love
you daddy! good job today!"
Remember 'Life' is not about
the destination but it is really about what we become on the journey. My best friend Swammy called me after he knew I
didn't complete the Ironman race and we talked about it all. When we were ready to hang-up he said: 'Remember......What
it is really about is taking care of yourself and being in shape and healthy......that is the real goal.' Well
said my friend....well said!!!!!!
And guess what: I have all ready signed
up for the 2011 Ford Ironman Lake Placid on July 24th! 
Last week Swammy's grown and married son, Ben also called me to chat about my Ironman
experience. He was following me on-line and knew I had had some trouble, didn't finish and just wanted to check-in with me.
We talked for a while and then he shared a wonderful insight! (Just like his dad.) Ben said: 'Well,
now you have a whole year to figure out that bike portion of the race.......and if you don't figure it out for next year.......you'll
figure it out for the following year......and when you do....the feeling of accomplishment will be well worth it!'
Wow.....I am truly blessed! I continue to hope that my 'sharing' in some very small way helps fill a need
in your life......even if that need is to just smile, cry, think or laugh! I think my 'Ironman
Failure' and 'Life Change' are helping me to 'Become'......what, like Sierra, I don't know yet.......but hopefully, it
will be the best HOLLAND I can be! Thanks again for sharing a small piece of my life. I
will be back on Monday with more 'Random Holland Thoughts'.
I hope you have a great weekend, surrounded by the ones you love and as always, thanks for listening/reading and remember to:
12:49 pm edt
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Random 'Holland' Thought s- #10 - 'Post-week Ironman Thoughts Continued!'
10:05 am edt
Monday, August 2, 2010
Random 'Holland' Thought s- #9 - 'Ironman Musings, Lessons in Failure!'Welcome back on this first Monday in
August. I hope you had a great last week and a wonderful weekend. After a week long hiatus.....I'm back! Now I realize that
some of you thought the Ironman race 'killed' me and that was why I haven't posted any thoughts in the last week. Well, 'reports
of my demise' were without cause, I am fine and doing very well. I do want to say thank you to those who did write me
an email last week concerned for my health and whereabouts......your concern was greatly appreciated.
In
my first eight posts I shared thoughts on:
* 'Humor'
*
'Connection to Nature'
* 'A Few Words Can Teach Big Lessons'
* 'Dreams - What to do
if they don't come true!''
* 'Actions teach so much better than words!'
* 'Respect and Watch your Mouth!'
* 'Dream Big and Dare to Fail!'
Today's 'Random
Holland Thought' is what I want to call:
* 'Ironman
Musings......Lessons of Failure'
Over the next several posts I would like to capture my thoughts
and experiences from the last week. I had fully intended and was 'physically' able to capture my thoughts last Monday but
for varied reasons decided to postpone my writing until after the week was over. Hopefully through the next several posts
it will become clear why I choose to take a brief 'hiatus' from writing and all my 'musings' will make some sort of sense.
I want to begin today with some thoughts from the July 25th Ironman Lake Placid Race. My day started early with my
'pre-race' breakfast at home and then my trip into the race site. Once there I was 'body-marked' where they write your
'bib' number on your thighs and arms for the race. Once that was done I continued my 'pre-race' plan and placed
all the 'food' and gear I wanted on my bike and got into my wet-suit for the 2.4 mile swim.
At 6:30AM I was making
my way into the water in Mirror Lake warming-up for our 7:00AM start. I had told Sierra and Mariah where I would be at the
swim start so they could be near and I could see them before my long day began. I swam over to where they were supposed to
be and there they were busily scanning through all the swimmers looking for their dad. I was able to meander through the masses
in the water and get to the shore where they were. It was such a wonderful moment seeing them there with there matching 'Go
Dad' T-shirts on that my good friend Joe graciously had printed for them.
I yelled at them and will always remember
the joy and excitement on their faces as they saw me. I made my way up to shore and was able to 'peek' through some bushes
and talk with them for a moment. They both came down a fairly steep bank, gave me a hug and a kiss and wished me good luck.
They had their digital camera with them and were able to snap several shots of the beginning of the swim.
This was the photo the girls snapped right before the canon went off to start the race.
This was the start.......I'm the one in the black wet-suit and 'red' cap! (Smile) It was me and 2700
of my soon to be 'close' friends!
In the swim you do two, 1.2 mile loops in the lake. Once you are done the first loop you get
out of the water, go through the timing mechanism and right back into the water for your second loop. This is a shot of some
of the swimmers coming back in for their second loop.
Now I had always heard how 'rough' the swim portion
of the race was but I definitely know I wasn't prepared for that moment. Suffice it to say I have never been , kicked, hit,
swam over top of and overall abused in the water that much in all my life......it was a hoot. Luckily I may not be the fastest
swimmer but I am a strong swimmer and was able to hold my own. I finally got into my groove 3/4's of the way through the first
loop and felt very good in the water. I was about 500 yards from finishing my second loop and I caught some swimmers in front
of me. They had pulled up because of 'congestion' and were treading water. I pulled up too only to have one gentleman in front
of me decide to breast-stroke kick hard to get restarted. He kicked me square in my chest with the back of his heel and knocked
the breath right out of me. (Now I know why they have scuba-divers underneath you during the swim!)
But.......as
I said, I may not be the fastest but I am a fairly strong swimmer. I just took the hit, got my breath back and continued on
swimming. My goal was to be out of the water sometime between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 1 hour and 45 minutes and I was able
to cross the timer in 1 hour and 36 minutes. Once out of the water you go to the 'transition' area, change into your
bike clothes and begin the 112 mile bike trek.
I was crossing the bike timer to begin my ride right at 1 hour and
50 minuets (8:50AM) and was pleased with how everything had gone so far. I was able to see Sierra on the way to the transition
area and Mariah once I was on the bike. Both were smiling from ear-to-ear and screaming their heads off.
On the
bike course you again, like the swim do two loops of 56 miles each. One of the things you have to do in this
type of 'endurance' event is pace yourself and not try and go out too fast. I felt like I was doing well and was where I wanted
to be pace-wise. My 'nutrition' on the bike and hydration were working well and so far, I was pleased. It was so neat to see
how many volunteers and spectators lined the course and were yelling encouragement to all the participants......Some of the
little children ringing their 'cowbells' were the cutest.
I was continuing to feel good and felt
like I was on 'my' pace until I hit the 42 mile mark......then something happened. I don't know if it was my hydration,
or food intake but I really began to 'labor' on the hills and could feel myself really slowing down. I tried to take in some
more nutrients but as I was climbing some of the last few hills my 'quads' were starting to cramp. I kept trying to stretch
as I was able but couldn't get them worked out. Now I knew my pace was slowing and I was beginning to realize the
time.
In the bike portion of the race you have to complete your first loop of the bike by 1:30PM and your second
loop by 5:30PM. If you miss either cutoff you are pulled from the course and wouldn't be able to continue. My goal was to
be done my first loop by 12:30 or 12:45 which would have given me a little more time to complete the second loop. As I was
making my way up the last several hills going into Lake Placid I realized several things. Number one: I was going to be 'legal'
on my first bike loop and be finished the first 56 mile loop before the 1:30 cutoff. Number two: I started to do the
math and realized the first loop was going to take me somewhere around 4 hours and 20 minutes, longer than I had hoped
for or expected.
So as I entered into Lake Placid I knew it would be difficult for me to complete the
second loop on the bike in the alloted time. As I came through town there were Sierra, Mariah, Joe and Laura (all with
their 'Go Dad' shirts on!) yelling and screaming for me. I waved at them and continued across the timing strip to register
my first lap time. I completed the first loop at 1:11 PM (4 Hours and 21 minutes). At this point I knew the second
loop on the bike was going to take longer than my first loop based on how I was feeling and my leg cramps.
At that point I made an executive decision to not attempt a second loop on the bike. I continued on the second loop
for a little and then pulled off to the side. I knew where I had parked my truck and I rode my bike there. Once at my truck
I loaded my bike and all my gear into the back and climbed into the driver's seat. My cell phone was in the truck and
now I was going to have to call Sierra and Mariah and let them no I 'quit' and was not going to finish the race. Before
I picked up the phone I sat in the truck and had a nice long cry.......I had worked so long and so hard only to 'fail' and
now......I had to call my girls and tell them.
Once I composed myself I called Mariah and her first words were:
'Dad, why are you calling me?' After I assured her that I was OK and not hurt I
told them where I was parked and they came to meet me. We met on a side street in Lake Placid with me walking back to the
transition area to turn in my timing chip and them coming down the street in a hurry to find me. When they saw me they both
broke into a dead sprint and came running into my arms. So there we stood, on a small side-street in Lake Placid, all
three of us hugging and sobbing crying. Once we composed ourselves we went up to the transition tent, turned in some
Ironman gear and picked up the rest of my gear.
After that we simply came home, relaxed and ordered our favorite
pizza from 'Little Italy' for dinner......That my friends was my 'Ironman Day'!
Once again thanks for taking time in your
busy day to share a small piece of my life and also thanks to those of you that reached out to me to see if I was
'OK' after the race........Your kindness and thoughtfulness meant more than you can know!
I will be back on Wednesday
with some other thoughts from last week and will conclude my thoughts on Friday. Thanks again and I hope you have a
great week. See you on Wednesday and as always, thanks for listening/reading and remember to:
1:24 pm edt
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!) 
(Also, please join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holland-Meads-Consulting/299612940256 or you can email me with any thoughts/questions at Holland@HollandMeads.com Remember to enjoy your journey......the ride is a hoot!)