20 Weeks and Counting...

As we've all been patiently waiting for Spring to arrive in Wisconsin, Team Tom has been eagerly planning and preparing for a fun and challenging summer. After all, IronMan Wisconsin is only 20 weeks away. While the summer schedule quickly filled up, Tom, Jana, Craig, and Cliff look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in preparation for this amazing day.

Tom, Jana, and Cliff had the opportunity to meet over lasagna to discuss and plan the summer schedule. Between laughter, comedy, and story telling, a plan was finally put in to place and excitement continued to build. Now if only mother nature would cooperate and provide some safe running conditions for all of myTEAM TRIUMPH.

The first race of the season will include a half-marathon through the hills of beautiful Door County on May 5th. Cliff will push Tom through the 13.1 mile hilly terrain, trying to keep his legs under him. While normally training for the bike, Cliff enjoys a long-distance run to shake things up. Jana will also enjoy a ride through the half-marathon race, while their son Zane will most likely bike along for moral support.

While the opportunity to formally train together outside has been minimal at best, Jana and Zane have been busy in the pool. Having recently met with fellow myTEAM TRIUMPH Angel and Swim Coach Barb Kolitsch (a veteran of the IronMan swim), Jana was quickly filled with excitement at having a training plan and regimen that would help her meet her goals. Not only did Jana get an evaluation of her swim technique, Zane also enjoyed the comforts of Barb's lap pool in her heated garage. 

"We had a great time this week continuing our preparation for Ironman 2018 with Barb Kolitsch, mTT Swim Coach. Zane had the chance to get some pointers too," shared Jana on her Facebook account. 

They also wait in anticipation of meeting their runner for IronMan, Craig Braun. A busy family man himself, Craig can be seen in southern Wisconsin promoting his company, Lighthouse, and their own schedule of events. 

As they continue to wait patiently to get the bike and trailer out on the road, they wait knowing they will enjoy the moments and the journey. They look forward to spending more time together, getting to know their families, and seeing how far they can push themselves to share in Tom's journey of becoming an IronMan. Just at Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (NIV) For when then work together, encourage each other, push each other, and laugh with each other, they realize they are part of something larger than themselves. 

#RunLikeAngels

Fear Is a Liar

Each and every day we are faced with an important decision - get out of bed and face the day or stay tucked under the covers and hope the challenges away. For most of us, we decide to plop one foot on the floor, then the other, and attempt to tackle the day ahead. While our mind may play tricks on us, telling us the day is going to be too difficult, there will be people we don't want to see, or there's no way possible you can accomplish all of that, we must cast aside the fear of failure and be determined to become all we choose to be.

As we continue to embark our IronMan journey, undoubtedly we will face many moments of fear. As a team, we faced one of those moments yesterday as the news of Summer's knee injury continuing to linger rose to the surface. This news, which will prevent her from completing the marathon portion of our race, was saddening indeed. While fear of ever running again has set in for Summer, I can imagine fear set in for Captain Tom as well. Will he still get the chance to become an IronMan? Who might replace Summer? Will they fit in with the team? It's not easy to just go and find someone that is willing to run 26.2 miles. And while any one of us could let fear take over and control our emotions, we managed to support one another through laughter, confidence, and faith.

I really shouldn't be surprised by this reaction though. I have seen the same from countless Captains from myTEAM TRIUMPH, as well as the leadership group of this amazing organization. I have no doubt Christian already has a plan in mind, a person or two in mind, and will support our team and Captain Tom every step of the way! After all, he's been nothing but supportive and motivating through the training and planning thus far.

Training for the events of the IronMan can be daunting and fearful all on their own. Early morning rides, strength training sessions, swimming sessions, long runs, and planning the summer event list. Some might look at the demand, work, and dedication needed and decide to run the other direction. Ironically, I'm starting to enjoy the training and work required to be able to bike 112 miles around Madison. Waking up at 4:30 am isn't as daunting anymore. It's become a lot easier and something I actually look forward to.

Jana continues to push herself in the pool, reluctant to allow anything to hold her back. She eagerly awaits a formal training plan that will push her to max capacity and prepare her body for a grueling 2.4 mile swim. Tom has even joined in on the training by strengthening his core and using his stand up chair more frequently. Their son Zane continues to support his parents in this adventure, swimming with Jana and assisting Tom when he is able. Pretty darn courageous for a teenager that probably has lots on his mind.

No matter how you look at it, this team is beginning to make progress and starting to gel. We are determined to not let fear define us. We will all endure pain in some way on this journey. We will choose to wake up the each day and ask for more, what's next?. We are aware this opportunity will not only build a life-long friendship, it will help each one of us identify who we are, what we believe in, and that fear is a liar!

(Fear Is A Liar - By: Zach Williams)