There are some people that you will be fortunate enough in your life to meet. These individuals are true lights shining for others – and we all know when they walk into the room. Rich Blaser is one of these people, and I feel compelled to share part of his story that touched me just in case it will help to touch you. This may be a multi-part post, there is really so much to share here.

I did ask Rich for his permission to share…and guess what, he said yes.

From: Rich Blaser
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 10:35 AM
To: ALL IEI
Subject: Ironman

 

Well the time has come!!  I’ve trained for two years (over 425 miles of swimming, 8,500 miles on the bike, and 2,000 miles running) for the Ironman event this Saturday in Panama City Beach which is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run.  For me to be considered an Ironman I have to complete it in less than 17 hours.

 

Before I set the goal to do an Ironman the longest I had ever exercised without stopping was an hour and fifteen minutes, a far cry from 17 hours.  The enormity of this staggered my imagination.  How could I do this I asked?  I decided to set my goal to finish the race within the 17 hour time limit.  My goal was to be an Ironman.

 

A funny thing happened as I was training.  I began to actually compete in smaller races and finished at first within the top ten percent of my age group.  Then I started to win some of the races in my age group.  Oddly enough this enormous goal I set for myself was not enough.  I moved my goal up from 17 hours to finishing in thirteen hours and now the training has been going so well I want to finish in less than 11 hours.  I believe in accountability and to that you have to share the goals you set with at least one accountability partner (I decided to share with all of you).

 

What I have learned from this journey is that we can accomplish goals that we never thought were attainable.  To be successful at a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) you have to do the following:

• Focus on what you want to accomplish.  Get a clear picture in your head of what it looks like
• Make a plan to attain it.  Small steps put together equal monumental distances.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is quite apt.
• Find an accountability partner to check on you and cheer you on.
• Discipline yourself and commit to the goal.  Make you goal a priority.  Don’t let life get in the way of your success.  My toughest workout was a 3 hour bike and a 4 mile run done in the fitness center of the hotel I was staying at 5am because that was the only available time I had all day.  To me this was commitment because early morning and me do not get along well.
• Don’t lose sight of your goal.  I have the total distance (140.6 miles) taped above my office door so I see it multiple times a day.

 

If you follow these steps you will metaphorically begin your journey of a thousand miles and most likely complete it, whether it be financial, professional, personal, physical or whatever your big goal will be.

 

 

Below I attached a few links so you can get a feel for the Ironman race.  The distance is incredible and takes a toll on your body.  I will find out how mine holds up on Saturday.

 

This is a video tribute to the Ironman race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ragbcOPm_w&feature=related

 

This is the swim start from the Panama City race in 2007 to give you an idea of the complete bedlam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=BBmeUwH1RpU

Below is a famous finish by two women pros at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.  When you are watching this remember these women are professional triathletes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w&feature=related

Finally an inspirational Ironman story about and father and son  (I love and miss you Dad!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GphmdhLMGE&feature=related

 

Thanks for the encouragement and questions over the last two years.  Thank you to all of you who honked at me as I ran up and down Tower and Newberry Road.  The support has been tremendous!!!  My accountability to you was and is a major internal motivation for me to meet this enormous goal.

 

Thanks,

Richard Blaser

Infinite Energy, Inc.

7001 SW 24th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32607

352.240.4120 Phone

352.240.4130 Fax

www.InfiniteEnergy.com