C.: I’m inspired after reading that excerpt from d.c.’s book (and Buddy Bones scared me half to death!) Now that I’ve completed two days worth of workouts, I’ll just read the synopsis of d.c.’s book.
BEYOND THE THIRTEENTH MILE: THE IRON MAN CHRONICLES
Synopsis: Hope! That is something the world desperately needs right now. Hope is the underlying message in this book. Throughout the book, the author relies on his hope and faith in God to help him get through a rugged training schedule, as well as broken romantic relationships and other disappointments suffered both in training and in his personal life. This 41,000-word book is a true, first-person account of a former high school athlete’s attempt to complete his first Iron Man distance triathlon. It is loosely based on the author’s journal that he kept while training for this physically and mentally demanding event. The chronicle of events is true, only the names were changed.
The author, who is dissatisfied with his physical condition after reaching his mid-thirties, consults one of his work friends about his training habits. This friend is training to attempt to complete an Iron Man distance triathlon. In the beginning of the book, the author is unsure of his ability to complete the event. This is mainly due to his suffering from asthma, a chronic back condition and a surgically rebuilt knee. The author views completing this event as impossible in the beginning of the book. He decides to train with his friend, anywaty, to try to get back into shape. As he trains, he becomes more and more infatuated with competing in triathlons, regardless of the distances.
To boost his confidence, the author decides to undertake running long distance races and 100-mile, single day bicycle rides. One long distance run that he trains for is a marathon. The author insists on doing this event even though he is suffering from a painful foot injury. He is later informed that the injury is known as plantar fasciitis. This painful injury is largely due to overtraining. The only cure for it is to take a cortisone injection into the affected area (along the bottom of his foot) and rest. Resting seems to be the more difficult of the two cures, so he opts for the injection.
As he progresses with his training and competes in shorter distance events, the author is more and more convinced of his ability to finish the grueling event. He encounters many setbacks along the way, however. This seems to be inevitable, since he is training with a minimal amount of coaching.
Throughout the book, the author juxtaposes his struggles and triumphs while training against those in his day-to-day life. The defeats and discouragements only seem to make the triumphs that much more satisfying. This is true in both training and day-to-day life.
This book emphasizes the author’s faith in God and the hope that it brings. His favorite inspirational verses, Isaiah 40: 29-31 are quoted as his inspiration for completing the endurance events that he competes in. He is made aware by other competitors that his T-shirt that bears these verses on it is an inspiration to others as well.
The gist of the book can be summed up in one statement made by the author to introduce the first chapter of the book, “Every now and then, you must step out of your normal parameters and try something extremely unusual. In short, at least once in your life, you must try to accomplish the impossible.”
Please join author and new triathlete d.c. scot as he brings you the chronicle of events leading up to his first attempt at completing the ultimate one day test of endurance, physical fitness, mental toughness and strategizing: an Ironman distance triathlon.
Buddy Bones: You’re in my light, Cal.E. I can’t see to read the synopsis.
C.: ??!!
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