invisible war

Kellar Creative designed a cool logo for me. Thanks Aaron.

This past week has been filled with much time on the computer.  I admit it, Kona week is like the Super Bowl for me.  I suck it in like an Americano...It's just awesome.

It didn't sting as much as it has in the past though, watching it and not being there.  I think in part because I'll be headed to Cozumel next month and toe the line for my slot in 2013--training for that is going well.  Today is a needed recovery day.

Working with Chris Boudreaux again during this block/build has been awesome.  Not only because he's my friend, but he's comfortable to talk to and work with.  And most importantly, he's honest no matter what.  As advice to anyone looking for a coach, this is KEY.  I would be more than happy to talk in depth about this in a future post, but for now just know this -- if you can't sit and have coffee with the coach you choose, think twice. If you can't take brutal, but loving honesty, then grow thicker skin or move on. That's not saying you have to take walks in the park together every week holding hands, or-online coaching is bad.  I think comfort factor is very important, at least to a point.  I need someone to say, "I care about you, but you're doing this wrong.  Let's try this."

 Too much comfort retards growth.

 ***Check this out-it's another Endurance Corner article, and it says it better than I can.

http://www.endurancecorner.com/library/triathlon/coaching/triathlon_coach

Back to what's up here-

That hurt.

Training is going well.  I'm working and it feels good. Yesterday's run was tough and another deposit in the bank was definitely made. A picture post run taken by my son on the floor of my kitchen placed on my FB page shows me a bit fatigued, but, I felt happy.  I mention this because I want to bring  attention to the RYU shorts I was wearing.  I'm so fortunate to be with RYU.  To have the gear and support is one thing -- it's amazingly comfortable stuff, it's nice looking, and it just works. But they are also kind, hard working people who are true to the idea of sacrifice.  To be included with athletes associated with RYU is humbling.  Phil Heath-Mr. Olympia,  Jon Fitch-recent UFC 153 winner and future title contender.   I'm honored to be on the same team.  This November in Cozumel, the plan is to make sure that I am one of the athletes you will watch online in Kona, 2013, and someone that RYU can proudly mention.  Yes, I'll be wearing RYU.

Thanks Oliver and team-for everything. I think of you everyday.

Chris and More Than Sport were busy during the World Championships and it was encouraging to see Craig Alexander, Tim O'Donnell, Lindsey Corbin and others representing More Than Sport.  I'm so excited to be involved and share Chris's vision. A movement affecting peoples lives for the better.  

Strong work Chris-keep it up man.

Chris in the parade  Race week at the Ironman World Championship

Speaking of MTS, the 'Taxi Initiative' is in full swing. Please check it out and consider what you can do. It's easy, inexpensive, and for a small donation you can make a HUGE impact in the life of a child.  Some of you might even think about coming to Haiti with me in 2013 as part of the team who will work up at Mountain Top Ministries. Please check out the link at www.christianisakson.com and see what's moving.  MTS will soon have a link also. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

I had mentioned that yesterday's run hurt. During the parts that were particularly uncomfortable I started to think about "stuff".

Mentally, it helps (sometimes) to wander, and the more pain the harder it is to get my mind somewhere else.  I've been helping coach my children's Cross Country team and talking to the athletes I tell them once you can't push it off-accept it. Know it's there and welcome it. It's hard.  It's very hard the deeper you get lost in misery. I know all too well how I've tried to keep the door blocked while the haunting blob of discomfort oozes through and crawls up my into body. I know it's coming and still I pretend it's not.  Too many times I'll let it just sink in and I..."just take it".

Yesterday though, I did not allow this to happen. It's deception. It really is....It "tricks" me often into thinking I'm defined by what my body feels at that moment..and, I am not.  For those who have been at this point you can understand how falling into any thought other than the comfort of quitting is paramount. What's your fall back?  Where do you hide? Family? past? failure? For me it's shifts. But yesterday thought's gravitated to Satan. Satan's number one tactic is deception. The accuser. Guilt motivating, not grace motivating. Right?

I don't say this because I think "The Devil" want's me to fail. Well...actually he does, but that's another future post.


C.S. Lewis wrote “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight” (C.S. Lewis.  The Screwtape Letter. 1941, p. 3).  This is certainly true about Satan. Some people totally dismiss him as an impersonal force or somebody in a red suit with a pitchfork. On the other end of the spectrum, many people attribute too much power and importance to Lucifer. They feel that he is God’s equal.


Why my thoughts were going here you ask??  Chip Ingram has a series Rhonda has been going through  (even as I write I'm watching) called "The Invisible War-What every believer needs to know about Satan,  demons, and spiritual warfare" .....boo.....


No, I don't suggest that plates are going to start flying in the kitchen. What it does mean though and a major point is how I can be a "religious guy", and what deception does to my motivation.  How easy is it for me to forget that God loves me. He just LOVES ME so much.  This is key in this series. Despite my awareness of this when weakness hits- my thought patterns go something like this.

1. Wow-this hurts
2. Ok-now it's just uncomfortable
3. Can I hold this?
4. I have to hold this to grow stronger
5. I can't
6. I'm a failure
7. No I am not
8. The pain feels warm
9. I like this
10. Man...that hurt

Number six.

When I get here, for some reason, "Failure" creeps in.  The point where helpless and hopeless intersect. This is when I'm vulnerable. This...THIS is the time I have to LEAN on him. Christ. In work, play, training, life, family, friendship, whatever...this is bigger than just getting my "times down" or a "negative split".  I chuckled to myself about that term yesterday too..."Negative split"...that definition to me means the time I decide to allow my performance to split with my capabilities. When I succumb to the discomfort.

When I believe the lie.

 Lieto and I talked about this a bit.  He's told me when that time's upon you, it's too easy to believe "a lie" because of our apparent felt weakness-because it hurts so much. If  unprepared, weakness when a difficult situation is upon me feels normal. In pain I think about "Life", especially when it hurts in training. How can I be a stronger athlete, better husband, more loving father?  Honestly-side note-I'm working on keeping all this in check on race day in Cozumel too-I'm wired to be emotional, sometimes to a fault. Ask Rhonda-I tear up every time that Maxwell House commercial is on TV during Christmas--The one where the son comes home from college and he's brewing coffee. (more on that in next post)

Fundamentally I need to remember that fighting through the pain is a must in an event-but, I who claim freedom in Jesus have to get to number seven where it really matters. I can't believe how often I feel number six, and you know what? When I view the situation- I see a reflection of the time leading up to it. In a race if I've trained and dialed, the resources are there...just  need to tap into them. If I'm alone at home (like now), time in prayer, reading, devotion, accountability with my family---things I tap into keep me from things that can tap into me. Thoughts, shows, commercials, attitudes, motives....whatever. Make sense?

All that to say..when I hurt it's easy for me to wander off in thought. Usually that means "Life"stuff.

Where do you go?

My plan for the next few weeks? Prep for Cozumel. I'll also be working on the Taxi Initiative and getting  information out to you.  Let me know if you have any questions about that.  Also I'll include information about More Than Sport and Haiti.

Thanks for reading-and as always, I am grateful for the support.




  

New Website up...

I'm glad...the new website is up and as usual, it took longer than I wanted. www.christianisakson.com still has a few tweaks needed. Overall, I am happy. It's not super flashy or overly "hip", just nut's and bolts.  Please-send me your thoughts, be honest too.  If you see something that is off, or could be better--please let me know. The concept is simple-tell people about the Taxi Initiative and start to work towards helping those in need.  Plus, it's awesome to be teaming up with Chris and More than Sport. Honored to have that opportunity. New Facebook page in the works, and mobile website update too!!!  Also-I'll be having some stuff on the More Than Sport site also.

Training is in full swing and I've had a few big weeks.  I feel good.  I'll talk more about this in my next post...Just wanted to give a quick heads up about my new site and new information.

More very, very soon....