Never thought I would...

“any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.” 

So much going on...Let's get to it.

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to be invited to share on the ABC affiliate here in Portland--channel 2 KATU.  AM Northwest is a morning show after Good Morning America and I was excited to talk about new things happening, Ultraman Canada, and training.  Below is a link to the interview if you would like to watch it.

My daughter snapped a few photos during the show.http://www.katu.com/amnw/segments/Endurance-Athlete--Ultra-Ironman-Competitor-Christian-Isakson-212504621.html

A few Sundays ago after Church our family had to 'divide and conquer'.  I was off to speak at a mens youth group at another church,  my son was dropped off at martial arts/tricking class, and my wife & daughter were headed home for a few hours to chill out. Plans were to sync up again in a few and hit the movies.  Days like this are special for us all here at team Isakson --the amount of training I'm doing now leading into Ultraman Canada is consuming-it's getting close.

What was going to be a good day.... turned out to be horrible.

Rhonda and Evelyn walked into our home and were not met with the usual tapping and prancing of our Boston Terrier's feet.  Weird??? Evelyn giggled and noticed our dog was sleeping on the floor of the living room sprawled out--her hind legs visible  from behind the couch. My wife noticed something different.

Leslie (yes, my son named the dog)...was dead.

Somehow Leslie managed to get into our recycling bin and wedge her head inside a yogurt container.  Poor little dog died what she loved doing...eating.  My daughter was hysterical. I mean it...she was devistated.  I phoned home after speaking to the youth group and could hear screaming in the background.

"Leslie is dead!!!"
"What?!..How??"

Rhonda told me what she had found, and indicated Leslie had been there a while. I hurried home knowing how sad it would be when I arrived.

I say this carefully, but..we are not 'pet' people.  For many reasons we just haven't been big on having pets. I'll keep it at that. My son had begged for 2 years straight to get a dog and we refused. Many reasons really--our schedule, time, lifestyle. I also refused to have a dog and not take care of it--just really never appealed to us.

Eventually Rhonda and I caved & circumstances led us to finding a Boston/French Bulldog mix. She was the coolest little dog ever. I started to change and we all began to love that fat little, kind, lovable dog so very much. Four years we spent with her, and grew fond of horrible breath, horrible gas, and Leslie's kind eyes. She really was a part of us. I never ever thought I would say this--but when I walked into the house to find my daughter in tears holding her lifeless body--I hurt. I was very, very sad. I knew I would miss that dog.

What a fluke occurrence. The container was big enough to cover her face and get lodged on her head behind her ears where it was hard to get air.  I could not believe it as I patted her belly and knew my son would be heart broken. 

It really, really, really......really sucked.

Picking up Ian and telling him the news was horrible.
Burying her was horrible.
The rest of the week was horrible.

It was extremely tough to see Ian and Evelyn so very sad. Rhonda and I were hurting too. Questions that would seem easy to answer-were not.  It's just a dog...right??  Nope. 

I never thought I'd feel like this--all because of that little mass of fat.  The week brought tons of sadness, discussion, tears, and reflection.  I never, ever, thought we would have a dog. I never thought I would grow to love it. I never thought it would hurt to have to dig a hole and place her in it. I never thought I would struggle, despite my faith in God, to have an answer for my twelve year old son when he asked through his uncontrollable tears and inaudible words..."Why did this have to happen Dad?"

We prayed together a lot.  Not because we couldn't handle Leslie dying, but more so how thankful we were to have had her in our life for a while and how fun she was to be with.  We prayed how thankful we were to be with each other, and how it made it less heavy.  Throughout the week during my training I kept reflecting on that sentence that was seared in my head..."Never thought I would".

I decided to make a list of ten things I "Never thought I would" and just see where it ended up. Wasn't tough, and it grew larger than ten quickly.  Decided to narrow down the ones specifically relating to 'sport', but first share a few of the others, the ones that matter the most. Plus..kinda helped through the crappy feeling of Leslie being gone.

*Never thought I would end up living with the true love of my life and honest, no kidding best friend.

*Never thought I would have a son that wants so bad to be me and ignore my failings.

*Never thought I would have a daughter more beautiful, complicated, and wonderful than a field of flowers.

*I am ashamed to admit this..but, at one time I never thought I would desire to follow Jesus Christ as much I desire now.

*Never thought I would actually enjoy a cup of coffee and walking around Target over 'going out'.

*Never thought someday I would prefer the Food Network over MTV.

*Never...ever.....ever thought I would love growing old as much as I do.

In relation to 'sport', again....narrowed down a few.

Never thought I would...

1.   Understand I do have to go slow to get fast.
2.   Realize how important sleep is and as I age, I need more. (well at least a little more)
3.   Grasp the importance of proper running form.
4.   Have to take little bites first-even though I have a big mouth.
5.   Take time to talk to athletes that are better, faster, and stronger and ask for their help.
6.   Be level headed enough to give advice back to others when I've grown faster, stronger, better.
7.   Be fortunate enough to have AMAZING SPONSORS like RYU, ORBEA, LIVING   FUEL,THE ATHLETES LOUNGE, VUELTA WHEELS. I mean that with all my heart.
8.   Race around the World, to eventually help around the world.
9.   Be an Ironman.
10. Prepare to compete in Ultraman.

**I never thought I would come to grasp the idea that sport is just that...sport.  It's not life. Funny how the death of a little dog made us all just step back and think.

If sport was taken from me tomorrow, I'll reflect on the privilege of taking part--but (this took years)  it's not everything.  Understand---I love to race, train, compete, everything that's involved, but, God help me if I place it where it should not be. Yeah, I skirt the line during big training blocks and have the support to do so. But, above family?  My relationship with Christ?...no freaking way.  

I believe the blessing of getting to be where I'm at is related to the understanding of where sport should be. Believe me...this is a struggle.

On a similar note, I get how I've been wired.  I'm SO, SO, SO,  thankful I'm built to be an Endurance Athlete, and I'll strive to be the best possible. I will NEVER quit. I won't waste a second wishing to be a golfer, b-baller, q-back.... I'm built to hurt, and to keep going. Never....ever thought I would say that.  But it's the truth. I love to push, I'm grateful for this.

Few more things here.

The Taxi Initiative is still moving forward, and this is awesome.  My fundraising for the team to Haiti and Mountian Top Ministries is still full on, so please go here to see how you can help. 

Last week Rhonda and I met with the Ameena Project. An amazing orginization that works in Kenya.  Meeting Ian and Shari was a moment I won't forget.  We hit it off and will be teaming up together for a really, really, big event.  I'll have much more information on this as the details fall into place. I'll also share a lot more about the Ameena Project. 

Farmington Gardens has been kind enough to extend an invite and allow a fundraiser to take place in the future.  More Than Sport and Chris Lieto will be involved and the idea of the Taxi Initiative 'giving lifts' is taking shape.  More very soon.

I want to say thanks to Respect Your Universe and the team that works at RYU.  These people have treated me with such kindness and support.  Not only is the gear they have (and the gear they are releasing) solid, but the company itself is incredible.  So proud to be included within their vision. 

On that note I congratulate one of their team for completing his first Triathlon!!!! Kaveh solid work man! DO NOT STOP! Way to push through and finish strong.  I'm so happy for you.

Geting to know Kaveh has been so cool and he and the team at RYU wanted me to include a few pointers for interested athletes attempting, or considering a triathlon.  Cool!!! No problem. Along with the insight from my list above I'll relay five "should do's" for new comers.  Next entry I'll do a specific article and include five more. As always if you ever have any questions just shoot me an e-mail.

So....straight forward, and to the point.  Five things you should do if new to the sport of Triathlon.  Thinking back-this is what I would tell myself...

1. RESEARCH and KNOW what you are getting into. Talk, read, surf, listen, seek out (like this) those who have the answers or direction. Locally The Athletes Lounge is a great resource. Books, Mag's, and  better yet people who can give good advice.

2. Start to keep track of what you eat. Seriously....It's not tough. Take a notebook and start on a Monday morning. Every time you eat-- note what/how much/when. Heck...even if you don't ever do a Triathlon-try this once and see what you see.

3. Go to a good running store and get a good pair of shoes.4. Write down the main reason you want to do a Triathlon-Put it on your fridge.

5. Buy a calendar. Place it next to the 'reason' on the fridge.

I'll vamp on this later.

foundation

Jimi Hendrix said in an interview once that overdoing it sometimes in a song-repetition-especially live, over, and over, and over, eventually sucks the listener in. Not because it's necessarily an amazing symphony, you just get "drawn in" and begin to wonder what happens next. I grew up listening to Hendrix-Loud. I was thinking about this over the course of the last few big training weeks. They have been big, and have kept me very busy. In part due to the length between blog posts (sorry), and ton's of other stuff going on...repetition has "drawn" me in. Actually...it has sucked me in and splattered me back out

.

Meeting at RYU HQ's Makes me smile..

Training and preparation has been spot on.  I'm happy with my progress and  still have a way to go, I realize the only way to Ultraman is through Ultraman. Which equates to repetition.

Along with my schedule of big hours, I have had AMAZING things going on that I am so excited about.  I had mentioned a fundraiser in my last post that is still in the works. The details are  being worked on and as soon as I am able-I will share.  It's really, really cool.

My next TV appearance is happening on June 21st. AM Northwest has been kind enough to offer me a chance to come and speak about a few things. Ultraman Canada, my amazing sponsors, and the growing Taxi Initiative will all be discussed. I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of sponsors...putting in a few more enjoyable sessions on my new Ordu has been a thrill.

It is an amazing machine and I am so unbelievably happy to be on team Orbea. I've never been more comfortable on a bike.

I've been fortunate enough to have a few meetings with RYU here at the Respect Your Universe Headquarters in Portland....don't even know where to begin. The kindness and interest they have expressed in my athletics and Taxi Initiative makes me feel like I'm family. Yes-as an athlete affiliated with RYU my desire to perform well is strong. I want to reflect what they believe in sport as an ambassador of a warrior, but understand this....RYU is interested in the process, desire and drive of the individual. Those who struggle hard through endless sacrifice to get to the line. Triumphs for RYU are those that push through, break thryu. How many athletes have wanted this??  Partnering with people who are not as interested in a 'podium finish' as much as 'passionate fire'.-right?

  

Not "Just do it".... "Just be it".

Things are moving at RYU and I'm just so excited and grateful to be a small part. Not to mention how incredible the gear is, and how incredible the new line that's being worked on is. Awesome. 

Thanks RYU for preparing me for battle day in, day out. Training, resting, recovering. 

The Taxi Initiative is growing. I'm encouraged to see the donations coming in to help get a medical team to Haiti this fall. Through my crowdrise page and partnering with More Than Sport I'm still focusing on reaching my goal.

On a similar note I have had many opportunities over the past few weeks to meet and dream about where I can be used and how to continue to help. The idea of establishing the Taxi Initiative as an actual Organization/Foundation is being looked into. This could be a good thing. Being able to team up with different missions, organizations, and charities to help give them a lift would be such a blessing. I've always hoped I could be in a position to help the people who are making a real difference. It's a passion I have to use sport as a way to really...Really, make change happen.

This is RYU's hope also and big news concerning them helping me in Haiti soon.

So, with potential changes moving forward, a new website is in the works, some new photos coming and a few training videos getting released in the future-I am busy. Excited about this and stoked to share with you all a few days during a big training week in video form. Should be fun. I'm also excited to be speaking this Sunday to the Sonrise Youth group about my passions and desire to serve God.

Rhonda and I are working on our future nutrition classes we will be hosting at Farmington Gardens in the fall-details when final dates set.

In opening I mentioned a reference to repetition. I've learned to appreciate this word more every day.  I've also come to understand depending on attitudes and positioning, 'what' you repeat, is just as, if not more important as the repeating itself. Training is repetition. Results are a product from correct right repetition. In the past at times, I've repeated the wrong thing so much I actually believed I was right. Not good.

My encouragement to you is that in training, ensure you are repeating the right steps, actions, pace, nutrition, whatever, so solid base is established-therefore making it easier to build upon. I know how fundamental and obvious  this is-uh, right? From business to family... My children feel me love them over and over and over and over. I do. I kiss my wife more now than ever. This repetition actually makes my son always ask me "Man Dad...why do you always want to make out with Mom? Answer-because it's foundation. Repetition is foundation. Plus she is the most beautiful thing on the planet.

Talking to a newer Triathlete this past week I suggested he start to build patterns and repeat proper form in the water.  "Practice it til it get's old..like...super old. Like-- I am sick and tired of this I don't want to do another one Old" It's tough at first...but Like Jimi said, you see whats next.  Usually it's progress, then product, followed by a solid base. Structure that is sound and strong. 

Doing the correct thing is harder than the easy thing. Swim. Bike. Run. repeat. Repetition. Over and over and over. Because ...if not, your foundation sucks. It's not built on sturdy ground, it's not even built out of sturdy materials.

It's a sand castle.

And it falls into the sea...eventually.

I had an experience happen this past week--you know who you are and what you did. It was an act of kindness and encouragement that was an answered prayer. Thank you from every part of my soul.  I mean it....it's that kind of action that get's me through uncomfortable moments in training.  I won't let you down.

Information about upcoming fundraiser, TV appearance, the Taxi Initiative, New Website, and Ultraman..next blog...

Thanks for reading.

repeat.