September 27th, 2011 
admin By Gabrielle LeBlanc; Personal Training and Sports Conditioning; New Orleans Personal Trainer.
One of life’s toughest lessons is confronting that dark, yet very real, place that if most often ignored, dealing with it, then through it, transforming yourself into a stronger you. This is something that everyone will go through constantly in life, and until you accept that and learn to master it, you will never grow to your full potential. What are you afraid of? What’s stopping you from being who you want to be? Fear of pain, suffering, embarrassment, deceit? Fear is merely your ego trying to stay alive. Until you learn to separate yourself from your ego, let go of the image you or others see yourself as, let go of the past and future, and live in the present, fear will control your life and you will have no say into what direction it goes.
Anytime I come face to face with pain or suffering, for example, like doing a “Brick” workout, one of my mantras is “It’s just pain. It’s not you.” Then I’m able to view my situation from the outside and continue toward my goal of finishing the workout. In the following paragraphs, I’ll be describing to you one of the many journeys when I am forced to dig deep within myself, deal with pain, and not give up. I’ll be describing one of my “Brick” workouts from a 12-Week Irongirl Duathlon Program which consists of a 20 minute run immediately followed by a 60 minute bike, then finally, a 30 minute run.
The alarm sounds, 6am. All I can think is “How in the world am I going to finish this workout?” After having missed three workouts last week and the previous evening’s workout left me with blisters on my feet, discouragement was sitting in the back of my head. But deep inside, I wasn’t going to let that stop me. If anything, it made me want to finish it more. My worst enemy is looking too far in the future. The moment you think you can’t do something is the moment you realize you can. I have to remind myself to take it one stride, one breath at a time.
After waking up, I start my morning ritual with coffee and some reading. At this moment, I’m not thinking about my workout in the next hour, I’ll worry about that when it comes. I prepare my electrolytes and fill my Camelbak with water. I eat my orange and pack a banana. Strap up my bike, put on my more cushioned running shoes, and I’m off. Put my car in park, grab my stop watch, sunglasses on. I arrange my helmet, Camelbak, and bottle in a convenient place so I lose as little time as possible. Lock my car, ready for the first run.
Mile 1
The first mile is always a piece of cake. Once I hit the second, reality hits me like a ton of bricks (pun intended). At this point, all I can think of is the last run. I already know how tough it is, especially in the heat. The first “Brick” workout I did, I only completed 3 of 12 laps! However, the second attempt I completed with flying colors even though I pretty much rolled out of my car when I pulled up in my driveway. So I know it’s possible to complete. I bring myself back to the present and work on completing one lap at a time, being aware of any pains or signals my body is giving me to make any adjustments necessary.
There are always moments when running when even the most subtle things have the power to lift me up and push me more. This day the sun and wind were my enemy even though at the end they surprisingly became my friend. During the toughest part of the run when me and the sun were face to face, I’d imagine the sun trying to defeat me which made me fight harder. And I knew that just around the turn I’d feel a small gust of wind that seemed to lift me up and fill my lungs with hope. Next thing I knew the stopwatch read 19:30. Time to start running to my car to unrack my bike.
The Bike
At this point, I don’t even have time to think or discourage myself. The start of the bike is always quite refreshing since I’ve replenished my electrolytes and now have a nice wind to cool me off. After the first five minutes, the wind then becomes my enemy. I usually ride about 17mph, but the wind pushed me back to a merely 13mph. I decided instead of fighting the inevitable, I’d go with it. I stayed at the slower pace and conserved my energy for the last run. I knew on the way back it would be the exact opposite and the wind will help me finish.
There are always the other bikers, runners, or walkers I pass while riding who give me encouragement. Whether it’s the little old lady with a crane walking, the novice bikers I pass up, the advanced bikers who pass me up, and the advanced bikers who pass me from the opposite direction who I see working just as hard. After biking for about a month now, I’ve made time landmarks along the way. The first is under the Huey P. Long Bridge. I should have reached this within 5 minutes of the start. Second, is the small bridge which should be hit at the 15 minute mark on a good day. Third, a small pumping station that I always see as a cross of some sort of church which always gives me hope that I’m just about half way there. Fourth, a bench that marks about 30 minutes where I stop and replenish my electrolytes. Time to turn around and go back. Once I reach the small bridge again, I know I’m only a few moments away from seeing the Huey P. From that moment on, nothing can stop me. Toward the end, I start stretching out my hip flexors, back, and calves and drink the last of my electrolytes preparing for the last run.
Why is it called a “Brick”?
This workout is called a “Brick” workout because of the rubber-leg feeling you get transitioning from the bike to the last run. The bike has ended. I quickly lock my bike to my car and start running. I’m actually running faster than the first 20 minute run! Then it hits me again after lap 3. And the journey begins. In an attempt to encourage myself I say “Only 9 more laps!” Well, that didn’t work. So again, I bring myself back to the present and take it one lap at a time. The sun gets worse and worse each lap, but the wind and occasional cloud feels like a day at the beach. I’m making great time so I try my best to stay at the same pace. Toward the 8th lap I start slowing down. At this point my goal is to finish the 30 minutes. The 10th lap comes around with about 5 minutes left. I tell myself “Only 1 more lap!” I push myself and dig to the deepest of me to get through that dreaded sunny stretch to realize I still have 3 minutes left. Now “One more lap” again! At this point, I feel the effects of dehydration starting to set in. I reach the end of the sunny stretch, 30:00. Finally! But I still have to walk to my car. That must’ve been the closest I’ve been to passing out, but I made it and didn’t die. Goal completed.
Some people ask me “What made you want to become a Triathlon Coach?” or “Why did you start doing multisport races”. My answer: Because endurance has always been a weakness of mine. I refuse to let anything hold me back in life. So I will master this if it kills me. Life is always about the journey, not the destination. The journey I just described to you is how I breakdown all my life’s struggles. Seeing the good in everything and pushing myself beyond my boundaries. Each time I learn that there are no boundaries.
Learning your weaknesses and not pushing them to the side is a part of growing. Being vulnerable and weak is horrifying, but the humbleness experienced brings us at peace and reminds us that we’re not in complete control. It teaches us to trust in the universe and go with its flow. In tough times, learn to view your mind, body, and life from the outside. This puts you in control of your actions.
Realize when there is resistance within yourself or when you’re defending yourself. Are you refusing to acknowledge the truth? Are you afraid to confront it? Most people attempt to ignore the inevitable and try escaping the truth. Sometimes the only escape is to let go of resistance, let it take you down, confront it face to face, then go in for the kill at just the right time. To the surprise of many, fear doesn’t exist. There’s no such thing. The only thing we ever have is this moment, right now. Fear only exists because of anxiety of future events. We have no control of the future. Only the now. You’re only afraid because your ego is dominating. Once you realize you are not your ego and your ego disappears, you realize that limits are nonexistent.
To contact Gabrielle (a.k.a. “Gabbi”) or for more information visit her Personal Trainer Central Profile page.
About Gabrielle LeBlanc – Personal Training and Sports Conditioning in New Orleans, Louisiana
Gabrielle is a Certified Personal Trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, ATI Speed and Agility Coach, and soon to Be: ITCA Certified Triathlon Coach. She works with clients at: Anytime Fitness Algiers: 5163 General De Gaulle Dr Ste J, New Orleans, Louisiana 70131 and at Anytime Fitness Gretna: 1729 Lafayette St Ste 100, Gretna, Louisiana 70053.
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