when 'i think' becomes 'i can'

The Man Who Thinks He Can

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t!
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch that you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind!

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself
Before you can win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the strongest or fastest man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!

- Walter D. Wintle

a few years ago, i decided to test my physical boundaries.  'i think i can run a 5k', became 'i can run a 5k'.  then onto a 10k, half-marathon and eventually a full-marathon.  at each stage, i thought that i could go further.  wasn't 100% certain that i could, but kept pushing forward.  now i have set my sights on vegas and/or kona to compete in the ironman world championships.  i know, quite a jump from 5k, but you have to set your sights high.

we are all striving for something. i am on here explaining my journey to become an ironman.  but it can be anything; new job, college degree, better parent, ect., this list can go on forever.  and each journey starts out with an 'i think'.  normally for me, my 'i think's' starts quickly out of the gate.  but eventually, you hit that rough patch.  you lose sight of your objective and start focusing on the negatives.  

'i don't know if i can do this', 

'this is too hard', 

'what was i thinking'  

now its time to search deep within and find a way to get back on track.  this is the part that separates those who can and those who can't.  you can either brush the dirt off and go again or become someone who claims that it can't be done.  

there have been countless times where i wanted to call someone to come pick me up because i thought i was exhausted, wanting the session to be over.  but i kept putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward.  most of the time, i finished stronger than i could have imagined.  other times, i'm crawling up my front porch, but i made it back. (wonder what my neighbors think when they see that?)  and as i sit catching my breath, i start planning my next session that will be harder than this one.

the greatest of athletes, the smartest of smart people and the most driven people all hit the rough patch.  they are faced with the same questions and negativity.  but we know them and forced to learn about them because they turned 'i think' into 'i can'.  they continued pushing forward to meet their goals and aspirations.  keep pushing, continue trying and never forfeit your faith.  turn 'i think' into 'i can' everyday!

-johnny

me? you are sponsoring me?

i know, i know.... it's been awhile.  my apologizes.... (to our 4 readers)

however, i have some very exciting news.  check out...Ironman-Newton Running Tri Team as you read through, scroll down through the names and, whoa, is that johnny little? that's right, i have been selected to join the ironman foundation and newton running triathlon team. it's truly humbling to be part of this select group.  

when i first received the email notification, i was at the y practicing my speed bursts on the treadmill. i was overcome with joy and elation. few tears crept up, but i was sweating like crazy, so, thankfully, no one noticed. made a few calls to my family (didn't read the email in whole, wasn't allowed to say anything until the press release, oops) and as it sank in, as i took in their excitement as well, i started to feel validation.  

6 to 7 days a week, i am awake at 4am and either to the gym or on the bike by 5. most of the world is asleep, and i'm covered in sweat or clicking off the yards in the pool. down a chocolate milk when i finish, clean up and it's off to work. like rinse and repeat, everyday. for many people, this lifestyle would be too difficult, sacrificing too much. they would say it's too early, too cold, too far and i could get hurt. however, i have kept these naysayers and negative thoughts at bay by understanding that:

-if it hurts, it will only make you stronger

-if it requires sacrifice, victory will be that much sweeter

-nothing compares to reaching goals that others said were out of your reach

plus, i'm definitely a morning person. so, after i got home, completely read the email regarding my selection, i felt validated. these early morning training sessions, double-day workouts and constantly having to wash my workout attire are being recognized by not just my closest friends and family members, but also, ironman and newton running. i am a sponsored triathlete. what? i know, it's pretty wild. and beyond newton running, , team sponsors include sugio, shimano, fuelbelt, training peaks, multisports coaching, headsweats, tribike transport, gu energy labs, degree, retül, flo cycling, 110% compression and justin's nut butter. to say that i'm excited would be an understatement.

so very soon, you will see me all deck out in my sponsors attire riding or running. the race and training kit look to be quite bright, so i know you won't miss me. well, actually, i need you to not hit me, haha.

johnny