The Journey Continues ...

Thank you 2010

2010-12-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

What a year 2010 has been. It was a year full of first and amazing experiences - athletic or not. I ran my first Road race (ING Atlanta 13.1,) Trail race (Red Top Rumble,) and Ironman (Wisconsin.) Often times it felt like I had bit off more than I could chew but thank God I have a big mouth. While it wasn't always fun during the preparation to these events, the sum of it all was a good time, not to mention the great relationships that were built too.

2010 also saw the last of the Warren men. After a brief but harsh battle with Cancer my last uncle was ushered away leaving my generation to fend for ourselves. Thankfully the women of my family have always been good guides, investing lots of ass whoopings and verbal lessons so I would be prepared. They are where my true strength comes from.

Spent the night on top of a mountain in a tent with 2 to 3 feet of snow. At the time of typing this I still don't have feeling in the tips of three of my fingers. This was an incredible experience spent with one of my best friends in the world. While it was suppose to 5 days, i'm pretty sure we would have died around day 3, the two days were enough to make it one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Not to mention the hardest. That mountain will see me again in 2011.

Last but not least, 2010 brought lots of new people in my life. Some for shorter periods some for forever. All are special in their own way. There is one very special person who barely made her way into my life for 2010 who thinks the world of me and tells me she plans to be around for a while .... and I actually hope she's right. Us agreeing on that part alone is a pretty big deal. Only time will tell if she's right. So, while 2010's final hours slowly pass, 2011 looks pretty bright on the horizon.

I'm alive

2010-12-01T18:40:00.001-08:00

Well of course Ironman is over, and it turns out the journey through life continues. It's been sort of a struggle deciding what direction I should go with this blog. These days my time is spent going to work, the gym, and laying in bed. Some where in there I manage to eat and maybe socialize. Nothing special, most times it's either Ramen or Rice and all the time grill fish (George Foreman makes it too easy) and socializing usually means Gchat or a random gym conversation. So I definitely can't write about food. Relationship - doesn't exist so I can't write about that (if it did exist and I wrote about it i'd probably get my ass kicked- hypothetically). So I'm not left with much. Really, the only thing I come in contact daily that puts me in a great place is my conversation with my mama and hearing songs and the lyrics speaking to me. So I could write about that and sound like a big baby, rehash some old wombs, or just sound like a bizarre crazy person. Honestly i'm not strong enough to write my feelings on the interwebs on a regular basis, if I actually had feelings, so I think for now this is just gonna have to be a blog about the random shit that pops into my head. Could be one line. Could be a novel - time will tell. So like time we move forward.

Laugh for the day

2010-11-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

So today I was rushing to the gym to make a pilates class. I get to the locker room and start changing. I stand up to drop my boxers to put on compression shorts. While i'm pulling my leg out of my boxers I begin to fall over so I try to put that leg back on the ground and right through the bottom of my boxers my foot went. Thats right I ripped the bottom clean out of my boxers. That's probably the most awkward series of events i've experienced in a while. Talk about a transition. After class, I get back to my locker and pull the bottom-less boxers out of my locker and can only stand, look, and laugh. Rather than sport the plaid skirt I created I decided to pass on a shower and sport my compressions for the rest of the day. Commando is just a bad idea.

I believed, so I went for it

2010-09-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

Pre race:
Wednesday I woke up finished packing and headed to the airport to pick up the rental car. After stopping to pick up salt sticks, Justin and I were off to Wisconsin. Driving through Tennessee and part of Kentucky isn’t bad, but Indiana is the worst. There is absolutely nothing in Indiana but the gigantic electricity producing windmills (not very entertaining at the 9th hr of a road trip.) Finally around 11:30 pm we arrived in Chicago and crashed at a friends place. Thursday woke up around 7 and got back on the road to finish the last leg on the ride. The ride between Chicago and Wisconsin was just as boring as Indiana. Then finally out of nowhere the little oasis of civilization that is Madison appeared and we were finally there.

We arrived too early to check-in but the hotel let us lock our bikes in a conference room so we could go out and explore Madison. Madison is a college town where most of the people walk around frowning, until you talk to them, and then they turn into the nicest people imaginable. With not much to see besides the university, I grabbed some lunch and headed back to the hotel to finish check-in.

Once checked in I headed to Monona Terrace to check in for the race. At the race packet pickup I nearly lost it. The nice volunteer asked the simple question “you ready?” and I had to fight back tears. My stomach was in knots. That simple question changed things from a thought of a race that had been looming in the distance for what seemed like forever to being a real thing. I was really shaken. Wondering around lost, thinking I had gotten myself into something over my head, I bumped into Jody who was very encouraging and tried her best to get me to think positive, but I had already lost the battle that day. Afterward Justin and I headed back to the hotel and later out to dinner and called it a night early.

Friday morning I woke up to the best continental breakfast spread I have ever had. Sausage Biscuits, eggs, fruit, bacon, 4 types of juice, and fresh fruit was standard. After the nice breakfast, I rode back to Monona Terrace with Justin to register since he had left his ID at the hotel on Thursday. After our trip to the Terrace we decided we would skip the group swim after talking with a local and instead ride the run course on our bikes. The local guy told us how disgusting the lake is/was and how it affected him the prior week. If someone from Madison had that to say about their own lake I was compelled to listen. During the bike ride we decided that we would jump in the lake for a few minutes the next day just to see the water temperature. The bike ride was uneventful, though the run course seemed interesting with a lot of turns and changes in scenery. I knew that would help me being such a weak runner, visual stimuli are always a plus. After the ride I had the smallest noodle bowl ever for lunch and headed back to the hotel to pack transition bags and rest up before the athlete’s meeting later that night. The athlete’s dinner/meeting was not what I expected. The food was absolutely horrible. I’m not even exaggerating. The energy in the place was cool but the people who missed it didn’t miss anything. Afterwards a few people went to a local pub to have a drink and just reflect and enjoy each others company. Later my friends from home arrived so I headed back and went out with them for a few minutes before retiring for the night.

Saturday was really uneventful. Woke up to same amazing breakfast then laid around watching football and playing on facebook until about 1, then I finally got up and took my transition bags and bike to be turned in. Then it was back to the hotel to rest up for the group dinner later than night. During the day my only focus was to keep drinking water and reminding myself that I could do this. My fear was starting to be replaced with the pure feeling of being crazy. Crazy doesn’t walk around scared, crazy finds humor in the fear, I was all laughs. During the day I got a couple good luck calls and voice mails that kept me entertained. My attitude was the complete opposite of Friday at check-in. Maybe it was the two days spent verbally telling myself “I can do this” or just fate but things were looking up. Some of the others went out for runs but I decided I would take the day completely off. Instead of running I went out to a local grocery store to look for cheese wheels. One of my friends who came to support me made a bet that he would finish a cheese wheel in the 17 hrs I had to complete the Ironman. Sadly finding a cheese wheel in Madison proved to be too great of a task, so my challenger and I settled on a 5 lb brick of cheese. Had dinner with the group, where the food was much nicer than the Ironman dinner, and got to enjoy the company of my fellow racers from Atlanta Tri Club (thanks for putting this together Annie.) It was nice and low key and perfect for the night before. Really did calm what nerves were left knowing I wasn’t alone. From dinner I took that energy back to the hotel and shut down for the night. Tomorrow was the big day.

Race Day
Pre race:
Sunday morning I woke up around 3:45 and headed down the hall to breakfast. The hotel started breakfast at 4 on race morning for the racers. For breakfast I had two sausage biscuits, and a muffin with honey and a banana. Went back to the room and packed my carbo-pro and special needs bags for the day and I was ready to head to Monona Terrace. Matt’s brother was kind enough to drop Matt, Justin and I off at 5 which gave me one less thing to worry about Body marking at the Terrace was not very organized but fighting through the crowd gave me something else to focus on which was good. Justin and I made it through body marking and headed to drop off special needs bags. Only we didn’t know where special needs drop off was. After asking around I found out drop off was a few blocks away, which ended up being a good thing because it was right in front of a Starbucks with no line for the restroom. During this time Justin and I got separated but we ended up finding each other in the transition room where I put on my wetsuits and set out for the water. Time was flying, I remember asking what time it was and someone saying 6:20 so I knew I had to pick it up. On the way to the water Justin and I got separated and I was on my own ready to start my journey. Nervous yet confident, I finally made it into the water with about 10 minutes to spare. Saw Ron and Amy before entering the water exchanged good lucks then we too separated right when we entered the water. I spent the first couple of minutes getting acclimated to the frigid water, focusing on not hyperventilating while the ice water took my breath away. I made my way to the back because I honestly didn’t know what to expect and this was the part of the race I was most afraid of. Calm and listening to the commentator, there was a pause in him talking and unexpectedly, “boom” the race was on.

Swim:
The swim start was like nothing I had ever experienced. While I started way back there were people still trying to swim over me and pulling my feet. In my mind I was sure we looked like spawning Salmon. It felt like survival of the fittest. Sometime before the first turn I swam up on Amy, I could tell from her stroke, and stayed for a few strokes until I realized I could go a little faster and still be completely comfortable so I pressed on. Swimming along I found myself stuck behind the world’s largest/fastest breast stroker. This guy’s legs were like weapons. Every time I thought I had passed him he would reappear just kicking folks. Reached the first turn, which made the connector at rush hour look like a running faucet, and was slowly pulled around by the heard of people going through the same thing. All the turns would be like this, in retrospect it was sort of nice to break up the long straight-aways. At the end of the first lap I got extremely cold. I was shivering and swimming just wanting to get out of the water. I did the trick that every child knows and it helped for a while but eventually I got back cold and stomach issues came with it. On the second lap my stomach was bubbling uncontrollably and I didn’t want the wet suit stripper to have any surprises so that was my complete focus on the second lap. Luckily the second lap seemed to go by really fast.

T1
I got out of the water got my wetsuit stripped right behind Julie and began the walk up the helix. At first I tried to run but I was just too cold. Walking up the helix I tried my best not to make eye contact with people because I didn’t want to become emotional, but I could hear everyone saying “look at him he’s shaking, he’s so cold” they were absolutely right. I was freezing. Once inside the convention center I knew there was a restroom in the building that I could use to avoid the porta potties so I went there and took care of the bubbling from the swim and while washing my hands I saw my eyes were blood shot red. I was little nervous but I knew it was going to be a long day and there was no reason to rush. Since I was so cold I decided I would wear the leg warmers I purchased on Wednesday in Madison and my arm warmers hoping I would warm up. A helper came and helped me put on socks and my jersey and suggested I take a few minutes to warm up It wouldn’t benefit me to rush out and have to drop out. He told me “it’s a long day, be smart about things.” That was good advice that I took with me for the rest of the day. I was off on the bike.

Bike:
The Start of the bike was pretty uneventful and I was just calmly taking it all in, not going too hard, just maintaining a comfortable pace. I was still cold but in retrospect I think I was working against myself with the leg warmers and maybe even the arm warmers. I was sweating under the warmers and the little wind that would make it through the warmers would only make me think I was much colder. I was drinking and taking 2 salt pills an hour really just moving along comfortably making great timing. Then the cramping hit at about mile 30. I was in such good shape psychologically that I told myself “good thing it’s the quads and not the hamstrings, because you can push through this.” I was absolutely right too. I finally reached the 3 big hills of the course and had no problem with the first, it was long but nothing I hadn’t seen before. Then at the second hill I turned the corner and my eyes locked on an Indian that looked eerily familiar. It was Tracia. Once I figured it out my eyes zoomed out to see Jeanine as a Pirate and Jody as Superwoman. Trying hard not to laugh at the girls, Beau dressed as Elvis popped out from the other side of the street. This street was filled with spectators but none were as decked out as the ATC four. Beau ran all the way up the hill with me giving me motivation. I felt like a star it was an awesome experience. I can’t say enough how much it meant to me to have their support. They were the best part of the bike course. Then the third, and worst in my opinion, hill came I had to get off my bike at the top to stretch. Got off the bike and a spectator from Chicago held my bike and gave me a pep talk to help me keep my head in the race while I was stretching. Then back to riding it was. Saw my friends Josh, Andrew, Adam, Jonathan and Chad in some town where the streets were lined with barricades and crowds and wondered how Chad was doing on the cheese challenge but I didn’t stop. My mind was locked on making it to special needs to take off the warmers. Pulled in to special needs and a volunteer took my bike while I took off the leg warmers and placed them in my bag and tied the arm warmers around the seat post of my bike to use later on the run if necessary. Ate half of my peanut butter and honey sandwich and made my way to the port-a-potty to re-lube for the second lap. I sat my water bottle outside of the potty while I went in for obvious reasons, and when I came out it was gone. That hurt a little but gave me idea of the next water stop to focus on for the next leg. Annie pulled up all smiles, I was happy to see her. Together we set out on the second loop.

On the second loop Annie and I passed each other a couple of times before my quads began to twitch so I backed off. I had to stop at the next water stop to stretch some more, but never thought I wouldn’t make it. While riding I knew I was going to make the cutoff and with Annie in front of me I was excited that she would make it because I knew she had been worried about it. Riding a long a lady as she passes me (no I’m at all embarrassed) tells me “you’re hot.” Completely in a stupor I reach to feel my forehead before realizing she wasn’t talking about the temperature. As awkward as probably possible all I could come up with was “thank you.” After debating for the next few miles if I was insane and imagining things, or what other words I could have confused with hers, I decided everything was real. It was something else to go in the smile bank. The lady and I would keep passing each other until we got back to the hilly section where my legs locked up again and I would have to get off the bike on the first hill. I stopped and stretched some more then got back on the bike. I made it up the second hill okay, saw Jeanine and a few other cheering spectators, before my legs completely locked up on the third hill. Got off my bike and my legs were spazzed completely straight. One of the spectators, Chris from Chicago dressed in a too small cheerleading outfit came to help me out. This dude reminded me of a little league coach, well besides the cheerleading outfit. He completely took over. He told me take my time let my legs calm down and that I was gonna make the cut off so the only thing I needed to worry about was letting my legs calm down. While I was there waiting he ran back down the hill and got a coke and couple of bottles of water. He made me wash the salt off my face, because he said it would make me feel better, and repeatedly tried to get me to have some Coke until I finally relented. The Coke was pretty good but I could only handle a few sips. Then he ran back and got a banana told me to eat as much of that as I could. This dude is going to be an awesome Dad some day. Finally he told me to enjoy the next 20 miles and that he would see me at the finish line. I left there feeling confident and completely amazed that some random stranger made me feel like his day hinged on my success. Back on the bike and I saw my friends for the second time. It’s cool they stuck around to see me for all of about 10 seconds definitely helped. After seeing them, for the first time since being on the bike I had to pee. Pulled in to the last water stop handled my business and I was on my way back to Monona Terrace. Excited at first, then a huge hill popped out of no where and I had to pee again. There weren’t anymore rest stops before transition and in the athlete’s meeting they were pretty adamant about not peeing outside of the provided portables, so when I crested the hill I decided to pee off the side of my bike. Wasn’t the neatest but I had dry socks and I hadn’t disobeyed any rules. On the worst road of the course, I was becoming mentally tired and was pretty close to losing it. The bumps in the road were spaced perfectly about 3 seconds apart. I wanted nothing more in the world than to be off the bike. I came up on a guy from Air Force and passed him. This gave me small comfort knowing someone else was hurting worst than I was. After what seemed like forever, I was finally crossing the parking lot we had to cross to get out and entered the no passing zone, I knew it was almost over. Going up the helix at Monona my smile returned and I was excited to be done with the bike. Took my arm warmers off my seat post and my shoes off and in to transition I went.

T2:
Once I got to transition a volunteer came and dumped my things out began taking off my socks and putting the new ones on and my shoes then my legs locked up again. He went and got what I think was a Chiropractor and they guy began ART on my leg. Hurt like hell, but I knew it would help during the run. Didn’t seem like long but once I learned my transition time it must have been a while he was there helping me. Even after he finished I was still cramping and he said just give yourself a few minutes to let your legs calm down but you’ll feel better once you start moving. So I sat there until I was able to bend over and tie my shoes without cramping. Once I tied my shoes I still had to changed shorts so I got that done and the volunteer repacked my things and told me I had seven hours to get it done. He too wished me luck and told me he would see me at the finish line.
Run:
I walked out the door and head to start the run and I hear “William Archie”, I turn to see Amy. She yells “I am so happy to see you” as she gets her sunscreen applied, and I walk back to see what the hell she’s doing so far back. She tells me how horrible of a day she has had and we start the run. I ran all of about 100 yards with her before she was gone. I don’t know if I have ever smiled so much during those first few miles. I was so happy to be off the bike, words can not explain. After I came down off the high of not riding anymore around mile 3 I began to focus on rest stop to rest stop. Run as much as I could and to smile at every one I could. While I was moving pretty slow, I was having fun. The crowd and the volunteers were amazing. People would call out your name like they had known you all your life, and at this point in the day my name was about the only thing I could comprehend without thinking. At about mile 8 my legs cramped up again at the end of State Street, probably because the street was lined with people and I inadvertently picked up my snails pace from the adrenaline. I stretched and pressed on. At mile 10 I sat down to tie my shoes and when it was time to get up, I had a problem. Right while I’m trying to get up Justin passes on his second loop, and hears me call out to two volunteers for help up. He walks over to help me and all I could think of is the both of us stuck on the ground so I told him “get out of the way and go finish your race.” Afterward the two volunteers came and pulled me up and I was back to moving. On the way back in I did some math and realized I was going to finish the first lap in about 3:30ish and that was cutting it a bit close so I tried to pick it up for the last 3 miles in. Coming in to the turn around everyone thought I was coming in to finish, it was a tad bit of a let down having to explain to people that I had 13 more miles to go. Once I would tell them they would all go in to motivational mode telling me I had it. Turned around checked my special needs for more Gu’s to find the first thing I had forgot to do. Still I wasn’t worried the course was well stocked with food and my spirits were really high. Re-tied my shoes and started the second loop. On the second lap I began drinking chicken broth which was amazing. I had never had broth alone as a drink, and it absolutely blew my mind how incredible it was. I would run for a few minutes walk for a few. Around 18 or 20 I knew for sure I would make it and I was truly on cloud nine thanking the spectators and talking to everyone who wanted to talk to me. It’s funny every time I would say “thank y’all” the volunteers would give me a weird yet appreciative look. I’m guessing they only hear y’all in movies. At about mile 23 I came up on a walking brigade of about 10-15 people. I walked and talked with them for while before pulling away. Most yelled in shocked when they saw me run ever so slowly away “you can still run, dude that’s awesome”. About this time I started thinking of my Mom waiting on me. Sadly she couldn’t make it up to Wisconsin, but all I could think of is the bear hug she gave me after I graduated from high school. I imagine she would be that excited when she saw me cross the finish line. Then finally I could tell I was getting closer, emotions started shooting all over the place when Brendan, Katrin’s business partner appeared out of nowhere. I didn’t recognize him but he was wearing an ATC shirt. Initially I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating when I couldn’t figure out who he was. I had met him the day before but my memory had completely failed by that point. Our conversation went like this

Brendan: Everyone is waiting for you just around the corner
Me: Really
Brendan: Yeah, Katrin, David, the whole gang, are waiting for you just around these couple of blocks
Me: (smiles) Alright

I started back running and turned the first corner thinking I would be able to see the start of the finishers shoot but I couldn’t. Immediately my emotions tanked, then I heard Claire call out, again my emotions started swirling. Luckily Claire approached me super intense telling me to “Get it William” “Go, Go, Go” without even thinking I was running again. I’m sure if she had been soft spoken I would have lost it, been all crying and shit. It’s funny I met Claire at the John Tanner sprint triathlon she was cheering at the top of lungs for me at the finish line, she didn’t know who I was only that I had an ATC jersey so she cheered, kind of cool that this race ended the same. I ran on and right when I turned the corner I could hear the music and see the start of the finishers shoot. As I made the turn I could hear Mike Reilly “Here he comes,” while he was saying this people were reaching out giving me high fives, I couldn’t make out any faces in the crowd. It was a very unique feeling. “From Atlanta, Georgia, William Archie, You. Are. An.” and the crowd screamed “IRONMAN!” I felt like I was floating. I couldn’t stop smiling nor did I want to

Post Race:
The song Dynamite was blasting and David Cater came from around the corner and he looked as happy as I felt. Cater escorted me out of the finisher’s area where Josh, Adam, Jonathan, Andrew and Chad were waiting. I was happy to see them and they looked super excited too, since my Mom wasn’t able to come they were my family. They spent 16 hours seeing me for all of maybe a minute and even relayed info to my Mama back in New Orleans. I asked Chad about the cheese, he dodge that question like the guy in the Matrix dodging bullets. Justin congratulated me, it was awesome because we set out on this journey together knowing we’d have someone who would keep us honest on the training. The endorphins were at an all time high. Jody came around the corner and gave me the biggest hug and I nearly lost it but I kept it together. She’s been so supportive through it all. Before I knew it everyone was around, I had a huge family of friends there supporting me it was an incredible feeling. We took some pictures and I swallowed a sandwich that I couldn’t taste and pondered on what I had just accomplished.

Summary:
I set out and completed something that I didn’t even know I could do when I signed up for it a year prior. I had never completed a century, run a road race (I think my farthest run was about 12 miles), or swam farther than 1200m when I committed to this race. Faith, family, and friends help me through a lot of the training days. The training had been a roller coaster, there were days where I was certain I could do it, others where finding a word other than curse word was hard to find in me describing it. On this day none of those things mattered. In my house as a child “I can’t” wasn’t allowed to be said to anything. If you didn’t know how to do it, you’d say “I don’t know how,” and was taught, but never were you allowed to say “I can’t.” I owe my parents the world for teaching me this lesson. I never once thought “I can’t” during this race. I had the choice to fight or make excuses and I fought through it all just like I’ve been taught all my life. Thank you everyone for all the support and kind words you’ve given through all the training. Who knows if I could have done it without this, but if I had to choose I’d choose with you every time.

Don't sweat the small things

2010-06-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

So it's Friday and it's been a rollercoaster of a day. For the last week i've been waiting on today to get my new bike (yes i'm finally getting a new bike) and today arrives and the bike store let me down. After getting my hopes up only to be shot down, I finally reeled myself in. I mean, my best friend is dealing with her grandfather being in the hospital and i'm thinking about a bike - Ding! welcome back perspective. I also took the time today to read a race report from Ironman Wisconsin from 2005 when it rained all day and the temps were in the 50's. Yeah that definitely was what I needed to let me know without sacrifice and determination, I won't make it to the finish line. So now I go on my second century in as many weeks on my faithful roadie with no bitching. I should be thankful I even have a bike period.

My training this week has been okay but I did take Wednesday off from running and biking to give my legs a chance to recover after last weekend. Spent some time doing swim drills Wednesday trying to get stronger. I am definitely getting closer to reaching my goal. After Thursday's Buckhead Bellyache ride I upped the brick mileage to 4 miles, in the next couple of weeks I plan on getting that to 6 or 7. Bricks, I feel, are definitely underestimated in my current circle of friends/training mates. As we get scarily closer to September I want this now as much as I wanted it before. It's crazy how far i've come yet how much farther I have to go in such a short time. There is a slight chance I may get to Wisconsin before September to see the hellish bike course, the jury is still out on that though.

Sunday I give back to the triathlon community by voluncheering at the Iron girl triathlon. Good luck to all my friends racing. See you on the course. I hope everyone else is well.

Where in the world is

2010-06-17T03:05:00.000-07:00

I've been missing for a while, but i'm okay. During my hiatus from the blog life has been a roller coaster ride. The roughest period being May 14th to June 4th. During that time I lost all interest in Triathlon, from the training, to the nagging injuries, to the simple conversations. I went through three weeks of absolutely miserable workouts. Luckily I train with a group of which I can call quite a few friends. Some of my friends could see me falling off and really helped get me back in the right mindset, with simple words. Sometimes being surrounded by good people makes all the difference, especially women with their nurturing skills.

Also in my time away I completed the swim and the bike leg of the Macon half ironman distance race. This race came right in the middle of me being sick of everything and I really wasn't prepared, nor did I actually want to do it, period. Everyone told me I should make it a training day so I did. Going into the race I decided I wouldn't do the run leg because it would take longer for me to recover from that scorching hot run, and cause me to miss out on valuable training time. One okay swim and miserable bike ride later, not running was the smartest decision i've made in a long time. Macon never has to worry about me coming back. That place threw the first the perfect storm of misery at me and definitely made a point

This past weekend I completed my first century ride on my third attempt. The third definitely was a charm. A hot, hilly, charm. Now it's time to go out for a run on my super tired legs in this Georgia heat. I hope everyone has been well.

Happenings

2010-05-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since i've posted but the feeling for me lately is it's been a while since i've done anything not related to swimbikerun. Thursday, I hit a low point and made myself step away from the group training on Friday and Saturday. I really needed the drinks I had Friday night and to suffer through my run Saturday (at 3 in the evening it was super hot) alone. It was a nice break from the norm, though it was also nice to meet back up with the gang Saturday night to just hang out for dinner. I knew when I signed up for the Ironman it would take a lot of sacrifice, but my idea of a lot does not give this commitment justice. From talking to others, it's hitting everyone like a stomach bug at a buffet. Hopefully this is just a fad and the other 23 people make it to Wisconsin with me.

Coming up i'm going to attempt another 70.3. According to most this race will be much more difficult than Gulf Coast (which was completely flat, besides the water). Word around the block is this is one of the hilliest 70.3 bike courses around and it has absolutely no shade on the bike or the run and we've been close to 90's here lately. If cramping was a competition, i'd win, so what better time to work on nutrition. I have a good feeling after this race, whether I finish it or not, i'm going to have a reason to Hate Macon Georgia.

Looking forward to this extended weekend, if only there was kareoke on tap like last year. Happy Memorial Day!

Gulf Coast Triathlon Race report (working title)

2010-05-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

Gulf Coast Triathlon 70.3
Date of Race: 5/08/2010
Total Race Time: 6:49:42
Overall Place: 479/614
Age Group: 25-29
Age Group Place: 44/51

Pre-Race:
Rode down to PCB Thursday with Jody and Todd, listening to Jody sing every song ever made, even the bad ones. Got dinner and ended the night early back in the room looking forward to practicing the open water swim the next day. Friday morning woke up and headed down to the gulf for a practice swim. I’m happy I had the chance to practice because I learned Ocean motion + me on my back = vomiting, and that no matter what I would float in salt water with a wetsuit. This was very comforting to know, and would really help come Saturday. After regaining my sea legs I spent the rest of the day hydrating and trying to calm my nerves.

Warm-up:
Race morning woke up at about 3:30 had a banana and saw the white caps in the ocean and laid back down telling myself it just looks bad from the 10th floor. At about 4:15 I woke up for good had 4 pieces of peanut butter and honey toast and headed down to transition. After setting up transition, I went to the shore and watched as the waves before my wave entered the Gulf and got my feet wet.

Swim: 51:28
Before the swim started Matt (a clubmate) and I gave each other last words of encouragement and he moved to the front of the wave as I creped to the back. When the horn went off I slowly made my entrance to the water, not wanting to fight people and waves, and began my way out. Almost to the first buoy, I threw up a little and thought it’s nice to get that out of the way and just kept swimming. Also there was a huge wave with little bait fish jumping out of the water, that was a little scary. They don't call them bait fish for nothing. Later when I brought this up no one else saw this, so maybe I was hallucinating. After the first turn things got a little better and I was able to get some kind of rhythm, I should have recognized this omen because when I made the turn to come back in it seemed like all hell broke loose. The waves were exponentially worst going back than coming out. I threw up four times losing everything in my stomach, but quitting never was an option (I believe, I was so far off course that they wouldn’t have found me if I wanted to quit anyway). I remember coming up for a breath and almost being flipped completely over, thinking “that would have surely broken my spirit,” thankfully I didn’t roll. After finally exiting the water, I slowly made my way to transition thanking the higher powers.

T1: 6:28
The day before the race Todd Laberge pointed out to drink a lot of water once you exit to dilute the salt, so once I got to transition a drank a complete bottle of water. I was really thirsty after throwing up so much but I felt pretty good, other than being thirsty.

Bike: 3:05:48 18.1mph/avg
On the bike I had a plan to drink two bottles of Carbo-pro and Gatorade, to take two Gu’s and to get a bottle of water once my first bottle of Gatorade and carbo-pro was gone, and to stay in the saddle the complete time and not spike my HR. I never pushed out of my comfort zone the entire ride, my Garmin had my avg HR at 134. There was wind on the bike but I was focused on not letting anything out of my control be an issue during this race. I don’t think I have ever been this focused during a race. I felt like I nailed my nutrition and didn’t let the people around me alter my plan, I was truly racing myself at this point in the day and I knew my goal was to finish. I stayed very consistent, and knew I would need to if I was going to finish, especially without cramping. Around mile 35 I got hungry, and had half a cliff bar. Getting off the bike I felt great.

T2: 3:26
I entered transition with Mark Holder and he told me “he had pushed way too hard on the bike,” this helped my confidence heading to the run knowing I managed my bike really well. I watered off my feet reapplied some vasaline and slipped on my shoes and off I went. Exiting the transition, I reminded myself what Ron told me, “this is your 70.3 experience, enjoy it and have fun.” I exited T2 with a smile ready for the run.

Run: 2:42:35
I started the running feeling really good. I didn’t have any pains at all. It seems as soon as I began to run the sun came out with a vengeance and there was no shade the entire run. I ran all the way through mile 10 with a smile on my face, only walking through the water stops. At mile 10 things began to fall apart. I had blood coming through the top of my shoe from not running with socks. My foot didn’t hurt but I was mentally spent and the sight of the blood stain gave me an excuse to walk. So I began to walk/run. Finally someone from my age group came up and passed me and that motivated me not to be last in my age group, if we were indeed the last two people on the course, so I started back running. Around mile 12 I passed two of PCB’s finest sitting in the back of their pick up truck smoking cigs having a beer, and the guy yells “You’re fit, what in the hell are you doing way back here”, even I had to laugh at that. If only the drunk bastard knew how far I have come. That lightened the mood at little heading around the last corner where some North Georgia Multisport loser succeeded at being annoying and down the road to the finish I went. Coming up on the finish I saw another guy from my age group so I picked it up a little more making sure to cross the line before him. Once I crossed the line and stopped running, I instantly went scatter-brained. I stood there not knowing what the hell to do.

Post Race:
One of the volunteers kept asking me if I wanted him to go with me, and I kept saying no. It was really weird, I felt like a little kid with a stranger approaching. After getting away from him I wondered into the convention center and saw they were giving massages. As soon as I signed the paper for the massage I began to cramp. Two ladies came over and began icing me down and making me drink more Gatorade, last thing in the world I wanted at that point, but they were extremely helpful. Eventually I came too and the nice massage lady walked me to the ATC tent where the rest of the club was waiting. I spent the rest of my time there cramping, hanging out with the gang.

What would I do differently:
I definitely need to increase my run and cycling volume A LOT. I also need to incorporated salt sticks into my nutrition. My face was caked with salt by the end of the race, surely that will help some with the cramping (post race or during). I also should have started off the run with a higher cadence. Once my body was used to running, I felt like it was nearly impossible to speed up my cadence.

Rate your overall experience with this race:
The volunteers at this race were the best I have experienced. Everyone was extremely helpful and seemed excited to be there. I really enjoyed the positive energy. The bike was boring and flat, though I like flat, and there weren’t many if any spectators on the run, but the volunteers were incredible. I would defintely do this race again.

Panama would be more fun with Booze and Tyedye

2010-05-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

So i'm in Panama City Beach on the eve of my first 70.3 triathlon. Thats 1.2 miles swimming, 56 miles biking 13.1 miles running. Yesterday was spent driving down to the beach with two of my favorites. I rode in a car for over 5 hours and I promise for the first 4 my biggest rival and one of my biggest friends Jody knew every song that came on the radio. Lot's of random filler songs that just make it on to albums to fill cds (or tapes, lots were old) she sung along ... quite amusing. That amusment did a great job of keeping my mind off of the task thats ahead of me in the next couple of days. But as the sun set, a beautiful sunset it was, my mind began to wonder thinking about everything that could go wrong in the next couple of days.
Went out to dinner with the gang with the gang to get some seafood and seeing the other athletes out, really got me to thinking that i'm not ready for this. Luckily they are here also offering for positive words.Today, friday, I don't feel the exact same way after a practice open water swim and calming down a bit. I learned today during my practice, that if for some reason I need to rest during the swim tomorrow don't roll over and stare in the sky. That coupled with the motion of the ocean will trigger some severe nausea. I definitely ended my open water swim today puking, somehow it's sort of comforting. Maybe it was the Transformer on lunch who I consulted with about a Tri Model. Swim/fish, Bike/Gizmoduck, Run/Kenyan maybe. He gave me pretty sound advice that hopefully i can use tomorrow to help me stay calm. (awesome statue in a mellow mushroom on the beach) Aldrin also pointed out that he thinks God put my arms where my legs should go and vice versa. One day he will eat those words. As the sun sets on this day I hope and pray that tomorrow is kind to me. At some point during the week hopefully i'm posting a race report on a huge step on my journey to ironman glory, and not a post of all the things i've done wrong. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words, hopefully I will you and myself proud in the AM.

This Tri has me as nervous as a Fart on a long ride

2010-05-05T17:05:00.001-07:00

What's good folks? Me, i'm here nervous thinking of what's going on this weekend - My first Half Ironman distance race. Frankly, I don't think i'm ready but the show will go on whether I am or not. So i'm sitting around creating scenarios in my mind where some end with great joy others with ambulances .... I'm obviously rooting for the joy, if only it was that simple. Seriously my goal is just to finish. People say I should firmer goals that relate to time, but this is the way I have approached all of my other tris; Complete the distance, next time set a time goal. I hope to work on being mentally stronger this weekend. Next to cramps, my brain is usually my next biggest hurdle. I hope Sunday i'm writing a glorious post of how I was able to overcome and keep my mind on the task at hand for however long it takes. Stay tuned.

On the training front, I pulled things back last week hoping to be prepared for what this weekend has for me. Man, i'm nervous. I hope I have some interesting pics to put up too. In honor of the redneck riviera, that is Panama City, i'm thinking of wearing my party like a rock star hat while crossing the finish line, mullet and all. Odds are i'll be struggling so bad at the point that I won't remember, but I hope I do. Thanks for the well wishes.

John Tanner Sprint Triathlon

2010-04-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

John Tanner
Triathlon – Sprint
Total Time :1:20:42
Age Group Rank:23/32

Pre-race

Saturday morning I woke up had a couple of pieces of toast with peanut butter and honey and two bananas and loaded my things into the Green Machine and hit the road. I woke up with a sore throat that I hoped wouldn’t affect me and I honestly don’t think it did. On the road to the triathlon I happened to see two cars flipped on the interstate and I was calm the entire time. The thing I did the best on the day was not let the weather become a distraction for me. After a hellish run in October, not letting the weather become a distraction is amazing. Got to park ran straight to the bathroom and headed to get my packet and set up my transition area. I somehow was smart enough to bring a garbage bag to set on my transition bag so I was lucky to have dry shoes for the bike and run.

Warm-up

Right before the national anthem (best I’ve heard at a tri) I dipped myself in the water to get rid of the initial shock and went and hung out with the group. I haven’t exactly grasped the concept of warming up. This would later turn out to be huge mistake on my part during the swim.

Swim:
Goal - sub 12 mins
Actual – 12:48.2

I started the swim and felt fine for what seemed like the first 50 meters, then it was like all of hell broke loose. I have never been so afraid in the water in my life. I could not breathe at all. I swam out to the side to avoid the swimmers behind me and still could not catch my breath. So there I was floating on the outside thinking I was on my way to see Elizabeth like Fred Samford. I’m so happy there wasn’t any canoes on the outside of the loop because I seriously considered quitting after starting a second time and still not being able to breathe. After strategizing for what felt like forever I rolled over to my back and began back-stroking and saw blue caps (my wave) behind me and that gave me the confidence to continue. It wasn’t until the last 100 to 200 meters that I felt comfortable in the water. The timing mat wasn’t at the edge of the water but rather at the beginning of the transition since I walked from the water to transition I probably came in closer to 12. I've been told since the race that you should always get in the water and go as hard as you can for a few meters to warn your body of what's to come. Next time hopefully i'm smart enough to fix this.

T1 3:22
I should probably start my race reports after the race …j/k I walked all the way from the lake to my transition and slowly talked myself back into the race. I put on my race belt in hopes I would save a few seconds in the next transition. For some reason I wanted to sit down so badly in transition. That swim really had a adverse affect on me. I am notoriously bad at transitions and definitely need some practice.

Bike
Goal
Actual 37 mins (my watch)
I started the bike rather conservative not knowing or trusting where my level of fitness truly is on the bike. The one thing I focused on during the bike was drinking. Last year I had a really bad problem of cramping on the run and I think a big part of that was not drinking until I became thirsty and that usually didn’t happen til the run and that always was too late. After playing leap frog with some guy the first 9 miles I pushed as hard as I could the last two. I really need to spend more time focusing on the bike.

T2 1:29
Thought I had a relatively smooth transition but my watch says otherwise. I thought this transition would have been much faster being that I didn’t wear socks and I wore my race belt on the bike portion. After getting my shoes on I had a problem of getting them tied but I prefer to run with laces and not the quick strings so this is something I need to practice for the future. I honestly don’t understand how I’m so slow. I really need to improve my transitions.

Run
Goal 27 mins
Actual 25:22

Coming out of the transition I felt great. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so good starting out a run. I exited the transition with a All3Sports girl and ran with her until I realized that I should probably slow down if I didn’t want to be forced to walk later. In retrospect, I wish I was able to turn my mind off and run with her longer, because I was in no pain, and she was moving. While cruising along on the run, my mind began to wonder and it convinced me that I hadn’t press the timing button for my transition on my garmin, which I had. So for the last 2.25 miles I was on my own without any idea of how fast I was running or my overall time, which wasn’t a bad thing, but I definitely needed to something to occupy my thoughts. There was one section where I had to walk and Matt came up and told me not to stop, which helped me find a cruising pace. There I was cruising along until I passed Jon Reckers on the way back in and he warned me that he was going to catch and pass me. Now, Jon is a much faster runner than I am, but the challenge to not let him catch me was very good motivation to find a pace where I was working. Needless to say Jon never caught me but he definitely pushed me to a PR on a 5K (I’ve never run a official 5K but I have had a timed 5k run and it was 26:16). Overall this was a really good run for me, made even better by teammates. Hopefully the running improvements keep coming and the injuries stay away.

What would I do different
Well I only beat my rival by seconds so I really need to work on my transitions for Chattanooga. I'm sure I gave up at least a minute in the transition. I also need work on my focus on the run. I have to be mentally prepared to race a long with the physical part. Outside of the swim and transitions, I was satisfied with my effort. I know going forward if you're allowed to warm up for the swim, jump in the water and warm up. I never want to experience a swim like this again in my life. If my schedule allows I think I may do the second John Tanner later to see just how much I have improved.

The will to win means nothing if you haven’t the will to prepare

2010-04-21T10:34:00.001-07:00

Things are again looking up. After suffering through a few runs I finally had a good one. Tuesday night I set out to have what I thought would be a medium effort run but it felt so good that I had to just had to push. After looking over my previous times, it wasn't a PR but boy did it feel good. Runs like the one I had must be what people who love to run feel when they go out for their much faster runs. Today i'm sore in the right places and i'm really encouraged going into the rest of the week. Especially considering I did leg weights on lunch and I really pushed during that workout too.

Last week things were blah on the work out front. My right IT band tried it's best to convince me working out wasn't a good idea but, I fought through it and got the work I could get done. Someone posted a quote that was right on time for the motivating factor "The will to win means nothing if you haven’t the will to prepare”- Juma Ikangaa. I won't be winning any races no time soon, but I do have personal goals that aren't just going to magically become attainable without busting my ass. I shockingly even missed what looked to be the best birthday party of the year to get in a bike ride. I also finally splurged and bought myself a Garmin. I have to say so far there is no buyers remorse on this one. I like being able to see all the information it gives, especiailly in the charts and graphs. Here is what my training looked like last week (pre-Garmin):

Monday- Weights on lunch, Monday night swim where I felt like I was dying

Tuesday- Pilates on lunch, TNR 6.2 @ 9:59 (easy)

Wednesday - Weights on lunch, Spin Class LT test (kicked my ass)

Thursday- Bike Hill repeats (30 miles)

Friday- Swim 2000m

Saturday- long run 13 miles

Sunday- Long bike ride 31 miles (Cartersville Ga was tougher than I expected can't believe it took so long for me to make it to one of these rides)

This week has been going good so far, hopefully me going so hard during the week won't have too much of a adverse effect on my first race this weekend, the John Tanner Sprint Triathlon. I'm not going to taper off my training for this race, since it's definitely a C race, but it will be nice to kick off the triathlon season with 40 people from my club. Let's hope i'm not #40 to cross the line, that would be a little embarassing. This race will be a good test of how to take off/swim in/everything else that goes a long with a wetsuit, before Gulf Coast Half Ironman in a couple of weeks (which i'm not even close to being prepared for.) Hope all is well, for everyone out there on the interwebs. Race report will soon follow.

Well it's the Big Show...

2010-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, we are 5 months out from the big show. I am still battling the same right leg issues. Some days are better than others, but I’m going to battle with it. If I can make it off the bike I can crawl 26 miles if need be.

After not being able to go home for Easter, last weekend I had to go home to show my condolences for my brother-in-law’s mother. Death is not something I deal well with, but it’s something that will one day be upon all of us. The silver lining in it all is that I got to see my Mama and the rest of my family. Friday morning my mama woke me up in bed with a box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. There is nothing higher than #1 and she already has that, but I’m sure she will cash in on the gesture at some point. Man, I love that woman. I also changed the oil in the Green machine, I really enjoy working with my hands fixing (and/or breaking) things.

Enough of that, back to the last week, training was going good til I took a trip home and ate pretty much nothing but shit til it was time to come back. I've been paying for it my first few workouts this week. My workouts last week were.

Monday - Yoga on lunch, Swim at night 1850m
Tuesday - TNR 9.1miles 1:27
Wednesday - Morning swim 500m (pretty much got in the pool so the horrible morning wouldn't win), 1 hour on the trainer
Thursday - Swim on lunch 35minutes
Sunday - 8.2 miles 1:32 very bad run very bad

Hopefully this week improves from the beginning of the week. I hope everyone elses training is going smoothly. 151 days to IMMOO

Week 1 is in the books

2010-04-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

What a week it has been. With the nice weather came a huge increase in volume with the workouts. Nothing to complain about .... yet though. I am going to do my best not to complain about the heat, lord knows I don't like running or biking in the cold, so I'm going to embrace the heat- let's see how long this last. Last weekend was a great way to lead into the triathlon season winter left with a bang, now it's time to work. First race looks like it may be April 24th, a short sprint. The first real test will be May 8th with a Half Ironman distance race and i'm not prepared for it at all. Let's hope I can prepare in a month - don't plan on dying in Panama City.

This week the training looked like this

Monday - 50 mins Yoga on lunch; Hour and a half Bikram Yoga in the evening (great for hangovers)
Tuesday - Pilates on lunch; TNR 7.1 miles @1:03
Wednesday - Morning swim 1600M; Weights on lunch; Hour on the trainer in the evening
Thursday - 3.92mile run @ :33 on lunch; Cycling Hill repeats 12 miles
Friday - 1200 meter swim (fail) endurance swim
Saturday - 12 mile run @ 1:55
Sunday - 52 mile long ride @ 3:06, Brick run .85 mile run (IT band not participating)

That's 89 miles for the week, it will be nice to see this number increase as the year goes along.

I went to the bike shop hoping to order a Tri Bike, and they weren't taking orders on the model I wanted. This was definitely a low moment of my weekend. I really like this particular bike shop because it's small and I know the owners, and they look out for me, so I really hope I get to order the bike from them. Hopefully I will hear something from them in the next couple of days and we can get the bike ordered. It would be nice to do the May 8th triathlon on my new bike. Lord knows I need as much saddle time as I can possibly get (on a new bike or my current one.) Easter came and I got to break my fast of Little Debbie's and Ramen. Welcome back to my diet deliciousness.

Week 2 Let's Go. 161 days til Wisconsin.

In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb

2010-04-02T10:20:00.001-07:00

Wow, time is really flying by especially now that the warm weather is finally here. Last weekend I had a blast with friends for my birthday. Celebrating 21 never gets old, in fact I think i'm going to keep doing it until someone is calling me dad or i'm married and it gets vetoed (hopefully i'm married before any kids - there is a chance the wife may be cool with it so both are valid.) I'm a firm believer in "you're only as old as you think you are." I really appreciate everyone who played a part in my weekend I truly had a good time. Oh I also have this jewel to tape to my handlebars at Wisconsin.

This is my little brother Chad in a tri suit that doesn't belong to him. If this can't get me through a Ironman bike ride, I don't know what can.

Well with Monday came the official "i'm not going to miss anymore workouts my life is completely devoted to being a finisher at Ironman Wisconsin" mode. Should be a interesting yet fun journey. I think mother nature was on the same schedule because since Monday the weather has been pretty nice. Also after my Tuesday night run, which I struggled a little bit with but decent overall, I went in to see the Chiro and I haven't felt this good since last year. Went out to test my legs Thursday and ran 4 miles at a 8:17 pace (great for me) and didn't feel like I was pushing - talk about a confidence boost. Hopefully things are looking up from here on out. May 8th is my first big race. A half ironman which is a new distance for me. So I hope April takes it's time.

You can tell tri season is here, all of the triathlete blogs on my reader are updatting less and less. Hopefully I will have internet this weekend and can recap my week on Sunday. Not that anyone reads this or cares - but yeah. If you do read I hope Chad brought a smile to your face (yes that is a star wars tattoo - he puts the C in cool.)

Tonight, we drink

2010-03-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I ran the ING Atlanta Half Marathon my first road race. Going into the race the only thing that really bothered me was the strong possibility of rain that the forecast called for, but in the end the weather during the race ended up being perfect (post race it was freezing.) The first ten miles of the race my right knee was all "clicky" and in pain and really had me frustrated. Around mile 8 or 9 I reached a point where people who weren't suppose to passed me was passing me and that really ticked me off. I know i'm not a great runner but yeah I do have some pride. Going in to the race my goal was to run the entire race and come in under 2:05. At mile 10 I couldn't take the pain anymore and decided it would probably be more beneficial for me to stop and stretch than to keep struggling along. So, at the million dollar bathroom in Piedmont park, where we start some of our weekend long runs, I stopped and tried my best to stretch and it actually work. Coming out of the park on 10th street I felt like a completely different person and decided I would push that last 3.1 as hard as I could. I finished the last 3.1 in 27 minutes (a minute off of my best timed 5k) not winded feeling like I had a few more miles in me which is encouraging, though I wish I would have felt better a little earlier 2:05 was definitely a attainable goal. I actually think I could have went sub 2 hours but talking to others my time of 2:13 isn't bad for my first road race ever. So i'm encouraged looking forward.

The encouragement given by my clubmates has been awesome. Not to mention the impressive times they put up in this race. There is a general consensus that I should race more often to raise my confidence in my running ability. Which after hearing a few times I agree with. This whole endurance thing is still relatively new to me. When the idea of not being able to do something creeps in during a run, i'm pretty much doomed. Racing more often would definitely teach me to manage those thoughts.

Since the race my training has looked like this:

Sunday - ING 13.1 @2:13:36
Monday- Yoga on Lunch, Swim 2000m
Tuesday- Pilates on lunch, TNR 4.8 @:43
Wednesday- Morning Swim 1300m, Afternoon Swim 1400m, Hour Spin
Thursday- Pilates

And the weekend will be a complete drunken good time. Just so happen this is the weekend of my annual 21st Birthday. Starting monday I intend on following the training schedule as best I can, actually spending some quality time on my bike so I don't DNF at Gulf Coast Triathlon but it's party time this weekend. I dipped my feet into the waters last night going to a salsa set to see friends I never get to see. It really has me excited for the weekend now. Here's to a DUI free, nobody going to jail good time weekend.

Time to channel my inner Forrest Gump

2010-03-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

So, we are three days out from ING Georgia and I'm not really sure i'm prepared, though I'm not really nervous about the race(more worried about the weather.) The forecast calls for thunderstorms, not just rain but thunderstorms. I know i'm not made of sugar but running in the cold and the rain is terrible. Last time I ventured out in these conditions I ended up with a cab ride back to my car and taking 2 months off to get better. Really don't want to go through that again.

After the race I think i'm going to make a ortho doctor appointment. Something in my right knee is just not right. Going to 1st Choice has helped manage the pain but it's not fixing anything. It's so discouraging with spring being here and a looming Ironman, but something needs to be done to fix this. Not only am I experiencing pain and a lack of power while running, i'm also having the problems while riding my bike. I want it to be something thats a quick fix but i know that is never the case, and i'm a little nervous about it all. I'll keep the blog posted.

I'm looking forward to updated my ING experience be it positive or negative. My second running race (not taking place in elementary school) ever should be a interesting one. I guess I should go buy a rain coat.

Six months til certifiable

2010-03-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well we have reached the six month mark til Ironman Wisconsin. It's still a little surreal when I think about the fact that I'm going to be during a Ironman in six months. Funny thing is there is a lot of work to be done until then ... a whole lot. Since my hip flared up last week I took the advice of the doc and didn't run or bike after Tuesday last week. Making for a pretty light week for me.

Monday Swim 2000 meters
TNR 6.6 (hurt the hip again)
Wednesday morning swim 900 meters (felt horrible)
Saturday swim 2500 meters (felt great) 15 pull ups on the I-beam in Twisted Taco

I've come to the realization that I kinda like swimming just because it doesn't hurt. I mean it's a work out and I reach exhaustion but I don't get the kind of pain I get from running where i'm questioning my sanity. I have to keep pushing past my hatred for running and cycling to get stronger though. I have one more weekend of hanging out (last weekend of March for my birthday) then it's full time training.

Next weekend is the ING marathon Atlanta, i'm going to attempt to do the half and hopefully I won't end up in a SAG wagon. I haven't had a long run in a couple of weeks but I feel like my fitness is at a point where I should easily be able to run 13 miles as long as the injury bug doesn't hit. This will be my second running race with the first being two months ago so we will see what happens. However it ends, I have my birthday, friends, and crawfish to look forward to the next weekend.

This weekend ended up being a good time. The bond of working out is so strong between the people in my tri club. It's funny whenever someone has a birthday or some kind of party, in the end all their other friends are gone and the Tri club is all thats left. Endurance athletes - endurance drinkers, crazy combination but it works.

Brown Coyote

2010-03-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Guess who is hurt again? You got it, it's me. I'm so sick of dealing with these pains. Just when I feel like my fitness level is back up, I wake up and can't walk with out looking like Fred Samford (Lizabeth it's the big one.) Today the pain level in my hip reached a all time high, I would say a 9 out of 10. I would like to think because of my past i'm pretty familiar with pain - I mean I did have my achilles cut in half. I have never heard of anyone have as many hip problems or any hip problems anywhere close to my age - even Bo Jackson was in his 30's (i think.) So i've been told not to run or ride the bike for the next few days, and when I do run Saturday to go short and slow ... uh, I only have one speed and that is slow so I already have half of that j/k i've recently added another speed thats more of a "faster slow". If only all my runs felt like the first 3 miles of my Tuesday night run. I'm convinced I was under 9 minute miles and I felt pretty good until my knee quit on me. I actually felt like a runner, it was completely surreal .... then reality hit me with the punch line. I was back to struggling. My right knee needs to get it's shit together, I think it is truly the real thing holding me back.

So since I can't exercise right now, i'm going to spend my time playing the guitar, and facebook, and eating, and reading, and being super bored - I've been told i'm a Jack of all trades, master of none. I hope my legs loosen up soon and things get back to normal because honestly I can't handle sitting around doing nothing. I did get to hang out with one of my best friends seeing a B.O.B. concert (this guy is a pretty good performer). Hopefully tomorrow i'm ready to run "short" without it ending with me being Redd Fox again.

Can montages have hiccups?

2010-03-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

So i've been on the shelf since my Tuesday night run. Putting a small hiccup in my montage. Running in the cold and getting rained on, I guess was just a little too much for me. It never fails that when my body wants to quit it starts in the right knee and ends in the left hip. While the knee pain is usually gone in a day or two it usually takes about a week for the hip to be pain free. So from Wednesday to Saturday i've been slacking (I intended on running Saturday but life outside exercising caught up with me.) So I will just think of last week as my "recovery week" and continue pushing on to the ING half marathon. Last week my training looked liked this

Monday - Swim 2200m (very tough swim)
Tuesday - TNR 6 painful miles
Sunday - Base ride 23ish miles @ Stone Mountain

Notice there are no midday work outs, early morning swims etc etc... I promise to make this week better (it's depressing looking at that list.) Last week I had more sodas than days I worked out, and that's sad. With better work outs comes a better attitude so everyone wins.

So in my last post I talked about being moved into a higher swim lane and my friend over @ penatpeace commented on her struggles of making it to the pool. Well Pen here is a special call out just for you. Last year I remember you were a far better swimmer than I was (and runner but there isn't a chance in hell of me beating/keeping up/seeing you longer than 30 secs in running) gliding through the water with ease, well don't let me beat you out of the water at Wisconsin. Maybe there should be a friendly wager?

Last night while out celebrating a fellow triathlete's birthday, I had a small conversation about the mental side of triathlon. It's no question i'm much much stronger mentally this year than last, though still very weak. While talking to BR, who is a amazing runner and insanely competitive, it was brought up how I need to find "my thing" I can channel to get me in "my zone". I truly believe that being able to tunnel their vision is what makes great athlete's great. The only thing that matters, is the end. I usually trip myself up with thoughts of pains and any and everything else way before the end of any race. Before the endurance sports, I usually only needed to focus 8 to 10 seconds at a time. Making the switch from fast-twitch to slowtwitch the mental is definitely one of the toughest parts. I think i'm where I should be for this being my second year of doing any kind of races. Al'ls well that ends well. Now i'm just typing incoherent thoughts and blah blah blah so I probably should end this.

Little Fish in the Big Pond

2010-03-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was shown the affirmation that I can actually swim and moved to a higher lane. Once in that higher I was then shown that I can't really swim but i'm close. It's crazy, last year when I started triathlon (and organized swimming) I was in the second to last lane. The only people below me were the people who were learning how to swim, and now i'm in the second to highest lane. Granted i'm the weakest in my new lane, i'm still there (sounds like Celie from The Color Purple.) This really makes me excited because I know it's only going to make me better, and shows i've been doing the right things. Since, my hiatus from blogging i've actually started swimming on Wednesday mornings with a clubmate, yes I wake up before work and go swimming and on Friday afternoons. I usually don't realize that it's 6:30 in the morning and i'm in a pool on Wednesdays til about 100m in. Straight cruise control. My clubmate and I sorta have a deal that if one of us doesn't come we get to talk trash about them in internet world. It's got me out of bed the last three weeks ... whatever works. Shout out to TL for sharing what he's learned in his swim lessons, his pointers have definitely helped my swim stroke.

In other news it's actually snowing in Atl... again. Stopped me from going to my lunch workout today. I think i'm going to regret that later, but I will worry about that bridge when I get to it. The weather in Georgia has been like a bad Roller Coaster (space mountain with the lights on), snowing today 60 on Saturday. I'm getting rather tired of this ride, the General said spring was coming. It has to be right around the corner.

Tonight i'm thinking of braving the elements and running in the snow/rain at least for 3 or 4 miles. I can't really afford to get sick right now with ING so close but I also need the miles. It will be a game time decision.

1/01/10

2010-03-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

I'm back. Well the last couple of weeks have been pretty good for me. I have said since new years this would be a great year and so far so good. I mean, I haven't been able to blog about it but if not having the internet is your biggest problem, things are pretty good. In terms of training I have been slowly building my workout volume and focusing on the fundamentals especially in running and swimming. In swimming the results have been great, in running .... well it's still a work in progress but I'm headed in the right direction.

My last week went something like this

Monday - 1500m swim followed by a upper body circuit
Tuesday - Pilates on lunch. 7.2 mile run in 1:07 that evening (run felt great)
Wednesday - 1200m swim before work. Lower body weights on Lunch. 500m swim and a hour spin class
Thursday - Pilates on lunch. 3.1 on the Treddy after work
Friday - 2000m endurance swim (first endurance swim of the year for me)
Saturday - 10 mile run in 1:38
Sunday - 20 mile bike

Since last week I have been having some ITB issues. Hopefully with more biking and cross training my recovery time between runs will speed up. We are a couple of weeks out from ING Atlanta and I would like to break 2 hours in my first half marathon. I don't think thats too outrageous of a goal especially if I can get the pain worked out. A positive attitude will take farther than healthy legs i'm convinced. Let's go March! (the month not a rally)

this is sorta like calling someone and asking them to hold on

2010-02-24T06:07:00.001-08:00

I'm alive people. Just been without internet the last couple of weeks. Hopefully that will change soon and I will be able to update things. Hope all is well for everyone.

30 weeks til the showdown ...

2010-02-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well I have been a bit missing in action due to lack of internet at home. In the last week things have been pretty good. Last Sunday I ran the Red Top Rumble 11.5 trail race. I really enjoyed this race. Coming off a ten day rest my body responded really well to jumping back into it at 11 very hilly miles, well besides the swollen left side of my face. It's probably a good thing I didn't notice the swelling myself before the race - alls well that ends well. I registered for this race in October before I hurt my hip so it kinda just sneaked up on me. My time was 2:07 but that included a few minutes of me stopping at some cabin and waiting to use the restroom-eventually I gave up on waiting and just went around back and watered the grass. If after September I ever want to run again, I will probably do this race again. The biggest part of the day was my father's Saints winning the Super Bowl (the God's accepted my offering.) The people who raced got together that night and enjoyed the game and a roast wrapped in bacon, this thing rivaled my Jeff Ruby's (best steak I have ever had) experience.

I went to the Cardiologist Monday (funny this follows a bacon wrapped roast) and he didn't seem too concern with the findings of the ER doc from a couple weeks ago. He says my EKG is abnormal but it's nothing to be concerned about it, it's just the way my heart operates. We scheduled a followup in six months to monitor the thickness issue, but he didn't seem to concern about anything. So that's nice to not have to worry about.

Club swim workouts have started back up which is really cool for me. I do better with structure so it's nice to not have to go to the pool and make my own workouts, or to not have to worry about going to the pool and sitting on the wall and thinking about swimming (it's seriously happens.) The new swim coaches have really been stressing technique and the basics which I really like. It's almost like i'm just learning to swim. Last year my swim stroke was extremely inefficient. Last week we ended the workout with a 100m (actually 114m) swim time trial and I was first out of my lane. It was really encouraging because there were some really good athletes in my lane. In the coming week there is talk of meeting up before work to swim. I hope this happens, having someone waiting on me at the pool may be the incentive I need to actually get out of bed.

After snowing 2-4 inches Friday in Georgia, Saturday was a beautiful day. I went out for a run and actually had to take off clothes. The temps were in the 40's and there were only a few icy spots that had to be avoided. This was my first run not on a treadmill since last weekend's race and my legs threw a hissy fit just about the entire time. My achilles in both legs were (and still are) on fire. I'm not really sure what I can do to fix this but I do have a appointment today with Dr. Nik. Hopefully he knows something that will provide some relief.

Here's a recap of what I did last week

Sunday- Red Top Rumble (11.5miles)
Monday- Swim (1650 m)
Tuesday- Pilates, Treadmill (3.2miles)
Wednesday- Swim (1600m) Spin class (hour)
Saturday - Hour and a half trainer ride
Sunday- Stone Mountain run (12.5 miles)

If you're sick and you know it clap your hands

2010-02-03T18:46:00.001-08:00

I don't feel well and I really want to do some kind exercise and making myself not do something is rediculously hard. I haven't gone to any classes on lunch because I sound like Tone Loc's bastard child. I looked online and it said swimming while congested is good so I did do that Monday. It sucked and I was freezing the entire time in the water.

Tuesday I woke up feeling like complete crap. I couldn't get up, my body was completely beat - either somebody kicked my ass in my sleep or a break was really needed. I finally made it to work around 12 and started to feel a little better. I went to Dr. Nik and he exclaimed he's been suffering from the same thing I have. The evil post nasal drip that has developed into a monster. Makes me believe he gave it to me but no pointing fingers. Not running Tuesday was super hard, in fact I had to leave my running clothes at home so I wouldn't do it. Turns out I wish I would have brought them so I could have went to Bikram, but it didn't happen. I did go and hang out with the group for dinner. That is by far my favorite part of the Tuesday Night Run, I don't know if I should let myself experience the dinner without the run could be a dangerous precedent. Not really, i'm dying for the warm weather to get here and the outside training to pick up. The doctor showed me some exercises I can do at the gym, but to be honest I want to be outside without layers not coop up in the gym. I'm ready to unhook the bike from the Trainer.

Wednesday I tried to go to a spin class and I thought I was going to die. I should have just quit like somebody with the initials BR, but I pushed through. I'm 100% team JR this year :-) I hope General Beauregard Lee (Georgia's ground hog) was correct and spring is on the way because i'm ready. Well not quite but this sickness can't stick around for too much longer. Wisconsin, you ready?

un-Break My Heart

2010-01-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

So I've been going to First Choice Healthcare for two weeks and I can't say enough positive things about the place. Dr. Nik's listening abilities may be as great as his Graston Technique skills. After battling with problems for the last 5 years and reaching a point where I thought it was just something I had to deal with, it's awesome to see results so soon. In just a week I shaved 8 minutes off of my TNR 7.2 mile time. That is a pretty sizeable amount in a very short period of time. Not only has the doctor been working on my left knee, the cause of the right hip problems, he also has me doing exercises that are teaching me to engage my core. When I finally figure out how to get everything working together it's going to be pretty amazing.

So far this week my work out has looked like this

Monday- Swim(I think it was 6 or 700 the pool is really short) and Yoga
Tuesday- Pilates and 7.2 mile run
Wednesday- Swim (900m) Graston Technique (not a exercise but it hurts worst than all the others
Thursday- Pilates and treadmill intervals

(yoga and pilates are always on my lunch break)

With freezing rain in the forecast for Atlanta on Saturday, I pushed my long run back to Sunday and prepared to go out on a Friday night. Since I haven't able to hang out with my college friends in a while, I took the drive down the road to Auburn to hang out and crossed a major milestone in the life of me and The Green Machine. 200k miles, now that is a lot of living. While the plan was adult beverages and good times once I got to Auburn, my body decided something else. All Friday evening my chest was tight and I wasn't really able to breath deeply though I thought it was just sinus congestion. I truly was hoping some Whiskey would knock it out but the whiskey and I failed at that one. Well it only got worst and Saturday I woke up feeling like I couldn't breathe and some sharp chest pains so I reluctantly went to the hospital. Well long story short they thought I had a heart attack. Yes, scared the shit out of me too. The EKG machine was full of shit. So then I spend the entire day in the ER getting the full work up of blood work, cardio sonograms ... everything. It's funny while the nurse is drawing blood she breaks in to friend mode with her "so do you do steriods?" huh ... this is the guy who just started drinking beer in 2008, really makes me laugh. I'm 6'2 190 lbs and pretty lean maybe I don't know how steriods work. I guess it's flattering. "No bff I definitely don't do steriods, hell I rarely do caffeine." So the bloodwork comes back to show I didn't have a heart attack, nor had any drugs in my system (Drug Free class of 2000 here, thanks Nancy Reagan.) Doctor told me to take a few days off. I sadly do have to follow up with a Cardiologist when I get back to Atlanta, I hate going to the doctor, in fact I hate it so much I don't even have a primary care physician. So now I need to find a primary care doctor and a Cardiologist. What sucks is now every time I think i feel something in my chest, it's going to go back this. I don't want to be a self diagnosing fool.

The ING Marathon is looking more and more like a half marathon now.

I leave you with quite possibly the best super bowl pray for victory dance on this side of the Mississippi. Blue Jay and the Russell Experience

Oh when the Saints

2010-01-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

This has been a pretty good week. While i'm not in the best shape, i'm confident that I will be a lot closer soon, and the desire inside of me to get there is getting bigger. When I think about what has lit the fire under me (I feel like i've done a lot this week but I didn't touch a pool at all hmm) I can't really come up with one thing. Some of the things I did come up with is visiting Dr. Nik and seeing instant results along with my fellow TNR buddies treating me like the red headed step child for not making weekend runs. Well, not only did I make the weekend run this week (10.1 miles, I had it at 1:29 while someone else had it at 1:38- so somewhere in between was my time), I also woke up early and went to the gym Thursday before work (i'm so proud of this) and ran a few miles on the treadmill with intervals. Sounds like i'm cooking with gas, just kidding I won't get ahead of myself - but the future does look bright. I also picked up some new shoes, that I ran in today, that I have to get much faster to pull off (at least thats what the fast people said.)These shoes are cool, though they have a smaller toe box than I'm used to and I have a blister to show for it. Maybe just maybe i'll be lucky enough for Newtons soon (fingers crossed-wallet empty.)

I'm really looking forward to going to the doctor next week continuing treatment. Before I went to the doctor, I couldn't do a one legged squat on my right leg, and hadn't been able to since I had my achilles cut in 2004. In just a week I can almost do a one legged squat, it's shaky but it's an improvement. The sky is the limit it seems when I think about the possibility of having both legs in complete working order. It makes you think how did I make it this far already, I have asked myself the same thing, but if you have ever ran with me you could hear it in the sound of my left foot hitting the ground and I never had a answer.

Also I bought some Sugoi recovery leg sleeves today. I have heard good things about recovery sleeves from a lot of people, I hope I will be saying some positive things soon. Here's to next week being like this one (sans MLK of course), and the Saints making the Super Bowl!

Debbie it's not you ... it's me

2010-01-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

Well it's the middle of the week and so far so good. Attitude has been good, and i'm very optimistic about about working with Dr. Nik and my health going forward. There is one thing that I need to change and that's my diet. I have been pretty much eating whatever I have wanted to of late, and I have to say I feel like it. So rationalizing my diet with my lunch workouts ends today. To be clear though, a diet for me doesn't mean I can't have something, focuses more on quantity and timing. 2 hotdogs is probably enough, don't need to buy Little Debbies every time you buy bread they aren't related - just those types of things.

So far this week my exercising has looked like this

Monday- Celebrating MLK day and Doctor in the evening
Tuesday- Pilates on lunch, TNR 7 miles at 10 pace (Jody beat me by 11 minutes- more on this later)
Wednesday- Abs class on lunch (the lady who led this class was the most intense teacher I have ever seen - she won't break me though)

I haven't mentioned Jody before so I will give some insight on my rivalry with her. Jody is my friend and clubmate who started pretty close to my ability level (she has always been a better runner) so naturally I picked her as someone to keep up with and even best. I like to use angry words to describe our rivalry, but in all honesty losing to her isn't the worst thing that can happen - though I do aim to beat her. I mean i'd give her my last GU and i'm sure she would do the same. There will be trash talking though(something I do much better than running.) Last year we competed at an Olympic Tri and I lost (swallows pride,) so this year we are having a rematch at the Chattanooga Riverfront Tri. Judging by the Tuesday night times I have a lot of work to do.

Which leads me to this. It's about time for me to buy some new shoes and i'm considering some Newtons (so expensive) and the Nike Lunaracers. If you have used either of the two what feedback would you give?

Long Weekend = no Long Run

2010-01-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

I haven't been much on updating the blog lately. I think the idea of the looming season and continuous exercising has me sort of in a "i'll slack now and hopefully it will work itself out" mode. Which is crap. Nothing comes to a man asleep but dreams. So now I'm going to make a conscience effort to up the ante now, rather than wait til later. I can always experiment with hotdog ingredients later.

Last Sunday I went on a cross country ski/run on the snow covered Silver Comet Trail. On Monday I did Yoga on lunch, went to the pool to swim after work but the pool was closed. Tuesday, Pilates on lunch and a 7 mile Tuesday night run. On Wednesday I hit a low point during week, after work I felt like shit and really had no desire to do anything though I talked myself into going on a very short swim. Followed by a spin class that I quit in the middle of. Thursday, Pilates on lunch and 2.5 miles on the treadmill after work. I intended on going longer on the treadmill but I had really good tickets to the hockey game so me and couple of friends checked that out. Friday, Yoga on lunch. I didn't do anything else til a 2 hour Trainer ride on Sunday. This wasn't the kind of weekend that will help me on my endeavor to become an Ironman and that's not acceptable - thankfully this isn't May. I probably should have done the Hogpen Hill climb considering I had a long run of zero this weekend. It's getting more and more inevitable that I will be running the half marathon.

Today I went to First Choice Healthcare, a Chiropractic clinic specializing in athletic injuries, and I have to say I was impressed after the first visit. The stigma I had in mind about Chiropractic services was wrong I must say. I also felt good seeing the other athletes there, most look to be better athletes than me. So for about a month i'm going to go to the clinic a couple of times a week to see if it doesn't help my ailments. I'm encouraged from it today so that is always a good start. Thanks for the encouraging words from all who offered.

Here's to Shi++y days

2010-01-13T18:55:00.001-08:00

I have been in a horrible mood the entire week. I have made it to Yoga, Pilates, TNR, and part of a spin class tonight-that I quit in, and I still feel like shit. It's funny that I was convinced that quitting was the best option during the class now I feel like shit for quitting on myself. Tomorrow I will try to have a more thorough update but now the quitter needs to go to bed.

Happy New years

2010-01-08T21:21:00.000-08:00

I've been a little missing in action. I blame it on me battling some sickness and actually working out when not battling. After a quick trip to Chicago to visit some of my favorites and also to celebrate New Years with one of my best friends, but now I'm excited to be training with a purpose again. Now I pray for health and discipline. Also thanks to Frayed Laces I won some new Earbuds. Who doesn't like free stuff. I've come up with a preliminary schedule of races for this year.

Red Top Mountain Trail Race 9 Miles*
ING Atlanta Marathon March 21st *
John Tanner Sprint Triathlon April 24th
Gulf Coast Triathlon (Half Iron Distance) May 8th*
Macon Rock and Roll Triathlon (Half Iron Distance) June 24th
Chattanooga Waterfront Tri (Olympic) July 11th
Ironman Wisconsin * Sept 12th (*registered already)
A lot of Century Rides littered in between (I hate Century rides)

They way it's looking I'll have a race every month except August, the way I like it, helping the training not become monotonous. Also, giving me a few chances to get better before my rematch with Jody in Chattanooga - she's going down this year 4 The U! Later I should have a good idea of some time goals for these races - i'll update it at some point during the year.

I felt great starting off the week but after a frigid 7 miles Tuesday night this week ended up being pretty light.

Monday 800m swim (cut short by a meeting)
Tuesday Night Run 7 miles
Wednesday fighting death
Thursday 4 Intervals 1:30 at 8:34 min/miles with 1:30 recovery @ 10:00 - 3 @8:12 with recovery and circuit workout
Friday rest
Saturday hopefully some miles

I went out and bought a mask to hopefully fight the cold air. I can't afford to not be running with a Marathon looming in about 10 weeks. I can't really decide if it was the cold air or sitting on a airplane with sick people that has me a little damaged. This morning in Georgia I woke up to this. I didn't like it nor did the Green Machine. Sliding into to work is not fun.

On the road again

2009-12-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday, I finally got the energy to head to Mobile, Alabama. I really wasn't feeling this trip but the phone calls from my Mama asking when I was leaving pretty much determined I was going. In hindsight I'm happy I went, it made her happy and that makes me happy. Once I got to Mobile I got to see Jesus' birth place right in my front yard. My mother loves Christmas lights. It's funny I used to think she did that for the kids, but I am 100% sure now that it's all for herself.

Mobile wasn't too eventful, though I did run a 5k (26:06), work out at a nice gym with my buddy Josh - though the gym needed towels, also got to run four miles with my buddy Mike G. while discussing social issues in both our lives- yeah I was running and talking so I was going extremely slow. Afterwards Papa G took us out for pizza and good conversation. Nothing like good food and good conversation. This really made me miss my own father but it's so nice to know good people. At the gym my workout looked like this

2 mile treadmill run
3 sets of pull ups (10, 7, 7)
1 set of incline dumb bell press 55 lbs x 10 reps
1 set of military dumb bell press 40 lbs x 10 reps
1 Straight arm shoulder press (40lbs) x10 reps
1 Row (90lbs) x 10 reps
1 Curls (40 lbs) x 10 reps
2 sets Hamstrings on the thera-ball x 1

Now i'm back in Atlanta and hoping to have a good last week of bum life before I start masters swimming next week. On the way back to Atlanta the Green Machine (my car) and I passed a certain milestone, mile 199,000. The closest I have ever been to feeling like a proud parent. Tonight I went to Washington park and swam 1650meters, just to make sure I still know how to swim for next week. Afterward I headed to Walmart, all ashy, to use my secret santa gift card for some food - hopefully I don't end up on the people of walmart website. Anyway it's always good to restocked the Ramen stash.

Some old man once said New years is Amateur Night, I am a amateur and I'm hoping to have a really good time. Sadly no one has thrown out any plans for new years forcing me to look else where for the party.

What are you doing for New Years?

Alcohol + ATC =Good times

2009-12-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday I woke up and saw a friends suggestion that Ironman Hawaii was being aired and it would be great trainer entertainment. Knowing I had plans that evening that didn't involve exercising, she was right I needed to hit the trainer. So Saturday morning I spent 45 minutes on the trainer then headed out to meet some friends at Taco Mac for a few drinks and television overload (but no Ironman Hawaii). It's amazing how different the trainer is from the spin bike. I definitely need to increase my volume on the trainer. Since i'm not riding outside in the cold.

After overindulging in a pound of boneless wings for some free fries (never bet me I can't eat something I like, because you'll lose) and a couple of beers at Taco Mac, I headed home not knowing what else was in store. After getting home and realizing that I wouldn't be able to see the Saints game (no NFL network) I was pretty gung ho to go out. After meeting up with some tri clubbers we ended up at a open bar Atlanta Brewing Company. Yes I said a open bar, no four drink maximum just drink, and that is what I did. I'm not a big beer drinker but they have a few brews I like (Laughing Skull is my favorite). By time we were ready to leave I was somehow convince that I should get on the bar. Now, I am 100% against guys being on bars, yet I didn't remember that when I climbed up on the thing. Hopefully thats the first and last time that happens (there are pictures if I ever want to relive the time). A few bars later and we ended up at a house party where a sing off ensued in the kitchen, definitely my favorite part of the night. Whoever threw that house party definitely knew how to throw a party; shot lunge, fire pit, good music, liquor, and women. Sadly one of our party was kicked out and we had to leave, but nonetheless it was a good night. I have always said ATC is going to make me a better athlete and drinker.

Sunday I woke up knowing I had ten miles to get in. So I headed to the gym to the treadmill. Sadly I could only get through 6 (a personal long on the treadmill). One day I will be mentally tough enough to go farther than 6, one day. After a magnesium recovery soak my body is starting realize the affects of alcohol so it's off to bed for me. I would like to have another night of fun New Years and then it will be master's swim time. Home tomorrow, maybe if I don't feel like complete shit.

TGIF

2009-12-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

Well last night I went out and ran intervals at the gravel oval. It was a nice change and also nice that there were others out. Quite a few people for it to be cold and dark, I'm guessing they signed up for ING too. I find it easier to push and not over think myself while running with others around so I appreciate them suffering with me. There were times during the run where I felt completely pain free and stretched out. I managed to get 4 miles in which i'm satisfied with. After the run I broke out the Thera-ban and did some Glute and Hamstring exercises, i'm intent on getting better and not going through this hip pain ever again. Unfortunately I didn't make to the gym after the run, instead I went to Walmart - say what you want to about the place, but I love it. Bought my secret santa person a gift card for the final day of secret santa only to have my secret santa buy me the exact same thing. The wal-mart gods shined on me.

pretty much sped up earths rotation

Last night I went out to Salsa with my roommate. It wasn't as many dancers out last night as there has been the last few times i've gone. Just a bunch of people like me sitting around watching debating in their heads if it's possible for them to do it. I did end up being cool by association though, MG danced her ass off. Yeah she was at my table. Every woman in that place wanted to move the way she did. The closest I got to "dancing" was a Bachata (which is pretty simple compared to the other stuff) with MG, she was my only hope to even look similar to knowing what I was doing. I'm seriously thinking about taking lessons though.

Today was simple. Got to work made the horrible mistake of using milk in my instant oatmeal. Turned out horrible. I will be sticking to water before microwaving, maybe some milk after the microwaving- definitely not before. After spending a hour getting my secret santa gift and lucking into some chinese food, I came home and spent the evening laying in bed- the good life. I planned to go to the gym today but I was sore and just couldn't past up the opportunity to spend the evening in bed. After finally getting up and making the dinner of "back of the pack age groupers" (Ramen) and eating the most amazing snack cakes that exist (Little Debbie Swiss Rolls- bad never tasted so good) looks like this will be a stay in friday night. I'm hoping to get in 10 miles on Sunday.

Six in one hand, half a dozen in the other

2009-12-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

Today I was off work and took full advantage of it. I stayed in bed til 12 with the fan blowing directly on me - I hate sweating in my sleep and this lets me to use a blanket. After finally getting myself up out of bed, I slowly made my way downstairs to the breakfast of ~~champions~~ finishers. I mean as a ~~World Class~~ back of the pack age grouper it's always good to go on free doughnut binges every now and then. Yes I said free. Yesterday while filling up my car with gas the Krispy Kreme guy gave me a free box of doughnuts. Yes they were old and a lot less than soft but thats not something 20 secs in the microwave can't cure. So this morning for breakfast I had six (I don't really feel bad for it) doughnuts and two glasses of OJ. Lately on days I have worked out I've been taking a protein shake before bed and I've noticed a huge difference of waking up refreshed. I hope it last.

After doing some laundry I plan on going out to the park and doing some intervals on the gravel track and maybe going to the gym for a bit - the gym may be a stretch but we will see. Also, tonight i'll probably go out salsa dancing (watching) with friends. If it's possible for me to teach myself to dance, I maybe should put taking over the world on my list.

Earlier I was reading Hillary Biscay's blog and she mentioned the Ironman Wisconsin hills. A pro triathlete mentioning Wisconsin's hills, well thats something I'll be thinking about. Definitely something to think about and to prepare to conquer.

I'm back at it

2009-12-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

Monday I went to the physical therapist and confirmed, I pretty much hurt myself by not being balanced in working out the different muscles. The Therapist showed me a few simple exercises with a Thera-band that pretty quickly got me back to running with out much irritation. The only bad part about going to the Therapist was paying for parking and having to pay 5 dollars for a 2 cent piece of Thera-band, I guess thats all a part of city living. The Frugal side of me (the only side of me) didn't like that one bit. I think the exercises will hold me over til January when I can start going to First Choice Healthcare which seems to be the consensus choice among my clubmates.

Tuesday I finally felt well enough to attempt more than four miles. After a month and a half of short runs, when I was able to run, I went out for 7 miles. The weather was nice the rain actually stayed away and the temp was in the high 30's. I was able to run in shorts and no jacket(long sleeved shirt) and was fine (I left my pants at home so I was forced to run in just shorts.) There were points in the run where I could feel my left hamstring tightening up but it nor my hip never locked up. Also, there was the dreaded point of walking up Arden (=long winding steep hill) not too upset about this though, walking definitely was the right decision. Even with walking up the hill I managed to keep my pace around 10 minutes. I am really satisfied and ready to get back at it, because I registered for my first MARATHON. I don't know how I didn't think of that til now. Yep, I registered for the ING Georgia Marathon March 21st. Now there is an incentive to stay healthy, get faster, and run longer (gradually). I hope it all works out because I really don't want the first time I run 26 miles to be in Wisconsin.

Tonight was the same old same old. Gym and spin. I have to note it "Gym" wasn't much of working out today. Got to Adamsville late and ended up only doing leg extensions and hamstring curls before spin. Ended up getting about a 1:20 on the bike though. Tonight's music was Christmas music ( I was skeptical it would work) and Rivi some how managed to pull off a good class. He literally took us to church.

Tomorrow is a off day from work so hopefully I can somehow be productive. aka waking up with out a alarm clock yessssss.

Almost time for the montage

2009-12-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

Training has been pretty lackadaisical lately. I haven't been to yoga or pilates in 3 or 4 weeks (bye bye obliques), haven't been running as much as I should be (one day a week) , and I've only been swimming and "spinning" one day a week with the occasional lifting in there somewhere. My friend noticing my slacking ask me "is this the part in Rocky where he's not taking his training seriously and Adrian wakes and tells him to win", this is exactly that part. Only Adrian has awaken just yet. AAAADDDDRRRRRRIIIIIIAAAAAAAANNNNN!

Yesterday the doctor seems to think it's just tendonitis thats bothering my hip and suggested PT. So Monday I have a date with Physical Therapy, should be interesting last time i was in PT it was excruiatingly painful. I have been itching to go out and be able to run as fast as I can (even if i only make it 800 meters). I haven't been able to stretch out since early October. Hopefully the physical therapist can make this happen.

In my weeks of slacking i've been out Salsa dancing a couple of times with some friends. I think i'm going to start going to a few of the free lessons in hopes that one of my left feet can be turned into a right. It's amusing being the new kid that everyone is trying to push out of their comfort zone to actually dance. Asking someone to dance at a salsa party and only being able to do the basic step is a asshole move in my book, so the free lessons should be cool. I don't know where this will fit in in the new year but it could be interesting. I'm gonna get a camera today, see if I can't spruce these entries up a little with some pics. We'll see (thats if anyone else actually reads this)

is it March yet?

2009-12-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

Thursday I go back to doctor to learn the results of the MRI. Hopefully it's nothing some PT or simple exercises can't get rid of. I swear my left leg hates me, it's not even the leg with the repaired achilles, but something is always hurting on that side.

I'm starting to have serious withdrawals from not being on a set weekly training schedule. I'm so ready for the season to pick back up. The cold weather and the shorter days somehow point out that coming home at 9 or 10 (thanks to the eastern time zone) from exercising is so much better than coming home at 7 or 8 to be alone. Luckily there are only a couple more weeks til I plan on joining the master's swim program, that will get things back to some kind of structure til march comes around (a girl friend may actually be cheaper than Triathlons hmm). If not anything else I think i've become a "better" drinker this off season (thanks to the TNR clique) .

It's almost Chrismahunukwazika time

2009-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Well that was a nice hiatus from the blog with Thanksgiving and laziness to blame. I had a great time at home with the family for thanksgiving and some incredible food thanks to my incredible mama. My mama even made me personal (seperate) pans of dressing and sweet potatoes (my favorite) to bring back to Georgia with me. And ... Two containers of Gumbo and a container of chicken soup. I'm pretty sure i'm loved a whole lot.

There is a ATC slideshow from the year I'm on a few times (3:04 is my premier) from the end of the year banquet so here's that...

On the training front I have been slowly progressing on slacking. I have somehow rationalized that because things pick up a little a January I should take this time off now, makes so much sense when I feel like being lazy. When I do exercise i've been keeping the runs short(getting a hip MRI monday-i'm convinced it's a nagging strain), and getting in the pool at least once a week so I don't drown come January and masters swimming. This week for the first 30 minutes of spin class I did leg weights instead, then jumped in class and stayed for the last hour and a half. I liked the way I felt afterwards (beat up). I think that is going to become the norm for days I make it to spin. A week into December i'm about have way to my November run total so indeed things are rebounding.

Hopefully I will get a camera soon so I can break up all these words with pics. For all of us ADD readers, Heaven knows words can be boring.

and the nominees are ...

2009-11-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

Saturday I went for another short run just to get some miles in. The hip pain is still there but now I think I know what the problem is. I'm not a doctor nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I think my hamstrings are too weak and because [weak hamstrings] my quads and flexors are overworking. Thats my theory so on my recent short runs my focus has been on my posture and using my hamstrings and not just pushing myself forward with my quads. I guess I will know for sure come December 1st when I go to the doctor.

Later Saturday my club, The Atlanta Triathlon Club had an end of the year gathering ... in a bar. I swear my clubmates are gonna make me a better athlete and a much better drinker. Like I suspected I won an award. Most improved for 2009, which is really motivating. It sucks that I was late and didn't have time to prepare a speech like I intended to do. I really did missed my chance in the spotlight. After the awards were given out I was talking to my buddy Todd and he ask "how cool would it be to win that award 2 years in a row". I don't know if thats possible but that would be really cool, and the idea is really motivating. It's nice to be in a group and to receive motivation, encouragement, and just positive vibes from others, because at the end of the day this really isn't that important in the grand scheme of things. That was truly the perfect thing to say when he said it though. Like true endurance athletes the banquet started at 2 and the group didn't end up leaving til sometime around 12 that night. Sorry to my homie I sold out that night, I really didn't think it would last that long.

Today after dropping off a phone and picking up some milk, I was ready to be a bum all day until I turned on the stream from Ironman Arizona. Watching the coverage actually pushed me to break out the trainer. So for the first time since September 12th I sat on a real bike. Watching people give their all is so motivating. Probably not a good thing to take 2 months off the bike but after Thanksgiving I plan on picking it up (every journey starts with a step). Tomorrow I get to head home and see my family (hooray to being off work a complete week) and get some amazing food. I have feeling it will be a couple of weeks before I have ramen again.

Sometimes you want to go ...

2009-11-20T10:59:00.001-08:00

Yesterday after struggling through what was suppose to be a swim workout I decided I would use the weight room at the Adamsville Rec. It's always funny/weird going to new gyms for me. Gyms are sorta like corner bars, sure you don't know many (if any) of the people in them on a personal basis, but you sure feel like you do. I think it's that feeling that keeps a lot of people from taking the first step of going to the gym, and that keeps some people in the routine of going but i'm no psychologist. No one likes being the new guy/girl, especially the new out of shape guy/girl, after getting into a routine you soon realize nobody cares how weak or strong you are. I can remember when I first started working out and being afraid to go to the gym. By the end of the summer it was one of the few places I felt completely comfortable.

It's funny how you learn to remember people by what they do or don't do right or random characteristics (I would think i'm Mr.takeswaytoolongbetweensets ... I think). Well Adamsville was full of characters. There was the guy who feels he has to talk to all the girls and tell them what they are doing right or wrong (who knows if he's right). There was the girl who looks like she came to Gym looking for a man, just sayin. There was the guy who was probably a phenomenal athlete in school but always took remedial classes and still looks like he's a phenomenal athlete (could end most arguments with "this ain't what you want" or does). Mr. Thats way too much weight and I don't know how you don't hurt yourself, but he's been doing it like that for years so he's probably not going to change. Can't forget everyone's friend, this person could hold a conversation with a wall and not figure out that the wall isn't talking back. Sadly there weren't many girls. The requisite Miss Damn she (insert complement) did not show her face (don't act like you don't know what i'm talking about). In between people watching I did actually workout. I think i'll be using that gym a little more often to take advantage of the hamstring curl machine (thats way better than the one at my gym) and the convenience of lifting right after swimming (ash and all).

I'll have the Ramen, Chips and Salsa, and something moderately healthy

2009-11-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I showed my face at spin class for the first time in about a month. I originally didn't plan on going but I left my gym shoes at home, the one draw back about going to the gym at work is once I make it home i'm not coming back even if it is only 10 minutes from home (it's just the principle). So I went home got some shoes and some bike shorts and headed to class. My plan for the gym that day was to get my final 26 miles (flat easy miles) on the spin bike for the Gym Challenge thing and work out afterwards. So I thought I would stay at spin through the two classes for however long it would take me to get 26 miles. Somehow I forgot that spin class is all about climbing and fast paced and any other kind uncomfortable sequence that can be thrown into the worst experience possible on a fake bike. Needless to say it took almost the entire two classes for my little computer to read 26 miles, but it was a great workout. The instructor was giving so much energy, it was impossible not to push yourself. As much as I get bored with spinning class, the instructer makes the entire experience. I think everyone left thinking "that was a good workout" which is cool. After punishing myself for those two hours I had the craving that I just do not understand.... Ramen.

I think I am the only person with a job, who loves to exercise, and tries to be conscience of what they eat that loves Ramen. I understand some of the reasons some people eat it, but there are actually times where I tell myself "i'd like a bowl of Ramen". I did have a spinach salad and some chips and salsa to go along with it. Such a well rounded meal. Yesterday was just bad meals all around. For breakfast 3 bowls of Fruit loops (cereal for breakfast is actually the norm) and I didn't bring my sandwiches for lunch so ate the dollar menu at Wendy's: 2 Jr Bacon Cheeseburgers, Bowl of Chili, and a value Fry. Tell me that doesn't scream healthy (I did have 2 bananas for a snack though). The funniest part is my buddy, who I talk daily with about health stuff, asked me what I had for lunch and I was too embarassed to tell the truth so I lied and said 3 turkey sandwiches (reputation forever tarnished haha). Most times I just find no incentive to cooking, but I have to eat better. Food is Fuel, theres a reason sport cars take the expensive gas (so i've been told, I think my car could run off water if it had to)

I woke up this morning extremely tired after last nights workout, but it was still early enough to go for a run, of course i didn't. I think i'm going to start taking a protein shake or some kind of vitamin before I go to bed in hopes I wake up more refreshed. I really need that push to go on that first morning run (I know i'm going to like it). I'm close but not quite there yet. I mean the world would probably explode if i did my first run from my house and my first morning run in the same week. Maybe it'll happen next week when i'm at my Mama's.

Same story different day

2009-11-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

Today I went to the doctor (who can't type) for my ailing hip, and of course he did exactly what I thought he would do. Take my 15 dollar co-pay and order a x-ray and refer me to the Orthopedic. He did surprise me and actually bend my leg inward to make me say "ow", that was definitely not expected. I really don't understand why he ordered an x-ray when the pain is not in the bone, but I guess it's standard HMO procedure to go cheap and proceed from there. I'm going to the Ortho on Dec 1st so hopefully we can get to the bottom of it.

After going to the doctor I couldn't keep myself away from TNR. 3 weeks was a long time to miss out on these runs. I don't know if I miss the runs more or the hanging out with friends having dinner afterwards. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the 7 mile loop, because of the hills, so I went out on a flat route opposite of the other runners. It's a good thing I did choose the flat route because the pain is still there. On the flats it doesn't get to the point where I absolutely can't run so I was able to pushed through. I'm in a lot of pain now but it was worth it (we'll see how worth it it really was tomorrow). I'm so excited to be healthy, whenever thats going to happen.

I got a email asking me for some of the highlights from my Triathlon season so it looks like i'm going to get an award at our end of the year party this weekend. I pray i'm drunk enough that there is a speech (I'm assuming it will be a most improved award and I don't think you can win that more than once so this will probably be the only time I ever win an award). Kind of sad that it takes alcohol for me to do it, but it is what it is. Sadly I went from a 100 miles running in October to what looks like it's going to be 20 miles in November.

Now I'm slower and it hurts more

2009-11-15T18:21:00.000-08:00

This week not much went down. I spent a lot of time on the spin bike trying to accumulate miles for the Ironman Challenge my healthclub is having, and because I have been giving my hip a rest from running. I ended the week with about 75 miles on a spin bike, still haven't been on my bike since my last triathlon. Thursday after riding for a hour I felt so good that I thought it would be a good idea to run a 5k on the treadmill. Well, a mile into my run my hip began to hurt so I cut the run to 2 miles.

After going out with friends Friday, I woke up Saturday morning motivated to do some cleaning at my place and skipped out on the long run. After not running for two weeks (besides that 2 miles) I figured it would be a good idea to not make a come back on a long run. Saturday night was an "adult beverage" mess, aka a good, drunken, drama-free time, that left me super motivated Sunday to go out and run. So for the first time ever, I walked out of my front door and went on a run. I have always had to drive somewhere to run with other people because I never really liked running it was just a necessary evil. Now I can say that I actually enjoy the challenge. Ran 3.5 miles around Grant Park but the pain is STILL there. I'm now convinced rest hasn't helped at all. So now I'm on plan C, going to the doctor to try to convince him to find out what's wrong with it (not just him saying "you should stop running" because thats not really a option). I'm so anxious to get better and to pick out a marathon really don't want my first 26 mile run to be at Ironman Wisconsin.

Only 10 months to Ironman Wisconsin, and i'm stuck running 3 miles at a time.

Can you forget how to ride a bike?

2009-11-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Sunday ended up being a wash. I hate that I didn't go out for a ride the weather was perfect. On top of not riding, I get to the gym and lock my keys in my car. It's funny the way things work out sometimes. In a weird way, I felt pretty good after waiting on AAA for almost 3 hours (gave me a lot of time to think of how it would have been different if I had rode instead). My half-assed workout didn't even matter. I was just happy I had my keys and it didn't cost me anything. I really need to make myself get on the bike. I haven't ridden my bike in two months. I've taken it to my room to hook it up on the trainer, but of course I haven't. The thought of being on a trainer terrorizes me.

So Monday I really pushed myself. Started with sleeping through a 6:45am spin class. Whoever said it gets easier to wake up with the time change is a lie. I made up for my slacking later in the day with a 50 minute yoga class at lunch. After work I wasn't done, I went to the pool and swam 1500m in a freezing cold pool (nothing like a little teeth chatter). What's up with all the pool heaters breaking at the same time? Then to finish things off I went to Bikram Yoga for another 90 minutes. It's was a lot but pretty low impact which is nice for recovery. Though i'm still pretty tired. I hope I can pull off multiple work outs like that (that actually improve my endurance or speed or something) when in-season training starts back up. So now I sit here tired, maybe dehydrated, and disinterested in doing anything but sleeping in this gloomy weather. Tropical Storm Ida wasn't really feeling the idea of me getting back to running today so I will try again Wednesday or Thursday (after last Saturday's debacle, you couldn't pay me to run in the rain). Maybe i'll get a second wind later that will push me to the Gym, but right now it looks like rainy Tuesday is going to be a lazy day.

Namaste

2009-11-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday evening I stuck to my word and went to Bikram Yoga. This is Yoga done in a room that is about 105 degrees. Yes it is insane, but I’ve heard that it’s good for stretching, and I’m down for trying new things in the name of fitness (hopefully it’ll get me back to running). So I get to BYD about 30 minutes early and register and until about 10 minutes before there was just me and another person. Apparently the appropriate thing to do at this Studio is to change, go in the hot box and lay down, and not speak a word. Felt very cult-ish. With about 10 minutes to go til the class started the place became packed out, and every one of these people would come in perfectly quiet and lay. This is about the time I start asking myself what the hell am I doing, while laying perfectly still being quiet trying not to look like a newb. I even managed to finish one of my water bottles before the class started (they had a water fountain to refill them though). If Hell is hot, Bikram Yoga is either preparation, or an awakening to live right, just sayin.

Finally the instructor comes in to the room and everyone hops to their feet, it was like the President walked in the room. Of course I was slow to get up, not knowing the cult-ish routine. He says a few words, announces I’m a newb and off we went. By this time I’m soaked. It’s funny, about 30 minutes into the class my body went into panic mode and began to shut down. I’m 99% sure the instructor could see this as he issued the “if you need to sit down, that’s fine” call, he didn’t say my name by I know it was directed directly at me. Sat down only one set and jumped right back into it. I feel like the difficulty level of the class was shaped like a parabola, not too bad in the beginning and end and tough in the middle with a bunch of standing postures that I never stood a chance at. Overall it was definitely a good experience. Wish there was talking to get insight from other people, but I guess it’s about one’s own journey and all that good stuff.

This studio sold a first time user 10 day unlimited pass for about the cost of two classes, so I jumped on that deal. I plan on going back Monday night after swimming, hopefully preparing me for my return to running on Tuesday. I wish there was a there scale to see just how much I sweated. I’d guess I left about 5 lbs in my soaking wet towels. Anyway, now I need to find the motivation to go out for a ride and the Gym on this Beautiful Sunday.

Yep

2009-11-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I finally made it to the gym and actually did some lifting, after getting beat up in a couple of games of racket ball. (Nothing like being reminded that I make horrible quick decisions, but a pretty good warm up non-the-less) My two week hiatus was quite evident when it came to doing the leg exercises. My last set on all the exercises were my previous first sets, though it probably has something to do with my hip too. Everything just felt so heavy. The back exercises were definitely easier. I have to make it a habit to make it to the Gym twice a week to lift.

I also got my wetsuit in the mail yesterday. With 30 days to test it out with the option to return it, I’m very tempted to jump in a lake. If only someone was willing to take the plunge with me. If I can’t find someone to do the lake thing, then I guess I’ll have to find a salt water pool somewhere to be “that idiot” testing out his wetsuit. I really think the idiotic thing would be to not test it and be stuck with it.

I still have pain in my Hip and I don’t really know if it’s getting any better (I honestly don't think it is). After popping Ibuprofen since Sunday I can't do it anymore (I hate taking medicine). I’m going to try my best to make it to a Bikram Yoga class this weekend. I was talking to friend Wednesday night and he said when he first started out he had some issues and the hot Yoga really helped him, so we’ll see. It also will be a good detox from the alcohol consumed tonight. Here’s to a good weekend. I hope I actually make it to the yoga class and not procrastinate until Sunday night.

Purple is a fruit, just like Orange

2009-11-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

Not running has been much worst than running. Most times I think I’d rather just suffer through the run in pain, than not run at all, but my conscience and my sister don’t hesitate to tell me how stupid it is. So I’ve just been eating junk food since Sunday, also dumb on my part (why do Swiss Rolls have to taste so good). Not to mention, the bought on clearance Halloween Reece’s cups I’ve destroyed. I’ve been reading through blogs to pass the time, and I’m noticing a trend of people talking about their healthy foods. While I would love to eat healthy, I’m kinda lost on where I should start. Currently I’m on a steady diet of Penne, Marinara, Pesto, and the occasional Spinach salad. I don’t think that’s a horrible meal but being that it’s the same thing about 4 or 5 nights a week, its pretty clear why I go on my junk food binges. Another thing why is the healthy stuff so much more expensive, that doesn't help frugal me at all. This week I did cook a stew in my crock pot but sadly it didn’t last as long as I would have liked. So for the rest of November I am vowing that I will not buy anymore Little Debbies Snack Cakes. I also need to figure out how to add some tasteful quasi healthy foods in the rotation.

Monday I got in a swim workout that went pretty well considering I’ve only been swimming one day a week (2200m). I also got to use the techniques I was shown in the Dr. G testing last week, which was cool. I woke up the next morning sore in my neck/traps, letting me know I was using muscles different than normal which I think is a good thing. There was another club member there who hasn’t stopped swimming since the season ended so it was nice sharing a lane with someone who was really pushing me. I feel like I should try to swim at least twice a week now, though I haven’t quite figured out how that’s going to fit into my schedule (schedule of slacking, albeit still a schedule).

all Tricks no Treats

2009-11-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

After planning on taking the rest of the week off after Tuesday, I needed something to do so I ate. A lot of Junk food. Birthday Cake, Chips-A-hoy soft bake cookies, and chips and salsa was my poison. This probably wasn't the best food to aide in recovery, but an idle me quickly turns into a bad decision machine. I did make a stew in the Crock Pot Friday (inspired by Chef-boy-O'keefe) which came in handy for my Sunday morning Halloween recovery. Hopefully sometime Sunday I can make a big pot of pasta for the rest of the week.

Also this week, I got the awesome opportunity to work with Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas, former swim coach with USA Swimming. This Guy's resume is stout. He's worked with swimmers Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin to name a few. In short, having the chance to work with him was really not something someone like me, who taught myself to swim, could ever imagine. It was really special because it wasn't him standing on the side of the pool giving instructions, he used an underwater camera to film me then gave feedback while watching the different aspects of my swim stroke. It was really cool to see myself swimming on an underwater camera. Having him break down what I was doing wrong with the visual aide was really helpful and impressive. He really illustrated all the power I've been losing with wasted movement and really poor rotation. I can't wait to get the DVD and the list of exercises he suggest to strengthen my swimming. I guess it's right on time.

Which takes us to the rest of the week. After hurting so bad on Tuesday night run, my plans for the rest of the week was to not doing anything but Yoga and Pilates, with the hopes of recovering in time for Saturday's long run . Well I woke Friday morning and the tightness was gone so I was looking forward to pushing the distance on Saturday. Saturday gets here and one of my running mates came up with a new route, which was cool to change things up, but it wasn't the two smaller loops which are so convenient for inclement weather and water stops. So off we went from Piedmont Park on our way to Decatur, and of course it begins pouring raining. That was probably the sign for me to turn around, but of course adrenaline made me feel like it would be alright. This run was pretty hilly and I think the hills are a big part of what's bother my hip, but I didn't know just how hilly it was until we did it. Sometime around the 6 mile mark I began laboring up and down the hills and realized there was no way I would mke it 20. With the run becomming a lot more physical and less mental around mile 8, I had to announce that i was going to head back to park. The next 2 or so miles or walk/running were miserable. Not only was I in pain, I was also soaked and the temperature was steadily dropping. So at about 10 miles I made the decision I should just catch a Cab back to my car. Walking soaked and cold and hurting wasn't worth the chance of being sick and hurting. While it would have been nice to push the last 3 or 4 miles I just absolutely couldn't do it. I was completely tapped mentally and physically. Now I am taking a week off (hopefully only a week) to give myself a break in hopes that I can push through these hip flexor problems. That gives all my running buddies a week or so to come up with some decent jokes.

Talking tomy fellow runners, everyone seems to think i've added too many miles too fast. That definitely could be the case (didn't start til MFHP though just saying). I have never ever ran as exercise before March. While extremely motivated by my dream of completing the Ironman nex tyear, I have to be more patient and smart about listening to my body. I'm still very hopeful I can complete two marathons before the Triathlon season picks back up, but we will see. Hooray for clearance Halloween Candy (not as good as easter but i'll take it).

another week ... another pain

2009-10-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday I decided I was going to change things up a little bit. Instead going to Pilates on the lunch break I would play some basketball. I walk by the court every day going to and from Pilates and the games aren’t too intense, girls and guys play, and everyday I think “next week maybe”. Well, after talking to one of the regulars at the Gym Friday (I don’t know his name, I seriously have no people skills) after Yoga, I decided Tuesday would be the day. So Tuesday comes around and I come out ready to play, of course I get picked up; Just like people assume I’m a great runner just from seeing me, they also assume I’m a great basketball player (thankfully I have my fathers “Ned Flanders” genes). Being a lottery pick, of course I’m placed on the most athletic person on the other team, though I shouldn’t be, but I held my own until the last point. Playing basketball in running shoes wasn’t the best idea especially for someone who doesn’t move well laterally (or vertically but I’m getting better at that) like myself, and right before the last point I turn my ankle. Having just lost, and knowing sitting still would just accelerate the swelling, I jumped on the treadmill and ran a couple miles before showering and returning to Cubicleville.

After returning to my cubicle entoxicated from the endorphins of my short jaunt I was set on running Tuesday night in the inclement weather (the weather actually turned out not bad at all). This would be my first time running multiple times a day, or without a day of rest in between and I was excited. There is only one problem with everything up to this point, and that’s that I didn’t stretch after the treadmill and I paid for it that night. About 4 miles into my 6.6 mile run I couldn’t lift my left leg. My hip was completely stiff and forced me to walk. This is hilarious because in the previous post I focused on not having to walk in a while on my runs. In hilarious pain I had to walk/run the last 2+ miles. While struggling home I was even passed by three Get-Fit women who announced as they passed “you gonna let us pass you”, gave them a gracious “nobody is letting you do anything, have a good run” in reply (not what I was really thinking at all). In good spirits, I finished (still did a half assed stretching routine after the run).

While excited I ran without a days rest in between, I didn’t really get to celebrate because it didn’t end well. Tuesday’s moral of story for me is to stretch even when I don’t think I need it. Sitting at home on Wednesday, and probably will be Thursday too, without being able to do anything is not exactly what I want. It’s a lot easier to look at the pile of laundry that needs to be done and step over it when you’re working out, not when you’re laying in bed feeling like an Octogenarian. Going to try Pilates on lunch Thursday and hope everything responds well. Really don’t want my long run cut short on Saturday.

On a side note I really want to work on my run mechanics. When I run past the fancy steak house on our route I can see my reflection, and it doesn’t say “runner”, says something like “this guy is hurting”. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this yet, but it’s definitely something I would like to focus on in the near future.

Sweet 16

2009-10-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend was another weekend of first. I pushed my personal long to 16 miles, and I didn’t walk at all during the run (though I did welcome stops at red lights). This brings to mind, I haven’t had to walk much at all recently. Sure last Tuesday I had to walk down a gigantic hill (knees just couldn’t take it), but it wasn’t out of exhaustion. It’s amazing how far I’ve come since March. I never would have thought that I would enjoy running.

Back to Saturday, I started off this run feeling okay though a little tight from lifting weights the previous Thursday. One of the coaches, during the run, was adamant that I should slow down and keep my HR low, which is right in theory but the first 3 miles of any run my HR is always up and it was sort of frustrating falling behind the pace group I have been working to run with. Though slowing in the beginning is possibly the reason the entire 16 felt good. I eventually caught them at a water stop and was able to keep up with them for most of the last 8 miles.

Saturday was my first time ever doing the second 8 mile loop (makes me think of the first time at TNR I got to do the loop instead of the out and back, proud moment for myself) and I really enjoyed it … except the run through Freedom Park. That was by far the most mentally taxing part of the course. Who ever designed the “S” shaped walkway that seems to last over a mile, while on a steady incline, should be punished. The walk-way isn’t even the worst part; the worst part is there is a street that runs along side the walk-way that’s completely straight and on a more gradual gradient. The entire time I was running/struggling up that path, all I could think was I should have taken the street.

After the run we get back to Piedmont and the masseuse is there (thank the lord), I didn’t feel like anything was bothering me too bad considering I had just run 16 miles, then I laid on the table and my knee almost instantly started killing me. Unbeknownst to me, I found out that the knee pain came from not stretching my calfs muscles. I have avoided stretching my calfs since I tore my Achilles with the reasoning of “if it’s working leave it alone”. I now know that’s not the proper approach to have it remain in working order so I’ll fix that. After the most painful massage I have ever had, I felt no knee pain, though my calfs are still on fire, it was almost instantaneous. Also my foot has felt better since too, I hope it last. It’s crazy how much I continue to learn weekly and it’s nice to still be in the stage of setting personal longs. It really pushes me.

This week I plan on purchasing a wetsuit before the Xterra (if I can’t find a better deal elsewhere) sale ends on the 31st. Sleeveless vs. Long-Sleeved is the question. Decisions, decisions.

On the rocks ...

2009-10-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, I’m in this new relationship with Running. From the beginning I thought it would be best if we started out slow. After six months seems like things were/are starting to pick up, but there is always hiccups and bumps in the road. Strangely the up-hills are better than the down-hills, and the flats never seem to last. Then there is Tuesday and the infamous MFHP. As I sit here hurting all over, I don’t know if our foundation was strong enough for this yet. I even managed to get loss and shave off half a mile, yet we still couldn't reconcile things. Maybe it was I was little over-confident after Stone Mountain, or all the times I should have been pushing the pace yet I coasted were coming back to haunt me. Either way Running and I are back on the rocks and I realize there is a lot of work to be done if this is meant to last. I’m pretty sure there is something to be salvage after Tuesday, but I know it’s going to take time and a lot of work. Who knows what will happen when Swimming and Biking come back in the picture … I’m determined to make this relationship work. Here is to praying Wisconsin is flat or at least doesn’t resemble MFHP.

Me and Running called a truce

2009-10-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday I went out for my longest run ever, on probably the most consistently hilly terrain ever, at Stone Mountain. I was skeptical yet determined that I could do the entire 15. Thankfully determination won, and there were no mileage surprises because I was running with someone with a GPS watch. While there were times I wanted to walk or just quit all together, those feelings were never stronger than my desire to finish (possibly a first). It also helped I didn’t want to make my run partner run around that rock in the dark alone. After 3 laps around the rock, and two laps around the parking lot to hit exactly 15 miles, pain and a huge sense of accomplishment congratulated me. Then it was time for an Epson Salt soak and a huge plate of pasta (not at the same time). BTW how does Epson Salt work?

This run was also my introduction to running in cooler weather. I originally didn’t think me and cool weather would get along. I figured it would cause asthma complications, or simply be harder than normal for me to get out in, but so far it has felt great. My HR was way down during the run, that probably has a little to do with the pace I was running, but that was encouraging. Right now I’m really encouraged about running through the winter. My relationship with running is budding.

Saturday I went for a run in Auburn just to see how my legs would respond to Thursday. Surprisingly, I felt really good, though I was still a little nervous to push the pace. I think I’m going to aim for 3 runs a week now. I can feel my legs are getting stronger and the recovery periods between the runs are getting shorter. Running three times a week will give me a chance to focus on Hills, Tempo, and Distance. I never would have thought that I could enjoy running as much as I’m starting to. I hope it last. Running could possibly be my new best friend – that’s probably a little premature.

2 Minutes til take off

2009-10-14T16:13:00.001-07:00

The last few days of training have been pretty good. Saturday I went out for my long run, planning to go for 12. After getting home and mapping out my run with Mapmyrun I realized my long run wasn’t as long as it was intended to be - 12 miles magically turned into to 10. Originally this was a huge let down, but I was really happy with how I felt following the run. Knees had no pain and even my toe wasn’t in very much pain. Since I have upped the mileage and I think this (triathlon/being active) is something I’m going to stick with for a while, I am considering investing in the new Garmin Forerunner. I really don’t want to shortchange myself on anymore runs - real-time distances could helpful, what do you think?

Monday I went for a swim and it was extremely boring. Did I say it was extremely boring, oh because it was extremely boring. I am determined on swimming one to two days a week so I don’t have to start from scratch when I join a masters team in January. I heard a good quote this week that I hope will help me to get to the pool “there are no reasons for not doing it, just excuses”. This week wasn’t as bad as last week though, I did have a preprinted workout to follow and not just the idea of going for a swim. There really isn’t much else to say about the swimming besides I hope I enjoy it more when it picks back up.

Then there is the glorious Tuesdays. TNR is by far my favorite thing to do training wise. After steadily posting better times on the TNR runs, I set the goal of breaking an hour on the 7.05 mile run. The previous 2 weeks I’ve run it at 1:07, 1:03, and this week I came up short at 1:02. While not satisfied I didn’t reach my goal, it is extremely satisfying to be making improvements. I’m going to break that hour, might not be this week, maybe not the next, but it’s going down. This course is a technical course, with the first 5 miles being hilly and the last two being pretty flat. Having that forerunner would come in handy here too, for pacing (I’m seriously trying to talk myself into buying that watch).

Going to Auburn this weekend for a football game, so I’m pushing up my long run to Thursday. Not doing anything Wednesday is probably the hardest thing i've done this week, but I know I wouldn't make it through my run Thursday with out sitting Wednesday out. The plan for Thursday is to run 15 miles around Stone Mountain with a club-mate. Being that riding around Stone Mountain is a task, running it should be really interesting. Hopefully I survive to write about it. The Journey continues.

Now you're running ...

2009-10-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

I just fought through my first crossroad of this off season. Fear had completely taken over me. Lately, I’ve been trying to work as hard, if not harder, than I worked during the Triathlon season, until my awakening Monday night. At first I didn’t see pushing myself as a problem, but Monday after swimming by myself, the entire time thinking “what the hell am I doing”, I just about swore off everything healthy and went to Wal-mart bought me some Little Debbie’s snack cakes and was about ready to be a bum. Three Little Debbie’s Swiss Roll packs later, I realized I’m trying to do too much. So, I am forcing myself to focus on quality as of now and not quantity of workouts. The Idea that I may not finish and look back and think “did you do all you could do”, works against this, but smart training is better than overtraining, right?

I’ve been researching workouts for swimmers online and most suggest total body workouts on days you go to the gym. With the stuff I’ve found, I put together a new workout routine for myself with me only lifting two days a week right now. Also, I’m going to make myself take some time off and hangout with friends I’ve neglected to hang out with (If you are reading this invite me to things again). Taking this time off now will probably help come March when everything is planned around workouts and finishing Ironman Wisconsin without having to walk a complete marathon – assuming walking will be an option.

(Sorta like a second entry, I have to write in drafts)

What a difference a week makes. Tuesday Sept 29th I nearly had a breakdown at mile 6 of a 7 mile run. When you’re running with people (and struggling) and they bring up a marathon a mile before you’re to finish a 7 mile run, it makes you think “how in the hell am I going to do 26.2 miles”, after biking 112 and swimming 2.4. After a profanity laced rant of my own I had to pick up the pace and finish (thank you girls for the encouraging comments) - I think I was going crazy and to stop running was the only thing that was going to help me. After the run, it turned out to be my fastest 7 miles up until that point, so there was a small silver lining. Fast forward a week later to October 6th and I entered TNR (Tuesday Night Run) with a goal to better my previous run, without wanting to kill myself for signing up for an Ironman during the run (working on the mental toughness). The last few weeks I’ve been running on a treadmill on Thursday nights to increase my speed with out having to focus on it so much mentally, you set the speed and you move your legs – a lot easier than doing it mentally for me at this point. Well low and behold I think it is working. It’s so nice to see it pay off so quickly after only 3 weeks. I had my fastest TNR yet, I averaged under a 9 minute mile on a course that I originally averaged over 12 (it's hilly and i'm slow). Huge Victory for myself, huge.

During the last week I also made my first trip to the Doctor for a “not usual pain”. Turns out I have an inflamed sesamoid bone in my foot, big Toe to be exact (a bone I didn’t even know exist). Doc says I should try Orthotics and to Ice and all that good stuff. Knowing he’s not going to have to take my big toe, I think everything is going to be alright with this one, I do plan on icing more. One more thing for someone to ask me about when they walk past my cubicle at work.

48 more weeks to go!

49 weeks ....

2009-09-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday I traveled to Augusta to watch the Augusta Ironman 70.3. It’s always funny to me when I travel to triathlons. First there is the feeling of wishing I was doing the race, then I slowly return to reality and think of all the training the athletes have been through (especially for a 70.3 distance race), and I return to “cheering is fine for the day”. Witnessing the pros sprint by at a 7 minute pace to the age grouper hanging on for dear life gets my adrenaline pumping (if you’re spectating a triathlon its hard not to cheer), and to know people competing it’s electrifying (The ATC really represented well sunday). Also, it provides an enormous amount of motivation to make it to my own work outs.

Last week was a steady week for me in the work out dept., though I did skip a few workouts, I’m telling myself it is fine because I had initially planned to take two weeks off following my last race on September 12th. Now it’s time to pick things up and not skip the long weekend runs in preparation for a marathon. The run coach for the group said a few weeks back we should be averaging somewhere around 25 miles for the week, I’ve been slacking around 12 miles, and now that number increases - Yay (sarcasm). I will gradually increase my distances through the next couple of weeks to reach that point though.

This next week I’m planning to pick it up a little. I've started writing out my work outs before hand to help keep me honest. Writing out my workouts is completely new to me but I’m interested to see if it helps me, once I figure out how to put a chart in this blog i'll post them here also. 49 weeks seems really close to me for some reason, probably because I’m a little scared. I will say it’s probably best I have never witnessed a IRONMAN before registering, I saw some serious painful expressions this last weekend at the half and those looks of pain didn’t really say “You should try this”.

Congratulations to all my friends who completed the Augusta IRONMAN 70.3, you guys' determination alone fueled me for over 6 hours to bang that drum, not to mention seeing MR come out of the water in tears (super inspiring). Congratulations to all the ATC’ers, great job to you all!

So it is

2009-09-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

On March 9th, 2009 I began the endeavor of triathlon with a call to Jim Boylan inquiring about the Atlanta Tri Club. Initially, I was skeptical if triathlon was something my body would be able to handle. While in college I tore my Achilles tendon and everyone from the doctor (who performed the surgery) to my sister (a nurse) told me how I should be careful following the surgery because it was highly likely I would re-injure myself. Four years later with not doing any running or leg lifting, I looked like the muffin man (muscular on top - skinny on bottom). In a state of a quarter life crisis and really looking for things I liked in a relatively new city, Triathlon was right on time.

The first weeks of my two mile training runs felt like marathons. While swimming and biking came a lot easier for me, running was/is a task. I would literally get home and not be able to walk, and to be honest I was pretty ashamed of how bad at running I was. Paying for a tri-club membership and the desire to not be the worst was exactly what I needed to push past what I considered my comfort zone and to keep me attending the training sessions. Through all the pain, and wonderings of why the hell am I doing this, I kept training because I couldn’t let triathlon beat me – sort of my quarter-life reawakening. By the time I finished my first race on May 30th I was hooked.

During 2009 I completed three triathlons, one Sprint distance, and two Olympic distance races. While I improved each time on the Olympic distance races, I didn’t reach all of my goals – I am 3 for 3 on finishing though. Knowing I was racing on my tooth picks for legs this year, I was really encouraged heading into the winter on strengthening my legs and completing a marathon (2 miles to 26 I am still in awe). In my rejoicing that my season was over and that I could return to lifting and cut back on some of the other training, someone from the Tuesday night run group sprung the idea of an IRONMAN on the newbs. Initially, I told myself I wasn’t ready nor was I willing to commit the time needed to adequately prepare for an IRONMAN distance race the next spring, not to mention coughing up the dough. I even reached out and enlisted the help of a friend who doesn’t do triathlons to talk me out of even considering it. Well that friend (cough Josh) was having none of it and even predicted I would do it, not to make him sound like a genius because he’s not, and low and behold I registered for IRONMAN Wisconsin with 25+ other club mates. I can remember watching the IRONMAN world championships in Kona on NBC as a child thinking “that’s not hard I could do that”, partially because I was a knucklehead child who thought I could do anything and because my mother always said “can’t shouldn’t be in your vocabulary, hard work can beat just about anything”. Those words still hold true and will guide me through my journey the next year. While this is definitely the biggest athletic endeavor I have ever undertaken, I am excited about the journey. I will use this blog to update workout routines, setbacks, and all the other random things that come to mind. Thanks for reading and let the journey begin.