Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

In the spirit of tri season, I’ve been actively watching the Universal Sports channel for the Ford Ironman events and I think I’ve watched the Rotterdam marathon three times now! I also recently followed a fellow training buddy online for the Boston Marathon.  Damn that was exciting! I wish I had half of Bill’s speed- 3:15:09.  I like watching these events to show me how truly weak I am…lol, that and it lights a fire in me.

I’ve been looking for a few vids to add to the collection for some sports inspiration and being an active participant on BeginnerTriathlete, I remember a discussion a while ago about a production that a guy made that was documentary style about a few individuals that trained for endurance events.

This video was recently released and called Athlete by David Lam. Oddly enough, I’ve been a long-time lurker of one of the individual’s blog, Kellie Smirnoff- Finding Your Limits. As to not spoil much of it’s content, it is a really down to your level movie regarding individuals like you and me and how they train, hurt and prepare for endurance events as well as how they prepare their lives around those events. Seeing them overcome the various obstacles really hits home and gives you that spirit to really go out and give it your best.

This was my whole reasoning for snagging a copy from Amazon prior to my 1st 2010 triathlon. I definitely needed all the help I could get.

I’m currently one week away from my first Half Ironman race and I’m a bit freaked out! I’ve never completed all the disciplines all at once. I wonder how I’m going to feel, I wonder what obstacles I’ll encounter, I wonder if I’ll even make it?! So, I’m plenty cloudy with thoughts about this race as it looms around the corner. I was on a 18wk plan to prepare for this race but this fizzled a long time ago as of course, life gets in the way.

I also scored an oldie but goodie on Amazon, American Flyers.

This was a Costner movie that was made in ‘85 that I remember watching back in the day on the old TV in my parent’s house. It’s funny how sometimes things like this get stuck in your head. Great cyclist flick- check it out!

This was watched tonight in the absence of my SO- she’s not a movie person. I guess in this taper week with this weekend alone, I’ll slate a long easy pace ride and a run. I better clean this hole up too before she gets back…It’s looking a bit iffy- but I do love me some solo weekends!

So start the countdown, as come May 1st, we’ll see what I’m really made of.

I’ve been on posting hiatus here lately, but I’m back now.

Tomorrow kicks off my 2010 triathlon season. Exciting yes. I’ve been not as dedicated to training as I should- go figure, but I feel I’m ready for it.

I’ve been really trying to improve my swimming discipline by really concentrating on my stroke catch and less kicking. In the pool I’ve worked a bunch with drills and such.

However, I’ve done a few OWS in the wetsuit and I feel like I’ve bumped back to square 1. I have great short bursts but I cannot maintain. I’m not sure if I’m not familiar with the constriction of the wetsuit or if it is all in my head. Who knows… As one last attempt to get a suit swim in, I did about 1000 in Jordan Lake yesterday. It was super choppy and not so warm. While I was not at FOP performance, I feel I settled down enough to get it done.

My fear in such a short race is that my normal race plan won’t work out for me. Since I really suck at swimming, I usually bust ass on the bike and make up for my slack. But this sprint is 10 miles long in the bike. I’m going to have to really get on it. And just maintain in the run.

I also broke down an joined the IOSDT triathlon team. They distributed some pretty sweet gear. Here’s part of the kit:

I’ve yet to be uber involved with the team events but that will change once the season gets underway.

This first race really is just a refresher before White Lake in May, so I’m not too worried here. This is moreso to get the tri feeling back into my bones after a stagnant winter.

So I’ll report back post-race tomorrow. I’m off to go check out the road course to see if the rumors of the road conditions are true or not.

So I guess it’s now official that I will be participating in the Ironman 70.3 Augusta 2010 race. I just dumped a wad of cash for Jennifer and myself as registration was just completed….so I guess I gotta do it now.
I really do hope the body holds up this season and that I’m able to complete this event, as it will really be a hurdle for me. Granted this will be my 2nd HIM, it will be my 1st MDot race.

So see all you in September!!!

On a training note, I guess I need to get back on that wagon, as I’ve slacked off recently.

Today there was a break in the weather which resulted in mid-50s. I was joined by Jennifer and Janelle, a fellow tri-buddy. I dropped off at 8 miles and did a quick bike split. while the girls went for 10. We ran on the ATT from White Oak, which was flat and padded. I felt great, besides the fact I was so damn sick and I couldn’t breathe. Thus my early return.

Tomorrow is also supposed to be great weather, so after church, I’m headed out for quick ride on my 40miler Falls Lake loop.

So…the end of another year. And the welcoming of a new one. I welcome new things and experiences, so I’m not sad to see 2009 go. It had its fun, but I’m ready for more.

This year begins in great fashion. Steady job, lots of great gear accumulated over last year, gym membership, a great SO and some goals.

To begin things in 2010, off went the hair:

From mop…

to the new aerohead:

I’ve developed my rendition of an 18-week Half Ironman plan to prepare myself for White Lake early in the season. It’s pretty difficult to initiate as it’s bitter cold outside now. But I did start out with a swim and a nice high 30’s ride on New Years day…layers baby!

Also, my baby wants me to stay hydrated through all this mess, so I also received this lovely addition to the whip for Christmas, The Profile Design AeroDrink Water Bottle (more on this once I test it out, later):

Good things to look forward to in the new year. The forums have picked up a bit with new event sign ups and training buddy interaction- always exciting! So here’s to training safe, training strong and supportive surroundings for everyone!!!

Yes that’s correct. Since the season has become a tad chilly to go prance in the lake, I’ve been in search of a indoor sanity. I knew work promoted a gym discount, but I didn’t think much at the time as I had to incorporate Jennifer into the mix. So I held off on any action.

She sought out a public pool, pseudo-near us over by the dogpark we go to, but it’s such a hike. We went twice to this pool payin 3 bucks per visit each. which isn’t bad but can add up. The pool was huge and very nice though and the staff was very friendly. And it was uncrowded at 5am in the morning! But still a hike from home.

At the beginning of the week I went to check out the gym during my lunch break. I rolled up and saw the huge GOLD’S GYM Imperial Center hovering over me as I entered. I prepared myself for the whole membership push and walked in.

I was greeted and given a clipboard to fill out questions about me. “What are your goals…” ummm to swim? “Why are you looking for a gym…” because i want to?! I ended up checkin of a lot of things and turning it back in. The front desk had me wait for a Matt to come get me. So I sat back down at the table waiting. I was expecting some muscle bound hormonally imbalanced freak to strut over and laff at my 5′5” stature…meh he was nomal…boo. He again went through some of the similar questions…at this point I was just put it to him like such:

Look man, I’m a triathlete, I spend most of my time outdoors riding to other cities on my bike and running circles around the RTP. I’m here to use the pool because it’s cold out and I’m not about to wetsuit up and rambo swim. Will I use the cardio machines? Probably, will you give me a discount if I only used the pool…I didn’t think so.

On that note we, he gave up on the nutrition and workout plan pitch and toured the facility. Pool, raquet ball courts, bball courts, hot tub, sauna, massage parlour, spin room, aerobic room, and yes weight and machine room. Not a bad place.

I left that day with info and an armed decision that I wanted to discuss with the other half.

We signed with the devil today after work…looks like I’ll be at the gym from now on.

Yea yea feet ewww gross.

So I took a little souvenir back from the Outer Banks with me as a reminder that I did indeed run 26.2 miles. Even though it has been 3 weeks since the race, “it” still lives.

I’ve heard rumors about the Toe and the stories have been horrible- toenail getting bloody, nail falling off, nail-less toe….*shiver*.

To tell you the truth, I wasn’t scared about the stories. I’ve ran 13.1s with no problem. I even hit 18 miles without a hint of a bruise.

After the race I was sore, but my whole body was sore, so I couldn’t even begin to pinpoint the problem areas. The next day was the same story. I was doing the marathon shuffle as everyone calls it- not abke to take full steps and almost impossible to navigate stairs.

It wasn’t until 2 days after, once I was back home I was drying off from the shower, and my body was better but my toes felt like I’d kicked a wall still. I looked down and there it was!!! But not as bad as I’ve seen online (I’ll leave that up to you to Google image search that) but it was there. I began freakin out a bit as I really didn’t want to my nail to fall off. I showed/ chased Jennifer with it a bit- fun stuff!

So, my nail never fell off and its getting better and the coloration has really gone down and there’s less and less fluid under the nail *phew*.

And now the Toe now (sorry I didn’t get a pic of it when I first noticed):

Having completed my 1st year in triathlons and leaping and bounding in many areas of physical activities, I figured I should tell my stories as they may unfold as it’s been one hell of an interesting season and in 2010, I’m sure the stories will get better.

Season 2009 consisted of many eye opening experiences in the world of triathlons as well as a goaled accomplishment of completing my 1st marathon! While I’ve completed a few tri’s, I’m very ambitious for next season goaling for half ironmans and possibly a full ironman- we’ll see…

I’ll leave this first post with my completed events from 2009 so I know what benchmark there’s been in the past.

Season 2009
06/28/09 BASF Smile Train Triathlon
07/12/09 Triangle Triathlon
08/30/09 Nuclear Swim
10/10/09 Pinehurst Olympic Triathlon
10/24/09 American Tobacco Trail 10 Miler
11/08/09 OBX Marathon
11/21/09 Make Room for Turkey 50miler Ride