Eventual Ironman

Ready set go!

2008-12-17T21:08:00.005-06:00

Only 2 weeks left and then it all begins. Yeah I have been training but only about 8-9 hours a week. An occasional 9 - 10 mile run and of course winter cyclocross races once every 3 or 4 weeks. But Janruary 1 the base training begins followed by the 26 week Ironman program from the Training Plans for Multisport athletes. It starts around a 9 hour training week and peaks at 18 hours. (almost like a second job). Looking back on 2008 how did I get here. Its been quite a trip. Last year was my toughest ever with 2 marathons (Flying Pig and Quad Citites), 2 half ironman's (Pigman and Effingham) 2 sprints (Tri Shark and Effingham) and 1 olympic (Evergreen International). I can truely say I loved every minute of it. To Tri is to be alive. Words can't describe the joy of competition. Reflecting back I can only say I am the luckiesties person in the world. I have an awesome beautiful wife who is so tolerant of my obsession, kids who are always proud of me a great job and a wonderful Saviour who just keeps on giving and giving. Thinking back over three years ago when I was suffering from patellar tendonitis and my doctors reply, oh your one of those runners huh. Why don't you stop running. This will never get better until you stop running. By the way did I mention stop running. As if, why not just ask me to stop breathing. Well that was three marathons ago and my knee has never felt better, so bite me doc! Now approximately 8 months away the time has come. Ironman Louisville 2009. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running. 140.6 miles in less then 17 hours (hopefully less then 15) and I will be an Ironman!!! Grrrrr! Thank you to all my family, all my friends. all the Tri Sharks for all the advice, the open water swim workouts, the time trials, the century rides, my friends from the wheelers as well. Also thanks to the good folks at Blue Competition Cycles for making such a fine cycling machine. This will be your victory as well as mine.

And so it begins! - Ironman Louisville 2009

2008-09-06T06:03:00.003-06:00

I have finally done it. Monday morning I signed up for Ironman Louisville. After 2 years of hot and brutal conditions down there it has to be cool for the race next summer right, I said right. This is the first race form that ever asked me for my insurance provider and policy number. hmmm I wonder why? Oh well I have close to 1 year to prepare! Sure no problem, right, I said no problem right. I feel like I am about to embark on the most difficult journer of my entire life and some I know I will come out the other side a completely changed person ready to take on the world even more so then I am today. Also I know its not the destination that will do this for me but the journey to get there, yet at the same time I have never been more excited and more afraid at the same time. Oh well better get started, I'm going out for a run!

My Happy Place.

2008-03-31T12:08:00.003-06:00

This sounds odd but I was on the treadmill preparing for another Marathon a few weeks ago and I discovered the problem. It was the TV. I turned the TV off cranked up the stereo and suddenly realized that the treadmill wasn't all that bad. Some more mellow tunes came on and suddenly I was 110% focused on the task at hand. Mind and body became as one. I never thought that could happen on the treadmill of all places! One thing that all of this training has taught me is to be in tune with my body. Its not about slugging out the miles, I have learned over the years that is only a waste of time and energy. Its about seeing the task in front of you and giving 110%. Once you accomplish that you have found your happy place. Now I admit it is a much easier place to find out on the bike for hours in the saddle, then it is slugging out 2 1/2 hours on the treadmill, but hang in there and eventually you might find the happy place too. Rock on my friends and heres to a happy and safe racing season this year. I'll see ya out there! Tear it up!!!

Still We Press On...

2007-03-17T19:37:00.000-06:00

Well the weather still hasn't gotten any better. This morning the wind chill was 13 so yep on the treadmill again, 15 miles. Last week I got to do 18 outside, it was almost 35! Woo Hoo. The two previous weeks were 17 and 15 on yet again on the treadmill. All this has given me time to reflect on why do I do this. Why would anyone get up at 6:00 on a Saturday to run or to get up at 4:30 on a workday to hit the pool at 5:00 before going to work at 6:00, and the only answer I can come up with is because I can. Because I want to have grandkids some day and I want to see them grow up. But aside from the health benefits, because it feels great. Moving forward, feeling you heart beat harder faster, pushing your body to its absolute limits and then why you think you cant give any more, you keep going. Its like that line from Chariots of Fire, " ... and when I run I feel His pleasure". Its about being everything God created us to be. Thats why I tri. There is such an excellent season ahead and I can wait. Every ounce of my body quivers when I think about the races coming up this year. 2007 is gonna rock. Buckle up my friends it going to be a wild ride!

WInter Sucks

2007-01-31T20:58:00.000-06:00

Winter sucks. Oh yes winter sucks, by the way did I happen to mention winter sucks! Why would I say that, well... In all my brilliance to keep the buzz going from last falls marathon I thought why not sign up for a spring marathon. So 70$ later I'm registered for the Country Music Marathon in April. Did I mention winter sucks. Yes last weekend it was 13 miles at 32 degrees. Pretty warm compared to this weekend which will be 10 on the treadmill (its only supposed to be like 10 on Saturday). Next weekend 15 miles outside. Oh please Mr. Groundhog plese don't see your shadow. Btw ... I miss my bike.

happy training....

On with the new ...

2006-12-26T09:40:00.000-06:00

So 2006 is almost over, Christmas is done. It's been a great year. I dropped 15 pounds and at 35 I'm in the best shape of my life. Yesterday on my Christmas afternoon 8 mile run in the cold, I couldn't help but think how easy this is. Why doesn't everyone do this? There is so much to be gained in life from the simple things. Placing one foot in front of the other is one of the simplest yet one of the most profound things I have done in my life? How can it be so simple yet change my life so greatly. I laugh every time I run at night and see the glow of blue coming out of just about every home I pass on my way to the trial. I think to myself turn it off. Get out here, this is where it all begins. Tv is where it ends. Countless comericials and other people telling you what to think, what to feel, what to eat. And we buy into it. We buy empty calories and empty promises that companies what us to believe. Family, God, Health, this is what life is about, and these are the times that will make us truely happy. As we move into the new year what is one thing you would like to change about yourself? For most of us the goal will be health related since the health of america is soooo poor. I know. Mine used to be. This is a great time to sign up for a local race in the spring. If a triathlon is too much, try a 5k, there all over the place and ANYONE can do them. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

have an awesome and inspiring 2007. Heres to the new you!