Dog Days

It’s a little early to be talking about the dog days of summer, but wow does it feel hot today.  I took a little 20 mile ride this morning at 7 o’clock and was baking by the time I left the house for work.  I think my dog feels it, too.  She seems depressed.

Sometimes the thought of doing two-a-day workouts from here through August is daunting.  It’s not so much the exertion as it is the time.  Squeezing 3 hours in and around work really grinds me down at times.  Typically I find myself doing some amended version of the day’s plan, and I think you have to do that or you’ll go insane.

But that’s nothing in the big scope of things.  What’s really important in this world, in our lives?

I just got a text alert that they found they found poisonous ricin in a letter sent to President Obama.  While I’m skeptical, it does bring up emotions similar to what I felt after 9/11.

That day I was working at a news station and stood in horror watching the buildings burn and collapse.  The event was horrible in its own right, but I remember feeling a sense of “things will never be the same.”  From that day forward we would be hyper focused on terrorism and generally trusting people would be more difficult.

Living in fear is no way to go through life and Boston has raised the energy again.  It makes me sick that someone would do that and want to foster more skepticism in everyone’s life.  But as I look around at the positive thoughts and rally of the aftermath, I see how much good there is in the world.  People all over Nashville and the rest of the country are running to show power in numbers and that, quite frankly, we’re sick of this shit.

Stay strong.  Work hard with good intention through the dog days of summer.  Kill them with kindness.

Boston Marathon

The first marathon I ever watched was in Nashville.  My mother came with her childhood friend, Susie, to support Susie’s daughter in the 1/2 marathon.  I remember being amazed that Heidi was running that far and literally stunned by how many others joined her.  We watched the beginning on Lower Broadway, but made our way to the finish line for the rest. 

I squeezed up next to the fence and gazed in bewilderment as the elite runners flew by mile 26 at a sub five minute pace.  I was about 10 years younger and in decent shape, but remember thinking I couldn’t have run the last 100 yards that fast if I used starting blocks! 

People were so positive and energetic as they encouraged the runners through their final steps.  I was not used to the early morning activity and marveled at the genuine smiles and happiness.  I didn’t turn into a runner that day, but it was always in the back of my mind. 

Susie, at 60 years old, may have been the happiest of the bunch.  She stood next to me and shouted at all the shirtless young guys, “Whew!  Way to go hottie!”  “Wow, sexy thang!” 

I was kinda funny and embarrassing at once.  Finally, I gave her a look like “what the hell are you doing?” 

She matter of factly brushed me off by saying, “Oh, they love it.” 

And she was right.  Nothing makes you run harder than an unsolicited compliment. 

By the end of that afternoon Susie’s brash advances (along with the awkward reactions of the guys) had me rolling on the ground. 

Now, it is today, and some bitter and demented person or persons decided they wanted to squash the fun.  I am sad, confused, and angry.  Like everyone else I think it was cowardly and twisted.  I search for answers, but nothing will explain why someone detonates bombs on innocent people. 

What makes me sad is how some of happiest moments of these people’s lives were ripped away in a split second.  How someone just like Susie was having the time of her life dishing inspiration to people who dripped sweat for months and miles to find that finish line.  How so many would have been able to say “I finished Boston.”  And how, instead of simple sweat, they were left with blood and tears.  

I think about the volunteers and security guards who went from token support to life savers instead of changing out of their yellow t-shirts.  The neighbors, the shop owners, and the students that look forward to this day like no other, but will never think of it the same.  I think about the people who squeezed up next to the fence and gazed in bewilderment as elite runners flew by at a sub 5 minute pace to cross the most prestigious finish line in running.  And how now, because of a lost and distorted mind, those same people, who stood cheering for hundreds of strangers, will never be able to stand on those legs again. 

Finishing a race is an incredible high.  You’re exhausted, but completely relaxed and at ease with the world.  You’re endorphins soar and your most genuine and compassionate sides flourish.  The simplest things in life take center stage.  A hand shake, a high five, a hug.  Today, thousands shared those moments with friends and family before their serenity was shattered by indiscriminate violence, and once again, left us asking why. 

When logic goes out the window.  When the pain is greater than we can understand.  When the suffering seems to have no end.  There’s only one thing you can do.  Keep the faith. 

 

Bike, Run, Bike . . . and Training Progress

This morning I got on my mountain bike around 7 am and rode to the Moosic City Dairy Dash to run a 10K.  It’s a nice little race.  Very flat, fast and they feed you ice cream with pasta.  This was my first 10K (last year) and it’s pretty amazing to think that, in essence, I treated it as part of a training day.

I hate to harp on this, but I’m nearly 50 and just started running last year.  It hasn’t been easy and I have been putting in a ton of effort, but the difference you can make in a year is quite astonishing.

I was actually pretty proud of my time last year, 54 minutes and change, but it was unbelievably difficult.  I was seriously close to fainting around mile 5 and somehow sucked it up to finish.

I’m not even sure how to quantify this progress in training, but I think the best evidence is how I felt hammering home on a heavy bike after running hard in that race.  And now, I sit here writing, when last year I was already in bed taking a nap.  There is just no denying I am, at the least, giving myself the opportunity to get more out of life.

The consistency in moods, the follow through on projects, the overall energy level.  All of these are directly tied to what I would consider a marginally insane workout plan.

A lot of the time it’s difficult to see progress.  It’s like wiring electrical in a new house.  You know stuff is happening, but you don’t really notice results until the lights come on.  Today another light came on.  I think it was in the basement, but it gave me another jolt of confidence that will push me one step closer to, not only the Ironman goal, but the person I know I want to be more often.

There is no substitute for being strong in mind and body.  Clear about who you are and what you want.  Comfortable in your own skin and decisions.  It doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens . . . if you work it.

Swimming and Lightning

Headed down to the YMCA for my swim workout over lunch.

200 Swim
200 Pull Buoy
200 Kick
200 Pull Buoy

Then a bunch of 100 sprints.

Well, just as I was about to start my sprinting, the lifeguard blew my ears out with her whistle.

“Gotta get out of the pool. There’s lightning!”

Part of me wanted to get in her face and tell her I didn’t care about lightning. The other part saw it as an excellent excuse to not have to do a bunch of 100 meter sprints.  The third part of me remembered that “Every missed workout is a missed opportunity,” and that rang the loudest.

I can’t help but think that most lifeguards actually hate swimmers. I know it’s not social hour, but most give the impression that swimmers are wasting their time. I didn’t tell you to be a lifeguard and sit there bored for 8 hours!  But, I kinda get it too. The thought of being a lifeguard probably seems a lot cooler than it actually is, especially if you’re trapped in a sterile pool instead of a Baywatch beach. But that’s no reason to seem happy when lightning cancels my workout. Well, maybe it is.

Anyway, I guess I’ll have to settle for a tempo run in the rain after work.  Someone explain why I’m doing this again?

Triathlons and Open Water Swims

The more I swim, the more I fall in love with being in the water, and that is going to be huge when the cannon goes off in Wisconsin and nearly 3,000 other racers jet off for the same buoy.  You can watch video all day, but I don’t think there’s any way to understand how that will feel.  A mosh pit of epic proportions with the added bonus of deep water.

This video gives some pretty cool tips for open water swims and I must say the most intriguing part is drafting.  It seems like it would take a shit-ton of practice to feel comfortable on someone’s feet or their hip.  Either way, there’s some interesting stuff in here (and yes, coach, you have already told us a lot of this, but it’s great to see the video . . . hint).

Dejected. Reflected. Redirected.

The following is another guest post from our inspiring coach, Robbie Bruce.  I am continually amazed by his passion, and even more impressed with how he re-directs fires that appear to burn out of control. 

Dejected. Reflected. Redirected. 

A few of you may be aware that I have been suffering from a severe case of Achilles tendinitis over the past 2 weeks. The same kind that sidelined me from running in 2011 for almost 3 months. So, rewind almost 2 weeks ago. I had the best 2 bike and run workouts of my life with New Orleans 70.3 just over 3 weeks away. I proved to myself that the fitness I knew I needed to accomplish my goals was there. In the bank. I woke up Saturday morning. Legs and arms trashed from 4,000 yds, 70 hard bike miles and 10 hard miles of running in a 24 hour span. I was staring at a 4 hour ride, yet, I was pumped for it. Which spoke volumes to me about where my mind was. I knew as soon as the ride started the cards the triathlon gods were about to deal me. I barely made it an hour because the pain was over a 10. I sat there for maybe over an hour….. thinking “This cant be. Im here. Im ready. Why? Why now?” Took Sunday and Monday off. Hit up PT on Tuesday for some therapy. No running or biking for the week. I was cleared to ride this past Mon/Tue and my swim has improved drastically since its all I was able to do for 9 days. Today was affectionately named DDay. I got to run. The chance to run. Cleared to run. Its 80 and sunny out. Who wouldn’t wanna run. New Orleans in next weekend and if I could even run pain free and slow I was in. Doing it. Parked my truck. Said a little prayer to the running and triathlon gods and took off. 1-2-3-4 steps,,,, Oh shit I’m back. Here I come. 6-7-8… That didn’t feel right…..14-15-16….. walking. Pain at an 11…… Water bottle hurled maybe 500ft…… Done. Walking back to my truck. Head down. Defeated….. What now? Where too? Sat in my truck. Keys not even in the ignition for air. Text a few close friends about my failed attempt and sat. I will say. I am SO VERY lucky to have such amazing friends who are so supportive and positive when all I see is failure, discontent, with no resolution in sight. The theme of responses was “Regroup. Re plan. You got this.” I hit the shower at the YMCA.. Oddly enough alot of my best thinking and thoughts are in the shower. (no comments please :)), but I swear if life were one big shower Id be a philosopher or author or something. Anyway…. my shower turned into an almost 25 minute prunefest of thoughts and planning. Right forearm over the top of my head as my forehead was pressed against the tile. I felt a lot like I did after I lost the Football State Championships my senior year. You just let the water pour over you. Close your eyes and just think back…… I formulated a plan. Got my thoughts together. Mind still racing as I got dressed. Wondering how and what do do? I put my shirt on, looked down……… Ha. It said, “ENDURE.” Made me smile. That’s it. Just “endure.” See it through. You got this. Then I thought back to when I was at Ironman Louisville. Totally dejected on the bike after feeling ill and sat out on the bike. I remember the picture Season took of me. :attached below:: it SCREAMED DEJECTION. AND DEFEAT. Then I remember what happened after. I just decided to endure it. Just endure it and see it through. A few months later after just deciding to endure I had my best race ever at Augusta. Walking downstairs to get to my truck. I passed an elderly lady struggling to just make it up the stairs and a younger gentleman in a wheelchair coming into the gym……. What was I doing with my head down. It could be so much worse. So much worse. Then I got ill and pissed. I usually do that when I get really motivated. In a “this wont stop me way.” The triathlon god Zeus maybe trying to shut me down. Deject me. Discourage me. He wants a war. Hes got one. I’m pretty sure a battle from Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν, Poseidōn)(who I will all as myself. In no God but he suited me best) God of the sea, rivers, floods, droughts, earthquakes, and the creator of horses; known as the “Earth Shaker”.The horse and the dolphin are sacred to him. Right now Zeus is reigning over on of my sports. But hes in for a battle. My battle plan is the following:

– I will swim for as long and as hard as possible every week. I will get so fast. You will not even get close to catching my feet. I will gain time.

– I will bike as long and as much as I need to. The bike is my weakest so  I will focus on my strength and my weakness during this undetermined down time. I will get better. I will get faster.

–  I will drop more weight. I am down 10 lbs in the last 3.5 weeks. I will cut more which will make me a faster and more efficient runner when I am finally able to run. It will make me faster all around.

– I will hit the StairMaster (if cleared) as much as I can. In pants and a hoodie. Ill get mentally stronger, physically stronger, and lighter. Ill be meaner too.

– Ill do as much therapy that is required. Ill have needles shoved in me. Ill do endless clam shell exercises till I start spitting out pearls like a damn sprinkler.

– The times few hours I might miss hanging with my little man training, Ill use to take him out with me on my new paddle board. Enjoy more time with him. Which makes everyone better all around.

– I’m not going to plan on “racing” until June (Kansas 70.3) or July (Munice 70.3). I don’t wanna focus on short term possibilities but instead long term realistic goals. A miracle could happen and I might toe the line at NOLA but the same possibility looms that I may miss Gulf Coast. I’m OK with that. Because no matter when I come back. Im coming back with a mother@#*&$ng vengeance.

– In the mean time. When Im not biking or on the StairMaster. Ill be focused on this:

http://www.panamericanmasters2013.org/. I swimming the best in FOREVER. I have time to focus on it and I am familiar with the course. This Tennessee boy is headed down south to play with some of the best.

That’s it. Getting better is always a fluid situation. I could recover much earlier or a lot later. Who knows. I however do know that in the mean time. I still have goals. I will still be working and training hard. I will still be focused and when I come back 100%. Move out of the way. So if you see me don’t tell me “I’m sorry your hurt.” I’m not hurt. Ive redirected. Don’t pitty me bc I’m not going to pitty me. Ive got this. So the question is……. For all of you 100% healthy people…….. Whats your plan? Are you focused? Are you giving it 100%? If not. Start now because before you know it. The chance to give it may be stripped away from you. Then what?

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Being Committed and Finding Motivation

Sometimes the road is to Ironman is lonely.  You’ve worked all day, squeezed in a swim over lunch, taken care of the lawn, trash, and cleaned the kitchen.  It’s after 8:00 and you still have a run.  Ninety five percent of my body was telling me to lay down and let it go.  Then I remembered seeing this on our Crushing Iron Facebook page.11475_459827070756741_1561451402_n

It seems like someone always shows up when I need them.  I have committed to doing an Ironman, and that is so much more than an interest.   It is a full-on commitment that forces you to dig deep for the truth.

Someone else posted this.

✔ My legs are weak.
✔ My arms are sore.
✔ My chest is heavy.
✔ My body is tired.
✔ I WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

I’m not gonna lie, training for Ironman is hard.  It’s hard to pound out ten more laps when you’ve already been swimming nearly an hour and your arms are sore.  It’s tough to go for a run when your legs are weak and the neighborhood is falling asleep.  It’s difficult to breath when your chest is heavy and flowers are spewing pollen into your lungs.  It’s painful to think about a two hour bike ride in the morning when your body is tired.  But I will not be stopped.

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Good and Bad Day of Biking

It was a beautiful day at Natchez Trace.  Sunny, 60 degrees, and not too windy.

The ride started off beautifully.  A leisurely stroll through some of the most gorgeous scenery around.  Then, Racer K popped a tire and took a pretty bad spill.  Thankfully he seems to be fine, but as you’ll see his knee took a pretty bad beating.  This is a short video of the aftermath, including our ineptness when it comes to changing a flat.

lonely road racerknee flat tire trace guys

How I Lost 25 Pounds

Last January, I weighed 200 pounds.  Yesterday at the gym, I tipped scales at 175.  Below is my secret. 

I swam, biked, and ran a LOT! 

I Have a Dream

Sunday night I had my first Ironman dream.  I was running . . . and instead of a race it was more like a scavenger hunt.  I remember being very confused about why a) we were starting with the run, and b) why I kept getting lost on the course.

Just barely a mile or so into the dream race, the runners had to cross a hot bed of coals while fans cheered us on from jacuzzis.  I skipped the coals by sneaking behind while everyone was laughing and throwing fruity drinks on racers, and feared I was missing a check point.

After the bed of coals was a steep downhill that somehow ended up in a mall.  I remember panicking because my time was going to hell and I felt like I was nowhere near the course.  There was a very excited young kid trying his best to give me a Cinnabon and I was stressing big time about directions, he responded by handing me a menu.

There was a lot of activity going on, including a Cubs game, and the next thing I know I was in a 5K sign-up line with a bunch of friends who had just started running.  They were so excited, and I was for them, but valuable time was ticking away.

Finally, I found a guy wearing an Ironman shirt sitting near one of those side escape doors in the mall.  I was relieved and asked him for directions.

“First, I’ll need to see your timing chip.”

Unbelievably, I had a handful of newspapers and the timing chip was lodged between the sports and lifestyle sections.

“Okay, I’m gonna need you to put this in your waste band.”

All I could think was, “Why isn’t this on my ankle?”  Then asked him, “How do I get back onto the course?”

He said, “Okay, did you go through the jewelry store back there?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you see a guy dressed like Santa Claus?”

“No!”

“Well, you need to find him, he has your clue.”

I was completely deflated, and that’s the last thing I can remember before I heard the chime from my cell phone with a text message from Mark at 5:47 a.m.

It read, “Happy Easter to the Fab 5 +2.  Nice little trainer ride this morning.”

That dream and message from Mark can only mean one thing.  I have a long ways to go before I’m ready to navigate Ironman.