VIDEO: Ironman Louisville 2014

Here’s the official Crushing Iron video from Ironman Louisville 2014.  This is been a pretty heavy year for me and some close friends (maybe more transitional) and I think this video sums up a lot of the feelings.

I really appreciate the support of everyone who travelled to see us tackle a very difficult day.  Mom, Chris, Rebekah, Pete, Jim, and Allie were there every step of the way, and we all know spectating an Ironman is no walk in the park.

A special thanks to my brother Chris for capturing so many amazing moments with the camera, and to Sarah, who graciously watched my dog Mattie for the weekend.

Here’s to Robbie and Elyse who trained their asses off to rock Louisville.

 

 

 

Ironman Louisville?

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These were some thoughts I was having before I signed up for IM Louisville.  Nothing amazing here, but interesting to see where I was with this decision about a month before I made it. 

Memorial Day weekend, and time for a decision.

I have been stewing on this for months.  Do I bring it back with Ironman Louisville or rest a year and sign up for Chattanooga or Wisconsin again?

Sometimes you have to write it out and that’s what I’m doing right now.  As I look at that above paragraph it suddenly sounds stupid to do Wisconsin again before I try another race.  I mean, I loved that race, but there is a major draw to Louisville.

It will be hard, hot, and painful.  It will change my summer.  It will force me to ride the Trace, which I love and hate.  It will tease me every day.  It will change how I make decisions.  It will seep into my veins.

There’s a lot of things at play here, but the key variable is that I just don’t feel like racing for the sake of it.  I don’t want to go there and be slower.  I fight with that on several levels, especially when I’m trying to be more and more Zen in my lifestyle.

I did 11:58 at Wisconsin and if I sign up for Louisville, I would likely have a much loftier goal.  With that, of course, comes pressure.  Or not.

I just did an Olympic and it felt pretty awesome, but Ironman is 4 times that distance.  Four.

Ironman Louisville Swim Start

 

Day 10 of "10 Days of Rest"

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This is supposed to be the dramatic conclusion of a daring experiment to take 10 Days of Rest during peak triathlon training.  And as the days run out, I am once again sitting here naked to the world with nothing left to hide my fears.

For most of this recovery period, I was committed to leg strengthening and stretching, but on Day 10, I took my rest seriously.  I came home after work, took a nap, ate, then settled into bed to read “The Art of Learning.”

At 11 o’clock, I set the book down, turned off the lights, and closed my eyes.  But I couldn’t sleep.

I tossed and turned with a thousand thoughts, one being visualization of swim, bike and run in Louisville.  I was floating through all three as a ghost, carried by the momentum of my spirit.  It was a lot easier without all the pounding.

This went on for about a half hour, and I passed it off as being excited to train again.  If ten days of rest did anything, it gave me a bit of my mojo back.

I’d planned on doing all these little things that were mounting in my life.  Deep cleans around the house, crazy amounts of yard work, maybe even some painting.  I finally had some TIME!

clock-507

But not much of that happened.  In fact, I found myself wasting more time and even a bit lethargic.  I started thinking about the reality of Ironman training as it relates to time, and how I have a tendency to inflate that commitment.

It’s really easy to let your activities expand into the time allowed, and for me that often translates into premature optimization.  It’s a weird thing because the word “busy” has such negative connotations.  I’m so damn busy.  But, really, how busy are we?

I have not spent much time watching TV during this rest run, but I have certainly averaged at least a couple hours a day (including Netflix).  Hell, last night alone I spent 30 minutes trying to FIND something to watch on Netflix.  Which eventually brought me to this:  Salinger.

I must confess, while I am fascinated by writing and writers, I’ve never read J.D. Salinger’s the Catcher in the Rye.  I have, however read Catcher in the Wry, which was a comedy of errors by Bob Uecker.  You “hear” about stuff, but I never realized the impact the Catcher in the Rye had on society.  He wrote that book in 1951.  It has sold over 63 million times and it STILL moves 250,000 copies a year!

While watching the film, I became the triathlete version of J.D. Salinger later in his life.  Alone, in isolation, sorting out my next move.  Ten days of rest.  Out of the spotlight.  Was I working, or just sitting in a cement block cabin in the back yard falling into triathlon obscurity?

That was the questions dozens of Crushing Iron readers from around the world, er, Middle Tennessee were asking.  Will this guy ever compete again?  Will he ever freely endorse Kiwami or Pearl Izumi tri gear again?  Or will he write the deepest, darkest novel ever written about taking 10 Days of Rest during peak triathlon season, only to be released after he dies?

Oh, the drama that ensues with an idle mind.

Which brings me back to my point.  There is always enough time for training.  At peak season you’re doing 20 hours a week, which is a lot, but the max, and frankly, I’m not sure I ever got close to that last year (though I’m sure I said I did).  In fact, this guy is doing a “180” on traditional Ironman training.  I look forward to seeing what he learns.

What’s fascinating about Ironman is, yes, it is a very difficult race, but so much has changed since the initial athletes took off for the inaugural event in 1977.  They had no clue what they were doing.  True pioneers without a map heading off into the uncharted sunset.  Now we have all these things to point us in the right direction, and thousands and thousands of people who have shown us the way.  It’s nowhere near as mysterious.

So, what have I learned over these 10 Days?  I’m honestly not sure yet.  I think I’ll have a clearer picture after this weekend.

Tonight, I swim.  Tomorrow, I ride the Trace.  Sunday I run.  The goal is to do the equivalent of a Half Ironman over the weekend.

The reason I’m holding off on a Louisville decision is totally mental.  Do I have the desire to train like I want to train or will I be setting myself up for the misery of a Salinger isolation?  We should know sometime early next week.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 of "10 Days of Rest"

The Blessing of Addiction

When you grow up in an alcoholic home, you have a tendency to crave excitement.  So, when I don’t start the day running through fires naked, it’s worthy of note.

A subtle, but valuable indicator is when I’m not actively thinking of coffee.  It’s a sub-conscious decision that I like to interpret as a symptom of balance.

I have to be careful though, because in some ways I fear that this newly concocted “10 Days of Rest” is the excitement.  Do I really feel more relaxed, or am I just more optimistic because I have a fresh stimulant?

This thought process is a blessing and a curse, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  It’s a great base for being a triathlete.  You crave new challenges and push your ass to the limits.  You believe (or want to prove) you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.  But, staying committed is the real battle.

Today’s “Workouts”

On “Day Two,” I eased in without anxiety of a missed or pending workout and I swear the calm was real.  I didn’t have my first sip of coffee until I got to work.  Often, that is time for cup number two.

The stretching and leg exercises from the day before helped, but I had an underlying feeling meditation was having just as much or more impact on my serenity.  I’ve also been reading a book called “Flow” which is a pretty intense dive into consciousness and how your state of mind can be controlled and not left to chance.  (More on that when I figure out what the hell he’s talking about).

Over lunch, I repeated the pelvis and hip flexor stretches from the day before.  After work, things got a little more physical.

I added push ups, pull ups, some dumb bell work, then swim catch and pull simulations with cords.  None of it was overly intense.  Simply a wake up call to unused muscles.  As the 10 Days build, so will the weight and reps.  I also did Beso ball step-ups and can feel it a little in my calves.

Race Schedule Options

After walking the dog, I pulled my new USA Triathlon card out of the mail and found some intriguing race teases in the package.  Louisville is my ultimate goal, but if I get done with these 10 Days and decide I’m gonna race short courses I have an alternative plan . . . that coincidentally could all take place in Wisconsin.

June 22 – Rev3 Wisconsin Dells (Olympic)
July 20 – IM 70.3 Racine (Half – most doubtful)
August 10 – USAT Olympic Nationals Milwaukee (Olympic)
September 13 – TriRock Series – Lake Geneva (Olympic)

In reality I will probably only do 3 of the 4, but it feels like a good plan considering I would have convenient lodging for most of it and I love being home in the summer.

If, I decide Louisville is my destiny, the schedule will probably look like more this:

August 24 – Ironman Louisville

Either way is a win and I’m just gonna let it play out naturally.  Of course, the third option could be spending a summer in meditative recovery, but that might make a blog about triathlon kinda boring.

Rev3 Knoxville

 

 

 

10 Days of Rest Mid-Season?!?

The Way In is Out

I’ve been struggling again.  After the high of my Rev3 race in Knoxville, I’ve hit another wall.  I’m desperately searching for an answer on whether or not I should do Ironman Louisville, but think my best play is to take a step back.

There are many factors going into this decision, but the biggest is:  I want to race it well.  Wrong or right, I have no interest in going up to Kentucky to simply finish.  With that in mind, the only solution I have at the moment is to take a break from swim, bike and run.

I’ve decided to take 10 days to focus on the “little” things that will allow me to train with a purpose and hopefully race Louisville to my standards.  I will be spending a lot of time on the Beso ball, foam roller, and hopefully massage tables.  I will be doing yoga, planks, and glute/hip flexor exercises.  I will be walking, hiking, and skipping.  And quite possibly kicking back in a hammock.  Hammock_against_setting_sun

The Clock is Ticking

I already feel behind in my training and 10 days off will put me at around 10 weeks until Louisville.  Ten Days for Ten Weeks.

As I contemplated this decision, I scoured the web for info on rest while training and discovered a great article with this reassuring excerpt:

Both Kienle and Crowie rest for four weeks in their off-seasons with a little alternative activity. After that period of inactivity, they build back up. That might seem like enough rest, but for a top-level pro, a six- to eight-week period of rest would be more appropriate, as Allen has shown. Allen also took a full week completely off in early August, just eight weeks prior to Kona, something that would leave most athletes insecure so close to the most important race in the calendar. He would use this week to balance body and mind, and work on his strength of character.  Read the full article here
Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99
Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99
Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99

Triathlon is 90% Mental, the Other Half is Physical

Of course I borrowed that from Yogi Berra and replaced baseball with triathlon, but the point is made, sort of.  I think the real point is, just like that quote, this decision is confusing.  I realize it sounds a bit ludicrous to take 10 days off right in peak season, but I also know it’s wise to stop building a house if you screwed up the foundation.

I really, really want to do this race, but it’s all coming from the ego.  Either to prove I can battle through another ridiculously tough day, or to be a mule on display for friends who will be there watching.  None of it is coming from the right place and the more I haphazardly train, the more jumbled the choice becomes.

Seriously

If I can’t get serious about training, I’m not doing the race.  I really think backing off is the only hope I have for Louisville.

Take yesterday for example.  I went out for an open-ended run I thought might end up around 8 miles.  For the first mile my mind was screaming stop the entire time.  Somehow my legs fought it off, but that’s just not how I want this to unfold.

I did finish the 8 mile jaunt, but it felt more like survival than a training run.  It seemed just as hard at the beginning as it did at the end.  Not even a good hard.  And if that’s how it’s gonna go, I’d rather spend a little more time in this bad boy.

poolwyatt

Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99
Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99
Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/y/yogiberra162048.html#1Tb8Y8TBtiuihTUd.99

Caffeine and Training Follow Up

As usual, I went overboard.  I made a fairly drastic change to my diet starting on Tuesday and decided I would try to stop drinking caffeine for a while as well.  The latter lasted about one day.

The brain is a complicated place and I dove in over my head.  When you drink a lot of coffee, then stop, it’s the equivalent of some mean-ass-man stopping by your house and telling you, “The fun is over punk, no more being happy.”

Man, the feeling you get when you stop drinking coffee is f-ng ridiculous.  You can’t have a clean thought if your life depended on it . . . and oddly you feel like your life DOES depend on it because you are genuinely concerned you may die.

Well, maybe it’s not that bad, but it is certainly not a the plan to follow if you enjoy being in a good mood.

So, after about 30 hours of that nonsense, I caved and had a coffee.  Today I’ve had a couple and feel like I’m ready to conquer the world again.  But don’t think I don’t understand how jacked up that is.

I do not want my happiness tied to any chemical, period.  I don’t take prescription drugs and pretty much refuse to go to the doctor.  But, like most things in life, you need to be reminded about fifty times before something like this sinks into your thick skull.

So, here’s what I’m committed to from this point forward: moderation.

My natural tendency is to chase the highest of highs.  5k, sure.  Half marathon, I’m in.  Ironman?  F-yeah!

My dietary change is hard enough, and even with that I have to be careful.  Going from eating crap half the time to an overload of green vegetables has caused a few problems in its own right.  I ate a full Pizza on Sunday, then decided to be gluten free on Tuesday.  That shit doesn’t happen without pain.  So, from here on, I’m easing into everything I do, including Ironman.

I haven’t yet signed up for Louisville and really don’t know if I will.  It’s about 50/50 right now because there are a lot of things going on that feel out of my control.  With all this broccoli falling from my steamer, I can’t justify putting another burden like 140.6 on my plate.

But, if you’re a betting person, you might be wise to put your money on my masochistic tendencies.

So My Buddy Said . . . #IMLOU

Something happened to me yesterday and my buddy, C*, noticed.  We’re texting back and forth and I’m all engaged about the races we have scheduled and he simply said, “You are on a roll today, Mike**.  Welcome back.”

First of all, I was glad he noticed.  Secondly, he is sort of right.

Things I did yesterday that seem to be pointing in the right direction:

1.  Renewed my USAT card2.  Signed up for REV3 Knoxville
3.  Booked a hotel for REV3
4.  Booked a hotel for Chattanooga (this was actually Wednesday and for spectating IMCHATT, but still)
5.  Changed my Facebook header to a scene from IM Louisville.
6.  Thought seriously about signing up for the Chattanooga Waterfront Tri.
7.  Thought about signing up for the ADPI sprint in Murfreesboro.

I should have pulled the trigger on #IMLOU.  I don’t know what I’m waiting for, but something is telling me to wait.  Maybe it’s because I’ve dropped 500 bucks in two days and don’t even have a kit to wear this season.

Since yesterday, there is now a total of 6 people I know, J, C,***, W, M, K, and me, are all signed up for Rev 3 Knoxville.  Last year it was a beast and I’m hoping the weather is even rougher this time because it really made me tough.  But obviously not tough enough to sign up for Louisville . . . yet.

* A lot of weirdos have been sniffing around my blog lately, so I’m protecting the names of my friends.

** I’m not hiding, however.

*** Not the real JC, but technically they are related.