Ironman – Page 58

June 5, 2013

My 200th Post and A Lot of Thank You's

As if you needed more proof that endurance training has changed me, this is my 200th post on Crushing Iron. Over the years I have started dozens of blogs on various subjects and most have ended before I wrote 20 posts. Training for an Ironman has given me energy, focus, and follow-thru I have always desired.

But, it’s far more than training alone. The people are the true motivational force, and I feel very fortunate to have so many great ones in my life. Pushing me, supporting me, commenting that my journey has inspired them on some level.

It just happens to be National Running Day, and while I typically think these kinds of holidays are a crock, the spirit of today resonates with me on a deeper level than most. When you run you are free, compassionate, and creative. Competition is with yourself and the ugliest parts of human behavior are washed away.

So, in a genuine way, today is more like Thanksgiving than the formal holiday. I’m glad to be surrounded by people who want to be better. Who understand they are not perfect and relish the quest of that opportunity. I apologize if you’re not mentioned by name on this list because so many have touched my journey, and many of you are in the groups mentioned. Plus, I’m getting old and my memory is slipping.

I’ve included a lot of links and hope it helps build some new connections.

The Fab Five

Jim Schwan – The man who covertly convinced me to get up and act on a passion he knew was lurking beneath my facade. His dedication and sacrifice to this cause has changed my life.

Kevin Gammon – I watched as he struggled for over 16 hours to finish Ironman Louisville. His toughness and determination convinced me to take a deeper look at what’s possible. I signed up for Ironman two weeks later.

Daniel Hudgins – Who knew thrashing your body for hours on end could be fun? Daniel did. He laughs in the face of challenge and knows his body and soul are a gifts to be used to their fullest. Thoughtful and compassionate like no other.

Mark Scrivner – Mark pushes himself more than most. “Want to run an extra 3 miles?” Yeah, let’s do it. He’s battled injury since we began training and he’s fought right through most of it. He kept showing up and there may not be a better lesson in life.

Robbie Bruce (my coach) – Why wasn’t he my baseball coach? I might have actually pushed myself and be writing this as a retired major leaguer. Positive, inspiring, tough. A coach has never connected with me and my goals like Robbie.

Allison Miles (+1) – She’s trained with the Fab 5 since January and blown my mind with her determination. Every time it gets tough, she seems to get even tougher. Her half ironman at Gulf Coast is further than I’ve ever traveled and she’s far from done.

John Wasky (+2) – From seemingly thin air, comes John Wasky, and an insatiable passion for triathlon, a sarcastic wit, and a natural instinct for taking it up a notch. He made a seamless transition into the Fab 5 and has pushed us all to higher places. His wife, Carolyn has also been a phenomenal ambassador of this crazy lifestyle.

Rebekah Shulman – The support I get from Rebekah is unparalleled. On every turn she has encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions. She’s listened to complaints, helped find solutions, and endorsed my crazy pursuits with unwavering conviction. She’s gotten back into running and is now turning to triathlon with her signature determination.

Roger Jokela – Roger and I met at the Village Pub and is still in my phone as “Roger Badger.” Fellow Wisconsinite and dreamer, Roger recently quit his job, moved to the Keys and became a full-time musician. We drank together, trained together, ran our first 1/2 marathon together. I have a deep appreciation for Roger and the way he lives his life.

Season Kaminski – Season is proof that humans can live in their sweet spot. I used to pepper her with endless questions about triathlon and her love for the sport flowed back to me tenfold. Rarely do you meet someone with so much passion for the pursuit of a positive lifestyle.

Hunter Lane – It would be hard to find someone with this level of sincerity when it comes to training. He is a sponge and has a tenacity about nuances that is hard to match. He’s been amazingly patient with my amateur questions from the very start.

Lee Wilson – Oregon Duck track star opens a running store in East Nashville and it just so happens to be the place that kicked off my new lifestyle. His vision has changed the landscape of my neighborhood for the better, and his anti-Badger barbs have been a great inspiration to kick ass.

The Couch to 5K Crew from Nashville Running Company – There were about 40 of us that gathered that fateful day in January, 2012 and showed up 3 times a week in preparation for a seemingly impossible 5K. Many of them still run with East Nasty and it genuinely makes me happy to see their faces. Mike Clark continues to make a great commitment to beginning runners and, to this day, I thank him for being there. Year’s ago, I wanted to be a drummer, but my first teacher didn’t resonate. I quit and have regretted it ever since. The patience and dedication of people who volunteer their time to help people get started is possibly the most important nuance in life.

Jeff Stokes – I remember him from my East Nasty “table-saving-days” and he’s always been a wild card. Injuries were keeping him from running, so he turned his energy to swimming, and recently dove in with the sharks for “Escape from Alcatraz.” His energy and dedication to the pool have given me more jolts than he knows.

Mark Miller – The thoughtful and dedicated “leader” of East Nasty whose genuine love for running has inspired so many like me along the way. I don’t know him as well as I’d like, but I really believe his mission is to help others get more out of life. The power in that cannot be ignored.

Scott Piper for being himself and wearing a tube sock as a cooking glove.

Rachel Kice – The purest artist I’ve ever known. She is a master of moving energy and her ability to transform anything (or situation) into art astounds me. She’s also one of the few people that can visualize my quest for Ironman into a spiritual and creative journey. The other is . . .

Kenny Varga – One of the most creative, conceptual, and compassionate people I know. A brilliant musician, producer, wood craftsman, and meditative runner. Kenny simply understands.

Mike Donze – I never tire of hearing Mike’s interpretation of the world. He is a true observer who listens and translates his feelings into beautiful photography, words, and music. He’s also a runner at heart who truly appreciates the beauty in the human condition.

Seth Godin – His daily posts are brilliant, concise, and inspirational. He has an uncanny way of tapping a place inside me that yearns to break free. He’s been pelting me daily for months and I am very close to a place where his insight can be put to better use.

Robert Hartline – His entrepreneurial spirit burns like a wild fire and I’ve been lucky enough to experience that passion on many occasions.

East Nasty Running Group (This is going to have to be a group hug)
Every Wednesday night 2-300 runners gather on 14th Street and take off into the night. If you live in East Nashville, you have seen them, and possibly been irritated by them crossing in front of your car. I used to understand that irritation. I wanted to get home from work and didn’t seem to have the patience to wait 15 or 30 seconds for a parade of runners. Deep down, I knew the problem wasn’t the people in motion, but me. I was mad that I wasn’t involved. The East Nasty running club is all about the good. Raising money for charity. Donating shoes to schools and less fortunate wannabe runners. Generally unleashing positive karma in what used to be dark and dank East Nashville neighborhoods. These are good people who, through community, make many people’s worlds a better place to live.

The Open Water Swim crew. Corey, Jonathan, Sandy, Melissa, Marc . . .

The people who consistently follow Crushing Iron from afar, like Chatter, Ann in Naptown, IowaTriBob, Sarah in Louisville, rchackman, Kruzmeister, Athleteagain, BgddyJim, Isaac976, UltraSwimFast, KickStart Endurance. The people who follow from near, Kristine, Sallaboutme, Loni, Gina, Kelly, David, Gwen, Lisa, William.

My Co-workers – Steven for his newfound and contagious passion for triathlon. Sylwaski for listening and pushing himself when no one is watching. Armondo for his toughness and desire to tackle whatever comes next. Justin for caring enough to mention my 1/2 marathon improvements on air. Melissa who burns more candles than anyone I know and burns for fitness. Gil, who goes the extra mile in helping his daughter live the musical dream. Steven who puts up with my bitching over lunch and gave me a great deal on his pool. Big Joe for randomly showing up at every 5k I run. Rosemary, who refers to me as “Her Ironman.”

Jennifer for her love of running. Scott for taking pride in the yellow jacket.

Kathleen for being a great friend and supporting my journey even though it means we don’t see each other as much.

Zach Layne and Heidi Wilson for publicly acknowledging the awesomeness of the Bird Walk Reservoir Weed & Feed 6k.

Andy Moss and Mark Spencer for their outlandish across-the-pond-humor and running tenacity.

The crew at Village Pub for being the best place in town and understanding I needed a little break.

Andy and Matt, who I see nearly every morning pursuing their dream in the coffee shop and inspiring me along the way.

Everyone with X3 Endurance has dished motivation. Robert, Eddie, Brad, Sarah, Meg . . . Continually blown away by the power of community in triathlon.

Several of my college buddies like Eric, Mac, Marty, Pack, Freg, Dano, Pat, Pete, and Petey who have never seen this side of me but know I have it in me.

Mike Wright who is just as jacked as me while silently building his swim, bike, run chops in Rockford, IL.

My dog, Mattie, for putting up with my crazy schedule and teaching me to be more responsible.

And, of course, my family. My cousins Jim, David, John, and Susie in the Northeast. My cousins Tim and Jeni in Wisconsin. Jeni’s husband, Phil. And my cousin, Tiffany, who I’ve never met, but has been super supportive and will be holding a video camera on the Fab 5 at Ironman Wisconsin.

My brother Chris – We’ve had more in-depth conversations about human nature that I can count. Nobody understands me better than my brother, and I’m sure that goes both ways. We have spent most of our adult years apart, but the connection is undeniable. We had incredible synergy as a double play combination on the baseball field and an unspoken bond that pushes me daily to be a better person and pursue my dreams. Oh, and one day soon I fully expect him to be a phenomenal triathlete.

My sister Amy – She’s lived in Dallas for years and we don’t see each other enough. Amy and her husband, Gary are two of the most amazing people you’d want to meet. They have three gorgeous little girls. Not long ago, Amy ran the Dallas 1/2 marathon and I really wish I could have done it with her. Geography has kept us apart for most of my life, but, like my brother, she has always been a major source of support and inspiration. She’s a teacher by trade and sometimes I feel like I’m her most challenging student.

My Dad – Ironman training seems crazy to him, but it’s kinda his fault. He’s likely the main source for my incredible determination and confidence when it comes to athletics. We haven’t talked much about my training, but I’m pretty sure, on some level, he just expects me to crush Ironman.

Mom – She doesn’t really understand Ironman either, but it’s very exciting to her. She’s a mom, so she’s worried about her son, but I’m 99% sure she will be holding some kind of creative home made sign as I bike and run by her in Madison. Something like, “My Son is Crazy, but I Love Him For It.”

And finally, anything to do with my personal inspiration always seems to have a connection to Tim. He was one of my closest friends from childhood. We had a bond that you can never define.

He could call my bluff from a mile away. We never lived in the same town after college, but talked on the phone multiple times a week (or day) like little school girls. We dealt with so many of the same problems and became each others therapists.

Nothing was off limits and our connection always grounded us in hope. We pushed and inspired each other to follow our dreams, even in the middle of nightmares. Two years ago on Halloween, Tim died. I was legitimately crushed. Every day something reminded me of him and I’d pick up the phone to call. I’d look at the screen, see his number, and resist pushing “dial” with every bone in my body. I couldn’t believe he was gone. But even though we don’t talk, I hear his voice during every race. Pushing me to be my best.

He was gone before I started my transformation, but he was a major factor in the process. It sounds corny, but I know he would be proud of me. He was a truly selfless person on so many levels. Consumed with the concept of making life a happier and more enjoyable journey for everyone.

On September 8th, I will have a lot of time to think and I’m sure everyone I’ve mentioned and more will cross my mind at least once. It has been a great ride and I don’t plan on getting off the train anytime soon.

June 3, 2013

Keeping The Band Together

Nothing can jack a guy’s pulse like the thought of being in a band. An innocent comment gets legs and the momentum spins out of control. All guys want world domination, and no form is as intriguing as idolatry from thousands of screaming fans. The simple discussion of this plan takes you to a fantasy world and gives you more energy to tackle the mundane reality.

That’s “sorta” what happened with the Fab 5. It bubbled for a couple weeks, then one fateful night after East Nasty we all agreed. We would form a band together. One that would spend hours and hours together, perfecting our craft until it paid off in front of thousands of screaming fans. And, unlike the most band talk, this became reality.

For the next few weeks, the band did everything together. We all wrote songs and brought our best ideas to the table. The big gig wasn’t for 12 months. It wasn’t quite real yet so we had time to relish in our newfound internal stardom.

We were rock stars who hadn’t played a gig. It was easy to talk about how great and how popular we would be. The 2.4 mile swim was a day at the beach, the 112 mile ride a country road cruise, and the 26.2 mile run a stroll in the park. But, eventually our record label would need to see some songs.

On January 3rd, the song writing began in earnest. The band started with 3 – 4 hour co-writes. We took raw ideas and began melding them into concrete production. The versus got tighter, the choruses offered more hooks, and it all had a better rhythm.

Once we had a few songs, it was time to rehearse. We spent hours at the studio, working on our chops until we got tired of playing, only to return the next morning. The band was tighter than ever, but time together creates tension. Suddenly, the amiable groove was disrupted by hints of individuality and the dingy studio wasn’t the glamour we expected.

The singer had his own interpretations of the songs. The drummer began to oversleep practice. The guitar player had the experience and questioned the methods. The bassist just wanted to rock. And the keyboardist thought we should put more focus on harmony.

The band sucked it up and worked through most of the differences, but some could not be overcome. Suddenly a rock n roll band, that hadn’t played one gig, had two managers and we all agreed to disagree on style. Long writing sessions became rare, but everyone kept writing great songs. Songs that would change each other and change the world.

The band played a few rehearsal shows and fans began to notice. People were inspired the Fab 5’s dedication and mission. Soon, those around the band began writing their own songs and that pushed the band harder. They realized what they were doing mattered. They were indeed changing the world and the people around them were a shot of adrenaline.

They were tired, battered and beaten. Exhaustion, tension, and injury had taken their toll. Each put their individual differences and personal issues aside to focus on the biggest show of their lives.

The late nights and long sessions returned. Each had drifted their own way, but to pull this off, they knew it had to be as one. The comradery, reflection, and support was too much to ignore. This was a not only a group, it was a band of brothers, no piece was more important than the whole.

But, rock n roll is hard. It’s nearly impossible to balance and even the greatest bands in history have had difficult moments. For the Fab 5, that moment came today when Mark called each guy individually and told them he was out. It was one of the most painful decision he’s had to make, but his body wasn’t holding up. A stadium concert wasn’t meant to be.

Everyone in the band was stunned. All those hours. All the hard work. All the focus and intensity. Done.

But Mark knows the show must go on and he will be leading the charge from the sidelines. Thousands of screaming fans can not be let down. The rest of the band will have to pick up the slack. We will have to fuse together and turn the energy of four into five. Mark will be there with us in spirit and every bit of thought, insight and support he’s given will help lift us onto the stage and pull off the biggest show of our lives.

We will lean on each other more than ever. We will pluck inspiration from +1 and +2 at every turn. We will lean on our coach. We will do it for Mark and he will be there with us as the lights go fade on the biggest show of our lives.

June 2, 2013

Riding Natchez Trace – Allison's Perspective

Allison has been training with us since January and taken leaps that have impressed us all. Taking your bike onto Natchez Trace is not for the meek and I learn that every time I ride there. It dishes constant hills and is typically very windy. She sent this to me a few days ago, but I just now read it, which is fitting because the Trace just beat my ass today. It is a glorious, beautiful, and challenging bike course, not to mention I saw a massive rattle snake just off the side of the road today.

It goes for hundreds of miles and I have yet to see many that are forgiving. Every time I ride the Trace I silently hope it is at least as difficult as the Ironman Wisconsin bike course. If it’s not, we are all in for a bitch of a bike ride.

Here is Alli’s account of what it’s like to be a Trace virgin. It’s incredibly honest and vulnerable, just like her.

The Beauty and The Beast – Allison Miles

To say The Trace is overwhelming and intimidating to a beginning cyclist might an understatement, however, its also a right of passage. To date, I’ve ridden The Trace exactly TWO times and the experiences were complete opposites.

My encounter with The Trace began back in March. I was getting closer to my first half ironman and even though the race course fo is COMPLETELY FLAT (with the exception of a bridge crossing the Intercoastal wateray) I was convinced to join the Fab Five and other X3 athletes for a 3 hour ride on The Trace. Leading up to the Saturday morning ride I just kept hearing about how brutal and unforgiving The Trace is but that its a ride that MUST happen if I want to keep moving forward with triathlons.

Trace day finally arrived and I planned to meet several other X3 athletes at the studio for a swim clinic, then we were all going to meet at Lovelace Cafe at 1 pm to start the ride. I remember following Jim Schwan out there and trying to stay confident, but I KNEW all the other cyclist were much more experienced and faster than I was and I had no idea what to expect of this ride. Everyone was so encouraging but there were a few low whispers of concern. Why concern you ask? Let me lay the facts out for you:

1-I was a Trace newbie

2- this would be my FIRST outdoor ride that didnt involve a leisurely stroll down the Shelby Bottoms Greenway

3-I had NO CLUE how to shift gears properly

4-This may have been my first long ride AND my first legit ride on my bike
5-Hills are widely known as my arch nemesis

All were legitimate concerns but these same people had convinced me this was a great idea, so I tried to brush it off. We took off and within 5 minutes I had my first hurdle of the day; I dropped my chain going up the ramp to get ON The Trace. WHOMP WHOMP Daniel Hudgins had to put it back on for me (remember that bike newbie thing…its rearing its ugly head). At this point the larger pack led by my coach, Robbie, was out of my sightline but thankfully Daniel, Jim Schwan, and Sarah Sheerer stayed back with me so I wouldnt have to ride alone right away. Jim was trying to talk me through how to change gears–I quickly found out that gears were my friends and they combat my arch nemesis, the hills–and Sarah was praising me with “I CANNOT believe this is your first outdoor ride, you are awesome.”

The first 15 miles of the ride was nothing but a learning experience. Everyone was so helpful and kept me moving, at a phenomenally slow pace, but I was moving. I would survive this.

After 90 minutes of riding we finally caught up to the faster group who stopped to wait for us. I was exhausted and wanted to cry; EVERYONE had been waiting on me for a while. I was embarrased at how slow I was and couldnt look anyone in the eye. I knew that Daniel, Sarah and Jim were all training for upcoming full ironman races and I didnt want to hold them back any longer, so I made the decision to turn around and ride back to the car while everyone else rode out another 30 minutes. I still dont know if this was a mistake or not, but the return ride was one I will NEVER forget.

As I turned and headed back towards Lovelace Cafe my mental state was less than ideal. I was beating myself up and questioning why I bothered to come out here knowing I would be the slowest rider. If I could just get back to the car things would be alright and I would stick to riding shelby bottoms greenway FOREVER. Over the next 90 minutes both my mind and body turned on me; my hips hurt, my calves cramped, I was hot and getting sunburned and I had no where near enough nutrition or fluids. I had a long and very nasty conversation with myself, scrolling through a myriad of emotions ranging from determined to power through this ride, to panicking I would NEVER be ready to race 70.3 miles, to quitting triathlons a minimum of three seperate times (once while sitting on the side of the road as multiple fancy looking cyclist blew past me shouting “everything ok?”) and even mentally cursing the fab five, Robbie, and anyone else that convinced me this was a great idea. By the time I made it back to my car I was in tears and texted Season that I quit, how could she let me come out there and I was a horrible cyclist.

Thankfully, Season is used to my frustrated and upset texts during training and reminded me that not only did I survive, but that it was over and maybe it wasnt THAT bad. That calmed me down enough to stop crying just as the rest of the group came rolling in to the parking lot. My face was still stained with tears when I punched Robbie in the arm and yelled about how irresponsible it was of him to throw me in to a ride like that; he of course ignored me as I spouted that I quit and I wasnt racing at Gulf Coast; he may have rolled his eyes and walked off without a response.

I held on to these feelings for roughly 48 hours because I realized that maybe the ride wasnt as big of a disaster as I thought.

Fast forward 3 months; I’ve completed the half ironman but I have yet to ride the Trace again. Last weekend the Fab Five had a five hour training ride to which they decided to do on the Trace. I only had a 3 hour ride but decided to join them anyway, so at 5 am on 4 hours of sleep and a hangover due to a date the night before I scooped up +2 member, John Wasky, and we set out for a VERY early morning ride. I knew I’d be riding alone but the plan allowed for the guys to circle back at least once to check on me. The scenery was downright stunning; between the sunrise, the empty road and the cool air I couldnt get over how lucky I was to be able to ride in such a beautiful location.

I was about 10 minutes in to the ride when I started flashing back to my first Trace experience. I knew I could survive it this time but was unsure how mentally trying a 3 hour solo ride at 6 am would be. The first part of the ride went fairly well; I was still slow but I was actually enjoying myself!! I was about an hour in when I got to the Liepers Fork turn off and looked up to see a hot air balloon landing the the field adjacent to the Trace. I decided that was good enough a time as any to hop off and take a little break, eat some food and watch the balloon. I was sitting on the side of the road for about 20 minutes when Robbie’s coach senses must of kicked in because I got a rapid fire round of texts asking about my ride, what I was doing, how I was feeling. I think I responded with, sitting on the side of the trace halfway through my ride, cant make it back yet. Robbie was not kind in his responses but to briefly sum it up I needed to get my butt back on the bike and learn something about myself. I may or may not have been audibly cussing him as Jim, Wasky, Kevin & Scrivner flew past me. I hopped on my bike and was determined not to fall too far behind them. I spent that second half of my ride thinking about how far I’ve come since my last ride out there. I wasn’t mentally or physically falling apart, I was content riding alone and I was actually ENJOYING the ride. I quickly realized what I needed to learn was that although A LOT of the time I feel so slow and so far behind, I’ve accomplished so much since that first ride and I tend to forget that I’m training with guys that are AMAZING– its unfair to compare myself to their fitness level. All in all I’m still more on the hate end of the love/hate relationship when it comes to the trace but it is less scary that I thought it was a few months ago.

May 31, 2013

Ironman Louisville – The Grueling Conclusion for Racer K

For some reason this was post was still in “draft” mode. It’s the long overdue conclusion to my experience of what is was like watching Racer K at Ironman Louisville. Our coach, Robbie, also raced, but I didn’t know him yet. Since the post is so late, I’m dedicating it to Wasky, who is training with us now and who is pursuing his first Ironman in Louisville.

The conclusion of my three part series on spectating Ironman Louisville 2012. Jim and I traveled to Kentucky to watch fellow Fab 5’er, Racer K, go after the gold.

Part 1 Ironman Louisville Racer K Swim

Part 2 Ironman Louisville Racer K Bike

Finally, within 30 minutes of the bike cut-off time, we saw him coming down the home stretch. I was shooting video, but suddenly felt guilty about catching such a painful moment and turned off the camera as Racer K rolled by on his way to the run. He made it and we were back in support mode.

We ran to the “run exit,” prepared to run alongside him for the first mile or so. After about 10 minutes he emerged like Stallone in the 15th round of Rocky I. He was a battered man and I had nothing to say. I had never been in that position and more than anything feared saying something I would regret, so I ran silently as he and Jim shared thoughts on the run.

We rolled along at a decent pace, considering what preceded him, then Jim and I peeled off as Racer K began to ascend the massive Ohio River bridge.

About 50 yards into that bridge, Racer K started walking and he wasn’t alone. I was actually shocked at the time by how many racers walked in Ironman. In retrospect, I am no longer amazed by this, but at the time I thought something about it seemed wrong.

The run was an out and back on the bridge, so we waited for him to come back and about the time we saw him, he lunged into a slow jog and ran past us into downtown Louisville.

He’d be out of range for a while, so Jim and I grabbed something to eat and had a couple beers while we waited. It was getting late and Racer K would run the majority of his marathon in the dark, which was probably a relief from a heat standpoint, but I kept trying to imagine how it would feel running down strange streets in the darkness. Alone with your thoughts. Alone with your pain. Wondering why you would do such a thing as an Ironman? Would he justify it to himself? Would he make it?

Louisville’s run course, like Wisconsin’s is essentially two loops of the same route and the most painful part of that is the second loop starts one short block from the finish line. By now it was about 9:00 and the music played while “You are an Ironman” rang through the PA system. One after another people crossed the line and crumbled in pain and self-satisfaction. Overwhelmed by the accomplishment. I stood at the split for the second loop and watched the faces of those with another 13.1 miles to go. Rarely did they even look at the finish line. A half marathon stood in their way of glory.

That’s about the time Racer K came through and Jim sent a text to let me know. It was dark and we were both tired for different reasons. Once again, I was faced with a potential discussion about something I didn’t really understand.

The whole thing seemed so fragile to me. I didn’t know what to say and, at no level, could understand what he was going through. It’s like waking a sleeping giant. Are they mad, or will they be happy to be awake. Racer K seemed mad.

I mumbled something about “we’re here for you, man” but it seemed so lame. I asked how he felt and he understandably told me he felt like shit. I walked by his side in silence as he refueled with water and fruit. When we reached the corner he finally said, “I think I’m gonna make this fucker.” And with that, he started jogging into the darkness.

At this pace, Racer K was cutting it close. He had until midnight before Ironman pulled the plug on spotlights and sucked the air out of the floating finish line. If he came in one second after twelve a.m., he would simply have the pleasure of completing 140.6 miles, but no Ironman badge. It seemed cruel, but gives genuine value to the accomplishment.

I found a stool inside an Irish Pub and ordered an American beer. I was cooked and drinking my second when an older woman sat near me at the end of the bar. I was too tired for conversation but shared a couple pleasantries about Ironman and the long day before noticing she put a gym bag on the bar. I was in a daze, but eventually noticed “Racer K” written on the side of the bag. Racer K? That’s that’s my man!

“Excuse me, who are you hear watching?”

“My son.”

“What’s his name?”

“Racer K.”

“Thee Racer K?”

“Yes.”

“That’s who I’m watching, too!”

It was quite a moment of serendipity. I immediately felt the tension in her heart. What must this be like for her?!? Having a son, still out on the course in what seemed to be absolute misery? I couldn’t believe it.

I told her I just saw him and he looked good. I think he’s got it!

She calmly said she knew he would make it, too.

We sat in awkward silence for a moment and my mind drifted to the excitement of sports. The roller coaster rides we’ve all been through as athletes and fans. Rooting for your favorite team (or triathlete in this case) can be a grueling endeavor. The time ticks away on a clock and the best you can hope for is a way to figure out how to win. And when the clock strikes zero, the jubilation can be through the roof, while the disappointment can drag you through hell.

What is it about sports that can take us to the highest place where primal screams and childlike behavior become the norm? The final out, the shot at the buzzer, the last minute touchdown . . . they can all throw a fan over the edge. And make no mistake, on this day I was a fan. Screaming inside as Racer K summoned every ounce of energy he had left. One mission, one goal, one focus . . . to cross that finish line before midnight.

Ironman Louisville Pictures

More Pictures from Louisville

May 30, 2013

100 Days, 19 Hours, 30 Minutes Until Ironman Wisconsin

It was one day after Ironman Wisconsin 2012 when I anxiously sat at my computer plugging in personal information that would ignite a cataclysmic change in my life. Three hundred and sixty four days later I was planning to do Ironman Wisconsin. Now, only 100 days remain before that fateful leap into Lake Monona.

The day I signed up, the race was all I could think about. What would it feel like to be in that water with 2,700 people? How would I climb the hilly course or Bascom Hill? What would it feel like to be an Ironman? But, I can honestly say, that thought process has changed dramatically.

It’s not about the event as much as it is about the process of change. The dramatic improvements that have been going on in my body, mind, and soul. Someone told me once that, “the reality of training for an Ironman is that you will “be one” before the race even starts. You’ll have done the work and that’s really the important part.”

So true.

This journey has been amazing. I have met so many like minded and passionate people. That is, by far, the coolest part. I have been transforming the way I feel, react, and live. I understand and accept that it is a process.

There are so many invaluable lessons that go far beyond an Ironman race. Training has reminded of the importance in having a healthy and resilient body. You don’t always realize it because it happens slowly, but at times, like this morning when I was up at 6:30 without an alarm clock and watering flowers, you kinda slap yourself on the forehead and say, “Damn, this is cool.” And while I held that hose, I saw a Facebook post from Daniel that said he got his morning run in before the sun came up! I’m pretty sure Ironman training is a game changer for him.

So, as I sit here 100 days away, I’m mainly anxious about tonight’s two hour bike ride/run brick. I’ve learned to love the workout and take my body further than I ever dreamed. And tomorrow? I’ll be in the lake at 6 am, working to be even better.

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On a side note, I thought this was pretty funny. When I searched “images” for Ironman Wisconsin Swim, this picture of my pool showed up in the top fold of large image search.

May 29, 2013

Swimming Alone In The Lake

I was five minutes away when I got the text message:

“Ya’ll know swim clinic is cancelled this morning, right?”

Nope, I didn’t know and didn’t care. Nothing was stopping me.

I pulled into the park, greeted the gate keeper, then drove slowly across the speed bumps to take my pick of an endless sea of open parking spots.

I gazed at the water and listened to the silence. I was a lone man with an entire lake at his disposal.
I was on time, in the bottom half of my wetsuit, ready to tackle nature, alone.

Then I heard sticks crackling under car tires as someone I didn’t know pulled in next to me.

He didn’t look like a swimmer, but who does, really? He stood near his trunk and slid on rubber booties as I gathered my cap and goggles. He was a portly, vaguely bohemian in his fishing hat, and sporting a scraggly beard.

I sized him up and decided to test his motivation.

“What brings you out this early on a Tuesday?”

“Oh, this is like my Christmas.”

Hmm . . . a mystery man. Does he love swimming so much he deems each day a holiday?

“It is a beautiful day.”

“Yeah, but it’s all because of yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yeah, musta been 300 people out here. Cars backed up 20 deep.”

Yesterday was Memorial Day and and he couldn’t hold back a toothless grin as he reached in the trunk and pulled out a massive metal detector.

“There’s a gold mine waitin’ out there.”

As we talked, another swim clinic participant, Hunter, rolled in with a look of confusion on his face.

“Where the hell is everyone?”

“Cancelled.”

The word was barely out of my mouth and he was in reverse shouting, “Okay, I’m gonna hit the bike.”

That quickly, I was once again alone with Harry the metal seeker.

He shut his trunk and I tried my best to remember the Georgia license plate number on the back of his faded gray Honda. “Plate number GHI . . . ” Damn, my memory is fleeting and I reasoned the gate keeper my best defense of my stolen car, or if I was the next body found floating in Percy Priest.

I was zipping my wetsuit when Sandy pulled up ready for her first swim clinic. I told her it was cancelled, but I was going in. We swam a while together, and I just kept going. A man and his lake enamored with endless opportunity. The cool water on my feet. The soft waves splashing my face. The unending invigoration offered by an isolated lake swim.

Occasionally I would sight Harry in ankle deep water near the shore. A man on his own mission, lost in a world of uncovering buried treasure. The endless possibilities. The gold at the end of the rainbow.

His questionable aura melted away with each stroke and he became a source of inspiration. He was on a similar quest for discovery. Passionate enough to rise before the sun and follow his dreams. Two men together, but so far apart, each reaching into the abyss for undefinable reward.

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Post Script: Some people have expressed concern for the fact that I was swimming alone, but it should be pointed out that I swam back and forth next to a 200 yard orange “boom” (can be seen in the photo) that separates the deep water from the shallow. It was well within the no-boat zone and easy to touch bottom.

May 29, 2013

Lost Dogs, Wiffle Golf, Beer, and Massive Training

This weekend was action packed. I fell off the wagon and then got back on. I saved a stray dog, got accosted on a run, and swam across a lake by myself. I also hosted a wiffle golf tournament, then went to a pool party, hit a going away bash, got hit on in the YMCA pool by a Shakespeare character, and went down to the Honky Tonks for the first time in years.

Coco The Straggler

Friday started with an awesome lake swim and continued with a scramble to pick up supplies for my wiffle golf/pool party. On my way home from the store I noticed a little dog hanging out in the road. He was near some kids so I didn’t think much of it, but when I parked at the gas station this little ankle biter timidly approached my car. I checked his tags and realized he was a couple miles from home, which I thought an amazing feat based on his short leg gate. I called the number, but got a machine and decided I’d just take the dog back home.

The whole way there he looked up at me like I was a dog-napper and drooled on my seat. I parked in the driveway next to a tattered pick up truck and the dog jumped out and ran to the front door, which I figured was a good sign. I knocked, but no one answered, then I went around back and the dog took off into the woods. He was a quick little bugger and my good deed just turned into a nightmare. Eventually he came around front and I hooked him up to the leash that was tied to the porch, gave him a little water, and left.

I didn’t think much of little Coco over the weekend, but was a little surprised the owner never called back. Then, this morning around 8:00 my phone rang and it was her. She was so relieved and said Coco means the world to her. She was an older lady and oddly, Coco had jumped out of the car on the other side of the gas station while she was airing her tires. We were literally 50 feet away when I put Coco in my front seat. We got a kick out of that and laughed like two old ladies playing cribbage, then she thanked me profusely and said goodbye to each other for the last time.

People Who Hate Runners

I had a couple buddies come into town for my wiffle golf tourney and a general exploration of Nashville. They drove from Wisconsin and didn’t get to my house until Saturday at 2 am, which puts a minor crimp in an early morning workout.

I had loosely planned to do a long ride on the Trace with the Fab 5, but decided 6 hours of biking and running before hosting a party would wear me a little thin. Instead I did a hard 2-hour trainer ride, then ran about 4 miles. Nice, solid, workout, followed by a nice, solid, long day of drinking.

I rarely drink much these days, but decided I would blow it out a little this weekend and use it as a “last hurrah” of sorts before turning up the intensity for Wisconsin. I made the decision to be a little wimpy and drink light beer all day, and it really paid off. I was a little buzzed after a couple and pretty much stayed on that plane until 11 that night when I crashed hard.

I woke up at 8 and felt like a million bucks. I kept waiting for the hangover to hit, but it never did. I strapped on my Pearl Streaks and set out on a 2 hour run figuring the whole time I’d be lucky to make an hour. About 2 miles in, I knew I was essentially running a 1/2 marathon.

At mile 8 I was cruising at a 9 minute pace (my lofty goal for Ironman) and felt like I could go forever. I was alive, free, and completely at peace with the morning. As I ran up the left side of 17th Avenue toward Eastland a guy driving a black, sissy-sized pick-up truck turned the corner and drove right AT me. There was plenty of room on the street, but I was about 5 seconds from jumping off onto the grass when he made a last minute swerve around me while angrily flipping the bird. I was f8cking furious and stopped in the road, begging him to come back. I’d gone from complete serenity to rage in 15 seconds. Do some people really hate runners? I guess so.

A Night in The Honky Tonks

After my 2-hour run, and a little lunch, Sunday quickly turned back to drinking. Went to a great party down the road filled with heated pool volleyball and endless food. About two light beers in, I had that light buzz that stayed with me the rest of the day.

Around 6:00 we dropped by a going away party for Mark and Kara on our way down to the Honky Tonks. There was a solid group of East Nasties and I would have much preferred to stay there, but out of town visitors want to go down to Broadway for a taste of Nashville’s country scene.

We started at Pirahnas before heading to Tootsies and fighting our way through a packed house at 8:00 on a Sunday night. Both upstairs and downstairs were absolutely busting at the seams. We left and hit Rippy’s where we hung outside on the deck overlooking Bridgestone arena. This is probably the best outside venue in downtown Nashville. Then we walked over to Layla’s Bluegrass Inn, then ended up at Honky Tonk Central. Everything was rockin and it just amazes me. We grabbed a cab back to East Nashville around midnight and that little honky tonk stint will hold me over for another year.

Swimming With A Gay Man In the Next Lane

The tourist crew got up early to make the long drive back to Wisconsin and I went straight to the pool. Once again, I was waiting for the day of drinking to come crashing down on my workout, but it never did. Instead, I had the privilege of swimming 12 sets of 300 meters in the pool with some guy in the next lane trying to hit on me.

Between 300’s, I had a :15 rest and Hamlet (not his real name) and his cute nose plug apparatus happened to be waiting for me every single time. He was very curious about my swim trunks for some reason and kept asking where I got them and if they helped me swim faster. Now, I have zero problem with gay men and their lifestyle, but when it’s so overt in tight and vulnerable quarters like the Y, I have an issue.

Me: Do these trunks help?

Hamlet: Yeah, make you swim faster?

Me: Oh, yeah, they make me a speeding bullet, but it’s nothing compared to when I swim naked.

Hamlet: (sneaky smile) Ohhh, really??

Me: Sure, in fact, since you like them so much, I might as well take them off right now and give them to you. That work?

Hamlet: (Blush) Oh, yes.

Anyway, this went on and on until he couldn’t justify hanging around anymore. About 20 minutes later I went in the locker room and sure enough, he was just kinda “hangin out” in his black, tight, one-piece “Livestrong” sweat suit. I minded my own business, but couldn’t help seeing him drift back and forth out of the corner of my eye. Then I made the mistake of looking at him and he gave me a sly little wink.

I know this is all good and a compliment and I should feel flattered, but it’s just creepy and makes me feel for women who have smarmy guys lurking in the strangest of places. I took a deep breath, resisted calling him out in front of 10 other guys, and started walking out. “Somehow” he ended up in front of me, then stopped in the hall, turned around, and put out his hand.

“It was really nice meeting you, Mike.”

“You, too, Hamlet.”

May 24, 2013

Toes In The Sand

Nothing like good friends and a little beach vacation to start your Memorial Day Weekend. Photo: Robbie Bruce

May 23, 2013

I'm Gonna "Wing It" at Ironman

So, I think I’m taking this Ironman business too seriously. It’s not like I’m concocting to be the first man to tight rope between the former World Trade Center Towers like Philippe Petit, or stand on a pole 100 feet in the air for 35 hours like David Blaine. Some estimates say more than a quarter million people have finished Ironman, and I plan to be one of them.

So for starters, I think I’m gonna cancel my hotel, roll into town sometime on Friday afternoon and pitch a tent on the beach near the swim start. I know that Friday is a huge day for Ironman participants and I expect to be borrowing a lot of equipment I forgot to pack for the race. Water bottles, Gu, tire pumps, goggles. I’ll graciously invite all donors to my tent party the next evening.

I know the Badgers play Saturday, so I’ll probably meditate for a while, then swing by Camp Randall and see how the team is responding to new head coach, Gary Anderson. And, though it will be early in the season, I predict this will be the day Melvin Gordon officially eases the pain of losing Montee Ball.

After the game, I’ll likely head to Essen Haus for some brats and a beer before doing a little shopping on State Street. Then, after picking up some PBR (who we are trying to secure as a race sponsor, so if you know anyone . . . ) for the cooler, then it’s off to the tent to dry my socks by the fire. My buddy, Roger, will be back home from the Florida Keys and it will be nice to hear a little beach music as a nod off for my race.

My dreams will be filled with soft waves pounding the rocks along Lake Monona and my body clock will reset to nature. I will be in tune with the surroundings and feel sorry for athletes stuck in nice hotels with no connection to the land or sea. But those concerns will drift away as the light mist floats through the air and the Wisconsin State Bird perches like a guardian angel on the peak of my green canvas tent.

I will naturally wake with the universe and sip coffee from a metal cup that was warmed by the fading fire. The Ironman volunteers will politely wish me luck as I peak my head through the tent flaps to gaze at kayakers on the lake. I will inspect the buoys from ground level, then close my eyes to visualize every stroke of my swim while Mike Reilly does mic’ checks in the distance.

For the sake of old times, I’ll wear cut-off blue jeans and flip flops to my final transition inspection. I will marvel at all the spectacular bikes and race wheels, then sit on my towel for a final meditation before slipping into my wetsuit. There will be a nervous energy, but I will be calm, playfully asking other racers, “How far is the swim again?” They love that stuff!

I will be back home, surrounded by friends, family, and familiar terrain. The bike course will bring back hazy memories of college road trips and long nights of drinking beer. The hum of my tires on the road will serve as a music bed that flashes me back to childhood. Those rainy forty mile “bike-hikes” that twisted through Southern Wisconsin. I will soak it in like a Sunday drive. Then to the run.

I spent many nights in Madison and can barely remember any of them. We used to drive down from LaCrosse on Thursday, hit the Kollege Klub (which is conveniently less than two miles from the Ironman Swim Start) happy hour and stumble up State Street to my buddy’s place on top of Paul’s Club. On September 8th, I will be stumbling by for a different reason.

I hear that State Street portion of the run is unforgettable. People line the road and cheer you on, and hopefully with the same enthusiasm as I remember the Halloween night celebrations. And hopefully security won’t feel the need to pull any of these shenanigans like they did with innocent party-goers on occasion.

Regardless of what happens, this is going to be one of the most memorable days of my life and I want to soak it all in. Ironman in my home state? Forget the pressure, this is going to be a party.

May 21, 2013

Open Water Swim Clinics – New Video!

We are doing a ton of work within Ironman training and the more I think about it, the more I believe the weekly open water swims could be the most valuable. I think of the Ironman swim in two ways:

1. It may be the shortest “time section” of the race, but it can absolutely wreck you if you’re not comfortable and ready. I’m on a continuum between insatiable and utter fear.
2. The faster you get out of the water, the fewer people you’ll have ahead of you on the bike course. You’ll also be with faster people who will naturally raise your game.

So, our Coach, Robbie Bruce and his swim clinics, have been a major gift. He’s there four days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) ready to show us everything he knows about swimming in open water. Sundays are at 4 pm, all other days 6 am. He teaches mass starts, sighting, drafting, and anything else that will take your pool training to a completely different level. I’ve been in open water 5 times this year and it has given me unbelievable confidence, along with transforming my comfort and abilities. If you live in Nashville, I can’t recommend it enough. Here’s a video I made as part of the Crushing Iron series that gives you more information.