Ironman Louisville

I had a minor panic attack the other day when the clasp of my Garmin broke. I called all over town to see if any of the running stores had replacement bands. Nobody had anything in stock.

Today I was holding that same watch in my hotel and a wild thought crossed my mind. “Maybe I should try taking it to a watch repair shop.”

Ha . . . yeah, right. Watch repair shops went out of style in the 90’s, right?

I sheepishly asked the Concierge if there happened to be a watch repair shop in the neighborhood, and without missing a beat she started running her highlighter over the local map, then drew a big “X.”

“Yep, right here. You’re about 4 blocks away.”

“What?”

This sounded too good to be true. I took the map without asking for the name or address, and looking for the old theater this “watch repair shop” was next to. I fully expected it to be some kind of surf shop/indiglo hipster place selling disposable neon watches, but then I saw it with my own eyes, “The Watch Shop.”

A tear dropped on my cheek as I swung open the door and heard it knock against a real bell. Within 4 seconds an older gentleman with one of those telescope deals on his eye had sprung to his feet and was graciously asking how he could help me.

“Well, sir, this could be a long shot, but I broke my running watch and I was hoping maybe you could help me out for my race on Sunday.”

“Let me see what ya got there, son,” he said with the confidence of a brain surgeon.

He quickly deduced I had “broken off my tongue” and matter-of-factly asked if I cared what color the new one was.

“Heck no, any color is better than duct tape.”

He neither found that comment funny or annoying. My baby Garmin was already under the bright lights of surgery.

Then he got a phone call and was rattling off “watch lingo” faster than an auctioneer. He laid out 3 different scenarios to his inquisitive customer.

“You could go gold plate, or imitation, or 20th century gothic . . . ”

I scanned the room and all I saw were . . . watches. This guy had brand focus down cold and I knew I was in good hands.

Suddenly I felt almost petty in his world. Here I am bringing potentially the finest Watch Surgeon in the South a rubber wrist band and asking for a tongue replacement? What a joke, he must have thought. He was surely more caught up in his conversation about Gothic and gold.

Two minutes later he approached the counter, “Well, I can still talk on the phone and work.”

He handed me my watch and it felt like I was holding a priceless relic coming from his hands. The man who has built and repaired watches for Louisville’s finest citizens. I didn’t have to ask, but knew for certain he had repaired watched for Muhammad Ali and maybe even Colonel Sanders himself.

“Five bucks,” he said looking at my Muncie 70.3 shirt.

“Muncie Cardinals, huh?”

“Yeah, I said, but we all know the real Cardinals are in Louisville.”

“Yes, they are,” he said handing me my hand written receipt, “and they fly for the first time of the year on Labor Day.”

I fastened my watch, then heard the clang of the bell when I opened the door before turning around, “Sir?”

He stopped in his tracks, “Yes?”

“There are some fine establishments in Louisville, but from what I have seen, this is on top of the list.”

He waved, sat down, then started repairing another watch.

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August 21, 2014

The Real Reason I'm Doing Ironman Louisville #IMLOU

Technically there are still 3 days left before Ironman Louisville. I’ve been counting down, but keep forgetting to add the hours, and occasionally, like now when it says 23, that number is substantial. Hope I haven’t been freaking you out by leaving out a day.

Then again, many scientists argue that time is an illusion. Which makes me wonder, if there is technically no countdown clock, what is the real reason we’re racing Ironman?

Slowly, I think I am figuring that out.

Last year I was racing for many of the “wrong” reasons. Namely, I was trying to impress everyone, except myself.

I launched like a rocket at the moon, but when I got there, I didn’t have a plan. I celebrated for days before realizing, all that drive and energy was burned seeking a symbol. A time, a conquest, a medal.

I wanted to be an Ironman.

But then, I was an Ironman, and, that alone didn’t open my world to happiness and satisfaction. I’d forgotten the real reason I signed up in the first place: to break up the plaque forming in my veins.

I wasn’t going to do another Ironman this year. I didn’t see the point in all the suffering. I suppose, that is proof that I was learning.

But I kept working out on my terms and started to find joy in the training. It was no longer “workout until I can’t move,” but exercise to unleash more energy.

Eventually, I registered for Louisville, but it still wasn’t for the right reason. The “glitz” is what ultimately drew me in. I wanted to be a part of the parade. I wanted to matter.

Now, just under 3 days from the shot of the cannon, I am looking at racing from a completely different perspective. I have accepted that I am simply excited to test my mind and body.

Ironman is one day and simply another in a long list of life’s deadlines. It’s a test to see if we can finish what we’ve started. A metaphor for all of those projects and dreams we want to complete. The more we finish something difficult, the easier it becomes to fold your laundry.

Have you thought about why you are doing an Ironman (or marathon or whatever)? There can only be one reason. We do it because we enjoy the challenge, and ultimately believe the process will help us get closer to the person we haven’t quite uncovered.

August 20, 2014

4 Days Out From Ironman Louisville #IMLOU

So we know the temperature may hit 100 degrees on Sunday, but how’s your mental thermometer handling that news? Me? I’m sitting here watching my dog lick her paws.

My first Ironman was a beautiful wreck and Louisville is about to whack me with the ugly stick, but in a perverted, kinda why-would-anyone-do-an-Ironman sort of way, I’m pumped.

It’s like a hyper-focus lens on my brain.

We know this week is for tapering, but 100 degrees makes you think twice before eating that extra Snickers.

This week is all mental and emotional for me. It’s about staying level headed, eating right, and not letting the body get dehydrated.

I read a story once about a blazing hot Summer Olympics and the strategy of two different teams. One was to stay outside a lot and in rooms with no air conditioning to get used to the heat. The other was to stay cool in a plush hotel, relax, and get good sleep. The latter proved to be the far better formula and that’s the plan I’m gonna follow.

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August 14, 2014

Winning "The Battle of Ironman" #IMLOU

I quit my job two weeks ago and have an Ironman in nine days. I have a million conflicts in my mind and for some reason, not many have been falling onto the page. And that’s bad, because I truly believe writing about triathlon has helped me nearly as much as the blood and sweat.

I am infinitely more relaxed about this Ironman than I was my first. Finishing doesn’t scare me. But I’m not convinced that’s a good thing.

Last year I trained 9 solid months. This year I have been in and out due to injuries and even took 10 Days of Rest in the middle of training. I am calm, but that doesn’t mean I am confident.

I have swam 2.4 miles twice in my life. Once in training last year and once at Ironman Wisconsin. I haven’t come close this year, but feel frequent shorter swims have made me a better swimmer. I’m excited and curious to see how that plays out.

I have ridden 112 miles twice in my life. Both last year as well.

My longest in 2014 is 77 miles, but I also feel like I am a stronger cyclist now. I’ve certainly been “on” the bike more in the last couple months and hope my intense focus on riding in aero pays off in Louisville.

And, if you like drama, intrigue, conflict, and mystery, keep an eye locked on Iron Trac during my run. I’ve been fighting injuries for most of the summer and walking more than running. Just as I was easing back to the pavement, I hurt my ribs so I shelved running until race day. My longest training run of the year is 12 miles, and that was two months ago. In 9 days I’ll run 26.2.

I fueled on fear for Wisconsin. I chased the finish line and medal with reckless abandon. It lifted me higher than I’d been in years. I thought I had arrived. But Ironman and life don’t go away.

I was overly confident at New Orleans 70.3 in March and it ate me alive. I vowed never to take a race lightly again.

That said, I believe confidence is the most important thing in Ironman. You have to believe or you’re setting yourself up to fail.

So, 9 days out, I’m drinking coffee with bruised ribs and thinking about the swim line up at Ironman Louisville. I’ve been there as a spectator so I know how it feels. It’s intimidating and breathless as you stand there offering support, but putting on the race gear gives me confidence.

You dial in to face a crafty enemy. Silent, omnipresent, resiliant. It’s a war of attrition. There are no guarantees, but if you stay focused, respect the race, and believe in yourself, you will win the battle. You will raise your hands high and celebrate victory, but the war is never over.

July 30, 2014

Ironman Training Distances

My friend Corey just confirmed that he’ll be flying in to Louisville to watch me race. He followed that text with, “So you better kick some ass.”

I told him all I could guarantee is good drama.

He asked what my longest swim, bike, and run of training have been.

I said, 2,800 meters in water, 77 on the bike and 12 miles of running.

There is no doubt I put in more mileage last year. The fear of the unknown drove my training, and in Ironman Number One, I couldn’t take chances.

But, is 2,800, 77 and 12 enough for Ironman #2?

It’d better be, because that’s about as far as it’s going.

I love exploring this topic because my goal has always been to keep training time at the bare minimum. I can’t tell you how many times I have stopped a workout early because I knew I could finish and didn’t want to waste another hour or jeopardize the next day.

But there is flip side to this coin.

For me, training all comes back to effort. If I’m scheduled for a shorter workout and feel really strong, I often extend it to push my limits.

I know long workouts have their place, but I’ve never been a fan of riding 6 hours just to ride six hours. I would much rather ride four hours hard and build.

And there’s another mental factor I bank on during a race . . . the energy.

I often train by myself because I put a lot of stock in fueling off the crowd. If I can trudge through pain in isolation, running past a screaming group is icing on the cake. I can literally be like a reset button to me. You can be drifting off to sleep, then someone gives you a big jolt of adrenaline that lifts you over the next few miles.

This race is at least half mental and the half of that is simply faith.

I’m pretty sure nobody ever does the entire distance in one day of practice, so what’s too much? What’s not enough? People have been debating that one for years and I’m very curious to see if my low-end strategy plays out.

Until then, I’ll be looking for my sweet spot. Using my final days to make me feel alive and restored rather than like I’ve been beaten over the head with a baseball bat. I’ll have plenty of time for that the night of August 24th in the hometown of Louisville Slugger.

July 22, 2014

My Swim Coach Tied Me Up

I recently wrote about how I’m becoming a better swimmer, but apparently I have a ways to go.

After our warm up swim, my coach walked toward me shaking his head and said, “I’ve gotta get you to stop your hips from shifting around so much, and your head is coming too far out of the water when you breathe.”

Then he through me a race belt.

“Tie that around your ankles.”

Uhh…. okay.

So I wrapped the elastic band around my ankles, then hopped back into the water and started swimming. My legs immediately sank straight below me and I was cranking my arms at ridiculous speed to stay afloat.

I was in a mild state of panic, and of course, that is the last thing you want to experience as a swimmer. I struggled out to the buoy and held on for dear life before sucking it up to swim back in.

Not gonna lie, it wasn’t easy, but by the time I got close to shore I was much more relaxed. My stroke was longer and felt more powerful, which subsequently kept my legs and feet higher in the water.

Coach also told me that one eye should still be under the water when you breathe, which took me a while, but eventually I “sorta” got it down. I was also swallowing less water . . . which was nice.

In summary, this is a great way to work on body position and keeping yourself higher in the water. In fact, I loved it so much I’m thinking about trying it with a potato sack down at the YMCA.

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June 30, 2014

Ironman Louisville 54 Days Out #IMLOU

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Ironman training ebbs and flows, often leaving you with doubt. I’m almost certain I was further ahead at this time last year and yesterday’s run was a wake up punch to the gut.

That said, two weeks ago I felt like I may have been ahead of last year’s training, certainly from a mental standpoint. So, which indicator is accurate? How much stock should we put in a workout?

One thing is certain: My speed is down. Just over a year ago I ran a 1/2 marathon at 7:38/mile and a 10k at 7:10. Yesterday, it was all I could do to mix in two miles at 7:30 over the course of six.

So, how do I move the meter?

The difference seems to be in my lungs and for me that signals a need for more swimming. Probably more running. And speed work.

My legs feel healthy and strong, but I have to move my aerobic threshold, and quickly. Especially if I want to make Louisville a special day.

It’s weird thinking back to how I felt last year. The following is from a post I wrote 67 days before my first Ironman:

What I have learned in this relatively short period of time is that you should never doubt your potential. I have transformed from a couch potato into a spirit that believes he can complete 140.6 miles of swim, bike, and run in one day. If that’s possible, what isn’t?

So, I stare down the Ironman barrel again. I am no longer a couch potato, but I have my doubt. Doubt about whether or not I can tackle this beast on my terms.

Ironman mirrors life as an exercise of patience and belief. I may not feel it now, but I have to have faith my path will allow me to be ready in 54 days.

I will stand in that line ready to do something most would never consider. I will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, then run my second marathon. I will do it on my terms.

I am slower than I was a year ago and my goal is to be an hour faster. The ultimate test awaits. Am I willing to do what that takes?

With the right momentum, and right mind, the human spirit is unstoppable.

June 23, 2014

Training for The Heat of Ironman Louisville

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Yes! I know it will be hot, and if you have been reading, you surely understand that I will stop at nothing to figure out ways to deal with pain and difficult conditions.

Yesterday was a perfect preparation day for Louisville. Sticky humidity and temps in the mid-80s. I took full advantage.

My legs were nice and cooked after Saturday’s 77 mile bike on Natchez Trace, so Sunday was a good test. I was sorta thinking a morning run, but opted for rollerblades. It was around 10 am, sunny and heating up fast.

I rolled into the Energy Lab and did some relatively easy recovery work, then added a couple hard intervals at mile 8 and 9. I cruised back home after about an hour and 15 minutes.

But the real fun happened later that afternoon.

About six hours after my skate, I yanked on my Yankz and went out for a tempo run.

I was sweating hard at mile one and noticed a slight problem. My feet were burning up!

For some reason I wore thick, high-ankle hiking socks and stopped to take them off. But as I stood there, feet burning, I decided to indulge the suffering.

It was, after all, a training run, and here was a good chance to feel and work through the inevitable burning feet. Let me tell you, it was not easy, but about three miles in, I became “accustomed” to that pain and it no longer distracted me from the mission.

So, those three miles were a “warm up” before launching into my first 5k pace tempo mile. It lasted about 800 yards.

Combined with everything else, the heat was too much. I backed off and and tried to keep what I hope will be my race pace at Louisville for the rest of the run (9 miles total).

It was difficult to keep that pace, but it always got easier if I relaxed. You see it all the time. People breathing so damn hard, fighting their run. Pushing off with force, just trying so hard to make one more step. But like my favorite poet always said, sometimes it’s better when you “Don’t try.”

I consciously let go of resistance and focused on letting tension leave my body. I shortened my stride and controlled breath. It’s an odd juxtaposition, but if you can figure out how to relax while you’re running (or swimming or biking) it’s often easier to go faster.

This is what I call training. It’s not fun. It’s not easy. In fact, it can suck. But the whole goal of preparing for an Ironman is to be ready for these tough moments. You beat up your legs, push yourself to the edge, then see if you have what it takes to go over.

Working out on tired legs in less than optimal conditions is how you get better. It’s how you build strength, toughness and speed. It’s how you finish Ironman on your terms.

Now, I will recover for a bit and repeat.