Ironman Louisville

June 17, 2014

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.

June 6, 2014

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!

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.

May 28, 2014

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.

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

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.

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

May 6, 2014

Rev3 Knoxville Looms – Pre Race "Report"

I guess it’s time to start talking about Rev3 Knoxville. My buddy Jim and I will be doing the Olympic with Katherine (along with a few Knox girls) while Corey, Marc, and Wasky are gearing up for the Half. Should be a good ole’ fashion showdown on both fronts.

They’ve made a couple changes to the race this year, including moving the location for transition. It used to be about a .66 mile run (according to Corey’s Garmin) from the water to your bike, but it looks like that distance will now be cut in half. The other change escapes me . . . but maybe it’s the weather?

Last year it was 56 degrees and rained the entire race. Portions of the run were literally through knee-deep-water. Frankly, I kinda thought it was awesome, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like we’ll be that lucky again. Here’s a finish line shot from that glorious day, which made my list of favorite photos from last year. My buddy Corey was there for the fun last year and I think he still has scars. The water temp was 53 degrees and it made for a dicey start to his long-distance triathlon career. But racing in terrible weather can only make you better. He took the hard-nock-Knoxville and turned it into a sub-12 Ironman at Louisville. You can read about Corey’s heroics here.

I had a good race in Knoxville last time and don’t really think I can beat that time. I’m sure I’d be more confident if I was actually training, but doing New Orleans took a little bit of steam out of the little bit of steam I had going. I think knowing that I’m doing the Olympic is a bit of a relief. Which . . . is pretty damn funny when you think of it.

Less than two years ago an Olympic triathlon seemed, not only unreasonable, but unthinkable. Now I’m approaching it like a stroll in the park. No matter how you slice it, that’s a really good feeling.

I’m pretty comfortable with the swim (though I missed this morning’s workout). I’m still a mystery on the bike (I tend to view the bike as a strength but New Orleans put a big seed of doubt in my brain). The run is . . . well, likely dependent on my bike (but I do feel pretty confident I’ll actually be able to stand up after my ride this time).

I will be in Knoxville on Friday night anxiously awaiting the opening of the Expo and the mandatory athlete meeting. Considering the conditions last year (and the fact that they rejected my application to be a team ambassador) I thought Rev3 put on an awesome race and I’m looking forward to seeing how they do when it’s 95 degrees and sunny.

April 18, 2014

What's Next After Ironman New Orleans 70.3?

This is a tough question. On one hand I was absolutely miserable on that New Orleans course, on the other, I feel like I need redemption.

I’ve taken a little grief for trashing my own performance and can definitely understand that perspective. To complete a Half Ironman is a major accomplishment for most, but when you finish nearly an hour slower than you hoped, it can leave a slight scar.

I’m already signed up for Rev3 Knoxville and will compete in the Olympic. The wounds from New Orleans have already healed and I’m looking forward to race with a few people I know.

Familiar faces cannot be underestimated. I made a few new friends in New Orleans, but saying hi to alligators, wild stallions, and snakes for 70.3 miles can wear on you.

The elephant in the room continues to be Louisville. I have gone around and around about that race, but still don’t know if I want to do it. Frankly the last two half’s I’ve done were miserable. From Goosepond to Crescent City, I feel like I got worse. But, truthfully, I haven’t even been sore (aside from sunburn) since IMNOLA and that has me inching closer to so saying yes to Louisville. I just have to figure out how to let go of my incredible disdain for riding a bike.

I will start training for Rev3 this weekend and focus specifically on the Olympic distance with shorter, high intensity workouts. In fact, I’m leaning that way in general and still believe focusing on mileage in training is a mistake.

I really think New Orleans was a bit of an aberration. I hadn’t ridden outside, and that day was windy, sunny, and hot. Not to mention my brake was stuck. That all took a huge toll on my overall vitality and shrunk my head for the run. I’m going to leave that race behind and go back to Knoxville with focus. I had a good race there last year, so it will be tough to beat my time, but that’s my intention.

Until then, I plan to lay on the couch, eat lots of good fat, and read books on psychology. I know you’re jealous, Corey.

February 14, 2014

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.

February 7, 2014

A Swimming Breakthrough and Jodie Swallow #IMLOU

Yeah, so I was looking around at some YouTube videos on how to get faster and stumbled onto this one featuring the badassness of pro triathlete Jodie Swallow. Now, my disclaimer here is that Jodie could probably talk me into swimming with sponges on my feet, but this video was pretty simple and made perfect sense. Just move your arms faster.

I went to the pool, armed with my Swallow security blanket and took off like a bat out of hell for the promise land. And it worked . . . for about two laps.

I was totally gassed.

I realize you actually have to be in shape to swim like this, but is three laps asking too much? Apparently.

Five minutes into my session I was swallowing pride at the end of my lane and halfheartedly listening to the same damn stories from the same damn guy who keeps forgetting who I am.

“I shouldn’t say this,” he says, “But I’m secretly racing you in the next lane.”

“How’s that goin’ for ya?,” I say again.

“Well, I’m coming off surgery, so I need motivation.”

“I hear that, bro.”

Then, as the conversation hits that awkward lull and there’s nothing left, he always, every time, looks at me like a little kid and says, “Wanna race?”

And always, every time, I say, “Yes.”

I exploded from the wall in Jodie Swallow mode and promptly roasted my soar-shouldered-friend for 50 meters before collapsing onto the ledge. I’m simply out of shape.

But, the more I swam fast, the more I started to notice I was getting a nice extension and roll without hesitating in front. A fluid churn with a solid cadence. Much like you want from your bike and run.

I wasn’t thinking “fast” as much as I was thinking consistent. Trust the roll and don’t pause or extend your glide. Just circle the arms and keep your body from turning over too far. It was one of those moments when something clicked.

It felt much more like I was swimming instead of trying to stay afloat. A consistent, powerful, and controlled rotation that didn’t wear me out. Of course I was pretty beat up when I discovered this, so I’m not sure it’s really true. We’ll find out tomorrow.

Until then, if you’re reading, Jodie, feel free to tell me I’m wrong before I do something stupid in Louisville.

February 7, 2014

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.

January 19, 2014

I've Made a Huge Mistake

Sometimes you just don’t make good decisions, and lately I’ve been wallowing in the past. I mean, I try to set goals like most like most good people, but it’s not always the right plan. I’ve just never had all the answers, and thankfully, I’m pretty good at remembering that.

I have written hundreds of posts on this blog and most have been positive words about training or life. I spent the entire year surrounded by inspiring people that helped get me to new levels. But now, I am questioning what those levels mean.

My goal was to simply finish an Ironman, but as it neared I secretly thought I could not only complete it, but do it in 11 hours and 30 minutes. I came close, and it felt like one of the most rewarding days of my life when I crossed that finish line, but for the months that followed, many of my days seemed empty.

Many of my nights in November and December were consumed by staring at the ceiling wondering why I was doing this. Why would I put my body and mind through such a grueling exercise? What was the point?

Even as recent as two days ago I contemplated whether or not this quest for Ironman was something I really wanted. I already did one. A major feat indeed. But what would motivate me this time?

Part of me has been using Kona as a motivator. Just push yourself to qualify for Ironman World Championships, Mike. THAT will make you happy.

Last night I sat in meditation and just listened to the noise swirling around me. All of the crap that wears you down on a daily basis. Slowly, that noise gave way to peace. To a higher plane of thought, filled with empty space, and ready to accept truth.

I moved past the materialism, fame, and goals to make room for something real.

I sat, patiently, not thinking about anything, only listening. After some time, the only concept that spawned in my mind was “purpose.” What is my purpose?

Ahh, that old question. But this time, I saw it from a new perspective. It wasn’t something like save the world, become a prophet, or famous filmmaker, it was simply this: Live every day with your mind centered on the greater good.

That’s it. No more goals or grand visions. Simply be. And be better the next day. I can’t control my world, so why not be a vessel for a universal energy much grander than myself.

Most of my life I have tried to control my environment. To influence people and shape their opinions of me, but it never worked, and never made me happy. My life strategy was a huge mistake.

This is a major breakthrough, not only for daily living, but for the Ironman dream that won’t die. I spent much of the night thinking about how this would impact another year of training and it made the thought of another Ironman less daunting . . . and a lot more enjoyable.

So, I will continue to train, but with an even greater awareness of my body and mind. What feels right and feeds my purpose. Thankfully I don’t have to make a decision about Louisville yet, so it may or may not happen. And, you know what? I’m cool with either outcome.

If new seeds dry out and die, let them blow away.

January 14, 2014

Half this Stuff is 90% Mental

After a mentally challenging month I dubbed “No Run December,” I’m back on the asphalt. The year started with a few ticklers, then on Saturday, decided to get a honest reading on my fitness.

When I start running, I often have no idea how far I’m going. I just take off up the street and play it by ear, but sometimes that gets me in trouble. I don’t have mental capacity for walking back home and often find myself in serious pain at the end of runs. I suppose that strategy ultimately helped me at Wisconsin, but it’s an entirely different deal when you are 5 miles in with four miles back to your house.
None of it was easy, but I kept repeating, “don’t quit” in my mind. Once you stop running, you’re sunk.

Stopping to walk is a hard habit to break and I don’t want the addiction. I’ve gone through some pretty intense training for Ironman, and really believe branding “non-stop” mentality into my brain was one of the toughest things to do.

I only ran 9 miles on Saturday and half of it was hell. The good news for me, though, is that most of my struggles were cardio. My legs felt pretty strong and I “proved” to myself I’m still in pretty decent shape.

Ironman 70.3 in New Orleans is the only race on my calendar at the moment and I feel relatively secure, but know I have to pick it up if I want to hit my time goal. But, patience is the key. We have to be patient . . . with everything.

I have to let the story unfold. Just because I can’t do it, understand it, or visualize it now, doesn’t mean I won’t be ready then. I have to trust the process and peak when the time is right. New Orleans is a race along the way, but it’s not my primary goal. Louisville is king and I want to peak on that day. Not now, not the day after, but on August 24th.

But, I also want to enjoy the process. It is a methodical journey of finding solutions and motivational tactics. It is about sticking with the plan and believing you will rise to the challenge.

———

Note: I sort of borrowed the concept for that title from one of my favorite Yogi Berra quotes: “Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.”