Tag: Ironman Wisconsin

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When Will I Ever Wake Up?

One of my biggest concerns about Ironman Wisconsin training is getting my ass out of bed.  I am “Notorious BIG” for sleeping in.  I would rather workout at 10 pm than than get up at 5 to jump in anything but another bed.  I wonder if Ironman would entertain moving back their start time?

Adding to this pressure is the fact that everyone in the “Fab Five” goes to bed at like 8:00.  Well, maybe not Kevin, but regardless, they like their mornings.

Maybe I need to change my perspective on what I’m waking up for.

Like most kids, I sprung from the sheets on Christmas morning.  I couldn’t wait to see what Grandma T. pulled out of her arsenal.  She was “Notorious BIG” for going ape shit with presents.  Me and my brother would literally have to go to her house and help load the van on Christmas morning.  Her breezeway overflowed with gratitude.

“Hey, Grandma, who is Joey?  Does this present go in the van?”

“Oh, no. Joey is the son of a woman I know through Alter Guild at church.”

“What about Constance?”

“Oh, she’s the third cousin of Bill, who drives trucks for the County.”

“Everett?”

“City Manager.”

What??

Yeah, it seemed like she bought presents for everyone our hometown.  Likely the most giving person I’ve ever known.

So, you’re probably saying, “Why didn’t some of your Grandma rub off on you??”

Well, maybe it’s about damn time!

How do I translate Grandma’s legendary giving skills into my morning workout?

For one, drop the ego and make this about something else.  It has to be about a higher calling.  Yeah, like my training team, the Fab Five!

If I’m not there for an early workout, they will surely be sad and feel like something is missing.  I would hate to detract from their workout because I was up late cleaning my kitchen or surfing the net for anything that would distract me from going to sleep.

And I could start each morning with a gift!

As the owner of a video company, Mark would surely find joy in some of the old electronic cords I have lying around the garage.

Ohh… and Daniel would love some of my old clothes to use as crazy costumes for future races.  I have a great shiny red cape that would fit his super hero mold like a glove.

Jim likes trinkets and candles and stuff, which is good news because my junk drawer is loaded with mystery items that would brighten up his day.

Coach Robbie is big time on craft water and I have some serious connections, not to mention several spigots.

And for Kevin, there is at least a week’s worth of “older” beer tucked away in the bottom corners of my fridge.  He’s not picky!

Yeah, I like it.  Let the gift DRIVE ME!  I’m sure Grandma got a much bigger rush out of giving than receiving.  And what’s a guy that has everything like me need with half the stuff that’s cluttering my place?  Simplicity rules and I’m nearly ready for bed.

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The Post-Race That Changed Me

Saturday, I cut a few more notches in my belt.  It was a bittersweet day that, in many ways, changed who I am as a person.151009_4342436591699_941279087_n

Rebekah and I met Roger at the start line around 7:30 to shiver and discuss strategy for our 12K run.  It was the first annual 12k Winter Warm Up and I knew it would be a little hilly, but it proved to be a beast.

12k turns out to be about 7.2 miles and would be the longest run I’d done in a while.  I was coming off a nice 4-Mile race on Thanksgiving and decided to set my goal pace at 7:46m, which is my buddy Jim’s goal next week for the Huntsville Marathon.  If he can do that for 26 miles, I can do it for 7.2!  The competition bubbles.

There was also a 6k and the 12k was two loops.  I’m not a huge fan of that set up, but it turned out to be kinda cool because we kept running by each other.  I had mentally set a goal of 31:00 for the first 4 miles because I did that distance in 28:51 the week before.  It seemed manageable and would put me in good position for the last 3.2.

Talking about these paces is a little surreal to me.  In March, I was literally unsure if I could “finish” a 5k, let alone bust one at sub 8 after already running 4 miles.  But, it’s a testament to what we can do if we stick with something.

Anyway, the course was filled with rolling hills and descents, but not much in terms of flat.  I’ve actually come to love hills, though and feel like training with East Nasties has given me an advantage.  In fact, there was a solid line of people I train with busting down the other side of the road ahead of me all day long.

To make a long and boring story short, I took first in my age group with a time of 56:39.  Thing was, I thought there was no way I’d come close after running the first bastard of a loop.  What’s kinda crazy cool is that I ran my first 5k in March at a 9:10 pace and it was a flat course.  Yesterday my pace was 7:51 on a tough 12k track.

But that’s good news.

As we were walking back to our cars, Rebekah suddenly tripped and fell straight to the pavement.  It was so quick she was already picking herself up before I realized what happened.  Halfway up, I heard her say, “My tooth,” as she reached out to pick a white spec off the sidewalk.  I was paralyzed.

She stood up and looked at me with a swollen and bloody lip . . . and sure enough, half of her front tooth was gone.  I felt an incredible surge of compassion wash through my body.  I leaned in, hugged her and said everything would be okay.  Her pain was mine and I felt the horror that had to be racing through her mind.  The flukiest of accidents had changed the entire tone of the day.  The race was gone.  The afternoon was gone.  The smiles were gone.

I gathered myself, put my arm around her and we staggered to the car.  I reassured her it would be okay, but had no idea what to do next.  Then, in the most calming of tones, she spoke through her bloody hand, “Well, good thing my dad is a dentist.”

I was so proud of the way she handled her fate.  Roger gracefully followed as we drove to her parents and knocked on the door.  An unsuspecting mother opened the door to see her little girl in pain and it brought a tear to my eye.  We explained what happened and her father calmly assured her everything would be just fine.

“Honey, this is what I do, I will take care of you.”

She laid back on the couch with ice on her lip and I knelt by her side wiping the moisture from her cheek.  It’s the unknown that scares us and there was enough to last me a lifetime.

I took her car and waited in agony for some news.  Would he be able to save it?  Would she need a new tooth?  Was a dentist’s daughter ready to face the world with a cracked smile?  I felt helpless, but the flood of compassion kept rushing through my veins.  In the face of her pain I literally felt my ego dripping away.

Two hours later I got a text message with a picture of her pretty smile restored in between big swollen lips.  It was one of the greater senses of relief I’ve had in years.  I could feel my body relax, a true, deep, and sincere calm.  Hearing her upbeat voice helped even more.

The power of emotions is undeniable and I feel like the last year of training has unearthed many buried feelings.  Saturday was another roller coaster that started on top, sank to the bottom, but set the tone for another magnificent climb to greater heights.

I didn’t swim, bike, or run on Sunday, but a renewed energy had me bouncing off the walls.  I wanted to be with friends.  Help people.  Listen, love, and learn.  I felt a sense of gratitude to be surrounded by so many amazing people and training for an unimaginable quest like Ironman with four other great guys and an inspirational coach.

It may be fleeting, but for now I have an increased sense of the moment.  I’m excited and grateful for each training session that lies ahead.  I’m optimistic that I will continue to improve and reach internal and external goals that have been patiently waiting for me.  It’s all about enjoying the process and putting in the work.  And considering the overall winner in that 12k beat me by 20+ minutes, I certainly have room for improvement.

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Somedays Ironman Gets In Your Head

Yesterday, I ran a 12k.  Today, I slept in before riding my bike a mile up the road to the local pub for lunch and a couple beers.  Riding 111 more miles seemed like a daunting task at that moment.  #IronmanWisconsin

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Ironman Wisconsin Training Video

Here’s the first in a series of Ironman Wisconsin training video from members of the “Fab Five.”  Jim kicks it off with a reflection on the excitement “just signing up” for an Ironman can bring.

It should be noted that Jim is the only Fab Five member in this video.  I shot it while he was doing tempo runs with another group in preparation for the Huntsville Marathon.

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Ironman Inspiration

Surround yourself with inspirational people.  Even the simplest thing can lift you to greater things.  For me it’s when someone unleashes a buried passion.

Daniel, gettin’ it done

On Wednesday, I ran with the East Nasties and the power of a group cannot be underestimated.  It’s amazing how a bunch of motivated people can take your mind off limitations.  I had been limping around thinking about my wanky knee for weeks, but the minute we took off, the energy of 250 people took me away.

I trudged along at a 9:30 pace, but just being out there again felt great and restored my faith.  We ran about four miles and by the end my knee was an afterthought.  I felt like I could knock out a half marathon, I went to 3 Crow Bar for some Guinness.  Sometimes, I think our higher powers forgive a couple post-run-beers.

My first conversation is usually with Jim.  He got me into this mess and now I poke and prod for stimulating insight at every turn.  His run was much faster and he rattled off a list of plans for his Saturday.  P90x in the morning, followed by a 9mile run, 8 o’clock bed time, then a 1:50 am 5K as an overnight Ragnar Relay simulation.  All of this, and his foot has been bugging him for weeks.  “Sometimes you gotta work through the pain.”

I hear that, buddy!

Then there’s Kevin.  I watched as he did Ironman Louisville this summer which ultimately sealed my decision to take on Wisconsin.  He routinely leads a pace group for East Nasty runs, is doing Ragnar, then following it up with the ball busting Flying Monkey marathon 7 days later.  Between all that, he parties like a rock star.

I’m listening, bro!

As I was walking out of 3 Crow, I ran into a couple women that started the Couch to 5K program with me back in January.  Both are running further than ever, and it’s likely that neither realizes their role in my success.  One caught me a little off guard when she said she’s been studying to be a yoga instructor, and it’s things like this that truly make me happy.

Ironman Wisconsin training teammate, Mark

I think it’s because I love when people people follow a passion.  I’ve spent a lifetime working on ways to improve my life, my habits, and my instincts.  When someone shares a story like this, it literally strengthens my bond with humanity.  Knowing we’re in this together is extremely comforting.

So, when I stop by Ugly Mugs every morning and see Andy and Matt working on their dream business before they go to a job, it jump starts my day.  When I see workout posts from fellow Ironman Wisconsin teammates, Mark and Daniel, I dig deeper.  And when I read inspirational posts of fellow bloggers it drives me to keep releasing my thoughts to the world.  The words, the actions, the people lift me higher and fill in the blanks to this mysterious quest for higher purpose.

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Running is King

I hated running and could fake a cry with the best of them if it would help me avoid jogging in gym class or later in sports.

But I loved biking, and did a bunch of mountain bike races, including Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 in Hayward, Wisconsin.  And while I have you, I’ll drop a reminder that I placed 1,500th out of 3,000 racers.  Exactly in the middle and 1,499 places behind Greg Lemond.

I swam a little bit, too.  My parent’s house was half a block away from the municipal pool in Beloit, Wisconsin and I spent loads of time hitting on girls and hiding boners in the shallow end. I love water, and while I was never a distance swimmer, I’ve always made time for a few laps at the local Y.

But running was a nemesis.

Frankly, it hurt.  My ankles have always been fragile and anything more than a dash to first base or out to play shortstop was too much.  In baseball we mainly ran sprints to loosen up and the teams I was on never overdid such tomfoolery.

Now, though, I realize that I missed the boat.  A little bit of distance running would have made me a better athlete, especially late in the game when the legs go south.  If I were ever a coach again, I would have to pull some hocus pocus out of my bag to convince the kids they need to run more.

Running is still hard.  It still aches the most of the three sports, but it is without a doubt the reason I have started triathlons.

Once I erased the mental baggage of running, everything else fell into place.  But I could have never done it without the Couch to 5K program.  I always went too far too fast and quit.

If you hate running, but have a perverted desire to do it anyway, I suggest you take it very slow and follow a Couch to 5K program to the letter.  No more.  No less.  Stay within yourself and let your muscles build naturally.

Without those seemingly inconsequential 60 second jogs back in January, Ironman Wisconsin never would have crossed my mind.  Running can be a bitch, but in my triathlete world, it is the real work.

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A Picture is Worth Dozens of Pounds

My good friend Roger is 5 weeks away from running his first marathon and has a photograph of me to thank.  Actually he was in the picture too, and what happened to us that blurry night was an undeniable catalyst for change.

Our friendship started innocently enough around two years ago when Roger and I (Both Wisconsin natives) hatched the grand plan for Badger Nation Nashville at the Village Pub in Inglewood, TN.  Wisconsin football was on a roll and we wanted to capitalize by using beer and cheese to seduce local residents into our social circle.  After several PBRs we penned these highly sophisticated, yet simple bylaws that have Constitution-like staying power:

Official Badger Nation Nashville Bylaws

1. No rooting against the Badgers.
2. Spread word of the Badger.
3. Don’t shoot badgers. (Ben’s Law)*
4. Don’t diss Jeffrey Steele.
5. Meet at Village Pub & Grill when you can make it.

Fast forward two years after the “bylaw meeting” to my house, where a nice group of Badger Nation Nashville kids are celebrating another big victory.  Roger and I had been drinking for about 8 hours and decided to give everyone a treat by singing Wisconsin’s Alma Mater song, “Varsity,” which was quickly caught on video.  The playback was astonishing.

I had always felt pretty good about my body, but when I watched the video all I could see was a blubbery seal flopping around on a leather sofa.  I begged fellow BNN member, Brian, not to post it on the web and thankfully he didn’t know how.  I went silent and may have even retreated to my bedroom to sulk. What I didn’t realize at the time was, the video had a similar impact on Roger.

It didn’t happen immediately, but our minds shifted to training mode.  Roger joined Weight Watchers and started running.  I laid around for a few more weeks before Jim convinced me to do Couch to 5K training.  I really didn’t want to run, but that video looped in the back of my mind. For the first time in my life I felt like a fat ass!  I had no choice.

I have told this story a bunch of times and I’m convinced that taking a picture of yourself is the best form of motivation.  Preferably late in the night after a drinking or eating binge.

Now, Roger and I are hatching different plans.  Five short months after that fateful photography, we did the Country Music Half Marathon together and the ante continues to rise.

What started as a 5K for me has turned into Ironman training.  Roger is ready for his full, with aspirations of a Half Ironman next summer.

It has been a dicey journey that started on a bar napkin and evolved into something etched in stone.  And even though the Badgers suck this year, I think Roger would happily join me for an encore rendition of Varsity after the last game of the season.

* Montana Ben is a Pub regular who spends his summers in Montana shooting badgers so they don’t fuck with his cattle.

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Iron Ego

I often wonder why I signed up to do Ironman Wisconsin.  It’s a huge physical and fiscal commitment that will take a ton of time and dedication but when I’m done . . . I walk away with a medal, t-shirt and the right to tattoo the Ironman logo on my right ass cheek.

Sometimes I wonder if this is a big ego trip that will make me feel like someone I’m not.  But the truth is, I believe this process will bring me closer to who I am.

Life can suck juice out of the best plans.  I mean, is it really natural for humans to sit in a classroom 7 hours a day until they are 22 years old, or in my case 30?  Then tackle a career by sitting at a desk 8 hours a day until you’re too old to move?  To top it all off, we spend the time that’s left on a couch or a rocking chair before hitting early bird supper.

I know I’m generalizing, but sometimes I walk around the office and look at dozens of people spending half their waking lives gazing at a computer screen.  And I can’t talk because I do the same thing, but frankly, that is some weird shit!

For me, the Ironman represents a quest to re-discover the purest form of my humanity.  It’s motivation that forces me to move, and along the way I anticipate dozens of side benefits–including some super tasty physiological treats.

But, there is definitely ego.  Or, at the very least, a need to rekindle a life of competition that faded away.  I played competitive sports most of my life and truly miss the high of winning.  But winning, when it comes to an Ironman or any kind of individual endurance sport, rarely means first place.

Winning is giving an honest effort to be your best and that is far more than clipping a few seconds off a stopwatch.  It’s about being healthy, clear, happy, honest, and releasing the person that’s been tied down in the corner.

And it’s hard when you invest this much in yourself because you have to evolve.  It takes patience and courage to leave the chair behind.  There must be movement, and when you move, it can seem like you’re running away from who you are.  But, for me, moving is simply re-discovering the best man inside and hanging out with him more often.

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The Fab Five Plus One

So here we were again.  Sitting around a table at Calypso Cafe talking about how awesome we are, but this time, our coach was on hand to keep us in check.

Kevin showed up with a big smile and belly full of beer.  Daniel had paint on his face and looked mildly like a warrior.  Jim sat across from me wearing shades indoors while reading the menu.  Mark was late from his rock climbing class and I sported my new mustache.  If nothing else, the Fab Five make for an interesting story.

Just to give you an idea of how these guys operate, here’s a workout summary from today:
Mark – P90x, 16 mile run, rock climbing
Jim – P90x, 16 mile run, antiquing
Daniel – P90x, 5K Color Run for the ladies
Kevin – A solid 6 hour training day that included at least two bars and 3-4 bar stool changes
Mike – Winterized the pool, ran over to neighbors

I think our new coach, Robbie, was intrigued by the challenge that sat around him plowing down Caribbean food and defending their training strategies.

“By the time training starts in January, you should be able to swim 2,000 yards,” said the coach as we all shook our heads with mouthfuls of beans.

He went on to say, “I’m big on bike training.”

“Mmmhhmm…” chomp chomp.

“Any questions?”

Kevin chimed in, “Yeah, is it possible to overtrain?”

“Absolutely, it’s better to be undertrained than overtrained.”

I stared in Mark’s direction, just to make sure he heard that.

“What???” he asked.

“Nothing.”

Coach gave us a few inside angles on how to handle Ironman Wisconsin.  He also confirmed the rumor that during the swim dead bodies have been known to float to the surface with all the commotion.  This, of course creeps everyone out, but I have something else at stake.  That dead body could be someone I know!  Maybe that long lost buddy from high school who went ice fishing only never to be seen again.  There’s nothing like bumping into an old/dead friend in Lake Monona to freak you into a record swim time.

Robbie suggested we take a road trip next summer to get familiar with the bike course, which was greeted with clinking bottles of beer.  “Here here, road trip!”  I volunteered the family cabin in Lake Geneva and flashed back to the legendary bachelor parties I have thrown in my mom’s favorite place on earth.  If we do end up getting a stripper this time, it will likely be low key and she’ll have to be done with her show by 8 so we can go to bed.

The evening ended with a promise to do our documentary interviews next weekend and a Pearl Jam “10” like raised hand pre-game explosion.  “Let’s go!”

And go we did.

Kevin and Jim went back to 3 Crow Bar.  Daniel went to scrub the paint off of his face.  I came here to write this.  Mark went to Tae Kwon Do class.