USAT Club National Championships - Vegas

Our club www.batonrougetri.com won the club national championships for 2008 in Boulder City Nevada on beautiful lake meade.

Here are some pictures from the event . . .

http://www.batonrougetri.com/images/vegas2008/

2008 in Review

Before I begin my goals and expectations for 2009, I would like to review 2008.  What a year.

 

I am going to break this down into categories, as I will for 2009 goals:

1.     Personal

2.     Health

3.     Business

4.     Spirituality

5.     Racing!!!!!!

 

 

1.     Personal:  I would say the biggest news form 2008 would be the fact that I am going to be a daddy.  Are you kidding me!!!???  We found out in November that we will be having a baby in July 2009. 

I have become closer to a couple new friends here in Baton Rouge.  I am working on building a better relationship with Amanda’s good friend Mary.  Ryan is a wonderful person.  They have a beautiful baby boy, David who recently turned one.  Ryan is also a great source for me when it comes to my relationship with God. 

 

Amanda and I celebrated five years of marriage and we still kinda like one another??  I never would have thunk it, but we genuinely like to be around one another and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.  She is one heck of a woman to put up with me!!!

 

2.     Health:  This is obviously the area of most change.  Let’s backtrack to 2005 when I hit my highest weight at 452 lbs.  Almost half a ton!  I began 2008 weighing 340ish lbs.  I continued to lose weight throughout the year, but when August came and I was still at about 270 lbs. I knew I had to kick it up a bit. 

 

I had surgery planned for December and I needed to be below 240 lbs by September.  When September arrived I was at a stealthy 238 lbs. 

 

Then December came and I had my surgery.  I had an upper body lift procedure that lasted more than eight hours.  I am still in recovery now and I hope to be walking around the neighborhood next week. 

 

I now weigh in at 231 pounds.  452 lbs and now 231.  Wow. 

 

3.     Business:  This was the area where I faced the most challenge for 2008.  As most of you know I am a Financial Planner.  And as EVERYONE knows, we are facing rough economic waters and this will continue into the 1^st and 2^nd quarter of 2009, in my opinion.  I have worked diligently to comfort and inform my clients during this difficult period, but I always question whether I can do better.  I hope and pray I am doing enough.  On a positive note, my office was recognized for being in the top 2% of production Nationwide.  I am in the largest Independent Broker/Dealer in America, so I am a little proud of that accomplishment.  I could not do it without my wonderful team.  They are the true backbone of our success; I am just the pretty face!

 

4.     Spirituality:  God is good.  Before I get into this . . . I respect all people’s spirituality or their choice not to have any, its all good. 

 

Were it not for my strength with God, I am not sure I would have been as strong as I was with the many challenges we faced in 2008.  With God, I was able to meet those challenges head on with confidence that I was always doing the right thing with the best of intentions and I think God and my family for that support.

 

However, I feel I have not given this area the attention that it deserves.  I am having a difficult time finding a church where I am comfortable learning and worshiping.  I didn’t actively pursue a church in 2008, but that will change in 2009.

 

5.     Racing:  Here is where I had the most fun in 2008.  I raced in 23 events, mostly triathlons, but also a couple run events and a cycling time trial at the end of the year.

 

I am most excited about my progress on the bike.  I can FLY now!  I am still working hard on the run, but I have also seen major improvement there as well.  I have cut most of my race finish times in half.  I am interested to see how much I can improve with the new body.  TBC in 2009!

 

 

2008 was truly a challenging year.  I am thankful that I didn’t fall back into my bad eating habits with the stress of the economy.  I think I have learned the right way and it is now a part of me.  I am looking forward to 2009 with great expectations.  I am still a in a little shock that I am going to be a daddy.  I pray I will be the daddy this baby needs.

 

I hope everyone has a GREAT New Years Eve!  I also hope your 2009 is the best year yet.

 

I will be adding my 2009 goals sometime this week.  It is going to be lofty to say the least.

WARNING - Graphic Pictures Below

Wow, it’s been a ride.

From 452 lbs to 230 lbs over four years.

Today I finally feel comfortable showing the current results of my surgery.  It is really embarrassing and I am struggling with how I look, but I know the end result will be rocking, but right now I feel ugly and yuck. 

I warn you that these pictures are a little graphic, but I have had so many of you asking if I was going to post results to share.  I debated it and I still am a little anxious, but here you go!

I’ve posted a few pictures of my fat butt along the way and ended with my most recent post op pictures.

I welcome any questions.

The pain is beginning to become manageable and I feel a little better everyday.  I still have two drains, as you’ll see in the pictures.  I hope they come out before Christmas, but not sure that little Christmas wish will come true!

 

Thanks everyone for your support.  WE DID IT!!!

copy the links below each picture to see me at 450 lbs . . . wow

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4167/1193/1600/Before%20and%20after%20pictures%202%20001.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4167/1193/1600/Before%20and%20after%20pictures%202%20003.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4167/1193/1600/Before%20and%20after%20pictures%202%20002.jpg

Surgery Complete . . .

After Surgery

Before Surgery

It is Thursday, I know.

 

I thought I would be up for writing by last Friday, a couple days following what I thought would be a 7 1/2 hour surgery, but ended up to being over 8.

 

I first have to give some props before I move on.  

 

My Doctor, Dr. Lior Heller at the Baylor Medical Center in Houston Texas is one fine surgeon and a fine person.  I hope no one ever puts himself or herself in my position to need this type of aggressive procedure, but if you do . . . He is your man.  He also does many other procedures, but I can only attest to how I feel and (even though it is very early and I can't tell a lot right now) how I look.

 

http://www.bcm.edu/plasticsurgery/physicians/heller.cfm

 

Now to the nitty gritty . . .

 

Going into this I knew there would be some pain.   I was mentally prepping myself for it, but wow was I off.  Those who know me whether my Army friends, Rugby Buds, Fraternity Brothers, and triathlons friends - They know I can take some pain.  It is kind of my calling card.

 

The recovery after this surgery is horrible, worse than any physical pain I have very felt in my life and the fact that it has been around now for seven days and sort of getting better sucks even worse.  

 

Now that I have the whole pain thing out of the way I wanted to do a play by play of the last week.

 

Wednesday Morning:

Amanda and I woke around 4:00a to report to registration at 6:00a.  We stayed in the Marriott, which is connected to the medical center. 

 

When I am nervous I shut up.  I was not talking at all.  After five and a half years of marriage Amanda can read me like a book and we can communicate non-verbally with amazing precision.

 

The Hospital computers were messed up.  My biggest fear!  I have the fear that there is a glitch in the system and they send me to the wrong surgeon and he/she cuts off my leg when I was there for hand surgery . . . This morning there was a glitch and they had me as already checked in . . . I began my silent meditation and praying.

 

I was sent to another floor to wait for prepping while they “fixed” the glitch.

 

Are you KIDDING me! 

 

As I got nekkid and put on the gorgeous hat you all see here I was close to a mental collapse.  Then, the nice lady walked into the room coming from her office on another floor to assure me that everything has been taken care of.  I think I spoke for the first time (besides answering medical questions) that morning when I told her how much relief she had brought me.

 

After about an hour and all the IV insertion, tests, etc it was time for the surgery sleep.  I remember hugging Manders and that would be all I remember until I was talking to a nice guy named Jason in PACU (recovery).  I shot to a little humor – “So, can I go for a jog now?” he laughed.  I immediately thought – dumb azz, like he’s never heard that before.

 

Something was going on, I didn’t know what, but something.  Amanda confirmed this later when she told me that at first they told her I was out of surgery and that she would be able to see me in about 20 minutes. 

 

2 hours later . . . I got to see her beautiful face.

 

Turns out I think they were concerned about my low HR.  I would keep telling them I have a very low resting Heart Rate.

 

I fell asleep.  My surgery began at 7:45a at this time it is almost 8p.

 

When I woke I was in my hospital room.  Kind of a cool place if you have to be in an atmosphere like this.  What was great . . . The nurses.

 

From JP, Ms Micael, Randi, Fidel, and others – I was very well taken care of.  I tried not to be a pain in the butt and thanked them continually.

 

First thing I learn is, I have this little machine.  It goes to my IV.  This machine had a button I push.  When I push this button – I get morphine.

 

I pushed that button many a time over the next three days.

 

My Mom Deau and Dad Jerry were in the room day two bright and early.  I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without them and my Momma Henrietta.

 

Mom Deau and Dad Jerry had the Thursday-Sunday shift until Momma Henrietta could get to town Sunday night, where she then had duties until she left Wednesday.

 

Dad was unbelievable.  He stayed with me and ran all over taking care of me.  Mom did the same.  BUT MORE than that they helped relieve Amanda so she could go back to the hotel and rest, shower, be alone – She IS preggo ya know.

 

I have put a lot on Amanda with this surgery.  She has been a trooper.

 

I have 4 drains.  These are tubes that come from around the impacted area.  They pull out the fluid as a result of the surgery.  YUCK, nasty!

 

They are such a pain in the butt.  On day three in the hospital they gave Amanda and I a course on how to drain them and log the fluid . . . WHHHAAAATT????

 

These things don’t come out before I leave?

 

Dr. Heller would visit twice a day and he had another partner who would visit once a day and Dr. Lee, an intern visited twice during those three days.

 

My sister Janet just happened to be in town for a class.  She lives in Denver now.  She and her husband Dwight made a stop in the hospital and it was such a bad time.

 

My morphine tube had emptied.  We notified the nurse, but they couldn’t get one and 45 minutes later my body began to convulse.  I finally received a new tube and about 30 minutes later I was back in LA LA land.

 

I really didn’t see my incision until the day of my check out.  It goes along my hip line ALL THE WAY AROUND my body.  It was/is quite ugly.  But, there is no belly.  I mean NOTHING. 

 

Dad Jerry helped me put on my clothes.  My limo/wheelchair arrived and I was whisked out of the hospital right to the bedroom in our hotel room.  Now that’s service!

 

This was Saturday.

 

Now that morphine was not readily available I was taking vicadin (s/p) every 4 hours.  Oh man, this is where the pain really began to suck.  I didn’t even enjoy one of the best football games I’d seen all year in the SEC Championship game with Florida and Alabama.

 

I haven’t been able to eat really.  I also haven’t been able to poop.  Once in seven days so far.  I know TMI.

 

Everyday has gotten a little better than the day before.  I still have all four drains, which I hope come out today. 

 

Momma Henrietta came in Sunday night and helped so much.  She doesn’t think that she did, but just being here sitting in the room was so comforting and it also allowed Amanda to get out of the room and run around a bit. 

 

I hope to go home Tuesday morning.  I will know more after my Dr appointment this afternoon.

 

I am cutting this short because I am getting tired and I am in a little pain.  Sorry to end this so quickly.

 

Chris

Surgery . . . Dratz!

RIP – The old me.

 

7 ½ hours. 

 

Seven and a half hours on an operating table. 

 

2005.  June.  Miserable, disgusted with myself, angry at so many areas of my life that suffered as a result of my obesity.  The beginning of the end of that life began . . . June 2005.

 

Tri-it-on triathlon was the first.  I began that race in the pool at about 7:30am.  Vulnerable, afraid, and embarrassed by my weight and looks, I stood in line wishing I could blend in until I entered the water.  I weighed 452 pounds when I began training for this race and weighed about 425 pounds on this day.

 

Three and a half years, more than 50 races including mostly triathlons, but also run races and this year a cycling time trial race, I have come to the end of that former me.

 

I am not exactly where I wanted to be on this day, but I am within 20 lbs of it.  I weigh in today at 249 lbs.  I’ve lost more than 200 lbs since I began, but what I have truly gained is the new me. 

 

Many doubted and many more who supported . . . BOTH motivated.

 

I meet people on a regular basis who say they follow this blog and others who tell me of a friend who uses my experiences through this blog.  Being fat sucks and is no fun.  I know there are times where you lose hope and give up or in to your cravings and dependency on food.  Fact is this – I STILL go to food for comfort – I have chosen healthier food and less of it.  There are also times that I have completely fallen off the wagon.  Once you realize you’ve fallen . . . Get back on.  No matter how bad you’ve fallen, ALL IS NOT LOST!!  Just get back on.

 

I am still hard on myself and intimidated in public – especially races, but it is better and I get better with “me” everyday.

 

You Can Do It!  I will help in anyway I can.  I try and return every email sent to me within a reasonable time and I enjoy hearing your stories and your daily obstacles.  But, what I know is – You Can Do It!

 

The old me was a good kind person with VERY low self esteem – This newer me is getting over it!

 

Then there is today . . .

 

Wednesday December 3, 2008 – 08:00 hours

 

I will be under the knife with a highly qualified surgeon who will be performing an upper body lift where he will remove about 15 to 20 pounds of loose skin that has become a mental and physical nuisance. 

 

I am afraid and excited at the same time.

 

That is not the exciting news. 

 

The exciting news is . . . As a result of this surgery I will be able to enjoy a healthy, active, fun life with my NEW BABY!!

 

Amanda is 9 weeks preggo!

 

We are so very happy and I am so very concerned about being a good father.  I have decided to teach my child what not to do through via my experiences!!!!!

 

Please pray for me tomorrow and I will post on Friday – If I am coherent – and let you know how I am doing.

 

Then we will begin the next chapter!

 

 

2008 In Review

What a year.

 

First let me apologize for my lack of posting over the past few months.  As many of you know I am a Financial Planner and I have been in high demand to my clients as you might imagine.  Today I am spending time with my beautiful wife Amanda and preparing food for a few friends who are coming over for Turkey Day!

 

I am thankful for so much.  Thank you God for all things.

 

At the beginning of this year I weighed in at a smooth 328 pounds.  Not bad since I weighed in at 434 pounds the previous year.  I had a few lofty goals for 2008 – some reached and some not.  But overall I am happy with my year of healthy living.

 

Let’s talk about triathlon first:  By year end I was averaging more than 21 MPH on the bike in my races and around 11 minute miles on my run.  My swim remained about average, but I was fairly proficient at the swim when I was over 425 pounds.  I FLOATED BETTER!!!!  When you compare those times to previous years – I was averaging around 17 MPH on the bike and about 17-18 minute miles on the run portion.  I am quite satisfied with that progress.  Not that this has been important to me - I began climbing up in race finish times – from dead last and near the bottom to about middle of the pack.

 

While I was unable to put together my end of the year race goal of top 50% in the swim, plus 20 MPH bike, ending with a sub 10 min mile run – I CAME CLOSE several times and I actually began finishing races faster than I thought I could.  I am very happy with my 2008 race focus. 

 

I completed 14 triathlons, 3 duathlons, and a time trial bike race.  I also raced in a few 5k and 10k run races as well.

 

It was a trying year for me as well with my gallbladder deciding to act up in June.  I had it taken out with surgery and that set me back a bit, but it wasn’t too bad. 

 

Today was a cap off of my racing for 2008.  Turkey Trot 5K!!!  I had a goal of sub 30-minute finish time – actual finish time was 32.06.  Last year I finished the Turkey Trot in 41:52.  That is about 10 minutes cut off!  I’ll take it!

 

Now it’s time to begin focusing on 2009.

 

This coming Wednesday I have a major surgery.  I have decided it is time to remove the loose skin around my mid section. It is a drastic procedure that will have me on the operating table for 7 hours.  When complete it will take about 17 pounds of skin off of me.  Amanda and I will stay in Houston for a week after the surgery to make sure I am out of the infection and complication phase.  I will take any prayers.

 

I will be out of the training loop for more than a month and a half and I can’t get on the bike until probably the last week of January or early February.

 

THE IT IS TIME FOR SOME TRAINING!!!!

 

I am doing very few races next year with my focus on two.

 

New Orleans 70.3 half Ironman and I will end the year with my first Ironman – racing at Ironman Florida on November 7^th.

 

I WIL BE AN IRONMAN!

 

Today I weigh in at 253 pounds and I hope to be below 210 before IMFL in November.

 

Thanks to everyone for their support.  This hasn’t been easy.  Everyday is a battle.

 

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!!

 

I will post up a few days after my surgery next week when I am up to it.

Baton Rouge Triathlon - State CLub Champions 2008

TRIATHLON CLUB STATE CHAMPIONS

LOUISIANA 2008

2006

2005

2004

Not so sexy . . .

There is some power in dem legs! (And that gut!)

ACTION DISMOUNT!

STAIRS!!?????? Gimme a Break!!!!!

There is no slow'n that locomotive!

STRONG FINISH!

The face only a Momma could love!

Hang'n after the race with friends David and Luke.

Baton Rouge Triathlon Club – 2008 Louisiana State Club Champions!!!!!


What a great day for racing. Nice weather, overcast with a slight breeze.

I will post a report later, but wanted to get the news of our Club Success out ASAP!!!

Way to go Baton Rouge Triathletes!

Freak'n Hirricanes!!!!!

Rip Van Winkle II

Another super fast bike for the big boy!

With the current Hurricane market here in the US Gulf Coast, I have seen my training turn into pure dog poooooo.

I have been from Baton Rouge to Ashville NC to Nashville TN to Birmingham Al to Jackson Ms and heading to Houston TX. All this for some bad weather . . . OK, really bad weather that has left my neighborhood looking like a ghost town with trees fallen all over the roads and no electricity at my home since Gustav passed through about two weeks ago and they still have no idea when we will get power. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Good news is. I was able to ride some nice hills in the north Georgia with my friend Blake, then ride more hills in Birmingham at Oak Mountain State Park. They have a great hill that runs up to the wildlife conservatory, I nearly had a heart attack getting up it, but I did!

Today I got in a great run of 6 miles round the Ross Barnett Reservoir here in Mississippi and tomorrow we head to Houston.

The last two triathlons I was supposed to race in were canceled (for obvious and good reasons) so I am having race withdrawals. I train to race. Racing is the reward for me, therefore, I NEED SOME REWARD!

I have this weekend off and then to Meat Pie which is a great race in Natchitoches Louisiana. It is also the State Club Championship. Geaux BRtri!

I am going to post some pictures of my evacuation vacation in the next week. We did have some fun. White water rafting, water falls, natural rock water slides . . . Woo Hoo!


For everyone being effected by this nasty weather, my thoughts are with you. Keep yo head UP!

It's Been A While . . .

Let’s get the apologies out of the way . . . Sorry I have been MIA the past few months. It has been a very busy and action packed few months. I am asked frequently through emails and posts what I do for a living. I am a Financial Planner and I have the greatest clients around and they have needed my attention the past few months with this volatile market and on top of that I have taken part in some exciting excursions.

First let me recap the whole health and weight thing:

The gallbladder came out a few months back and I am still, STILL trying to figure out what I can eat that doesn’t require me being within 30 feet of a bathroom after consumption. I have actually gained weight. GRRRRRRRRRRRR! I fell off the wagon. Maybe it has been the stock market and maybe it has been a lack of focus on my part? I am not sure but I was down to 258 lbs and as of today I am at 271 lbs. I am not happy. But . . .

I am re-focused and beginning today I am back on the wagon. 210 lbs is within my grasp and I can taste it.

Now onto the excursions:

July has been awesome. I took part in a triathlon (my 12th of the year) in the beginning of the month. I played golf with my Father over the July 4th week. I spent a week with my best friend Mike and his family THEN . . . THEN . . . !

My wife, Amanda and I drove to Iowa and rode our bikes from the west side of Iowa to the East side, over 510 miles in 7 days! We took part in RAGBRAI http://www.ragbrai.org/ and we had a blast! It was a rough week on both of us with some days in the 90’s and others in the 60’s, tornadoes, sore saddle butt, and shower bags! But we had a great time and I recommend it to anyone!

Then this past week I knocked it out of the ballpark at River Cities Triathlon in Shreveport. This is a great race that I highly recommend. I did this race in 2006 and finished with a time of about 2hrs 27min. I have worked hard in all areas but my swim the last few months and I have seen great improvement in the bike area and slight improvement in my run. My goal for this race was to finish in under 2hrs.

My swim was very average for me and my bike time was pretty good at 22.4 mph, while my run was better than usual at about a 12 min mile pace. THE GOOD NEWS!

I finished in 1hr 56min!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am posting pictures tomorrow, stay tuned . . .

Thanks to everyone for their support.

Back In The Saddle

http://www.championchiptiming.com/images/files/static/265Male.htm

I have been recovering from my gallbladder surgery which I underwent about two and a half weeks ago. I have done literally nothing for three weeks. I sat out of two triathlons I was registered for prior to my surgery. I attempted a couple runs but, too much pain so I bailed.

Today was my first race since surgery and I was fairly pleased.

THE BIG NEWS – I HAD THE FASTEST BIKE OF THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something was wrong with the timing since my bike computer had me at 23.1mph for my bike split average and the “official” timing has me at 21.7mph, none the less – IT WAS THE FASTEST out of about 150 to 200 racers. I was pumped since I have been lethargic for three weeks.

My run was horrible, but that was to be expected and I was hurting just a little in the gut.

My swim was good. I would have finished about 30 to 45 seconds faster, but there was a guy UNDER the buoy that the kayak lifeguards didn’t see and he was struggling badly. I stopped grabbed him asked if he was ok, he said he was alright, but it wasn’t convincing. I hollered for the kayak and they came over and I took off again.

At the swim exit I cut my foot pretty bad on the top at my large toe and it was painful, but not nearly as painful as it is now, grrrr.

I took off on the bike. It actually took me a bit to get up to speed. I attribute that to my lack of training, but once I did get it up to about 22.5 mph I was able to settle in and cruise on past a few folks.

Let me stop here and inform everyone that this was a SUPER SUPER SHORT course. 200yd swim, 6 mile bike and 2 mile run. But, it was a perfect race for me to get back into the swing of things.

My cousin Michael raced with me today! He did great. He beat me by about 45 seconds, but he lost his timing chip during the swim. It was a lot of fun to share my passion of triathlon with him. I also met a really cool friend of his name Lisa. Lisa has a great job at NASA where Michael also works. Lisa is the attitude controller. I thought that meant that when people came in mission control, she made sure they checked their attitude at the door! But her job is much cooler, she actually drives the space station keeping its attitude in control! IT was her first race . . . I think she I hooked.

I had a GREAT day of racing except for the cuts on my foot, but they are not nearly as bad as Michael’s cuts and he has them on top and bottom of his foot. There were about 20 plus folks getting medical attention for this after the race.

I was signed up to race tomorrow but, after my damaged foot I think I am going to be happy with today’s race and get ready for Yam City Tri this coming weekend.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Weigh In and Pics coming up on Sunday 22nd June.

Weigh-In, Pictures, and Measurements!

June 28, 2007

434 lbs.

May 25, 2008

282.3 lbs.

June 28, 2008
434 lbs.

May 25, 2008

282.3 lbs.

June 2007

Weight: 434 lbs

Neck: 20 inches

Chest: 60 inches

Waist: 67 inches

Hips: 62 inches

Thigh: 31.5 inches

Calf: 19 inches

May 2008

Weight: 282.3 lbs. = 152 lbs LOST

Neck: 16.5 inches = 3.5 inches LOST

Chest: 49.5 inches = 10.5 inches LOST

Waist: 54.5 inches = 12.5 inches LOST

Hips: 51 inches = 11 inches LOST

Thigh: 28 inches = 3.5 inches LOST

Calf: 16 inches = 3 inches LOST

Weigh-In and Picture Time!

It has been about a month since my last weigh-in and picture post. I have seen ups and downs the past month or so. My weight is still moving down, but it has been volatile the last month. I had gained about 4 pounds until two weeks ago and I shred off some weight leading up to Memphis In May triathlon.

It has been an experience and I have a SHORT distance to go for the finish line. As I think everyone knows I began this challenge at 442 lbs and did my first triathlon at 415 lbs. In June of last year I weighed in at about 435 lbs.

Today – 382.3 lbs

The Measurements are pretty crazy too.

I have 72 lbs. to go and I will be at my 210 lb. weight. The goal is to be there by September 1, 2008. THREE MONTHS and counting!

Thanks to everyone for your support and words of encouragement. I had my Gallbladder removed this past Wednesday so I was unable to race this weekend, but I went to a race in Mandeville LA to cheer folks on. IT WAS AWESOME! I had at least 5 racers tell me they go on this blog to check in on me. You guys will never know how much that motivates me. Thanks.

Keep on truck’n. I will be out of it for another week and I hope to get on my bike next Saturday and run a little on Sunday. If that goes well I will train a little before I race in Heatwave the weekend of June 7th.

Peace Out!

No More Gallbladder

Say Good Bye to the Gallbladder!

It is about 9pm. It has been a long day. Surgery went well and all seems good to go so far. I am on a steady dose of pain killers and the pillow will be calling me again soon.

Amanda has been a jewel as she always is and she has made this horrible experience bearable.

We have received a many phone calls wanting to know how things are and things are good. Thanks so much for all the prayers and kind thoughts, they mean a lot.

From here:

I have a really large liver and this caused the incisions to be larger than normal and this means longer recovery. I hope to be jogging by next Wednesday and I am going to try and ride training group on Thursday.

I think I will be good to go by Heatwave Triathlon in Jackson Mississippi June 7. We’ll see.

Thanks all – Goodnight

I thought you might be interested?

I had a friend send me a message asking about my bike speed these days and what specific training I was doing to get my speed to where it is today. I thought it might be helpful for everyone to have an idea of what I have done.

My bike speed has gone from 12.9 mph in 2005 to over 22 mph today. Even earlier this year when I was only 30 lbs heavier than I am today I was still only averaging about 18.5 to 19 mph on the bike in races.

HERE IS WHAT I WROTE TO MY FRIEND SCOTT IN RESPONSE TO HIS QUESTION:


I do several things, or should say, I have done several things. I am sure the weight loss is the number n help, but as for training on the bike . . .

I would enjoy grabbing some chow at some point and covering it with you and then a ride, but that may be a couple weeks since the doctor is cutting me wide open tomorrow! Therefore, here goes . . .

1. build time in the saddle at VERY LOW HR. At the advice and direction of Rocko my coach, I spent October till January riding loops around River Road at Heart Rate no higher than 125, BUT BUT BUT!!! You need to find out your Max HR. I will help you do that too if you don't know it. Once you know it, then we can figure out your "green" zone or low HR and you ride at that HR for about 8 weeks 4 days a week at about 3 hours a ride, which was about 4 loops on RR for me. I saw my speed go from 13 mph to 17 mph ALL THE WHILE my HR was still no higher than 125.

2. Once I built the base I began adding once a week intervals. I would do one loop (about 10 miles) at my 125 to 135 HR. Then the second loop I would do, 3 minutes at "green" zone, then 2 minutes at max HR (which is about 171 for me) over and over for the next loop and then a third loop at "green" zone HR. I began doing this on one of my four days of riding, the other three days I continued LOW HR riding, not always below 135, sometimes I would get it up to 140, but never higher. I did this through Jan, so about 4 weeks.

3. I reduced my road training to 3 days (2 low HR days, one interval day) and ADDED a trainer day inside at the house. I did 30 minutes non-stop one foot drills which was - 5 min warm up regular cycling then, UN CLIP right foot and ride with ONLY left foot clipped for 1 minute HARD, re clip right foot and un clip left foot cycle with ONLY Right foot for one minute HARD, re clip left foot and ride easy for 3 minutes, REPAEAT one foot 3 more times (4 total) and cool down 5 minutes. It is hard at first to find balance with only one foot doing the work. I find it easiest to put the UN Clipped foot back on the actual trainer for balance, other people simply let their foot hang or dangle . . .

This is what I did through April and mid April have reduced my cycling to 3 days TOTAL, two on road - One day low HR, One day intervals and then one day on trainer doing one legged drills.

Recently, I have begun racking the miles at a LOW HR on my runs and in July I will begin interval work on my run.

I have surgery tomorrow to remove my gallbladder. I hope I don't lose too much of what I built over the last few months. Once I have recouped I am going to hit the bike hard for two to three weeks than back to building my run.

I hope this helps.

Being that you are in the middle of the season, you may want to move into the last phase of what I am doing now which is three days a week, two on road and one on a trainer (if you don't have a trainer go to the YMCA if you re a member and get on a stationary bike and do it) BUT I would suggest that when the season is over, take a few weeks to relax and don't do much of anything, then around Dec, begin from scratch as I did. I am going to do the same regiments this off season as well, but LONGER base building for my first Half IM in April.

Keep on truck'n brother and if I can do anything to help you, let me know!

Chris

Memphis In May 2008

2006 Result

1264 Christopher Boggs - 4:43:56 2:16:34 22:00 72:54 23:31 63:40 20:33

http://www.besttimescct.com/results/mimtri06.txt


2008 Result

733 Christopher Boggs - 35:03 2:07 39 1:05:00 22.6 3:26 163 1:31:17 14:42 3:16:51

http://www.besttimescct.com/results/Mimtri08.txt

I reached a new height today. No, I am not getting taller.

As you can see above, I did Memphis In May Triathlon in 2006 and again today. In 2006 I finished this race in . . . Hold onto your sock, 4hr 43min.

Today I finished in 3hr 16min!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My goal was sub 3:15, but I m ok with my effort today, not to mention the almost 1hr and 30min I knocked off my time in 2008!

My bike is really coming around. Today I averaged 22.6, but I think the course was about 1/10 of a mile short. My Garmin 705 Edge said my bike split was 22.3mph.

I worked hard on my run the past month and a half, no improvements to speak of yet, but hopefully when I recover from my surgery to remove my gallbladder next week is complete I can get back on my run training and see real improvement. I have the goal of having a sub 2min per 100m swim, a plus 20pmh bike and a sub 10min mile race THIS SEASON! It will happen! I am seconds away from the swim goal, well above my bike goal, it is that darn run thing I have a long way to improve on.

I saw my friend lane prior to the race . . . Great to see you Lane, thanks for the cheers. I also met Chris (boss I think is his name on BT).

My swim was event-less. Nice pace, nice cool water and I almost capped off a sub 2min per 100m swim, OH SO CLOSE. I came out of the water trucking (for me).

I took off on the bike, but I forgot that there are actually a couple steady hills on the bike course, but I handled them OK. I hit 33.8mph down this long stretch of the bike course at around mile 18. I was FLY’N!!!!

Run sucked. I felt heavy (I made a funny!) and tired. The first 3 miles went by fairly easy, but the last 3 kicked my tail. I don’t think the finish could have come sooner!

My little sister Grace came with me to this race and she cheered her little heart out for me, as did her friend Jamie. (Jamie, sorry I wasn’t much for conversation after the race, I was trying not to pass out!!!)

I crossed the finish line and headed straight to the nice cool lake and took a swim/wade in the water and it felt great.

I was very pleased with my race.

If you click on the first link I have listed above you can scroll down to the bottom and see I was DEAD LAST in 2006. This year not only was I not dead last, but I beat a few folks in my on age group, woo hoo.

Thanks everyone for your support and encouraging words.

Also, my weight as of last Wednesday – 273lbs – only 63lbs left to lose!

CRAWFISHMAN 2008

It has been a while since I have posted a complete race report. Sorry.

So far in this year 2008, I have successfully completed 10 triathlons and I have made vast improvements over previous years. It feels GREAT!

For those of you who have been following my blog since I began this thing called triathlon in 2005 you have seen BIG changes in my life and racing. It ain’t over yet!

The latest test of my health and endurance was CRAWFISHMAN in Bush Louisiana. This is a mixed size course consisting of a 1000m swim, 18mi bike, and a 4mi run. This is one of your more hilly courses in Louisiana, but a fun race and very close to home.

I have a goal for 2008. It is to finish a race in this race season with a sub 2 min per 100 swim average, a plus 22 mph per mile average, and a sub 10 min per mile average run. I am so close . . .

I am right at the sub 2 min swim goal, I am RIGHT THERE, on the plus 22 mph bike and still FAR from the sub 10 min run goal. The issue with the run is not so much my heart as it is my stomach size and the pain it causes on the run. As I am losing the weight (remember when I began training for my first triathlon at over 440 lbs and completed my first at 415 lbs!? And now I am weighing in at 281 lbs and counting!) back – as I am losing the weight my stomach is remaining bout the same BUT the skin is getting more and more loose and when I run it is very painful and when I run fast (for me) it feels like I am being punched repeatedly in the gut and back at the same time . . . Not too much fun.

A note on the loose skin. I plan to have surgery to remove the skin. It will most likely be in November. I want to reach 210 lb and hold that weight for 3 months before having the surgery. Also with my business, November/December will be the best time.

CRAWFISHMAN!

I was staying in New Orleans spending time with my Momma and little sister so I woke and drove north to Bush LA.

My bike was already at the race site since it is a bit of a rock star being one of only a very few available right now. Steve at the Spokesman fine tuned it for me and showed it off over the weekend, then hauled it to the race site for me.

I set up my transition site. This was the ONLY complaint I had for the race. There was very little room to rack on your assigned spot on the rack. If we would have all been able to rack our saddles on the rail it would have been fine, but the rack rail is very low and your saddle was too high for it so you had to rack your bike with your aero bars and it was TIGHT.

I left transition and came back and someone had knocked all of my stuff over moving my bike. I was a little miffed. I reset my transition left – returned and my stuff was knocked around AGAIN and my bike had been moved. I left my bike where it was moved to (about 3 inches to the left, but I understood since it was tight) and reset my transition AGAIN and headed to the swim start.

Swim was ok. I felt strong towards the end of the swim?????

Transition #1 was good. I got out and on the bike pretty good.

Bike was hilly. I was smoking on the down hills (obviously) and keeping about 23 to 24 mph on straight-aways, it was those darned hills! I need some work on the hills. I ended up with a 21.2 mph average. I will take it!

Transition 2 was a BLAST! Someone who has no spine, but a great sense of humor decided to goo my stuff! I picked up my race belt and there was GOO all over it and all over my race number. At first I thought it was one of mine that may have burst, but then I saw that it was meticulously spread ALL over. I have no idea why someone did this, but I thought it was pretty funny (and spineless).

Run was also hilly,. But I held my own. My goal was to go sub 12 min miles, but I couldn’t quite pull it off . . .

My finish time was 02:06. I wanted to go sub 2:20. Goal Reached! When I did this race in 2006 I finished with a time of 02:53. I will take a 40 minute improvement!

I will do a weigh in and picture log on this Thursday and post.

Thanks everyone!