Look Who's Training!

I began hitting the Computrainer a few days ago.  I started with 5 minutes warm up 15 minutes train and 5 minutes cool down.  I added 5 minutes to the training portion each day.

 

Today I knocked out 1 hour 45 minutes training time.  Heck Yeah! 

 

I felt ok.  I averaged 200 watts which is much better than last week when I was struggling to hold 150 watts.

 

I have NO IDEA how to use the Computrainer properly.  I am going to have a nice sit down with the manuals and some CC’s Coffee and do some learn’n!

 

I plan to hit the road this weekend.  I’m thinking about 40 miles.  We are riding the IM 70.3 New Orleans course, but I am going to cut it short a bit.  It will be the first day back on the road, so I will play it by ear.

 

Enjoy the shots below.  I was cranking it on the Computrainer.  Photos courtesy of the one and only Amanda!

 

Until next time . . . BE BRILLIANT!

I get to go and pick up my Pegasus today . . . SO Giddy!

It has been like Christmas everyday for the last three weeks for me.  I saved for new wheels, a computrainer, and scrounged for two additional items. 

 

TODAY . . . I pick up one of those items . . . I’m as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning!

 

Below is a picture of my little beauty before she went into the paint shoppe.  She is getting her own custom paint job.  She is my horse and my angel on the road.  She is fast and mean.  Her paint job will reflect that.   In the next two weeks I will be posting the finished product on here once the new ZIPP disc and front 1080 and componenets are back on . . . but I will at least get to see her today in all her naked beauty!  I miss her and our quality time on the road.  She is my Pegasus!

SNEAK PEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I will post her when she is rebuilt in about a week.  OH MAN I AM PUMPED!

Today I wore Clothes!!!!!

Real Clothes . . .

 

Today was my first day wearing real clothes.

 

Since December 3^rd I have evolved as such:

 

Week 1-2 surgical patches, tape, compression wrap and a robe

Week 3-4 Robe most of the time, compression suit, and t-shirt

Week 4-7 Compression suit, LOOSE fitting shorts, and a tech loose fitting t-shirt

TODAY . . .

A little update on the infection and swelling;  I am kicking the infection and feeling a bit better.  The infection SUCKS, but it is looking more palatable everyday.

 

I have been on the computrainer everyday increasing my time on it by 5 minutes a day.  I am up to 45 minutes a day (OK, I cheated and added more than 5 minutes, but don’t tell my wife!)

 

Back in the office tomorrow.  I have been working from home which has allowed me to get a lot done.  It is amazing how much you can get done without distractions.  I think I will set time like this onto my calendar in the future.

Until later . . . BE BRILLIANT!

Computrainer!!! Woo Hoo!

UPS has been my best friend since my surgery.  Today my UPS friend dropped off my computrainer which was set up and ready for a feeble test drive 23 minutes later!

I put on the IM Louisville course and rode 15 miles of it before I became a little light headed.  

Soon!  Soon, I will be out there on the road tearing it up . . .  Until then . . . Me and the ole computrainer are going to become good pals.

Thanks to my family for this great Christmas present.  it will get a LOT of use.  Much more than that tie you guys got me last year!  HA!  Just jerk'n yer chain!!!  Love you guys.

Remember, TODAY . . . Be Brilliant!

Oh and I don't want anyone getting jealous about the awesome, stat of the art computer stand I have for my computer to display the computrainer course . . . If you're real nice I can hep you get one of those "computer stands".

Heck Yeah Friday #1

I've decided to try this new Vblog thing.  I am not sure how it will turn out, but here goes.  I am going to attempt this every Friday to give a short update on my weight, health, training, recent races etc.

Be brilliant!

Boy did I need a pick me up AND TODAY I GOT IT!!!!

 

Those beautiful babes showed up on my front door VIA UPS today!

 

YES, ZIPP 1080 front and Sub-9 Rear!  WOO HOO!!!

 

Now, I just need to be able to go and ride . . . Soon enough.

 

But for now, I am PUMPED!

Stressed

One month two days ago I had about 15 to 20 pounds of loose skin removed from my body by an exceptional Dr. at the Baylor Medical Center in Houston TX. I have an incision that goes around my entire body at the waist.  It has been very painful, but worse the sitting around not being able to do anything has caused me much anguish, but then the scare came and I wish I would have been even MORE sedentary!

 

I began this recovery with four drains in my body to relieve me of excess fluids my body is creating from the surgery.  The first couple weeks I was filling those babies up a couple times per day.  But, over the next couple weeks I was able to have all but one removed.  Exciting!!  Woo Hoo!

 

About three days ago the stitch that was attached to my body and my tube came loose from my skin and the tube attached to the drain was free to roam.  I did all I could to keep it in place.  After each shower I would tape it to my skin to keep it in place.  I was successful until last night’s shower . . .

 

To save you from the details which may be the ole TMI I’ll just tell you that I am now drain-less but not by choice.  I was freaked out and today stressed out.

(Sorry about the hair . . . It will be gone come race season!)

 

The above pictures are shots of the fluid building under my skin.  It is about the size of a golf ball right now.  Geeeeeesh! 

 

All I am thinking about is . . . “oh man, how long will this set me back from getting on my bike and training!?” 

 

WHY!?

 

Geeeesh.  Leave it to me to screw up relaxing at home and recovering.  I can’t sit still.  I have been working a lot since I can get a lot done without having to be in the office and those distractions, but . . . I wish I could have simply laid on the couch, do nothing, relax, and recover.

 

Crap.

What Motivates You?

What motivates me has evolved over these 3 and half years I have been in triathlon.

 

In the beginning it was to have a reason to exercise.  I had to train in order to just finish a triathlon.  I had to get out and ride, swim, and run in order to finish a race and the race was somewhat the payoff.

 

Then racing became what motivated me.  I loved to race.  I loved to get out there and compete.  Now, I have always and probably always will compete against myself.  I have a log of all my splits from each race and I measure myself against the previous year and compete that way.

 

Then last year I began to find a new motivation in the bike segment of triathlon and this led to believing I can compete with others rather than just myself . . . Which brings me to this year.

 

What motivates me this year is time. 

 

I weighed 452 pounds in 2005.  I raced in my first triathlon at about 425 pounds.  This year I will race at sub 220 LBS with NO BELLY in the way on the bike or killing me on the run.

 

I have time goals for the two races I am focusing on this year . . . Sub 5 1/2 hour finish IM 70.3 NOLA and sub 12 hour finish IMFL.

 

I know those are lofty for a bum like me, but I will do it.

 

This gives me the venue to once again thank so many of you guys who have helped me get here.

 

Seriously.  Thank you.  Thank so very much.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.  I am lucky to have friends in our Tri club and my BLOG who believed in me and even those who didn't that provided motivation as well.  You guys are, as Tina says . . . "Simply the Best!".

 

What Motivates YOU?

2009 Goals and Excpectations

2008 was a difficult year in so many ways, but it was also a new beginning in my life in some incredible instances.

 

I reached my weight and health goal AND found out I am going to be a Daddy.  That is about as awesome as it gets.

 

2009 is going to be a banner year.  I am going to break this down into four areas:

 

1.     Personal

2.     Health

3.     Business

4.     Spiritual

5.     Racing!!!!!!

 

 

Personal:  I have a great desire to be a good father.  I have been reading every and anything and I am beginning to think it has all been for not . . . There are so many contradictions in these books, but some of them have given me a little insight as well as a little bit to chew on and think about.  I want to be a father first and a bud second.  I will pour love all over this kid, but not spoil him/her.  Ok, so I am becoming a little overwhelmed thinking about it!  Ha!  We have cleaned out my bike storage room and the crib and other furniture are on the way.  I think painting is on Amanda’s list in the next couple weeks.

 

Speaking of . . . I also want to make sure I am there for Amanda.  She is doing very well so far.  She is supposed to move out of the sickness, low-energy phase next week.  All of her friends that have had babies tell her she will get this great burst of energy in the next couple weeks and she won’t be so sick as well . . . Until the last few weeks!  I say – BRING ON THE NON-SICKNESS!  She is a cute little baby momma!

 

I also want to work on my relationship with my family, mainly my sister Musa.  Musa is back in NYC, YO!  I think NYC was made for her.  She had a rough life and I have not been there for her as much as I could have been.  I am not sure how I am going to begin working on this?  Baby steps I guess.  I love her dearly and I know . . . “Every little thing, is gonna be all right”. 

 

Lastly on the personal side, I have decided to make sure I take Amanda (and our now little booger) to the Macy’s Day Parade in 2009.  Amanda and I have been trying to do now, four years in a row.  I had everything planned for 2008, but I didn’t feel comfortable going with the economy and stock market acting as it has been.  I felt I needed to be available for my clients during that time and I am glad I did.  However, this year will be different.

 

Health:  I have stayed away from fried food and fast food for more than two years now.  This I will continue and I will also continue to focus on my training and exercising.  On average I put in about 12 to 14 hours a week in training.  I will be pushing this time up to about 16 hours a week.    Normally I rain in the morning, EARLY.  This year I will extend my morning training by a bit and add in evening training two nights a week.

 

I have a second surgery in April.  It is the last of the surgery for the excess skin I have from losing the 200 + pounds.  This surgery will only require a 2-week recovery.  I have a lot of loose skin around my nether region.  This area takes a lot of abuse during training and races to the point that I have tearing of skin and bleeding.  I am looking forward to having the procedure to remove this excess skin and being done with all of that. 

 

I also want to help others focus on their health.  I have to remind myself how I was when I got started and not try to push it on others, but if anyone wants my help, I am happy to give it.

 

Business:  I have a VERY busy 2009 planned.  We are unveiling a few Client events that we are testing out to see if we want to make them permanent or not.  We are hosting golf, fishing, grandparents day, and may other events to get our Clients out and involved.  It is also going to be a busy year helping our Clients through this rough period in the economy.  We have a few new items that we are implementing to help in that area too.  We will work hard and smart.  I have almost completed my 2009 business plan, which I do every year and 2008 really set us back.  We lost a large amount of revenue as a result of the market downturn.  I have some tough decisions to make over the next couple weeks.  I am praying hard and staying open minded for direction on those items and issues.  All in all it will work out.  We do very good business planning and that has really helped us in the last 12 months.  2009, here I come . . .

 

Spirituality:  I will work very hard to find a home church.  I am not caught up in “religion”.  To be mater of fact, I think “religion” really screws things up.  I am a Christian and I want to find a place that I feel comfortable bringing my family to learn and worship.  I don’t take this mission lightly.  We currently attend a church and I think we enjoy most parts of this church, but I am perplexed by a couple issues that I just can’t seem to get past  . . . It all goes back to the “religious” thing ruining Christianity for me???????  We have been invited to several churches and Amanda and I have decided to begin attending a few different churches over next year and find a church to join by the end of the year.  BUT, I also don’t feel the need to “join” a church.  But, I would like to have a place we both feel comfortable in that we can attend regularly.  God is good.

 

Racing!!!:  Here is where I have my most fun!  2009 is going to be a banner year for racing.  I am only doing 6 races all year.  One duathlon in February, a sprint tri in March, a half IM in April, another spring in August and September, THEN capping the year off with my FIRST IRONMAN!

 

I want to focus on my two “A” races for the year.

 

Ironman 70.3 New Orleans – April 5^th 2009.  I am pumped about this race.  Our club www.batonrougetri.com has a bunch of folks racing and I should have a few friends there watching and cheering as well.  I have decided to want to complete this race in SUB 5 ½ hours.  I realize this is a lofty goal, but I ain’t scared!  If you want to come race, party, or cheer come one!!!!  www.ironmanneworleans.com

 

Then there is the momma of all races for me.

 

www.ironmanflorida.com - November 7^th 2009.  I am freak’n pumped beyond pumped – ness for this race.  I have s many friends and family coming to this race.  2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles cycling, ending with a 26.2 mile run AND I will do this in less than 12 hours.  AGAIN, I know . . . this is a lofty goal, but I will get it done.  Please come visit if you want.  Amanda is having T-Shirts made for whoever attends, so look for that around September and she will have a shirt for you in Panama City Beach in November!

 

I hope everyone has a brilliant and successful 2009.  I hope it is successful and full of joy for you.  Work for it and you will get it. 

 

WELCOME TO 2009!