Good Reason I've Been Away . . .

It has been a little bit of a rough year, but so rewarding at the same time.

I have finished my first 70.3 IM that consists of a 1.2 mile swim followed by a 56 mile bike finished with a 13.1 mile run. This was IM New Orleans, where I cam from that race with a broken foot.

Then in the last week of June when I was allowed to cycle, I was run off the road and as a result I have a slightly torn rotator cuff and something else going on in there that I don’t really understand – Surgery to follow at some point.

Needless to say my lead up to Ironman Florida has had its hurdles but, I can’t imagine anyone who hasn’t had issues leading up to their own Ironman?

Then came July.

In July we had our beautiful baby girl on the 13^th and I may be the most blessed man ever. WARNING: Cheezyness to follow . . . I have a perfect marriage (as perfect as they can be) I have the most awesomeness wife a person could imagine. I have a job that I feel satisfies my desire to help people and it happens to provide well for my family, and finally . . . I have the most beautiful child who I have come to find is already a genius (Harvard . . . We are accepting invitations now).

My little girls takes a WEEEEE bit of my time . . . She doesn’t demand it since she is a wonderful baby who cries little and smiles greatly which makes me only want to be around her more. That is not a big help when it comes to IM training!!!

But she is a real motivator since I have so many new and improved goals to assure my daughter the best that is possible and the first thing I can do is succeed in my fight with obesity.

I was given permission to begin running again in August. I began a 13 week IM training program and I have stuck to it and I feel as though I will finish come November 7^th, but it won’t be pretty. I have decoded I will take this experience and enjoy it and (I know this is IM taboo) but I will enjoy it and when then end of that day comes I will smile and hold my wife and my daughter knowing they are what matters to me and my life and I will become emotional and I will squeeze them till I can’t.

I will be more consistent in posting from this point forward since I believe it is a constructive part of my mental training and preparation for the race.

Ironman Florida – November 7^th 2009. Panama City Beach Florida. Be there!

HERE WE GEAUX!!!!!

What a week!

Let me bring everyone up to date since I have been MIA for the past 2 ½ months.

 

Two weeks before IM New Orleans 70.3 I did a race and felt a little pop in my right foot.  The next day my foot was swollen and I asked my wife if she noticed anything.  She put her finger down on the top of my foot and said, “that looks discolored and swollen.”  I could walk on it fine with a little discomfort so I chalked it up to stress since I had been putting in major training hours as a result of not being able begin my training for IM NOLA until mid February because of my surgery in December.

 

On April 5^th I completed IM NOLA in seven and a half hours (SUCKED IT UP!!!) but the last 4 miles of the run I had to walk and it was very painful.  I finished.  Turns out I had a broken foot for the race.

 

The following Wednesday I went to the foot Dr.  The best in Baton Rouge and a heck of a nice guy, Dr. Lalonde.  X-Ray showed a bad azz fracture and my training was done for a while.

 

I was told by my Dr. to stay off it in a boot for 6 weeks and I could do swimming, light riding,  and no running.  6 weeks was fine since my training program for IM Florida (My first Ironman) didn’t begin until Memorial Day (thanks Keith).   My follow up Dr. Appointment was o the Tuesday after Memorial Day so I would be good to go.

 

Not so fast Mr.

 

On the follow up appointment, X-Rays showed that my foot wasn’t recovering and was still very much broken.  I had been riding and swimming as I was allowed, but trying not to push it too hard, just maintain a little bit.  But Doc said 6 more weeks in the boot and no riding, just swimming.

 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!

 

In the midst of all this, my wife and I are expecting our first child who will be here by July 10^th – If not today!!!!!!  Work has been strenuous and not being able to train has turned my attitude into pissy with a slight chance of “Get the hell out of my face!”.

 

My last follow up was Wednesday morning.  The foot is healing and still broken.  BUT, Doc said I could begin riding with a metal plate in my shoe – Still no running and that probably won’t happen until September (Grrrrrrrrrrrr).

 

Well, if the Doc says I can ride – When do you think I went for my first ride?  YEP!!!  Wednesday afternoon in 101 degree heat and 70% humidity AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!!!!!

 

The wind, the road, the road KILL, the heat - ALL of it!!!

 

Then there was this morning. 

 

I ride with a group on Tuesday/Thursday mornings.  These guys are pretty strong and when I was riding at my best a few months ago it was still a challenge to hang with them.

 

My bike looks like a disco ball riding down the road because we meet at 5:30am.  I leave my house about 5:15am so it is dark when we take off and beautiful when we are on our way back.  I have high powered lights to make sure I am visible.

 

On this morning no one was at our meeting spot.  I was there at 5:30am so I waited for a bit then went off on my own for the 30 mile loop.

 

I felt GREAT.  I was putting in about 18-19mph at about 145 bmp.  I wanted to stay between 130 and 145 on the HRM.  I didn’t stick to that and hit some intervals just to see what the legs had on them after an almost 3 month layoff.  I think I will get the power back fairly soon.

 

Great ride, beautiful weather, sun was bright and low in the sky on the way back.  Then it all came to an abrupt stop.

 

About mile 33 of 40 I was run off the road and it wasn’t pretty.  A white Honda (I think) honked at me as it was on my wheel and another car, kind of burgundy dark red, KIA or Camry maybe?  Was right on their tail.  The white car gave me about 2 feet maybe 3, but the burgundy car I don’t think ever saw me since he/she was right on the tail of the other car.  I saw the front of the burgundy car and the wheel and he/she was no more than a foot on top of me – probably less.  There is no real shoulder on this particular area.  I hit gravel, then my front tire shot to the right, I tried to get it straight, but it clipped the side of the asphalt into the dirt and I was now going over the front of my bike headed to the pavement. 

 

It was really fast and I think I went out for a second. 

 

I laid there on the side of the road mostly in the ditch now.  I was afraid to move.  I felt my helmet hit the pavement and my vertebra in my back sounded like an accordion cracking down my back as I hit the road then I was twisted on the ground.

 

I could feel that I was bleeding on my leg and shoulder and my head was ringing.  I was afraid to move and hurt all over.  I lifted my head and saw my bike more than 10 feet away.  That sucker must have gone flying!!!.

 

I began to move my feet, then my shoulders, then my legs.  One at a time they told me – I think we’re OK – and about 10 minutes later I was standing.

By this time a nice lady, Barbara, I guess figured out I crashed and pulled over.  By the look on her face – My face must have been one hot mess!

 

I got the bike up.  The aero bars were in a downward position and my garmin was nowhere to be found.  But for the most part the bike was ok.  Whew!

 

The nice lady began to point out the blood and the gravel stuck in my shoulder.  I brushed it out with my hand.  She offered me a ride home, but I felt that the bike was in good enough shape and I had only 7 or 8 miles left 

YES – THAT IS HOW MUCH I MISS RIDING!!!!

 

I rode my broke ass home on my broke ass bike. 

 

I did stop at McDonalds and grab some napkins and wiped off some blood and cleaned my glasses.  I didn’t want my wife to see my looking too bad.  Good news was that she wasn’t awake yet and I got in the shower and was cleaned up fairly well before she woke.

 

When she did wake her only comment was “We’re going to have a baby . . . And you’re going to look like that!”   I sure love her!

 

So – I am safe.  I feel OK.  And thank God for helmets!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh, by the way – today was a planned two day with a ride in the AM and one this afternoon . . . YES!!!!  I will be riding this afternoon!!!!!

 

If you’re scared say you’re scared!

 

Seriously, I am very thankful I am safe.  I have had this happen once before and consider myself lucky to be in good shape today, but I love being healthy (sounds odd after this, I know) and if I am not active I will die a slow miserable fat death and I will not have that.

 

I have gained 30 lbs back since IM New Orleans.  Time to drop the weight again and my goal is 195 lbs. by IM Florida in November.

 

Thanks to everyone.  Sorry for being MIA, but I have had very little motivation . . . I’M BACK!

DIng Ding - Round 1

I want to thank all of my blog friends for their suggestions and encouragement regarding my current sucky situation with the broken foot.

I am still a little pissed and mentally under the weather . . . But for the most part I am getting back in the saddle.

I rode the bike on the trainer a couple times and today hit the pavement for about 10 miles to see if I remembered how to ride.  Good news, I think I remember!

I go to the Dr. in a week and a half to see if I can get this boot off.  I am not sure what he will say.  When I walk a few steps without boot the area with fractures feel weak and painful, but that may just be from lack of use???

I am up 22 lbs, but I stopped eating crap.  I have been working on core strength mostly doing sit ups, push ups and plank.  

I a ready to run.  How funny.

Thanks again to everyone.  

I know I might get thrashed for this, but I am allowed to ride, so I am signed up for a bike race this weekend.  I am going to do it, but take it super easy.

My Ironman Florida training program begins May 25.  

Word

No Motivation = No Training = Depression

Yo!

It's been 3 weeks since I was put in a foot cast with stress fractures.  It doesn't feel any better.  I rode the trainer a little this past weekend, but the foot aches afterwards and I'm not sure if that is helping the healing process?

I am coming out of my non-training depression slowly.  Sounds stupid I know.  I'm not feeling sorry for myself.  I am more pissed than anything, but the realization that I was (and still am a little) depressed has helped me begin to focus.  

Sriously - I have 6 months until IM Florida and I need to begin my preparation mentally, and get my focus right.  I can't do that acting like a little baby because I have a little broken foot, right?

My "official" training plan is supposed to begin May 25.  I get out of this boot June 3rd (hopefully) and then I will need to take it easy so that I don't end up right back in da BOOT!

I just wanted to touch base and let everyone know how screwed up my thinking is right now!!!!!!

I have put on 17 lbs since IM NOLA 70.3 and I am eating crap and I actually miss running - Does THAT tell you how screwed my brain is!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!

I go Back to the knee Dr. in one week to see if I should consider surgery to fix my detached knee cap and in 3 weeks for the foot.  POSITIVE THINKING, POSITIVE THINKING, POSITIVE THINKING!!!  I'm not sure how well that works, but I'm all over it right now!

Peace and word to yo mutha's!!!!!  Happy belated Mothers Day.

Louisiana Triathlon in New Roads LA just north west of Baton Rouge.  One of my favorite races.  I was volunteering since the foot is in the boot for another 5 weeks.

It was an ugly day with rain and wind but any race day is a GOOD DAY!

Congrats to our members who stuck it out today!

CRAP CRAP CRAP!

Well. 

What a week.

I knew before IMNOLA 70.3 on April 5^th that something was wrong with my right foot.  I was pretty sure it was either a really really bad bruise on the top of my foot or a fracture.

I really struggled on the run in New Orleans.  My left leg almost gave out on me and I now know that is because the left leg was doing 90% of the work.

I’m pretty ticked off and frustrated right now.  I was livid on Monday.  Today I have become a little more focused.

I have a stress fracture on my 4^th med – something or other??????  It is the bone that runs from your ankle to your toes next to your pinky toe.  

OH I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO MED SCHOOL!!!

 

I am out for 6 weeks minimum on run and bike.  Initially my Dr. said I could bike, but then after knowing how I ride – I am not going to be riding either.  He didn’t want me pushing it or standing and all I do is crush it on the bike AND I want to heal fast therefore . . .

 

I am going to kick butt in the pool for the next 6 weeks AND I am ordering the AQX Sports – pool running shoes and floating belt.

 

I am not going to be able to race in Gulf Coast which I really wanted to do in preparation for IM Florida.  AND I am missing Louisiana Tri which I have not missed in my 4 years of triathlon.  I am kinda sad about that.  It is the closest triathlon to my home here in Baton Rouge.

 

The good news.  I GET THIS REALLY COOL BOOT!!!!!  WOO HOO! 

Ironman New Orleans 70.3

Ironman New Orleans - 7 hours 37 minutes of pure joy!  (and pain)

Ironman 70.3 New Orleans – 7 hours 37 minutes

 

In the last year I have posted very short reports from my races.  Maybe taking them for granted because they have become just a normal part of my life or maybe I forgot how much races mean to me?

 

But, this day will be different.

 

This is my recount of my first finish of a half ironman.

My day began early.  Our club www.batonrougetri.com put together a rock’n after party tent with computer access, pizza, drinks, 3 massage therapists, a full ice bath pool, and a big board that tracked all of our club racers throughout the day.  It was spectacular.

 

I met a great crew from our club at 3am to set everything up.  It was a fairly smooth process thanks to some great club members.

 

I went back to the hotel about 4:45am laid down till 5:15 with my eyes WIDE OPEN waiting for the alarm.  Got up showered and began the pre-race regiment I always follow.  Recheck transition bag for the 714^th time, rub on some sun block, rub on a little bodygluide in the important areas, and put on the race uni.

 

We were out of the door by 5:40a to meet Janice and Luke down stairs.  When we arrived in the lobby some poor dude from Houston was stranded without a ride to the race site.  We squeezed him in and got him there.

As I was prepping my transition site I realized I was about to do a 70.3 and I took a moment and looked around.  Over 3,000 bikes in this transition.  It was amazing.  My friend Paul was racked right across from me and we had a good time talking and motivating one another for the race.  I didn’t tell many people this because if I couldn’t finish the race I didn’t want to have this as an excuse, but I have a hairline fracture in my right first metatarsal (the bone that runs along the inside of your foot that connects to your big toe).  I did this at the Opelousas Du in mid March.  It was slowly getting worse, but the 4 Aleve I took that morning and the bottle I had stuffed in my tri uniform was going to handle the pain.  Paul reminded me not to push to the point that I cause permanent damage, which I knew I wouldn’t. 

 

We hung around the sea wall watching the first 9 waves go by.  I saw one person not 800m into the swim – swim over to the sea wall climb out of the water, throw his goggles and have a mental breakdown.    This was NOT what I needed to see before I began my Half Iron Man journey.  Then there were more . . . None that had mental meltdowns as the first guy did, but swam to shore and were done . . .  Hmmmmm?

 

As my wave entered the water an hour and fifteen minutes after the first group started I was delighted at the water temp.  It was very brisk but nor real cold.  I like that since I tend to overheat in a wetsuit.

The first 500 to 600 meters I worked on finding my groove.  I was spotting well.  About every 12 strokes I would lift spot and go right back into another 12 strokes – 3 strokes breath left side, 3 strokes breath right side . . . Repeat!  After about 1,000 m I was in my groove and felt fairly comfortable.  I have been working on longer strides with my stroke and really reaching out front and I felt good about it in the water for this race.  As the turn came to the finish I cut the corner too close and cut my hand on some oyster shells at the bottom of the lake floor.  It didn’t hurt too bad, but my fear was more the infection opportunity since Lake Ponchatrain is not known for its cleanliness!  The whole time swimming I might get just a little bit of water in my mouth and would make sure and blow it out hard upon exhale!

 

I WAS PUMPED at swim exit!!!!

 

I ran down the chute of the exit hollering and slapping high 5’s with everyone!  I d not recommend this.  Save your energy!!!!  It was not smart.  When I got to transition I was a little winded, but I was pumped.  I exited the 1.2 mile swim in 42 minutes, about 3 minutes better than my goal.

 

At transition 1 I talked to Paul a little and headed out on the bike. 

 

The bike.  Hot and windy.  WINDY.  FREAKING WINDY!

 

On the bike, the first 3 miles are along the lake where we ride out to the right and come right back by transition and the spectators.  I felt great and was MOVING through here.  As we got out on the main road we began to hit a little cross wind about mile 4.  At mile 6-11 it was cross but a little at our back which was nice.  Then we made a sharp right and the wind was with us and it was GREAT!!!!

 

SIDE NOTE:

 

The racecourse was completely closed.  BIKE AND RUN.  This was one of the safest most organized courses I’ve EVER raced on and I was a little worried about that.  EVERY road had an officer at it blocking traffic.  PEM deserves a A+++ for their logistics in planning this race and supporting it with cops at EVERY road crossing.  THANK YOU Premier Event management.

 

Back to the bike:

 

We had tailwind for about 3 miles and it was a joy.  I was averaging about 23 mph up till this point, then we hit Chef blvd where we had more of that cross wind and I still managed to keep my average about 22.5 mph.  My goal was to not push real hard on the bike so I would be able to run the entire run course and not have to walk.  I felt really good doing my usual hellos to everyone as I passed and when I was passed I would give my “Go Get Em!” hollar out.  Then at mile 24 we turned around.  What in the world happened?????

 

It was as if I hit a wall.  The wind was head on and it was intense.  I was at about 19 mph for the next 8 miles with about 80% effort.  I was at about 60% up until this point.

 

Then we turned off Chef Blvd and headed back to the slight tail cross wind and I felt great again.  Then the party was over.  The last 20 miles was all headwind and it was brutal.  The sun was out in full force but the wind was too and I was struggling at about 80% effort to hold 17mph at most points.  The overpasses were the worst.  On the second pass coming in I dropped down to 12mph.  I had not front derailleur so I was in the big ring the whole day and that didn’t help out there today.  My friend Llew loaned me his bike to ride, which is the exact same bike as mine, but I rode the over passes on Thursday and I had no issues with the big ring and just felt more comfortable on my bike.  Bad Idea.

 

I went through a lot of water and gel on the bike and threw up once.

 

As I came into transition I landed my second successful flying dismount.  Now, this was not necessary since I knew I would be in transition 2 for a while catching my breath, but it just feels so damn cool!!!!!!!

 

I ran through transition barefoot and my right foot was throbbing and I realized I didn’t take any Aleve out on the bike.  I popped 2 in transition along with some Enduraliytes (s/p) and headed out on the run.  My bike average was 19.7mph.

 

My foot was struggling, but I was still feeling pretty good mentally and pushed the pain to the back of my mind.

 

Run course was great.  HOT but, great.  The wind on the first 4 miles rocked; funny how I hated it on the bike and LOVED it on the run.  The sun was out in FULL force!  The forecasts called for isolated thunderstorms throughout the day – NOT!

 

I saw so many www.batonrougetri.com club members out there.  I slapped hands with all of them and cheered them on.  I also cheered on everyone who passed me – until I couldn’t anymore!!!  Don’t worry, I’ll get to that later!

 

My goal was – run the entire course.  No walking except water stations.  I was feeling great the first 6 miles.  I stopped and took off my socks and donated them to a very nice group of people who were cheering on a family member.

 

The sun became too much for me and I was POURING sweat out of my body faster than I could get fluids back in.  I had taken another 2 Aleve at about mile 6 but their effect was not working anymore.

 

At mile 7 I was mentally destroyed.

 

I had already died a little inside twice to this point and at mile 7 I had a moment.  I decided to quit.  I was at a water station and I leaned on the table and decided to quit.  I was in so much pain and not just my foot, my body was in so much pain and my mind was wavering.

 

Somehow my legs just started going.  I cursed at myself a little and got pissed off and this took me the next 2 miles and then I hit the mutha of all walls.

 

I assume I was favoring my right leg because of my foot because my left leg decided it had enough and the hamstring and calve muscle decided to begin a rotating cramp system.  Nice . . . I would get the hammy un-cramped and then the calve would lock up and this repeated itself for the next mile until I had to just walk and be happy I was doing that.

 

I was miserable the last 3 miles but, I was thankful it was only three miles.  If it had been 3.4 miles, I may have quit, but I KNEW I could survive the leg problem for three miles.

 

As I entered the edge of the quarter I began to trot.  I could go about 20 feet and BOOM the left leg would lock up. 

 

When I hit Decatur I was NOT going to walk.  I know I looked like a real piece of work since my left leg was literally straight as a board and I was kinda dragging it along in some sort of hunch back from notre dame spin off, but I was NOT going to walk into the finish.

 

That last ¼ mile was agony and pure bliss all folded into one.  There were SO MANY EPOPLE at the finish and in the last ¼ mile!  I had to stop a couple times and rub out my calve but as I got closer I said screw it and pushed into the finish.

 

 

I was so happy. 

I saw my wife and then I saw my buds Brian, Neal, and Sean waiting at the finish.  I was so freaking happy.  I am not sure what I was saying to them and I am sure it was stupid and incoherent but, I was on cloud 9 (if cloud 9 means so happy the fact that your right foot and left leg are about to explode and I didn’t even know it!)

 

I made my way back to the club finish party tents and went directly to the ice bath and it felt SO SO SO SO GOOD!!!!!!  I stayed in there for 20 minutes, then had an awesome massage.

 

I got to see my friend Elizabeth who is amazing.  She finished her first half IM.  She is battling the weight issue and kicking ass at it.  

After a long day we cleaned up and loaded all the finish party stuff and I went to pick up my transition stuff and bike. 

 

I found out the my buddy Sean Schnur and Brian Lejune and Debbie Ellington qualified for Clearwater.  Geaux BRtri!!!!!!

 

I am sure my friend John Fell did too, I haven’t checked yet.

 

Today was a nice wake up call to my first IM in November.  I have a lot of work to do, but I am committed and I will do what it takes to cross that finish line at Ironman Florida.

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this fight.  Thanks to all of my friends who came out to cheer.  Thanks to my Momma who spent the whole day out there waiting for me and a SPECIAL thanks to my wife and father in law for everything they do to support me and the club, I love you guys.

 

I finished in 7:37.  My goal was sub 7.  Oh well – I finished.

 

My goal for IM Florida – sub 15 hours.  I have a lot of work to do!!!!!!!!!!!

Smok'n!

http://www.lafayettefitness.org/Results/2009TGATOR1OVERALL.HTM

 

This past weekend I PR’d in every area as for triathlon.  It was a good weekend with a great group of people from my club www.batonrougetri.com

23 mph average on the bike . . . Not bad for a fat boy!

 

But, this coming weekend is what matters.

 

IM New Orleans 70.3.  Sunday.  April 5^th.

 

Wish me luck!!!!

OOOOOO, so soft and smooth.

Flying mount didn't go over so well!  But the flying dismount ROCKED!

The reason those people are staring is because the earth shook while I ran by!  They had no choice!

Macho Macho Man!

What a fun group!

Changed Man - Ironman Florida Video

This video is pretty goofy, but it made me tear up a bit, not because of my tribute to Queen by William Hung from American Idol!!!

Enjoy my goofiness - Be Brilliant today!

Warhawk Triathlon

Warhawk Triathlon – 400yrd swim – 11 mile bike – 3 mile run

 

What a weekend.

 

I started off leaving Baton Rouge in pouring down rain.  I stopped at Wallyworld and picked up a cheap tarp and bungee cords to try and protect the bikes as much a possible.  I took the WAR PEGASUS and my comfy road bike.  I did this because the BRtri club was having a camping ride weekend Sat night and ride Sunday and I wanted to ride my comfy Roubaix on Sunday.

 

I arrived in Monroe Louisiana in the pouring cold rain, picked up my race packet and headed to the hotel to check in.  It was about 7pm.

 

Here is where the yick started.

 

My card was declined.  But I have money in my account I say . . . I call the bank.  It is Friday after hours – All I can do is report it stolen at this time . . . Grrrrrr.

 

Hotel says sorry and I say Crap.

 

BUT!!!!!!  Luckily, as I mentioned above, the club was having a CAMPING ride event and I had my camping gear – which consists of:

 

Air mattress and big gigantic Ford Excursion!!!!!!

 

All was well until the temp dropped below 41 degrees and I hadn’t brought my sleeping bag and the toes were numb and the teeth were a chattering!

 

I finally fell asleep only to wake and about 4 am in a complete convulsion as a result of my freezing body. 

 

I decide I am not going to get anymore sleep and sit in the front seat and start the truck for some heat.

 

I realize about 200 yards into the swim that I am tired.

 

But, I am out of the water with a little energy and headed into my favorite part of the race – The bike.  But this course would turn out to be one I am not the biggest fan of.  But that only means I need to get better at something . . .

 

There were 7 90 degree turns and then the turn around on the way out on the bike course and 8 90 degree turns on the way back in and this was only an 11 mile ride.  I hate this because I am still a big boy and it takes a lot to get my girth going once I slow down.  I were not so happy, but I still had the 11 overall fastest time at 20.4 mph.

 

The run SUCKED for me today.  I felt so strong, but I guess I sucked.  I averaged 10 minute miles.  I am very disappointed in that, but I will get better. 

 

I ran the course back wards and cheered for everyone as they ran into the finish.  I want to do this more and more because I remember how lonely it is out there all alone, last on the course . . .

 

After the race I went to a local place my buddy Bamaboy recommended and had a roast beef sandwich.  Yum

 

http://results.active.com/pages/displayNonGru.jsp?pubID=3&rsID=75724

1st Race of 2009 . . .

First Race of the season.

 

T-Gator Du – A short 2 mile run 10 mile bike and 2 mile run.

 

It was brrrrrrr cold and OH SO - W-I-N-D-Y! 

 

My goal was sub 1:10.  Last year I completed this same race in 1:23.  I figured my run might be able to handle sub 10 minute miles and my bike could pull off a 23mph split.  The transitions are figured into the bike so my goal was to get in and out of each transition in about 1:30sec.

 

A friend I’ve made over the years loaned me gloves just as the run was about to begin, I think he noticed I was shivering.  His wife is a MONSTER racer.  She won her age group at Kona last year (Peggy Yetman).  Chris, Peggy and their children support all the local races and to watch her race is awesome.

 

I felt great on the first mile and decided to pick it up a bit, but I didn’t want to hurt my bike power so I pulled back a bit..  My surgery scar area was hurting but going numb quickly.

 

As I came into T-1 I took off the glows to get my cycling shoes on . . . those gloves wouldn’t go back on for the life of me!  Needless to say the bike was miserable with my hands completely freezing. 

 

On the way out the wind was pounding me from all directions – EXCEPT FROM BEHIND!!! (Whoa - that sounded bad!) – I was hammering and struggling to hold 20mph.  I came to the turn around and thought to myself that I couldn’t hold that level of exertion for much longer.

 

As I was making the turn I realized two things.  1.  It is a tight turn on a disc wheel.  I almost flew off the bike.  2.  The wind almost set me down too.

 

I wasn’t a half mile into the return on the out and back and I was pushing 29mph and not killing myself to do so . . . Holy crap! 

 

I moved past a couple fellow club members with my “woo hoo” and began picking up more speed.  At one point I was at a HR of 145ish and blowing by at 30mph.  The wind at my back was NICE.

 

I tried my first flying dismount in a race . . . I will be practicing more before I do that again.  Very close to a complete crash and burn.

 

I couldn’t tie my shoes in T-2!!!!!  My hands were a reddish purple!!!  I managed to get them tied, but it took a little bit.

 

I was off.  There were only about 5 or 6 bikes in transition when I came in – Those were the 5 minute mile runners from the first 2 miles and the mac daddy John Fell who I am sure will qualify for Kona soon.  www.fulltriathlonracing.blogspot.com

 

I was about a half mile into the second run when a few folks began to pass me and then the onslaught of those leaving me in the dust began at about mile one.

 

I came into the finish with a dude sprinting by me at the end, which sucked, but I finished 50^th out or 107 racers.  FOR ME THAT IS REMARKABLE!!

 

I finished in 1:05!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  18 minutes faster than last year and 5 minutes under my goal!

 

I was pretty much the slower of all the runners BUT I did do sub 9 minute average for the combined 4 miles!!!!

 

My bike spilt was the 11^th fastest out of the 107 racers (and considering I am pretty slow in transition I probably had a much faster time that what showed on paper – I know my split was 23.8mph on my garmin)

 

All in all I had a great day with good friends – Bryan and Jeff, while visiting with others I consider my tri friends, John, the Bear family, and the Yetman’s.

 

This is a great sport with GREAT people.

 

Next race – Opelousas Du March 28^th!

 

 

Bike Porn is Complete!

First the important stuff . . .

 

Take a look at that hot mamma!!!  “War Pegasus” is ready to roll.

We rode the IM New Orleans 70.3 course this morning.  WOW!  The wind was killer!  I was putting the hammer down and when I HAMMER I can hold 23 to 24 MPH for a long time.  When I “Kill” it I can get up to 31 MPH without any wind on a flat run.

 

Today I was “hammering” and I was struggling to hold 14 MPH.  Are you kidding me!?  The good news . . . It is an out and back . . . THAT’S RIGHT!!!!  We were smoking it on the way home. 

 

I am feeling a bit better every ride.  My power is coming back but I have a while before the endurance is back to where I want it to be.

 

I am going to race in a very small Duathlon in Lake Charles this coming weekend, March 1^st.  It will be a good test to see if I have my racing feet under me . . . less than 40 days until IM NOLA!

 

Two things I’ve had trouble with on the new wheels:

 

1.     Getting the tufo sealant into the 1080 – I figured it our.  You have to put the sealant in before your tape it to the wheel.

2.     The brakes don’t work properly for the tubular wheels.  I may be learning something new.  Do you use different brake pads or something with tubular????

 

Have a great week.  It looks like the season is about to begin . . .

I am a HERO! A Guitar Hero . . .

Roose - Jamm'n to some Devil Went Down To Georgia - Guitar Hero Style!

This was a good weekend.

After spending most of Friday reading reports of the upcoming stimulus/bail out/experimental spending Bill to be signed on by the President Tuesday, I was able to enjoy myself.

Friday night I joined a group known as the Guitar Hero Nerds!  I have yet to see this game played much less play it.  Let’s keep this short and just say . . . I see an intervention episode on A&E for me in the very near future!!!!!!

Saturday I woke early with my long time great friend Roose and we headed down to Louisville for the Frost Bite 5k.  We were meeting my friend Cherokee and Cherokee was racing in his first 5k.

After a great hour and a half drive with most outstanding conversation we arrived at one of the most spectacular running parks I have seen.  Cherokee Park (no relation to my bud Cherokee) in Louisville KY is one heck of a place to run.

We picked up our race packets and numbers then visited with a college buddy Kevin who ran Cross Country at our Alma Matter.    It was good to see him.

As Cherokee, Roose, and I stood way back from the starting line talking we heard a horn . . .

Yep!  The race had begun and we were shooting the bull. 

I had the goal of finishing the 5k in sub 32 minutes.  My previous best (in November) was 42 minutes (I think – or somewhere near there).

It was a great race.  I had to weave in and out of people the first mile since we were caught with our pants down (figuratively!) but once I made it past the walkers I quickly got into a groove.  Roose was off like a cannon and I saw him twice on turn-arounds.   I saw Cherokee on one turn as he was running down a hill.

This was a hilly course.  I finished in 32:01 . . . THIRTY-TWO minutes and ONE second!!!!!!  But I was very happy.   Roose had come back to run with me about a quarter mile and once I had finished we both went back to run in with Cherokee.

We found Cherokee with about 1 mile to go and he was battling.  He had a smile on his face, but I could sense he was struggling.

We began slogging and he finished in under 1 hour!  My first 5k I raced in when getting on my weight loss was over an hour. 

We ended the afternoon by changing the flat tire I had on my vehicle when we returned to the car!  But, we worked it like a kyle petty pit crew!  Sort of . . .

Then came Sunday.

I put in about 4 EASY miles in the morning and prepped for the “Labor of Love” Valentines 2 miler which was held on the campus of my Alma Matter.

I met my college friend Jodi and her husband and we set off to kick tail on the 2-mile course.  Jodi is racing in a local marathon later in the year.  She is also doing a GREAT job getting into the running, exercising thing.

Today’s goal:  Sub 20 minutes.

It was a little chilly.  I took off.

Here is my most recent issue.  My surgery scar area is really hurting on my runs.  The first mile of and race/run is miserable and I think it just goes numb after that!!!  Today was a little worse than the past few.

The course was a little short (it was about 1.91 miles) and I finished in 18:22.  Heckle and Jeckle YEAH!!!!!!

Jodi did GREAT!  She finished in around 22 I think??????

Also spent a lot of quality time with Roose’s family and the Vieth and Listerman family at Chuckie Cheese today.  One note on Chuck’s Chz – SCARY!

Fun weekend.  

Now for my “Newbie” thoughts of the day. 

Last time I wrote about Nipple Guards.  LIFE SAVER!

Today I wanted to mention recovery drinks.  I must stress how important this is.  I have heard all the nay sayers and I say to them . . . shut it.  OK, not really because I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am felt the proof of recovery nutrition.

 

I use Recoverite from Hammer Nutrition. http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HNT?PAGE=PRODUCT&CAT=REC&PROD.ID=4051&OMI=10140,10082,10047&AMI=10140

It ain’t cheap.  I go through about one canister per month, but it is more than worth it. 

About a year ago I began working on cutting my spending on triathlons and training.  The areas I addressed were:  massage, nutrition, race cost, and personal trainer.  I cut nutrition because I felt everything else was more important than fueling my body.

I IMMEDEATLY felt the impact of not using the recovery fuel.  I hurt, I felt weak, and I was SO VERY sore and exhausted after a long training session.  I thought I might be sick.  I looked at my training schedule and I hadn’t increased any area of my training.  It came down to one item that had changed . . . My recovery nutrition.

I began using the recoverite and truly saw an immediate impact in a really great way.

Nutrition before, during, and after is important.  I will address the other two aspects of nutrition on a later post.

There are SEVERAL recovery supplements out there.  Power bar, Gatorade, Endorux, and many other companies make products specifically for recovery.

Fins one that you like and that works for you.

Have FUN and TRAIN HARD (and smart).

Hello Nipples!!!

Sorry Sorry Sorry . . .

I have been backed up with work and so many other issues the past month I have neglected my blog . . . BUT this time away has given me a fresh view on my blog.

I have neglected the people who visit my blog as “newbie’s” to triathlon or healthy living in general.

My good friend Roose, Jett, and Cherokee as well as MANY others I have visited with and TRAINED with over the past two weeks have allowed me to realize that I might want to focus on some beginner issue and items I have not focused on in a long time.

 As I trained with several folks it hit my square in the nose that I have actually learned AL OT and become quite the aficionado when it comes to most things training. 

 Now let me be clear.  When it comes to the intricacies of training such as training programs and specific detailed individual metabolic issues you should seek a professional as I do. www.4thdimensionfitness.net

 But for the basics of training, nutrition, race day procedure, I am a fairly good almanac and I plan to use the next few posts to discuss specific items that I think are important to everyday training, race day needs and expectations, and all other things training.

 I will post links to the products and websites I use in these specific areas and I hope this is all very helpful.

 I want to start with one of the more important items that I have become a BIG fan of.  My friend Roose and I were on a short 5k run early one morning and the discussion of nipple chaffing came up.

 

I have been blessed with baby nursing type nipples!  TMI I KNOW!  But, Amanda finds them kinda sexy.  The issue is that when I train and race their senses are heightened even more than normal.  I did the Body Glide (which I am a big fan of) band-aids, and even duct tape (that one was a VERY bad idea)

About a year or more ago I was introduced to NIP-GAURDS. www.trisports.com/nip-guards-10pk----.html

 

 HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

 They are not cheap, but after several ruined bloody Tech T Running shirts and countless skin ripping band-aid and taping sessions – I have decided these are MORE THAN WORTH their cost.

This is a fun one to get the training ideas from Tri-Ing Fat Man started! 

 

I am going to discuss Recovery supplements on the next post.

 

 

As for me:

 

I have been hitting it hard.  I got in about 16 hours training last week and 14 hours in this week so far.  Today is an off day.  I will run in a little 5k race with my friends tomorrow and put in about another 10 miles tomorrow afternoon before fun V-Day activities with the spectacular wifey.  Sunday there is a fun 2 mile run and I will again put in some extra miles afterwards.  I should get in about 16 to 17 Hours training this week.

 

I need every bit of it with Ironman New Orleans coming up in a month and a half!

 

Keep it up folks! 

 

Talk to you soon.

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!