Hope

This blog has taught me a lot in the short time I have been writing in it. There are good people out there that have their own manner in which they care.

In my triathlon club here in Baton Rouge I have recently made that realization and it was difficult to get there. In triathlon you don’t have too many 400 pounders! (I crack myself up) Therefore it is difficult for many in this sport to understand how I have let myself get to this point, BUT even more, it is difficult for them to understand why I can’t simply “fix” It.

I also learned that my past means diddly squat. All of the accomplishments mean nothing when I am in the state I am today. After taking in all of the responses to my blog post I actually feel more ashamed and feel I have dishonored my service and my military accomplishments by letting myself fall into the state I am today.

It took a few harsh responses on our BRtri blog for me to absorb that and begin to get pissed at myself AGAIN but this time for dishonoring my accomplishments and the Tab.

People care.

They show this in different ways. Some may not care about you or your struggle, but the care about the situation you are in and it might not me thoughtful care. What I mean is, care doesn’t necessarily mean concern it can also mean they care that they believe you are a piece of crap and lazy and they want everyone else to think the same, but YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE T MAKE THAT MOTIVATIONAL.

I am no longer going to post my link on the BRtri forum. I am ONLY doing this because I enjoy little controversy about me. I like being in the back of the room. I am more inclined to b the kids are to be seen not heard, type. I know this may come as a surprise to many of you, but it is the truth. More than not the only time you will see me making a spectacle is when I am cheering for others or really pissed off. I prefer to cheer.

I met with a really awesome person, Chris last night at Starbucks. Amanda and I were excited to meet with Chris. Chris has a remarkable story and I am so inspired by his accomplishments. Among MANY issues he dealt with in his life one was his weight. We had a open, clear, and honest conversation. Chris once weighed over 350 pounds.

Let me be clear here . . . . I AM NOT LOOKING FOR YOUR SYMPATHY OR YOUR PITTY.

I am endeared to Chris. He made comments that allowed me to feel that I am not the only one. I am not alone. He spoke of his embarrassment in not being able to sit in a movie theater since he was too big for the seats. The fear of breaking a chair in a restaurant EVERYTIME he sat down, and other personal issues that came along with his obesity.

I was emotional hearing all of that and realizing that sitting in front of me was me, only the new me. Chris now weighs about 240 pounds ( I don’t remember exactly) and he looks GREAT and I can feel his now self and his new inner strength. I am so happy and proud of Chris.

After 45 minutes of talking and seeing old photos and Amanda also asking questions I left starbucks highly determined and motivated, but more than both of those, I had a sense of hope. Chris helped me find my hope again.

I don’t care if you think that is cheezey of soft. I found my hope and I am not letting it go.

To all of my BRtri peeps, you rock and I am better as a result of being in your crowd. For my friends here on the blog, thanks and let’s keep up the fight.

Find the hope.

I suck . . .

Embarrassed


When I left college I was no skinny man. I was about 245lbs. I was in very good shape since I was a student assistant coach for our National Champion Women’s Basketball team at Northern Kentucky University. My job as one of the Assistant Coaches was to let these super human women beat my butt in practice all day long. But it kept me fit.

After leaving college my business took me over and then a few years later the stock market recession of 2001-2002 took me over and before you knew it I was 350lbs. As my business expanded so did my waist . . . and my ass . . . and . . . never mind there is too much to list.

I found triathlon. I trained and did my first tri at 421lbs, which was in 2005. Between 2005 and November 2006 I completed over 25 triathlons. 10 of them being Olympic distance and the rest sprint triathlons. Over that time I went from 427lbs to 358lbs.

I created awesome relationships with awesome individuals, some who are the best at this sport and I couldn’t believe they gave me the time of day. But that to me is what makes this sport unique. The offerings of motivation from so many was spectacular. Not simply words of encouragement but true offerings to help with training, nutrition, etc.

Here is my sadness today. I fell off the wagon Dec 2006. I began to eat horribly again and I stopped training period. I have not put on my running shoes in 5 months. I have ridden my bike . . . MAYBE five times. I haven’t seen the pool. I weigh 446lbs.

I have been lying to myself and to those who have taken time out of their lives to try and help me and I have basically spit in their face with my lack of effort. I am ashamed and embarrassed. I have stopped emailing those who have helped me and I avoid them at all cost. I am ashamed to have them see me and how I look today. I am embarrassed to tell them I have done NOTHING for five months.

It is funny, not in a ha ha way, but in a translucent sick way (funny), that when we fall into a little hole we begin to dig deeper and deeper until it is so hard to get out of the hole that we don’t even try anymore. I am there and have been for a while.

To my friends, Caroline, Timbeaux, Rocketboy . . . I am sorry I have taken you motivation and shat all over it. I am angry at myself for thinking so little of your support and care. I am struggling and I am not sure what is next.

I have an appointment with the gastric-by-pass specialist here in Baton Rouge next week. I am at my wits end. I always said I would never do weight loss surgery. I said it was for weak people. You know what . . . I still think that.

I am registered for 3 races this year. Crawfishman (Olympic tri), Gulf Coast (Half Ironman), and Ironman Florida (full ironman). I am not sure what will become of those races?

I am sorry.

No excuses.

I am just sorry.

I have much love for all you and I will keep you posted as to where I go from here . . .

Mondy Monday!

Monday Monday!

Here we go!

Monday I begin my training schedule for GC2007 in Panama Florida! 56 days of intense, focused training and one day of putting it all out there to finish my first half IM!

It won’t be easy and I am looking forward to that.

I will keep everyone posted on my training and I look forward to seeing some of you in Panama in May!

Woo Hoo!

The beginning . . .

It is February 25. I leave for Hawaii in 6 days. I am going for a conference, but it is also a pilgrimage!

I am going to the finish-line of Kona and I am going to pray there. I am going to meditate and feel the strength of so many who have completed the ultimate goal for me when it comes to triathlon.

I begin my season in 21 days. I am putting in BASE miles right now (base simply means building up your “base” for endurance. You put in a lot of long easy miles running, swimming, and biking) I begin my training program on March 19th. I am using my friends at http://www.multisports.com/ for my program. They do race specific programs for buku (a lot) ½ Ironman races and it is VERY interactive.

I am going to use an offer from a very dear and awesome person named Big D to help me focus and train hard. Big D wins her age group in EVERYTHING! If there was and age group for pancake making, she would win.

I am doing two races before my half Ironman in Florida; LA triathlon and Crawfishman. Louisiana Tri is a Sprint and Crawfihman is a semi Olympic distance, semi because the run is only 4 miles.

I want everyone to think positive thoughts from march 19 to May 12 (the day of the half IM).

Woo Hoo!

Slim-Down 220 - The Story of a Triathlete

I received probably 25 to 30 recommendations to rename my blog. I presented about 5 to a few friends and we have decided.

Slim-Down 220 – The Story of a Triathlete

That is my ultimate goal, to slim down to 220 lbs. That will be 200 lbs. lost, never to be found again!

Let me know what you think.

Thank you everyone who submitted ideas.

The fight continues . . .

Thinking Positive!

This blog thing!!! Man it has put some pressure eon me!

I have been a little Leary of writing, as you may have noticed, because I am really falling behind these days.

I am set at 404 lbs right now. That is a little better than the 425 I was a few weeks ago, but it is still taking years off of my life.

I have been going to therapy and discussing my weight. I have decided a few things I am putting into practice on the mental side. I am mentally tough, but I am also hard-headed.

After discussion with my wonderful therapist, Julie, I am going to take a pro-active approach to myself mentally and try and use positive imagery to get where I want to be.

This is going to replace a little of my “humor” side. Not is a bad way. I will still be funny as all get out, at least to me, but I am going to try and put ME in a more positive light.

I am going to change the name of this blog. I AM NOT CHANGING THE WEB DDRESS. I am going to change the name and I am looking for suggestions.

Here is what I have so far from friends I have told about this:

Tri-ing to be slim
Tri-ing to be healthy (boring)
Tri-ing to shrink that ass skinny man (not bad, but I would use butt!)

So there are a few. Please post comments of a new blog title you would like to see. If I use YOUR new blog name, I will send you a $50 gift certificate to Whole Foods Grocery or another healthy organic food store in your area. So put your first name and email so I can get in touch to send your winnings!

I want to thank my friend Rocketboy for not giving up on me.

I will beat this thing.

Find the good in everything!

Being sick has very few advantages . . .

As a child being sick had several advantages, staying home from school. That was a pretty good one. The teacher would send my homework home with my Dad (He was a teacher at my school when I was young), I would do it that night, in bed, with full pampering by my mom. Lay on the couch watching TV. I did miss my friends when I would find myself out sick and the worst part was when I was feeling better. See, I was a VERY active child and when I was feeling the slightest bit better I wanted to be out tearing up the neighborhood.

Today, not so many advantages. I miss work, but that only causes more work. I stay home, but no TV, I spend time doing work I can do from home. I play on the internet a little, but not as much fun when you are hacking up your mornings breakfast.

I find that as an adult, I don’t take a break when I BEGIN feeling sick. I wait until I am foaming at the mouth speaking in tongues sick! By then it is too late to do anything but, be sick, as I have been for about 8 days.

There are no advantages to being sick as an adult. I have found none. None that is, until today, but it in itself isn’t really an advantage.

When you’re an adult and sick the world doesn’t revolve around you as it did when we were kids. Grandma doesn’t drive over and stay the day with you while Mom and Dad are at work, or you don’t get the noodle soup prepared with tender loving hands, or the kiss on the forehead as the covers are being tucked in around your tiny body. No. None of that!

It is a dog eat dog world when you’re a sick adult. You fend for yourself. You’re lucky to get much empathy from anyone when you’re sick. I was couching up a lung as a client (who I love to death) was calling me a on my cell about selling his stock. He did wish me luck in feeling better after I took care of it for him.

However, the one advantage . . . Wait semi-advantage of being sick is the scale.

Now, I have been focusing on my diet and portions as well as NO FAST FOOD OR FRIED FOODS since I had a horrible experience on the scale before Christmas. It was a miserable finding and I felt lost in this new life I am creating. I weighed in at a whopping 423 lbs. The highest I have ever weighed in my life. Over 60 lbs more than I had weighed on October 22, the last time I recorded my weight.

I was dismal and depressed. I got back on the wagon and took the advice of a few friends and began daily goal setting. It has worked out well for me and it has helped me focus on the here and now more than a year out.

Then I became ill. I couldn’t eat, what I did eat didn’t always stay with me and I have been absolutely miserable, until this morning.
I woke, showered and decided to get on the scale.

397.5 lbs!

I realize I have lost some muscle weight by not doing ANYTHING over the past almost three weeks, but hey, I ain’t complaining.

Don’t worry, I am not going to stay sick to lose more weight. But if there was one advantage of this crud I have in my system right now, it is the fact that I have lost 25 lbs. over the past three weeks.

I contribute a portion of it to my daily focus and some to my sickness.

The good news is, I am back on the right track and NOW . . . NOW . . . NOW . . . I only have 50 more pounds to lose before I get to the weight I want to be for my Half Ironman in May!!!!!

Oh, I am also ready to be healthy again, this sick thing is for the birds. I am going to the doctor Monday. Maybe a shot in the rear-end will get me started!

Until next time, train hard and smart and move. Don’t sit around, move!

New Yers Resolution

Ask yourself this question; what is a resolution for 2007 I can set for myself, that I feel confident I can follow through with?

One more time.

What is a resolution for 2007 I can set for myself, that I feel confident I can follow through with?

Why do we set such un-attainable goals as our official New Years resolution?

“This year I will quit smoking!” said my uncle. His wife jokingly reminded him that he was still on that resolution from 1989.

I do it too. I set these high asp rational goals each year only to look back with slight guilt when I have failed . . . On January 3rd!

Here is how Wikipedia defines “New Years Resolution”

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.

Isn’t it ironic that even the definition states that many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set! It is in the darn definition! I assume, which I hate to do, that it s ok to set an unattainable goal since you know it is ok to not accomplish it?

Then why do we do it?

I personally think we do it with the best intentions and the worst intent. I also think we have to set a resolution and we know for sure that we will be asked numerous times “what is your new years resolution?”, therefore, WITH our best intentions we put forth a lofty goal which we have designed no intent of how to follow through.

Am I ruining the “New Years Resolution” feeling for you? Sorry if I am, that is not my intent, read on!

Let us lighten it up a bit here and look at the history of the “New Year Resolution” from Wikipedia.

The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 BC. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. (Source: "How to Achieve Your New Years Resolutions", GoalsGuy, ?. Retrieved on ?.)
With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.
The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.
The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.
In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year's Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.
The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon after the sun enters Aquarius--sometime between January 19 and February 21.
Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.
All of that is quite interesting, but there is one paragraph that sets the tone for my resolution this year. Go back, if you will and read paragraph two, specifically the second and last sentence.
Forgiveness and exchange of gifts.

Now, I am not attempting to provide Hallmark with yet another major card giving holiday here, but I am suggesting that possibly this year we all take note of the doings of the Romans in 153 BC. Who knows if they were able to follow through with this act of goodness? On January 2, 154 BC there could have been the largest slaughter of a civilization at the hands of the Romans, but my point is that the intent is awesome!

It seems to me that the intent was goodness.

I want to stretch it to kindness, but I feel confident that the intent was at minimal, goodness. How difficult is it to be “good” to one another? Start fresh, put the past in the past. I am not saying be naïve and allow bad to come to you out of your kindness, but I am asking you this . . . Are you benefiting at all, in any way, even in the slightest, by not being good to EVERYONE you come into contact with on a daily basis?

I submit the answer is, no.

There is a commercial out right now. I don’t even know who the ad is for, but the theme is awesome. A guy is walking in a busy downtown area, a woman drops a baby’s toy out of the stroller and doesn’t notice it, the guy picks it up and puts it back in the stroller. Another guys sees this act of goodness and later in the day, lets a car pull in front of him at a horrendously busy intersection, another person sees this act of goodness, and she later pushes a guy out of harms way when a crate is about to fall on him, and another guy notices this, etc, etc. By the end of the commercial the first guy who picked up the child’s toy is pushing his own child down a sidewalk and a toy falls out of his child’s stroller and he doesn’t notice until a man picks it up and hands it to him.

OK, Chris, you’re talking about a commercial, and ad, trying to sell us something.
I say I am trying to sell you something. Be good to people this year. Not good, but EXTRA GOOD. Accept people for who they are, not their skin color, their hair color, the clothes they wear, or the size that they are. Find a way to go out of your way to be good to people for as long as you can this year and see how it affects you. You might be surprised.

If you really want to stretch it . . . Try being kind to everyone you come into contact with on a daily basis. How easy will that be to follow through on? Maybe not so easy. We all have our bad days, BUT if we remember our New Years Resolution and find a way to charge through our yuck in our own life, maybe we will brighten someone else’s day and in return they will brighten another individual’s day! Then our New Years Resolution has not only been “good” for us, but it has brought a positive light into other individuals year as well.

Do this. Write it down. Put it on your desk, tape it on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator:

Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year ~ And today I will be good to everyone I come into contact with, forgiving them and giving them my gift of kindness.

It will come back to you.

01-01-2007

01-01-2007

I did well today, to a point.

I didn’t exercise at all. Not so good.

I ate VERY well and I finished my last meal at 5:30pm AND DIDN’T EAT AGAIN!

Woo Hoo!

01-02-2007

No Fried Foods, No Fast Food.

Finish last meal before 8:00pm.

Swim masters with Rocketboy tomorrow eve.

Happy New Year!

12-31-2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR – Almost!


Today was a pretty darned good day.

I woke at 5:45am. I ran 40 minutes (almost 3 miles).

I watched football and had black eyed peas and rice for lunch.

After the Saints game I began making Lima Beans from scratch – with a healthy twist – No butter, no salt pork (pure fat) and less salt.

I had two bowls of that, I would say it was 8oz total.

I also had cran-water and water with lemon.

The ONLY bad thing was . . . I didn't eat dinner until 9:30pm.

All in all I was pretty satisfied with my day.



01-01-2007!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I am meeting a few folk for a ride around river road. One loop from where we are starting is probably 15 miles, flat.

THEN IT IS A DAY OF FOOTBALL!!!!! I love Jan. 1!!!!!!!

Even though it is a football day – No fried food, No fast food.

No sodas.

No more than 3 beers, of pint size.

I will also begin my half ironman training tomorrow. Woo Hoo!

HAPPY NEW YEAR – Kisses to all!

First Day of my Daily Goal Setting, I give myself a B- . . .

Log – 12-30-2006

Creating smaller more definitive goals on a daily basis is much more difficult than I imagined. However it does make the day more interesting.

I always seem to pick great times to start a new “thing”. Today was one of the worst storms we have had all winter. It was 70 degrees and thunder storming! My neighborhood was flooded for most of the day.

This daily goal setting makes me think about my activities in eating and training with more intensity . . . I think that is the descriptive word I am looking for. What I mean is, when I woke, I immediately began thinking about every aspect of my day. I was unable to simply go through the motions, which required me to focus.

Focus is good.

So here is the day in a nut shell.


Woke 830am Storming!

Had Cranwater LLC

Had Lemon water

Had 2 ham sandwiches 1 16 oz glass of milk

Lunch 8oz cranwater

Dinner – Naked burrito Izzo’s –(sorry Rocketboy) Rice, Black Beans, Steak, Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream (light). Large – Sweet iced Tea.

I ran between the thunder showers. I ran 24 minutes. I averaged 14 minute miles.

I am going to bed early tonight.

I didn’t have any fried food or fast food! I did have sweet tea which isn’t good. No more of that.

I also only had two meals, two BIG meals. I need to have three smaller meals.



Goals For Sunday 12-31-2006

No fast food or fried food.

Have Healthy Meals – Eat 3 meals!

Run - 20 minutes

Eat dinner before 7:00pm.

Since it will be New Years – In bed by 12:02am!!!

One Day at a Time . . .

One Day at time . . .

I have received several comments that have the same thread of advice in them. I am a planner. I plan all day long. I do it for a living and if I weren’t proficient at it, I wouldn’t have a business.

I plan an individual’s retirement plan . . . FOR THEIR LIFE. It is expected that I plan long-term.

The comments/suggestions have been to stop planning . . . So far in the future.

I doubt I will be able to stop since I have the next 10 years of my triathlon life already planned, but I get the idea my friends, you all that read my blog, are suggesting.

I need you help sticking to this.

Every evening I am going to set my goals for the following 24 hours! I will plan the simple aspects of my day, such as meals, training, what I won’t eat, etc.

Work with me on this.

I will post each evening and the also follow up with how the days plan transpired.

Here we go!

Saturday December 30, 2006

There is a weather forecast for heavy thunderstorms tomorrow, so I have to take that into consideration.

If it is not storming - Wake at 6:30am, ride river rd. from split 2 loops (22 miles)
Run the levee at river rd-20 min.

If it is storming - Wake 6:30am, run 60 min on LSU lakes.
Trainer 20 minutes

I will eat 3 healthy meals and 2 healthy snacks.

NO FRIED food NO FAST food!

NO Sodas.

I will have dinner BEFORE 7:00pm and nothing after.


There you have it. Tomorrow’s goals!

I will fill you in about 10:00 tomorrow!

Thank you and Peace, Happy Holidays!

OH MOTIVATION!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

New High

New High . . .

December 18, 2006

Dear Friends,

I have had several inquiries regarding my hiatus from blog posting. Well, my keen minded friends, most of your preconceived notions have been correct. I have been slacking and dreadfully so.

After a full tri season of 14 events, 2 duathlons, 12 triathlons and setting new PR’s
(personal records) and completing new, longer distances I think I lost it upstairs in the
mental part of this “new me” thing that I still can’t quite define.

I am royally screwed right now. I have reached a new PR that I am not so excited about.

I weight at this moment 423 lbs.

My previous high prior to my first triathlon was 421 lbs.

Last year I reached 362 lbs.

I can put weight on faster than . . . I don’t know anything faster? I am embarrassed and
upset. I have avoided my blog for that reason.

But today I am back. Thanksgiving – OVER. Christmas – OVER. No excuses about
“It’s a holiday!”.

I am just amazed! How does a person put on that much weight so damn fast! (I know
how, that was rhetorical)

Tomorrow is a new day and time to begin my new me thing again. I will continue doing
my new me thing until I am my new me.


2006 in review:

I had what I think was a great year. I did 14 races completed 3 Olympic distance
triathlons and had fun doing all of it! I turned a new page in my triathlon career, on the
annual USAT triathlon rankings, I was not DEAD LAST this year!!!! I was second to
last!!!!!!

I increased my mph on the bike from a 12.2 average in 2005 to a 17.1 average (my goal
was 15mph) I slowed on the run and I remained the same in the swim.

2007:
This year I have a lofty schedule. Less races but, not so much.

In may I will compete in my first ½ Ironman at Gulf Cost tri in Panama city. Then in
November I will compete in my first Ironman at Ironman Florida.

I will only do 4 other races in the year, but I am sure I will actually train more than I have
yet.

Here are my goals:

By May (Gulf Coast Tri) - weight 340 lbs
That is a loss of – 63 lbs

By Nov. (Ironman) – weight 290 lbs
This is a loss of 50 lbs.

I am going to also set weekly goals so that I have interim accomplishments.

Here is my Goal for this week:

Tuesday: Run 3 miles

Wednesday: Run 3 miles am – Basketball in pm

Thursday: Run 3 miles

Friday: Off

Saturday: Ride 2 loops at river road (approximately 22 miles)

Sunday: Ride 2 loops at river road and run 2 miles.

There are this weeks goals. The reason I am running so much this week is that I am in
Arkansas for early Christmas celebration and have no bike or swimming opportunity.

Thank you to everyone for your inquiries into my life while I took this dreadful hiatus
from my health.

Sincerely,

Still in search of the new me!

Disapointment . . .

What a let down . . .

I am so disappointed in so much right now, mostly with myself.

As you all know today the clocks turned back an hour. I didn’t know this until last night when we had the informational session at the host hotel.

Then Amanda reminded me as well.

Last night I went over my gear, lubed my chain, re-checked my gear and got ready for bed.

I use a cell phone PDA called the 8125, by m cell phone carrier. I have had it for a short time. It is a good phone and it also keeps my calendar up to date and I can get my email and check the internet on this phone. It is great . . . Except for last night.

It was about 11:00 PM. I knew I had to reset the clock on the phone since I use it for my alarm. I did this, I set the alarm for 5:45 AM. This would give me time to shower, load my bike and drive 30 minutes to the race site. I don’t like standing around for 30 minutes or an hour before the race. I will not do that anymore!

I set the phone back an hour, set the alarm and watched a little TV, then went to sleep. For the first time I slept great before a race. I did wake up at about 2:30 and got sick a little, I think it was the pasta I had for dinner.

My alarm goes off. I instinctively reach over and tap it to shut it off. Get up stretch, shower, turn on the TV. I eat an energy bar.

I put on my watch. It says 7:03 AM. 7:03 AM!!!!!!!!!

I also moved my watch back an hour.

I grab my phone and there is a message on it that say it automatically reset my clock for me as a result of daylight savings.

My swim start was in 2 minutes. I was 30 minutes away and didn’t have my bike loaded.

I sat on the bed in disbelief. I am still in disbelief. I worked hard for this race and I am sitting in my hotel while it is beginning.

I am so sorry to all of you that supported me and gave me motivation for this event. I feel so horrible.

I was angry at first, but I only had me to be angry with. I should do like everyone in this sport and get there right when transition opens incase something goes wrong.

I am very sorry.

I am signed up for Gulf Coast. This is another half Ironman in Florida early next year. I will work hard for it and do well.

I have to forgive myself for this mistake and move on. While I feel bad and feel like I have let all of you down, I have to move ahead so I don’t fall behind.

I fly out tomorrow at 4:00 PM. I am going to ride the bike course tomorrow morning.

Eleven Hours . . .

Eleven Hours . . .

It is 9:42 PM. I am setting he clock back one hour. Daylight savings, or whatever. I am in good spirits.

I had a good dinner with my buddy Rocko and the informational session for the race was nice.

I aim to sleep well. I never do, however tonight is going to be different.

I will wake at 4:00 AM, check my gear, load up and head to the race site. After I set up
my transition site I will head up to Rocko’s room and nap for 30 minutes or so then get
mentally focused and head to he swim start.

I will finish around 3:30 PM and it will take me about an hour to get under control and
showered. The second I am out of the shower I will post and let you all know how I did
and that I am living!

Keep me in your thoughts.

Chris

30 Hours and counting . . .

30 hours and counting . . .

I am in Conroe TX. It is about 68 degrees and sunny. I am wearing a fleece jacket. I am happy!

It is said to be 40 degrees Sunday morning. High of 71 degrees! The Lord has answered one of my prayers today!!!!!!!! Let’s just hope he knows his Fridays from his Sundays! (Just kidding big guy)

As the start of the race becomes closer my muscles begin to tighten. I ran this morning, 3 easy miles. This afternoon I am going to drive the bike course and ride about 10 easy miles.

So, this morning I did it!

It?

It you ask?

Shaved my body!!!! I know geeky, and it feels as weird as it sounds! If I had thought ahead I would have brought a BIG plastic trash bag, you know the size for your lawn to pick up leaves. I could have made so serious cash with the amount of hair I could have sold to a sweater making shop!

Instead, I have simply pissed off some poor hotel cleaning person. (I left a pretty good tip for my mess and the new vacuum cleaner they will have to buy)

Let me tell you how odd this feeling is. It’s odd!

I don’t have anything to compare it to so I’ll do my best to describe the feeling.

The shaving part was tough first of all. First I used my beard shaver/trimmer and took off the long hair. Then in the shower I lathered up with soap and went to town. I probably should have notified someone of what I was doing so there would be confusion if I were found dead in the tub as a result of the loss of blood. Poor women . . . Poor women.

I look real stupid right now out in public with Kleenex tissue stuck to the blood spots!!!!!

Once I was out of the shower it was instantly obvious this was new to me. As I tried to dry off, the towel just stuck to my body. I had to sort of pat try.

Then there was walking by the A/C. WOOOOOOOOAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! Cold!

Putting on my pants and shirts was wild! The clothing just flutters around me now, touching me in ways that some might find erotic. This is a whole new clothing wearing feeling.
THEN! There was the sunlight!

Once I hit the sunlight I began to see the infractions of my earlier work! I missed some serious real-estate!!!!!! There are long stripes going up the back of my calf, and worse from my elbow to my wrist I missed two big patches!!!!!!!!

I am first time shaving gone bad.

However I will say, it feel quite liberating. I feel lighter. I know I’m not . . . Well, maybe? While I think about it I did see about 4 pounds of hair around the bathroom! I know TMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many of you may be reading this and asking yourself, “why would he do this?”.

Great question. I have no idea.

I really don’t. I read about it I a tri article about 6 months ago and it basically said that it doesn’t improve you performance really, but it creates a unique feeling on race day. Well, I have to disagree with that article. It creates a unique feeling, INSTANTLY!

As I am writing I just noticed a new patch I missed, on my right wrist!!! HAAAA!

I need to give a shout out to my friend that sent me two mix tapes (isn’t it funny, I still call them mix tapes even though they are CDs!!!) just for the race. I have been listening to them non-stop. I am listening to them right now. This friend is the best Triathlete I know period. And she is smok’n hot! Thanks for the CD/s C.

My friends from the BRtri club are heading over tonight. My friends Bear and Momma Bear come over tomorrow. Race Packet pick up is from 11:00am until 6:00pm tomorrow and the lodge where the race is.

I thought about shaving my head, but I thought is the key there. I don’t know how much thought into shaving my body, but once you start, you really can’t stop. Stopping would be much worse. Much worse. (I did leave my chest hair)

I am in very good spirits. I am excited, but focused. I have confidence, but I realize it will be very difficult to finish and that finishing is all I am here for.

Thanks for ALL and I mean AAAALLLL of the positive emails and phone calls. Please understand this . . . Your emails and calls are the number one motivator for me in the endeavor I call health seeking. Thank you.

Well, I will try and write tomorrow about my pre race mental state. If I don’t forgive me, I am probably going over my check list for the four hundredth time.

Thanks again and I will post after race for sure.

MICHELLE JONES WINS KONA!

Yes this Michelle Jones Pictured with your very own ME and the Incredible HEATHER FUHR!!!!!

T - Minus 6 and counting . . .

T – Minus 6 days and counting!

Monday – It is 4:15 in the morning. I am tired. I didn’t sleep at all. I am on my way out of the door to run.

My run will be 3.5 miles to the NAT (where I swim) then back home 3.5 miles.
The swim in between will consist of 3200 yards mix drills.

I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!

I will detail how it all went when I get back!!!


7:33 AM

WOW! I can only hope the weather is like this in Conroe next weekend. It was brisk and chilly, perfect for what I did this morning.

Got off on my run right at 4:22 AM. Took it easy the first mile to warm up. Once I made it to the lakes at LSU I picked it up to my top speed! Sadly the turtle I startled moved faster than me to make his escape.

I have never ran to the LSU Natatorium before. I wasn’t sure the best route so I simply ran the way I drive there every morning. It seems so much shorter when you’re in your vehicle.

About mile 2.5 I realize I was going to be tired on the way back home.

I have a friend who is an awesome Triathlete, she said something twice to me, once in a letter and once in an email.

She said when something negative comes up, acknowledge it, then let it go.

I put this into practice several times on the way to the pool and double that on the way home.

I twisted my ankle just a tiny bit on a curb, nothing bad at all. I acknowledged it and let it go.

Got to the pool right about 5:10 AM. Had to go to the bathroom the last mile, thank goodness I made it. I could just see calling home at 5:00 in the morning . . . “Yeah, hun, it’s me, can you a come bail me out? . . .What for, well, uh, public peeing.”

The pool has never felt better. I swam in the slightly heated pool. It was like magic. I headed straight into my 800 warm up, nice and easy making sure my mechanics were on time and smooth.
I have this one horrible problem in my crawl, I forget to kick. Sound ridiculous I know. I don’t mean I let my legs go limp and drag behind me, but I just sort of flutter my legs behind me, not really making them work. I actually have to remind myself to kick. I hope no one else has this problem.

After 4 sets of 100 descends, 200 kick, and 500 at just above race pace, and 400 at race pace, then another 800 cool down I was ready to run home.

After 3100 yards in the pool I actually felt ready to run, until I hit the out doors and realized just how heated that pool was. For the first mile I thought I might lose a nipple. I was pretty darn cold and anyone who knows me, realizes what a feat that is, to cool me down.

But it didn’t take long until I was hot and back to sweating like only a Boggs can.

The run home was definitely a mental test. I forgot to mention that my Garmin 305 registered 4.2 miles form my drive to the pool, so I was putting in 8.4 miles this morning with a nice little swim.

As I passed my Friends Gloria, and Scott’s house which was about mile 2.7 I was pretty pumped. My heart rate was in good shape, my breathing was awesome and my legs hurt like heckle and jeckle! I was ready to be home.

The sun was coming up and it was ending up to be a really pretty morning. I crossed Stanford and new I only had 1.3 miles to go and I began to get a second wind, too bad my legs weren’t in on that plan!

As I coasted in on my street I let out a short little woo hoo!

I thanked the big guy upstairs and headed straight for the dry clothes then the computer to make my post.

I will ride later today if I get back from New Orleans in time if not I will put in double time tomorrow.

Everyone, have a brilliant day!

I am off to shower and begin my day and make a difference, I am not sure how yet, but it will happen.

Sevn Days . . .

Being fat seems so trivial . . .

I have a friend. Yes I do!

This friend has such a positive spirit and this friend has been very motivating to me in my effort to become healthy and lose weight through triathlon.

While it may be an infrequent occurrence, there are a few times I have allowed myself to give into self pity and self sorrow regarding my weight.

Today I realized how little my situation is in the world we live in. I can change. On my own with no surgery, no drugs, nothing but my own will. I can make myself into a healthy person through exercise, through effort, and focus.

I am one lucky guy.

My friend, she is going to have a mastectomy. She has cancer. She is 30. It is hard for me not to get emotional while writing this. I wish you all could know her. She is such a positive person with the strength of a lioness.

She doesn’t want me to feel sad for her. She doesn’t want me to pity her.

Do you know what she does want?

She wants to live through me over the next 3 to 4 months while she goes through the fight which as she says will be another notch in her belt.

My friend asked me to train for her.

She is doing Florianopolis, Brazil next year.

She wants to train through me and finish races through me, until she can get back on her training and on her feet.

Whoa. I will admit . . . this is pressure. I know how hard she trains.

I only have one race this season, but I will post daily for her to read. I will post the silly nuances that go on in my daily grind. But more than that, I will race for her this coming weekend. I will cross the finish thinking about her and as she put it, she will feel like she crossed right along with me.

On November 12, I begin my training for next year. A crazy year, 2 half Ironman races and then ending the year with my first Ironman in Florida.

Please keep my friend in your thoughts. I know she will be fine for the reasons I listed above, but kindness and positive thoughts always helps.
To my friend. You are loved for you and what you become everyday.



A very short report on my race yesterday.

It was awesome! I cut my time by 19 minutes from this race last year! This is a lot of time considering how short this race is.

From beginning to end I felt strong.

I even had a lot in the tank at the finish. Good thing since I am going to need every ounce of it this coming Sunday!

The best part of the race was about mile 1.5. A guy comes flying by and then starts walking. I catch up to him and he has stopped running to talk with me. He is a PT and shared his thoughts with me. We talked for a good 5 minutes. As he ran off to the finish he said this, “You are an inspiration to a lot of people, you should know that.”

When I began this effort or triathlon I didn’t do this for that reason, selfishly. I did this because I wanted to get better, healthier.

But each time I hear someone share that with me, it makes me smile. It pushes me to do better. When I hear a comment such as that I feel a commitment to those I inspire and I am beginning to realize something.

I am doing this for me, but there is another result here. I may be helping others?

My only hope is . . . That I don’t let you down.

Thanks to everyone for your kindness and your motivation.