Louisiana Triathlon

What a day for racing!

Thanks to Hunter, P, Team Rome, and everyone else who cheered us on and volunteered today. It meant a lot and i needed it.

My goal was sub 2 hrs. Below is my LA Tri race 2 years ago:

2006 - Swim 25:26 pace 3:11 T1 2:59 Bike 1:12:44 pace 15.3 T2 2:20 Run55:07 pace 17:47 2:38:34


My goal time was a sub 2hrs for today.

Swim was uneventful. I had the first major skull kick today. It was a little freaky at first, but after I shook off the dizziness i was fine. I wanted to a smooth swim and for the most part that was what I had.

I have got to make better decisions on the bike! I tried to clip in at the bottom of the hill and ride out of transition, but was on my azz a few seconds later. (dummy) So I lost a little time regrouping, but once I was on the bike I was cook'n. I passed a bunch of folks and never really felt tired.

T2 was a bit slow.

I wanted to average sub 12 min miles. It wasn't to be today. I really have to get rid of this belly. That is what is keeping me back on the run. The weight I carry there really begins to hurt my back when i run too hard. SOON, that will not be a problem . . .

I crossed the finish line at about 1:56 and some change! Sub 2 hrs! I'll take it.

GREAT DAY, GREAT FUN, WITH GREAT FRIENDS.

I want to thank my best friend Brent for coming out and watching me race. he is no morning person and lives halfway between BR and NOLA so it was a long drive for him. It meant a lot to me, thanks Brent.

Next:

Going to watch my friend Caroline and Philippe race at St. Anthony' tri this coming weekend. Surgery the following week to remove gallbladder, recover, race in Memphis in may . . .

Tough Week and Weekend

I will give you a little recap of my week:

Monday - Emergency Room

During a lunch visit with a couple very special people in my life I began to have bad back pains.

IT was miserable and I was sad I didn’t get to spend quality time with family. Then during my Office Meeting I began to have bad stomach pains and soon I couldn’t see straight. I laid ON THE FLOOR of our conference room and called my wife to take me to the ER.

Turns out I have a plethora of gallstones in my gallbladder and one was trying to make a run for it!

Let me tell you that this is not a fun thing and I don’t recommend anyone do this if you don’t have to. With that said, the gallbladder is coming out April 29th.

Why so far out you ask?

Because I am a moron who is addicted to triathlon and my “A” race is coming up and I don’t want to miss it.

Tuesday –Thursday I spent in pain and on high level pain killers while the stone tried to pass, which it finally did Thursday morning.

I had plans to race in Dallas at Ply Tri Festival, but had canceled those plans as a result of my medical situation. BUT! Now that the stone had passed . . .

Friday: Driving to Dallas!!!!!

I check in to the hotel. Take a quick spin on the bike and rest. The week of pain had taken its toll. I felt horrible on the bike.

Saturday:

Race!!!!! Short Sprint tri and I did ok, but not good. My bike average was below 20mph for the first time in a while . . .

I spent the afternoon at a friends (Derek and Laurie) to visit with their beautiful new-born, Emily!!! I fell in love.

Sunday:

I was supposed to race in the Oly, but Saturday night I began to have those same pains that I was having on Monday . . .

I woke Sunday morning in bad shape. No racing for me. I went and watched two of my club members and cheered them on to the finish and headed south to Houston.

Had a great dinner with my Cousin Michael and then made my way to Lake Charles to begin a solid work week.

What a fun week!

T-Gator #1 - My Best Race to date!

My Triathlon cCub, BRtri is lighting it up! www.batonrougetri.com


Special thanks to Scott for his kind words before the swim start.

DebE, seriously, you are getting fast sista! CarolineO was cranking it out there.

NormanN - Missed it by just thaaaaaaaat much, but you smoked. And your pointers and advice are coming in handy and paying off on the bike. I will put the check in the mail along with that certain item you put in my glove box - thanks my man!

ChadS in da house. Thanks to his lovely better half for the pics, love em. And you brutha are picking this tri thing up quick. Your learning curve in awesome. I don't expect to hold you off at LA tri . . .

It was nice meeting . . . (forgive me) Kent (?????) I think your name was? Nice to see you out and racing and I look forward to seeing you in our tri uni soon!

DebT - Also equally nice to meet the myth and the legend! Way to go out there!

And last but never least - Beth (poopyliz), you keep doing it and waking up and making your body GO. I am so proud of you and I know where you are right now and I know where you will be!


RR:

Nice leisurely drive with great conversation on the way to LC.

Arrived, checked in, and set up.

I was concerned about the water temp and thought I was going to freeze my nipplets off, but it was warmer than Galveston and actually kind of nice. I did something for the first time today with my homemade race uni. I wore the shirt part instead of tucking it in my tri shorts and pulling it out after swim. I figured the drag wouldn't be that bad for 400m. WRONG! Lesson learned.

Decent transition. Coach Will has been on me about my Transitions.

Once I got on the bike (which seems to be a bit of a labor for me) It was Hammer Time! While my goal of riding the big boy's speed was not obtained today and any goal I had of matching THE NormanN bike split was thrashed, I did feel good.

I WAS PASSED BY - NO ONE . . . Ha Ha Ha! <------ (what a prick)

I did some passing and once I figure out proper riding technique, watch out, because I had some still in the tank (and it's a big ole tank).

Average Speed – 22 MPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

T-2 was ok.

Run - Goal - sub 12 min mile pace.

I headed out on the run and wanted a steady bounce. "Bounce" is my technical term for my run body motion. I determine my comfort level and ability to go faster by the "bounce" of my big ole fat belly. I had a moderate bounce on the way out. HR was really low (about 134) and I felt fine, but if I decided to increase the "bounce" too soon I would slow because of the pain it causes to my lower back and actual gut.

At the turn around I decided to increase the "bounce". It was a heavy bounce, but manageable. HR still good at about 148. I really and truly felt great.

I have been doing predominantly long, low HR training the past month with tempo work mixed in on the run and bike. That crap works.

As I turned the final corner to the finish I stepped it up to the uncontrolled "bounce" where there is belly flying in all directions and mothers pull their children close out of fear that the "bounce" may fly in their direction and take them out! This is very painful, but worth it.

My average pace per mile – 10:48!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My goal today was a bold - Sub 1hr race.

I missed it by a little over a minute and a half - AND DAMN IT, I could have made time on the run and bike.

Thanks to all that have always been pushing me over the years. I am a product of your motivation. Thank you! But, it has only just begun . . .

You guys rock.

NKU National Champion's AGAIN!!!

Northern Kentucky University

2008 NCAA Div. II

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

I am so proud of these women!

They went into the tournament with a lot of talent and no respect being given to them by the pollsters. NKU Women's Basketball is a serious item in the Northern Kentucky Area and for the past 10 years, they have been a big deal nationally.

Having played in the Elite 8, Final 4, and for the National Championship several times this decade, I think this National Championship has a certain zing to it that makes it an even more unfathomable feat than the National Championship that the Woman Norse won in 2000 of which I had a teeny tiny, next to nothing at all to do with it as a Student Coach.

Congratulations to my Alma Mater and tho these special young women who excel as Student Athletes and cleaned up the floor and showed those who didn't hand out a lot of respect to them, that they deserved to be there and they made the most of this opportunity.

GEAUX NORSE!!!

Weigh-In and Pictures

June 28, 2007 - 434 Lbs.

March 23, 2008 - 289 Lbs.

June 28, 2007 - 434 Lbs.

March 23, 2008 - 289 Lbs.

March 23, 2008

Joking Around!

There Ya Have It!

June 28 2007 - 434 Lbs

March 23 2008 - 289 Lbs.

Total weight loss - 145 lbs.

Weight Goal - 210 Lbs.

Loss to go - 79 Lbs.

My goal is to be at 210 Lbs. by August 1, 2008. I will then maintain that weight until the second week of November when I plan to undergo surgery to remove the excess skin I already have and am disgusted by.

I AM ALMOST THERE!!!

I have been slacking on my reports of my races. I have completed 4 races in 2008 and have become FASTER AND FASTER in each area at each race.

The biggest tell is that in my first year of triathlons I averaged 12.9 mph this year I am averaging about 19 mph on the bike.

Saturday I raced in the Crescent City Classic 10k run. In 2006 I finished in 1:49 and this year I finished in 1:19. I cut 30 minutes off my 10k time!

Thank you to all of you and have a wonderful Easter Sunday!

Pics and Weigh-In

Sorry Folks!!!

Pics and Weigh-In coming this afternoon, promise!

First things first . . .

I DO NOT deserve this bike. As it sits across the room next to my TV (strategically placed so I can gawk at it) it just LOOKS FAST. But when I get on it, not so much, but I do love it!

Amanda wouldn’t let it sleep in our bedroom the first night . . . Hater.

I have waited for this bike for a while, but the wait is worth it.

We picked it up from the Spokesman in Mandeville on Wednesday night. When we arrived home at about 10:00pm, I had to ride it!!!! So there I was 10:30ish at night riding my new gear!

Here in Baton Rouge we have a great Tuesday and Thursday training ride around River Road. It is a 34 miles loop with a great bunch of folks. I have not joined in on a training ride until this past Thursday. I didn’t want to be dropped on the ride, so I have worked hard at gaining speed. I wasn’t ready for this one but with the new bike . . . I had to show up.

I think I did pretty well. But the main part is, I didn’t get dropped!

Tonight I weigh-in and take pictures to post on the blog . . . I think we will have some pretty good results . . . TO BE CONTINUED.

Mardi Gras Day 2008!!!

Weigh In and Body Measurement


The goal was sub 300 by Feb 1, 2008.

I slacked a couple days and didn’t make smart eating decisions the past few weeks. Nothing really bad, but with my new eating focus, it feels yuck . . .

I had cheese dip two days in a row!!!

Here are the numbers:

Neck June 28 – 20 in Feb. 6 – 17 in = 3 in Loss
Bicep June 28 – 17.5 in Feb. 6 – 15.7 in = 1.8 in Loss
Forearm June 28 – 13.5 in Feb. 6 – 12.5 in = 1 in Loss
Chest June 28 – 60 in Feb. 6 – 52 in = 8 in Loss
Waist June 28 – 62 in Feb. 6 – 55 in – 7 in Loss
Thigh June 28 – 31.5 Feb. 6 – 26 in = 5.5 in Loss (Whoa)
Calf June 28 – 19 in Feb. 6 – 17 in = 2 in Loss


Weight:

June 28, 2008 – 434 lbs
Feb. 6, 2008 - 302 lbs

Total Loss 132 lbs


So Close to 300!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for your support.

Mardi Gras mambo 10k

I ran in the Mardi Gras Mambo 10k which was held downtown Baton Rouge. My Coach, Coach Will, had a goal for me of 11 minute miles. I was dumbfounded since my best 5k was 13 minute miles in the last year AND last year my 5k after a triathlon was an average of 18 (plus) minute miles.

I doubted, but did push a bit to do the best I thought I could. My new Polar RS80 with GPS had me at 12:34 minute miles when I finished.

I felt I could have done better, even though my heart rate average was 155 BPM and the last mile I was in the 165 ish area.

When I crossed I did another ½ mile cool down jog and my Heart Rate dropped quickly and I felt great.

The results have been posted . . .

http://www.brasf.com/explore.cfm/readmorenews1/

I averaged just UNDER 12 min miles!

Woo Hoo!

I have set one goal for this year in my triathlon world:

Goal #1 – Average more than 20 mph on the bike portion for A race.

NOW, additional goal for 2008 triathlon season . . .

Goal #2 – By the end of the race year, Average 20 mph or more on the bike AND sub 10 minute mile average on the run in the same race!

Weigh In AND AND AND body measurements tonight . . . Return to see the results, VERY CLOSE TO GOING BELOW 300 lbs . . .

New Pics and Weigh In

January 24, 2008

June 28, 2007 - 434 lbs

November 11, 2007 - 328 lbs.

January 24, 2008 - 307 lbs.

June 28, 2007 - 434 Lbs.

November 11, 2007 - 328 Lbs.

I am a bit frustrated with the lack of weight loss the past 2 months. I have increased my training form about 4 hrs per week to over 7 hrs (plus) per week. I am going to go back to zero sugar as I was from the beginning. I remain NOT eating and fast food AND fried food.

Thanks to all who have helped me this far.

I WILL BE 195 lbs by July 21, 2008

My First Race 2008 (UPDATE)

http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/155728_223833_2008.html

The link above has the race times. I WAS 122 out of 148!!!!! I ALMOST (really not close) got an award for third in my age group!

Since June 28 2007 I when I was 434 lbs until last Friday when I weighed in at 308 lbs.

I have lost 126 lbs. It was not easy and I still have 113 lbs that I am going to lose. But today was a great motivator for me! About three hours ago I finished my first race of 2008. Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon in Austin TX. It was the South West Regional Banquet last night followed by the race today. It was 20 degrees this morning when I went out to the truck and by the time I headed to transition to set up my gear it was 27 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrr. Caroline and Blake came as well, but Caroline did a 15 mile training run before the race and Blake was cheering. They were cold too!

I was nervous as I always am before a race, but I guess that is what it is? Today was a short 2 mile run 10.8 mile bike 2 mile run. My goal was to finish in under 01:30 which is quite lofty for me, but I typically set goals such that will make me work hard.

I am learning this whole new training style utilizing Heart Rate Zones and I am in love. My friend and now Coach Will has been instructing me what HR (heart rate) he wants me to train in for certain training and it has been really good to my body. I have always been a hard trainer, meaning that I put on my running shoes and GO GO GO! But Coach Will is altering my thinking and I am liking it. Caroline, who is now a PRO Triathlete (WOO HOO! WAY TO GO CAROLINE!) has been instilling that into me as well. She said that had she known I was a (excuse my French) balls to the walls type trainer she would have gotten on me to stop, but I just didn’t know any better. Training in optimal ANEROBIC heart Rate levels is very good for you and if you need help figuring that out, go see a local trainer, most can help you understand that fairly easily, IF YOU ASK, which I never did since I didn’t know.

Back to the race. Today’s goal: Under 140 beats per minute on the first 2 miles, Under 150 on the 10.8 mile bike, and go for it on the second 2 miles.

What happened: Under 140 on first 2 miles and I was pissed. I was going kina slow and felt good, but I wanted to listen to Coach Will and Caroline. Stayed around 150 on most of the bike, but I lost my chain on a hill. (LESSON I WAS TOLD LATER) -à If you lose your chain on the front inside the small ring, put your derailleur in the big ring and pedal and usually it will put the chain back on. I never knew this, wish I had today. My HR went up when I pounded up the hill after getting off my bike to put the chain on, but brought it back down to about 160 BMP for the rest of the bike. When I came off the bike I FELT GREAT! Hit thee second two miles and tried to stay at about 160 BPM for the first mile then decided to go a bit harder after the turn around and was about 171 BPM with about a quarter mile left and then went for broke! When I crossed the finish I had nothing left and the HR was 187 BPM.

I was so excited!

I think I finished about 01:36 so about 6 minutes longer than I wanted, but I will take it!!!

I will post the actual time when I get home and see the official times. Until then, I am very uplifted and motivated to do more. I am excited to see where my times will be when I am another 100 lbs less!!!

Thanks Coach. Thanks Caroline. Thanks Blake. You all ROCK!

Until later . . . LATER

Happy New Year!

It is January 1st of two thousand and eight and I started it off right!

I did 4 miles running out at or local highs school cross country course. The ribs are still sore. They are getting better, but sore. They really only hurt when I run down hill???

We all set incredible New Years resolutions and we more than not ditch those resolutions by January 15th! Let’s do something different this year. Let’s make a resolution that we can follow through with, one that we should be doing just because we should be doing it . . . I know that last sentence was a bit confusing!

I am going to try and be a kind, loving, good man. I want to be a good husband to my wife, a good son to my parents, a good brother to all eight of my siblings, and a good friend and lastly I want strengthen my relationship with my God.


I think I am adequate in all of those areas in my life, but I am not where I want to be, certainly when it comes to my wife, and family. I hope they would say that I do a great job, but I want to do better and be there for each of them more, therefore my New Years resolution is . . .

Wake every morning with the intent to do ONE thing out of the ordinary for ONE of those listed above. Whether it be a phone call to my brother for no reason at all, or taking a moment to pray for my parents, or take my wife to a movie (a girlie one!).

I am not going to set an unrealistic goal for my weight or health. I have done it all before, but this year I want to choose a resolution that I should carry through the year and through my life.

I realize a New Years resolution is supposed to be something big and earth shattering, but I hope my resolution will end up being earth shattering and life moving.

What is your news year resolution?

What ever it is, I wish you the best.

Have a BRILLIANT 2008!

Happy New Year

Tis the Season to be . . . Heck no!


I did it.

This is my first holiday season that I actually LOST weight.

I am happy with where I am today and I am feeling wonderful. I know how hard this time of year can be when it comes to eating. I love the holidays with Thanksgiving turkey, cornbread dressing and then right around the corner is Christmas with ham, sweet potatoes, and so much more . . . I just love it. But, this year was not going to set me off course to get down to 195 lbs.

I did stall and stop losing weight for a couple weeks around Thanksgiving, but then I began to hit it hard training wise. I found I have a crush on the whole mountain biking thing. I rode our local trail here in Baton Rouge every morning for about a week after Thanksgiving, then came the wreck.

I took a spill and fractured a couple ribs as well as pulled two other out from the cartilage. Ouch. After three weeks of heavy pain killers and rest, today I did a short ride and short run. I was a little sore, but had an overall strong day of exercise.

Lastly, I know this season of eating may have set you back a bit, but get back on it! Start right now. Eat a smart meal today and go run, walk, or ride a stationary bike, but just do something! I believe in you.

I get wonderful comments on the blog and many emailed directly to me with questions and so many positive, thoughtful comments for me. Thank you for that.

Have a brilliant day, week, and month.

You can do it!!!!!!!

Recap:

June 28 2007: 434lbs

Nov. 19 2007: 328lbs

Dec. 28 2007: 312lbs

Total weight lost – 122 lbs

Here is the real measurement:

July 9 2007: Dec. 27 2007:

Neck – 20.5 in Neck – 17.5 in
Bicep – 17.5 in Bicep – 16.5 in
Forearm – 13.5 in Forearm – 12.5 in
Chest – 60 in Chest - 53 in
Waist – 67 in Waist - 61 in
Hips – 62 in Hips - 55 in
Thigh – 31.5 in Thigh - 31 in
Calf – 19 in Calf - 17 in

Total inches lost – 3+1+1+7+6+7+2+.5= 27.5 in

SUB 40!!!

Sub 40

I have been working at the weight thing and I am into this new mountain biking thing. The mountain biking is exciting, stressful, and at times painful! But ultimately it is a blast.

I have been focusing on my running as well. A wise Triathlete in our club named Vanilla once said to me, after I acknowledged that I hate running therefore I swim a lot, he said not me, “that’s the way, don’t focus on the area you need the most work.” He has a way with words, but oh how right he is. I am doing this. I have been learning more and more about interval training and I have been doing this type of training for about a month now.

On Thanksgiving Day I did the Turkey Trot 5k and I finished in 40:57. This for most of you will sound pitifully slow, but when you look at the fact that my last triathlon I did the 5k portion in 59:07 and the last solo 5k that I did this time last year I finished in 54:22 – a sub 41 minute 5k is a vast improvement.

Tonight I took part in the Reindeer Run here in downtown Baton Rouge. My goal – Sub 40 minutes. I met my good friend Pat and his lovely wife and awesome two children. I have written about Pat on several occasions. He did the Disney Tri last year with me and he has been a major positive influence on me helping in my success with my weight.

I started in the back of the pack this time since at the Turkey Trot I felt bad that so many people had to run around me. It took forever it seemed to begin running after the horn went off AND I became a bit frustrated at all the people who started in the front and were walking in droves right in the middle of the road, but no big deal after about 500 yards.

I started my watch when we crossed the start line and set out on a pace I felt I would keep the entire 5k. I felt great for the first mile and a half. After that my heart rate a very high but I didn’t feel like I was pushing that hard???

I saw a few friends out on the course and also saw a few folks that I met at the Turkey Trot.

As I closed in on the final stretch I didn’t think I was going to make it in under 40 minutes. My watch said 39:03 when a nice lady ran up to me and introduced herself to me and she is a member of our Tri club here in Baton Rouge. She was very nice and ran in with me. I crossed at 40: 37on my watch, but my GPS said that I had gone 3.44 miles which is about a quarter mile longer than a 5k (3.2 miles). But I shrugged that off since I recently purchased the band new Polar GPS that they just came out with and I assumed I did something incorrect since I am still learning its functions.

However I saw my friend Clay from the tri club and he said that some folks with the Garmin 305 (which I used to have) said that the course was a little long as well.

POINT BEING – I finished in under 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE

June 28, 2007 - 434lbs

November 11, 2007 - 328lbs

June 28, 2007 - 434lbs

November 11, 2007 - 328lbs

After much harassing from you, my friends and my spectacular wife I am posting current numbers and pics.

My wife has seen me a little frustrated since I have been sticking to 1200 calories (and less) but over the past 3 weeks I have not lost weight.

Let me really matter of fat here. I did fall off the wagon two or three times for three or four days at a time. I would resort back to eating high calorie crap, but I have done better at stopping that and getting back on track rather than sabotaging my efforts by telling myself that it is ok for me to continue eating badly since I fell off, NO MORE OF THAT!

Bottom line is that since the scale hasn’t shown any change for so long I have been irritable (as Amanda puts it). Our friends Ryan and Mary (both MDs who are expecting their first baby!!!!) educated her on changing ketosis levels (I am paraphrasing) in my body and how that can have an effect on my in da brain.

I have been a little frustrated after seeing weight drop off of me for 2 ½ months (434 lbs to 338 lbs) and then over the last month I have lot only 7lbs. But, as I stated prior, I did lose focus for a few days over the past month.

Therefore Amanda talked me into picture logging (that is what we call it) this morning. She convinced me I would see a difference. Me, not so sure.

As you can see from the pics . . . I CAN see a difference!

Now my focus has been elevated and I am ready to tackle my next AND FINAL 120lbs. I AM PRACTICALLY HALF WAY THERE!!! I began at 434lbs and my goal is 210lbs. That is a total of 224lbs and I have lost 106lbs thus far. Only 118lbs to go.

Mile Stones:

I ran my last 5k in a sub 37 minutes and little over 12 min mile!!!!! WOO HOO! Consider that when I run a 5k alone (not in a triathlon) I have usually averaged about 50 minutes which is over 16 min per mile and when I run it at the end of a race as part of a triathlon I average about 18 to 19 minutes a mile.

Mile Stone #2:

I broke down and bought new boxers. After my old size boxers where literally falling off of me, I bought more that were a couple sizes smaller and they were tight at first, but now are perfect.

Thanks to everyone for their positive comments and their kindness. Also thank you to the haters that really fuel my fire.

I am going to beat this and I am going to finish a 5k in under 26 minutes before 2008 is over. I am also going to finish Cajunman (Sept 08) in under 2 hours (my best cajunman was (2:38:31).

I will try and post more regularly on my weight. I am doing a few 5k runs over the holidays, but I am not planning any tri’ until Cajunman in September 08. I want to focus on losing the weight which is requiring me to eat very little and it is difficult to train and the race on so little calories. However once I am at 210 I will begin to learn my eating style to maintain that weight and load properly for energy and then I will kick butt at Cajunman 08!

Peace out.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

After I had written the above post I had a discussion with Amanda and we talked about my fears of losing weight. I know, I know . . . What fears???? Losing weight and fears shouldn't go together but they did and still do for me.

My biggest fear of losing weight was stretch marks and loose skin. Now, many a skinny person has said to me, "who cares about that?" I do. And I write this blog with the hopes that I can be a channel for or human research project for someone who is going through the same weight issues I am. I am ashamed at times to share some of the feelings I am having about myself but, I figure that if I am having those feelings then there might be someone else going through this that has the same feelings and they should know they are not alone. I am brutally honest in sharing my highs and lows about this experience of being mortally obese to one day being healthy. I will say that even with my short term successes it is still very difficult on me and I am depressed a lot of the times event thought I am over 100 pounds less than I was 4 short months ago.

My fears are coming to fruition and I am dealing with them ok on some days and not so much on others. The loose skin is not as bad as I thought it would be, but the stretch marks are nasty. I am currently reading a journal article that discusses assisting in the repairing of those cells and things I can do to help, however it seems that there is no “fix” for lose skin and stretch marks except going under the knife and having what they call a body lift. I am not so keen on that whole deal, but we shall see.

The area that bothers me the most is around my butt. GRRRRRR. Loose skin is a runn’n wild! But the alternative – staying at 400 plus pounds is not acceptable.

The other issue I am dealing with – This is really gross – is hygiene in areas where the loose skin hangs now. In some of the folds I have to constantly monitor and clean AND KEEP DRY or I get sores. I am not dealing well with that at all. I feel dirty even though I shower twice a day and at times when exercising in the middle of the day I will shower three times a day, but it still messes with my psyche.

My point in sharing this is that I think this is inevitable for anyone losing massive amounts of weight and I am trying to look at it as a positive. Such as . . . This just means I am succeeding in my goal and it may get worse before it gets better, therefore I need to expect the worse and then it will get better??????????

I will charge on and if I can help anyone out there in blogosphere-land with their goals of losing weight please post or email me.

God Bless and Peace Out II!

New to Mountain Biking!

I wanted to share with you all my first experience in mountain biking.

Before I get to my experience I wanted to share a few ideas for anyone considering mountain biking for their first time:

1. Ride you new mnt bike around the neighborhood for a week or so before hitting the trails. Jump curbs, run into curbs, throw yourself off the bike into the yard, come to a complete stop and make sure you can clip out of your pedals going backwards.

2. Even if the website of the trails you are going to ride say there are maps available at the site, print your own. I don't have a printer at home but saw they had maps at the site . . . NOT!

3. GO VERY SLOW your first time on the trails.

4. Go after you know many others have hit the trails AND make sure you go on the trails that people STILL USE!!!!! I found loads of thorn bushes hanging over on the trails. I caught all of them before I rode through them and stamped them down at the roots for future riders.

5. Make sure you have your cell phone.

6. Don't go alone your first time.

I had a GREAT time! I love this trail riding thing. I could go all day with that type of excitement. I probably hit the dirt three times, but loved all of the except the last one (see below).

I made a few mistakes. first I didn't know the trails and ended up on the "advanced" trails several times, but I maneuvered through them just fine, mainly because I was going fast (for me) and didn't have time to freak out about some of the descents and climbs or the massive roots, or other fun stuff. I had to walk the bike up one small climb (very small) but that was because I hit a rut and didn't react properly and began rolling backwards and hadn't followed the rule of learning how to clip out in a moment of panic.

I would recommend trail riding for everyone. I am doing it for off season training and to break the monotony, but I can see hoe people focus all of their energy into mountain biking!

Now to the fun part.

As I was on one of the "advance" trail. There were many thord bushes hanging on the trails. MAYBE this is normal and just part of the fun, but I can't handle donating that much blood to the trail dirt, so as I stated I would pull over and stomp the bushes down so that future riders wouldn't hit them.

BUT there was one . . .

I didn't have time to react. I came around a small corner, saw a thorn VINE hanging out that I was heading for and the contact point was MY FACE. I didn't want to damage this precious face so I threw up my left arm to block it. The vine dug in and actually PULLED my arm back.

Problem 1. because of the vine I failed to notice the drop off just after the turn. I hit a rut the bike turned violently to the right and I began to fall over the bike down the small fall off. As I did this the rest of the vine found my left leg and torn into it and my cogs on the big ring of my bike dug into my right ankle.

I stood up at the bottom of this decline and blood was dripping from several spots on my body. I reacted appropriately (after I squealed like a stuck pig while this was happening) by throwing my helmet, cursing, and finally wondering how bad the ankle was since the cogs went in about and inch and a half.

The ride back to the vehicle was awesome, blood all over my baby blue bike, I'm still cursing. It was a blast! Also, Don't pull your sock over a wound to stop the bleeding . . . You eventually have to pull that sock that is now dried to you skin off of the wound, no fun.

Needless to say, I am ready to go again!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!!!!!

Coming Home

My Rental Bike and the engine downtown Kona

Fun Week

It is all over.

The streets as clean as a babies butt. Had you arrived this afternoon you would not realize there like was an event that covered the entire stretch of the Kona shore and hosted 1,800 athletes and their friends and family and finally a whole host of volunteers.

As I rode into town from the hotel I began to notice spots where individuals were picking up trash and duping the bags, then a truck came by and picked up the bags. It was quite organized, but then again that looks status quo with this group here in Kona.

The only evidence that the Ironman World Championships was held here just yesterday is the faded chalk messages to the athletes pushing themselves to the limit for 140.6 miles.

After I returned my steed to the bike rental shop, I visited a few areas that were packed with folks last night and then I simply sat on a bench and took it all in as I waited for the trolley.

I am sure this has been termed before now, but I am officially naming it the IMW – or the “Ironman Walk.”

I was sitting outside King Kaeamea hotel. This is the host hotel for the race. As FINISHERS came into the hotel to collect their FINISHER gear they each had earned for their exceptional feats the previous day.

Think of a person who might have ridden a horse all day – with no britches!!!!! That I the walk! A wide stance, with legs spread as to not let the inner thighs touch and a slight wobble from the shoulders to help the hips rotate.

My flight leaves at 11:00pm. I am going to hang around the pool, watch the Saints, and finish a few post cards, and then it is back to reality.

I hope I have given a small insight of a volunteer/spectators view, but I am sure I have missed many of the obvious spectacles, but that just means you need to come and experience it for yourself!!!

Peace!

I Will Be Back Next Year!

It Was A Great Day . . .

I am signing off and going to have a few many beers!

I recovered from my bike spill and then found out LSU lost!

I am heading back to the finish to party the night away and try and stay awake (sober) until midnight.

What a great day.

I was close on my predictions.

Chris McCormick (Macca) did win – which I called.

Sam McGlone had a valiant effort for second place, but Chrissie W something won. Next year Sam!

Caroline should be crossing just about the time I get down there so I hope to get to see her cross.


It has been a great week and a great day. I know I have said this a bunch, but save your pennies and come view this spectacle. It is the cream de la cream.

Flying home late tomorrow night. I miss my wife! I love you honey, thanks for the yard pass!!!!!

I DNF'd!

I Crashed

OK. I have DNF’d being a spectator at Kona.

I was riding around the back side of Alli Dr. Heading over to Queen K to see the runners on the turn and a VERY nice lady and her two children ran right out in front of me and I was making the turn.

I busted my but. The front tire of this crapy bike what twisted, but a little tug of the handle bars with the tire between my knees – kinda straightened things out.

The lady was very apologetic because I think she knew I took the dive so I wouldn’t run over her child and then when she saw my size, I guess she understood my sacrifice!!!! HA!!!!!

I landed on my left hip and left shoulder, over the front of the bike. Not too much blood, but I have ridden back to the room since my shorts well ripped and left a little inside view.

I didn’t see Caroline and was heading over to try and catch her turn up the hill, but I am in a little pain and will take my time heading back, I am about 8 miles from downtown where race start and finish is located.

Basically EVERYONE has busted on this race. I am thinking Timbeux’s pool is sucking up right now.

I am going to clean myself up and head back out to see Caroline finish.

This is an awesome event.

Macc - McGlone???? Maybe??? Maybe Not . . .

Lots of Craziness . . .

I am still calling Macca for the men. He has to catch a few folk, but I think he will be strong.

However, The lead woman looked super strong, so McGlone will have to work for my calls to come through.

Kate Major also looked strong.

Peace.