Way to go team!

We did our first open water swim this past saturday at Luckys. We had 10 participants there and everyone did 1 crossing at got to sign the wall. Clint had a wind surfer board and followed 2-3 of the weaker swimmers. I swam with a couple people to make sure they were okay. I think I was more nervous for everyone else, than I have ever been for my self. Just checked Luckys website. There was 130 swimmers this past weekend. It was crowded. We waited till everyone was in the water than our group went.

Water temp was 84. It was great. Very calm. We plan on doing several more open water swims before the Nations Triathlon. But, a good start.

Ironman advice

I was at a Leukemia and Lymphoma dinner the other night and someone there is going to do Ironman Florida in November. She asked me for advice. Here goes after a little thought.

-HAVE FUN enjoy the day. You have worked hard to get to this point enjoy it
-Thank every volunteer, without them the day would suck. Have fun
-SMILE
-Think of the day as a long catered training day.
-When it gets tough keep going.
-Think back to all of those training days. This is what it is for.
-Encourage everyone.

SMILE
Drink the chicken broth
Have a beer

Join the Club

Back Again

Well here I go again. Time to get back posting. Been busy with Team in Training practices and work. I am having a good time with coaching Team in Training, triathlon group. Turn out has been a little light. It is hard to gauge how everyone is doing if they are not showing up for practice. It is great trying to motivate people past those bumps in the road.

We had a practice last week, where we got off a 27 mile bike for a 4 mile run. On of the group was having a hard time on the run. This was the longest bike they have ever done. They did great! The run was sucking. but she just got off a great bike. I was trying to help her get through the sucky part. The 1st mile is gonna suck. You just have to work through the tough parts...

happiness

nice swim today. I got a good 50 minutes in at the Y. It is funny the simplest things can make me happy. LONG LANES. Plus I had a nice sunny lane. I felt good the whole time and was able to get some good thinking done.

Over the weekend I got to Luckys for 2 crossings. No wetsuit the water was about 77not bad.

I ran yesterday, still have this Achilles issue. I wish I knew what I was supposed to do with it.. I guess more stretching.

Running

Been dong more running lately. I love. LOVE. my Zoot shoes. They are super comfortable. I will do a long run in them this weekend. I was in Western NY last weekend for a funeral. I got a chance to do a 10-12 mile run around the town I grew up in. I did a lap at the high school track. It is funny how everything is the same in a lot of ways. I had to run all around town to get the mileage I needed. I always thought the town was bigger or something. It was nice to run on some familiar roads, with some hills.

This week I was in Miami for an overnight. Did a good treadmill run. I start the Team in Training coaching next week. I hope we get more participants. I am looking forward to helping this group reach their goals.

I now need to decide between running the Marine Corp Marathon or the Miami Man Half Ironman distance triathlon.

Vegas

Okay I am in Vegas on business. Staying at the Venetian. It is a nice hotel the room is nice. But $30 a day to use the fitness center AKA The SPA is a little much. I guess I will be dodging cars outside to get my run in.

Weekend Update

An okay training weekend. I was going to ride on Saturday morning with Gary at the Van Fleet trail. I was talked out of this by the family. Saturday, was family day. I ended up getting on the trainer on the back porch, at 5:30 and rode for 3+ hours. Kind of boring but, I have a DVR so I could watch some shows.. We got to Typoon Lagoon by 10:30 and stayed all day. It reached 90 so it was nice to hang out with the kids and play.

I met the group at 5am for a nice 12 mile run. I ware the New Balance, I have gotten up to about 5 miles with the Zoot shoes and still love them. I want to alternate miles between the 2 shoes. I still have plenty of miles left on the NB. The Zoots feel great.

Coaches Meeting

I am excited. I have my first coached meeting for the upcoming Team in Training Triathlon season. I have never coached anything before. It should be a great learning experince.

I have been training a little harder. I did a hour inthe pool yesterday. I think I need to start swimming with nose plugs. My nose was running all day long and I was sneezing. I think it was from all the chlorine. I then did a 4 mile run in my new Zoot shoes. Felt great. I am loving them.

I did 2 hours on the trainer today, followed by a 30 minute run.

Early mornings

I traveled on business most of this week. I did not get home till late Thursady night or early friday morning, depending on how you look at it. I did some work Firday and then took the afternoon off. I took the kids to Blizard Beach. We had a ball. We have season passes to the Disney Water Parks now. It should be a good investment.

Kristy left around noon on Fridya for the Iron Girl 10K in Clearwater. I am in charge for the day and a half. I was able to leave JT in charge this morning and meet at 5AM for a nice 10 mile run. It is starting to get hot. The temp at 5am was 72. So we were very sweaty when we got back. He is biking tomorrrow, I was invited along, but do not think I will make it.

I would like ot do a bike and a long swim to gage my fitness level. I really should sign up for the Gator Half. Just wnat to be sure I am ready.

Talk to me Goose

Here I am again. I seem to come and go with posting on this site.

I am a big Top Gun fan. I think a lot about when Mav looks to Goose for guidance. I thought of that quote during the Ironman swim. I was stuck in a group of triathletes a swarm or us all competing for the same water. I was panicing. I was there doubting my abilities, and my commitment. I lay back did the back stroke and re grouped. "TALK TO ME GOOSE" "TALK TO ME GOOSE" Prior to the race I had drawn on my left hand a smiley face( so that I would smile and have fun) and on my right had I wrote "Do It" I had put in the time and training I just had to believe in myself. I rolled back over and did it. Once I was headed for shore on the first lap. I knew I could do it.

I struggle lately with the commitment and goals. I have taken this year to regroup with the family. I have had no clear cut triathlon goals. I have now been given clearance(by the wife) to do the Gator Half Not sure if I am ready. I did a crossing at Luckys last week. I did an ocean swim this weekend. I could probably muster up a half Ironman. I would like to do one under 6 hours. Not sure if that goal is obtainable. I am still having issues wiht my achilles. I am having a coaches meeting next week with the Team in Training group for the upcoming season. This is something that I have never done. A little outside of my comfort zone. But, I am a believer. Set a goal and work towards that goal and anything is possible. I was able to get the skills I needed with the Team in Training group to complete my first triathlon and then use those skills to go on the IRONMAN.


I just purchased the Zoot running shoes. I did a 30 minute run on them this afternoon. WOW. Super light and nice. They slip right on. I am impressed. I can not wait to run in the when it is hot out. All for now. I am in Knoxville, TN now headed to Nashville in the morning.

Time to get serious

Well, its time. To get serious. A recent trip to the scale has shown an unacceptable weight gain. I could stand to now loose 8-10 lbs. I have been accustom to eating whatever I want. Not anymore. I still am training but not to the extent that I was for Ironman. I do miss those days. 1 more year I hope. I have been traveling on business a lot lately. All of those dinners out have caught up. Trying to figure out if I should just notch up my exercises or do I limit my eating. I toy with the idea of giving up beer..But, that would such. I will start by giving up french fries and limiting the amount I eat. I have been thinking that I should ask of half portions at a restaurant. This would be closer to 1 real portion or food or closer to the right amount to eat.

I skipped the group run on Sunday morning as it was 40 degrees. I waited till late in the afternoon to get my 8 miles in. I am taking it easy today and plan a 30 minute run later. I caught 2 spring training games over the weekend. Took Sam on Saturday, I think he had a lot of fun. We watched the last inning from the seats by the dugout. One of the Brave players at the end tossed us a ball. So Sam go a good souvenir.

One down

Rode on the Van Fleet trail on Saturday morning. It was "freezing" cold, in Florida I guess that means any thing in e 50's. At the start of the ride you could see your breath. I had a ton of layers on. My toes were numb. It warmed up by the end of the ride, and I had to strip off some layers. But, off the bike my toes were still numb! We did 1 out and back at Van Fleet for 58+ miles. I felt a lot better this week than the previous time. I did not do a run off the bike as planned.

Towards the turn around, a squirrel darted across the path. It ended up being caught between mine and Gary's bikes. I closed my eyes. It darted...It ended up under Gary's back tire. Gary was able to keep riding. The squirrel some how made it off the path. Not sure of the end result. Squirrel's and rabbits tend to dart across the path. I always envisioned this scenario with a biker going down. I guess it is good that it went under the back tire as opposed to the front.

Sunday morning we met at 5am, for our group run. It sucks getting up that early. we tried a new route and it was nice. I was familiar with bits and pieces of it. It is nice trying a new route. Doing the same routes all the time gets boring. We wound through Bay Hill. They are beginning the set up for the Arnold Palmer invitational. Nice to check out some of the house. We did take a wrong turn or 2. The route ended at 13.5. Not bad for a Sunday morning. I then spent the balance of the day doing yard work. Caught a 6pm flight to Cincinnati.. and here I am...

Back in the Groove

Starting to get back in the groove. I had a good bike "ride" on the trainer while watching the Departed. I was on for atleast 1:45. Flet great afterwards. I then got a go 35 minute swim in at the Y. I even worked on some drills. I hate the kickboard. It seems like I am going so slow. Probably because I am..

Still have not signed up for a race. The plan still is the Gator Half and then Miami Man. I will do the Marine Corps Marathon and hopefully, another marathon.

I am even starting to convince my brother and father to run. They think they could do the Disney Marathon. Neither, have much or any running background. So I would prefer they shoot for the half.. They need to decide soon as it will fill up. I am off to Memphis for 2 days. I should get a treadmill work out in...

Ouch

Okay, I can not wear flip flops anymore. They are sure easy to slip on, but I can not walk the next day. I must have worn them on Saturday, and I could feel the results that night. I tried stretching and stuff, but still bothering my achilles. I did my long run on Sunday, I only managed about 8 miles. I did get to the YMCA in the afternooon, with the boys. I did not do much swimmming, but I was in the pool and it helped loosen me up.

The first part of this week I have spent in the pool. I will be in Boston the balance of the week, and I know the Courtyard I am staying in will not be good enough for laps. SO I will use the treadmill. I have started reading the book RUN LESS, RUN FASTER. It calls for 3 days running and the rest cross training. I am going to give it a shot. There is also a Boston qualifiying plan in the back of the book. I would need to drop 45 minutes off my PR to qualify. But, I want to get faster so I will give the book a tri.....

Another day

Had a good swim today. I had to use the dive well as there was a small swim meet at the YMCA Aquatic center. The dive well was fine except the water temp was 87. I like it warm but, that was a little too much. I did a good 40minutes.

I was able to squeeze in a 40 minute run after the swim. I ran around the neighborhood. Flet pretty good but not great. Kristy is taking Grace to Grandma's for the weekend, so I am in charge of the boys. No bike for me in the morning. I have to make sure they do not kill each other. I will probalby, ride the trainer on the back porch, maybe I cna convince them to go for a swim...

I will do my long run on Sunday. Sign up for a race...and plan my life.

Bad Run

Bad run today. I did my 5.2 mile loop. I just felt like crap. I could not get in a rythem. I have been swimming the last couple of days. I need to start doing a run in the morning and a swim at lunch time. I am working from home all this week and traveling Wed-Fri next week. I am not looking forward to going up north.

Still need to sign up for a couple races. Need to work on my "core"

Back in the Game

Did a training ride on Saturday. 60 miles at the Van Fleet trail. Felt pretty good. The winds picked up on the way back and the last 20 miles were a little more challenging. It brought back a lot of Ironman memories. I do like the training. It is tough being away from home..

On the way back from the ride we stopped at Tri n Run in Winter Garden. They have the new Zoot shoes. I love them. They feel great. I think that will be my next pair of shoes when my New Balance get another month or so of miles into them.

I went to sign up for the Florida 70.3. SOLD OUT! CRAP. I am now scramling to find a early race. I would lot to do the Gulf Coast half, but it is a little far. There is a new half Iron distnace race in Sarasota that I may do. It is called the Gator Half. It will be small race, but that might be okay. I will then do the Miami Man half Iron distance in Nov.

I am trying to see if I can get the wife to run the Marine Corp Marathon with me in October. I did it 2 yrs ago and it is a nice course and a lot of fun. I also need to sign up for the Goofy Challenge 2009..

Spending more time in the pool lately... will probably run and swim today..

On the Road

In Boston on business. Did not get to the hotel till late last night. When I got up to go to the plant it was 12 degrees.. I can not handle that kind of cold any more. I have not seen the sun in the 2 days that I have been here. The sky is a solid grey overcast. I was able to do a nice 35 minute run on the treadmill at the hotel. I tried to get a swim in but the pool is the size of 2 double beds.. As soon as I got in the water 4 kids showed up and decided to have a cannonball contest. I love traveling.

Time to Give Back I will be helping my training partner Clint, train the Team in Training Triathlon Team. I have never coached anyone or anything before. It should be a great learning process. I strated all of this and became and Ironman with the help of Team in Training. It seems fitting that I now pay up. We will be doing the Nations Triathlon in DC September 14th. We will probably begin training May or June. It will be very hot while we do the peak training. I wish I was a better swimmer so that I could offer some guidance there.

My other training partner Gary, is looking at getting a coach to help him meet his goal of a Boston Qualifying time. I wish I had the extra cash to get some professional coaching. I need a 3:15 to qualify for Boston. Although, doing this last marathon. I really like triathlon/ Ironman more than just running a marathon.

2009 is not that far away. I should figure out what race to do.

Another Goal Met

Had a decent run on Sunday. Kristy's goal was a sub 5 hour run. We were able to pull in at 4:56. job well done. It ended up being fairly warm. I took off my shirt about half way through and Kristy ran in her jog bra. We ended up having some chaffing issues because of all the sweat.

Disney is a fun race. It starts way to early, 6am. We had to wake up a little after 3am. I think there were some where over 18,000 runners. It made it trying, dodging all the all the runners. There are 2 separate start lines that come together at about mile 3. There are plenty of characters on the course that you can stop and get a picture with. But, none of that this year. We were on a mission. Kristy stuck with Cliff Blocks as she knew this would not upset her stomach. I can pretty much eat and drink what ever. I did have the worst tasting Cliff Shot on the course, double espresso, it tastes nasty. I liked the double caffeine, but that was it. I tried to swallow it without tasting it...

After, the race we were able to meet up with some of the group that I run with. We then headed home for showers. We had a Mexican lunch that hit the spot. I get about half way through any race and I start thinking about what to eat after. It keeps my mind going.

Next race? Tampa Marathon. I want to work on my goal of a 3:50 marathon. Swam yesterday to loosen up the legs.

Need to sign up for a couple tri's..for this season. Also, need to start working on the wife for approval for a Ironman distance race in 2009..

Marathon Weekend

The Disney Marathon is this weekend. I should be ready. I am running with Kristy. The plan is jsut to take it easy and have fun. I have been suffering with a little Achilles Tendinitis. I will stretch good and suck it up.

I have not taken this training very seriously, coming off Ironman. Again, just want to have fun. This will be Kristy's 2nd marthon. So it should be a good time. I will run with her the whole time and not worry about a finishing time....

I'm Back

Time to start think about goals for this year. I have been gong over and over this in my mind. It is tough going from such a huge goal last year as Ironman to something else. I need to re arrange my priorities to balance, family, work and fitness. As of right now my goals for 2008 are:

Sub 6 hour Half Ironman Florida 70.3 and the Greater Floridian Half
3:50 marathon Tampa?
Lose 5lbs


Those are the top 3.

New Years resolution, has been to give up Diet Coke. I was drinking a lot of it and it may contribute to my excess 5lbs. I will still do the occasional energy drink, but that is limited.