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.