It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash. -- George S. Patton
Yes, two relevant quotes... I have been thinking about this for some time... almost a year, really. My good friend and training partner signed up last year to compete in the IronMan Florida in November 2010. You have to make the decision a year in advance, because registration for a full IronMan for the next year starts the day after the event completes, and the registration for the next year's IronMan events close almost as fast as they open.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either IN or you're OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between." - Pat Riley
Finally started running again... I have been on the treadmill at the gym, since it is so freaking hot - and humid - outside. I feel like I need to get the distance up first, before I worry about speed. I know I can finish the events; it just won't be fast.
After a few days off after the Triple Bypass ride, riding the Katy Flatland Century felt pretty good. I am working on consistently doing the longer rides on the weekends, and getting swim and run time in during the week.
So I think the plan is now: half-iron this September, half-iron in spring 2011, another in the fall, all part of getting to the point where I can do a full iron-distance event. Starting the full iron-distance training plan the first of the year, in preparation to do the IMFL in November 2011... guess this is all dependent on what the cardiologist says later this month. But I intend to also work in the century rides as I go along, probably doing Tahoe with the Team In Training group again next June.
I know I am not the sprint-distance kind of triathlete... I have used the term "plodding elephant" in the past. But I feel comfortable doing the half-iron distances, particularly once I get the running segment figured out. So for me the next challenge is getting ready for the big one.
Another thought pattern has creeped into the discussion as well. Now that we have done the Triple Bypass ride, one more thing is checked off the bucket list. But just like most everybody else, I seem to keep adding things to my list at the same time. I have a TnT teammate that rides the RAGBRAI just about every year... but nobody talks about riding across Texas. For some reason, the idea of riding across my own state is more appealing -- but it is about 850 miles, whether you ride east-west or north-south, compared to the 450 for Iowa. Looking at the map, I can envision a route either horizontally or vertically. I have drafted routes going both directions, but I think I would rather do a north-to-south crossing. Starting at the Texas-Oklahoma border at the top of the Panhandle and finishing up at South Padre Island. The route will continue to evolve, and may be another opportunity to fundraise and fight cancer at the same time -- we will see how the planning goes for this, but the earliest I would want to do this ride is spring 2012. Already I get the question of "when?" followed by "Well, yeah, I am in!" -- stay tuned.
Yeah, looks like there is always room for another challenge...
Finally started running again... I have been on the treadmill at the gym, since it is so freaking hot - and humid - outside. I feel like I need to get the distance up first, before I worry about speed. I know I can finish the events; it just won't be fast.
After a few days off after the Triple Bypass ride, riding the Katy Flatland Century felt pretty good. I am working on consistently doing the longer rides on the weekends, and getting swim and run time in during the week.
So I think the plan is now: half-iron this September, half-iron in spring 2011, another in the fall, all part of getting to the point where I can do a full iron-distance event. Starting the full iron-distance training plan the first of the year, in preparation to do the IMFL in November 2011... guess this is all dependent on what the cardiologist says later this month. But I intend to also work in the century rides as I go along, probably doing Tahoe with the Team In Training group again next June.
I know I am not the sprint-distance kind of triathlete... I have used the term "plodding elephant" in the past. But I feel comfortable doing the half-iron distances, particularly once I get the running segment figured out. So for me the next challenge is getting ready for the big one.
Another thought pattern has creeped into the discussion as well. Now that we have done the Triple Bypass ride, one more thing is checked off the bucket list. But just like most everybody else, I seem to keep adding things to my list at the same time. I have a TnT teammate that rides the RAGBRAI just about every year... but nobody talks about riding across Texas. For some reason, the idea of riding across my own state is more appealing -- but it is about 850 miles, whether you ride east-west or north-south, compared to the 450 for Iowa. Looking at the map, I can envision a route either horizontally or vertically. I have drafted routes going both directions, but I think I would rather do a north-to-south crossing. Starting at the Texas-Oklahoma border at the top of the Panhandle and finishing up at South Padre Island. The route will continue to evolve, and may be another opportunity to fundraise and fight cancer at the same time -- we will see how the planning goes for this, but the earliest I would want to do this ride is spring 2012. Already I get the question of "when?" followed by "Well, yeah, I am in!" -- stay tuned.
Yeah, looks like there is always room for another challenge...
Monday, July 19, 2010
Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. -- Harold B. Melchart
So it has been a week since we completed the Triple Bypass ride. What an awesome adventure! 120 miles, 3 mountain passes (technically 4, but who's counting?) and 10,400-plus feet of elevation climbing. 3 great friends and support from home that was just unbelievable.
So then what? Decided to go ahead and ride the Katy Flatland Century, on the tri bike. Not a bad ride, and good basis for ramping up the training for the Redman Half-Iron distance in September. Got back in the pool last week for an easy swim, mostly to work out some stiffness left over from the Colorado ride.
Now it is time for more running... did I mention I don't like running? Oh well, I have a goal of beating my time in Galveston.
Wish me luck. If you pass by me on the road, just make sure I am still at least face-up. It is easier to breathe that way. :-)
So it has been a week since we completed the Triple Bypass ride. What an awesome adventure! 120 miles, 3 mountain passes (technically 4, but who's counting?) and 10,400-plus feet of elevation climbing. 3 great friends and support from home that was just unbelievable.
So then what? Decided to go ahead and ride the Katy Flatland Century, on the tri bike. Not a bad ride, and good basis for ramping up the training for the Redman Half-Iron distance in September. Got back in the pool last week for an easy swim, mostly to work out some stiffness left over from the Colorado ride.
Now it is time for more running... did I mention I don't like running? Oh well, I have a goal of beating my time in Galveston.
Wish me luck. If you pass by me on the road, just make sure I am still at least face-up. It is easier to breathe that way. :-)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Well, we are now only 19 days away from the Triple Bypass ride... wow! I am starting to get a bit excited, to say the least. Not because I don't think I am ready for it, but because to date, this will be my longest ride. Throw in a trio of mountain passes and a few substantial climbs, and we should have a really good time.
Yesterday was the last triathlon before the Big Ride, and I knew going into it I wasn't going to be breaking any speed records. I had decided a couple of weeks ago that my intent with this one was to go the Nike route - "just do it" - and not risk any injuries. I got through the swim without much of a push. My focus was to see what kind of "time trial" I could manage on the bike, and pretty well walk quite a bit of the run - have I said how much I hate running? on gravel? yuk! Anyway, for the 14 miles, I managed a 19.5 average on the bike without feeling like I wore myself out. I still think I need to work on my pre-race nutrition, because I still haven't managed to get breakfast nailed down. My stomach was a little on the rumbly side when we got into the water. But that's a goal for another day.
I watched a number of friends run past me on the trip around the lake. I think if I can learn to run between now and the next triathlon, things will be quite a bit different. I plan on taking the advice of my coach after the Bypass, and working on bricks -- ride, then run right afterward. Yesterday, I felt like my hips wanted to lock up on the run, so I need to work through the physical bike-to-run transition a lot.
First things first, though - 3499 of my closest friends on 120 miles of Colorado roads - yippee!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others. Robert Louis Stevenson
It hit me a few days ago... yes, I completed a Half-IronMan... yes, I can swim a mile... yes, I can ride 100 miles... so what? What does that do for anybody? Oh, don't get me wrong - I am very proud of those accomplishments. But they are not important for really any reason other than I accomplished them, or to anybody other than myself.
And then my best friend tells me she is volunteering as a Swim Angel for the Danskin Women's Triathlon. This woman is training hard for an IronMan event this fall, yet it is still important to her to help some beginner athlete friends get through an event.
I am sure there are many people like her who volunteer, who give back to the sport. And I realized how important it is to me that I not only accomplish my goals, but that I give back as well. This friend, and many others, provide the emotional support I need to ride those ugly, windy, hilly miles or swim against those salty waves. I have ridden with Team In Training for a few seasons now, and my goal for the 2009 Tahoe ride was not just to finish the ride myself, but to support those riders who were with us. My friend and I spent the entire season supporting a specific individual, a cancer survivor, to help him succeed in his cycling adventure - and he completed not one but two century rides! It felt pretty good to watch him cross under the finish line banner.
So, I volunteered to be a kayak supporter on the swim portion of the Danskin. And I will support many events in the future. If just one person I encounter in each event supports others in the future, it is worth it... not for my benefit, but for those who follow.
It hit me a few days ago... yes, I completed a Half-IronMan... yes, I can swim a mile... yes, I can ride 100 miles... so what? What does that do for anybody? Oh, don't get me wrong - I am very proud of those accomplishments. But they are not important for really any reason other than I accomplished them, or to anybody other than myself.
And then my best friend tells me she is volunteering as a Swim Angel for the Danskin Women's Triathlon. This woman is training hard for an IronMan event this fall, yet it is still important to her to help some beginner athlete friends get through an event.
I am sure there are many people like her who volunteer, who give back to the sport. And I realized how important it is to me that I not only accomplish my goals, but that I give back as well. This friend, and many others, provide the emotional support I need to ride those ugly, windy, hilly miles or swim against those salty waves. I have ridden with Team In Training for a few seasons now, and my goal for the 2009 Tahoe ride was not just to finish the ride myself, but to support those riders who were with us. My friend and I spent the entire season supporting a specific individual, a cancer survivor, to help him succeed in his cycling adventure - and he completed not one but two century rides! It felt pretty good to watch him cross under the finish line banner.
So, I volunteered to be a kayak supporter on the swim portion of the Danskin. And I will support many events in the future. If just one person I encounter in each event supports others in the future, it is worth it... not for my benefit, but for those who follow.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Happy Mother's Day weekend
Don't be so humble; you're not that great. - Golda Meir
No, I readily admit I am not a great athlete --- have I mentioned I hate running?
This weekend was a good workout, and an enjoyable Mother's Day. Saturday, a number of our Team In Training alumni rode the Armadillo Hill Country ride. While the ride offers a 105-mile route, I wasn't sure until we met up in the morning which distance we were going to do. Turned out that nobody was planning on doing the full century other than the two crazies, Shelly and John. But I was happy enough with the 78-mile route (which turned out to be 81.4) given all the wind, and the fact that I was also participating in the Rookie Triathlon the next day. I told the rest of the crew to not wait on me because I wasn't planning on a hard push Saturday. Good thing - there were some turns where the wind was pretty tough. But we managed a mediocre 15.5 mph average.
Sunday was even better. The drive down to New Braunfels was broken up by a few intermittent showers. From the first drops on the windshield, all I could think was "oh, boy, another triathlon messed up by weather!" Fortunately, we only had a few sprinkles while we were setting up transition (really? could you put us old farts any further away from the exit/entry points? And cram us in as an afterthought while you are at it!) So we waited for the start and it felt like it was getting colder, making me re-think the fact that I decided to forgo the wetsuit. But once our wave got into the water, it wasn't too bad. Note to self - don't try to always sight on the buoys, cuz they aren't necessarily the most direct point to the swim finish.
Transition was definitely faster than LoneStar. Come out of the bike start directly into the first climb, down to a sharp right, and then off through the trees. Around the back of the loop there are a number of long rollers -- and a number of "occasional" riders (moms and their kids, mountain bikes that were getting walked up the hills, etc). I might have been able to manage a better ride time, but the course is so short (only 11 miles) and there are 1000 participants so bike traffic and the number of people who don't understand bike etiquette that there were some passes I had to wait on. But the final downhill was pretty awesome - I was hitting 35-36 passing a number of bikes.
The run? Yeah well, did I mention I hate running? I could still feel the 81 miles from the day before. But I waddled through it. I know if I am going to continue the triathlons, I will need lots of run practice. But until after the Triple Bypass ride, that isn't too much of a priority.
A good weekend overall, training-wise. And topped it off by taking the Resurrection over to the previous owners and taking them for a ride on his old motorcycle that had been sitting in his garage for 26 years. What a great feeling to watch their faces light up when I rolled into the driveway. Then it was off to dinner with MY mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
No, I readily admit I am not a great athlete --- have I mentioned I hate running?
This weekend was a good workout, and an enjoyable Mother's Day. Saturday, a number of our Team In Training alumni rode the Armadillo Hill Country ride. While the ride offers a 105-mile route, I wasn't sure until we met up in the morning which distance we were going to do. Turned out that nobody was planning on doing the full century other than the two crazies, Shelly and John. But I was happy enough with the 78-mile route (which turned out to be 81.4) given all the wind, and the fact that I was also participating in the Rookie Triathlon the next day. I told the rest of the crew to not wait on me because I wasn't planning on a hard push Saturday. Good thing - there were some turns where the wind was pretty tough. But we managed a mediocre 15.5 mph average.
Sunday was even better. The drive down to New Braunfels was broken up by a few intermittent showers. From the first drops on the windshield, all I could think was "oh, boy, another triathlon messed up by weather!" Fortunately, we only had a few sprinkles while we were setting up transition (really? could you put us old farts any further away from the exit/entry points? And cram us in as an afterthought while you are at it!) So we waited for the start and it felt like it was getting colder, making me re-think the fact that I decided to forgo the wetsuit. But once our wave got into the water, it wasn't too bad. Note to self - don't try to always sight on the buoys, cuz they aren't necessarily the most direct point to the swim finish.
Transition was definitely faster than LoneStar. Come out of the bike start directly into the first climb, down to a sharp right, and then off through the trees. Around the back of the loop there are a number of long rollers -- and a number of "occasional" riders (moms and their kids, mountain bikes that were getting walked up the hills, etc). I might have been able to manage a better ride time, but the course is so short (only 11 miles) and there are 1000 participants so bike traffic and the number of people who don't understand bike etiquette that there were some passes I had to wait on. But the final downhill was pretty awesome - I was hitting 35-36 passing a number of bikes.
The run? Yeah well, did I mention I hate running? I could still feel the 81 miles from the day before. But I waddled through it. I know if I am going to continue the triathlons, I will need lots of run practice. But until after the Triple Bypass ride, that isn't too much of a priority.
A good weekend overall, training-wise. And topped it off by taking the Resurrection over to the previous owners and taking them for a ride on his old motorcycle that had been sitting in his garage for 26 years. What a great feeling to watch their faces light up when I rolled into the driveway. Then it was off to dinner with MY mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Another busy week
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. - Joshua J. Marine
This past week has been an interesting week post-Half IronMan... still got in a couple of decent swims, including another open-water in the wetsuit at a local lake. Did a couple of short runs. Saturday was bike day, in that I rode approx 45 miles in the morning with the team on the road bike, and then another 29 on the tri bike in the afternoon. More wind in the afternoon, and a bit hotter.
Jeff and I rode the motorcycles down to New Braunfels so we could check out the bike route for the Rookie Tri next Sunday. There are a few rollers in it but nothing big. We stepped into the Ski Ranch to see what the swim looked like and our wonderful hostess gave us the guided tour.
I also have the Armadillo Hill Country Ride, a century, on Saturday. I am trying to decide whether I want to ride the entire 105 or just do the 75 in preparation for Sunday... that is the challenge right now.
Train on, brother, train on!
This past week has been an interesting week post-Half IronMan... still got in a couple of decent swims, including another open-water in the wetsuit at a local lake. Did a couple of short runs. Saturday was bike day, in that I rode approx 45 miles in the morning with the team on the road bike, and then another 29 on the tri bike in the afternoon. More wind in the afternoon, and a bit hotter.
Jeff and I rode the motorcycles down to New Braunfels so we could check out the bike route for the Rookie Tri next Sunday. There are a few rollers in it but nothing big. We stepped into the Ski Ranch to see what the swim looked like and our wonderful hostess gave us the guided tour.
I also have the Armadillo Hill Country Ride, a century, on Saturday. I am trying to decide whether I want to ride the entire 105 or just do the 75 in preparation for Sunday... that is the challenge right now.
Train on, brother, train on!
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