Riding the IronHorse
Went for a nice 2 hour mountain bike ride yesterday.
Getting excited to head over to Kona. I enjoy traveling to events like this, just traveling in general. Hoping to do more of that in future years.
Endurable Me.
Archive for General
Spring Cleaning, the Re-post
It’s that time of the year for me to regroup, refocus, resimplify, and recreate some plans and goals for the coming months and year. I try to take some time to myself and think, often. But lately, as in throughout my Ironman training, I’ve been in one (mostly 3rd) gear. Work, Train, Eat, Sleep - that’s pretty much all I had time for the last 6 months, and if I did have extra time I used it to sleep more. 
Now I have a little more time to think. Which usually leads to planning the future months, rethinking my current strategies/plans (work/projects), and trying to simplify things and reprioritize. I’ve discussed this in past posts, but I tend to take on too many tasks over time until I’m over taxed and stressed. I often need to take a time out and try to simplify things again. I thought I’d start this undertaking of the process with a new simplified template for my blog.
At least it will serve as a reminder to myself to keep things simple (simplify), work on limited number of projects (create - as this is what drives me), and keep pushing the limits of my endurance (endure).
The theme (Hemingway) is a little buggy on this trifuel.net multiblog platform system, so I can’t release it to the group. But if I have time, here I go talking about another project , I’ll look into the code to see if I can clean it up enough to let others use it if they like.
Kona Bound; well to watch…
But maybe some year I’ll focus enough and the gods will be on my side and I’ll make it as a qualifier. I’m still shooting for the 60-65 age group, though I have to get a little faster still and then hold that form for 24 years. No problem
Went for a nice mountain bike ride on Saturday and then a couple runs since then. Fairly relaxed on my training, as I’ve been focused on my projects. BTW, thanks to those who’ve joined Feedstoke, I’m stoked (pun intended) about this project as I think it has some great potential. Added a couple more elements to the site and now I think I’ll just let it simmer and see if takes traction. Heading to Kona next week and when I return I’ll start working on some Trifuel enhancements, designs for kits, and whatever else I can think of. I’ll probably have to look for a part-time job as well as the winter season gets a little tight as the site and projects slow down a bit. I know… Poor Me Need to find something were I can learn some things and keep a schedule that allows me to continue working on the endurance stuff, online and offline.
Will probably also sit down while I’m out in Kona and put together a training plan for next season. Wisconsin is in September, but I have a lot to improve on for then. Need to get my run in shape and continue to workout my nutrition - general and training. I took a CHEK test from a book I just read and it identified me as a protein type. So I’ve been eating alot more protein than I had in the past. Lots of meats, fish, etc. and less wheat products. I’ve been on it for about 10 days now and I kinda like it. Been cooking more, which is good. And I don’t feel as sluggish as I had in the past. It could a number of things, like not working out as much, but I’ve cut back on the coffee, eating more protein, and trying to get to bed earlier. Still need to work on the water intake though. I need an alarm to go off every two hours to remind me to drink 10-12 ounces. According to Chek I should be drinking 80 ounces a day, and I don’t come close to that currently.
Hopefully I’ll have a connection while in Kona and I’ll send updates and photos.
Getting Cold, but Stoked
Thought I’d check in. Again as my projects/ideas pick up, my blogging slows to a crawl.
Haven’t been doing a whole lot of training. Been bad. Just getting over a cold/flu bug, so now trying to get back into it. Did a short run yesterday and about 40 minutes today. Still a little congested but not coughing up quite as much phlem (sp?) as this weekend.
Getting excited to head out to Kona to watch the race. Gonna be good, though DeBoom just pulled out due to injury.
Been working on some ideas for Trifuel sister sites. I call them sister sites because they will be their own site, but still (for the most part) targeted to endurance/adventure athletes. I’ve been admiring the concepts behind sites like Newsvine and Digg. Were users who are passionate about topics feed the site with information and news, and others can vote on and discuss the items. The down side (in my opinion) to these sites is Digg is very techy and newsvine is very newsy, but neither have much in the way of sports and almost nothing in endurance or adventure type sports. So, I’ve been playing around with making a site that tailors to us (or me ). Another way for me to pursue other interests outside of Triathlon. Anyway, you can take a look and join in on the posting at Feedstoke. Very simple and basic for now, members just submit stories and then the rest of us read, vote on, and discuss.
I think it’s good for you BBB, you always post good links to stories and what-not in the Trifuel forums, but it gets lost in there sometimes. This site is hopefully a way to keep discussions on those topics going and allow people to create lists of their favorite items.
I’ll probably be working on this site for a while and see how it comes along. have other ideas and some redesign thoughts for Trifuel, so hopefully will work on those this fall as well.
Anyway that’s what I’ve been doing with my time as of late.
Time for a Change
I need to change the title of this blog. Canada ‘06 is in the books and time to move on. Signed up for Wisconsin ‘07 this morning, so getting psyched about that one. Especially after tracking so many Trifuelers in yesterday’s race. Awesome job everyone on a tough day.
Tim and Cayman are in, and PJT is heading back to volunteer. Who else is signing up?
Not sure I want to change the name of the blog to Wisconsin ‘07. Need to be more creative than that. Maybe “Streatley’s running partner” or Endurable Me (perhaps a hint of things to come).
In any case, I need to get back to training in some form. Been pretty laxed about it since coming home. Pulled out the Mountain bike yesterday, so I think I’ll try to ride that a bunch until the snow comes. Give the carbon Look stallion a rest, hopefully maybe even put it out to pasture Would love to invest in some new cycles for the coming year. Cervelo’s are so tempting, but the new Felt (now carbon) looks very promising as well. Time will tell if the funds can float an investment. After this morning’s mortgage payment to get into IMWI, I’m not so sure
Back to Training
Well took some time off the last week. Began to feel a little slothy, yuk. Went for run this morning and it felt good. Back in the saddle. Just need to find something to train for this Fall.
I Survived!
Decided to drive home today so been on the road all day. Not fun. Legs so tight and soar. But, excited to see Streatley tomorrow when I pick him up from the Kennel.
As many of you know, I survived the Ironman. Had a great swim and bike, better than I expected, but fell apart on the run. Legs cramped up something fierce in T2 and then again at around mile 6. Took a lot of walking and salt tabs to drive and work it out to where I could run some and walk some. I’ll do a full recap/race report tomorrow. A little tired now and would like to enjoy and a well earned beer!
Overall time was 13:14 and change. Thanks to Libor, Adam, Toni, PoC, Brittda (sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet in person), Trevor, Mom, Tracy, Linda, Dad, Chris, and all the other Trifuelers; all whom were either racing themselves, or cheering me on (live and tracking on Ironmanlive). You support definitely made a difference and helped me grind out those long hours on the run
IMC Check In
Just checking in on the blog. I arrived here in Pentincton on Wednesday, so been here a few days. Great town and seems like a great venue for this race. I had a chance to check out the climbs as we drove in. Richter is definitely a good climb and Yellow seems less severe, but a bit longer. Not really as concerned about them as I was before arrival. I had heard they are tough, but seem no more difficult than what I’ve been training on, so confident I can manage them.
Rode part of the course yesterday, The first section out of town. Very fast as the wind is at your back, but when you turn to hit Richter, boy the wind is strong. It’s gonna a be a tough ride home if the winds continue as they have.
The run looks good, some short climbs and some long steady climbs, but manageable. Getting warm in the afternoons though, and supposed to be in 90’s on Sunday, so need to make sure I take in the fluids and manage my efforts. I think the heat and wind could sneak up on you if you don’t try to stay within yourself through the race.
Definitely getting nervous and antsy. Want to go out and do this thing. The tapering and waiting is not fun, you start doubting if you have the endurance to do it because I haven’t riden or run long in a while. We’ll see come Sunday. #587!
Pre-Race Jitters
Oh, boy. Six days til the gun goes off.
The last week has been a bit stressful. Lots of issues with servers and hosting of my sites. Some twinges in my sciatica (sp?), left side. Trying to focus on stretching it out and taking it easy on my runs.
Starting to get all anal about stuff. Got some new Zoot shorts and a neoprene seat cover. Fixed up the bike yesterday with new rear bottle cage and my Brothers Zipps. The chain is rubbing a bit on a couple cogs so might look into getting a new chain. I guess you’re supposed to change the chain every thousand miles or so. Hmm… Oops.. not sure I’ve ever changed the chain, probably 10,000 miles on it Oh!
Need to pack stuff up tonight as we start our journey tomorrow. Breaking the drive into two days, 5 hours each so as to not screw up the body sitting in the car too long. Should be in Pentincton Wednesday afternoon.
Beginning to focus too much on what my time is going to be. I’m basing things on where I’m at now and what i could do if I push it. Rather than relax and remember my initial goals set 6 months ago. I need to get my head right and just focus on that, it is my first. I need to focus on how far I’ve come and hitting targets set when i started the journey and not worry about where I need/want to go. There will be plenty more IM’s for that. Thinking of doing Wisconsin next year. Scratch that, I am doing Wisconsin next year. I need to be sure to get online and sign-up in Sept. Make sure you guys remind me and hold me too it, no matter how bad I might still feel from Canada
Who’s in? Road trip to WI07!
Reflecting on an Iron Journey
Well, in 11 days I’ll be on foreign soil (if you can call Canada foreign), lined up with 2,000 or so fellow athletes, all anxious to take the Lake plunge and begin the final day of this particular Ironman journey. I say this particular journey because it doesn’t end at the finish line, just the end of chapter one. No matter what the outcome of Sunday’s race, my endurance pursuits will go on, I’m already planning next years event.
But, today I sit at the local coffee shop enjoying a cup and my day off. Tapering is going well and a rest day is just what I need going into the final week of prep before my Ironman. Since the blogging has lapsed as the training volume and overall hecticness of life increased, I felt it time to take a moment and reflect on the journey thus far. The last six months of training and preparation have been tough, but well worth it.
The journey really began half a lifetime ago…
Circa 1990
An Eighteen year old skinny, chicken legged, kid buys Dave Scott’s Triathlon Training with a dream of one day completing an Ironman. I also bought a new bike, the Centurion Ironman Dave Scott edition of course. I enrolled in a cycling class in college and began my journey toward training for an Ironman. Well I quickly learned I had no talent for cycling. My chicken legs really struggled in keeping up with other riders in the class. It was very dissapointing and I became discouraged with my inability to ride. I continued the pursuit for 6-12 months but gave up on my dream when rent was due and I had no money, so sold the bike. It wasn’t a hard decision as I recall. None of my friends had road bikes, and spandex/lycra was not the attire of choice at the Fraternity.
Eight years ago…
During the mountain bike craze a group of friends and I decided to try a triathlon. Wildflower mountain bike course. Needless to say, I was hooked. I loved the race and decided again to purchase a road bike and try my hand at triathlons. But, with no real motivation to go long. I’d stick with Olympic distance races. My bad experiences on the bike earlier in my career squashed all hopes of the big show. Not to mention I was getting older now, approaching thirty and the years of basketball at the park had taken it’s toll on my knees and back. Not only did I think I was a horrible cyclist, but I knew I couldn’t run much further than 8 miles or so without it becoming very uncomfortable and painful.
So for several years I was happy doing my Olympic distance races, starting this website, and following the career and accomplishments of my brother. At some point along the way I decided to push my limits again and do a half Ironman. Vineman to be specific. Training was difficult and the race itself was very painful, but I did it, and it was probably one of the proudest moments of my life. I never thought I could go that distance and I had. Though I was in such pain I knew there was no way I could double it.
One year ago
The time had come to suck it up, quit complaining about what I think I can’t do and start thinking about what I can. I had taken a couple years off from racing, but had continued to ride my bike and run. I had recently moved to Bend, OR to start the next chapter in my life and doing Halfs and Full Ironmans were going to be a part of that. Chris had just won Canada and in my excitement for his win I asked him to sign me up. Unfortunately he went down the next morning and did so, Oh… no turning back now.
I think I went into some degree of self sabotage at the thought of trying to complete an Ironman. My biggest obstacle all my life has been the one between the ears. I think I was looking for excuses to back out. Winter came and my training was very minimal. I gained too many pounds and began to feel really bad about what was happening. I topped out at 188-190lbs, considering my Vineman weight in 2003 was 160, this was not good.
Six months ago
Reading the journey’s of other Trifuelers and having my brothers as inspiration, I finally snapped out of my self pity I can’t mode and began my real journey to getting this thing done.
The journey was difficult. Ironman is hard… but well worth it. There is so much to learn on those long lonely rides and runs. I discovered a lot about myself and broke through many barriers, both physical and mental. Things I never thought I’d be capable of doing, I did. There were many painful moments during those rides and runs, but I discovered I can gut it out and the next time it’s easier. I haven’t become a good cyclist or runner, but I can endure far longer than I thought possible. I know I can line up along with my fellow athletes that Sunday morning and be proud because of the process I endured to get there. In my mind I’ve already won, I’ve already succeeded. The race itself is just the last sentence in this particular chapter. More chapters will follow post August 27th.
Some observations during my journey:
This isn’t easy
Going from a half Iron distance to a full distance isn’t easy. The volume isn’t twice as hard, it’s exponentially harder. During the building up phase an 80 mile ride felt twice as difficult as a 60 mile ride. And running over 90 minutes was very difficult for a long time.
The pain is worth it
I’d do it all again and will. The pain you may experience during some of the training sessions is so worth it. It’s hard to explain the feeling you get when you finish your first 100 mile ride or 3 hour run. The adrenaline and excitement that overwhelms you those last few miles is almost undescribeable. You feel proud of yourself. Proud of your accomplishments. I often found myself running the last 2 miles of a 2 1/2 to 3 hour run singing along to the songs on my iPod. Having just come through some difficult miles, now I see the finish and I see my stopwatch pass 2:55:01 and there is no pain. Only euphoria.
Nutrition is Paramount
I struggle with nutrition. I’ve tried many times to re-program my eating habits, but find myself lapsing back to my old ways often. I’m getting better, but know I still have a long way to go to a healthier diet. What I have noticed during this process is nutrition is so critical at this distance. Poor diet not only effects you energy levels, but your mental disposition. The mental aspect can greatly impact the quality of your workouts and your motivation to keep pushing ahead. There were a couple points during the last six months were my motivation waned and my training went to hell, and for the most part I feel it was lapses in my diet that attributed to these poor periods.
Having a support group is Key
One reason I didn’t succeed in my attempt at age eighteen was because there was no support group. I didn’t have friends who road and it was too easy to give it up. Having my brothers, family, friends, and fellow Trifuelers to draw motivation, inspiration, and support from has made all the difference in this attempt eighteen years later.
Shaving your legs can be cool
Especially when after a clean shaving, and the light is just right, and your flexing with every fiber of muscle you can muster, you can finally see some muscle definition.
This is longest I’ve sat and tried to write something in a while, so I think it’s time to sign-off. I’m off to Canada on Tuesday and hopefully come Monday the 28th I’ll be making an entry about my survival. Bib #587.
The endurance life and blog of Tribro. My journey to a more endurance lifestyle and Ironman WI ‘07.