Inspiration?

I'm watching the 2008 Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

For inspiration.

It is inspiring. It is also not inspiring.  Not that it's UNinspiring...

It is inspiring.  They do well filming and editing the footage of these races.  The stories are amazing.  The pros.  The age-groupers.  The mass of triathletes is full of unique stories.  People trying for just a finish...overcoming unbelievable odds.  Others are trying to repeat a win.  The spectrum of goals alone is inspiring.  People from all walks of life, from all levels of athleticism, there to compete...to push their bodies to the limit.  

I'm getting more and more excited for this event.  

However, watching the race is also a bit... humbling is the wrong word... perhaps, sobering is a better word.  

For some people, all the pieces fall into place.  

For others it seems like anything and everything can go wrong.  Flat tires.  Broken cables.  CO2 cartridge malfunctions.  Cramping muscles.  Heat exhaustion.  

There are pro athletes who aren't able to finish for one reason or another!  Pros!  

It's sobering watching pros who can't finish.  It's not like I can just chalk it up to them not putting in the training and planning... You know that a pro, more than anyone, is prepared.  And some of them don't finish.  

Also, some people just have equipment malfunctions.  You can't prepare for that.  

So as I'm watching this race...I'm getting excited and pumped to push my body to the limit.  I'm getting excited for the months to come where I will be preparing physically and mentally for what's ahead.  However, I'm also sobering up a bit...realizing I need to be prepared for anything and everything.  

Merry Christmas!

To all my faithful readers, just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Hope everyone gets all that new training gear he or she asked for :)

Good and Bad

I have an injury. I banged up my ribs pretty good while coaching wrestling on Saturday. It's a frustrating injury. You don't realize how often you use the muscles in and around your ribs.

Breathing in.
Exhaling.
Sitting up.
Using a screw driver.
Buckling the seat belt.
Lots of day to day activities have been affected.

It's been bad. I'm not able to practice with the wrestlers as well or as much as I'd like. Also, I've not been able to train for the Ironman as I'd like.

I tried swimming yesterday evening. I didn't even make it one length of the pool. I don't know why I thought I'd be able to swim...

But therein lies the good. I think this is the first time in my life that I actually wanted to swim and wasn't able to! That was a good thing. I feel I've hurtled a mental block.

I'm anxious to swim and anxious to improve my swim.

So, yes. I'm hoping my ribs heal in the next day or two. I'm, surprisingly enough, ready to get in the pool!!!

Good News!

I'm happy to report that my upgrade request for a Category 3 cyclist was approved!

Cycling is split up into Categories.

You begin as a Category 5, or Cat 5, Cyclist. After you've gotten some experience, I think 10 or so races, you upgrade to a Cat 4 cyclist.

The Categories are 5-1. After 1 is Pro level.

To move between categories a cyclist must prove that he or she is ready for a higher level of competition. This is accomplished by placing high in races. Podiums are great (top three), but top tens are also respected.

I had a slowish start to the racing season. I didn't do so great in the Spring Series.

However, I really turned on the training in the late Spring and Summer. Finishing in the top Ten in almost all of the races I entered.

My highlights were a 3rd place at the Team Dayton Criterium and a 2nd place at the Kentucky Road Race championships.

It was a great year. The training and hard work paid off as I finally was able to "Cat-up" to a 3! I've been racing 4s for two seasons now.

I look forward to the higher level of competition the 3s will offer.

It will be tough because I am focusing my efforts on Ironman.

Let the training begin!

All right, here is a picture. I've been a bit lax in posting on my blog... I apologize to my faithful reader(s) :)

I've been training for about two weeks now. Mostly swimming and cycling with a run or two thrown in the mix.

So this is what I look like at the beginning of my training. it will be interesting to see if there will be any noticeable changes in my build.

Race Report.

Columbus Marathon was today. I finished with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 29 seconds. 6:47 minute per mile pace. I'm pleased.

The weather couldn't have been better. 38 degrees at the start. I'm not sure it got over 50 during the race. Sunny. No wind. Excellent conditions.

It was a really nice weekend. I drove up with my mom on Saturday. We had a nice pancake breakfast before we hit the road. We got our race stuff at the Expo and looked around. Then we had a fabulous Italian dinner near our hotel. Dad arrived later that evening when mom and I were already getting ready to go to sleep.

I wasn't really sure what my goal was going to be. The past week I'd been nursing a sore left leg/quad/tendon (I'm not really sure what was bugging me...). It was probably good in that it really forced me to take it easy this week. It also made me stretch a lot. So with an iffy leg, I didn't want to psyche myself out so i was trying to keep a pretty level head about the race. Just start running and see what happens. I definitely wanted to qualify for Boston (3:10 marathon qualifying time). So if nothing else, that was my back up goal.

Well, I felt pretty good in the morning. My leg was a tiny bit sore...not really sore, but I was aware of it, if that makes sense. Sometimes something doesn't hurt but something doesn't feel right...like an odd sound you might hear in your engine or something, just out of place.

I'm pretty relaxed at the start. It helped not having major goals. I met some friends at the start line. One friend, Chris Cavanaugh, wanted to run a 2:45. I sort of decided I'd start running with him and just see what happened. Sort of crazy and stupid..but I was well aware that I'd be running a lot faster than I'd been training. But I thought it might be kind of fun, you never know.

The music before the race started was great! Really heavy metal, pump-you-up kind of music. Made all of us runners feel tough, haha.

The race started and I felt great. The leg was no problem at all! I started running with Chris and we got into a great groove. We were running probably 6:20s for about 16 miles...that's about when my body started telling me it'd had enough.

I knew I was running too fast. Some people accidentally start races too fast. The energy of all the runners around you. The excitement of the race starting and the fans cheering...it's EASY to go out to fast and not mean to. I knew I was doing it...which is probably even dumber.

I was joking with the other runners that my goal was to have a major league melt down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgStAPQhA3M (no worries, I drank gatorade...)

I knew I would melt down. I just didn't know when. and I didn't know how severe it would be. I mean, I was on PR pace feeling good for the first 16 miles! and in my mind I was thinking and doing the math...it was seemingly impossible that I wouldn't PR (personal record) and unfathomable that I wouldn't qualify for Boston...so no worries.

But at mile 16 my body took over. My mind kept saying, "Run faster!" But my body said, "I'm trying...it's not working...you went out too fast you dummy."

I didn't have complete melt down but I did slowly get slower :)

Unfortunately, I couldn't muster the umph in the last few miles to PR (2:56)...but I was happy with a 2:57..and I was even happier to be finished running.

The problem with perfect running conditions is that they are usually the worst post-race conditions. I was FREEZING! I was shuffling around with my teeth chattering and my shoulder shaking, trying to take in some nutrition, losing a lot of energy being so cold. People kept asking me if i was okay...I kept saying, "I think." and they would respond, "You think?" Haha. No dramas, though.

I made it back to the hotel and had a HOt shower. drove back to the finish area and met my mom and dad. Mom had a great race, too! She PRed by like 15 minutes! Crazy. She just gets faster and faster. She bought a shirt that said on the front, "The truth is you're fast than you think," and on the back, "The truth hurts. 26.2" I like that.

So all in all it was a great day of running. I learned that if you want to run 6:20s for an entire marathon you'd better put in the training time.

Running a marathon hurts.

Running a marathon hurts after a week of tapering, a good night's sleep, and a good breakfast.

Running a marathon hurts with fresh legs on a beautiful cool day.

I fear the pain, agony, and suffering that will meet me at the beginning, middle, and end of the Ironman marathon.

Running a marathon hurts...How much will it hurt after having already done 6-7 hours worth of intense swimming and cycling? I guess I'll find out.

In a strange way I can't wait for the Ironman marathon to begin. It will mean entering into a whole new level of suffering. Praise be to God.

Columbus Marathon

I've got a marathon a week from tomorrow! I'm pretty excited about running this marathon. The past month and a half I've really picked up my running mileage. There was a three week stretch were I did weekend long runs of 18, 22, and 20 miles. I've also been doing faster paced 10-11 mile runs on Tuesday morning. And the occasional 5-6 mile run on Thursday or Friday.

I do most of my running with Doug Maxwell. He's also signed up for the Louisville Ironman. I enjoy running with him. You get to be really good friends with training partners. I might spend 10 hours a week with some of my training partners...I don't spend that much time with my family and close friends!

I feel ready for the race. I'm having a slight tendon issue in my left quad/hip area..but as I take it easy this next week, I anticipate that calming down.

My plan was to take a rest day yesterday. However, I just can't take a rest day when it's sunny and 80 degrees! It was such a beautiful day I had to do something!! So i went for a 30 mile bike ride :) I think I have problems. I don't know how to taper and take days off... but, to be fair, I did soft pedal...I wasn't hammering for 30 miles. I actually felt better after the ride. Flushed the legs out. Got the heart rate up. Stoked the fires a bit.

So I'm feeling good. I ran 7 miles today with no issues.

I'm not sure what I'll do this last week. I definitely want to be fresh on Sunday morning ready to race. But I don't want to be sluggish...so it's that balance of resting and not over resting...

i'm also really excited because I'll be running the marathon with my mom! I'm not sure she's declared a "qualify for Boston" goal...but I've declared it for her :) I think she's got the speed...it's just a matter of having all the pieces come together on race day.

Either way, no matter how we do, it will be a great day!

Focus

I want to do Ironman well. I want to beat my body into submission. My goal is not just to finish. Nothing against people whose goal is just to finish...as I understand the race there's nothing "just" about finishing an Ironman. But that's not me. I want to push my body to the limit. I want to leave it all out there on the road in Louisville. I want to cross the line, hear them say, "You are an Ironman," and know that I couldn't have swam better, pedaled faster, or ran harder.

And to do this I will need to follow an intense and focused training program. Ironman specific. The past couple years my training has been a bit sporadic. I love running and I love cycling. So I pretty much just ride and run a lot. I don't necessarily follow a specific plan. Sometimes, if I'm training for a road race, I might sort of change what I do a couple weeks prior. If I'm training for a marathon, I'll start running bigger miles on the weekend.

However, it's a constant balance. If I want to be competitive in my bike races, my running suffers. If I want to run well in a marathon, my cycling will suffer. So it's a constant back and forth.

So with Ironman training, one thing I'm really looking forward to is having a singular focus. If I run a marathon the focus will be how does this fit into Ironman training and preparation for race day. And the same will apply to cycling.

The unfortunate reality with Ironman is the 2.4 mile swim. I'm really going to need to start swimming. It's by far my weakest event.

I think training specifically for Ironman will help me be fitter in general. Following specific training plans. Following specific rest days. Knowing when to intesify. Knowing when to go long and easy.

I won't have to worry about how this ride or that run will affect this or that race...it will all be part of the plan and will prepare me, hopefully, and Lord willing, to get to Louisville ready to lay it all on the line.

I'm running Columbus Marathon on October 19th (my dad's birthday and a day after my sister's birthday!). Oct. 19th will mark the unofficial start of Ironman training. I will begin swimming and cycling mostly through the fall and winter. I will begin training for Boston marathon in the winter. And 6 months out, in March, I will get training plans from Bob Duncan at Wheelie-Fun and begin the official Ironman training regime.

I would love to complete the race in under 10 hours. it's a bold goal, and I'm likely to fail...but what fun is it to set a goal that is easy to accomplish?

it will be a long, hard, difficult road to Irontucky...but it's one I'm eager to take.

Soon to come...

Pictures.

of what?

I thought it would be intersting to sort of track the physiological changes my body will go through while training for this epic endurance challenge.

1. I will be posting a picture of myself when I officially start training for the Ironman. Look for it soon.

2. I will post a picture sometime in April...about half way through the training.

3. I will post a picture the day before the race.

4. And I will post a picture after the race.

I might look the same in every picture..haha.

But, maybe we'll be able to notice some changes in my build/muscle structure/body fat %? Who knows! Should be intersting!

140.6 Miles.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

"All to the greater glory of God."

Have you ever seen Chariots of Fire? There's a line from that movie where Eric Liddell says to his critical sister, "When I run I feel His pleasure." I've always loved that line. I've always loved that truth and have resonated with it.

Endurance sports are more to me than just a physical challenge. Though they are that, and I do love the challenge... pushing my body to the limit. Endurance sports are more to me than just a way to stay fit. Though, they are that, and I do enjoy being fit. Endurance sports are more to me than just a way to eat whatever I want. Though I do enjoy the diet my sport allows.

To me endurance sports are Worship. I truly feel the Lord's pleasure when I'm running, cycling... not so much when I'm swimming, hehe. and I do truly, strive to do all things to the greater glory of God.

Now, honestly, I don't always keep this holy mindset. Sometimes I'm just riding to get the ride in.

And it's sort of illusory. You can say the ride is going to be worship. You can pray that God would be glorified through the race...but it's not really tangible. It's a focus. It's a mindset. I'm not really sure I can explain how I give God glory through my ride or my run. I'm not even sure that when I say I am that I actually am. But I try.

But, yes, the IRONMAN. I pray that this year of training will be a year of worship. I pray that the 10+ hours I spend in the water and on the roads of Louisville would bring God glory.

All to the greater glory of God.

A little history.

I've been talking about Ironman for years.

I think I laughed the first time my dad suggested Lucas and I should run a marathon...but these things just happen. You train for and run a 5K. Then a 10K doesn't sound so crazy. Suddenly, you've agreed to go on a 12 mile run with some friends and before you know it everyone's talking about a marathon, then you're training for a marathon, then you've registered for a marathon, then you've completed 5 marathons and are currently training for your 6th!

The triathlon progression didn't happen quite so smoothly. I think for a number of reasons. Reason 1: It's expensive! Running shoes. Bicycle. Helmet. Goggles. Exorbitant registration fees.
Reason 2: It's a huge time commitment! Training in the pool. Training for the bike. Training for the run. It just takes up a lot of time and energy.
Reason 3: The Ironman is intimidating! I know how hard it is to ride over 100 miles. I know how hard it is to swim 1 mile, let alone 2.4 miles. and I know how hard it is to run a marathon! Now...do them all consecutively? Are you crazy?

I guess some of my readers (do I have any readers??:) might not know what an Ironman is.

An Ironman is triathlon. It consists of three sports: Swimming, biking, running.

You begin with a 2.4 mile swim.
Then you ride your bicycle for 112 miles.
You finish it up with a 26.2 mile run (a marathon...)

If you can do all of this in 12 hours...that's very respectable.

So I've sorted played around with Triathlons for the last few years. Olympic distance. International distance (Perhaps the triathlon equivalents of 5K and 10K runs)...even getting up to doing a couple 1/2 Ironmans a couple summers ago.

I wouldn't say I ever really caught the Triathlon "bug." I've been quite content to race on my bike team and run a marathon every so often.

However, though, I don't love Triathlon, I do love endurance challenges. I believe that's why I keep returning to the idea of trying to complete an Ironman...it's one of the ultimate endurance challenges.

So here I am. I've talked long enough. I've put it off long enough. It's time to put my body, my mind, my endurance, my strength, my spirit to the test.

I registered for the 2009 Louisville Ironman.

We'll see how it goes.

So this blog is to act as a sort of training journal. I want to keep my friends, family, loved ones, or any passer-by informed on how things are going.

More to come.