I haven't done.....

....jack squat since Friday.

I helped the BIL and SIL move into their new house this weekend.  I told of lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, and in the lovely Texas heat.  I'm still sore in the upperbody, but....on a positive....my legs aren't too sore and while doing the work, my endurance never faded (just my body).

So....tomorrow it starts back.  Tomorrow, baby.....too-mar-row.

Weekend off....

Rode around 40 minutes this morning and right at 8 miles.  Not really focused on the mileage (or minutes per mile).  Felt good to attack some hills, which I lothe, but I know that it'll make me a stronger rider.

I am "throwing" a party tonight for the family in honor of the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  Team USA shirts, appitizers, some of my old race medals.....should be a good time.  Then, we are heading down to Georgetown, TX to help my BIL and SIL move into their new house.  Won't be doing any running or biking (but lots of lifting!).

Weekly totals

Swim - 0m (decided to focus on the R/B)
Run: 8.5 miles
Bike: 12 miles

(not bad totals considering I'm skipping 2 days)

Last Night and Skipping

Decided on logging 2.5 miles last night....instead of doing all 4 or skipping it all together.  Also watched a a documentry on Fred Ludow (who started the NYC Marathon).  First entry fee was $1.

Skipped the swim this morning....in fact, going to take it off the schedule until after the first of the year.  It's my fall-back workout whenever I don't feel like biking or running.  I need as much road time and saddle time as I can get.

Tomorrow is hill repeats on the bike.  Going to do the loop in the 'hood.  Slightly boring but great workout.

Wednesday Run

Ran 3.5 this morning in 37 minutes.  2 breaks around miles 1 and 2 at a playground to do pull-ups (if you can call that a break).

Got my first Brooks survey for the 13's in to fill out, too.

Have a jog scheduled tonight.....3 miles.  Finally have our house back from the in-laws staying, so I may cozy up with some Netflix and the Rangers game.

Broke out the Bike

Tires pumped - check
Computer working - check
Brakes, durailer, chain - check, check, check....

Ran 2 miles this morning, jumped on the bike for 4 miles of hill repeats, then ran another half mile.  Shortest. Duathlon. Ever.  :)

Felt good to be on the bike......only 108 more miles to go.

Weekly Totals

Since I didn't workout today....here are my totals.  (still, really low......)

Run:  9 miles
Bike:  0
Swim:  1000m

Tri Voyeur

The morning started out with a 5:30am run for 3 whole miles.  I cut it a little short because I was going to head down to watch a bit of the Cooper Summer Sprint (which I've done 3 of 5 times).

It was kind of neat to see a triathlon from the outside, knowing what the people in transition were going through.  You could tell the first timers.....bundle of nerves, pacing, asking a ton of questions.....but as I recall, I was like that and so were many first timers.  The hardest part of the first time (assuming training has been done) is figuring it all out.  I even had a few people ask me questions.  I met a fellow BT'er (Shannon) who we both did Glaveston in 2011.  He did IMTX the past two years and he said that he'd assist in anyway he can with my journey.  That's what I love about this sport.  People willing to give back.  I also ran into my Pastor (Chris Stull) and his wife, Brenna.  Both are strong athletes, even though they won't admit it.  Also saw a few others from church and a few familiar faces from other local tris.

Then.....at dinner....the drinking commenced.  I knew that Sunday's workout was a wash, so I continued drinking.  It was a nice release.

Combo post - IM tips too

Thursday (7/19) - Ran 2 miles and swam 500m

Today I ran 2 miles (2 loop hill repeat course).

Last night, I spoke with Mike and Michael (cousin and his best friend) about my training.  Gave me some hell, gave me some solid tips......more bricks, less junk miles.  Don't ride to just ride and don't run to just run.

Also....downloaded a months worth of IM Talk on iTunes.

Going to head down to Cooper Sprint tomorrow to ogle at bikes, see some quality DFW athletes swim and fly through T1....then head home for J's swimming lessons.  She's going to be my little triathlete (and gymnist and swimmer).

First Run in New Kicks

Last week I received an e-mail from Brooks Running asking me to fill out a survey for the possibility to be selected for a wear-test program from the Adrenaline 13 prototype.  Filled it out and yesterday the shoes arrived at the front door.  As of right now, I'm not supposed to take pics of them or post anything positive or negative about them....as they are prototypes and in pre-production.  I have to fill out several survey's over the next 3 months about wear, quality, fit, feel, etc..........

That being said, I ran 2 miles this morning and swam 500m.  Felt good druing both.  The volume and intensity will increase soon, so getting a base under me is top priority.

Make up session and bad Ironman dreams

Did Monday's workout today (4 loops in neighborhood) along with 40 push-ups and 40 sit-ups.

But let me tell you what happened while sleeping.  I guess I should preface this with the fact that I don't remember many of my dreams.  I've read that we all dream but, unless it's vivid, I don't remember.

Yesterday, I was researching Race Reports (RR's) online about Ironman Texas.  Reading people's reports about last  years race and the course, and their nutrition, and registration, and the expo, and so on.  I'm guessing that was still rolling through my mind.

My dream starts like this:

I remember getting to the race and begining to set up transition.  I look all over for my nutrition and it's not there.  Luckily my VP of Sales (who's an Ironman in real life) was there and he had a GNC in his bag.  He gave me a few powerbars.  Looking back, however, while I called him 'Donny', it was not really him.  Don't know who it was.....maybe that's how I picture Donny.  On with the dream......I look around again and realize that I don't have my race number or timing chip.  I go to the table to ask the teenager for my packet and he tells me that I missed the packet pick-up and I cannot race (this was addressed on the Ironman Texas website about picking up the packet on Thursday and not race day).  I tell the kid that I can see my packet in the box and that he should just give it to me.  He tells me he can't (super....a teenager that takes his job too seriously).  I then ask for the manager (like it's an Old Navy and I'm trying to return a shirt without a receipt).  The manager tells me that he can't do anything for me.  I explain that I see my packet and I just want to race.  I spent the money and I want it!  He tells me that he would have to restart the computers and that he cannot do that.  I woke myself up when I yelled.  This was around 2:30am.....I guess it didn't bother me too much because the next thing I know, Annie taps me and says "You better get up".  Thanks baby......I don't know if you were concerned with my training or just wanted me to quit hitting snooze and having my alarm go off every 9 minutes.

Overslept

Really.....already?????

Within the first week of trianing, I oversleep.  Stupid subconscience and turning off the alarm at 5:00am and going back to sleep.

Had 4 loops through the neighborhood scheduled.  As tonight is my wonderful Ironsherpa Annie's last night of "eating bad" (diagnosed with gestational diabities on Friday), we are making the switch to a healthier diet and better choices for food.  So.....last meal will be Chick-Fil-A (and I'll get a 'Cookies and Cream' Shake to top it off).

Little Better....just a little

3.5 done today.  Same course and same time (36:00) as yesterday.  Not blazing fast but there are a few climbs (one being about 100ft. over a half mile - which I will probably reference a few times during my journey).

Better hydration the day before and a little better sleep.  That probably helped.

Totals for the week (7/11 - 7/15):

Swimming:  Does playing in the pool 3x count?  If not....then 0m
Running: 9.5 miles
Biking:  I walked past my bike 6 times.....  0 miles

Worst. Run. Ever

Okay....maybe not the worst, but top 5 all time worst runs.

3 miles at a 12 minute mile pace.  About 50/50 walk and run....and the run was more of a shuffle at times.  I will give myself one thing.....it's a hilly course.  With the new house location, it's in a very hilly part of town.  I'm used to running flats so this training is more beneficial (at least that's what I keep telling myself).

3.5 tomorrow.  Hoping it goes better.

Day 1

One of the slogans for Ironman is “It’s All About The Journey”.  Tonight the official journey begins.  I won’t stop believing (*rim shot*).  While I have done a Half Iron before, my fitness is severely lacking now.  I’m at 200lbs and running less than 8 miles a week.  Just think…..in 10 months, I’ll be doing 140.6 miles of Swimming, Biking, and Running…..all to hear Mike Reilly say “Brad Donovan.  You ARE an Ironman”.

Let the “fun” being.

3 miles for my PM run.

Registration

I sat staring at the “pay now” button on the registration website.  Mouse hovering over the green box.  It seemed to be mocking me, in its own little way.  I hear the voice of my beautifl wife, Annie, saying encouraging things and committing to be an “Ironman wife” and "Ironsherpa" (a support crew) for the next 10 months.  I hear the voice of Michael, my cousin and multiple IM finisher, and his best friend of 30+ years who is also a multiple IM finisher saying “Do it”.  I click…..it processes….registration complete!  Immediately my iPhone dings twice.  Once for the payment confirmation e-mail and the other for registration confirmation.  Holy Cow….it just got real.

I send out a few texts, I post on FaceBook, and then…..reality.  My knees get weak, palms are sweaty (yes….that’s Eminem but he’ll be my training partner on the road and trails when I’m doing my 20 mile runs). 

The range of emotions subside and I’m left with no other choice but to TRAIN!