Bubble Wrap

I'm to the point now....with 24 days to go, that I want to take a big ass roll of bubblue wrap and make myself a nice little suit as to not get hurt.  Like this morning....I was getting into my truck and stepped onto the running board to get in and it was slick (as it rained last night).  I could feel my footing start to slide.  It's almost like in the movie series "Final Destination"....I see everything that's hazardous and picture things falling on me, etc.

I also worry about getting sick.....and worry about my bike....and now I'm starting to worry that the list I made for packing and taking things to the race isn't right.  I made it about 3 weeks ago, then remembered 4 other items last night.  What else am I forgetting????? 

So...last night, I did 2 hours on the bike.  My computer says I did over 35 miles.  Some may think that's slow....but that's blazing fast for me.  If I could/can sustain almost 18mph on my IM ride, my day will instantly get better.......

Have a good'un kids.

Crunch Time - and running a'naturale

Did a nice 12 mile run on Saturday.  No support, no nutrition, no water....just me and a garmin (and shoes and clothes.....but see a little further down in the blog here.....going to address this).

The run was okay.  I averaged around 11 minute miles which is okay.  I'm not going for speed, I'm going for distance.  I'm going for endurance.  I'm going for completion.

On Sunday, I decided that 100 miles was not what I wanted to do.  In fact, I wanted to get shit done around the house.  I had started out wanting to get in 100 miles.  I really did.  I wanted it, but I guess my legs and my mind were not on the same page.  I was a tad sore from the run but after around 60 miles, I quit.  I did.....no excuse....just quit.  Said "Eff it.....I'm out".

This coming up weekend was supposed to be the 'wind down' (I'm not going to call it taper) and I have a 14 mile run schedule and a 75 mile/5 mile brick.  Thinking of getting that 100 in in lieu of the 75 miler and then do a "jog it out 30 minute run".  Mentally, that 100 is where I want to get to in order to break thru the wall on the bike during IMTX.

Other than that....great weekend.  Got a lot of stuff plated (flowers, vines, veggies and fruit).  I also got a lot of things cleaned and cleared out of the back yard.  We can actaullly entertain back there now.  HA!  In fact, we did yesterday.  We met our new neighbors and invited them over for dogs, brats, chips, beer, and dessert.....we got to hang with them.  They're about our age (and the woman's name is Annie.....hahah), they have a 5yo boy, they're into Texas music, sports, and we share lots of mutual interests.  Hopefully they don't turn out to be weirdos down the line.



Ok.....so.....the whole shoes/clothes reference.

I was looking up races that I could possibly do either this coming up weekend or the following weekend.  Looking for a Half-Mary....where I can run in a supported environment, push my body a little and get a medal for participation (hey....I'm easy). 

So....I came across a 5k that's about an hour drive away....the 16th Annual SkinnyDipper Sun Run. 

Yup...it's a clothing optional 5k at a nudist resort.  How flippin' fun would that be?  Seriously.  A naked run.  Running all primal and whatnot.   And how cool would that race shirt be to sport around  (as runners we all check out other race shirts....some we recognize as we've done the race or seen it before.....but not this one.....nope....I've never seen one of these and would LOVE to sport that bad-boy).

I told the wifey about it and she actually said "if you wanna go....I'm not".  If I was not in the middle of training and needed all my availble weekends I would so do this on the 27th.  But.....there's one in October too.  Stay tuned!  :)

30 Days

30 short days until IMTX.  I still have more to do on my training plan (including my long ride this weekend of 100 - which will basically be my second century) and some higer volume runs.

I've come to realize that I'm not going to be as prepared as I want to be for this race.  I accept that and can take blame for about 90% of why I'm not there or where I want to be.

If I can finish within 15 hours I will be fine.

The break down is like this:

90 minute swim
15 minute transition
7 hour bike
15 minute transition
6 hour marathon

That's 15 hours on the nose.  I'd love to go sub 13:30 but I don't think that's in the cards.

I'm going to have fun and soak in the day/night......

I'm sure that y'all have heard about the explosion in West, TX.  West is a VERY small town about half way between my town and Austin.  I think most people in the Dallas area know where it is becuase you have to go thru it on the way to Waco/Austin.....and they have the best kolaches in the world.  If there is a kolache that exists they make it.  There are several of these shops right off the highway....and I've never been to one that I haven't had to wait at least 20 minutes in line.  They are that popular.

Keep these people in your prayers......

33 Days (and 3 is my lucky number)

33 Days....One month and 3 days (or one month and 2 days......or one month and 5 days if it was February....one month and 4 days if it was a leap year....or one.....nevermind...y'all get it)


This weekend was exciting.  I got up on Saturday and ran 9 miles, doing a 1 mile run, 30 sec walk.  I actually ran a little faster than I wanted to.  My pace, on race day, will be dictated by my body.  I just need to reign it in.  After that....J's first soccer game.  Now.....I'm not the 'sports dad' type of guy.  I want her to do good and I want her team to win....but really, I want her to have fun and enjoy what she's doing.  She had a blast and she did (surprisingly) well.  We took her to Chick-Fil-A for a celebration lunch.

Ssturday night was a fun filled "I'm hitting the sack at 8:45pm" night....got my set up for the trainer ride set with nutrition, hydration, and earbuds, then watched part of the Ranger game then the next thing I know, my alarm is going off......

 

After my 5 hour and 43 minute ride with a total of 96 miles.....it was time to stuff my face with mexican food....NOM-NOM-NOM......to the point of 'ah shit....I overate".

Got home and needed more recovery time....nap and beer....and let me tell ya....both were excellent.  I also wore compression pants the entire day and I iced my legs twice during the day.  I'm not as sore as I thought I would be.  Did I push hard enough?  Or was the recovery beer/ice/compression the magic formula?

 

 

Finally, the baby has hit the magical age of 6 months.  All the parents know that this is "baby food time".  This is absolutly hilarious.  They gag, they make faces, they get it all over......it's pure greatness!

Tonight is my recovery swim (wish it was more recovery naps and beer....but whatever) of 65 minutes. 

How was y'alls weekend?

I'm mental and I know it....

In reading one of my followers recent blog posts (Big Daddy Diesel) he was discussing his mind set and what he's gone thru over the past couple of years....and where he's at now.

The mental aspect of this journey is harder, at times, than the actual physical aspect of the race.  I believe that most anyone with some training under their belt can complete an Ironman.....but what will hold most people back (remember....we're the 1% of the world that will do an Ironman....and that's pretty dang cool) is the mental aspect to break thru and make it happen.

I don't know who said it or if I'm even getting it right but a quote that rings true is "Triathlons are 80% mental.  The other 20% is mental".  If I can push the negative thoughts out and take everything, including the race, mile by mile, hour by hour, day by day....then it doesn't seem as bad.

When I get off the bike at IMTX will I have a marathon to complete or will I have 26 one mile jogs with a .2 sprint down the chute?  On the bike, I have a 56 mile ride....a stop to get more nutrition....then another 56 mile ride.  I can do two 56 milers....but can I go 112?

I'm rambling now....but you get it.  It's a mental game.

Which "little guy" will show up on your shoulder to tell you you can or can't do this.  I guarentee they both will....but the one with the pitchfork and devil horns will be SCREAMING at you, while the halo'd one will be chilling and relaxing.  You need to train the one with the halo to get off his ass and talk over the other one.

While all this is what I believe, it's getting pretty damn hard......I cut my swim short last night and only ran 3 (of 5) miles on the dreadmill.  It was 40 last night with 20mph cold winds.  I can't run on a treadmill.  After one mile it feels like I've gone 10.  Legs hurt, sweating profusly, breathing/HR jacked up.....I'm a hot mell on the 'mill.

Tonight is a 3:00 trainer ride.  As of 8:30am, I'm looking forward to it.  Hopefully that stays true at 8:30pm.

38 Days....less than 1000 hours

In 37 Days, 23 hours, and 57 Minutes.....I'll have started IMTX.

That's not too far off kids....

One of my followers on Instagram put down "Less than 1000 hours until #imtx".  For some reason, 38 days sounds a lot further away than 1000 hours. 

I'm getting nervous.  I'm getting worried, I'm getting excited, I'm getting anxious, I'm getting happy, I'm getting........very emotional.  Other than simple adjectives, it's really hard for me to put down how I'm feeling without rambling for pages and pages.......

On Monday night, I swam 2800m.  Had a good time (both literally and figuratively) too.

Last night called for a 3 hour trainer ride.  I got in 2 good hours and a little over 36 miles.  Very happy with that too.  However....I should have moved my Wednesday workout to last night.  Because today, it's 40 degrees with storms all day and high wind.  Last night it was in the mid-70's (and that was at night).  What wacky weather we've been having.....

Tonight may be a treadmill night.  I do have a swim after that too.

We'll see.

99 Days

Crap....really?

99 Days until IMTX.  Why does that seem so short?  Why when it was 102 days, it seemed far enough away to get acomplished, but now....3 days later, it seems that it's closing in.  I know that it's mental but still.  It's becoming more real.

Did 1:30 on the trainer last night, followed by 250 sit ups.  This was on top of the 100 sit ups that I did yesterday morning.

This morning, my lovely wife gave me a compliment, very unexpectedly.  She told me that I was starting to look skinnier and that I was starting to get definition.  This led to Magic Mike style dancing and a flexing session in the mirror.  I asked her if it "did anything for her".  While she said no.....I know that she really wanted to jump all over this.  :)

Today is a scheduled off day and Family Movie Night.  Got a recomendation for "Hotel Transylvania" and she seemed good with it.  Guess it's a Redbox night.

Tomorrow was supposed to be a 10 mile run and Sunday was a 30 mile ride.  However, due to the weather that's supposed to push in, I'm going to ride tomorrow morning and fun on Sunday afternoon/night (after the rain pushes out).  Also....we're supposed to go (weather permitting) to Downtown McKinney to watch the Krewe De Barkus....a dog parade and expo.  That should be entertaining.

Have a great weekend followers!


Total crunches (through 2/7):  950

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).

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!