Not in my 'Hood (and other things)

23 Days to IMTX.

Last night I had sooked Beef Stroganoff in the crockpot and the 7yo and the wifey both said "lets eat Rosa's tonight".  Rosa's is a fast food mexican joint....below a 'On The Border' but way higher than a Taco Bell....they make their own tortillas right there, fresh everything, fresh salsa, etc.  So, I caved and said okay.  As I was pulling out, I saw a solicitor and sent the wife a text letting her know to not worry about answering.  I go and get the food and come back.  Wife says the guy knocked.  So...about 15 minutes later, while eating.....*knock* *knock* *knock*.  It's him again.  Didn't answer.  About 30 mintues later.....*knock* *knock* *knock*.  Seriously dude......  So, I call the cops.  I attend meetings with, and regularly chat with, the deputy cheif of the McKinney PD.  He said anytime there are door-to-door people, call the non-emergency line and they'd come and make contact, ask for their permit - as requried by city law, etc.  So...I did.  I then set out for my 3 mile run.  I run the neighborhood loop 3 times and the sales guy is still in the area.  Then, I see the police.  He was making a U-turn and I stopped him and told him what's up.  He said he saw him and was going to make contact.  At that point, I had run for 10 minutes (and had 20 more minutes to go).  I continue to run and as I turn back into the 'hood, the cop is still there talking with the guy, the guys trunk is open, there is another cop there, and it's been 20 minutes......this had turned into more than a "let me see your permit" and "you can't be here, now leave" situation.    I was feeling bad after calling the cops because it was a guy trying to make a living......but apparently there was more to the story so I didn't feel too bad.


If you're keeping score at home and my story didn't bore you, you'll remember that I had Rosa's for dinner.  It's the perfect pre-workout meal.  And by "perfect" I mean "top 10 dumbest things you can eat before a run and swim".

3.2 miles in the books.....followed by a 25 minute swim. 

During my run and swim, I began to have the mind-wander....just random things in my head.  I was thinking about instagram and how you can hashtag pics.  Sometimes, I'll click on the hashtags to see what type of pics are there, view other pics (I'm a vouyer guy), etc.....well, one tag seemed innocent to me, but apparently others use it for self pics of body parts, subtle nudity, etc.....which got me thinking......have you or would you post subtle/openly nude pics of yourself on line or texted them?  I will be honest and say that I have.  I have done it as a joke and as a seduction technique.....I have done it while somewhat intoxicated to friends (which to me is the funniest because they're not expecting it)......

If I have your e-mail address or phone number, I promise that I will never send you pics of me.....and by "promise that I will never" I mean, you better be on the lookout after 5/18 because I'll have a lot more time to drink on the weekends. 

Tonight is a 2:00 trainer and 5 mile run.  Legs will be cranky but Friday is my off day so that'll be some motivation....

Post #100

This is Post #100.....I have written 100 posts.....yeah for me.  :)

Last night was a solid 2500m swim in 45 minutes.  I started out well, got sloppy, fixed my form, got sloppy again, then finished strong.  I was happy with my performance seeing that it had been a week and a half since I had been in the pool.  I'm a tad bit sore this morning in the upper back/shoulders which I guess is to be expected since I'd taken off that much time and got back into it without building a few smaller swims.  Oh well....'tis what it 'tis

On the radio this morning they had a poll on the top factors that make a 'happy relationship' (I can't say that we hit them all....but we're not unhappy....but we both heard the radio program and started texting soon there after)

1 - Split everything equally - money, chores, duties, etc....
2 - Bedroom door closed at least 2 - 3 times a week
3 - Show affection even outside of the bedroom
4 - 100% honesty....no secrets
5 - Stay in shape/be physically attractive
6 - No political talk
7 - Religion in the home (shared values and importance)



Tonight is a 2 hour ride.  I may go longer to get some volume in....but volume with a purpose.  I started "Breaking Bad" on Netflix.  Right now it's moving really slow, but I heard that it 'picks up' and gets a lot better.....I'm hoping so!

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.

Tomorrow....Don't Turn Into This

We've all heard it and said it "I'll start tomorrow" or "I'll do it tomorrow".......

There are 7 days in a week and none of them are called tomorrow.

Get out and make it happen.

Last night I did a quick loop of 4.5 miles and then drove to the gym for a 2500m swim.  I did half of a mile for JFord and the last 100m was for him too.  He's been under the weather for a few days and I know it's eating him alive.  But he knows that rest is best.

Tonight is 3:30 trainer ride.  I'll probably shorten it to 3 hours and give some pushes and sprints and do some up/down drills too.

Tomorrow is Good Friday and the wife and kiddo's are off of school/work, so instead of having to get up and get everyone ready, I'll have some 'me' time.  The only debate is do I sleep in until around 6:45 and get additional rest or do I get up around 5:00, gym by 5:40, swim until 6:20, home by 6:45????  Hmmmmm......

You did how much???

I'm a bragger.  I like to brag, I like being the center of attention....I AM AN ONLY CHILD.....  LOOK AT ME!!!  EVERYONE!!!   OVER HERE!!!!  LOOK.....

Actually.....while I'm a 'bragger', I am in the sense a humble bragger.  I won't boast about doing an Ironman or triathlon unless asked or it gets brought up in conversation.  While I may steer conversation to topics close to it, I won't outright meet someone and say "Hey there.  My name is Brad.  I'm training for an Ironman.  Here's my business card...and I'm from Texas.  God's Country.  I am a Texas Triathlete....have you ever met someone with such stature???"....

When you walk into a room, how can you tell who the triathletes are?

No need....they'll tell you.

 

 

 

Never ask a man if he's from Texas. 

If he is, he'll tell you, if he's not, there is no need to embarrass him

 

 

 

Where I'm going with this is an interaction that I had at the pool last night.  My pool has 3 lanes.  And when I walked in, all 3 were taken.  Two by people (adults) that were using SCUBA masks and snorkles (basically just playing around) and another by a 30-something, semi-overweight guy that was water running, flailing, breast stroke, out of breath, more flailing, stopping in the lane, etc....I'm not poking fun at him.....stick with me here.

 

He was with the two others so he offered up his lane.  I thanked him, got in and proceed to swim.  I'm making some pretty good time on my way to 2400m.  About 20 minutes in, the people had left the pool.  Another couple had come and gone from their swim and I finally wrapped it up.  41 minutes in the pool kinda sucks.....

 

As I finish up, I see the guy sitting in the hot tub.  He made eye contact and said something, but with the echo in the pool and water in both ears, I basically saw his mouth move.  He got out and said "How long did you swim". 

 

"41 minutes...about a mile and a half"

 

"You did HOW MUCH"

 

To someone training for an IM, this late in the training plan, the response probably should have been "You ONLY did HOW MUCH?".

 

He told me that he had just gotten into working out and asked why I was swimming so far (my door opened...lol) and how I learned to swim.

 

Told him that I was a swimmer since I was 7 and that I was training for an Ironman triathlon.  He seemed more impressed that I was swimming since I was 7 and not that I was training.  He said that he wanted to learn so he could swim.  I told him to get in and within 3 minutes, I had his form a little better and he swam 25m without stopping.  He got to the end, took a breath and swam back and stopped about 5m short.  He said that was the furthest that he'd ever swam without stopping. 

 

I gave him my schedule and he said that he would try to be up there to swim more.

 

While I didn't get to brag (the door is still open....lol) I got to help.  And that made me happy (so I bragged about it here).



Purple Powerade = green poop

Catchy, but true, title.  I promise....that will be the last time in this post, that I refer to my poo.


Rode 3:00 last night on the bike.  Watched Serenity last night to complete the Firefly/Serenity series that I got engrossed in.  It would have been okay as a stand alone movie.....but coupled with the Firefly series, it was pretty damn awesome.  It really made the time fly by.

Thanks for the suggestions as what to watch next.  I have a 4 hour ride on Sunday.  Imma need something to keep me engrossed or I'll get bored and then quit.  No quitting!

This morning I was going to swim.  Up at 4:30, gym by 5:05, swim to 5:45, home by 6.  Great plan, right??!?!  Well....didn't get to bed/sleep until 12:15.  For those quick in math, you know that's 4:15 of sleep.  Not really condusive to recovery and good for the body.  So....I will try to sneek it in tonight after our regular Friday Night Family Movie Night.....which will actually be "Grimm" night as we have 2 of them recorded and the 7 year old LOVES it.  I know......what great parents, letting a small child watch Grimm.....meh.

Tomorrow is a 6 mile run, which....believe it or not....I'm actually looking forward to.  It's supposed to be 'chilly'....(in the 40's)....which isn't half bad for a run.

I'm boring...or blah....or both

I rode 2:35 last night....so about 42 miles.  I got bored on the bike.  I'm done with Firefly and didn't know what to start next so I just quit.  I really want to get out on the road, but I have no time during the week.  The past few weekends have either had family in town (and a small hangover) or the weather has been crappy.

5 mile run tonight and a 2100m swim (or about 37 minutes).  It's hard to keep count on the longer distances so I just swim for time.  I try to keep track, I really do....but my ADD kicks in and I end up singing songs, thinking about whatever.....

Enjoy a picture of my resemblance to Johnny "Football" Manziel.

I just swam...

That's all I did yesterday.  Swam.

2000m in 34 minutes.  I say it was 2000m cuz I lost count.  I felt fast though, so I called it 2000m

Since I don't have anything else to add.  Enjoy a picture of a cat

Gave up, then I didn't

Last night was a 2:15 ride on the trainer.  It was supposed to be 3:00.....but again with a late start and some boredom, some saddle soreness, and being tired (partly lazy).  It was a good ride for the time I was on. 

My safety manager at work texted me the other day and had car trouble, so the past few days, I've picked him up and brought him to work.  Not a problem since he lives one neighborhood over.  Yesterday, I mentioned that I was going to go get my swim in around 5:30.  He asked if he could get a ride to work then and he would work out in the company gym.  Not a problem.  So....I pick him up and drop him off.  As I pull up to the gym, turn off the truck, get out, and head in I realize that I don't have my towel and goggles.  The plan was to swim, go home, eat, shower, and come to work.  So I had to drive home, get all my stuff to shower/change at the gym, grab food, make coffee, then head back to the gym.

As I was almost home, I almost gave up and said screw it, I'll skip today.  As I make the turn to the house, I see a shooting star.  I took that as a sign and HTFU.  Got my stuff and headed to the pool.

You traveled very far
You traveled far, like a star

 

- 'Drown' by The Smashing Pumpkins

 

 



Got in 1900m in 33:57.  Not too shabby.  I need to be consistent and hit around 1:45 per 100.  That's the plan for the IM.  If I can hit that mark, it'll be a mental victory and set me up for the day.

Tonight is FMN.  With family in town the niece and nephew wanted to watch 'Wreck It Ralph'.  Even though we watched it last week, J said she'd watch it again.  So....it is.  It was a good flick, so I don't mind watching it again....maybe even doze off and not feel bad. 

Tomorrow is a 6 - 8 mile run then headed down to Greenville Ave. for the HUGE Dallas St. Paddy's day parade.  100k people, beers, breif nudity, ect.  (well...that's how it was in my single days).  Now, we go down and set up in a parking lot (we have VIP parking becuase the parade route goes right thru where Annie works and her company owns half of the land in the area) and we 'tailgate' family style.  I'm bringing an electric griddle to cook bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes.  Nom, Nom, Nom!  Mimosa's may be served, but that's as wild as it gets now.

It's mah Baby Momma's burfday...

The light of my life, my world, my everything......she's lucky to have me.    HA.  I'm truly blessed to have her in my life and that she puts up with my shit.

She's been doing some pintrest projects and had a bunch of little wooden letters laying around.  I made this for her to wake up to this morning.

As it's her birthday, we are going to dinner tonight and I will probably over eat and then not want to workout.  So....I got up and did a 2 mile jog (had 4 on the schedule) and then swam 1600m (had 1800 on the schedule).  My time for the 1600m was 27:25.  I was flying today (not on purpose).  I was going through the water with ease, breathing was on point, smooth strokes.....it all came together.  It'll probably fall apart on Friday for my next swim....but today was what I needed.

My buddy and co-mentor JFord is giving away a hydration pack on his blog.  Click the big words to enter.  Tell em Brad sent you.  He'll know what you mean.

HYDRATION PACK GIVE AWAY

 

 

Also....last night, the 7 year old wanted to do her own "home improvment project".  I got 2 scrap 2x4's, cut them and made a "frame".  What we are going to do is mount it to the house, outside, and put little flowers on it.  It's like a plant frame.  She wanted it pink, so daddy went to Home Depot and got pink spray paint for it.  By the time I got home from there and finished it all up, it was 9p.  I was supposed to do 3:00 on the bike, but settled for 2:30.  Watched the movie Sinister.....HOLY CRAP!....and then watched another episode of FireFly...then called it a night since I was getting up earlier to 'Do Work' this morning.

 

 

Wood Filler

Sanding


 

 Painting

 

 

 



Building a house....

....with BRICKS.

Saturday morning, the alarm goes off at 4:15am.  I did NOT want to get up.  Snooze.  4:24am.  Nope....snooze.  4:33am....Nope again.  Wife gives the little "accidental" shove to get me up.  Nope.  Snooze.  4:42am....okay, I'll get my ass up.

I had everything set up, ready to go.  Aerobottle filled, both cages filled, 5 hour energy to shoot before getting on bike, Gu's on computer desk, headphones plugged in, Amazon Prime webpage pulled up, clothes laid out, and even had the water, powerade, and sports beans ready for the run.

Got on the bike at 4:49.....and rode until 7:28.  Figured I did 47 miles in that time.....Very uneventful ride, got through more of FireFly and decided that my last bit on the bike would be spent watching Airheads.  Classic 90's flick.

After the bike, I pee'd, swapped out shoes, put on a shirt, then commenced the running.  I had mapped out several different one mile loops.  I wanted to have access to water/nutrition every mile like I would in a race.  I ran 5 loops then an extra out and back for a total of 5.45 miles.  I did that in 58 minutes....which included the "rest" time every mile which was basically this:  Grab water, walk around car and drink, grab powerade, walk around car and drink, grab 4 sport beans and take off running.  30-40 seconds at most.  I probably could have gone another few miles with this system, but I had family and fatherly duties starting at 9am.

Looking back on the time that I had and what I did....I would have PR'd an OLY distance.

I was sore most of the day on Satruday......a little more sore yesterday....but today I'm not as bad.  Tonight is a swim and that's it.  Great way to recover.  Maybe even a hot tub and sauna tonight too.  My right calf is getting me some issues.  It's very tender.


I will confess......I ate like a total pig this weekend.  After my post workout shake and 2 cups of coffee, it got to be lunch time on Saturday afternoon.  I had a Baconator burger, large fries, 4 nuggets, and 2 diet cokes.  Saturday night I had 3 bowls of cereal and 1/4 box of peanut butter girl scout cookies.  On Sunday, I finished off the rest of the 3/4 box of cookies.

It's Been....One Week Since....

...you posted here.


Started a mileage challenge with my Mentor group on BT.  So I'm actually logging miles on BT now.

Monday I did 1400m in the pool before going on a road trip with my Leadership class to Austin to visit the Capitol, to meet our state and local reps, and to have some 'bonding' with the class.  Beer was consumed, so I'm glad that I worked out before.

Tuesday and Wednesday both my wife and I were beat down by allergies and the onset of them.  We were in bed both nights by 8:30 and asleep close to around that time.  I kept kicking myself for missing a bike, but looking back, I needed that rest.  Since my 'refocus', I've only missed a run so missing a bike isn't going to kill me.

Last night ran 3.87 miles.....at a very slow pace (43 minutes) and then changed, drove to the pool, and cranked out 1500m. 

Tonight is FMN.  Jilian really wants to see Wreck It Ralph....and so do I.  However, Redbox all over the area don't have it in as of yet.  Going to keep checking throughout the day.  If it's not there, J said that she'll watch Ironman 2.

Tonight I'm trying ribs in the crockpot for the first time.  Cornbread and veggies on the side.  hope it's good.  Also, after the movie tonight, I'm supposed to ride.  However, I also have a brick workout in the morning that I need to start about 4:30am (bike will be part on trainer, part on road) and I have to be done by 9am so I can get the kiddo to gymnastics.

What's on tap for my followers this weekend?

It's Friday again

Rest day and family movie night!!!!

On Wednesday night, while my daughter was getting over her strep/fever, guess who go a low grade and felt like complete ass.  I'll give you a hint......it's the only member of my family that types on this blog.  So, after taking it easy and getting some rest (which meant missing a run workout of 4 miles) I felt great on Thursday (I also had some left over amoxicillian so I started popping those too).

I was supposed to do 2:00 on the bike last night but couldn't find a comfortable pace, comfortable position, and generally didn't want to be there.  So....knowing what JFord would say, I managed to get 1:15 on the bike while watching FireFly.....which is an AWESOME show.....space ships, cowboys, pirates, pirate hookers.....guns.....women.....dark humor.....what's not to love.....

After the ride, I decided to go and get the swim workout from Wednesday in that I missed.  I cranked out 1300m (plan was 1200) in 24:18.  First couple of 100s were rough, as I was still a little sore from Monday's swim but that worked itself out and I was able to focus on form, feel, and breathing.  I also have to 'remember' how to sight also.  Usually every other breath on my left side, I can lift my head as I'm turning to breathe and sight.  I aslo practice different breatheing patterns.  Every few 100m, I'll switch from every 3 stoke bi-lateral to every 4 strokes and breathe only left.....then the next few 100, only right, then I'll go to 5 stroke bi-lateral, then repeat.....this helps me mentally to focus on that....and also get comfortable with different breathing patterns.  During my 70.3 in 2011, the first leg of the swim.....the wind was pushing from my right and creating waves and some caps.  Every time I'd breathe to the right, I'd get a face full of water.  I had to switch to breathing only left until I got to the bouy where I could go back to bi-lateral....then on the next turn, heading back to shore, the waves were on my left so I could only breathe right......knowing how to bi-lateral and being able to switch it up on the fly saved my swim that day.  Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!

Tonight is Ironman.....the movie.  never seen it so I'm looking forward to it!!

I didn't take an after pic of the ab challenge this morning.  I will take one this weekend and post on Monday.

Another sick kid. :(

On Monday, after school, J was complaining about 'not feeling good'....which she always does until she finds out what's for dinner.  If she likes it, she perks up....if not, well then she's 'sick' and only nuggets or soup or tuna or hot dogs will help.  Well....she actually had a fever and passed out on the couch right when she walked in the door.  Gave her Tylenol and put her in bed and she slept the whole night.  Yesterday morning, her fever was low grade (99.4) so I gave her more Tylenol and we got ready for school.  I sent a "FYI" text to my boss to let him know.  Well....guess who I got a call from at 10:45????  Yup....she's got a 102 and she's complaining of a sore throat.  So, I go pick her up and bring her to my on-site clinic at work and she had a 'weak positive' for strep.  Amoxicillian 'script and rest is what the PA said.....so that's what we did.

Since I had to leave early, once Annie got home and we finsihed dinner, I had to finish up work stuff from home and run two errands for Annie since she'd be at home all day tomorrow....putting me back at home at 8:30-ish and on the trainer at 8:45.  I was supposed to do 2:15 on the bike but did 1:45.

Today was supposed to be a swim at lunch (which I had just typed out "Today I'm swimming at lunch", but deleted that as when I typed it, I realized that my workout bag is where I left it at home)......and tonight is a 4 mile run.  Depending on timing, I may get both in.  If I have to choose, I'll do the run as I'm still working out some soreness from Monday's swim.

We had a roll over

...the baby that is.  She finally rolled over!  After about 4 days of getting almost all the way over, she finally figured it out.  We cheered and cheered.....she looked at us like we were crazy, gave us a crooked and toothless smile......then tooted. 

So....last week, I lost all kinds of motivation.  I thought I'd pick it back up over the weekend, but did not.  I did get lots of chores done around the house.  I started building some shelves out of a 'rescued' pallet (I'll post pics when I'm done), I bought and hung a ceiling fan for the guest room (***funny side story***  we have the same fan in our bedroom.  After I had hung the fan, got everything attached, and was ready to test it out, I grabbed the remote and started it.  I tested the lights, the fan speeds, etc.....I was happy with myself.  I go downstairs and my wife says "were you just messing with our fan?"  I said no.  She said "Our fan kept coming on and going off, lights were off and on then off then on...."     HOLY CRAP!!!!!!  The remotes are on the same frequency.  I didn't even think about that.  So I took it down, reprogrammed the remote and rehung.....)

Last night I went for my first swim of the season.  1000m in the pool.  I thought I'd be around 20 minutes as I had not swam since August.  Well....it was a "blazing fast" 18:03.  Not too shabby for first time in over 6 months.  I sent JFord a text and said that I'd found my motivation again......and not a moment too soon.  I have a 2:15 ride tonight.

I'll have to conceede the ab challenge to my man....JFord.  I haven't done any since last week.  Still, I did okay for what I thought I'd do.  It helped me focus on the core a little more.  I do owe a before and after pic (which probably hasn't changed much) so I'll post that later this week.  I will continue with focusing on the core work and try better at the next mentor group challenge.