18 Days....and short blog

Gotta be a short one today kids......not much to say and I have a meeting in about 15 minutes.

1:00 swim last night.
Everything is sore
I'm tired
I'm hungry
My shoulder hurts
I have ugly feet
I'm mentally drained and am forgetting things
I'm tired
I'm hungry
I am obsessed with this race and think about it 24/7 (it has replaced sex in the thought process)


This meeting better be good, or I'm going to nap during it.

Last Long Weekend

Let the volume reduction begin!!!!!!!!!!!!

My legs are jello, my mind is mush, my body is all like "What the hell, bro?"......but I'm done.  Done with the long volume and long weekends.  I'm done with the fighting through fatigue to crank out a few more miles.  I'm over the "I'll just sit here and watch my movie and peddle randomly".....I'm done.

Kind of....

Since my training up until the end of January was spastic at best, I've had to revamp the training plan over and over.  I do have two 3 hour trainer sessions and a 75 mile / 5 mile brick this coming up weekend....and also a 14 mile run.

The following weekend, is a short 15 mile run but only a 35 mile bike which I will do around the hood, just to make any adjustments and make sure the bike is good before heading down.

I think that I have my nutrition dialed in too.  I've had some good long rides during this training plan.  Mostly because of my nutrition that works for me (and nutrition/dydration the day before).

I'm worried about having a bad session over the next 12 - 14 days that will set me back mentally.  I'm worried about being sick, or getting hit by a car, or taking a misstep off of a curb, or getting sick.......I hope the worrying doesn't get me sick.....LOL.

I have 19 days to get thru.  19 days until I hear "Brad Donovan.....You ARE an Ironman". 

Weird Feelings

The past 2 bike sessions, I've been pushing it harder than normal.  On Tuessday I had a great 2 hour ride....and last night was supposed to be the same.  However, both nights, I got cold sweats while on the bike, jello legs, and feeling like I was going to puke.  Last night I stopped after 45 minutes.

Not sure if it's nutrition (or lack there of), lack of sleep, body being broken down without rest.....or what.  But I was concerned enough to stop last night.

I'm hoping that it's just sleep and proper nutrition that will fix the issue.

Tonight is my off night.  Which means it's family movie night.  I'll probably fall asleep at 8pm like normal (LOL).....

This weekend is a 10 mile run and a 100 mile ride.

Weather is supposed to be sketchy this weekend, so....hopefully I don't have to do 10 miles on the treadmill (because that WON'T happen).

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....

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.

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!

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!  :)