It has been nearly two years since writing my last blog post. My hope for this blog is to continue with sharing my experiences as a weekend warrior triathlete who loves Jesus. How those two worlds combine through blog form is a work in progress. All I know is that I desire to be writer. So here it goes...
The past eighteen months or so has been a mix of some awesome life changes, most notably becoming a dad, and a few frustrations. My daughter, Everly, is an answer to years of prayer. Simply stated, Everly is a blessing from God. Prior to her arrival I always envisioned having two little boys (probably because I come from a household of two boys), but the moment Julie and I found out we were having a girl was incredible. Incredible quickly turned to fear; fear of the unknown (for me). I had almost zero experience with being around little girls. Julie and I went to lunch following our doctors appointment. Lunch turned out to be one of those reminders that I married a wise woman who fills in the gaps where I fall short. As I rambled on about being excited and nervous and unsure of how to play with girls, Julie patiently listened. When I stopped for a minute, she simply stated, "We will be okay. I was a little girl once." For those of you who don't know my wife, she is on the quiet side. But when she speaks you know it is important and most likely wise and insightful. Those two little sentences was all I needed to hear to cast fear aside. Everly is now almost 8-months old. I love coming home each day after work to give my two girls a hug and a kiss. An added bonus is that Everly has learned how to clap; so I get a round of applause every day when I come home. My words do not do it justice to the blessing Julie and Everly are in my life.
My frustrations are on the injury front. My Achilles heel is really my Achilles heel (and my calf). In addition to the lingering Achilles injury I had for most of 2012 and 2013, I injured the other Achilles while playing in an Ultimate Frisbee league this year. One of my last blog posts (2 years ago) was about my top 10 events I would like to complete. I am not on a very good pace to reach my 50 events in 50 states goal. However, I was able to mark RAGRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) off the list in 2013 as I completed that with 3 of my friends and 10,000 new ones. In the past 18 months or so I have gained more empathy for my patients than I ever really wanted to experience. I have rehabbed, experienced frustrating set backs, and all the while continue to pursue my goal of eventually participating in an Ironman 140.6.
I have my sights set on Ironman Chattanooga in 2015. To complete an Ironman event would be the pinnacle of my athletic goals. I believe that God has put it in my DNA to be competitive and use my abilities as an endurance athlete to glorify Him. I wouldn't go cuing the Chariots of Fire theme song just yet, but I do feel like I can relate to Eric Liddell's passion to do what he was created to do. I am by no means elite or even close to it. At best I am an above average age group competitor, but I have been blessed with the love of exercise. Some mornings are tough to get out of bed, but once I get going I love it. I am one of those weirdos who gets an 'exercise high' while out running, riding, or swimming laps.
To get back in the swing of things in the triathlon world I plan to participate in a sprint event in October at Lake Murray. In May 2015, a couple of my buddies and I will be riding in the Assault on Mount Mitchell. This will be a nice 'how do you do' for my legs in preparation for Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga. I have recruited one of my physical therapist colleagues to help me develop a strength/injury prevention program in addition to my swim/bike/run training. I know that I will benefit from the accountability of having someone checking in with me and getting outside perspective on my training.
We'll see how it all goes. I hope to have some entertaining, funny, and real stories to share as I try to be more consistent with writing.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Countdown to Race Day
Julie and I leave for Branson in two days! Race day is finally in sight. I am just ready to get to the race site, scout it out, relax, and do the best that I can. This training season has not gone exactly as planned. Between the achilles, pool closings, and moving it has not exactly been the smoothest experience. Chalk it up to experience I guess.
The transition back to South Carolina, a busy work schedule, and the late sunrises (compared to Arizona) combined with working late nights has really limited my ability to ride these past couple of weeks, except for the weekends. Fortunately, I have been able to get some great climbs in thanks to being near the mountains.
I feel surprisingly good with my swim stroke right now. That being said, my ability to swim a straight line in the open water has always been an issue. It should be quite the interesting experience. Last year was chaos in the water with people splashing, kicking, and dunking one another jockeying for their "lane."
I wrote out multi-level goals for the swim, transition, and bike sections based on my pool workout times and average biking speed. The bike course in Branson makes me nervous because I have heard there are some nasty climbs. I hope that also means there will be some fast descents to make up for any lost time grinding it out in the granny gear.
Swim goals:
A) 35:24 (1:50/100 m)
B) 37:00 (1:55/100 m)
C) 38:37 (2:00/100 m)
Without walls to push off of and lane lines to follow I figure these are pretty realistic. I have been doing 100 m repeats anywhere from 1:25 to 1:55 depending on short course vs. long course and rest intervals.
Transition goals:
A) 5 min
B) 7 min
C) 10 min
This will depend on how my achilles feels on the jog from water to the transition zone and ability to get the wetsuit off. I never seem to go fast in transition. Looking at past times one would think that I kick my feet up in a recliner and take a quick nap.
Bike goals:
A) 3:06:40 (18 mph)
B) 3:17:38 (17 mph)
C) 3:30:00 (16 mph)
D) 3:44:00 (15 mph)
I sure hope I am some where between A and B. That is where I was during Beach2Battleship last year with crazy winds, cold, and rain. But without knowing how steep or long these climbs are going to be I have no idea. That is why I listed a D. I hope knowing that I don't have the run leg this year since I will be in the aqua-velo I can give it a little extra on the bike.
These goal times should have me crossing the finish line somewhere between 3:52:17 and 4:29:37.
Stay tuned for a possible race weekend pre-race post and definitely for post-race analysis. It is time to finally see what I can do.
http://ironmanbranson.com You should be able to follow splits from the website.
The transition back to South Carolina, a busy work schedule, and the late sunrises (compared to Arizona) combined with working late nights has really limited my ability to ride these past couple of weeks, except for the weekends. Fortunately, I have been able to get some great climbs in thanks to being near the mountains.
I feel surprisingly good with my swim stroke right now. That being said, my ability to swim a straight line in the open water has always been an issue. It should be quite the interesting experience. Last year was chaos in the water with people splashing, kicking, and dunking one another jockeying for their "lane."
I wrote out multi-level goals for the swim, transition, and bike sections based on my pool workout times and average biking speed. The bike course in Branson makes me nervous because I have heard there are some nasty climbs. I hope that also means there will be some fast descents to make up for any lost time grinding it out in the granny gear.
Swim goals:
A) 35:24 (1:50/100 m)
B) 37:00 (1:55/100 m)
C) 38:37 (2:00/100 m)
Without walls to push off of and lane lines to follow I figure these are pretty realistic. I have been doing 100 m repeats anywhere from 1:25 to 1:55 depending on short course vs. long course and rest intervals.
Transition goals:
A) 5 min
B) 7 min
C) 10 min
This will depend on how my achilles feels on the jog from water to the transition zone and ability to get the wetsuit off. I never seem to go fast in transition. Looking at past times one would think that I kick my feet up in a recliner and take a quick nap.
Bike goals:
A) 3:06:40 (18 mph)
B) 3:17:38 (17 mph)
C) 3:30:00 (16 mph)
D) 3:44:00 (15 mph)
I sure hope I am some where between A and B. That is where I was during Beach2Battleship last year with crazy winds, cold, and rain. But without knowing how steep or long these climbs are going to be I have no idea. That is why I listed a D. I hope knowing that I don't have the run leg this year since I will be in the aqua-velo I can give it a little extra on the bike.
These goal times should have me crossing the finish line somewhere between 3:52:17 and 4:29:37.
Stay tuned for a possible race weekend pre-race post and definitely for post-race analysis. It is time to finally see what I can do.
http://ironmanbranson.com You should be able to follow splits from the website.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
My Achilles Heel...
Literally!
Today I have officially decided that it is in my best interest to switch my ironman Branson 70.3 registration to the aqua-velo division. In the back of my mind I knew it was a possibility, but reality has now set in.
I have attempted ramping up my running the past few weeks, but after an acute onset insertional achilles tendinitis 10-days ago following a 5-miler I knew my chances were slim. Prior to that I had been running paces I haven't been able to do in years. After not being able to walk normally for nearly 7-days I decided to go out with a bang one more time last night to test my heel. Not the wisest idea, but I had a PT appointment this morning and since I am a PT I have access to lots of equipment to help ease the pain.
So last night I went out and ran 5.66 miles at sub-7:40 min/mile pace. The first mile was agony, but then my heel warmed-up. Unfortunately, once I stopped there was an immediate onset of pain and tightness. Now I am on crutches with a heel lift in my shoe to try to calm down my symptoms for the next few days so I can get back to just walking normally.
After consulting with my PT we decided it was best to hold off of the running for a while to continue my rehab program then following my aqua-velo I can go through a proper return-to-running progression. I am fortunate to work with awesome PT's with a vast knowledge in running so I can actually try to correct my form once I return to Greenville, SC.
I guess I am fortunate that until the past 8-months I have never really had a real injury with running. I just wish this cycle of injuries would go away sooner rather than later. I want to be able to return to my usual training routines without worrying about being hurt. I have gained a new found empathy for my patients. It is incredibly frustrating when you can't do what you love!
The one good thing about not having to do the run portion means I can go harder on the swim and bike. Who knows, I may have a shot at placing in the aqua-velo. I have no clue who normally enters this division. Is it people that hate running but can crush a bike leg of an event or is it older people with joint replacements that can't run? If it's other broken people like me then I may just have a chance.
It is a bit of a let down to drive 14-hours to not compete in the full event, but the aqua-velo is a silver lining. This way all my training is not all for nothing. It will also be a bonus to get some quality time in with my wife, whom I will have not seen in 2-months due to my job in AZ.
Such is life I guess. Have to roll with the punches and take it all in stride...even if that stride is slowed down due to crutches.
Such is life I guess. Have to roll with the punches and take it all in stride...even if that stride is slowed down due to crutches.
Friday, July 27, 2012
List addendum and training update.
In my last post I made a list of my possible top 10 events I would like to compete in and a relative timeline for each. I was pumped that the list overlapped pretty well with what my buddy Ryan has in mind as well. We may even tackle the Knoxville Marathon this coming spring! That is assuming my body does not fall apart during my 70.3 in Branson (or before then).
After looking over my list for the past week or so I can't believe that I left out adventure races, tough mudders, and the Spartan Race series! So there may be an addendum to my list, but at least it is a start. I have been rock climbing a few times while out here in AZ and that reminded me that I need a little more adventure in my life. It would definitely make for some fun training, anyway. Not to mention some sweet blisters on my hands.
These alternative endurance events would also be more enticing to some of my friends to coax them into competing with me. If you're going to do something extreme you might as well do it in a group! What is the saying? Misery loves company!
I am excited that my training is going very well. My physical therapy is really paying off for my hip. I am moving better than I ever have which is leading to running faster times with less effort! However, I am bummed to say that I am having some insertional achilles issues due to some altered foot mechanics and weak hips (I am working on this, though). It seems like as soon as one thing gets better something else starts to bark at me. Maybe one of these days I will put it all together.
As long as I can keep training I am happy. I am definitely one of those runners who feels better in general when I can run. There are very few things in life that I get such a high from as I do getting in the zone running. It is a feeling that I can't really describe, except that everything feels right. I feel like I am doing exactly what God designed me to do.
I recently went back to my Brooks Launch shoes. I don't know why I ever switched. Probably because I am a sucker for advertising. The Launch is a light weight running shoe that fit my feet perfectly. As long as Brooks keeps making this line I plan to stick with them.
I hope to be able to say my heel is feeling better sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for updates and such over the next few weeks.
After looking over my list for the past week or so I can't believe that I left out adventure races, tough mudders, and the Spartan Race series! So there may be an addendum to my list, but at least it is a start. I have been rock climbing a few times while out here in AZ and that reminded me that I need a little more adventure in my life. It would definitely make for some fun training, anyway. Not to mention some sweet blisters on my hands.
These alternative endurance events would also be more enticing to some of my friends to coax them into competing with me. If you're going to do something extreme you might as well do it in a group! What is the saying? Misery loves company!
I am excited that my training is going very well. My physical therapy is really paying off for my hip. I am moving better than I ever have which is leading to running faster times with less effort! However, I am bummed to say that I am having some insertional achilles issues due to some altered foot mechanics and weak hips (I am working on this, though). It seems like as soon as one thing gets better something else starts to bark at me. Maybe one of these days I will put it all together.
As long as I can keep training I am happy. I am definitely one of those runners who feels better in general when I can run. There are very few things in life that I get such a high from as I do getting in the zone running. It is a feeling that I can't really describe, except that everything feels right. I feel like I am doing exactly what God designed me to do.
I recently went back to my Brooks Launch shoes. I don't know why I ever switched. Probably because I am a sucker for advertising. The Launch is a light weight running shoe that fit my feet perfectly. As long as Brooks keeps making this line I plan to stick with them.
I hope to be able to say my heel is feeling better sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for updates and such over the next few weeks.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Top 10 Races on the Horizon
My friend, Ryan, and I are always discussing what's next on our race wish list. This list is fluid, but here is my top 10 choices of races I would like to do in the next few years. Ryan is also compiling his list and then we'll compare to see where we overlap.
1) Ironman Kona - October 2014. This would be the ultimate race and be tough for other races to follow. I have wanted to do this one ever since I was introduced to the world of triathlon. The only chance I have of making this race is through the Lottery System. http://ironmanworldchampionship.com/
2) New York City Marathon - November 2013 or 2015. We had already hoped to have finished this event, but scheduling, funding, and moving all got in the way.
http://www.nycmarathon.org/
3) RAGBRAI - July 2013. This one is pretty much locked in on the schedule. I think this one may be the most fun of all the races. Riding along side good friends for seven straight days, camping, and experiencing different towns each day will be quite the experience.
http://ragbrai.com/
4) Knoxville Marathon - April 2014 (2013??). Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me! It's a no-brainer that I have to do a race at my alma mater finishing in Neyland Stadium.
http://www.knoxvillemarathon.com/Participant_Info/raceinfo/marathon.htm
5) San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon - June 2015. San Diego is on my short list of places I could live. The weather and scenery is amazing! I definitely want to do this race.
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego/register
6) Ironman 70.3 Austin - October 2015. Austin is also on my short list of places I could live. I loved my visit to Austin last summer. It was great to stop in to Lance Armstrong's bike shop Mellow Johnny's. This race would definitely be a highlight.
http://ironmanaustin.com/
7) Chicago Marathon - October 2016. I have heard this is a fun marathon to run. After the awesome deep dish pizza I had tonight I figure I will add this to the list. I need a race in every state, so why not. It would be pretty awesome to run with 45,000 people.
http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/
8) Indianapolis Marathon - October 2017. Another race that comes highly recommended by friends. I have some good friends that live in Indy so it would be great to see them.
http://www.indianapolismarathon.com/
9) Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - April 2017/New Orleans Rock'n'Roll Marathon February 2015 or 2018. I loved my one visit to New Orleans. I think a race in NO would make for a great trip. It's just a matter of finding the right race and the right time.
http://ironmanneworleans.com/
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-orleans
10) Ironman Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID - June 2015 or 2016. I have had a couple of patients who have told me this is a very challenging and great race. The course profile looks challenging and I don't know how a 2-loop swim course works functionally. Seems like a lot of swimmers in one spot at the same time. Maybe Idaho has some other adventure races or mountain bike races if I don't feel up to an ironman.
http://ironmancda.com/
Quite an overwhelming list as I sit back and look at it. Lots of hours training. It seems crazy to look out five years and realize I would still have 35 states that I will have to do! I guess that is all part of the adventure. I am blessed to have a supportive wife and family and glad to have good friends who are willing to motivate and participate with me.
I am excited to see how this list plays out and where my list overlaps with Ryan's list to see what we need to tackle first.
If anyone has thoughts on races I need to do I would love to hear about them.
1) Ironman Kona - October 2014. This would be the ultimate race and be tough for other races to follow. I have wanted to do this one ever since I was introduced to the world of triathlon. The only chance I have of making this race is through the Lottery System. http://ironmanworldchampionship.com/
2) New York City Marathon - November 2013 or 2015. We had already hoped to have finished this event, but scheduling, funding, and moving all got in the way.
http://www.nycmarathon.org/
3) RAGBRAI - July 2013. This one is pretty much locked in on the schedule. I think this one may be the most fun of all the races. Riding along side good friends for seven straight days, camping, and experiencing different towns each day will be quite the experience.
http://ragbrai.com/
4) Knoxville Marathon - April 2014 (2013??). Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me! It's a no-brainer that I have to do a race at my alma mater finishing in Neyland Stadium.
http://www.knoxvillemarathon.com/Participant_Info/raceinfo/marathon.htm
5) San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon - June 2015. San Diego is on my short list of places I could live. The weather and scenery is amazing! I definitely want to do this race.
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego/register
6) Ironman 70.3 Austin - October 2015. Austin is also on my short list of places I could live. I loved my visit to Austin last summer. It was great to stop in to Lance Armstrong's bike shop Mellow Johnny's. This race would definitely be a highlight.
http://ironmanaustin.com/
7) Chicago Marathon - October 2016. I have heard this is a fun marathon to run. After the awesome deep dish pizza I had tonight I figure I will add this to the list. I need a race in every state, so why not. It would be pretty awesome to run with 45,000 people.
http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/
8) Indianapolis Marathon - October 2017. Another race that comes highly recommended by friends. I have some good friends that live in Indy so it would be great to see them.
http://www.indianapolismarathon.com/
9) Ironman 70.3 New Orleans - April 2017/New Orleans Rock'n'Roll Marathon February 2015 or 2018. I loved my one visit to New Orleans. I think a race in NO would make for a great trip. It's just a matter of finding the right race and the right time.
http://ironmanneworleans.com/
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-orleans
10) Ironman Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID - June 2015 or 2016. I have had a couple of patients who have told me this is a very challenging and great race. The course profile looks challenging and I don't know how a 2-loop swim course works functionally. Seems like a lot of swimmers in one spot at the same time. Maybe Idaho has some other adventure races or mountain bike races if I don't feel up to an ironman.
http://ironmancda.com/
Quite an overwhelming list as I sit back and look at it. Lots of hours training. It seems crazy to look out five years and realize I would still have 35 states that I will have to do! I guess that is all part of the adventure. I am blessed to have a supportive wife and family and glad to have good friends who are willing to motivate and participate with me.
I am excited to see how this list plays out and where my list overlaps with Ryan's list to see what we need to tackle first.
If anyone has thoughts on races I need to do I would love to hear about them.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
An Opportunity To Save A Life
You know that feeling you get deep down inside your soul when watching a powerful movie and the hero places the well-being of everyone else ahead of their own to save the day or affirm someone else or their cause. Every time I see one of those, I ask myself, "What would I do in that situation?" I like to think that I wouldn't hesitate to perform to the level of the character in the movie.
I'd like to think that I would take on the English, like William Wallace, or take in a kid in need like the Tuohy family as made famous in the Blind Side. But do I always do this? I can't even count or worse probably haven't even recognized opportunities in my life to step in to be a hero and save a life. Whether that is in the literal sense or to just make someone's day a little better or brighter.
I am excited to say that I may have the opportunity to save a life in the literal sense of the phrase. I am only recently a registered bone marrow donor (http://marrow.org/Home.aspx) and today I received an e-mail that I may be a potential match for a young woman in need of a bone marrow transplant. It was the most exciting e-mail that I may have ever received. It's funny to me how excited I am because I really didn't do anything but make myself available.
There are a few of us who have been identified as potential donors, so the next step is to undergo a blood test to see which of us will be the best match to give this woman and her family hope for recovery. Selfishly I hope that it is me, but I am encouraged that her doctors have multiple potential donors from which to choose.
The process is simple:
- Log into the webpage from the link above
- Fill out an application
- Submit your cheek cells on the cotton swabs they mail you
- Then you wait for the exciting e-mail like I received today
Be The Match makes is extremely easy. They take care of all of your expenses if you need it. They help with scheduling tests and appointments. They work with the registry to find matches for patients.
I hope that you take the time to consider becoming part of a program that could save someone's life. You never know, you could be the perfect match!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Polka-Dot Jersey Pursuit
The title is a little misleading, but it sounds like there will be some killer hills in Branson, MO waiting on me this fall during the 70.3. I used to consider myself a respectable climber, however, I currently live in one of the flattest regions in the country! It also isn't the most convenient to get hill climbing in around here.
I had to drive over an hour to get to Camelback Mountain in Phoenix on Sunday to test out my climbing legs. There was a nice loop on East Valle Vista Road that had a 2.3-mile loop with about 0.8-miles of climbing. Only about half of that was "steep" relatively, but required for me to be up out of the saddle. What I learned is that I need to get my legs back (not all that shocking, but eye opening). My quads felt the fatigue quicker than they should have. The steep climbs consisted of a double switch back. Ordinarily I wouldn't see myself needing to stand up out of the saddle for the first leg before the switch backs began. I recommend the route because you can easily bounce over to some nice bike-laned roads near Arizona State University.
It looks like my off days are going to have to consist of me driving to Camelback, South Mountain, and north to the Sedona area to get in some long and challenging hill work. I really miss my hills and mountains back home. And I really miss my usual riding groups! You know who you are.
Maybe I have an inner Andy Schleck that I can tap into to conquer some climbing. "Polka-dot" jersey here I come (I realize that is highly unlikely for me, and I don't think they do that in ironman competitions. But you get my point.).
Happy Training! I get my new Specialized Romin Evo Pro black/white saddle on Thursday. Motivation to work on climbing strength so I don't have to stand.
I had to drive over an hour to get to Camelback Mountain in Phoenix on Sunday to test out my climbing legs. There was a nice loop on East Valle Vista Road that had a 2.3-mile loop with about 0.8-miles of climbing. Only about half of that was "steep" relatively, but required for me to be up out of the saddle. What I learned is that I need to get my legs back (not all that shocking, but eye opening). My quads felt the fatigue quicker than they should have. The steep climbs consisted of a double switch back. Ordinarily I wouldn't see myself needing to stand up out of the saddle for the first leg before the switch backs began. I recommend the route because you can easily bounce over to some nice bike-laned roads near Arizona State University.
It looks like my off days are going to have to consist of me driving to Camelback, South Mountain, and north to the Sedona area to get in some long and challenging hill work. I really miss my hills and mountains back home. And I really miss my usual riding groups! You know who you are.
Maybe I have an inner Andy Schleck that I can tap into to conquer some climbing. "Polka-dot" jersey here I come (I realize that is highly unlikely for me, and I don't think they do that in ironman competitions. But you get my point.).
Happy Training! I get my new Specialized Romin Evo Pro black/white saddle on Thursday. Motivation to work on climbing strength so I don't have to stand.
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