Week 13- Merry Christmas

I received a Christmas gift early....Broke the 200 lb barrier and feeling pretty good. I made my initial goal. Now for the next challenge. I am hoping to weigh 185-190 for the Ironman.

1st week of January I begin my training for the Ironman. Hopefully I can stick to the regimen. I found a good 16 week plan to prepare for a 70.3 and will try to follow it closely. I have not progressed too far in swimming. I try to do 30 laps in 30 minutes (50 yds per lap). I am running 5 miles twice a week and biking thirty miles. I am trying to progress slowly without injuring myself.  

Week 10: Head Cold

Sick in the HEAD, I am. Came down with a head cold on Tuesday. Got one swim in on Monday and then it started. I decided to take the week off and not workout. Pretty bummed as I was really making progress last week: swimming, cycling and running farther and with higher intensities. 

I have my eye on a couple of Olympic distance triathlons coming in March. I feel as if I need to do at least one prior to the Ironman. Hopefully I can get a  sprint and an Olympic in prior to the BIG ONE. 

1st Corinthians 9:24-27

You know that in a race all the runners run but only one wins the prize, don't you? You must run in such a way that you may be victorious. Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that withers away, but we run to win a prize that never fades. That is the way I run, with a clear goal in mind. That is the way I fight, not like someone shadow boxing. No, I keep on discipline my body, making it serve me so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified.

Weeks 6-8

Well not too much to report as my professional life has taken a turn and not too much time to train. I have struggled to keep on track for the last three weeks due to added professional responsibilities.
I have pushed myself farther and harder on each workout, but the frequency is lacking. This week I will try to break thru and have a much needed tough training schedule.
I have hit the 206 lb mark. Two months to go on my bet..... I must be under 200 lbs by February 1st or else suffer the consequences..... more to come.

Ending Week 5- Training

Chiropractor visits went well. It appears as if my back issues are a result of an arch breakdown in my left foot. He has suggested orthodics along with regular adjustments to get my hips to realign and my spine to decompress. His first adjustment has made me feel better.
He has also suggested taking a week off from running- so I am focusing on swimming and biking. Finding a good place to ride my road bike close to home is difficult as I now live close to the heart of the city. I need to hit the road with my bike more than once a week!
Low energy levels this week. I will start messing around with nutrition next week and I will also start logging my progress and what I eat to help me understand the impacts of my nutrition plan and workout regimen.

Ouch....

Ok, the training is sending me to my very first Chiropractor appointment tomorrow. The running has been affecting my back and so it has been suggested to me to see a Chiropractor. I hope it helps.

I did not have to throw Steve in the pool today, I did threaten to. He did good. I struggled as I have not been feeling too hot lately. Life's stresses have been taking their toll on my heart (having double beats- two quick beats followed by a long pause. A few years ago a heart doctor told me it was just an uncomfortable condition, but makes me nervous. I was wondering if anyone else has had issues similar to this. I am going to try cutting caffeine to see if it will help. 

I am looking for a sprint TRI that I can sign up for sometime in December- January time frame. Found an olympic distance in Miami I may try in March.

Signed Up- Ironman 70.3 Florida

I finally signed up for the event I am training to complete. Its the 2009 Ironman 70.3 Florida that takes place at Walt Disney World on May 17th. Took a while to do it. Don't know why, just nervous about the commitment. Well- off we go.

I will start CORE training this week. I have researched different exercises to help build my core and possibly alleviate the back pain I experience after my runs. Steve keeps encouraging me to run on the street instead of my treadmill. Don't they have a triathlon that utilizes treadmills for the run portion???

Training continues- Week 4

Well, easily into week 4 with a rest day on Monday (my B-day) and got a swim in on Tuesday. I swam 25 laps continuous in the pool today. Went well, my swimming is progressing much faster than I imagined. My next goal will be 30 continuous laps (35 is a mile- I think...)
Steve struggled today and did not want to get in the water. I am praying for him and that he finds some peace. Life can throw too many distractions at you and heap on the stress. I hope I can encourage him more than I have. Friends should build each other up .... Proverbs 27:17 : "As Iron sharpens Iron, So one man sharpens another".

First Ride

Sunday was my first attempt at what I think is a long distance ride. Steve kicked my tail on this ride as he has been riding a while and it is his strongest of the three (swim, bike, run). I kept up for the first 15 miles, but after the rest and the beginning of the next 15 miles, he left me frequently as I prayed for the end of the ride. I was amazed that I did not have sore legs or back from the first long ride. Steve said it is because I didnt try hard enough. Soon I will be saying that to him. Little trash talk never hurts.

Steve and I went out for my first ride. We rode the West Orange trail and did 30 miles. He kicked my tail on this ride. I expected to be plenty sore from this but it is now tuesday and I feel great. Today Steve and I went to the Y to Swim. I swam 25 laps without stopping. I have been amazed at the progress. Steve struggled mentally today and I am praying for him. I have found that training is a full time mental battle. Too many things going on in both of our lives rightnow to stay

3 weeks into training and I am starting to feel the pains of my efforts. Knee pain is causing some mental obstacles. Am I too old for this stuff? 

Swimming today went well. When I started I could barely do 2 laps without having to stop and catch my breath. Today I swam 10 laps, rested for 30-45 seconds, swam 10 more laps, rested again for 30-45 seconds and did two laps at what I consider my full out pace. Felt good today.

Tomorrow I will wake up and run 3-4 miles on the treadmill. Then do a leg strengthening workout at the Gym.

I have my first bike ride sunday with a friend that is going to help me get started on the bike portion of the training. I am amped about getting out on the new bike.

Next week I have upped the training so that I have some two-a-day workouts. Looking forward to when it doesn't hurt so much......

Iron Men???

Bike

If you know me at all, I am not an impulse buyer. I have researched, picked brains and listened to many different opinions as to what bike I should purchase, road or tri bike, aluminum or carbon fiber frame, 105 or ultegra components, 2008 leftover or new 2009? The 08's are in short supply and felt a need to purchase quickly as the are hundreds cheaper than the 09's. After looking at enough bikes to thoroughly confuse me, I narrowed my choice between two brands, Trek and Cervelo. I ended up with an 08' Cervelo soloist road bike with all Ultegra components.

I purchased the bike yesterday and had it set up for triathalons (changed seat position and style, added aero bars, etc.). Today was my adjustment, felt comfortable. My friend rides on Wednesdays and Sundays. I may try to ride on Sunday. Definitely need some mentoring in this area.

Can I do it?

Is it in me to finish the race that has been put out in front of me? A good friend and I made a bet 3 weeks ago while watching the Florida Gators play. 

The bet: to get my weight down below 200 lbs by February 1st 2009. At the time of the bet I weighed 222 lbs. In doing this, I have also challenged myself to compete in a 1/2 Ironman in May of 2009.

If I do not make the weight, I have to ride my bike, in nothing but a speedo for one hour anywhere my friend choses. There is an escape clause, I can pay him $500. If I do make the weight, he pays for any Tri event I choose.

This is definitely a challenge as my only real experience in this sort of thing has been a 5k I ran this year (little over three mile run). Also, I turn 40 in exactly one week. 40! Where did that come from? Life cant be 1/2 over for me, or is it just beginning?

I weighed in on October 12th at 215 lbs. My ideal weight to compete should be 185. I was pumped- lost 7 lbs already. My training- Running on a treadmill twice a week, swimming 20-25 laps at lunch twice a week, cycling on a stationary bike once a week and working out minimally with weights twice a week. The biggest challenge has been mental. Keeping on track is a battle. Telling myself this is possible, I can do it. I can feel my competitive nature resurfacing.