Do-Over

I'm calling for a do-over for the past couple of weeks. I have not done much of anything and I need a do over. As long as I'm calling for a do-over for the past couple of weeks I'm going to ask for the whole season. So this brings this question up: If you could start your whole triathlon life over again what would you do differently. What do you know now that would change your approach or training?

Quick Trip Conspiracy

I wrote a while back about my dependence on the fountain drinks from QT (Quick Trip gas stations). I have been a regular for many, many years until my recent challenge to cut it out of my life. After I got through the shakes and the night sweats and I no longer have the desire for a drink. This morning I go to QT to get gas and try to pay at the pump and the pump tells me to see the cashier. I try again and get the same result so I go inside. The cashier tells me that it happens sometimes and to go pump and she will run it inside when I'm done. OK, I do this and come back in and she runs the card. She then looks at me as I’m about to leave and says why don’t you get a drink for all your troubles. I say no thank you and she pushes it again with “Are you sure”. No I'm no sure. I want the drink now. I look over at my old friend (the soda fountain) and run out of the store. I could be just imagining things but I think they want me back!

I got on old Pokey this weekend (pokey is my bike, not my wife) and went for a ride with 2 new friends. Richard and Brian from the mock tri were nice enough to let me slow them down on a 20 mile loop. The ride had a few hills and much less traffic then the 12 mile loop we did in the mock Tri. I had a good time and Brian even cleaned my bike for me after the ride. You can’t ask for more then that. I look forward to more rides with this group, they are good people.

Good luck to everyone doing Iron Girl this weekend. It is right up the street from my house so I may swing by and cheer for all the girls.

I Got That Feeling

I wanted to start out by saying that I enjoyed meeting everyone this weekend and thank you so much Brian for putting on the first event. I had a great time!

This weekend was a good one and just what I needed to get the juices flowing again. I got my stuff packed and headed out to the first PHAT B's Tri Club Triathlon. I was pumped because it was pretty close to the house and I was going to get to meet a few of the people that write the blogs I read everyday. I was more excited about hanging out after the mock triathlon then the event itself.

We started out swimming and it felt like swimming in the ocean but it was nice to get my feet wet and everyone swam well. I was impressed with how easy Kevin got though the choppy water. I can see that out of all of us he is the one that is the most excited about the whole Triathlon thing. I used to be that excited and meeting this group got the Tri juices pumping again. We then went in to a very long transition where I was able to go to my car and get my shoes and still be waiting on folks. Sarah pointed out that the boys were taking too long putting on their makeup!

I was glad we decided to stick together on the bike ride. We had all different speeds and I did not want anyone to get lost on the roads. We had to stop a few times for bike problems but the ride was good. I felt like I had a lot more to give on the bike then I thought I would after such a long break. It felt great to get on the open road and just ride and I started to get excited about triathlons again. I could see that a few of the group really wanted to get going but we stayed pretty close. Wes and Kevin went back out for another loop but I was good to just run.

The run was short and sweet; a nice flat 1 mile loop that I did twice.

My favorite part of the PHAT B's Tri Club Triathlon was just hanging out afterwards with some really good folks. Thanks everyone and I hope we can do it again.

Now, what race to do! I think the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon is up next.

It’s Official

I have lost ALL fitness and my poor bike has not been ridden in some time. I have to lower my head in shame every time I walk down the hall and see her on the trainer just begging me to ride. I continue to try to run at lunch but the heat here in GA is making it very hard. It sucks to breath in hot air and then the heat just sucks all the energy right out of you. I’ve ran a few times in the parking deck witch is a lot cooler but even that is hot and boring. Yesterday I ran a trail that the office complex has that goes through some woods and around parking decks. It took everything I had to make the short loop. I think it’s only about 2 miles.

I have swum a few times with Sammy down at the neighborhood pool and I don’t know what to think. I feel like I’m swimming through the water nicely and with little effort but my lungs are completely gone. I can maybe swim a few hundred before I’m just beat and I can’t seem to swim straight anymore.

I just need to start making training plans with other folks to force me to get going again. First try at this will be this weekend when I’m planning on doing the first annual "Fat B(astards or itches)'s tri club" event. I’m kind of excited because I will get to hang out with the authors of the first blogs that I came across when researching triathlons. While looking up places to run in GA I put GA runs in my search bar and found a guy training for a marathon. I checked in on his training every day and from that site I started following Sarah and Wes and then a whole group of folks that I read every day. It will be nice to be able to finally meet them in person even though I will make a poor showing at the tri.

I’m still struggling with the QT drink addiction. I went and got a drink on Sunday. Just a little bit is OK right? I can drink socially right? I little taste is going to hurt anyone. Actually it my get me devoiced or fired if I can’t snap out of it soon. I’m a cranky old man when I don’t get my fix.

Another Day another run.

I’m dragging these days without me doing the Dew in the morning. It has been just too hot at lunch to run outside so I have gone back to running in the parking deck. I forgot how nice it is to run in the shade and on flat ground. I only ran 2 miles today because my knees where yelling stop and I had to get back to work.

I have discovered something while I was running today. I dance with my hands and it changes based on the type of music. I feel like a goof and wanted to know if I’m the only one. Do you find yourself moving to the beat while you run; do you dance or catch yourself playing air drums or guitar?

Today I ran for Molly.

I feel good!

Today I ran for Sue.

I’m tired but it’s the good tired. I went for a run at lunch today and really pushed my body when my mind said to stop. It’s the battle that I’m sure we all face; to keep going when your head is screaming stop.

I have an addiction that I’m once again fighting and it’s so hard. I crave it and it calls to me. I’m addicted to QT (Quick Trip) soda. Almost every day for at least 5 years I have stopped at QT and grabbed a 32 oz fountain soda. My usual mix is about 75% Diet Mountain Dew and 25% Code Red. I have tried to stop many times and it always pulls me back. Well I’m trying again! Yesterday was day 1 and I’m feeling it. I just don’t have the energy and my mind even seems a little slower. I have in the past had headaches when I tried to stop but this time it seems a little better. As far as addictions go I didn’t think this was that bad but I did just see this http://www.thatsfit.com/2006/10/09/want-a-quick-trip-to-diabetes-osteoporosis-tooth-decay-and-obe/ and I can always tell when I drink too much soda because my hands swell. So I’ going to cut it out (or way down) for good this time. I hope!

Another Day another training plan

I have decided that I need to help my wife with her eating plan by doing it also. She has me counting points and looking at labels. I have always been a eat better food and exercise kind of person but I go along with the plan. Recently I have started eating more small meals throughout the day and it works pretty well. The one big issue I have always had was the time I’m at home. At night and on the weekends I just eat and that does not help Stacie (my wife) at all. So I’m going to give the eating and counting thing a try. I started this morning by MEASURING my Raisin Bran. Yep, seemed crazy but I did it.

Stacie also wanted me to get up this morning and do a workout video with her. I have a hard time getting up in the morning so I put it all on her to get us going. I told her that she had to make me get out of bed. This was just mean because I knew she would not get up and sure enough when the alarm went off this morning and I nudged her she said she was tired. That was all I needed to re-set the alarm and go back to bed. I will start getting up before work but not today!

I had planned to go running today at lunch but we have had a link go down between our 2 sites and that means I have to stay at my desk until we can get it resolved. It sucks because it has nothing to do with us and is a widespread problem. I can't do a thing to help Bellsouth fix the problem but It just does not look right if the link is down and I’m not at my desk working. So, no run.

After much consideration I have decided to put my focus in to this race: http://georgiaruns.blogspot.com/2008/05/mock-triathlon-my-house.html
It is getting bigger as the word spreads but I think I may be able to place in the top 10 if I can even finish. I'll register later today.

I saw my older brother Andy the last 2 days at the funeral. The more I talk to him the more I’m convinced that he could be swayed to do a triathlon and would love it. Get a bike and start running; I’ll see you in a month at the beach.

Link got resolved so I’m going for a run!

Good/Bad News

My x-sister-in-law passed away this weekend and I have mixed feeling. She has suffered these last years like no person I have ever seen. This disease is like being trapped in a living jail. She could not move or talk but her mind never left. I can’t even image the pain that this must have caused. I have never asked God to take someone until now, she suffered and I truly believe she is in a better place. I have seen people in my life slowly lose their mind and others slowly lose their body. Until now I never really knew witch was worst. I think losing your body is harder on you and losing your mind is harder on the family. No more gloom I just hate that my son has to go to another funeral.

Last night I went for a swim. I can see the neighborhood pool from my house and it was empty. It has been weeks since I really swam and it felt great to have the pool to myself. I don’t know how far I swam or for how long but it felt good and I think I’ll try to get down ever night. Tonight I swam for Ina – she’s afraid of the water.

I promise this is the last downer post.