There have been enough comments on yesterday's unbelievable tragedy in Connecticut that no one needs mine.
Everyone is talking about what someone else should do about gun violence...and regardless of whether you are pro or anti gun, sure...something needs to be done.
In protest of the recent spate of senseless violence and killings (and I mean all of them....everywhere around the world), I'm fighting back with peace. I pledge to go out of my way every day for the next 30 days to introduce some kindness to someone else's life. I'm sure I do some kind things already, but I'm challenging myself to find something more every single day for 30 days.
Maybe I won't change the world....but maybe I will?
Will you join me?
ambassador
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
There Is No Utopia.....
As I was running today....down the hill and away from my house I came upon a plastic cigar tube broken and dirty....against the curb. It was a Philly Blunt cigar.....and even though I'm no drug guy, I know these are what kids use to fill with pot and smoke. My immediate thought was "how sad"....that some middle class kid is doing this for fun.
In my Utopia people wouldn't do drugs. They wouldn't drink to excess. They would respect each other, and respect the rules of society. Although they might not be friends with everyone, they'd treat everyone as if they would treat a friend. Parents would be responsible for their kids upbringing, and their actions. People wouldn't drive and text at the same time. You wouldn't have to lock your door or load your gun because no one would ever think about taking something that didn't belong to them. People would always walk their dog on a leash so a runner didn't have to try to figure out if they were about to get sniffed, or about to get bitten. Kids wouldn't necessarily agree with their elders, but they'd respect them. Girls wouldn't get pregnant at 14. There wouldn't be 30,000 separate and distinct religious denominations around the world all believing that they were the ones that had the true word of God as their guide. Rich people would pay taxes but no one would look at being rich as being evil. Poor people would pay taxes too....because everyone should contribute something. Kids would have the opportunity for a decent education anywhere in the country, and we'd pay teachers more than lawyers to guarantee that. Cops would walk a beat like they used to and people would look at them as allies, not enemies. You'd be free to listen to any music you wanted to, but not so loud in your car that you shook the windows on other cars. Facebook wouldn't change their terms of service and privacy settings every other day. Money wouldn't be the root of all evil, but the start of many things that were good.
In short, my Utopia would be perfect for me.
But as I ran along today I realized that if everyone conformed to my Utopia, I would be the only one living in a perfect world. Everyone has their own definition of Utopia...and many people have a vastly different version than I do. The guy smoking the Philly Blunt, dropping a 30 brick of Bud, and lying on the couch cursing his favorite NFL team is living the dream...his dream.
The guy running for an hour before having lunch with his son, preparing for the next week of work, and trying to figure out how to be a better husband and dad is living the dream....my dream.
I'm kind of sad right now....because this world will never get closer to my vision of perfection. Based upon current events we're getting farther from it every day. We're more insular, less tolerant, and more ready to step on anyone else's rights to preserve our own.
Maybe it's because I'm getting older....and that perfect vision of a society in which people truly want to belong is ingrained from my childhood memories....but I long for more simplicity in life. I suppose in the end the best you can do is create your own Utopian environment and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.
I often wonder what other people envision as their dream life.....and if I'd even want to step foot in it if invited?
In my Utopia people wouldn't do drugs. They wouldn't drink to excess. They would respect each other, and respect the rules of society. Although they might not be friends with everyone, they'd treat everyone as if they would treat a friend. Parents would be responsible for their kids upbringing, and their actions. People wouldn't drive and text at the same time. You wouldn't have to lock your door or load your gun because no one would ever think about taking something that didn't belong to them. People would always walk their dog on a leash so a runner didn't have to try to figure out if they were about to get sniffed, or about to get bitten. Kids wouldn't necessarily agree with their elders, but they'd respect them. Girls wouldn't get pregnant at 14. There wouldn't be 30,000 separate and distinct religious denominations around the world all believing that they were the ones that had the true word of God as their guide. Rich people would pay taxes but no one would look at being rich as being evil. Poor people would pay taxes too....because everyone should contribute something. Kids would have the opportunity for a decent education anywhere in the country, and we'd pay teachers more than lawyers to guarantee that. Cops would walk a beat like they used to and people would look at them as allies, not enemies. You'd be free to listen to any music you wanted to, but not so loud in your car that you shook the windows on other cars. Facebook wouldn't change their terms of service and privacy settings every other day. Money wouldn't be the root of all evil, but the start of many things that were good.
In short, my Utopia would be perfect for me.
But as I ran along today I realized that if everyone conformed to my Utopia, I would be the only one living in a perfect world. Everyone has their own definition of Utopia...and many people have a vastly different version than I do. The guy smoking the Philly Blunt, dropping a 30 brick of Bud, and lying on the couch cursing his favorite NFL team is living the dream...his dream.
The guy running for an hour before having lunch with his son, preparing for the next week of work, and trying to figure out how to be a better husband and dad is living the dream....my dream.
I'm kind of sad right now....because this world will never get closer to my vision of perfection. Based upon current events we're getting farther from it every day. We're more insular, less tolerant, and more ready to step on anyone else's rights to preserve our own.
Maybe it's because I'm getting older....and that perfect vision of a society in which people truly want to belong is ingrained from my childhood memories....but I long for more simplicity in life. I suppose in the end the best you can do is create your own Utopian environment and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.
I often wonder what other people envision as their dream life.....and if I'd even want to step foot in it if invited?
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Doors Are Wide Open
So...you wanted to race Ironman Texas?
Well, forget it for next year....cause it's sold out. I can't really say I was on the verge of signing up....but I was strongly considering it....and BOOM, it was gone.
See, next year was a non IM year for me.....but that lasts only up until people start talking about Ironman racing....then the wheels turn and....well, you know how it goes. Now, for the most part, the IM races I would consider doing are closed....except Louisville and Cozumel. It's not likely I'll go back to L'ville again and Cozumel sounds like a pain in the ass to get to and manage your diet (since a ton of people got food poisoning right after this year's race). So what's left?
Well, my annual race calendar looks full....right now I've got Texas 70.3 and SOMA as definites on there.....and Buffalo Springs with a bit of a question mark. If you add in the local races, new open water series events in NM and the Tough Mudder, it looks solid. But my plan other than that is pretty simple.
Keep my fitness level high....high enough that if I decide to jump into a longer race, I can do it with minimal changes to my training. I'll see how the year goes, how work goes, how my family times goes....and if I spot a race that looks tempting I'll consider doing it.
What races? Well, hell...there are a ton now. OK City Redman, Beach 2 Battleship, Louisville, Cozumel, the Rev 3 full race....all IM distances.
As I'm writing this I'm pretty sure I won't do that....but it will be nice to have the option. In case you missed it, BTW...it cost about $725 to register for IM AZ with the processing fee.....that's insane. But...triathletes are insane anyway.
In other news....I must be getting either older, smarter, or both. I've had 3 bit chances to JUMP into making snap decisions like I did all my life. I carefully considered IMAZ and IMTX and waited too long on both. Michi and I are discussing a new puppy to join our household and I'm putting careful thought to that too. I'm not used to this.......is this the way the rest of the world lives?
Well, forget it for next year....cause it's sold out. I can't really say I was on the verge of signing up....but I was strongly considering it....and BOOM, it was gone.
See, next year was a non IM year for me.....but that lasts only up until people start talking about Ironman racing....then the wheels turn and....well, you know how it goes. Now, for the most part, the IM races I would consider doing are closed....except Louisville and Cozumel. It's not likely I'll go back to L'ville again and Cozumel sounds like a pain in the ass to get to and manage your diet (since a ton of people got food poisoning right after this year's race). So what's left?
Well, my annual race calendar looks full....right now I've got Texas 70.3 and SOMA as definites on there.....and Buffalo Springs with a bit of a question mark. If you add in the local races, new open water series events in NM and the Tough Mudder, it looks solid. But my plan other than that is pretty simple.
Keep my fitness level high....high enough that if I decide to jump into a longer race, I can do it with minimal changes to my training. I'll see how the year goes, how work goes, how my family times goes....and if I spot a race that looks tempting I'll consider doing it.
What races? Well, hell...there are a ton now. OK City Redman, Beach 2 Battleship, Louisville, Cozumel, the Rev 3 full race....all IM distances.
As I'm writing this I'm pretty sure I won't do that....but it will be nice to have the option. In case you missed it, BTW...it cost about $725 to register for IM AZ with the processing fee.....that's insane. But...triathletes are insane anyway.
In other news....I must be getting either older, smarter, or both. I've had 3 bit chances to JUMP into making snap decisions like I did all my life. I carefully considered IMAZ and IMTX and waited too long on both. Michi and I are discussing a new puppy to join our household and I'm putting careful thought to that too. I'm not used to this.......is this the way the rest of the world lives?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
2012 - Je Sui Finis
Well....if the Mayans were right and we're in end of days....at least I went out with a bang.
I competed in the 2012 Polar Bear Triathlon at White Sands Missile Range yesterday.....this is the traditional season ender in New Mexico (although there is now an Albuquerque race that takes place next weekend). I won my age group in this event last year and placed 5th overall....albeit in a small field of about 50 people.
When I showed up at the race site yesterday things were different.....there were a lot more cars than I expected....when I went into packet pickup I saw the registration list and it looked like about 150 people signed up (included teams). There were 5 guys in my age group and the only guy I was familiar with was me.....I couldn't even pick the others out if I bumped into them. I told myself "Top 3 age group finish...no matter what". It's kind of tough to tell yourself you're going to win when you don't even know who you're racing. With packet pickup done I set up the rest of my gear, took a short run and ride....and took two hits off my Albuterol inhaler in the dry desert air.
Just about the only person I knew in the field was my old buddy Josh Sanders from Las Cruces. Josh was a member of our first team Tri Team SW....many years ago. This is the same Josh Sanders that blew past me on the bike early this year at the MVT Triathlon....and when I tried to go with him...I couldn't. Josh and I exchanged pleasantries and lined up for the start.
I seeded myself in the first 30 or so runners....not wanting to get bogged down in passing a lot of people. After the initial sorting I figured I was in about the top 30 or so athletes on the run. I picked off about 5 people on the 5K course. For some reason the run seemed longer than usual and it was a different course than I'm used to....but nevertheless I stayed on it and finished in 24 minutes. That was slower than I expected and seemed to portend a less than stellar day....but next up was the bike.
My plan on the 30K out and back bike course was simple...break their hearts on the way out....break their legs on the way back. I planned on going full tilt right from the start and made a deal with myself that once I passed someone, they would stay passed. I would go by with authority and break their will, showing them they had no chance to go with me. That's exactly what I did. I kept my head down and churned a monstrous gear for the first 4 miles that goes slightly downhill. I passed people fairly continuously.....and stayed on the hard gears as the road leveled out then went up a bit. Every time I went by someone I ticked up the watts a bit so they knew there was no chance they would even think they could come back.
As we neared the turnaround I decided to count the riders coming the other way....to see what place I was in. In a bigger field I didn't think a top 10 overall was possible...but I told myself that I must get in the top 20. Then I cursed myself for being weak "Screw you....top 20? Top 15...minimum" I told myself.
I started seeing the leaders heading back.....and counted off until I saw the turn up ahead. At the turn I was in 15th place overall....time to do some leg breaking.
I knew there were some real hammers behind me....and if I let off the gas I was going to let them come up on me.....so at the turn I increased my effort and pushed even harder. I immediately passed one guy....putting me in 14th. I spied Josh Sanders not far behind me.....and probably gaining. Every time I was tempted to push an easier gear and spin I asked myself "can I still push THIS gear?"...and every time the answer was yes. When I did shift down on some uphills I asked myself "can I push one more gear?"...and the answer was yes...so I did.
About 3 miles after the turn I passed another guy in one of those fancy aero helmets and sat 13th overall......and looked up the road.
There wasn't anyone left to target. I could barely make out a couple of cyclists in the distance but with less than 6 miles to go it didn't appear I was going to catch them. "Wait for the uphill MG.....they'll suffer on the hill".....so I kept driving...waiting for that 3 mile uphill stretch. When I hit it, I was all alone...no one behind me...and sure enough my 2 carrots started to come back to me. Again and shifted down to a bigger gear and stayed in the cups....trying to work my way closer to the top 10. I couldn't get them....although I entered transition within a 100 yards of them.
I quickly ditched everything but my shorts, grabbed my goggles and ran to the pool. This race uses a 25M pool with 8 lanes. You swim up and back in one lane...then duck under the lane line and keep going for all 8 lanes....for a 400M swim. As I put my goggles on, there was a tall, lean guy in front of me just getting in the water. As we got in he swam away pretty quickly. I didn't take the time to look in the pool and determine if I could catch anyone....I just got in. The water felt like it was boiling....I couldn't believe how hot it was...but off I went. At 100M I caught some guy who seemed to be cramping badly in the warm water.....but by this time Josh was in the pool and I was concentrating on seeing if he was gaining on me. At 50M back I felt like I'd hold him off if I kept my pace. At 250M I passed another guy who was starting to struggle....but since you have swimmers going in both direction in the same lane...I wound up in a scrum with two guys heading the other way. We tangled arms for a bit but I made it thru and moved up another spot. In the final 75M the tall guy's feet appeared in front of me. He was suffering so I stayed on him until we turned for the final 50....then I went for it. Pass completed I glided in to the finish. At the time I had no idea where I'd finished overall or in my AG....but knew I'd had a very strong race.
In the end I won my AG by 11 minutes....and finished 10th overall in one of my best ever races. Realize, I started this sport (at this very race) as an almost last place finisher....and on most days am a solid threat to finish in the middle of the pack....but I realize that if I keep working, I can keep improving. Yesterday felt great.....some vindication after a less than stellar Ironman Louisville.
I'll retire from my AG at this race as the 2 time champion. Although I'll be 49 at next year's race (If I do it), this race will kick off the 2014 SW Challenge Series so my series age would put me in the 50-54 AG.
As an added bonus, they had a raffle after the event and I won a free race entry to any of WSMR's events next year! Good deal...
I don't get many days like this.....so I'm going to enjoy this one for awhile.....
How does this affect the rest of my race planning for 2013? I've got very mixed emotions about that.....maybe another day.
Out.
I competed in the 2012 Polar Bear Triathlon at White Sands Missile Range yesterday.....this is the traditional season ender in New Mexico (although there is now an Albuquerque race that takes place next weekend). I won my age group in this event last year and placed 5th overall....albeit in a small field of about 50 people.
When I showed up at the race site yesterday things were different.....there were a lot more cars than I expected....when I went into packet pickup I saw the registration list and it looked like about 150 people signed up (included teams). There were 5 guys in my age group and the only guy I was familiar with was me.....I couldn't even pick the others out if I bumped into them. I told myself "Top 3 age group finish...no matter what". It's kind of tough to tell yourself you're going to win when you don't even know who you're racing. With packet pickup done I set up the rest of my gear, took a short run and ride....and took two hits off my Albuterol inhaler in the dry desert air.
Just about the only person I knew in the field was my old buddy Josh Sanders from Las Cruces. Josh was a member of our first team Tri Team SW....many years ago. This is the same Josh Sanders that blew past me on the bike early this year at the MVT Triathlon....and when I tried to go with him...I couldn't. Josh and I exchanged pleasantries and lined up for the start.
I seeded myself in the first 30 or so runners....not wanting to get bogged down in passing a lot of people. After the initial sorting I figured I was in about the top 30 or so athletes on the run. I picked off about 5 people on the 5K course. For some reason the run seemed longer than usual and it was a different course than I'm used to....but nevertheless I stayed on it and finished in 24 minutes. That was slower than I expected and seemed to portend a less than stellar day....but next up was the bike.
My plan on the 30K out and back bike course was simple...break their hearts on the way out....break their legs on the way back. I planned on going full tilt right from the start and made a deal with myself that once I passed someone, they would stay passed. I would go by with authority and break their will, showing them they had no chance to go with me. That's exactly what I did. I kept my head down and churned a monstrous gear for the first 4 miles that goes slightly downhill. I passed people fairly continuously.....and stayed on the hard gears as the road leveled out then went up a bit. Every time I went by someone I ticked up the watts a bit so they knew there was no chance they would even think they could come back.
As we neared the turnaround I decided to count the riders coming the other way....to see what place I was in. In a bigger field I didn't think a top 10 overall was possible...but I told myself that I must get in the top 20. Then I cursed myself for being weak "Screw you....top 20? Top 15...minimum" I told myself.
I started seeing the leaders heading back.....and counted off until I saw the turn up ahead. At the turn I was in 15th place overall....time to do some leg breaking.
I knew there were some real hammers behind me....and if I let off the gas I was going to let them come up on me.....so at the turn I increased my effort and pushed even harder. I immediately passed one guy....putting me in 14th. I spied Josh Sanders not far behind me.....and probably gaining. Every time I was tempted to push an easier gear and spin I asked myself "can I still push THIS gear?"...and every time the answer was yes. When I did shift down on some uphills I asked myself "can I push one more gear?"...and the answer was yes...so I did.
About 3 miles after the turn I passed another guy in one of those fancy aero helmets and sat 13th overall......and looked up the road.
There wasn't anyone left to target. I could barely make out a couple of cyclists in the distance but with less than 6 miles to go it didn't appear I was going to catch them. "Wait for the uphill MG.....they'll suffer on the hill".....so I kept driving...waiting for that 3 mile uphill stretch. When I hit it, I was all alone...no one behind me...and sure enough my 2 carrots started to come back to me. Again and shifted down to a bigger gear and stayed in the cups....trying to work my way closer to the top 10. I couldn't get them....although I entered transition within a 100 yards of them.
I quickly ditched everything but my shorts, grabbed my goggles and ran to the pool. This race uses a 25M pool with 8 lanes. You swim up and back in one lane...then duck under the lane line and keep going for all 8 lanes....for a 400M swim. As I put my goggles on, there was a tall, lean guy in front of me just getting in the water. As we got in he swam away pretty quickly. I didn't take the time to look in the pool and determine if I could catch anyone....I just got in. The water felt like it was boiling....I couldn't believe how hot it was...but off I went. At 100M I caught some guy who seemed to be cramping badly in the warm water.....but by this time Josh was in the pool and I was concentrating on seeing if he was gaining on me. At 50M back I felt like I'd hold him off if I kept my pace. At 250M I passed another guy who was starting to struggle....but since you have swimmers going in both direction in the same lane...I wound up in a scrum with two guys heading the other way. We tangled arms for a bit but I made it thru and moved up another spot. In the final 75M the tall guy's feet appeared in front of me. He was suffering so I stayed on him until we turned for the final 50....then I went for it. Pass completed I glided in to the finish. At the time I had no idea where I'd finished overall or in my AG....but knew I'd had a very strong race.
In the end I won my AG by 11 minutes....and finished 10th overall in one of my best ever races. Realize, I started this sport (at this very race) as an almost last place finisher....and on most days am a solid threat to finish in the middle of the pack....but I realize that if I keep working, I can keep improving. Yesterday felt great.....some vindication after a less than stellar Ironman Louisville.
I'll retire from my AG at this race as the 2 time champion. Although I'll be 49 at next year's race (If I do it), this race will kick off the 2014 SW Challenge Series so my series age would put me in the 50-54 AG.
As an added bonus, they had a raffle after the event and I won a free race entry to any of WSMR's events next year! Good deal...
I don't get many days like this.....so I'm going to enjoy this one for awhile.....
How does this affect the rest of my race planning for 2013? I've got very mixed emotions about that.....maybe another day.
Out.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Winter, A Poem
Winter...I hate you.
I'm getting old, you're getting cold.
I long for the days of shorts and tees,
You bring days of gloom and freeze.
My bike sits lonely against the wall,
My dog sits shivering, in the hall
The days of sunscreen have long since passed,
Winter, why don't you kiss my ass?
Soon enough the temps will rise,
And Winter I'll look you in the eyes
Your icy stare will scare no more
As I bound naked, out the door
Until that time, you rule the day
And under blankets I will stay
But soon again, I shall run wild
And beat Winter down like a red-headed step child...
Winter, I hate you.....you bastard.
I'm getting old, you're getting cold.
I long for the days of shorts and tees,
You bring days of gloom and freeze.
My bike sits lonely against the wall,
My dog sits shivering, in the hall
The days of sunscreen have long since passed,
Winter, why don't you kiss my ass?
Soon enough the temps will rise,
And Winter I'll look you in the eyes
Your icy stare will scare no more
As I bound naked, out the door
Until that time, you rule the day
And under blankets I will stay
But soon again, I shall run wild
And beat Winter down like a red-headed step child...
Winter, I hate you.....you bastard.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Fight The Good Fight
What do you do when something's in your blood....and yet you wish it weren't?
This is the planning season for 2013. Not just for racing, but for work, family vacations....everything. When I was a kid, I couldn't see past tomorrow....so if you'd told me that I'd be planning a year or more in advance when I was an adult, I would have thought you and my older self were nuts. But...here we are.
The fact is, I can get into Ironman Texas in May if I want to. The registration is open....I have the time to get out there and race....the weekend is open....so?
Here are the reasons for NOT doing it..
1. I hate the Ironman bike ride. It bores me to tears to be out there for 6-7 hours...drinking piss warm Perform and trying to stay positive about why I'm doing this.
2. Most of my training would be done during weather that is far from certain here in NM. The weather in The Woodlands is warm and humid already in May.....in March and April in Abq, we could get anything....except humid....there will be no humid.
3. I'm not great in the heat. Nuff said.
4. It's a long way from home and it's expensive
5. I'd miss Michi and the kids as always
6. I've already done a bunch of slow Ironman races....do I really need another one on my resume?
7. It's a non wetsuit swim in dirty lake water (which honestly doesn't bother me. I've gone 2.4 miles in the Ohio river without a wetsuit twice and it's not a big deal)
8. The chances of a breakthrough performance on that course in that weather are slim.
Ok...so what are the reasons FOR doing it?
1. I'd be an Ironman again....
WTF kind of hold does this have on me?
This is the planning season for 2013. Not just for racing, but for work, family vacations....everything. When I was a kid, I couldn't see past tomorrow....so if you'd told me that I'd be planning a year or more in advance when I was an adult, I would have thought you and my older self were nuts. But...here we are.
The fact is, I can get into Ironman Texas in May if I want to. The registration is open....I have the time to get out there and race....the weekend is open....so?
Here are the reasons for NOT doing it..
1. I hate the Ironman bike ride. It bores me to tears to be out there for 6-7 hours...drinking piss warm Perform and trying to stay positive about why I'm doing this.
2. Most of my training would be done during weather that is far from certain here in NM. The weather in The Woodlands is warm and humid already in May.....in March and April in Abq, we could get anything....except humid....there will be no humid.
3. I'm not great in the heat. Nuff said.
4. It's a long way from home and it's expensive
5. I'd miss Michi and the kids as always
6. I've already done a bunch of slow Ironman races....do I really need another one on my resume?
7. It's a non wetsuit swim in dirty lake water (which honestly doesn't bother me. I've gone 2.4 miles in the Ohio river without a wetsuit twice and it's not a big deal)
8. The chances of a breakthrough performance on that course in that weather are slim.
Ok...so what are the reasons FOR doing it?
1. I'd be an Ironman again....
WTF kind of hold does this have on me?
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Scorpion and The Frog
A scorpion is standing on the bank of a river, wanting to get to the other side. A frog happens by and the scorpion asks "will you give me a ride on your back to the other side?". The frog replies "No, for if I do, you will sting me and I will drown". To that the scorpion says "Why would I sting you? If I do, then I shall drown and die too".
The frog sees the logic of what the scorpion says and they set off. In midstream the scorpion stings the frog and as paralysis sets in and the frog is about to drown, it cries out "Why?? Now we'll both die!!"...
To that the scorpion answers..."Because I'm a scorpion, and that's what scorpions do".
So, why do I share this fable that I vividly remember from my youth with you, my friends?
As I sit here, planning my work and racing calendar I am constantly fighting the tug of one vital fact.....I hate leaving home. I hate leaving my wife, my children and my dog...in fact, I hate leaving my house. If Michi and I travel, I miss the kids terribly. If all of us travel, I miss Bella and being in my comfortable home.....the possibilities are endless...but always with the same result....I want to be here.
With that, I ask myself..."Why do I keep planning these races if they take me away from home and all that I love?"
My only answer....the only thing that makes any sense to me is...."Because I'm a triathlete, and that's what triathletes do".
Perhaps it's better to embrace that which you don't love about yourself, rather than try to deny it?
Texas!
Michi and I are officially in for the Memorial Herman Ironman 70.3 Texas in Galveston. This morning we couldn't think of a good reason to NOT sign up....so we did it. Sure, it's some Winter training, but we're Ironmen...so we're good. The races that we've actually signed up for are...
Feb - Tough Mudder AZ
April - Texas IM 70.3
That's it...but more to come. It looks like Buffalo Springs 70.3 might join the list too....it's close, I know the course and I know it's going to be hot (which sucks)...but, at least there are no surprises!
We have some friends and teammates going to Galveston as well...so it will be a bit of a party. The course is dead flat, warm and windy. The wind doesn't bother me....flat is ok (I prefer some hills)...and the heat sucks, but I'm determined to work out a strategy in 2013 to race well in the heat...so this is my first chance to prove it. Good swim, create separation on the bike, get off and run solid...that'll get me the race I want.
See you on the beach!
Feb - Tough Mudder AZ
April - Texas IM 70.3
That's it...but more to come. It looks like Buffalo Springs 70.3 might join the list too....it's close, I know the course and I know it's going to be hot (which sucks)...but, at least there are no surprises!
We have some friends and teammates going to Galveston as well...so it will be a bit of a party. The course is dead flat, warm and windy. The wind doesn't bother me....flat is ok (I prefer some hills)...and the heat sucks, but I'm determined to work out a strategy in 2013 to race well in the heat...so this is my first chance to prove it. Good swim, create separation on the bike, get off and run solid...that'll get me the race I want.
See you on the beach!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Radio
The new Endurance Obsession Radio Show has launched (kind of...) with two "test" shows. Here is where to catch all the action!
http://www.spreaker.com/user/enduranceobsession
http://www.spreaker.com/user/enduranceobsession
Thankful
What I'm thankful for...
My amazing wife Michi,
My children,
My job,
My health,
Our little canine daughter Bella,
My mind,
The constant challenges that force me to forge a new, better and stronger me.
How about you?
My amazing wife Michi,
My children,
My job,
My health,
Our little canine daughter Bella,
My mind,
The constant challenges that force me to forge a new, better and stronger me.
How about you?
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
March Onward
March onward in life...for it's the only way.
You can march backwards and imperil yourself....you cannot see where you're heading or what obstacles might trip you up.
You can march in place...you risk nothing, but gain nothing...
You must march onward....for then, and only then can you achieve your destiny. Your forward march might circle back to where you are today, might take you past people and places that have come apart from your life, or might lead you in a direction you had no conception of....
I'm marching onward, because there is nothing else left for me to do....
You can march backwards and imperil yourself....you cannot see where you're heading or what obstacles might trip you up.
You can march in place...you risk nothing, but gain nothing...
You must march onward....for then, and only then can you achieve your destiny. Your forward march might circle back to where you are today, might take you past people and places that have come apart from your life, or might lead you in a direction you had no conception of....
I'm marching onward, because there is nothing else left for me to do....
Wet
Today was time to get back into the pool. Of all the training I do, pool swimming is the most soul sucking of them all. I've swum (is that a word) exactly ONCE since the SOMA triathlon.....so today I doubled down and made that TWICE. I've got a week and a half until the season ending Polar Bear Triathlon. This is a short 5k/30k/400m tri that I did well at last year....and am looking for the same in 2012. If the conditions are bad...that favors me....so bring on the wind and cold....no worries.
Michi and I just talked and Galveston 70.3 is IN and Florida 70.3 is OUT. I'd love to do both....but financially we just can't swing it and take our anniversary trip in July. So it looks like a winter of riding outdoors when possible and on the trainer when not....
Happy Thanksgiving....
Michi and I just talked and Galveston 70.3 is IN and Florida 70.3 is OUT. I'd love to do both....but financially we just can't swing it and take our anniversary trip in July. So it looks like a winter of riding outdoors when possible and on the trainer when not....
Happy Thanksgiving....
Monday, November 19, 2012
Iron Aftermath
I'm so proud of my wife Michi....she soldiered on to a PR at yesterday's Ironman Arizona. Michi had a tough swim in the cold water of Tempe Town Lake....but starting getting it back on the bike....and ran strong for a 20 minute PR. This is one tough little lady. I know I certainly don't have the full IM mojo anymore....so it's great to see that she committed to the race and made it happen.
As I was out on the course with my buddy Brian Sweet....it was very clear that I had no desire to be out there with those incredible Ironman athletes. None....not at all....whatsoever.
My decision to forego the 2013 AZ slot was very solid....I just don't have the desire to put the time in....training, racing, traveling....for one big event like that. To that end we'll need to reset the 2013 schedule. So now the tentative schedule looks like this...
Feb - Tough Mudder AZ
March - Abq Half Marathon
April - IM Texas 70.3
May - IM FL 70.3 OR Tempe International Tri
August - IM Boulder 70.3 OR Socorro Chile Harvest Tri
September - Survival of the Shawungunks
October - SOMA Half IM
Some won't make the cut....some other smaller races will jump on...but that's what it looks like today....after the Ironman.
As I was out on the course with my buddy Brian Sweet....it was very clear that I had no desire to be out there with those incredible Ironman athletes. None....not at all....whatsoever.
My decision to forego the 2013 AZ slot was very solid....I just don't have the desire to put the time in....training, racing, traveling....for one big event like that. To that end we'll need to reset the 2013 schedule. So now the tentative schedule looks like this...
Feb - Tough Mudder AZ
March - Abq Half Marathon
April - IM Texas 70.3
May - IM FL 70.3 OR Tempe International Tri
August - IM Boulder 70.3 OR Socorro Chile Harvest Tri
September - Survival of the Shawungunks
October - SOMA Half IM
Some won't make the cut....some other smaller races will jump on...but that's what it looks like today....after the Ironman.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
No Ironman Arizona
It's decided....I'm foregoing my opportunity to register for the 2013 IM Arizona. Michi and I talked about it....perhaps doing it together next year....but she would have had to register today (this year's athletes get to sign up the day before). I simply couldn't say that I truly want to be here....at least I could not say that today. I was just diagnosed with asthma....and feel like I'm getting control of that. I'd like to do a little racing next season to see how it all goes before I commit to another Ironman...if I ever do that.
I ran this morning and didn't bring my inhaler.....after about 4 good miles I was in the last 1.5 miles and my breathing started to get tight. Nothing too serious but it did make me slow down a bit. I can't believe that I spent the last 7-8 years thinking this was normal....this is the way everyone feels when they run....I can't believe I wasted all that training. Now I can see (and feel) the limitation of asthma....before, I never knew. I'll put a couple of 70.3s under my belt in 2013 to see if there is any difference....then we can discuss Ironman in 2014 or beyond...if the desire is there.
Today...it simply wasn't.
I ran this morning and didn't bring my inhaler.....after about 4 good miles I was in the last 1.5 miles and my breathing started to get tight. Nothing too serious but it did make me slow down a bit. I can't believe that I spent the last 7-8 years thinking this was normal....this is the way everyone feels when they run....I can't believe I wasted all that training. Now I can see (and feel) the limitation of asthma....before, I never knew. I'll put a couple of 70.3s under my belt in 2013 to see if there is any difference....then we can discuss Ironman in 2014 or beyond...if the desire is there.
Today...it simply wasn't.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A return to my roots
I'm not sure if I swore I'd never do it....but I definitely figured I never would. "It" in this case is motivational speaking. I work as a sales trainer and consultant....and although there is a fair amount of motivation in that job, it's not the main priority. I swore off motivational speaking when I realized that an hour (or 4) speech might be nice, might be entertaining....but wasn't in itself going to change many lives.
Now, I'm not so sure. I work with sales reps for days, weeks...sometimes months...and don't see any drastic changes (with some)....so I wonder if it's the method or the person? More and more I feel it's the person. If you're predisposed to apply yourself, be positive and make lasting change...you'll do it. Sometimes you just need the catalyst.
This would have been easier 6 years ago when I had more momentum in this side of the business, and I had more contacts....but hard doesn't mean it can't be done. It simply means I will need to put more effort into it. Human growth and personal responsibility is something I definitely enjoy talking about...so it's not work for me....it'll just be work to get some momentum going...that's all. To that end I've created the Master Motivator video series that I started today. 3-5 minute videos on motivation, personal growth and goal achievement. I don't have a set schedule for how often they'll come about...but at least one per week sounds about right. The first one is below.
Some day I'll be dust. When that day comes I want to leave a legacy of people who were better for having known me, better for having heard the message.....so that starts (again) today.
Peace...(not sure why I look like I'm in so much pain in the still below....)
Now, I'm not so sure. I work with sales reps for days, weeks...sometimes months...and don't see any drastic changes (with some)....so I wonder if it's the method or the person? More and more I feel it's the person. If you're predisposed to apply yourself, be positive and make lasting change...you'll do it. Sometimes you just need the catalyst.
This would have been easier 6 years ago when I had more momentum in this side of the business, and I had more contacts....but hard doesn't mean it can't be done. It simply means I will need to put more effort into it. Human growth and personal responsibility is something I definitely enjoy talking about...so it's not work for me....it'll just be work to get some momentum going...that's all. To that end I've created the Master Motivator video series that I started today. 3-5 minute videos on motivation, personal growth and goal achievement. I don't have a set schedule for how often they'll come about...but at least one per week sounds about right. The first one is below.
Some day I'll be dust. When that day comes I want to leave a legacy of people who were better for having known me, better for having heard the message.....so that starts (again) today.
Peace...(not sure why I look like I'm in so much pain in the still below....)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Beat Back The Darkness
You feel it, I do too. You have dark moments....dark days....when you truly believe "it's not going to work out alright this time".
I've had a couple of those recently for different reasons.....and one thing that puts me back on track every time is....action. That is, when I start doing something, anything...to work on the issue, I begin to feel more positive about it. When I begin to feel more positive about the outcome, I work harder on it....and when I work harder on it....
You know.....it turns out alright.
Beat back the darkness with action.....shine a light...kick some ass.
I've had a couple of those recently for different reasons.....and one thing that puts me back on track every time is....action. That is, when I start doing something, anything...to work on the issue, I begin to feel more positive about it. When I begin to feel more positive about the outcome, I work harder on it....and when I work harder on it....
You know.....it turns out alright.
Beat back the darkness with action.....shine a light...kick some ass.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Success
If you're going to succeed at something big, it's going to be hard....deal with it. If you succeed, you'll probably aim higher the next time...making it that much harder....deal with it.
If you want life to be easy...go sit on the couch....and deal with it.
If you want life to be easy...go sit on the couch....and deal with it.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Trying
I don't mean "to try"....I mean taxing circumstances that are trying to you....or me.
Listen, life ain't always easy....and it's probably not going to work out like the storybook you have in your head. When you're faced with adversity you can do a number of things....but they pretty much boil down to 3 options...
1. Quit and run away
2. Stand firm and hope it improves
3. Fight like hell and change the circumstance
So...with all the good in my life, I'm hit with a little "black cloud" time....fuck it, I'm not going to cave in. I'm pushing the clouds back...until the sun can shine again. Screw you if you think I won't.
On another note...this time change is killing us. Michi and I are falling asleep on the couch at 7pm most nights....problem is, the kids aren't...so we need to rouse ourselves in order to keep some order.
Maybe Phoenix has it right...just leave the damn clocks alone and let the light and dark fall where it may.
nite...
Listen, life ain't always easy....and it's probably not going to work out like the storybook you have in your head. When you're faced with adversity you can do a number of things....but they pretty much boil down to 3 options...
1. Quit and run away
2. Stand firm and hope it improves
3. Fight like hell and change the circumstance
So...with all the good in my life, I'm hit with a little "black cloud" time....fuck it, I'm not going to cave in. I'm pushing the clouds back...until the sun can shine again. Screw you if you think I won't.
On another note...this time change is killing us. Michi and I are falling asleep on the couch at 7pm most nights....problem is, the kids aren't...so we need to rouse ourselves in order to keep some order.
Maybe Phoenix has it right...just leave the damn clocks alone and let the light and dark fall where it may.
nite...
Friday, November 9, 2012
Pre Ironman Life
Michi is in her final prep for Ironman Arizona in 9 days time. My job is to get the gear there, be the calming influence, make sure she has everything she needs and cheer like crazy! I'm looking forward to this as I've never spectated an Ironman race before. I'm also manning one shift of a run aid station as a volunteer...which automatically gets me a spot on line to sign up for 2013 if I wish. The 18th is going to be a long day....but one I wouldn't miss. I'm bringing my road bike so I can be mobile during the day to check out the bike course.....get back and forth to the hotel....and maybe even check out some of the run until it gets dark. There is no way to effectively get around Tempe on Ironman day by car....so you'd better have two wheels or two feet.
I can't wait to see my baby run down the chute to the words "Michi Seagrist...you are an Ironman!" yet again....and she will, too.
Last weekend of training for her before we head to AZ.....I'll keep the updates flowing as we get closer.
I can't wait to see my baby run down the chute to the words "Michi Seagrist...you are an Ironman!" yet again....and she will, too.
Last weekend of training for her before we head to AZ.....I'll keep the updates flowing as we get closer.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
2013 Schedule
This may not be the final draft....but we've (my baby Michi and I) put a lot of thought into our schedule for 2013. Here's what it looks like...
February - Tough Mudder AZ
April - IMTX 70.3
May - Tempe Olympic
August - Socorro Chile Harvest Tri (NM Club Championships)
October - SOMA Half IM
November - IMAZ
You'll see the middle of the Summer is suspiciously left open.....on purpose. We're going to celebrate our anniversary in Hawaii (where we got married) and spend time on the water with the kids in the boat. I don't want to be a slave to a training calendar the entire year.
I'm certain there will be some last minute events...half marathons, 10Ks and such....but this is the framework of our season....join us for some or all of these races...it'll be a blast!
February - Tough Mudder AZ
April - IMTX 70.3
May - Tempe Olympic
August - Socorro Chile Harvest Tri (NM Club Championships)
October - SOMA Half IM
November - IMAZ
You'll see the middle of the Summer is suspiciously left open.....on purpose. We're going to celebrate our anniversary in Hawaii (where we got married) and spend time on the water with the kids in the boat. I don't want to be a slave to a training calendar the entire year.
I'm certain there will be some last minute events...half marathons, 10Ks and such....but this is the framework of our season....join us for some or all of these races...it'll be a blast!
Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated
So, I thought my racing season was over......it was, right? An Ironman, half IM, couple of sprints here and there. I even set a half marathon PR....enough?
Well, then I went gluten free a couple plus weeks ago and decided to see if it would affect my performance any....and ran a 5K PR last weekend. That got me thinking...
Even though I haven't been training much, I still have a good amount of residual fitness, so I just registered for the (usually small) Polar Bear Triathlon on Dec 1st at White Sands Missile Range in southern NM. This was my first ever triathlon in 1999....and I went back last season after a disappointing outing at IMFL to see what I could do. I raced strong and won my AG and finished 5th overall....albeit in a small race. So....I'm going back this year to empty the tanks again and see what I have left.
Michi and Bella will be with me so I'll have the biggest cheering section in the race!
Every time I say..."That's enough....time to shut it down" another voice in my head says "This is who you are, this is what you do.....go for it"...and for now, that second voice is winning.
Well, then I went gluten free a couple plus weeks ago and decided to see if it would affect my performance any....and ran a 5K PR last weekend. That got me thinking...
Even though I haven't been training much, I still have a good amount of residual fitness, so I just registered for the (usually small) Polar Bear Triathlon on Dec 1st at White Sands Missile Range in southern NM. This was my first ever triathlon in 1999....and I went back last season after a disappointing outing at IMFL to see what I could do. I raced strong and won my AG and finished 5th overall....albeit in a small race. So....I'm going back this year to empty the tanks again and see what I have left.
Michi and Bella will be with me so I'll have the biggest cheering section in the race!
Every time I say..."That's enough....time to shut it down" another voice in my head says "This is who you are, this is what you do.....go for it"...and for now, that second voice is winning.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bye bye Eagles
As a kid, everyone I knew was a fan of football..including me. Back in 1978 I became a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles after the infamous "Miracle in the Meadowlands" play against the Giants.
For 34 years of my life I have followed, cheered for and agonized over that team. In that time they've won exactly ZERO Super Bowls. They've had some good teams...and some very bad ones. I cannot remember a time when I actually felt that the Eagles were in control...and that a game, or a season, was secure.
This past Monday night the Eagles played the New Orleans Saints and I felt something coming on. The Eagles played so poorly....they were so hard to watch getting spanked once again that I knew I was done. At halftime I flipped off the TV and sat down with my wife at the table....and told her "I'm done...with the Eagles, with football...everything. I'm not wasting time with it anymore".
And just like that, I am. I don't follow any other sports on TV.....I don't have the desire or the time...and now I'm down to zero sports.
I'll save my cheering for real people, up close and in person, that are doing heroic things with less than pro talent. People a lot like me....I'm done otherwise.
34 years....I don't want em back....but I don't want em anymore either....
For 34 years of my life I have followed, cheered for and agonized over that team. In that time they've won exactly ZERO Super Bowls. They've had some good teams...and some very bad ones. I cannot remember a time when I actually felt that the Eagles were in control...and that a game, or a season, was secure.
This past Monday night the Eagles played the New Orleans Saints and I felt something coming on. The Eagles played so poorly....they were so hard to watch getting spanked once again that I knew I was done. At halftime I flipped off the TV and sat down with my wife at the table....and told her "I'm done...with the Eagles, with football...everything. I'm not wasting time with it anymore".
And just like that, I am. I don't follow any other sports on TV.....I don't have the desire or the time...and now I'm down to zero sports.
I'll save my cheering for real people, up close and in person, that are doing heroic things with less than pro talent. People a lot like me....I'm done otherwise.
34 years....I don't want em back....but I don't want em anymore either....
Honesty?
I've often wondered how honest I can be with people? Facebook is a fertile test ground for that but I'd hate to come off as the judgmental a-hole who has everything to say to everyone. I have 1800+ "friends" on Facebook....a small group of them real live, or virtual friends...and the rest just people who either hit or accepted the "add as friend" button. I wonder, if I went totally honest today on the stuff I see posted, how many of all of these people would go away?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I hate these things...
I do really...hate blogs. They've always seemed so much mental masturbation as anything else....yet here I am doing it again. My issue is that I don't have an outlet for the voices (or ideas) in my head, and unless I get them out in some semblance of order, they roll around like so many nuts and bolts....always noisy, never creating any value. So that's what this will serve to do.....make order out of chaos.
A few things to make note of..
1. As of today I'm 2 weeks gluten free. This has been a much easier transition than I imagined and I'm going to stick with it for the foreseeable future. I don't know that it's helping....but it sure ain't hurting.
2. I set a new 5K PR on a "walk up" race on Sunday. I decided that morning to do the Doggie Dash 5K and ran 22:11.....a 19 second PR. My 22:30 was run in 2006 or so....so it's been awhile since I've had some speed. I was 4th of 20 in my AG and 19th overall out of about 270. I know, I know...a lot of people were running with their dogs...hey, I'll take it.
3. I'm totally conflicted on signing up for Ironman Arizona 2013. I'm guaranteed a slot since I'm volunteering this year while my wife Michi does the race. After Louisville this year I figured I'd just lay off IM...because the burn wasn't there. Then we had to watch that f'ing IM World Championships on the DVR....and it lit some of the fire again. Louisville this year was my slowest ever IM....16 hours. Not sure I want to go out like that.
4. I set two running PRs this year...half marathon and 5K. Next year the 10K record falls.....and the Olympic distance tri too.
5. I'm in love and in hate with endurance sports. I love the challenge, the feeling of satisfaction at completing an event....yet I hate the regimen of having to train constantly. I'm playing with some ideas by Troy Jacobson about training for older athletes. His take is that the older you get, the shorter your long workouts should become. Accumulated stress is just as good as singular stress, by his model. So a couple of shorter workouts per day stacked day after day is just as good as that 100 mile ride. This is much more in tune with my desire for training......and if the last couple months have any say, it might just work. I've been pretty loose with training after the SOMA half IM....but still I ran well this weekend.
6. I've been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma at my annual physical. This is on the heels of being unable to draw a deep breath on the run at SOMA. I thought I might be having a heart attack but the restriction wasn't in the chest...but in the diaphragm. I've got my first inhaler...
7. I really want to be a better man.....not kidding. My anger has faded as I've aged....but I still make the wrong call too many times. I don't want to wind up as some smiling, simpleton pussy.....but I also don't want to wind up dead in a dumpster either. The middle ground is very narrow and quite hard to find.
8. For all the challenges I face....I'm one of the most fortunate guys that I know. Great wife and kids, good job, nice house, couple of toys, good friends....and the ability to go 140.6 miles with nothing but a pair of goggles, a bike and some running shoes. Seriously, I'm not sure I deserve this....but I'm not giving it back.
9. I'll be 49 years old in a couple of months....and this truly is the best time of my life. You couldn't convince me to go back and be 20 again. It hurts just to think about that guy...
10. I'm not afraid of growing old and I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to do either of those right now...
Nite....
A few things to make note of..
1. As of today I'm 2 weeks gluten free. This has been a much easier transition than I imagined and I'm going to stick with it for the foreseeable future. I don't know that it's helping....but it sure ain't hurting.
2. I set a new 5K PR on a "walk up" race on Sunday. I decided that morning to do the Doggie Dash 5K and ran 22:11.....a 19 second PR. My 22:30 was run in 2006 or so....so it's been awhile since I've had some speed. I was 4th of 20 in my AG and 19th overall out of about 270. I know, I know...a lot of people were running with their dogs...hey, I'll take it.
3. I'm totally conflicted on signing up for Ironman Arizona 2013. I'm guaranteed a slot since I'm volunteering this year while my wife Michi does the race. After Louisville this year I figured I'd just lay off IM...because the burn wasn't there. Then we had to watch that f'ing IM World Championships on the DVR....and it lit some of the fire again. Louisville this year was my slowest ever IM....16 hours. Not sure I want to go out like that.
4. I set two running PRs this year...half marathon and 5K. Next year the 10K record falls.....and the Olympic distance tri too.
5. I'm in love and in hate with endurance sports. I love the challenge, the feeling of satisfaction at completing an event....yet I hate the regimen of having to train constantly. I'm playing with some ideas by Troy Jacobson about training for older athletes. His take is that the older you get, the shorter your long workouts should become. Accumulated stress is just as good as singular stress, by his model. So a couple of shorter workouts per day stacked day after day is just as good as that 100 mile ride. This is much more in tune with my desire for training......and if the last couple months have any say, it might just work. I've been pretty loose with training after the SOMA half IM....but still I ran well this weekend.
6. I've been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma at my annual physical. This is on the heels of being unable to draw a deep breath on the run at SOMA. I thought I might be having a heart attack but the restriction wasn't in the chest...but in the diaphragm. I've got my first inhaler...
7. I really want to be a better man.....not kidding. My anger has faded as I've aged....but I still make the wrong call too many times. I don't want to wind up as some smiling, simpleton pussy.....but I also don't want to wind up dead in a dumpster either. The middle ground is very narrow and quite hard to find.
8. For all the challenges I face....I'm one of the most fortunate guys that I know. Great wife and kids, good job, nice house, couple of toys, good friends....and the ability to go 140.6 miles with nothing but a pair of goggles, a bike and some running shoes. Seriously, I'm not sure I deserve this....but I'm not giving it back.
9. I'll be 49 years old in a couple of months....and this truly is the best time of my life. You couldn't convince me to go back and be 20 again. It hurts just to think about that guy...
10. I'm not afraid of growing old and I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to do either of those right now...
Nite....
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