April 2012
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Post Ironman Blues
I spent 18 months of my life mentally and physically preparing for a single day: November 5th, 2011 - Ironman Florida.
6 days a week of physical strain (up to 30 hours a week) and mental fatigue. This was in addition to an already stressful work life and family dynamic (I have 3 kids six and under). For the lack of sleep and sore muscles, I was mentally in an awesome place. Training and...
November 2011
8 posts
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My 140.6 Mile Journey
“They say that finishing an Ironman is a life-changing experience. I really hope that they weren’t referring to losing a pinky toe, because I’m not sure mine is going to make it through the day and that would suck.”
This is the conversation that I am having with myself as I plod through the dark and deserted streets of Panama City Beach. I am competing in my first Ironman Triathlon. It’s just...
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Don't You Dare Tell Me There's Something I Can't...
I heard “Hey Todd! You’re an Ironman!” 15 hours and 16 minutes after my day began. What an amazing day.
I cant believe how much my feet hurt. I’ll send out more tomorrow. Right now I need to eat all the things at Waffle House.
Have a good night. I’m going to spend the night sleeping with a smile on my face.
TOOK. IT. DOWN.
Killing It!
Todd continues to meet each of his Ironman goals. He had a range of times to account for the unexpected and he’s come in low for both swim and bike He’s on his run and I expect to see him soon. Anyone who’s struggling will be carried by this super exuberant crowd.
Ironman FL 2011: It's Here!
There are no words to describe this morning! Todd did an amazing first lap in the water and made it look easy. The energy level at the event is extraordinary! More to come throughout the day.
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“Going to the bathroom outside of the porta-potties is not only rules for...”
– Run Race Director at IMFL
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WatchIronman Florida Bike Course is FLAT!
Just got done with our drive around the 112 mile course. Very surprised by how flat it is. This two minutes of video is an example (soundtrack brought to you by Bob FM). There are several long, straight stretches for miles and miles.
I’m getting excited!
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The Road To Florida...
On this Saturday, November 5th, I will compete in my first Ironman Triathlon. I will swim 2.4 miles, ride my bike for 112 more and then slug it out on a 26.2 mile marathon. All in less than 17 hours.
I will do this.
I will take it down.
The last 18 months have been an epic journey. When I started out, I could barely run 100 yards or swim even the length of a pool. I’m not going to...
October 2011
36 posts
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Focus on finishing happy and healthy with a smile...
I had my final phone call (at least for now) with my Ironman coach, Don Fink yesterday. He spent most of the call providing some tips and tricks to get ready for the race. Here are some of the highlights:
“The hay is in the barn. All you can do now is burn it down.” - Meaning my level of fitness peaked two weeks ago. I have all the fitness that I am going to have on race day....
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kristinlosesit:
not gonna lie: i feel super nervous about the virtual half tomorrow :-/
Take it down!
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Tumblr Tuesday - Here's who's rockin my dash...
@milemarkersoflife
@michaeldoeslife
@shortmom
@swimbikeren
@robindoesrunning
@runsforredvelvet
@andywg
@mikemac356
@moxy
You should check them out!
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NOLA Marathon Winners Are...
That’s right, I said winners, plural. Two Three people responded to my offer to share with me their stories about their Ironman journey:
@lifeunposed/runswithphone
@trimamatri
@milemarkersoflife
I enjoyed reading about all of you and your journeys so far. My hope is that this small gesture will help you reach your goals and that some day you can return the favor to someone else who...
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NOLA Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - Registered
I’m in. Now who’s coming with me? =)
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Update: Free NOLA Marathon Race Fees And Lodging
I have reserved a room for the winner at the JW Marriott hotel (one of the HQ hotels for the race) for March 3rd, 2012 for one night. I will be staying there as well.
This is getting exciting!
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Future Ironmen: Chance for free NOLA Marathon and...
I have been doing a lot of reflecting recently about the last 18 month Ironman journey. One of the things that I want to do is give back more to this awesome Tumblr/Fitblr community.
To that end, I would like to make the following offer, available to anyone training for their first Ironman:
I am going to give away race entry fees and lodging expenses for one person at the New Orleans Rock and...
Tough bike ride
Coming off of a great run on Saturday, I was real excited for a 4:15 ride with a :45 run on Sunday.
Things didn’t work out as I’d hoped. Basically I didn’t do well on my nutrition and hydration and bonked really, really hard.
I was good for the first 25 miles, doing better on my hydration than I normally do. But I made the mistake of introducing peanut butter crackers into...
“Quote from coach: “Ironman is not about being awesome. It’s about managing...”
– Tweet of the Day (via Frayed Laces)
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One Last Long Swim
4,000 meters in 1:36:15 - Not too shabby!
I am officially in taper mode, reducing my workouts in length and intensity over the course of three weeks leading up to Ironman Florida. But thanks to an illness and then other family members being sick, I missed most of my swim workouts over the past three weeks. With 3 kids in daycare/school it seems like someone is ALWAYS sick.
I did not want to...
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Letting that smooth stroke go →
Ironman Florida - qualifying for Kona →
Got this link on Facebook.
Looks like I have a LITTLE more work to do before planning my trip to Hawaii (unless of course my new lottery strategy pans out!)
Top 1% - those times are FAST!
EDIT: That is a 23.1 MPH average on the bike followed by a 7:51 min/mile on the run. Damn!
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Random Thoughts From My Longest Weekend
So when you run for almost 4 hours, and then bike for over 6 hours, you have plenty of time to think about things. If you’ve ever done any type of long workout like this, you know that your mind can really wander. Here are some of the things that struck me over my weekend:
How exactly did the pancake become the standard by how which “flatness” is measured?
I wonder if Chuck...
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A little anxious about 20 miles
This weekend is the biggest volume of training that I will have over the 18 months of this journey:
Saturday: 20 mile run
Sunday: 6 hour bike + 1 hour run
After this weekend it is 3 long weeks of tapering. I’m looking forward to ONLY 4 hours of bike and 2.5 hour run next weekend. (Next Sunday will actually be my virtual Soaring Wings half due to my taper)
I have to say I am a little...
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Soaring Wings - Virtual Runner
I just signed up for the Soaring Winds Half Marathon, virtual style!
It’s to support a great cause and some great people. Big shout out to @RunLong and @RunWithRach.
Considering it looks like 90% of the Fitblrs are participating, I encourage everyone to join in on the fun!
Giddy up!
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The truth about Chrissie Wellington's injuries →
robindoesrunning:
This woman is hardcore.
She didn’t reveal the extent of her injuries and still went on to her 4th Iromnan championship.
This woman is my hero.
All I can say is “Wow!”. It was an incredible race and now knowing this I am blown away.
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A Great Run To Get Back On Track
Today I had easily the best run that I’ve had in the last 6 months.
The big numbers: 15.85 miles in 3 hours and 1 minute. My 10K split was a personal best 1:04 and my half-marathon split was another personal best 2:28. It made for an absolute great day!
The weather was great: overcast and slightly cooler than it has been.
I ended up meeting someone at Mile 7 who was surprised that...
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I got 99 problems and a bike is one...
A very though day on the bike today. I had a 6 hour bike ride and 30 minute run scheduled for today. I’m coming off being sick for over a week, and this is my first ride since Augusta.
So I only made it 94 miles (I had hoped for 100) and it seemed like I had 99 problems:
I got a late start this morning and found myself struggling to get out the door quickly so that I could finish...
Best of luck to all those competing in Kona or tackling a marathon this weekend!
I’m looking forward to some great race reports!
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WatchA flyover of the Ironman Florida Bike Course. I found this on mapmyride.com. It requires the Google Earth plug-in to see.
I think it’s pretty cool to get a glimpse into the ride before actually going there.
I’ve never been to Panama City, or that part of Florida before. I am surprised by how much of this ride is in farm country. I didn’t really know what to expect, but...
September 2011
23 posts
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My Spirit Was Almost Broken By Three Bottles Of...
I have been haunted by something my coach said in his email all day. When I told him that I went from feeling great getting off the bike, to feeling horrible 300 yards into my run, his comment was:
THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO NOT FUELING AND HYDRATING ENOUGH ON THE BIKE. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND AND BE SURE TO NAIL THIS IN FLORIDA. TO FEEL GOOD OFF THE BIKE, WE NEED TO FUEL AND HYDRATE SUPER WELL,...
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70.3 And Awkward Conversations
Edit: Photo credit from @Shortmom.
As many of you know, completing a 70.3 distance event does not qualify you to call yourself an Ironman. I totally agree with this. It would be an insult for all of those that completed the 140.6 otherwise. The problem that I have is that since most people outside the world of triathlon don’t know about the Ironman brand and what it means, it sets up...
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Augusta - My Coach's Thoughts And More Random...
Picture Credit: Jason Maddox. Artwork Credit: His kids.
I had sent a similar race report to Don Fink, my triathlon coach this morning. His response, paraphrased, was as follows:
You did an amazing job! Your times were almost exactly where I thought they would be, with the bonus of a great swim! Congrats! The feelings that you went through are no different than any other endurance...
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It Should Have Been Impossible: Ironman 70.3...
Have you ever done something that gave you such a sense of accomplishment that it was emotionally overwhelming? Something that two years ago you wouldn’t have dreamed was even possible?
While this race was on my schedule merely as a tune-up for Ironman Florida in November, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to complete it. Ask anyone that knew me two years ago, anyone at...