Monday, June 9, 2014

Next adventure starts June 10th - follow along...

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=9f0e5387d332ee5f8

Monday, September 14, 2009

IronMan Wisconsin 2009 - Finisher

Well, yesterday was IronMan Wisconsin 2009. My main concern going into the race was my inconsistent training and the bike. Overall I had a great day and finished somewhere in the 15:20 range.

Swim - I did not swim that much during the training, but I had put in three 2.4 mile swims - so I felt pretty good with the swimming. I started in the back of the pack and worked the inside of the buoy's in order to stay out of the mix. That worked good and I felt strong the whole way. Finished the swim around 1:31 compared to 1:26 IMWI07 and 1:43 IMKY08.

Bike - The plan on the bike was to go easy but consistent the whole day. On the way to Verona I decided to keep up the speed and cruise out there. Once on the loop I checked it back just a bit and made sure that I did not burn any matches. My goal for the bike was to get to at least 56 miles feeling like I just started. A few of my training rides went great and a few not so great, so I didn't know if this was possible. I ended up getting to around 75 miles before I felt any tiredness or anything else. I was certainly pumped that I made it that far and still felt very strong. I made sure that I kept within myself on the hills and just slowly made my way up. About 90 miles into the bike, I started to feel the bike quite a bit. I still had strong legs, but the tiredness had set into the body. You feel that you are done with the hills after the 3rd Bitch Hill - but not true - Verona to Madison has a few more. Finished the bike in 7:10 compared to 7:10 IMWI07 and 7:40 IMKY08.

Run - Coming off the bike I knew that I didn't have enough in the tank to have a strong run, so I made the decision to enjoy the run/walk. I had some GI issues, fairly minor, but still caused me to stop running and walk. I tried to run between the aid stations, but slowly the GI problems would stop me. At the turn around (13.1 miles), I felt better and was able to run for about 4 miles. I then started walking a bit and was not able to start running again. Around 5 miles to go, I was still walking fast, but I could feel my body giving up. I knew I'd make it, but it wasn't going to be enjoyable as I had hoped. I ended up around 6hrs compared to 5:20 IMWI07 and 5:40 IMKY08.

My only goal was (and always is) to FINISH - goal accomplished. My other goal is to continue to train for IronMan's and spend summers on our boat - goal accomplished (I spent 5 weeks on the boat this summer with little training during that time).

I ended up in the Medical Tent for about an hour with stomach cramps. I've had this issue after every IronMan - so I knew it was coming. The problem was that we walked up to the capital before it became a problem. At that point I had to lie down and soon they had a "gator ambulance" come pick me up. My blood pressure was very low at 70 / 30, but I had only lost 2 pounds during the day (which is awesome - too many lbs and your in trouble). Mrs TB brought the car down and I made a quick dash to lay down in the front seat (stomach would not cramp while laying down). I did not have stomach cramps on the run - just afterwards - but a bit painful.

I have a feeling that as I continue to do IronMan's and train as I do (inconsistent outside of IMWI07), someday I will DNF. I had plenty of room to finish this year, so all was good. But throw in some windy/rainy weather and the bike may take more out of me than I have. I'm willing to take that risk in order to keep doing what I enjoy - IronMan's.

It was also very enjoyable to "do" the IronMan with XT4. We never trained together and he was light years ahead of me in the race, but we kept in touch via twitter/blog/lunch/etc. Made it very fun.

So, 3 attempted - 3 Finished. Next up - IronMan Lake Placid 2010.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Twitter has pulled me in - Status update

It has been quite a while since I posted here - Twitter works out so much better for me.

Anyway, IronMan Wisconsin 2009 training has gone well - but a bit spotty this year. We purchased a new cruising boat this year and spent 4+ weeks on the boat. Even though I missed some weeks of training, when I was back in town - I had some very good workouts/weeks.

I'm ready to roll with the only goal is to Finish. Same goal as always but this year I need to stay within myself based on my training.

Also, I signed up for IronMan Lake Placid 2010. Even though my summers are dominated with boating - I have no plans to give up my IronMan training and events.

IMWI Bib # 1541

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Status update

Well, my workouts have progressed nicely over the last 3 weeks. I'm now running 9 miles three times a week and swimming 1500 yds two or three times a week. Just working on the base and plan on adding in the biking when we return from our Spring Break vacation.

On Friday we leave for New Orleans on the train to get on a cruise ship to head to the Caribbean for a 7 day cruise. I'm hoping that you can somehow run around a track or something on the cruise ship, but if not I'll be on the treadmill. Normally on vacations my workouts suffer, but I just may have more time on the ship to get some in.

Looking forward to getting out of town.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Just a bit longer...

Today I started on the new schedule with a 90 minute 8.5 mile run. Felt very strong and had no problems with the distance.

On Friday I came down with a quick head cold that thankfully only lasted about 36 hours and then it was gone (or at least I hope it is now gone). Felt it coming on for a few days and kindof felt like a "runners" cold -- from time to time I get the feeling that a cold is coming on but it never takes hold. This mainly happens when I increase my miles/workouts.

Tomorrow it is back in the pool -- I know that once I purchase that 3 month membership, then I'll force myself to get in there and swim - it's not that IronMan Wisconsin is coming soon, it is not wanting to waste the money -- funny how that works.

For all of Oldest Mini's home swim meet's, Mrs Team BRAZO and myself were timers on the lanes. Hopefully some of the skill of those swimmers rubbed off on me.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Next week, change of pace...

Well, after running a total of 204 miles over the last 5 weeks -- it is time to change it up just a bit. Next Monday I'll buy that 3 month pool membership and begin the long slow process of swimming.

The plan as it stands now is to run 1.5 hours 4 times a week and swim 2 days a week. I'll start out just swimming 10 laps (500 yds) at a time and slowly increase the laps.

It'll take me about 13 minutes to complete the 500 yds. To explain how slow that really is -- Oldest Mini can swim 500 yds in 5 minutes 44 seconds.

Also, Oldest Mini can complete 2 laps before I complete 1 lap -- I'm about 1 minute 13 seconds 50 yds and he is 58 seconds for 100 yds (and 25 seconds for his 50 yds).

But he also just received his Varsity Letter in his Sophomore year (along with his Freshman year) and was named the most improved on his High School swim team (took 35 seconds off his 500 yds times). So, pretty hard to compete with that.

Looking forward to some swimming.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Quick update...

Doing the same thing that I have for the last 5 weeks -- RUN, RUN, and RUN. I'm still on the 75 minutes per day routine @ 7 miles per day. I'm getting to the point that I don't really get tired on the runs, only a bit bored.

I'm thinking next week I'll keep at the 75 minutes a day and not increase it just yet. The plan is to sign up for the pool membership on March 1st and then swim twice a week thru May. We have been putting off the swimming, but now the time has come to get back into it.

Off to the Cottage this weekend for some R & R.

Have a nice weekend.