Today I plan to skip the bike ride and head out for a late evening swim.  Will use hand paddles again today.  Temps are getting hot and my legs are still a bit sore.  Think the swim will rest them for tomorrows run.
Stay tuned as I will be adding heart rate data and stats soon.

Managed to get a 1000k training swim in today. Used hand paddles for the first time.  That was fun for awhile then they started to wear me out.  Later in the evening got in a 20 mile leisurely ride on the bike.  Time is ticking and I have lots of training to do

Glad to be done with this Triathlon.  Wind was tough

Finished

Course is flat but can be cold and windy.

almost to the finish

One of the best Triathlon’s in South Carolina. 

 Swim is done in the Marine base combat pool which is huge. 

Paris island traithlon

How to salvage a bad year?  Well the Brevet series was a bust for me.  Too much drama in the months leading up to the event and to little training guaranteed failure. I learned a lot and know what to do for next year.  I still have two scheduled races. The South Carolina Half Ironman in October and the Beach to Battleship full Ironman in November.  However, I spent to much time on the Brevet series and to little time on triathlon training.  I have a scant 5 months to train for the Ironman.  My bike base is okay, my swim is so-so and my run is awful.  I am over weight to compound everything else. I plan to concentrate on improving my swim and run over the next several months.  I will be outlining my training workouts and how they progress.  Check by every now and then to see how things turn out.  This hopefully will salvage the year.  See you folks soon.

The Upper 80’s……..

 

It was getting late and the sun was sinking fast.  I needed to readjust my lights but that would to necessitate me getting off the bike for a moment.  I was afraid if I got of the bike I might never get back on so I elected to ride as long as possible. A fellow rider caught up to me and he said he had been stalking me for awhile.  We started a nice chat and managed to pick the speed up a bit. I needed company but it was not long before I was tired again and started to fade back.  I watched his blinking red taillight disappear into the dusk.  I finally had to stop and adjust my lights and reflectors.  I found a grassy area at a turn point and sat on some grass to adjust my gear.  I was instantly attacked by a swarm of gnats.  In the south we call these gnats “dog-peter” gnats as we see them on dogs “peter’s” all the time. Gnats are annoying as no amount of swatting stymies their relentless attacks. I went through my bike bag organizing what I would need in the dark as a couple of riders pulled up beside me.  One rider was the same woman who road the last mile into Siler city with me. Gnats immediately attacked them and they began a gnat swatting dance.  In between the Gnat Dance we exchanged pleasantries went about the business of organizing the few items we had.  The couple remarked that my lighting was not sufficient and I agreed.  What seemed like enough light at the bike shop now seemed paltry.  I could only shine a tiny spot of light 3 feet in front of my wheel. My confidence started to wane.  Out in the dark with little to no light…not a good situation.  At least I would be visible as I had stuck reflectors, chemical lights and reflective tape all over my body.  I resembled a bulbous UFO. With items organized I climbed back on the bike and took-off gaining a slight head start on the two riders.  Dark settled in and I made my way best I could.  Gravel and holes in the road appeared with startling frequency and I had only seconds to react.  This was going to be scary.  The two riders caught up with me and rode behind me with their bright lights illuminating the way.  This would work if I could stay slightly in front of them.  We moved along for awhile until I slowed a bit to rest.  The two riders moved in front so I took up a new position behind them and held for a few miles.  Eventually I slowed down even more they asked if I wanted them to wait for me.  I said,” no, go on”, it was 9:00 in the evening and I did not want them arriving at the finish line any later on my account. I was riding selfishly but they were offering to nurse me in.  Good folks and strong riders. I managed to get in a good pace and moved along watching the two riders disappear in the dark. Riding was hard and scary.  Signs started to pop-up indicating broken pavement ahead.  These signs could not have been up on the trip out I would have noticed them. Did the pavement suddenly break up after we passed by this morning?  I moved forward counting each painful mile down.  I had to shine a light stick on the computer to see my mileage which was not an easy trick in the dark.171 miles appeared on my computer which told me I had only 18.5 miles to go….. less than a Monday night social ride.  I got this licked I thought as I rode off into the darkness………..suddenly I hit something… the bike jolted breaking the one hand I had on the handlebar lose….I dropped the light and tucked my arm in and prepared for the worse.  I went down but managed to take the blow on most of my torso.  I sprawled on the ground for a moment making sure nothing was broken and enjoying the impromptu rest. I was going riding slow so there were no major injuries just a few scrapes and bruises.    I got up wiped myself off and scanned the computer….it registered 174 miles.  I took a moment adjusting my clothing and then attempted to climb up on my bike.  I fell over the bike as I mounted it.  I got back up and realized I was in no shape to continue the ride.  I sat next to the bike for a few moments and thought about the decision. I never quit rides I have trained for of “toed the line” at. This was a hard decision.  I evaluated my physical and mental condition. I began debating the decision trying to determine if it was just mental or physical.  Mental pain I can fight physical pain is different. I looked around to get my bearing and realized I was not on the course.  I saw a church down the road so I rode over to the church parking lot and sat down on the driveway.  The concrete soaked up my sweat and made wet imprints of my back and rear.   I studied my cue sheet and computer and realized I would have to track back who knows how far.  I had missed a turn in the dark.  I made the decision to stop.  I wrestled my phone out of my shirt and called Karen…. “come get me I am done”.  It was 9:30 pm as I sat on the cool concrete of the church parking lot.  I was out of food, and low on fluids and deep in despair for not being able to finish this ride.  I waited for a long while and called Karen back.  She could not find me as I was off course.  We agreed I would back track to the last known point and she would meet me there. I struggled back on my bike and began riding once again.  My appearance on the bike looked like someone who was learning to ride for the first time.  I wobbled from side to side as I barely managed to make it to the last known point.  Karen found me a few more miles down the road and I graciously accepted her help in the car.

 

  This was the first ride I have never completed and while extremely disappointed I can only train harder and attempt this again next year.  Hopefully I will be successful.  For now I will concentrate on my Ironman training and try to salvage the rest of the season.

Thanks for reading folks

  I was asked the other day what is the motivation to participate at such an extreme level (distance that is) of cycling and triathlon.  I suppose it started with a fascination with marathon distance running at a young age.  I have always wanted to do a marathon thinking that it was a superhuman show of strength.  My first marathon (officially) was completed during my first Ironman.  I had done several half marathons and ran a lot over the years so the full marathon has always been a goal of mine.  I was never a great runner always slow and lazy. When I was stationed in Iraq at the Al Asaad Airbase I completed my first half marathon wasn’t much else to do in the off time.  What an accomplishment I was dead last.  Not bad in desert conditions.  What I learned from that event was that marathons were not superhuman feats of strength so much but more of a superhuman example of determination and discipline.  I ran a lot that year. Came home and was promptly diagnosed with cancer.  After several surgeries, appointments were set for chemotherapy and radiation.  I declined to take the treatments after careful thought and collaboration with several Doctors.  The prediction was I would be back and have to take the treatments.  I began to run in order to get in shape and prepare for the worst.  I figured Lance Armstrong made it though his cancer because of his incredible stamina  I trained hard and learned that while I am a very slow runner I could run for a long, long time.  And that is what I did……somewhere along the line a friend suggested a triathlon might be fun so we signed up.  I figured I could run and how hard could a bike ride be and I could swim pretty good as I was a scuba diver (not).

  The first Triathlon was an eye opener for me.  I swam terrible, bike horribly and my run was pitiful.  I decided to start training for triathlon as I could only get better and found myself hooked to the sport.  I improved over the years (still back of the pack) but one sport led to another.  Along the way I took up bike racing and endurance riding to train for triathlons.  I like the easier impact of biking and swimming over running but still train for all disciplines.

  Motivation for doing these sports one asks? If my excessive sports behavior keeps cancer at bay that is a small price to pay to have a healthy life and avoid chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Another side benefit is the sense of satisfaction at completing a triathlon or long distance swim/bike.  And showing others, by example, what is possible is an awesome feeling.  I have watched many folks all sizes and shapes successfully complete triathlons, and long biking events and it is a rush to see their face after they have gone full circle from thinking it was impossible to seeing they could do the impossible.  Guess that is it. 

Got a great story post it please I am sure many others out there have some great accomplishments to share

The last installment of the 300k ride is coming I promise.  I have been increasing my mileage to around 160-200 per week and have not had a lot of time.  This will get me in shape and help while away the time since I have no job at the moment. Unemployment is great for riding but not so great for paying bills. Today we went for a short quick 70+ mile ride.  Around the 65 mile mark we were gearing up the speed and I touched wheels with Chris.  This threw me into the weeds at around 20+.  Stuffed the bike shifters and bruised myself up a bit but I managed to finish the ride.  I must say it has been two years since I have crashed and this was not so bad. I went face first into the grass and weeds.  Minimal skin lost but bruises a many and a scrapped up face.  Looks like I have been in a boxing match.  Bike is in the shop so I guess I will ride the time trial bike for the next week or so.

Cheers.

The upper 40’s…….

  The burst of energy was spent and I struggled against the pedals once again.  I focused on completing one mile at a time pushing the pedals over and over as the fatigue and pain started screaming at me beckoning me to quit.  I had to find another place to go somewhere away from the fatigue and pain….I thought back to when I started riding almost 4 years ago.  I considered all the reasons I ride? Why the excessiveness of the endeavors? I recalled an interview a week earlier with a long distance rower who attempted to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  She spoke of the excessive behavior and equated it to a search.  She said she was rowing to find something.  I ride to escape cancer.  The pain and excessiveness of a long bike ride is small compared to the pain and excessiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  The longer I ride, swim and run, the further I ride, swim and run, the further I get from cancer. 

 

  I focused on my friends who have ridden beside me and taught me how to ride and race.  I imagined each individual in a virtual peloton next to me forming a pace-line to pull me along these hard miles.  Joseph’s was in the lead pulling me close on his wheel. Brenda was riding close behind me pushing me along.  I bought my first real road bike from Joseph and Brenda’s bike shop. I walked into the bike shop one afternoon trussed up from a broken collarbone looking for a new bike.  I had been to a few other shops but did not get the information and attention I needed to select the perfect bike. Joseph took the time to explain how road bikes operated and what would be a good fit, the next week we were out riding together. I imagined Mike Burgess and Kim Deacon out on the flank guarding the pack and offering advice on everything bike related as they have done so on so many rides in the past.  I imagined Dr. Johnson creeping up to my side and he would rationalize the situation and offer encouragement to keep going.  This was the tough part of the ride and this seemed to work as I slowly moved forward clicking off one mile at a time…