I've not listed anything about the bastard training plan or what I've been doing lately. That's my fault because I'm just kind of tired and over it. I'm ready for Steelhead to come and go. (Spoken like someone truly suffering through a taper, eh?) I don't deal well with tapers and this is no exception. Not that a week-long taper on less-than-ideal training makes much of a difference, but still....so it's been going. I'll save the training plan and what I actually did somewhere for reference...and I do have the actual training log.
I'm just not feeling it and am ready to escape this season and get my legs back. The upside is that the bike is lookin' hot for this weekend. The downside is that I had hoped to be looking much hotter than anticipated.
Anxious about the weekend, hoping to just survive and come in around the same time. Hoping to not damage my shins or feet anymore and have fun. Then shift focus to the other stuff that WILL be fun.....
Picture of the Day
Vacation Fun
July 30, 2009
Blah Blah Blah
You don't want to read it? Don't f-ing read it. You wind up clicking and reading it anyway and it's somehow someone else's fault and you feel the need to post a stupid little comment somewhere about how worthless and useless it is for people to have these stupid blogs anyway, since they're apparently doing no one ELSE any good. Seriously?
You think I'm the narcissist becuase I write the damn thing? How 'bouts you take a look in the mirror - Mr. Poor Little F-ing Me Who Wasted My Time Reading Someone Else's Ramblings And Now Needs To Bitch To The Rest Of The World About MY Time Being Lost And Those Narcissistic Bastards That Did It???
You don't want to do the race...you don't sign up (no one makes you). You don't want to eat the steak....you don't order it (no one makes you). You don't want to have a job...you get welfare (no one makes you). You don't want to waste your time...don't click on the damn link....I DIDN'T MAKE YOU.
But since you're here.....I will now laugh at you. SUCKA.
You think I'm the narcissist becuase I write the damn thing? How 'bouts you take a look in the mirror - Mr. Poor Little F-ing Me Who Wasted My Time Reading Someone Else's Ramblings And Now Needs To Bitch To The Rest Of The World About MY Time Being Lost And Those Narcissistic Bastards That Did It???
You don't want to do the race...you don't sign up (no one makes you). You don't want to eat the steak....you don't order it (no one makes you). You don't want to have a job...you get welfare (no one makes you). You don't want to waste your time...don't click on the damn link....I DIDN'T MAKE YOU.
But since you're here.....I will now laugh at you. SUCKA.
July 28, 2009
Enough said....
NYT/WSJ: CDC Data Analysis Shows Significant Increase in Medical Costs to Treat Obesity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said medical costs to treat obesity may have reached as much as $147 billion in 2008 (compared to as much as $78.5 billion in 1998). The CDC analysis found obesity rates increased by 37% between 1998 and 2006. Obese Americans spent about 42% more on health care than normal-weight Americans in 2006. Medical costs to treat obesity increased to 9.1% of all U.S. medical costs in 2006 (compared with 6.5% in 1998). Prescription drug costs accounted for much of the increase.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said medical costs to treat obesity may have reached as much as $147 billion in 2008 (compared to as much as $78.5 billion in 1998). The CDC analysis found obesity rates increased by 37% between 1998 and 2006. Obese Americans spent about 42% more on health care than normal-weight Americans in 2006. Medical costs to treat obesity increased to 9.1% of all U.S. medical costs in 2006 (compared with 6.5% in 1998). Prescription drug costs accounted for much of the increase.
July 20, 2009
Who the hell are you listening to Barry?
The House Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee (two of three House Committees working together on health reform legislation) took the first step towards passage of health reform legislation in the House by voting on Friday to approve the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" (H.R. 3200), which will be financed in part by a $540 billion surtax on high-income households. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is still meeting on the bill, with a combination of Republican and so-called "blue dog" Democrats seeking a number of key changes.
The "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" was amended separately by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee (so are no longer identical), but both include provisions for an employer mandate, individual mandate, creation of an Insurance Exchange, development of a government sponsored public plan, and insurance market reforms.
In a blow to the bills’ cost containment claims, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) head Douglas Elmendorf testified last Thursday that the bills, as currently structured, would more likely lead to an increase rather than a decrease in the health care cost spiral.
Over the weekend, a number of state governors voiced their concern about increased state costs for expansion of Medicaid. The House bill would increase Medicaid eligibility by about 11 million people with a 10 year cost in excess of $400 billion.
Last month, Aon Consulting asked more than 1,100 employers for their opinions about key issues in the health reform debate. Among the findings were:
The "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" was amended separately by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee (so are no longer identical), but both include provisions for an employer mandate, individual mandate, creation of an Insurance Exchange, development of a government sponsored public plan, and insurance market reforms.
In a blow to the bills’ cost containment claims, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) head Douglas Elmendorf testified last Thursday that the bills, as currently structured, would more likely lead to an increase rather than a decrease in the health care cost spiral.
Over the weekend, a number of state governors voiced their concern about increased state costs for expansion of Medicaid. The House bill would increase Medicaid eligibility by about 11 million people with a 10 year cost in excess of $400 billion.
Last month, Aon Consulting asked more than 1,100 employers for their opinions about key issues in the health reform debate. Among the findings were:
- 93% favor continuing an employer-based health system to increase the insured population, but with a greater focus on wellness and chronic condition management and evidence-based medicine guidelines.
- 81% oppose having a national government-sponsored public health plan similar to Canada’s.
- 63% oppose an employer mandate.
- 54% say Congressional modification of ERISA preemption would lead them to reexamine their health coverage options. Another 22% would likely terminate group health coverage altogether.
Exactly who are the Representatives Representing? Their constituents or their "President"? Is the President leading a democracy of opinion or trying to democratize his opinion?
The Lesson for Today...
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism would work and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on such a Socialist-style plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
As the late Adrian Rogers said, "You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
As the late Adrian Rogers said, "You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
July 17, 2009
We are a sick population...
I'll never say I'm super-skinny. I won't even say I'm skinny. I'm cool with what I am and I know that I'm a fairly healthy person. I'm a tad curvy and sure if you look at all the books and charts and whatnot I could stand to lose a few but my body is apparently very happy right where it is. I weigh 163lbs....I've weighed between 158 and 163 now since mid-December. Despite marathon training, feast and famine...my body is pleased with right around here. And I'm not too displeased. We all have these insane notions embedded into our heads bred from Barbie childhoods and supermodel America. But you know what? I'm not buying it anymore and I think if I weighed much less I wouldn't look good. I have big bones too, dude! Anyway....point of this paragraph: I'm pretty pleased with where I'm at and I know it isn't too far one way or the other.
But WOW...I look around and all I see are these really big people. BIG people. I mean, whoa, big people. Now, if you live a decent life and you make healthy decisions, I understand that there are things beyond our control. You have babies - your body changes. Your body has a different purpose and that's cool, it adjusts. You get older - your body changes. Your body again has a different purpose (no longer the instinctual mission of being THE hunter/gatherer or protector) and that's cool, it adjusts. But we have an issue here - we reinforce the changes and allow them to happen by reinforcing our poor decisions with bad eating and sedentary lifetstyles. Ever wonder how much of life you're REALLY missing by watching the world go by from the sofa or behind the computer monitor or in front of the PS3? Or how much of the enjoyment is being taken out of food by eating it while we drive constantly and not taking the time to think about it?
I just wonder - with all the shows like Biggest Loser and Ruby and whatever other "Fat People" shows you can imagine - whether we as a society and world are bringing the appropriate light to celebrate people making positive changes, or celebrating the poor decisions that necessitate change in the first place?
I applaud people making any sort of "positive" decision towards their health - be you skinny, chubby, yellow or blue - whatever. A healthy decision is a healthy decision and that's a good thing for any and everyone. But as I stood in the parking garage looking out the window waiting on the elevator (7th floor - shin splints, excuses yes, but also 2/3 of a half-Ironman last weekend, kiss it) after getting chewed out by the 2 "larger" ladies who actually had to walk around the front of my car and step up on the curb with the stroller instead of the handicap ramp, I just saw all these BIG people walking to the office buildings. Every single person was big save for the ONE guy that was jogging down the sidewalk - playing dodge'em with the chubbies.
It's mean and I'm sorry, but come on society - straighten up. Don't bitch about the fat kids if you're not willing to lose a few and make the right decisions yourselves. Go walk with your kids, take a hike, park out in the parking lot further, take the stairs, print to the far printer, stop smoking, drink another glass of water instead of soda, hell - eat a vegetable, PUT DOWN THE FRIED FOOD AND STEP AWAY, maybe even just take a deep breath of fresh air. And about that "pain" of going to the gym and working out? That's your body thanking you for giving it the opportunity to live. Yeah, it hurts or is at least a little uncomfortable to workout sometimes. IT"S SUPPOSED TO BE.
Can you imagine how skinny I would be if I didn't enjoy eating so much? Life doesn't have to be about depravity, just about balance. I'm just sad about it, about losing all of these people. I'm hoping that something changes. If not, survival of the fittest yo.
And if I pissed you off - yeah, I'm rude. Yeah, I'm crass. Yeah, I'm blunt and honest. But you know what? I'm healthy. Go step on a scale or take a look at your workout log and then let's talk.
But WOW...I look around and all I see are these really big people. BIG people. I mean, whoa, big people. Now, if you live a decent life and you make healthy decisions, I understand that there are things beyond our control. You have babies - your body changes. Your body has a different purpose and that's cool, it adjusts. You get older - your body changes. Your body again has a different purpose (no longer the instinctual mission of being THE hunter/gatherer or protector) and that's cool, it adjusts. But we have an issue here - we reinforce the changes and allow them to happen by reinforcing our poor decisions with bad eating and sedentary lifetstyles. Ever wonder how much of life you're REALLY missing by watching the world go by from the sofa or behind the computer monitor or in front of the PS3? Or how much of the enjoyment is being taken out of food by eating it while we drive constantly and not taking the time to think about it?
I just wonder - with all the shows like Biggest Loser and Ruby and whatever other "Fat People" shows you can imagine - whether we as a society and world are bringing the appropriate light to celebrate people making positive changes, or celebrating the poor decisions that necessitate change in the first place?
I applaud people making any sort of "positive" decision towards their health - be you skinny, chubby, yellow or blue - whatever. A healthy decision is a healthy decision and that's a good thing for any and everyone. But as I stood in the parking garage looking out the window waiting on the elevator (7th floor - shin splints, excuses yes, but also 2/3 of a half-Ironman last weekend, kiss it) after getting chewed out by the 2 "larger" ladies who actually had to walk around the front of my car and step up on the curb with the stroller instead of the handicap ramp, I just saw all these BIG people walking to the office buildings. Every single person was big save for the ONE guy that was jogging down the sidewalk - playing dodge'em with the chubbies.
It's mean and I'm sorry, but come on society - straighten up. Don't bitch about the fat kids if you're not willing to lose a few and make the right decisions yourselves. Go walk with your kids, take a hike, park out in the parking lot further, take the stairs, print to the far printer, stop smoking, drink another glass of water instead of soda, hell - eat a vegetable, PUT DOWN THE FRIED FOOD AND STEP AWAY, maybe even just take a deep breath of fresh air. And about that "pain" of going to the gym and working out? That's your body thanking you for giving it the opportunity to live. Yeah, it hurts or is at least a little uncomfortable to workout sometimes. IT"S SUPPOSED TO BE.
Can you imagine how skinny I would be if I didn't enjoy eating so much? Life doesn't have to be about depravity, just about balance. I'm just sad about it, about losing all of these people. I'm hoping that something changes. If not, survival of the fittest yo.
And if I pissed you off - yeah, I'm rude. Yeah, I'm crass. Yeah, I'm blunt and honest. But you know what? I'm healthy. Go step on a scale or take a look at your workout log and then let's talk.
July 15, 2009
Word of the Day...
Catastrophuck - from ST itself, word used to describe the potential for a NYC IM race and the sure state of affairs as a result of attempting to shuttle ~2k athletes so forth and yon for bikes and whatnot, not to mention traffic and logistics of the rest of the day itself.
Can also be used to describe myriad aspects of my life.
Can also be used to describe myriad aspects of my life.
July 13, 2009
Muncie Endurathon - RR
Preface: Muncie was not to be an "A" race. Muncie was to be a nutrition check and a "systems check" to see how I was feeling at the prescribed HIM distances. Three weeks out from the "A" race I knew that it was just to be a sort of dress rehearsal, smack in the middle of some heavy-ish training (for this year, anyway) and I wouldn't really be that rested. What I didn't plan on, however, was being injured. Talk about a wrench in the gears....
The Freedom Run brought on some interesting pain in my left shin. Where did it come from - this 3in. below my knee on the inside pain - what is it and how do I get it to go away NOW? I started asking people about shin splints - what do they feel like, where are they, "how" do they hurt and how do you get them to go away NOW? Last Thursday's track workout had me worrying about my left shin - the pain while running was a bit more intense (though still not really hurting while walking) and it was hurting on the impact while running. I scaled back the workout a bit, dropped some intensity and distance and went about fretting. Friday did some internet searching - medial shin splints - and how/what to do to get them to go away NOW. Then I set to fretting about Muncie. Do I do it at all? Will I hurt myself more (it's a hilly run...)? What if I just go kinda easy? Is it smart? How quickly can I recover? Had the brilliant idea of wearing my calf sleeves to kinda mediate the problem a bit and just play it by ear. But because I can't locate my uber-cool red ones and was a bit nervous about the 2XU ones in the heat (and my feet popping off if they swelled at all and those dumb things got even TIGHTER) so I wound up purchasing a pair of Zoot socks to put on (and entertain the crowds) in T1. I don't care if I look like a 'tard, if it helps preserve my oh-so-delicate physical and mental state for Aug. 1, ok.
After a night of hilarious mechanical prep - changing my tires (Tangente - zipp tires on H3 wheels...ha...I laugh at the universe shaking it's head), Garvins changing wheels, changing my tube (after changing the tire - we'll try not to blame LG) - and not getting to bed early (of course) - and only marginal sleep (holy snot and headache, batman) - it's off to the race-site at 5:20a.
The good news: they changed the forecast while we (struggled to) sleep. They cleared the early morning of rain and storms, now it only looks sketch after about 10-11a (40%). Good deal, they've even backed down the wind a bit - max looks around 15mph in mid-day. Rock on.
The bad news: the weather people stand blindfolded and throw a dart for each hour. They then throw a dart at a percentage. They combine the two and someone plays "pick a number" and voila! A forecast is made.....Muncie is a bad-weather MAGNET on race day, lest ye ever forget.
Get to race site, get things laid out (remember to turn running shoes upside down in case of rain. Decide against putting them in grocery sack to stay dry - it isn't supposed to rain until later and they shouldn't get THAT wet. Note to self: weather people suck.) and head off to get marked up and find a bathroom. Amazingly, I manage to get all things accomplished - a rare feat on race morning. Some pre-race consultation with some runner-friends (Runner's Forum Rocks) and I decide to play it safe - I'm giving the run a mile or two to feel ok - if it hurts on every impact, or hurts and gets worse, I'm making like a fat kid in dodgeball. Pull the chip and number and spend my trip back to transition cheering on the others. I still plan to charge fairly/kinda hard on the swim and the bike and follow the nutrition plan. (Additional note to self: DO NOT ask LGarvin "trispoke or regular". Response will be - even if you aren't - you'll look fast. This does NO GOOD in a howling wind. Will to live will be sucked from body as shoulders and arms and hips tighten massively while trying to maintain bike position and stay on the road. When in doubt, laugh in LGarvin's face and go regular spokes. The more wind-splitting, swerve-avoiding spokes the freaking better, at least on the front wheel. Looking fast while crying is UTTERLY POINTLESS, and as the old guy cruises by you and you're vociferously cussing all living, breathing things that have conspired against you on this ugly morning, you will take no solace in entertaining the masses at this moment.) So....away we go.
Swim - So it's a tad windier than expected. I like rough water, I'm good in rough water. Who the crap put that buoy on the other side of the lake and WHY? No worries...swim to the sailboat, hang a Ralphie. Got it. Muncie always has a bit of a melee start to me, my wave is always mixed in with the punk-ass boys (and I do mean boys...as they're usually the young punks)that think they can swim (and usually can). So I get elbowed out of the way by all the taller, leaner, younger, triangle-shouldered punks and a lot of chicks and the gun goes off. It's fairly evident fairly early that this is NOT going to go according to the normal plan. The course is flanked by intermittent, small orange buoys (not to be mistaken with the HUGE yellow guy that we're actually swimming toward before we can turn). There's a wind blowing anything and everything diagonal across the course - meaning it's also blowing everyONE diagonal across the swim course. I swim a pretty straight line in most conditions (not sure why/how, it just normally happens) - but when I'm getting pushed back and forth by random people swimming across my bow AND my stern, I get freaked. The chop is pretty heavy and sighting is, well, sighting is a bitch. But plow on like the little tugboat that could I do. I work on my form for awhile, watching the crowd move from one side of me to the other. I take a minute to actually make sure the sailboat IS by the buoy and I chug ahead. I get hit a couple of times, I run into a couple of slow-moving vessels ahead. I take note of the vast distances between the safety groups on pontoons. I also note that the lifeguards standing on the pontoons is kind of a good idea - them being above the water and able to see the people flailing and all....A gazillion years later and a few tacks (my "swimming fairly straight" was all outta whack, but luckily I don't think I went too far...just a bit wonky compared with everyone else...but I still think everyone else swam a really odd course) I found the buoy and made my right turn. Lucky for me, I made this turn with Father Time (I shit you not) on one side of me and Pokey the Puppy (dude seemed content to take in the sights) on the other. Fairly insulated, except after the turn everyone decided to go sideways. Pokey slams into Father Time and my lane disappears. I'm left clawing over two old, hairy guys and just want out of the way. I'm still kind of uneasy, not really breathing that well and all. But this part of the course went great....fairly smooth sailing (seems appropriate, as sailboats line most of the swim course - makes for easy targets to stay between). Hit the other very large yellow buoy and turn towards shore. Somehow, I got the living hell beat out of me at the second buoy. Chicks laying into me, dudes swimming on my legs...weird. As I was debating swinging at ping-pong girl, who had swam into me 3 times in as many breaths, she promptly disappeared....these guys have a great thing about back an ambulance down towards the bank and roaring the lights. Good thing, those are great to swim towards. Not sure if everyone else was getting pushed by the wind/water, or swimming to the little orange buoys, but I wound up about 20 yds inside of everyone else and started to get a little weirded out (maybe swimming straight isn't the best idea?) I came up on another random slow swimmer who pummeled me (seriously dude, two of us in 20 yds and you manage to totally GRAPPLE my boob?) and finally felt like I was making headway. Cruised up to shore where yet ANOTHER poor swimmer decided he was ALL ABOUT swimming to the right - when I was right next to him. Whammo - into me. Finally got my feet under me and started heading uphill - while giving Mr. Cool Wetsuit a really nasty look and debating taking him out.
It was not a good swim for me. The time wasn't bad, the course felt interminable and the waves pummeled me. I didn't ever get settled into a rhythm so I think my form was WAY off. Altogether, not a great way to start the day, but at least it was over and it wasn't raining yet. Off to the bike. Swim: 36:49.81 (out of the water around 35:14...there's a long uphill run to the mat)
T1
Fairly uneventful, despite the hilarity of trying to get the Zoot socks on. Put the R one on the L foot, cussed and had to unroll it and start over. Note to self: check R/L PRIOR to putting on. Slammed my feet in my shoes, a little velcro action and away I go. Had a giggle as I was announced as "The Legendary AW"....did a slow, cautious mount on the bike (I was that stop and step-over person, after all - I'm not in a hurry remember....) and off. T1 - somewhere around two or three minutes...not in a hurry. Socks = slow. Wear sleeves during swim.
Bike
Immediately started chugging right along, feeling pretty good on the bike. Spent some time grappling with my sunglasses but I won the war. Noticed that I was picking some guys off - chicking guys is fun. LGarvin and I climbed on our bikes at the same time - but skull disc man was off like a rocket. Muncie's first few miles are just my dream ride. You have a few little rollers to settle in and warm up, then you turn on the Cardinal Greenway (read: bike path) and it's just awesome. It's slightly downhill and easy to just cruise a good cadence and fly. I caught LGarvin on the path and decided he was smarter than I, so I settled in behind him and just cruised. I could already feel the wind - NOT GOOD - and knew that life would change for the worse once the highway arrived. Reminded myself to not blow up and not go crazy, ride within myself and just "get through it"....hit the highway (and the wind) and just settled back in and kept plowing along. Saddle was already starting to bother me a bit by about 15mi (note to self: find a new damn saddle) - bad sign. Was just cruising along, kept an eye on my speed and my legs, finished the first bottle at 57:00 (right on schedule), grabbed a gel at a few minutes after the hour and just kept humming along. Didn't push the uphills too hard, just stayed aero and kept an eye on my cadence. Green Steve goes cruising by, bunch of other guys mashing along. Wind is picking up. I grabbed a bottle of water at the second aid station, figured it would be good to have on board to mix the new bottle around 1:00. Mixed it up around 1:10, it was weak but whatever. Computer briefly left the building for a few miles very early on, so I just kept an eye on my speed and my watch and guesstimated around where I was. Then the wind went nuts. It was just off my right shoulder and gusty. With the heli rotors for wheels this was NOT a fun ride. Made it to the turnaround after fighting straight into it for a few miles, then turning and REALLY fighting a direct sidewind. (Damn you, LGarvin) Got stoked because the run back has more down that up and if all held would have more tail than head or side wind. Saw a rather nasty-looking cloud standing in my way, but didn't see any lightning and didn't hear thunder. The sprinkles started literally at the turnaround. No worries, as it stayed light for a long time. A little cooling-off, I'm cool with that. Starting to hurt in earnest now, the hoo-ha is NOT happy and the hips are starting to tighten. But I'm headed for the barn. Then it starts to just rain. Not a happy, summer rain, an "I want you off the road" rain. One flash of lightning, one crack of thunder, and a whole lotta rain. I'm past halfway, there's no other way in, I might as well keep going. Fighting gnarly winds and cussing up a storm. I hit an "Ironman-style" low (never happened to me on a ride so "short") and was just struggling, Knew I didn't have a full 13mi in me after the ride, didn't want to quit, didn't have it mentally. Just a shitty day. Kept pedalling, knew my time wasn't going to be great, everything hurt and I just got pissed. Then i hit the rough pavement and I just sunk. I wanted off the bike, I wanted in bed. I wanted away from where I was. Due to the wind and having to fight I didn't get a gel at 2:00, and didn't get the chance to mix the other bottle - prolonged "letting go" of the bars wasn't an option. I was able to grab a gel at some point and the caffeine helped a lot. Thought I might be able to run. I fought through my own self and made it to the line and just literally got through it. I survived, but that's about it. Bike: 3:00:30 (includes T1)
Run
Didn't have it. Knew it from the get-go. Was planning on a 4mi shakeout run. Figured I would "give it a mile" like I told WGarvin I would. My Running Saviour called out as I dropped over the hill and asked how I was feeling - "eh" - and told me to be smart. There's nothing wrong with being smart. I chugged along for about a half mile, the shoulders loosened up, the back and hips loosened up - this was great. My shin wasn't even pounding yet. Still raining, cold, and really windy. Cruising along at a slow, slow pace and just trying to feel it out. Telling myself it's 4mi. If I feel better I can keep going. About 3/4 in my left shin just screams. I walk for a little bit and stretch and breathe and wiggle and just "relax"....I start a little runny run run and then my right shin starts to tighten up. I run through it for apx. 30 seconds then just got pissed and stopped. Pulled my chip and my number off, turned around and started back to the barn. Just didn't have the fight in my dog. Mentally and physicall got my ass kicked by the rain and the wind and my bike and myself. Limped back with the crazy Hawaiian with the HOT wife who was running great and just making an ass outta himself cheering on everyone - he'll never know how much he helps those of us running - but he has an idea. Limped back to the Iron-Umbrella and got some reassurance. My race was over. Hung out and watched a bunch of the finishers and then realized I was getting cold. Still raining, still winding, and I'm getting cold. Then realized I wouldn't have anything dry. GRUMBLE. But I hung out for awhile and watched and cheered and had a good time. Did a lot of stretching and just kept repeating "right decision".
It sucks - I'm not a quitter, but it was the right decision. Muncie is about $160, Steelhead is almost $300. If I'm going to "show up" to play on Aug 1 I want to do so as healthy as possible. That means sacrificing the shitty weather and mediocre race I was delivering. Still hard to say "DNF".....but I realized afterward that I don't have to prove anything to anyone except myself.
I've gotten through much worse. I did what I showed up to do. It's a shame I couldn't do more and I'll live with that, but no one really thinks worse of me, and I know I could do it. I WILL do it, in 3 weeks. Why does it take so long to explain so little?
The Freedom Run brought on some interesting pain in my left shin. Where did it come from - this 3in. below my knee on the inside pain - what is it and how do I get it to go away NOW? I started asking people about shin splints - what do they feel like, where are they, "how" do they hurt and how do you get them to go away NOW? Last Thursday's track workout had me worrying about my left shin - the pain while running was a bit more intense (though still not really hurting while walking) and it was hurting on the impact while running. I scaled back the workout a bit, dropped some intensity and distance and went about fretting. Friday did some internet searching - medial shin splints - and how/what to do to get them to go away NOW. Then I set to fretting about Muncie. Do I do it at all? Will I hurt myself more (it's a hilly run...)? What if I just go kinda easy? Is it smart? How quickly can I recover? Had the brilliant idea of wearing my calf sleeves to kinda mediate the problem a bit and just play it by ear. But because I can't locate my uber-cool red ones and was a bit nervous about the 2XU ones in the heat (and my feet popping off if they swelled at all and those dumb things got even TIGHTER) so I wound up purchasing a pair of Zoot socks to put on (and entertain the crowds) in T1. I don't care if I look like a 'tard, if it helps preserve my oh-so-delicate physical and mental state for Aug. 1, ok.
After a night of hilarious mechanical prep - changing my tires (Tangente - zipp tires on H3 wheels...ha...I laugh at the universe shaking it's head), Garvins changing wheels, changing my tube (after changing the tire - we'll try not to blame LG) - and not getting to bed early (of course) - and only marginal sleep (holy snot and headache, batman) - it's off to the race-site at 5:20a.
The good news: they changed the forecast while we (struggled to) sleep. They cleared the early morning of rain and storms, now it only looks sketch after about 10-11a (40%). Good deal, they've even backed down the wind a bit - max looks around 15mph in mid-day. Rock on.
The bad news: the weather people stand blindfolded and throw a dart for each hour. They then throw a dart at a percentage. They combine the two and someone plays "pick a number" and voila! A forecast is made.....Muncie is a bad-weather MAGNET on race day, lest ye ever forget.
Get to race site, get things laid out (remember to turn running shoes upside down in case of rain. Decide against putting them in grocery sack to stay dry - it isn't supposed to rain until later and they shouldn't get THAT wet. Note to self: weather people suck.) and head off to get marked up and find a bathroom. Amazingly, I manage to get all things accomplished - a rare feat on race morning. Some pre-race consultation with some runner-friends (Runner's Forum Rocks) and I decide to play it safe - I'm giving the run a mile or two to feel ok - if it hurts on every impact, or hurts and gets worse, I'm making like a fat kid in dodgeball. Pull the chip and number and spend my trip back to transition cheering on the others. I still plan to charge fairly/kinda hard on the swim and the bike and follow the nutrition plan. (Additional note to self: DO NOT ask LGarvin "trispoke or regular". Response will be - even if you aren't - you'll look fast. This does NO GOOD in a howling wind. Will to live will be sucked from body as shoulders and arms and hips tighten massively while trying to maintain bike position and stay on the road. When in doubt, laugh in LGarvin's face and go regular spokes. The more wind-splitting, swerve-avoiding spokes the freaking better, at least on the front wheel. Looking fast while crying is UTTERLY POINTLESS, and as the old guy cruises by you and you're vociferously cussing all living, breathing things that have conspired against you on this ugly morning, you will take no solace in entertaining the masses at this moment.) So....away we go.
Swim - So it's a tad windier than expected. I like rough water, I'm good in rough water. Who the crap put that buoy on the other side of the lake and WHY? No worries...swim to the sailboat, hang a Ralphie. Got it. Muncie always has a bit of a melee start to me, my wave is always mixed in with the punk-ass boys (and I do mean boys...as they're usually the young punks)that think they can swim (and usually can). So I get elbowed out of the way by all the taller, leaner, younger, triangle-shouldered punks and a lot of chicks and the gun goes off. It's fairly evident fairly early that this is NOT going to go according to the normal plan. The course is flanked by intermittent, small orange buoys (not to be mistaken with the HUGE yellow guy that we're actually swimming toward before we can turn). There's a wind blowing anything and everything diagonal across the course - meaning it's also blowing everyONE diagonal across the swim course. I swim a pretty straight line in most conditions (not sure why/how, it just normally happens) - but when I'm getting pushed back and forth by random people swimming across my bow AND my stern, I get freaked. The chop is pretty heavy and sighting is, well, sighting is a bitch. But plow on like the little tugboat that could I do. I work on my form for awhile, watching the crowd move from one side of me to the other. I take a minute to actually make sure the sailboat IS by the buoy and I chug ahead. I get hit a couple of times, I run into a couple of slow-moving vessels ahead. I take note of the vast distances between the safety groups on pontoons. I also note that the lifeguards standing on the pontoons is kind of a good idea - them being above the water and able to see the people flailing and all....A gazillion years later and a few tacks (my "swimming fairly straight" was all outta whack, but luckily I don't think I went too far...just a bit wonky compared with everyone else...but I still think everyone else swam a really odd course) I found the buoy and made my right turn. Lucky for me, I made this turn with Father Time (I shit you not) on one side of me and Pokey the Puppy (dude seemed content to take in the sights) on the other. Fairly insulated, except after the turn everyone decided to go sideways. Pokey slams into Father Time and my lane disappears. I'm left clawing over two old, hairy guys and just want out of the way. I'm still kind of uneasy, not really breathing that well and all. But this part of the course went great....fairly smooth sailing (seems appropriate, as sailboats line most of the swim course - makes for easy targets to stay between). Hit the other very large yellow buoy and turn towards shore. Somehow, I got the living hell beat out of me at the second buoy. Chicks laying into me, dudes swimming on my legs...weird. As I was debating swinging at ping-pong girl, who had swam into me 3 times in as many breaths, she promptly disappeared....these guys have a great thing about back an ambulance down towards the bank and roaring the lights. Good thing, those are great to swim towards. Not sure if everyone else was getting pushed by the wind/water, or swimming to the little orange buoys, but I wound up about 20 yds inside of everyone else and started to get a little weirded out (maybe swimming straight isn't the best idea?) I came up on another random slow swimmer who pummeled me (seriously dude, two of us in 20 yds and you manage to totally GRAPPLE my boob?) and finally felt like I was making headway. Cruised up to shore where yet ANOTHER poor swimmer decided he was ALL ABOUT swimming to the right - when I was right next to him. Whammo - into me. Finally got my feet under me and started heading uphill - while giving Mr. Cool Wetsuit a really nasty look and debating taking him out.
It was not a good swim for me. The time wasn't bad, the course felt interminable and the waves pummeled me. I didn't ever get settled into a rhythm so I think my form was WAY off. Altogether, not a great way to start the day, but at least it was over and it wasn't raining yet. Off to the bike. Swim: 36:49.81 (out of the water around 35:14...there's a long uphill run to the mat)
T1
Fairly uneventful, despite the hilarity of trying to get the Zoot socks on. Put the R one on the L foot, cussed and had to unroll it and start over. Note to self: check R/L PRIOR to putting on. Slammed my feet in my shoes, a little velcro action and away I go. Had a giggle as I was announced as "The Legendary AW"....did a slow, cautious mount on the bike (I was that stop and step-over person, after all - I'm not in a hurry remember....) and off. T1 - somewhere around two or three minutes...not in a hurry. Socks = slow. Wear sleeves during swim.
Bike
Immediately started chugging right along, feeling pretty good on the bike. Spent some time grappling with my sunglasses but I won the war. Noticed that I was picking some guys off - chicking guys is fun. LGarvin and I climbed on our bikes at the same time - but skull disc man was off like a rocket. Muncie's first few miles are just my dream ride. You have a few little rollers to settle in and warm up, then you turn on the Cardinal Greenway (read: bike path) and it's just awesome. It's slightly downhill and easy to just cruise a good cadence and fly. I caught LGarvin on the path and decided he was smarter than I, so I settled in behind him and just cruised. I could already feel the wind - NOT GOOD - and knew that life would change for the worse once the highway arrived. Reminded myself to not blow up and not go crazy, ride within myself and just "get through it"....hit the highway (and the wind) and just settled back in and kept plowing along. Saddle was already starting to bother me a bit by about 15mi (note to self: find a new damn saddle) - bad sign. Was just cruising along, kept an eye on my speed and my legs, finished the first bottle at 57:00 (right on schedule), grabbed a gel at a few minutes after the hour and just kept humming along. Didn't push the uphills too hard, just stayed aero and kept an eye on my cadence. Green Steve goes cruising by, bunch of other guys mashing along. Wind is picking up. I grabbed a bottle of water at the second aid station, figured it would be good to have on board to mix the new bottle around 1:00. Mixed it up around 1:10, it was weak but whatever. Computer briefly left the building for a few miles very early on, so I just kept an eye on my speed and my watch and guesstimated around where I was. Then the wind went nuts. It was just off my right shoulder and gusty. With the heli rotors for wheels this was NOT a fun ride. Made it to the turnaround after fighting straight into it for a few miles, then turning and REALLY fighting a direct sidewind. (Damn you, LGarvin) Got stoked because the run back has more down that up and if all held would have more tail than head or side wind. Saw a rather nasty-looking cloud standing in my way, but didn't see any lightning and didn't hear thunder. The sprinkles started literally at the turnaround. No worries, as it stayed light for a long time. A little cooling-off, I'm cool with that. Starting to hurt in earnest now, the hoo-ha is NOT happy and the hips are starting to tighten. But I'm headed for the barn. Then it starts to just rain. Not a happy, summer rain, an "I want you off the road" rain. One flash of lightning, one crack of thunder, and a whole lotta rain. I'm past halfway, there's no other way in, I might as well keep going. Fighting gnarly winds and cussing up a storm. I hit an "Ironman-style" low (never happened to me on a ride so "short") and was just struggling, Knew I didn't have a full 13mi in me after the ride, didn't want to quit, didn't have it mentally. Just a shitty day. Kept pedalling, knew my time wasn't going to be great, everything hurt and I just got pissed. Then i hit the rough pavement and I just sunk. I wanted off the bike, I wanted in bed. I wanted away from where I was. Due to the wind and having to fight I didn't get a gel at 2:00, and didn't get the chance to mix the other bottle - prolonged "letting go" of the bars wasn't an option. I was able to grab a gel at some point and the caffeine helped a lot. Thought I might be able to run. I fought through my own self and made it to the line and just literally got through it. I survived, but that's about it. Bike: 3:00:30 (includes T1)
Run
Didn't have it. Knew it from the get-go. Was planning on a 4mi shakeout run. Figured I would "give it a mile" like I told WGarvin I would. My Running Saviour called out as I dropped over the hill and asked how I was feeling - "eh" - and told me to be smart. There's nothing wrong with being smart. I chugged along for about a half mile, the shoulders loosened up, the back and hips loosened up - this was great. My shin wasn't even pounding yet. Still raining, cold, and really windy. Cruising along at a slow, slow pace and just trying to feel it out. Telling myself it's 4mi. If I feel better I can keep going. About 3/4 in my left shin just screams. I walk for a little bit and stretch and breathe and wiggle and just "relax"....I start a little runny run run and then my right shin starts to tighten up. I run through it for apx. 30 seconds then just got pissed and stopped. Pulled my chip and my number off, turned around and started back to the barn. Just didn't have the fight in my dog. Mentally and physicall got my ass kicked by the rain and the wind and my bike and myself. Limped back with the crazy Hawaiian with the HOT wife who was running great and just making an ass outta himself cheering on everyone - he'll never know how much he helps those of us running - but he has an idea. Limped back to the Iron-Umbrella and got some reassurance. My race was over. Hung out and watched a bunch of the finishers and then realized I was getting cold. Still raining, still winding, and I'm getting cold. Then realized I wouldn't have anything dry. GRUMBLE. But I hung out for awhile and watched and cheered and had a good time. Did a lot of stretching and just kept repeating "right decision".
It sucks - I'm not a quitter, but it was the right decision. Muncie is about $160, Steelhead is almost $300. If I'm going to "show up" to play on Aug 1 I want to do so as healthy as possible. That means sacrificing the shitty weather and mediocre race I was delivering. Still hard to say "DNF".....but I realized afterward that I don't have to prove anything to anyone except myself.
I've gotten through much worse. I did what I showed up to do. It's a shame I couldn't do more and I'll live with that, but no one really thinks worse of me, and I know I could do it. I WILL do it, in 3 weeks. Why does it take so long to explain so little?
July 9, 2009
Congratulations!!!
It's a fucking hate your job kind of day. Just hang in there, little guy, and you too could be dismissed and brushed off like the annoying and ever-present "dog-pecker gnat". For after all, since you're young and you've never "done this" before your opinion clearly doesn't matter and you didn't REALLY hear the client say anything significant.Take yourself back to your meager little spreadsheets and data entry and have a jolly old time. I'll be over here plotting world domination while I half listen to what everyone is saying and plan my next vacation.
Fan-friggin-tastic. Happy Thursday!
CatchUp Ketchup...
maintaining, in essence, three training logs is a bit hectic! I log all of my stuff (or have started since mid-last month) on RunningAhead. I have previously used the ST log, and am not sure why I switched outside of the information being more readily available and easy to manipulate. Not sure if that's a bogus reason or not but it's what I'm going with - plus I like giggling at the runner's forums. I maintain once again - runners are bleeping crazy.
So...the catching up of the long, holiday weekend. I think I took Friday off, was just feeling a bit rundown, plus I wanted to run hard on Saturday in the Freedom Run. Nailed it - sort of. I ran faster than I've ever run, had an overall pace of right at 8:45. Started out with an 8:06 (oh hell)....took a full minute to walk in the 3rd mile (9:03) just to pull my HR down a little bit. Overall it felt pretty good. Had some shin issues just before it, left leg, upper 1/3 of the inside of my shinbone. Not a great thing...but didn't bother me during the run. Pleased with the effort and the time.
Took Sunday off to actually spend some time with Dan! Had a great afternoon/evening.
Monday was supposed to be a super brick (2x30 bike, 2x10 run) but I just turned into a 1:30 ride to ride off a crappy attitude and some frustration. Covered a little over 26 miles in 1:27. Helped quite a bit and felt a little better about the world. Wasn't entirely comfortable the entire time, pushed my legs a bit.
Tuesday morning SHOULD have been a run - but I bailed. Thinking as I woke up that - with the weather really heating up at the end of this week, some other hard workouts planned and the long race, it would do me better to just go with the flow and save some energy.
Wednesday we did the "girl's ride" - all 4 of us were a little "less than zesty" at the beginning, but riding together always seems to help us feel better and get things out. W says riding with us has made her a better rider. That's a good thing.
Tonight's track workout could be the most interesting thing yet. T's in charge of coming up with the workout for tonight to shake things up...the current drizzly, wet weather makes me think it could be more painful than normal!! Stay tuned....
So...the catching up of the long, holiday weekend. I think I took Friday off, was just feeling a bit rundown, plus I wanted to run hard on Saturday in the Freedom Run. Nailed it - sort of. I ran faster than I've ever run, had an overall pace of right at 8:45. Started out with an 8:06 (oh hell)....took a full minute to walk in the 3rd mile (9:03) just to pull my HR down a little bit. Overall it felt pretty good. Had some shin issues just before it, left leg, upper 1/3 of the inside of my shinbone. Not a great thing...but didn't bother me during the run. Pleased with the effort and the time.
Took Sunday off to actually spend some time with Dan! Had a great afternoon/evening.
Monday was supposed to be a super brick (2x30 bike, 2x10 run) but I just turned into a 1:30 ride to ride off a crappy attitude and some frustration. Covered a little over 26 miles in 1:27. Helped quite a bit and felt a little better about the world. Wasn't entirely comfortable the entire time, pushed my legs a bit.
Tuesday morning SHOULD have been a run - but I bailed. Thinking as I woke up that - with the weather really heating up at the end of this week, some other hard workouts planned and the long race, it would do me better to just go with the flow and save some energy.
Wednesday we did the "girl's ride" - all 4 of us were a little "less than zesty" at the beginning, but riding together always seems to help us feel better and get things out. W says riding with us has made her a better rider. That's a good thing.
Tonight's track workout could be the most interesting thing yet. T's in charge of coming up with the workout for tonight to shake things up...the current drizzly, wet weather makes me think it could be more painful than normal!! Stay tuned....
July 2, 2009
The Little Headache that Could
I've had a headache for 3 days...have managed to keep it relatively subdued for 2.5 of them...unfortuantely, this thing seems to be slipping slightly out of control at the moment and might just kill anyone within a 10ft radius. I decided to not do the workout last night in hopes of outsmarting this thing....alas I think I just pissed it off.
Should be an entertaining track workout. Really, I'll run in circles and my head will pop off and roll alongside....
Should be an entertaining track workout. Really, I'll run in circles and my head will pop off and roll alongside....