A Long Road to Travel, the First Step Taken

It wasn't a matter of if, but a matter or when I would register for Ironman Louisville, 2011. Yesterday I asked Maggie if one day would be better than another for me to spend the long dollar on the event. She encouraged me to get on it, so when I finally had a chance yesterday, I went on-line and visited the Ironman Louisville website.
I knew emotionally and mentally things would change once I finally clicked the "finish" button on my entry. The next thing I saw was Congratulations, you are officially entered into the 2011 Ironman Louisville. I thought, "Ok, I'm in. It's real. I'm officially headed down The Road to Ironman Louisville, 2011."

Balancing on a Thread

Another long run in the books to get to the Great Turtle 1/2 Marathon. For the most part it went fairly well, but toward the end...it got a little sketchy.
I expected my right Achilles tendon to be tight and sore the entire run...and it was. I anticipated possible calf tightness and it came on about 3/4 of the way into the run. I planned on running a negative split 10-mile run...and I did. What I wasn't planning on was my left Achilles tendon getting as tight as it did within two miles of the end of my run.
Because I decided I would only run twice a week and cycle on the days I don't run, I had to make my run count. I kept the pace I had set for my return trip, which was faster than the first half of my run. I didn't quite hobble into my driveway at the end of my run, but I was very close to it. I realize I'm operating on a thread here and certainly it is not preferred, but I think I can do this balancing act well enough to get me through my only fall race.
Hangin' on.
Peace.

The Gray-Season's Random Thoughts

I'm in that weird, I'm still in reasonably good shape, but it's eveident I'm losing fitness phase, gray area between in-season and off-season. This gray-season is different this year because I'm trying to heal and yet train enough to maintain fitness that will be sufficient for getting me across the finish line in a respectable time at the Great Turtle 1/2 Marathon in October.
What is the gray-season anyway? I'm not real sure. I've never really called it that before. Well, since I'm calling it that now, I should probably define it. The gray-season seems to be this gateway between what was and what is to be. It's the time when I'm adjusting my persona back to Mr. Wilkinson, third grade teacher, from Sam Wilkinson, triathlete. Well, I pause to admit that neither is separated from the other, but one makes its way to the forefront more readily at different times of the year than the other. Nevertheless, during this time I tend to look forward and generally with optimism and anticipation. I'm looking forward to lifting weights and doing ab work. I'm looking forward to not thinking about any events on the immediate horizon. I'm looking forward to easing back, taking time off, and then rebuilding again. The gray-season's not so bad, it's just...well...gray.
Right now,my right Achilles is giving me the most grief, but during my last run, which was yesterday, I noticed my left Ahcilles wanting in on the action. Furthermore, my calves were a little tighter than usual. Ok, so I'm completely swamped at school and exhausted at home, and I haven't made time to roll my calves with the foam roller. I can't imagine that has anything to do with it.
Admitedly, I had a great run last weekend. I pushed the pace, mostly to see what would happen, and it turned out pretty darn well. Yeah, my Achilles was a bit tight at first, but it settled down...pretty much. My lungs, heart, and legs (by and large) felt good, and I averaged 6:35's for roughly 8 miles. I'm not gonna' lie, it put a grin on my grill. I'm hoping I can have a similar experience this weekend, but we'll see.
I had "Frank Duty" tonight, but it was cool. I like to hang out with Frank, but our activities are somewhat limited. However, it was a hot day and we hadn't gone for a kayak ride in a long time, so I offered it up and we hit the lake. We encounterd a blue heron roosted on the same log as a good-sized painted turtle. Painted? Painter? Well, you know what I mean, Michigan's State Reptile. It was a relaxing cruise along our normal route. The sun was setting and the were only a couple of random boats cruising by, so we mostly had the lake to ourselves. It was rather relaxing and we enjoyed ourselves for sure.
I had a moment of inspiration while we were gliding along the lake's east shoreline, right near my turn-around for my usual 1.2 mile swim. I thought, "I'm ready for this. I'm ready to take on my 1.2 mile, out-and-back course times two. I welcome the challenge. It's going to be great!" Then I looked around a moment to see who was thinking those thoughts. Did I just think that? Wow! The guy who just about swore off long course triathlon is inspired and thinking positive. Fantastic!
It's funny how sometimes even gray can be inspiring.
Peace.

Crawling out of the Darkness and Down the Road

Sure, not much time has passed, and I recognize this, but I've had time to analyze my results more carefully and to really think about what happened this past weekend.
When going into Tawas I thought I would probably finish in the 5:15-5:20 range. However, even though I expected this, I secretly hoped I would finish under five hours. As it turned out, I couldn't have it both ways. I had to either be in-it-to-win-it or be prepared to be lackluster. When I went into Tawas it was after a solid effort at the Timberman, Ironman 70.3 which was my focus all year long and Tawas then became an afterthought. This in turn meant my heart was not in it. I simply banked on my ability and experience to get me through another race. Even when I had my doubts, in the back of my head, I held a lingering thought that said, "Dude, you can do this...just show up and do it." The truth was however, that I never really believed it. This was both arrogant and presumptuous. I disrespected my sport and the distance by thinking I could just have my cake and eat it too without being fully committed to success.
I don't know that I really expected a walk in the park performance like just another day, yet at the same time, I sort of did. The idea wasn't based on facts or any real-world evidence. I just thought it, yet I never really bought into it. In some ways I expected myself to just come through one more time, but I knew better.
Tawas was not an event I was going after and I was humbled...and appropriately so. My triathlon efforts and the half ironman distance deserved more respect and I turned my nose like it was nothing worth really paying much attention to and I got what I deserved.
None of this is to say, "Poor me". This is to say, "Wake up! Shut up! Put your head up! And pick yourself up!"
After looking over my results (see the race report link above) and seeing that my time was indeed what I expected (5:17 and some change)and realizing my heart and mind were not in the event, I started to conclude that it is not over. I am not done. And I will come back because the Ironman is still calling my name. It is calling me back saying, "Toe the line brutha', but bring it all. Bring your heart and bring your mind, and bring your soul, and you will you find what you seek."
My friend Ryan e-mailed me a few moments ago and he reinforced what I was starting to belive. However, I needed to hear it from someone like him. In so many words he told me to look at what I did this year in triathlon and take notice and don't take it lightly. Take stock and be glad for what I accomplished. He said that I should not dwell on the one event in my season that I considered to be a poor showing and believe that it defines me. He reminded me that I am capable and that he believes in me and that I should believe in me too. He's right and I needed to hear that from him. That's what friends are for. So in my hour of percieved darkness, he helped me see the light! Can I get an Amen?
So out of the darkness I have already begun to rise up! I am crawling now, but I am crawling back my friends! My eyes are now focused and my sights are now set square on the road ahead. I know the road will have twists and turns. I know the road though it may be smooth, will have occasional pot holes. But I know it is the road I must travel:
The Road to Ironman Louisville 2011.
...Another Amen if you please.

Peace.

Humbled and Rethinking

My mantra this year has been Putting the Lumber to Personal Challenges. That idea came from a time when I was listening to the radio during last year's football season and the sports-talk host referred to a team that "Really put the lumber..." to another team. I thought that was a clever way of saying "Giving a thumping" or "Throttling someone" or the like. Well the irony is that yesterday at the Tawas Triathlon Festival, I did the 1/2 iron distance event and it put the lumber to me.
During the run I was walking because my energy stores were low, my mental toughness level was non-existant, my right Achilles tendon was tight and sore, and the top of my foot had hints of "stress fracture". During that time I began to really question whether or not I am cut out for long distance triathlon.
This past season I mostly did short course events and I found success. I consistently performed in the top tier of the competition. These were red-lining, hard efforts, but they were exhilerating. However when the race distances increased, my relative performance decreased.
This is not to say that I don't find satisfaction and a sense of accomplishement when I perform in long distance events, it's just that I'm not as strong in these events. It's difficult because although I enjoy the experience of a half ironman and of an Ironman because of their difficulty, they really beat me up and I get spanked by a good portion of the field.
Now, this brings me back to the conversation of how "success" is defined. There is obvious external success such as placing in the top ten overall and/or top three in my age-group, but there is also internal success in simply accomplishing a difficult goal like finishing a half or full Ironman, never mind my place or time. This is not to say I don't experience internal success when also achieving external success.
Over the next few hours, days, and weeks to come, I will be weighing these things. I need to consider if having Ironman as my main focus next year is the right choice for me or not.
So, what does this mean for The Road to Louisville? Well, I'm not sure yet. Right now my thougts are all conflicting. I'm not sure if I should focus on short course and Olympic distance events again next year and maybe insert a 1/2 ironman, or to look at a path that will lead me to Louisville again next August. Maybe I will find a balance involving both. This is all very uncertain to me right now. What I know is that I was humbled yesterday to the point that these issues are something I really need to contemplate.
I was anticipating changing this site the The Road to Louisville as early as tomorrow, but now I can tell you it won't be that soon.

I'll work on a race report hopefully today, but if not, later this week for the Tawas event.

Peace.

Shots in the Arm

One way to build confidence is to do something rather than pout and eat cookies. So, Sunday's long ride was a good shot in the arm. I chiseled out a 50+ mile ride, averaging slightly over 21 mph. This does not provide me with superstar status, but it proved to me that I could still ride reasonably well for a long-ish ride.
This morning I swam 1.2 miles. It was a little choppy at first, but the water settled later. I swam a decent time and again got a shot in the arm.
Not long after I swam, I pulled on my shoes on and took on a 10.4 mile run. I started out conservatively, and all the while monitoring my trouble spots (left calf, right Achilles Tendon, right foot, and hips). Ok, when I type it out it seems more like Santa's Naughty and Nice List more so than a Make sure these pieces and parts don't fall off list.
Anyway, as predicted, my left calf was a tad tight and my right Achilles joined the party. My hope was that they would either iron themselves out and be fine, or not get any worse. As my run continued, the tightness and soreness either settled down a bit or I got better at ignoring it, but thank goodness it wasn't getting any worse.
I had battled the wind for the first half of the run, so when I turned around I felt the sweet reward of a tailwind. This and a slight downhill inspired me to pick up my pace with little more effort than what I was producing on the way out.
I decided to attempt to hold this new pace the rest of the way back, but had to continue to monitor my trouble spots. I felt pretty light and smooth, which is a feeling I didn't expect to experience on this run and it was quite welcome. To my amazement, my body held out, I kept the pace I adopted on my return trip and ran a solid negative-split run. I averaged 6:54 per mile and it was yet another shot in the arm.
When I got home, I limped down to the lake and plopped myself into the chilly water to wash away my sweat and pain. The good news is that I left my sweat behind. I limped back up the house to eat breakfast, ice, and recover further.
I'm feeling much better about my chances at the Tawas, 1/2 Iron distance triathlon coming up this weekend. And by chances, I mean of finishing in a respectable time without doing any additional damage to myself.
So, I'm out of my slump and back to imagining a successful day on the course in Tawas!

Who Needs a Chocolate Chip Cookie?

Ok, I'll put it out there. I'm feeling like a slug lately. Well, that's probably not true. A slug, albeit plump-looking and remarkably slow, probably doesn't feel fat, slow, and out of shape, it likely just feels...normal.
I can't seem to stop making poor food choices...just a minute, I need to go get another chocolate chip cookie...ok, I'm back. As I was saying, I make a commitment to myself daily to make better food choices and stay away from junk. Did I mention I took my two-year-old to McDonald's last night? Yeah, I had a grease-ball burger and a large fry to go thank you very much. Pass the salt would you?
My running fitness seems to be dwindling. I can't imagine why. After Timberman I've been spending more time doing 20-minute ice repeats for my Achilles than 400-800 meter repeats on the track.
This has been my best season of time trial training on my bike, yet today was lackluster. It could have been the wind, but I'm thinking it's just that I suck. It seemed like a lazy, fat-boy kind of effort. Sheesh!
Swimming is in fact a bright point. I had one of my fastest swim splits for 1.2 miles yesterday, but I think I swam a little farter out, which may have cut some yardage, which means it was likely just average-ish.
So, there it is fat, slow, and slug-like.
I know what you're thinking so I'll just say it for you:
"C'mon, you are SO not fat, you're fine."
"You could kick MY butt running, you're fine."
"It was a windy day cycling today, give yourself a break, you're fine."
"You were probably close enough to your swim course that it wouldn't even matter, you're fine."
...How's that? Close?
I'm in a slump...kind of. I'm a little banged up and I'm being cautious, so I'm running less and not fast. That's just being smart and treating my body wisely. However, the fact that I was able to do more track workouts this year than in a long time, I believe it really made a big difference in my running, cycling, and overall performance in triathlon. I felt strong, fast, and light. It was a good feeling. I like that feeling. I WANT that feeling. THAT feeling is NOT being in a slump.
I have 70.3 miles of swimming, cycling, and running to cover next weekend in E. Tawas, Michigan. I should be good on the swim. I should be fine on the bike. I want to be fine...and good on the run, but I'm nervous about my pieces and parts falling off and then being DQ'd for littering.
"The Achilles tendon you left out on the course caused a runner to slip and hurt himself," the official will say, "And the bone fragment from your foot that you left roadside caused a flat tire for one of our later finishing cyclists".
DOH!!!
I know, doom and gloom is what doom and gloom does. So, I've been working on this. I've been trying to imagine myself gliding through the waters of Lake Huron to a wonderful swim finish. I've been trying to imagine myself hammering along on the bike to a killer bike split. I've been trying to imagine myself running with a pain free, smooth, comfortable stride leading me into the finish line healthy, strong, and fulfilled. I've been trying to imagine myself only needing a week to recover before looking forward to the Great Turtle 1/2 Marathon on Mackinac Island, in October. It's time to get back to that. It's time to be positive. It's time to rise above my setback. It's time to let the sun shine in!
...It's time for another chocolate chip cookie!!!