TRI4FREEDOM

Busy, Busy

2008-04-18T19:25:00.001-07:00

Life is busy and if you blink you'll miss it. I am on days these two weeks and it seems that time goes by so quickly i don't have time to think let alone post. I've done a good job staying on top of my training and being flexible enough that I can remain married throughout. More to come...

Run shop angers me

2008-04-10T20:39:00.001-07:00

So I bought a fuel belt at a local run shop that will remain nameless (tortoise and the hare) Used it twice and the eyelet popped off that secures the tension cords to hold your bottles in. Anthow, back to the store I go, figure that this is going to be straightforward, right? Wrong! I had to leave it with the girl and then the owner calls me yesterday ( a week later) to tell me that there nothing he can do, these things happen. I've only owned the 50 dollar belt for two weeks!!!!!!!!What the hell does he mean these things happen.

Oh Well, I'm going to email Fuel Belt tommorow with a picture and my tale of woe and see what they can do.

2008-04-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

What an awesome weekend. My little princess was absolutely gorgeous at her ice show last night. It was quite a show with the little ones that did little more than just walk on their skates. The feature skater of the night (other than my six year old) was fourteen years old and has been skating for 12 years. That type of dedication gives hope for the new generation.

I did my first brick outside of the year. Just a short little 1:20 bike followed by a 20 minute run. I think I almost forgot how tough it is to run on junk legs. My coach seems to have a heavy bike plan for me the next month which is ok because doing a half marathon followed by a 30k a couple weeks later had me needing a little break from lots of running.

I have officially broken up with discussing, referring to or even thinking about swimming. I will still do it but then will go into strict denial that I swam that day. It is kind of like eating veggies as a child, I know its good for me but that doesn’t make it any easier.

That’s a picture of my daughter up top.

Great Day Today

2008-04-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

The weather outside is awesome and I called in sick to work today. My oldest daughter had the practice for her skating show on Saturday night and pictures afterwards. She looked like a little angel in her costume with her hair all done up. I was very proud that she managed to stay clean for at least twenty minutes.

Earlier in the day I went for an hour or so towing my littlest on in the bike trailer around town. Still a little chilly but she loved it. I think as my workouts increase some of my low zone bike work will have to be done this way simply to accomodate our work schedule. It isn't fast but it is one hell of a workout on my legs.

BTW I frickin hate swimming

Race Report

2008-04-02T08:28:00.001-07:00

30k Around the Bay, (the oldest road race in North America as it is billed) was awesome. My brother and I went up on Saturday and the race went off as planned on Sunday at 9:30 sharp. This was the first race I’ve done with thousands of people and it was pretty neat. The organization of this race was unbelievable. My time was 2:52 which was a little off of my goal time but was I did successfully accomplish was to negative split all three 10k splits. The last 10 are on rolling hills that are brutal and it was my fastest 10k of the day at 56:00 so I was happy that I was disciplined enough to have some gas left in the tank at the end. My brother did at 3:24 and was very happy that he knocked 5 minutes off his half marathon time at the 21k mark.

Just got back in from a 1 hour bike ride and man am I slow. It was all zone 1-2 EZ riding but when you get used to the trainer and spin bikes at the gym, riding on the road in those zones for me is like going in reverse. Felt good even though it was friggin cold today.

My coach just sent me my months worth of workouts and I do believe that the work is beginning to ramp up a little bit for triathlon season. Lots of one hour this followed by 30 minute that etc. I may have to sedate my lovely wife when she hears about some of the longer bricks later in the year.

Oh yeah, I hate swimming.

Dave

One week to go

2008-03-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

My 30k race is next weekend and I think I'm ready. I've been training hard and sticking to my HR zones that my coach has prescribed for me. Did my final long run today of 2:45 in the friggin snow no less. Managed to get in two outdoor bike rides this week of one hour each. Froze my feet off because I didn't know how vented my new shoes were. I was laughing out loud at myself because my chain came off and as I coasted to a stop I forgot to unclip for some reason. The car driving by must have roared to see a guy simply tip over on his road bike with aero bars. It certainly felt good to get out on the road and although I didn't set any land speed records it was a great change of pace from spin bikes and my new trainer.

Speaking of my bike, I go for a bike fit on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it because since putting the aero bars on it I am too stretched out and need to shorten the stem. I am going to talk to my LBS and see if I'd be better off with a forward angle post in order to get a closer tri geometry bike.

Anyhow,

Dave

Spring has Sprung!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

It may be too early to tell but Spring may be arriving. Kona Shelley must be mad that when she leaves for Cuba, the snow melts and I'm out running in just a long sleeve tech shirt (with pants of course). It is refreshing to see others running as well. I can get awful lonely sometimes when it gets dark by 5:30 and I'm the only living thing that is running that has not commited a crime. It is nice to finish a run and not look like Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber when they get off the mini bike (do a google image search if you haven't seen it ). It is simply nice not to be frickin cold.

Riding on a trainer....what can I say. The best thing about riding on a trainer is that it makes me long to be running on a treadmill at my gym. I discovered that at least at the gym, there is always people watching to amuse myself with when I'm on a long run indoors. In my living room, with the kids in bed and dear wife at work, TV doesn't cut it. The people I bought the trainer from gave me good idea. Watch a hockey game (or whatever sport you like) and do things like sprint from whistle to whistle or out of the saddle for the whole power play. Last night there wasn't any hockey games on so I tried to sprint in between stupid things being said while watching the Apprentice. This I do not recommend because there is pretty well always something stupid being said on the Apprentice.

Later

Dave

Long Run

2008-03-13T15:36:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had to do my long run. 2:15 at the top of zone 2. I had to go to Windsor anyhow so I decided to run there for a change of pace. Got dressed in a bathroom of a gas station (my wife hates when I run errands in my tights) strapped on my trusty Garmin and Low Battery flashes in my face. I Truly believe it was Karma because just last week I teased my friend Jane for not having charged hers for the Spring Thaw. Oh Well.

Swam this morning and will do a trainer ride tonight. My better half is working for the next few days so it's daddy daycare for me.

Later

Dave

Lots going on

2008-03-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

Got myself a new trainer for my bike. Thanks to Ironcouple from Amherstburg, they had one for sale and it was the right price so therefore it is now mine. Have ridden it twice now and holy crap do I sweat when I ride indoors. On the spin bikes at the gym the room is usually freezing from the air and I don't notice it as much but at home in the living room, I think I'm going to need a thicker mat.

Took the family out to Pelee Inn in Leamington on Sunday and Monday night. My wife has to work so we couldn't really go far. The kids loved it. They swam and swam and swam. It was great to get out of the house for a couple of days and enjoy each other. It is not a bad little place to go for the weekend if your kids are small. Much older than ours and they may be bored, but it was an awesome weekend.

Pelee Inn is hosting a half marathon in April. I'm not sure how this is going to fit into my race schedule but I am seriously considering it.

I hope to get to St Clair this week, I'm sick of dodging old people swimming the short way at the pool in my gym.

Later,

Dave

Spring Thaw 5k

2008-03-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

What a great day. The Running Factory in Windsor organized their 16th annual Spring Thaw 5k. Almost 400 registered 5k runners were on hand to cheer on the Kids Dash and kids 1k pre race. They call it the pre race show but it certainly seemed to me that there was a whole lot more cheering for them then there was for the adults lol. My daughter was spectacular in her first ever race and was beaming with pride upon receiving her medal. As I have stated before both of her parents make up an impressive collection of participant ribbons so the deck is stacked against her.

Impressively the 5k went off almost on schedule. The pack was really bunched up at the beginning of the race because the street we started on was fairly icy. After the first 400m however things sped up once we made the turn onto Riverside Drive. Lots of people running the out and back course gave me plenty of time for people watching and when we made the turn I got to see alot of people that I knew on my way back. Personally I had a good run with their time of 23:25 (My garmin had me at 23:00 for 3.14 miles but i digress). I got to see some people from swimming and from work so there was lots to do. My brother in law followed a RW couch to 5k program and finished with a wicked 26.35. Awesome job.
Had a great day
Dave

Bi Lateral Breathing for Dummies

2008-03-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

If they made a book like this, I would buy it, if only to identify myself as a dummy while carrying it with me. I was told today to start working on bi=lateral breathing. I was getting nice and comfortable doing it wrong, breathing out of one side only. I was quite happy with this bad habit. I worked hard to ingrain in deep inot my psyche, and today my little bubble burst. If you want to get better, do it right or don't do it.

I could not do more than 50m at a shot without my HR spiking and my frustration overflowing. I know it will get better and I know I will simply look at this as another bump in the road, but for today I want to whine and possibly focus on Duathalon.

All kidding aside however, training hard has taught me that the rewars for the work is always ten fold. I know that giving in weakens me mentally and that is not how someone that wants to be successful in triathalon trains. Sometimes the gains are easy but they are usually hard, but they are all worth it.

It drives me crazy

2008-02-29T17:13:00.000-08:00

I used to be one of them. A smoker, a drinker a fast food eater. Recently I had the unfortunate opportunity to have to work in close proximity to some of these people. I hate to be one of those people who complain about what I used to be but..........Do they not know that if you are working in a small office and you stink like smoke it may annoy people? Do they think if they are sneezing into their sleeve and hacking two feet away from others at a table, maybe a day off is in order. Complaining that you're sick and then continuing to smoke makes me want to scream..................anyhow,

Not a bad week really. I'm working with a person now that is helping me with my training and it is definitely interesting. This guy is a rock star triathlete and has me a great workout schedule, much more regimented than I'm used to with a lot more lower zone workouts. It's a new form of discipline for me.

Had a chance to meet a fellow blogger at swimming this week, check out his blog. Running2getfit
Not a whole lot to say today but I had to get my whining off my chest.

Dave

The beauty of rest days

2008-02-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhhh. Rest day. I usually enjoy my rest day and today was no different. On my rest days I usually do a little strength training and that's it. Tonight was simply 30 minutes of body weight exercises in my living room after the princesses had gone to bed.
I've already mentioned my 5k this weekend but I failed to mention that Olivia is running a kids dash. I think the running store said it's a 200m run. Each child that participates gets a medal. I will post pictures from the events next week.

Later

Dave

I've been tagged

2008-02-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

Just to let people know Ive been tagged by Cuencano in MO.

I guess now I'm supposed to list seven random things about myself.

1-I won a 6th place ribbon in eighth grade high jump.

2-My second toe is bigger than my big toe (therefore making big toe a misnomer)

3-Wonder if the other people I swim with pee in the pool because I'm the only one who seems to get out to go to the bathroom.

4-I have never been fired from a job

5-I proposed to my wife on our first date when she asked if I wanted to split a pitcher of beer.

6-I am adopted

7-Cried every day in kindergarden because I thought the bus would not come back to get me.

I am going to tag 7 very lucky people and they are in no particular order.

Shelley-
Triboomer-
Sara-
Joseph-
Kurt-
Donald-
craig

The rules of the game:

# Link to the person who tagged you.
# Post the rules on your blog.
# Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
# Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
# Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

Happy Birthday to my Wife

2008-02-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today was my wife's birthday. My poor darling had to work today, 12hrs. I got out of bed at 6 am to warm up her car. She is a labour and delivery nurse (a damn good one at that)and said it was one of her busiest days in memory. When she got home the two princesses were waiting for her at the door with presents in hand. Not a really fancy birthday but another one just the same.

Long run tommorow. Probably do 1:50 or so, at a slow pace. I'm trying something different on my long runs now. I'm doing 10 minute run and 1 minute walk. It really drives me batty because I feel that I'm going to slow but I know I'm laying down some big base. I have to do another long run this week, probably on Friday because I'm running a 5k next Sunday with my brother in law who just got into running. I'm looking forward to seeing if my tripled mileage from last year will improve my time.

I love running

2008-02-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

I really don't think there's much I enjoy as much as running. I just got back from a 1:05 zone 3.5 and lower run couldn't believe how great my life is. It's cold here, really cold but dressed properly, it's not bad. In my past life, a Friday night would have included a case of beer, pack of smokes and two buddies in my wood shop getting juiced and telling lies. There's nothing wrong with that I Guess if you don't mind missing life. I have two little girls that I prefer not to see there Dad as a drunken bum who smells like stale smoke.

Tonight I tucked the angels in, kissed my wife goodnight, and left for my run. I'm typing this now getting ready for bed, knowing tomorrow will be a great day. By great I mean no hangover, no hacking cough and no excuses to the princesses as to why I don't want to take them swimming.

God I love my life.

Dave

Kicking my core's ass

2008-02-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve discovered a program called Core Performance for the Endurance athlete. This book is kicking my ass. While I was reading the book over a week or so I thought to myself “Self, I may have wasted twenty bucks”. After the first time I put the program together however, I had a sweat going and core burn like there is no tomorrow. I have to tell you as well, I’m in pretty decent shape. I am fairly strict with my diet as well very dedicated towards my training. I need to tell you, this is 30 minutes well spent. The program is too complex to get into here but go to their site and see if you like.

Just one guys opinion.

Dave

5 AM

2008-02-19T01:56:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why masters groups swim at 5 AM?????????????? I'm off to become more fish like.

Had a great night out with my wife last night. Spent the evening talking about life and rarely mentioned the kids. The balance that is so important for me begins at home. As long as my wife is happy, my training and racing is not problematic. When it is getting in the when, that's my mental warning to get my head out of my selfish ass and check my priorities. Usually when that is done, everything rights itself again.

Later
Dave

The longest run

2008-02-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

The long run. If you add the word treadmill to that phrase it fills most of us with dread. The treadmill used to be my nemesis. My wife is a nurse who works 12 hour shifts with many weekends so many of my runs are on the treadmill. The gym has a daycare so if I’m going to run, I must run inside. I run in snow, as seen here in a Half Marathon last weekend in Sarnia Ontario, -30c with the windchill. I run in the heat, dark, morning or night. But I cannot run with my two beauties in tow.

The treadmill run used to beat me every time. I’d go out for 40 minutes and I’d run 32. I’d set out for a long run of 90 minutes and suddenly I would have a hamstring pull that would get me off the machine.

The treadmill runs were simply a continuation of my life full of half measures. If I am going to succeed at my endurance goals I must do things that I do not like. One day around six months ago I broke through. I did 1:50 on the treadmill and have never felt better. I defeated the dragon of doubt that crept into my brain whenever I revved up the treadmill. I felt like a new man. I beat the toughest person that I have to face when running; myself.

Today I did an easy 90 minutes. I went there to do 90 and did it. Another check in the spiritual growth column.

Dave

Welcome to my world

2008-02-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

Hello out there in Blogger Land. This is my new blog to track my progress (or lack thereof) in the sport of triathlon over the next year. I was bitten by the bug last year after finishing last in my AG at the Windsor triathlon. Somehow the fact that I finished last was what thrilled me the most. I have always been a person to who excels at most things I set out to do. This whole endurance thing has kicked my ass in the last year however.

A little about me, I quit smoking after 20 years on New Years Eve 2006. I was 40 pounds overweight and in terrible shape. I have two beautiful little girls and a gorgeous wife (whom I adore). For the majority of my life I was an asshole who took everything in my life for granted and almost lost it all because of that attitude. Around 5 years ago my view on life changed and now in the last year I have transformed physically as well. I lost the forty pounds (last body comp had me at 10.8 body fat) and discovered run, bike, swim, repeat.

Running has connected me spiritually more than any other activity in my life. When the stresses of life weigh on my shoulders, I find that each step on the road lightens the load. It allows me time to reflect on how lucky I am that I have a healthy family that loves me, a job and a little money in the bank.

Getting up at 5 am to swim with my group at the college reinforces a self discipline that lacked in my world my entire life. Setting an example for my children of how to live a healthy and HAPPY life is a miracle that I get to live every day.

The biggest thing that triathlon training is teaching me is for me to find peace in my training I must meet the needs of my family first, my training second. It is hard to train effectively when I know I sold my family short today in order to pursue this selfish sport.

I look forward to sharing more of myself over the coming months.

Dave