The Search For A Calm, Quiet Place

Taper is almost done.

Race week is here.

Deposits in the training bank have been made over the past 6 months, and it's almost time to make a big withdrawal.

Yes, my friends it is almost time to jump in the water and begin my first journey in the world of Ironman racing. I've done my best to shut off my mind, and seem to have accomplished it over this past weekend. Last night, however, that wasn't the case. I found myself laying wide awake at 4am wondering about the weather, transitions, other riders on the bike course, and the tail end of the marathon. I did manage to subdue these thoughts long enough to fall back asleep as today was rest day and I was able to sleep "late" till 6:15am.

I think that will be my main struggle this week. Not the reduced workouts. Not the extra time. Above all, I am realizing that my battle this week will be with trying to calm my mind. To find a quiet place, relax, and be confident that I've prepared enough will seem impossible at times this week. Despite that I must keep telling myself, "You've put in the work. You're ready for this. Relax."

In that spirit I've decided to post a few motivational pictures/phrases that I've used over the past months to help me stay focused on the main goal and realize that I will cross that finish and I will be able to push my body further than I ever thought possible. For all of you preparing to take the field of battle with me on Sunday, I leave you with the same advice. I've seen you all out there training hard, day after day. You've got this. We've got this. It's almost time. Relax.

The Build Is Over. Taper Time Is Here!

A Few Random Thoughts From My Scrambled Brain...

I had to look at my training schedule more than once over the past week. No, it wasn't because I the number of hours for my bike ride was so high. It wasn't because I saw my schedule and knew that I would be a stranger to my wife and puppy for yet another weekend. It was because the "long" weekend training sessions weren't that long anymore. Then I looked ahead to the following weekend's schedule. Same result. That could only mean one thing: Taper time had officially arrived.

I've heard some people talk about going through "taper-tantrums" and feeling increased anxiety during the slow reduction in training volume that leads up to a long distance race. Thankfully, I have experienced none of this. I have instead viewed this time as an opportunity to recover, rest, reconnect, and mentally prepare for the monumental task that lies only 13 days from now. 13 days. That number seems so low when I think about the first time I counted how far away this race was.

During my down time I have found myself reflecting on the journey up to this point. Rarely do questions like --

"Did I train enough?".... "Have I forgotten something I need for race day?".... (and my favorite) "What can go wrong on race day?"

-- pop into my head, but once they do I simply reach into my memory over the past 6 months and recall instances where I know those questions have already been answered. If I don't find an answer I just throw it into the category of "beyond my control" and move on.

Day after day passes. Race day gets closer. And much to my surprise, the more excited I get. This is what it's all about. The hard work, the blood, sweat, and tears, the absence from family, and the dollars invested. It's all leading up to race day and I couldn't be more ready to jump in that water, start swimming, and finish this journey that at first glance seemed impossible.

I've made so many friends along the way, seen many of them go through hardships, and some of them not be able to make the starting line due to injuries. We have all been united in our struggles and triumphs throughout training, and it will be no different on race day. Everyone has earned the right to race. To dream. To try. I consider it a privilege to have taken this journey with you all, and I can't wait to high-five, hug, and bask in the feeling of accomplishment with you at the finish line.

See you all soon.

Training Week In Review: Week 24 (Just Rolling With It)

This week was solid with some great hill workouts on my mid-week run, and some quality time in the pool. I won't bore you with the little details of each workout, but leading into the weekend I was feeling very good and ready to tackle 2 laps of the Ironman Chattanooga bike course.

Long Bike = New Milestone + Questions Answered

All our bikes lined up at a water stop.

This weekend would bring my biggest test on the bike to date. On the schedule: 105mi on the Ironman Chattanooga Course. This would be not only my longest ride, but my first century ride. Ever. Needless to say I was excited and a little curious about how my legs would hold up.


We rolled out of the Bi-Lo parking lot around 8:15 and it was a pleasant 72°. There were about 10 in our group this time and we had decided to stick together until we turned off Hwy 193 as it is a busy highway and we wanted safety in numbers. The new stretch of 193 that we rode today (due to a course change earlier in the week) was much nicer than Old Chattanooga Rd. The road was much smoother and was either flat or a slight rise that didn't impact speed or effort in the least. We set out at a more aggressive pace than usual, but I felt good and knew I could push through if I really started feeling tired later in the day. The first 25 miles passed quickly and we pulled in to a gas station for our first stop on the course. I had planned to bring enough nutrition to only refill at a couple of the stops as I'm planning on stopping twice on race day to replenish water and Infinit. We were back on course after a few minutes and making good time. We were cruising along and made the first big climb before Hog Jowl Rd. with ease. We rolled through the next 25 miles until we rolled over a hill and instantly slowed at what we saw ahead.

There was an ambulance on the right side of the road and several cyclists standing next a fence over a cyclist laying on in the grass. We decided to stop and make sure everyone was going to be ok. The cyclist that had wrecked was being loaded onto a back board and their head was being taped down to immobilize them. It looked pretty bad, but there was only 1 involved in the wreck. After a couple of minutes we decided to keep going, but there was a definite effect to witnessing the aftermath of that wreck on all of us. The next few miles were ridden in total silence. We all focused on the road ahead and I'm sure were all thinking at some point, "that could have been me". It's a humbling reminder that while we love what we do, it has it's dangers and that every day we can ride is a blessing.

We rolled into the edge of Chickamauga and made our second stop at the gas station most cyclists have been visiting during training rides. I refilled one of my bottles and mixed in a pouch of Infinit before we headed back out. This stretch through Chickamauga was a little intense as it's apparent the motorists in this area are over having cyclists share their roads during training. We were honked at, cursed at, flipped off, etc. as we made our way through town on this 5 mile section of the course. We all stayed single-file, and were in a group of 3 and then 7 with a break in the middle. We didn't respond to the drivers and just focused on pedaling to get through this stretch.

My riding buddies Reiko and Ashley.

We got to the split for turning to start the second lap or heading home and today, unlike my other rides, we turned to start the second lap. My legs were in a good place as I never felt like I had overexerted them on any of the climbs in the first lap. The second lap passed much like the first, but the wind had picked up by the time we reached mile 70. It was getting a little warm now, but I kept hydrating as my plan directed and that kept me well fueled. Before I knew it, we were stopping at the gas station in Chickamauga again and I refilled my bottles once again. I was ready to head back to the parking lot, but not because I was tired. 93 miles is a long time on a bike and seeing the same scenery for a second time in the same day was beginning to get a little boring. We reached the split and opted to take a side road back towards the parking lot to avoid the now very busy Hwy 193. The final few miles on Tennessee Ave are always deceiving as I never remember that the entire stretch is uphill for almost 2 miles. We rolled into the parking lot having totaled 106mi at a 17.5 mph moving average (my fastest to date on this course) and my legs felt good and ready to run, but that wasn't on the schedule for the day. I grabbed a chocolate milk and hit the road back home. Garmin track for bike course: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/578865891

Remembering Just To Roll With It

Tow truck showed up just after massive storm.

This next section has nothing to do with training, but I felt it was important to share as it is a chance to remember to keep things in perspective during this journey. I was about halfway home and cruising down I-75 when my car just stopped accelerating. I quickly made my way over to the side of the road and by the time I was safely on the shoulder my car was completely dead. After a few phone calls, a visit from my Uncle to try and jump me off, and a final visit from my dad (who was on his way back home from a cruise) I had my car towed home where my mom and wife were waiting for my dad and I. We arrived at 8pm (after leaving Chattanooga at 3:45) and was just happy to be home where I could shower, change out of my tri-suit, and get some food. We'd look at the car later as we were all just ready to call it a day. (End result of car diagnostic the next day: Not the battery, alternator, starter, or alarm system - basically it had to go to a shop for further analysis) After this whole weekend I tried my best to put things in perspective. I wasn't sick. I wasn't hurt. I completed my biggest workout with great results. I am blessed.

Know When To Push and When to Back Off

My long run on Sunday morning was a struggle to convince myself to get out of bed and get it done. I hadn't eaten dinner until 9:40pm the night before (and it was Wendy's so very high on the health scale too... NOT) and was running on less sleep than normal with worries about my car running through my head, but I got up and got to it. I cut my run a few miles short, but I knew that it wasn't because my legs were too tired, it's because I was too tired. I still got in 10 miles with some hills, and was ready to spend some time with my parents before they headed home later in the day. On the schedule: a much needed breakfast at Cracker Barrel. After eating I felt so much better and knew that I would be able to rest up later in the day.

Weekly totals: Swim - 5000m • Bike - 142mi • Run - 16.57mi