End of the World, no, End of Training, YES!

GAME TIME!  RACE DAY!

Tomorrow at 8:18ish I step in the water.  Sorry Larren, JUMP IN!  I am ready.  Not to win.  To compete and complete.

I am anxious, yet confident.  Petrified yet, fired up.

I am going in a just another of hundreds of entrants.  However, what I represent is unique. I represent:

God, sorry but, yes, I would say it in my speech.
Little David
Fat Head/Spanky
My awesome family who is excited for me.  That energizes me.  Thanks.

Nobody can say that.  So, here we go.  My thank you's need to come now.  I'm not going to be on some platform excepting awards so, they come now.  The completion of all you have given me.

Thanks, Darla, Tabor, Tate, Taney, Rochelle, Kerry, M&D, Jer/Car, John Allen, & Greg.  So many have given me support through words and that means more than you know.  Thank you all also.

Enough. Time to hit

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE

My Struggle to Juggle

Not that I don't know how to juggle. Well, three items.  But, when I step it up to 6 or 7, forget it.  So, I have dropped a ball or two.  One ball has been the blog.  Time to pick it up now.  Sparknotes version.

Bad #1-At minute 72 of an uneventful 75 minute bike ride, I have cleat problems and comfortably fall into the grass on the side of the road.  No big deal.  Except that somehow out of 72 minutes of error free cycling as I fall for what, 15 seconds, at that very moment, MY WIFE DRIVES BY.  Giggling as she sees that I'm safe.  How does that happen?

Bad #2-Two weeks later.  Time for an easy bike ride.  RIGHT.  I am 2 minutes in and something feels unusual in the movement on my left pedal.  10 seconds later, the entire pedal and crankarm comes off.  Stuck to my cleat.  How does that happen?

Finally

Good #1-Time for another brick run.  50 minute ride, 15 minute run.  NO CRAMPS.  NO FETAL POSITION to recover.  I can do this.

Good #2- I went to the scene of the race today.  As I surveyed the routes, I became extremely anxious.  Then, at some point, calm and ready.

This week of training is what is commonly referred to as tapering.  Intensity and duration of the workouts are significantly less.  I've determined that it may very well be less about preparing your body, as it is a chance to prepare your mind.  Whatever the case, I'm working on both, because

6 more days until

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE

What the CRAMP!!

OMGoodness.  Today's workout was a 45 minute bike ride followed by a 10 minute run.  This is called a brick workout.  Supposedly because you are "stacking" two workouts on top of each other.  My theory is that it is because it felt as though someone was throwing bricks at me as I ran.

The bike ride was awesome.  I am just beginning to get a feel for "Little David" and this bike is sweet. I even used the clips today  Look, no blood.

However, there's the other part of the workout.  Immediately after getting off the bike, I transitioned into running shoes, jumped up an realized I was attempting to run, but not much forward motion.  Picture this.  Marionettes bouncing around in place, awkwardly flopping their feet on the ground as the strings only pulled them up and down.

As I busted out my best Fred Flintstone start, my feet eventually got under me and I got rolling.  This was only to be followed by a bigger crisis  At approximately 7 minutes, I felt it.  Quadriceps cramps.  Both legs.

Being the superior stupid athlete that I am, I pushed on.  As I arrived back at the house, no one was home.  Normally not a big deal.  However, today, this was a problem.  Garage door was closed and I needed in, for warmth and to be saved from the embarrassment that was to come.  As long as I knelt, the cramps subsided.  As soon as I stood, both legs locked in a horrifically painful position. So, reaching the garage door opener became one of those movie moments when the martyr hero reaches, on death's edge, for the button that will destroy him and all of the evil around him.  Except I didn't make it.  Instead, I was left to recover in a rotated fetal position in my driveway as cars drove by.  My only consolation.  No one stopped and I recovered before my family arrived  So, they will now be reading this for the first time  Enjoy, at my expense.

But just know, after finding this new level of pain, and seeing what my body can handle, I am focused to push on for

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE!

Little David

It is with a heavy heart that I have delayed but now must make this post. I have mentioned in this blog that a friend of mine was building me a bike.  Sadly,  David Marshall Walker, Owner and Operator of Centruy Bikes passed away on March 10, 2011.  He lived a challenged yet full life dedicated to committing all out to every adventure he pursued.  Getting Century Bikes off and running was his passion. And what a passion it was.  He had just finished building a bike that I was to use as a promotional tool for Century Bikes in my race.  The family, some of the best friends a man could have, made the decision that the bike should be mine.  WHAT AN AMAZING HONOR!!  This bike is simply phenomenal.  Remarkably lightweight, aerodynamic and just BAD.  As I learn more about it and "get to know it", I am seeing more and more that it represents the Christian man that built it.  Solid.  Quiet.  Durable.  Complete.

As I rode last week I looked down at that Century Bike logo and thought of the only appropriate tribute to a bike that has taken on the much too short life of its designer. Inscribed on that crossbar will be the new name of my bike, "Little David".

Another powerful dedication for me to pursue

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE!

Time For a Bath

I have been feeling several things recently.  Sluggish, uncomfortable, out-of-shape.  So, what gives?  I have been working out regularly, still on my path.  But, man I'm frustrated.

Got it.

Time for a bath.  I need to cleanze my body.  So, beginning tomorrow, I am going to focus on getting my diet in order, AGAIN.  Here is the plan to take me into race date. 

Whittle down the carb intake.
Ramp up the fruits throughout the day.
Modify the evening meal.  Emphasize the veggies. And make it colorful.
Nuts!
Stop when I need to stop.

This is the only element that stands my way toward

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE!

Me vs. ???????

Just registered for my Triathlon. No turning back now. I also looked at some times for my "advanced" age group. Seem a little intimidating. However, I need to get a grip on the fact that I have no one to beat. I am doing this to take the challenge. This is also the case with about 80% of those that will be with me that day. From what I understand, there is a ton of encouragement, support and praise coming from all sides once the race is on. I have never been one to need this for motivation, but just to know I am with others pushing their physical limits on an early Sunday morning, gives me assurance that my biggest rival is not going to be the man or woman standing beside me at the start line.

My biggest rival will be that voice telling me "Train tomorrow. Its too late today!"

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE!

20x20x20

Today's plan gave me a chance to simulate a little mini meet.  So, I swam 20 minutes (800+ yards), 20 minute bike (no clue how far) and a 20 minute run (2 ish miles).  Felt good after swim and bike.  Run was sluggish and ugly.  Post workout? First, I was completely starved.  Ate like a pig for the next two hours.  And, I just couldn't recover. In hindsight, I think it was all about hydration.  I should have loaded up on the water a little more.  But, I made it.  One more step on the way to.....

The Lake.  The Road.  The Path.
Three fights, One Victory!  BREATHE!