tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16698315191565340362024-03-12T18:04:11.919-07:00Ironman Lake Placid 2017ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-3403212796304281242017-08-06T20:40:00.000-07:002017-08-06T20:40:26.135-07:00IRONMAN LAKE PLACID 2017-RACE DAY<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Sometimes, just surviving is itself a victory.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">With all the training I did, I was hoping to break last years record of 15:39:10, but Ironman Lake Placid did not go as planned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"><u>Before the Race:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">I set the alarm for 5, but my body woke up at 4:45.</span></span></div>
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I popped my new contact lenses in, nibbled on some lox & grabbed my 12 year old for selfie.</div>
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I had no idea how fortunate I was that he was awake.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(?)</span></div>
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You'll see.</div>
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I prepped my three bottles of liquid nutrition. They still had to be placed on the bike.</div>
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I hugged the wife, prayed & slapped on my rub on tats.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(Why do you wear rub on tats?)</span></div>
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Finish an Ironman race, you've earned the right.</div>
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Bike Transition (t1) closed at 6 a.m. After that I would not be able to put all my nutrition on the bike.</div>
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So I timed my morning to get everything done at a "calm before the storm" pace.</div>
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5:45 I was in t1 put my three bottles into their holders on the bike. That's when I stood there in horror. I saw the 4 one was missing. This was the utility one with my spare bike tires.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(Aren't they called bike tubes?)</span></div>
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These are my insurance policy that no matter what happens, I will be able to finish the bike portion. With only 15 minutes left before they closed t1, I ran back to the hotel room. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">(So much for you calm before the storm)</span></div>
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I banged furiously the door. Time was running out & I was hoping my son was still awake.</div>
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I HAD TO HAVE THOSE SPARES.</div>
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My 12 year old opened the door & I ran in...it's not there.</div>
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I remember at that moment, I left the black canister of spare tires in my transition bag yesterday.</div>
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"Next time bring your own key!" He called out. I ran back to transition.</div>
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It was now 6:02, but security let me back in. Then I heard the officials calling out to us,</div>
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"We need everyone out of transition. The pros can't start until we sweep the area with bomb sniffing dogs."</div>
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WHA?</div>
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The canister of spares was right there in my transition bag.</div>
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Ugh!</div>
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I took it & ran towards my bike while the officials are telling everyone to head in the other direction. I reached the bike & inserted the canister into the bottle holder.<br />
First potential disaster of the day averted. I hoped that would be all...</div>
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Now it was time to get my pulse rate down. With my wetsuit sitting on my shoulder, I walked down the road to meet Ed at the swim start.</div>
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For the second year, my buddy Ed Lapa was volunteering.</div>
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Ed was trying to calm me down as I put on my wet suit. I put both feet through the sleeves</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(You're kidding)</span></div>
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Nope, you can't make this up. All I could hope is that things would start going right.</div>
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<u>THE SWIM:</u></div>
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When I did this race in 2016 I had a great swim (1:25) A not so great bike (7:55) & an amazing run.(5:59)</div>
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That was not to be this time around.</div>
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You put your face into murky lake water.</div>
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It is violent. Arms & legs are all around you.</div>
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This is not the calm of your lap pool. This is war.</div>
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This is the beach landings in Saving Private Ryan when the soldiers go over the side of the landing craft into the water.</div>
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One minute your ears are filled with the percussive sounds of water that reverberates like a bomb blast.</div>
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Next, you turn to breathe & the air is calm. I was repeatedly switching back and forth between two worlds.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(So, this is a triathlon. What did you expect?)</span></div>
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Last year I had more room. It is a rolling start, so you line up behind the pace holder who is holding a sign.</div>
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(1 hr 11 mins - 1 hr 20 mins) </div>
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I was boxed in on the swim by people who were all clawing for the front, like the Army of the Dead in Game of Thrones. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zn-cuoHG_T4/WYfUVVuAIpI/AAAAAAAAtK4/2tMUP2aVuwQoB8xPQDqtr-s1bAYp7WLgQCLcBGAs/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1140" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zn-cuoHG_T4/WYfUVVuAIpI/AAAAAAAAtK4/2tMUP2aVuwQoB8xPQDqtr-s1bAYp7WLgQCLcBGAs/s640/29.jpg" width="640" /></a>The people in front of me were too slow & the people behind me were in such a rush that I got kicked three times. I got punched in the eye six times.</div>
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The last hit caused water to leak into the goggle. I rolled on my side, let water out & continued swimming.</div>
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It wasn't jarring or disorienting to be hit. I kept my wits about me, but I did break form to move away from the windmill swimming next to me.</div>
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I was two minutes late on the first lap (I was hoping for last year's 40 minute pace). So I picked it up on the second lap.</div>
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My shoulders were getting sore, but this was the place to go all out. As the pack thinned out, I was able to find other swimmers to draft off. </div>
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400 meters from the beach, I could hear the crowd. I switched into overdrive & began to pass people.</div>
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I exited the water grinning. After 1:26:54 in the water, the sand in my toes felt good. I looked immediately to get help getting out of the wetsuit.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">(STRIPPERS?)</span></div>
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That is what they call the volunteers that peel your suit off like a banana.</div>
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And ran down the carpet towards "transistion".</div>
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Last year I was too winded to run, so this was an improvement.</div>
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My wife was waiting at the entrance to t1, to give me a kiss. That meant a lot. I passed more cheering people to grab my blue t1 bag from the rack. Then I entered the chaos of the changing tent.</div>
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Hot, smelly & no where to sit.</div>
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Methodically I emptied the bag, got dressed standing up & shove the wetsuit back in the bag.</div>
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<u>THE BIKE</u></div>
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The bike ride was fraught with problems...</div>
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At mile 10, there is a steep decent into Keene, I shifted my gears to get the maximum power from my pedaling.</div>
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I was hoping to surpass last years 47 mph decent.</div>
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14...22...34...</div>
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Suddenly, all resistance was gone.</div>
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My first thought was, "Oh shit, my chain broke".</div>
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Thankfully, it had only popped off. I can fit a chain back onto a bike cassette. I can't fix a broken chain.</div>
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I stopped the bike, slide the chain back on, wiped the grease on my shorts & continue pedaling.</div>
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5...14...32...</div>
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It happened again.</div>
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That is when I shifted in my "Apollo 13" head space.</div>
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At a critical moment in the book, "Failure Is Not an Option", Gene Kranz, the man in charge, issued a directive,</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "droid sans" , sans-serif; text-indent: -40px;">"Let's work the problem people. Let's not make things worse by guessing."</span></div>
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Something was wrong with my bike. There were mechanics on the course, but I chose not to ask for help. I didn't to take the change that they might make things worse. </div>
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Half way though the first loop of rolling hills, I was climbing, so I shift to a smaller ring for ease.</div>
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Nothing happened. My derailleur /gear shifter was stuck.</div>
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Now I was climbing Hills in the wrong gears and I was expending energy that I couldn't afford.</div>
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Post race diagnostics would show that the derailleur had too much range because it was missing a lateral plate & a wavy washer.</div>
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Apollo 13 mindset, "Work the problem." So when I could, I would pedal backwards a little to knock the gearing into the smaller ring. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.</div>
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As the miles ticked away, I kept waiting for those terrible hills from last year, but they never came.</div>
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With the first loop done, I was feeling optimistic. All the early morning hours on the bike trainer were paying off.</div>
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On the second loop I kept the chain on during the 1.5 mile decent into Keene, but the gearing stuck again when I tried to shift between the big & small rings.</div>
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With an overcast sky it wasn't that hot out, so I drank more water, less electrolytes. For a change, I found myself hungry. Thankfully the volunteers standing at the side of the road were handing out bananas.</div>
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Sip water. Sip Gatorade. Eat a banana from mile 56 through mile 112.</div>
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As I rolled back into town, I slipped feet out of shoes like practiced. This has become part of the bike hand off ritual for me.<br />
Ed was there to document the moment. Note the black utility bottle (with spare bike tires) on the back of my bike.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">As someone who always worried that he was too slow a cyclist to become an Ironman, handing my bike off to the volunteer is an emotional moment for me. It means that I have made the 5:30 pm time cut off that disqualifies slower riders.</span><br />
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It was time to get dressed to run a marathon.</div>
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<u>THE RUN</u></div>
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My bike ride had only put me 5 minutes behind last year's pace.</div>
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I was down a total of 6 minutes.</div>
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Happy because I knew that I could make that up on the run.</div>
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If I run a 5:45 marathon, I would have a new record.</div>
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(Last year I ran 5:59)</div>
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<u>Mile 1-7</u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I emerged from the changing tent into the bright afternoon sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It was like staring into the eye a nuclear explosion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: red;">(It kinda is)</span></span></div>
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You're not helping.</div>
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I stopped for the volunteer to apply suntan lotion to my limbs & I ran out onto main street.</div>
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The crowds were cheering the athletes like it was a parade.</div>
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I smiled & tried to focus on my pacing. </div>
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As nice as it is to have people ringing cowbells & blasting music from their cars, I find the crowds a distractions.</div>
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I'm trying to settle into my marathon pace & do a diagnostic check out of systems</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">(More Apollo 13 talk?)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
Yup.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZGQ8MrZtpQ/WYesorHW_II/AAAAAAAAtGw/ecrA5e3ByIkNqp95SBMIkcs0QgLbZveQACLcBGAs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="542" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZGQ8MrZtpQ/WYesorHW_II/AAAAAAAAtGw/ecrA5e3ByIkNqp95SBMIkcs0QgLbZveQACLcBGAs/s640/6.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
The only was to know how my run is going to go is getting a sense of how my legs feel after 112 miles</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">(and your GPS watch)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
and my GPS watch...which was not finding a signal.</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">(What was it doing?)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
It was acting as a stop watch.</div>
<div style="color: black;">
No matter. The course has mile markers, so all I had to do was the time & distance calculations to figure out how hard to push my run. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">I was averaging 10:45 minutes miles, which put me ahead of schedule & then I started to feel back pain.</span></div>
</span><br />
<div>
A low throbbing pain like a kidney punch. Lower back muscle fatigue. Breathing became labored. All the time spent trying to free the locked bike gears stressed my lumbar. I told myself, self:</div>
<div>
Don't think about records, just keep moving at your fastest walking pace.</div>
<div>
At mile 3, I reached Shlomo who was walking. We walked.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBVb4VE6VoU/WYesbFLT-LI/AAAAAAAAtGo/juEqatYFORIYvjfCi9qtm6W85nJLh3ehQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBVb4VE6VoU/WYesbFLT-LI/AAAAAAAAtGo/juEqatYFORIYvjfCi9qtm6W85nJLh3ehQCLcBGAs/s320/5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We hit the turn around at mile 6.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
At mile 7, I started running again.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I got a half mile & had to walk...again.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
So it was going to be a walk/run type of afternoon.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<u>Mile 8-13</u></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">A young man was standing in the road holding a large Hershey chocolate Bar.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">"You know you want it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">"Yes I do." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">"Whiskey?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">"What do you have?"<br />"Evan Williams Bourbon"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">So after a piece of chocolate & shot of Bourbon, I was happy & running again.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
Soon I was back into town, past the Olympic Oval to the 13 mile turn around.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I was only 5 minutes behind last year's marathon.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
When I added the swim & bike times I was just 11 minutes behind last year's finish.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I was optimistic that my run would return, it had in other races.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<u>Mile 13-26</u></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
Now the sun was going down & so was my pace. </div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
All the stress of the bike was taking it's toll, but hey, I'M DOING AN IRONMAN!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPmM827vX_0/WYesBVUGoPI/AAAAAAAAtGc/kdYq0b-lnRENSL6bMsGjvSn0BCTQmntawCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPmM827vX_0/WYesBVUGoPI/AAAAAAAAtGc/kdYq0b-lnRENSL6bMsGjvSn0BCTQmntawCLcBGAs/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
As fatigued as my back was, the rest of me felt strong. </div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="color: red;">(So all that training was a waste of your time, since you couldn't run.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
The fact that I was cramping & yet I was still walk/running is a testament to all the training I did. To all the early morning runs.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
And lets not forget I'M DOING AN IRONMAN!</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
At mile 25, I told my wife that I was near,</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
"Just hurry up & finish, we miss you".</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
That was all I needed to hear.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I pulled my costumed out of the backpack I had been carrying for 26.2 miles.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="color: red;">(Why did you bring you Ironman costume?)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I wanted to give my 5 year old something he would never forget.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I wound up giving myself an experience I will never forget.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I suited up & ran into the the Olympic Oval. I have done this 4 times before, but this was different.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
As I jogged passed the crowd I kept hearing two things:</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
"Hey, IRONMAN"</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
"He really does look like Ironman!"</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">The cheering as I approach the finish line became near </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">
deafening. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">You are literally running towards the light.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xXJ5-xdYxA/WYetMlIogMI/AAAAAAAAtHA/dYTOxU5Mak0838bFF0-WBUY7Y1RmIzJ8gCLcBGAs/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xXJ5-xdYxA/WYetMlIogMI/AAAAAAAAtHA/dYTOxU5Mak0838bFF0-WBUY7Y1RmIzJ8gCLcBGAs/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
I took a minute to drink it in. The moment you step onto the red & black carpet you are home.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuWUuN2XOBg/WYeztm_dZ5I/AAAAAAAAtJo/2JPY0zIf0bYz2UmWOkQ7qhErP_BWl8nxACLcBGAs/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuWUuN2XOBg/WYeztm_dZ5I/AAAAAAAAtJo/2JPY0zIf0bYz2UmWOkQ7qhErP_BWl8nxACLcBGAs/s320/14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Then I jogged past announcer Mike Reilly & heard my name...</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
"David Roher, Teaneck NJ, ...you are...an IRONMAN!...Yeah, he does look like him."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioRQ3LFciyw/WYez06gm1OI/AAAAAAAAtJs/dQeLoP7HRz4S2-1jScvdVfSFE-0L2dk5ACLcBGAs/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioRQ3LFciyw/WYez06gm1OI/AAAAAAAAtJs/dQeLoP7HRz4S2-1jScvdVfSFE-0L2dk5ACLcBGAs/s640/17.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the end, I didn't break my record...I did something much more rewarding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When things did not go as planned, I kept my head & persevered. Something I learned from Mom & Dad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something I hope I am passing along to my boys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5Wse2066-Q/WYffd1nAViI/AAAAAAAAtMU/rtRLdYe-MDctjkOT_FivFHz3_NT-TqvXgCLcBGAs/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1305" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5Wse2066-Q/WYffd1nAViI/AAAAAAAAtMU/rtRLdYe-MDctjkOT_FivFHz3_NT-TqvXgCLcBGAs/s640/35.jpg" width="522" /></a></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-88494845064076527652017-07-30T19:24:00.000-07:002017-07-30T19:24:12.022-07:00What Do Triathletes Eat? The Week Before the Ironman<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What do triathletes eat?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anything and everything. We are notorious for putting all-you-can-eat places out of business.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">112 mile bike ride, followed by a full 26.2 mile marathon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All in under 17 hours.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The training are longer than the race.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My longest swim was 6,000 meters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My longest bike ride was 117 miles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My longest run was 27 miles.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I burned over 41,000 calories along in training that month.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are always hungry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvza-NwbRbQ/WX6IUpme87I/AAAAAAAAtBs/PtzRvNiJOXQSdWGpwP-pJO3C92bE7ayxgCLcBGAs/s1600/2015-10-30%2B16.45.22%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvza-NwbRbQ/WX6IUpme87I/AAAAAAAAtBs/PtzRvNiJOXQSdWGpwP-pJO3C92bE7ayxgCLcBGAs/s320/2015-10-30%2B16.45.22%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>5 Days before an Ironman</u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Drink a lot of water. I was told to make sure to get a little extra protein in my meals. I start to triple everything.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWTziOvvtTA/WX6NDqljBJI/AAAAAAAAtCU/6MjMKm-5vLYsT0x-8WEbI2i-cBxBd5VNACLcBGAs/s1600/20170718_073148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWTziOvvtTA/WX6NDqljBJI/AAAAAAAAtCU/6MjMKm-5vLYsT0x-8WEbI2i-cBxBd5VNACLcBGAs/s400/20170718_073148.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>3 Days before the Ironman</u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is where I start having fun. Midnight snacks become another meal. Meals become events.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I eating anything and everything I want. A box of cookies, a pint of ice cream, whole pizzas, even a sushi boat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnVOyzJhx3I/WX6NQRuiybI/AAAAAAAAtCY/C7BsSx-e98QJePGOJSEvTJMigv_OPIN4ACLcBGAs/s1600/20170719_181809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnVOyzJhx3I/WX6NQRuiybI/AAAAAAAAtCY/C7BsSx-e98QJePGOJSEvTJMigv_OPIN4ACLcBGAs/s640/20170719_181809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>The Day before the Ironman</u></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">8 a.m. Nibble through half a package of lox for breakfast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sip cold brew coffee.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a.m. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snack on cookies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sip </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gatorade</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 noon, waiting on lunch guest, I devour a bag of chips.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drink a 16 ounce water.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 p.m. Lamb Cholent & London broil & kugels.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">More water</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3-5:30 p</span><span style="font-size: large;">.m.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> nap</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">p</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">.m. </span><span style="font-size: large;">pint of ice cream.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sip Gatorade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">p</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">.m. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tub of hummus and crackers. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sip Gatorade</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">8 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">p</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">.m. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Snickers Ice Cream Bar. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sip water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">p</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">.m. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Canister of Jalapeno Pringles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gatorade empty, sip more water.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some how I was a half pound lighter than my normal weight on race day...</span></div>
ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-45229108593140606702017-07-18T20:14:00.000-07:002017-07-18T20:14:02.553-07:00The Dress Rehearsal - 7 Days to GO!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7nelZ-UiGU/WW1zTO6zrWI/AAAAAAAAsY4/IzeWyUWvx0AqEfkfR9diw9zM4ZUP5zB_gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1500200672800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7nelZ-UiGU/WW1zTO6zrWI/AAAAAAAAsY4/IzeWyUWvx0AqEfkfR9diw9zM4ZUP5zB_gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1500200672800.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seven days before the Ironman Triathlon, I thought it would be a good idea to do a race.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(How is that a good idea?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to road test my plans & see if there were any kinks to be worked out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plan was to keep it in zone three.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are five zones of exertion. My plan for the Ironman is to race in zone three, so it made sense to race a smaller race like the NYC Tri in that fashion.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(What is "zone three"?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Simply put, if zone one is walking & zone five is running as hard as you can for 30 seconds, zone three is in the middle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are racing at marathon pace.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Or say Ironman pace?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now you've got it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>PROBLEM # 1- SWIM PACE</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year at Ironman Lake Placid (IMLP) I swam the first lap in 40 minutes & the second in 45 minutes. That means...</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(You are getting old?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That I lost momentum in the second loop</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(You are old, so you got tired)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year, I did swim workouts that were much longer than</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the race swim to work on my endurance & build up my speed. The only way to know if this worked was to swim in a race.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So how did you modify a 3,860 meter swim to a race of 1,500 meters?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I resisted the urge to sprint. Instead I focused on swimming at my practice pace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't going to wear my wet suit, but since this was a full dress rehearsal, I had to. Somehow, when I scooted my butt off the pier & into the water, an air pocket got trapped in my wet suit & gave me extra buoyancy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zPmRdD9oU4/WW653cRzvBI/AAAAAAAAsiE/AczDgejnK6gnZFOfH_Ehd9OwEniQTPk4ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1500190343040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zPmRdD9oU4/WW653cRzvBI/AAAAAAAAsiE/AczDgejnK6gnZFOfH_Ehd9OwEniQTPk4ACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1500190343040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Is that you in the picture reaching behind to open your wet suit?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leave it to the NYC tri to find this one picture of me from the swim.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">PROBLEM # 2- BIKE PACE</u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year at IMLP, I raced through the first 56 mile loop & was feeling dead on the second loop. This year I used a power meter in training. So during the NYC Tri I glanced at the meter to make sure I was in zone 3 as much as I could. It kept me from sprinting forward</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(<span style="color: red;">Which would have been bad since you need your legs to be rested for next week)</span>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpjYTY1JgCE/WW1xWUNiERI/AAAAAAAAsYs/UNm87Tx64yU508W30uV1a7THFV4EGl1WACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1500191398900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpjYTY1JgCE/WW1xWUNiERI/AAAAAAAAsYs/UNm87Tx64yU508W30uV1a7THFV4EGl1WACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1500191398900.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to break my course record of 1:21:23 </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(18 mph), but in zone three I finished the 25 miles at 1:31:39 (16.2 mph).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(That sucks)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No it doesn't. If I can hold that 16.2 mph, for 112 miles, my finish time will be an hour faster than last year.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Huh? Did you say something?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ADD part of me needs to focus here.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">PROBLEM # 3- RUN PACE</u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At IMLP last year, & at the NYC Marathon last year my run pacing was off. At both events, I had to walk part of the way.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Now the NYC Tri is not a marathon...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But it is held on a very hot day, after biking & swimming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead of sprinting, I ran at an 11 minute pace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(That sucks)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPnDJtT8Y8k/WW1yBAFK1rI/AAAAAAAAsYw/0sERuZmkzcYxFx8GiUvP_4P8NqLLqJHZQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1500196755740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPnDJtT8Y8k/WW1yBAFK1rI/AAAAAAAAsYw/0sERuZmkzcYxFx8GiUvP_4P8NqLLqJHZQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1500196755740.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, it's slow even for me, for a 10k (6.2 miles),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">but for a marathon, that's much faster than I have ever held.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I still don't understand)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had to hold that pace running up hills from Riverside Park to 72nd St. & across 72 when I knew I could sprint. I continued to stay in zone 3 through Central Park as others passed me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was e</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ven able to run up the "Harlem Hill" section of the course in Central Park.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I guess all that running in the middle of the night paid off) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got stronger & I was home when the kids were home.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Which might be the reason you cry every time you see them waiting for you at a race).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like I'm doing in this picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXEy3QAsyWs/WW1yIL6t8OI/AAAAAAAAsY0/_DLYtiNZafMON2jsRNRk2PBRcGfx9oDSgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1500200553000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXEy3QAsyWs/WW1yIL6t8OI/AAAAAAAAsY0/_DLYtiNZafMON2jsRNRk2PBRcGfx9oDSgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1500200553000.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-37942922686618784422017-07-09T19:17:00.001-07:002017-07-09T19:17:55.461-07:00The Immensity of It All- 13 days to GO<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l451qmeFA_Y/WWLSG1oIJgI/AAAAAAAArdE/foO8SyPo3WssuvjGKp1gQMFtCt3Jh_ElgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170709_205937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l451qmeFA_Y/WWLSG1oIJgI/AAAAAAAArdE/foO8SyPo3WssuvjGKp1gQMFtCt3Jh_ElgCLcBGAs/s200/20170709_205937.jpg" width="158" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">An Ironman Triathlon is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2.4 mile swim. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">112 mile bike ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">26.2 mile run. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">140.6 miles in under 17 hours.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(What happens if it takes you more than 17 hours?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You get disqualified :(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a staggering amount of mileage in a short amount of time, but t</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his number alone doesn't tell the whole story. Starting in May, when the last 8 weeks of training commences, the volume of miles looks like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSf2e1c8_tE/WWJzU5vxXYI/AAAAAAAArbs/x6MVs3a0tMYnMy7e-o7d9YCIALixpKoXwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170709_141617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1269" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSf2e1c8_tE/WWJzU5vxXYI/AAAAAAAArbs/x6MVs3a0tMYnMy7e-o7d9YCIALixpKoXwCLcBGAs/s640/20170709_141617.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I run before work, the longer the run, the earlier the wake up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the point I was doing 18 & 20 mile runs, I was going to bed at 11 & waking up at 2 to run.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love running in NYC. The streets are always lit. Since it is a grid, there is no chance of getting lost. There are plenty of NYC landmarks to run past & there's no danger of wild animals.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDzqOImlfmc/WWLWyYxYszI/AAAAAAAArdU/sVyWhXaDpAsgNrHOwaUJT8XHZjmd2QBxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot_20170614-062931%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1077" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDzqOImlfmc/WWLWyYxYszI/AAAAAAAArdU/sVyWhXaDpAsgNrHOwaUJT8XHZjmd2QBxgCLcBGAs/s640/Screenshot_20170614-062931%2B%25282%2529.png" width="516" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I knew that ultra runners compete in events where they run for 24 straight hours, so I wasn't worried about training on minimal amounts of sleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My body is ok with sleeping for 2-3 hours a night, running for 4 hours & then teaching a full day of classes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once again, do not try this at home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVGzk0Tc0pA/WWLXLQED2_I/AAAAAAAArdY/NEt53qUTIdYKtrK_gueoaZC8H5urAOOkACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-05-19%2B03.31.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVGzk0Tc0pA/WWLXLQED2_I/AAAAAAAArdY/NEt53qUTIdYKtrK_gueoaZC8H5urAOOkACLcBGAs/s640/2017-05-19%2B03.31.32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the last 8 weeks of training, there were long swims that lasted for almost 2 hours.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(With breaks?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No breaks. Flip turn at the wall & keep on swimming. I kept repeated my mantra: Nose facing the bottom of the pool, arms outstretched. I wasn't bored, but </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when the swim was done </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">my arms were sore & I was starving.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPRd-SgNZOc/WWJVXeEdQYI/AAAAAAAAp0c/CsGYCANc6kY8Da6Q9OdscoJpdhur0xmcgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170626_094849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPRd-SgNZOc/WWJVXeEdQYI/AAAAAAAAp0c/CsGYCANc6kY8Da6Q9OdscoJpdhur0xmcgCLcBGAs/s640/20170626_094849.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And...there were 100 + mile bike rides.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(With breaks?)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgXWrDsyuWU/WWLew5TkaII/AAAAAAAAreU/f-0qwX0bZNMDfIVWoNQF71wyW61cHgw-ACLcBGAs/s1600/20170629_130439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgXWrDsyuWU/WWLew5TkaII/AAAAAAAAreU/f-0qwX0bZNMDfIVWoNQF71wyW61cHgw-ACLcBGAs/s200/20170629_130439.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only time I stopped was for red lights, stop signs or to buy more water. Spending the day, riding my bike, with the sun in my face is one of my happy places. I would pedal north, rolling through town after town. Teaneck, Leonia, Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs, Alpine, Sparkill, Piermont, Nyack, Congers, Havestraw, Stony Point, Bear Mountain, West Point, Storm King Mountain...</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(How long did those rides last?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over 8 hours.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4QkdqANq-U/WWJa1tt5gjI/AAAAAAAAqRQ/EzPcozEx6sY0H2Y4oMArtnAYl5OAi6o9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot_20170709-123023%255B535%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4QkdqANq-U/WWJa1tt5gjI/AAAAAAAAqRQ/EzPcozEx6sY0H2Y4oMArtnAYl5OAi6o9ACLcBGAs/s640/Screenshot_20170709-123023%255B535%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(At that pace, won't you be disqualified at the Ironman for being too slow?)</span><br />I trained on 9W, a stretch of road with many more hills than the actual race.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iGweMmhuC4/WWK2C51vVLI/AAAAAAAArc0/WGD4w0OpDGkMTH_sbbPqESlNvecALVXWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot_20170702-003436%255B531%255D%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1033" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iGweMmhuC4/WWK2C51vVLI/AAAAAAAArc0/WGD4w0OpDGkMTH_sbbPqESlNvecALVXWQCLcBGAs/s640/Screenshot_20170702-003436%255B531%255D%2B%25282%2529.png" width="434" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The end result was that in 8 weeks I</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Swam</u> 47,000 meters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Biked</u> 800 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Ran</u> 155 miles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These numbers are incomprehensible to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The swim is double of what I had expected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bike averaged out that I was doing 100 miles a week, every week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The run...as someone who once struggled to run more than 3 miles at a time, I am just speechless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had a total caloric burn of:</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eo7e_BWmhI/WWGpBzNVRSI/AAAAAAAAROg/Xp7hNl92ELIFoqgQ-jXVz57OxUl2EH_qwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-30%2B01.28.31%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eo7e_BWmhI/WWGpBzNVRSI/AAAAAAAAROg/Xp7hNl92ELIFoqgQ-jXVz57OxUl2EH_qwCLcBGAs/s640/2017-06-30%2B01.28.31%2B%25282%2529.png" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And those were just workout burning calories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I burn an average of 1,500 calories a day without training. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So in 8 weeks, my total burn was about 165,000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To avoid losing too much weight, I increased my caloric intake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To find out what I ate, you will have to wait another week...</span></div>
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<br />ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-16046916170893747132017-07-03T03:52:00.000-07:002017-07-03T03:52:16.961-07:00Carrying that Weight - 21 Days to GO!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4FxQAUReUo/WVmhOjReoVI/AAAAAAAANAI/ymxYRYBs9SYuLmEevoq8Lis-9BCQlZXFACLcBGAs/s1600/pizza%2B2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4FxQAUReUo/WVmhOjReoVI/AAAAAAAANAI/ymxYRYBs9SYuLmEevoq8Lis-9BCQlZXFACLcBGAs/s400/pizza%2B2017.png" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"We don't
see things as they are, we see them as we are.”</b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7190.Ana_s_Nin" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Anaïs Nin</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It started with a
photograph. My friend Peter shot a picture of me leaving the water at the Half
Ironman in September of 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There I was running for
the transition area where my bike was waiting for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It was there, clear
for everyone to see. I had a</span><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">tummy</span></b><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJVb5ZCJsxw/WVmUit96WXI/AAAAAAAAM_k/3gALSGY1q6YDFdcJgLclBd_knY12dB6NQCLcBGAs/s1600/2013%2Bswim%2Bexit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJVb5ZCJsxw/WVmUit96WXI/AAAAAAAAM_k/3gALSGY1q6YDFdcJgLclBd_knY12dB6NQCLcBGAs/s640/2013%2Bswim%2Bexit.jpg" width="425" /></span></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Psst, hey, this is
our little secret. No one needs to know, right?"</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was the what the
voice in my head said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm 5' 7, so I should
weigh between 154-159. So what if I was 165? What's 6 lbs between friends?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was 45 years old at the time. Being
6 lbs over was pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">BUT...I hate dishonesty.
Especially when it is coming from my own head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I had been lying to
myself. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"You're a
triathlete, you can eat anything you want."</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NO, I could not. I was
45 & it was time to be honest about what I was doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was eating with my
eyes & not using my head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Saturdays, I would
consume 750-1,000 calories for breakfast at Synagogue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I would go home and
repeat the same eating...grazing at lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peter's photo inspired
me to make a change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was going to make
smarter choices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When given a choice, I
would choose lean proteins vegis over processed carbs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I had to snack, I
would eat a ClifBar instead of a whole box of cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would limit my meals
to one serving...not three.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Result? I dropped 10 lbs
in 3 months. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I went from this:
To this:</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The problem became, trying to keep the weight off. I started weighing</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> my self every day. I started substituting coffee for food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When my weight hit 149, my wife started to worry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided to gave up the scale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The question then became, "What do I eat?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I went back to my training as a coach. What had I been instructing my athletes to do when they were training?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A yogurt for breakfast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A plate of proteins & veggies for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So how has your weight been for the last 18 months?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Between 160-163. In the last 8 weeks of training, my weight dropped to 158 & that is ok. That's what the post workout pizza is for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As long as my pants fit, I'm good with what ever the scale says I weigh.</span></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-26986113028512160572017-06-26T04:09:00.000-07:002017-06-26T04:09:05.076-07:00The Hills Are Calling 27 Days to GO!<div class="aolmail_aolReplacedBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ironman Triathlons are notorious for having one of two conditions on the bike course. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxMPtxVGjEM/WVBhyYqMBQI/AAAAAAAAM6w/HKWfjVpfbQU3OV4yfd_Z1n8Vr9eD8SB7ACLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot_20170625-210934.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Wind or hills. </span><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(& you hate hills)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Since I hate hills, I naturally I picked a bike course with really bad hills.</span><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(Naturally, because everything about this makes logical sense)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">The Lake Placid bike course is notorious for its 20 mile incline. </span><br /><img alt="Image result for ironman lake placid bike elevation gain" src="https://alpaul.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/screen-shot-2011-05-29-at-7-51-26-am.png" /><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">There are spots where the course flattens out, but in three locations you have to get over "the hump"...actually, three humps. They are notorious on the course as "The Three Bears - Baby, Mama & Papa." I have been so intimidated by this course that I've actually I avoided it for five years. So the question you're asking me is how does one train for such an endeavor?</span><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(No, the question is: have you lost your freakin mind???)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">You practice riding hills.</span><br /><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(Yup, you have. You've nuttier than a psycho ward. You just told us, you hate hills)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Luckily the state of New Jersey has no shortage of hills to climb.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phmMCrIPka4/WVBt-Vb7x4I/AAAAAAAAM7Y/6DZOdab28fYT3vkB3Kv8kPbYKt39fjVegCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phmMCrIPka4/WVBt-Vb7x4I/AAAAAAAAM7Y/6DZOdab28fYT3vkB3Kv8kPbYKt39fjVegCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9158.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"> If I lived in Brooklyn it would be a completely different story, but its not Brooklyn it's Joisey.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">1 mile from my house is DeGraw.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">1200 feet <span style="color: red;">(3/4 of a mile)</span> at 9 degree incline.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Athletes who want to train with me have to be able to get the hill without stopping. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">I will never forget the newbie who had to dismount half way up the hill so they could throw up their breakfast.</span><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(So you hate hills & your athletes)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Getting up the hill never gets easier, you just get faster at ascending to the top. Like the time I road to the top of Bear Mountain.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxMPtxVGjEM/WVBhyYqMBQI/AAAAAAAAM6w/HKWfjVpfbQU3OV4yfd_Z1n8Vr9eD8SB7ACLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot_20170625-210934.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxMPtxVGjEM/WVBhyYqMBQI/AAAAAAAAM6w/HKWfjVpfbQU3OV4yfd_Z1n8Vr9eD8SB7ACLcBGAs/s640/Screenshot_20170625-210934.png" width="360" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">Once you reach the top, there's a new hill to ride down. At the same time, if you ride down a hill, you have ride back up it if you want to get back home.</span><br /><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">(Wouldn't it just be easier to stay home in the first place? Wait a minute, why am I even asking you? It's clear you're a few fries short of a Happy Meal)</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">These hills are much harder then the ones I will encounter in Lake Placid that's the point.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica";">After 112 miles of hills, I will still have a full 26 mile marathon to run so I need to teach my body hold back and leave a little gas in the tank. This is the mistake I made at Ironman Lake Placid.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Definitely a few fries short of a happy meal)</span><br />
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-27467390763412478442017-06-19T01:57:00.000-07:002017-06-19T01:57:24.712-07:00Running with the Night - 33 Days to GO<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In 2012, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to start Ironman Arizona & almost fell back asleep, because I was so tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The following year, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peter </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>"There is nothing fun about 4:30 a.m." </b></span></span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_Js-B2Pvg/WTzE8WW-fXI/AAAAAAAAMzI/pwqg1mSi5JQgTffOSxhvxQvtJTH7ui2AgCLcB/s1600/2016-12-21%2B02.04.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_Js-B2Pvg/WTzE8WW-fXI/AAAAAAAAMzI/pwqg1mSi5JQgTffOSxhvxQvtJTH7ui2AgCLcB/s200/2016-12-21%2B02.04.56.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shankman asked me to join him for a run. By the spring of 2016, I was waking up at 3:30 a.m. to join him for "our" 4:30 a.m. runs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was fine, until I needed to start running farther.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to be at my desk at 7:30, so to cover 3.5 hours of running, I need to start early. By June, I was waking up at 2 a.m. & running 18 miles by myself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(How do you function?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know. I simply wake up & I'm afraid to go back to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Afraid of what?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nightmares</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Snakes under the bed? Falling? Showing up to work naked?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oversleeping the start of the race...& yes to the other three fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shakespear said, "Macbeth doth murder sleep".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ironman murdered mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Actually, I started not sleeping late on my days off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My body just adjusted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(To what?)</span><br />Sleeping 3 hours and then running 18 miles.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPW5D9EXAVI/WTzFfyxU90I/AAAAAAAAMzQ/vLDjme_9AeIUNbKviPonInyzMPsZBBSVgCEw/s1600/2016-12-03%2B22.16.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPW5D9EXAVI/WTzFfyxU90I/AAAAAAAAMzQ/vLDjme_9AeIUNbKviPonInyzMPsZBBSVgCEw/s320/2016-12-03%2B22.16.32.jpg" width="248" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(That's not normal)</span><br />Ultra marathon runners go run on minimal sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(They are not normal either...wait. Are you?)</span><br />I'm thinking about it, but that's not on my horizon right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right now I am thinking about my family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ever since he could speak, my 5 year old has thought that </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Daddy's job is running".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't want to be "THAT DAD".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Which Dad is "THAT DAD"?)</span><br />The one who spent his kid's childhood training, not playing with his kids.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So you run when they sleep?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I run in their dreams...</span><br />
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<br />ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-28812223953061950042017-06-10T21:06:00.002-07:002017-06-12T02:01:39.250-07:00What a Year Difference Makes -40 Days to GO<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Arriving at the Ironman village last year, for Ironman Lake Placid my wife asked me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"How do you feel?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I wish that I had more time to train."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I look at my Facebook "memories" from last year, I can see that I am weeks ahead of where I was 12 months ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead of starting the 4,000 meter swims June 10, I started May 26.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I'm now 250 meters ahead & minutes faster too)</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB1rLAfEFgQ/WTy9bVFjlII/AAAAAAAAMyo/XukDZnalCqMDnp2liavFJBMuD0w7oDFjwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_20170610-214858.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB1rLAfEFgQ/WTy9bVFjlII/AAAAAAAAMyo/XukDZnalCqMDnp2liavFJBMuD0w7oDFjwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_20170610-214858.png" width="180" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year my biking was split into two parts: Indoor & outdoor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">January-April I rode indoors, once a week. That was it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The longest ride was 90 minutes. All I did was spin, no actual formal training.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgoyBLlMDAc/WTy-3_q3btI/AAAAAAAAMyw/HGdKiep1_Fw89GIfVz69wnU20xQxYenVACLcB/s1600/20170220_183724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgoyBLlMDAc/WTy-3_q3btI/AAAAAAAAMyw/HGdKiep1_Fw89GIfVz69wnU20xQxYenVACLcB/s320/20170220_183724.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year, I rode 3 times a week indoors between January-April.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each ride had a specific goal. I also bought a power meter to help me see just how hard I should be spinning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the time I started climbing hills outside in April, I found that I was able to climb with ease. Last year at Lake Placid it was the hills that almost did me in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7:55:04 for 112 miles is way to slow <span style="color: red;">(14.1 mph) </span>when I have put this much time into it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year I cut my marathon down by an hour. I was blown away to be running instead of walking<span style="color: red;"> (like the three previous Ironmans).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Part of that was running more than one 18 mile run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So as I said to my wife...I wish that I had more time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I mapped out my training & started the volume loading sooner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With just over 40 days to go, I am running 18 miles & the only thing stopping me is time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to get to work.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So start earlier.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That, is a conversation for another blog.</span><br />
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<br />ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-34262467464573000842017-05-22T01:33:00.000-07:002017-06-30T09:07:30.959-07:00Like a Ton of Bricks- 60 Day to GO!<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-654844960475950119" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 528px;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the season of <b>BRICK</b> workouts is upon us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(What is a BRICK workout?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you do two different workouts, one after the other without a break. Like going for a bike ride and as soon as you get off the bike, switch your bike shoes for running sneakers and go running.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So why do you call them BRICKS?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because they are stacked one on top of another...like bricks</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">or</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Named after world duatholon champion Matt Brick, who employed them in his training and thereby made them famous.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">or</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of the way your legs feel the first time you try to run off the bike ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">or</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because you feel like you've been hit by a ton of em’ when you're done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the record, I hate doing them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So, don't)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I recognize them as a necessary evil.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Why are the a necessary...evil?)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">When you dismount after 112 miles, you hand your bike off the volunteer in the yellow shirt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Then you have to run to the changing tent & prepare to run a marathon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">If you are not use to running after hours of pedaling, you might face plant, right there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(But you are wearing sneakers)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">No, you are cycling in bike shoes & now you need to go put on your sneakers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Triathlon is a race where you swim, run to your bike, bike, get off your bike, then go running…all </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">without stopping.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Why would you do that?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That, is an entirely different blog entry.</span></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-14528489145505068782017-05-08T02:18:00.001-07:002017-05-08T02:18:17.709-07:00When You Gotta Go - 75 to GO<span style="font-size: large;">I was giving a talk do elementary school kids about Ironman triathlon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was talking about how the 112 mile bike section takes and the inevitable came up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"What do you do if you have to go to the bathroom when you're on the bike?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I told the class of 5th graders point blank,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"You have three choices; you pee on the bike, you get off the bike to pee or you wait and pee later."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"What if you, you know have to..."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Make a poop?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Yeah.... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we are dealing with two issues:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First, what to do when have to pee?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some athletes will just go while they're on the bike.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Sounds disgusting)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Others will pull off to the side of the road and find a bush.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Sounds less disgusting)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to pee once on the bike, but in the bent over position on the bike, nothing happened.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2WZ1SRNa_s/WRAykZJioSI/AAAAAAAAMsE/C2TY7sMR7Ncz5uCNV3il0BJoyfZQkFuUQCEw/s1600/132_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_008259-2540906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2WZ1SRNa_s/WRAykZJioSI/AAAAAAAAMsE/C2TY7sMR7Ncz5uCNV3il0BJoyfZQkFuUQCEw/s640/132_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_008259-2540906.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Why didn't you straighten up?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I did & I still couldn't pee.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(What did you do?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I chose option 3, I waited til later, in the changing tent after I finished the bike.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(You peed in a tent?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There was a urinal in the tent.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(What if you...you know?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Need to "make poo" as my 5 year old calls it?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Yeah, that)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are porta-potty at several points on the course. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Have you ever, during a race ?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kinda...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The 24 hours before a race is a carefully choreographed food fest. This dance between my food & my plumbing takes place "any time" I compete in a triathlon, not just Ironman triathlons. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By 5pm Saturday the almost non stop calorie in take will result in your question becoming a non factor the next day on the race course.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So by Ironman Louisville 2014, I had done this successfully over 40 times.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(But on that race morning...)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing, nada, no word from the plumbing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until we heard, "Swimmers, line up".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thats when my plumbing said, "Now."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Now?" I asked myself in bewilderment </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"NOW!" A voice came back with a Satan like growl.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(What did you do?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I lined up for the porta-potty.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Long line?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Two minutes felt like two hours, as I stood there in fear.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(That you wouldn't make it to the race? )</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That I wouldn't make it to the toilet.</span><br />
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-54021342094040594412017-03-05T20:31:00.000-08:002017-08-16T19:24:23.285-07:00The Final Twist 140 Days to GO<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No one likes to stretch, that’s why so many of us don’t do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Present company included?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guilty as charged. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have the second biggest file at the physical therapy practice I use. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Because you don't like to stretch?)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thH6wRbe5lo/WLuYymQT8WI/AAAAAAAAMbc/feasFzR-U9YH34UqACRciA1s5lmjy9i3wCLcB/s1600/2017-01-16%2B20.21.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thH6wRbe5lo/WLuYymQT8WI/AAAAAAAAMbc/feasFzR-U9YH34UqACRciA1s5lmjy9i3wCLcB/s320/2017-01-16%2B20.21.39.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The problem is that what starts out as just a 30 second stretch becomes a 30 minute ordeal my wife calls “Pretzel Time”?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Pull & twist?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very much so.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(What could you be doing for 30 minutes?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stretch. I stretch everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me explain...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I started this journey 10 years ago, I developed leg pain.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Which part of the leg?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3q1TOkB5Elk/WLubZIy1C-I/AAAAAAAAMbo/QO6-yS2HYIgNOeXID2AcScCpEvrXrNKDwCLcB/s1600/get-attachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3q1TOkB5Elk/WLubZIy1C-I/AAAAAAAAMbo/QO6-yS2HYIgNOeXID2AcScCpEvrXrNKDwCLcB/s320/get-attachment.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Every part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quads, hammies, the knee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(The knee has many parts. Which ones?)</span><br />All of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(All of them?)</span><br />Do I stutter?</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RjfR3sGtqw/WLubaZSjZEI/AAAAAAAAMbs/Ks3Rn1C6S6IJOvgsLop4OXR-Z9bQ58VIwCLcB/s1600/pt%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RjfR3sGtqw/WLubaZSjZEI/AAAAAAAAMbs/Ks3Rn1C6S6IJOvgsLop4OXR-Z9bQ58VIwCLcB/s320/pt%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Pain landed me in physical therapy (PT). I soon discovered that I needed to stretch after my workouts, so guess what I did?<span style="color: red;"><br />(You stretched before your workouts?)</span><br />Yup</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Why is that bad? Isn’t that what you are supposed to do?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No & here’s why:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The muscles are like rubber bands that expand & contract when you exercise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you stretch them before you train, they are so elongated that they cannot contract.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This can cause injury.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(So what are you supposed to do before you train?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dynamic stretching</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(But you just told us not to stretch)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Static stretching is holding the leg while leaning against a wall or table.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDxPEs0fQ8c/WLOAnkVu0OI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/JMzbpPE_48ojZHwRIjZ6nGs1LRpXwHq2QCLcB/s1600/2017-02-26%2B17.00.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDxPEs0fQ8c/WLOAnkVu0OI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/JMzbpPE_48ojZHwRIjZ6nGs1LRpXwHq2QCLcB/s640/2017-02-26%2B17.00.53.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dynamic stretching is what Michael Phelps does before a meet when he shakes out his arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(You mean when he does the gull wing)</span><br />Yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(So how do you do that for running?)</span><br />Jumping jacks or climbing stairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You just want to get blood flowing into the muscle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stretch muscles, not joints</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(No ligaments or tendons?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tendons are part of the muscles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUJJioBvCrU/WLO58I91XUI/AAAAAAAAMac/GwsdpLuElM04ht7ctPyeVJDWGN7ukxv4ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUJJioBvCrU/WLO58I91XUI/AAAAAAAAMac/GwsdpLuElM04ht7ctPyeVJDWGN7ukxv4ACLcB/s640/IMG_9665.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Patellar tendon, Achilles tendon</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Tenderloins?)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is why I spent so much time in physical therapy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exactly. Everytime I master a stretch, my body finds a new place to knot up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6veRAYrlB8/WLOBl8mYx9I/AAAAAAAAMZ8/Sj8evEmbisYX7zLzD_Xcu7vowilFnBbDwCLcB/s1600/2017-01-16%2B16.19.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6veRAYrlB8/WLOBl8mYx9I/AAAAAAAAMZ8/Sj8evEmbisYX7zLzD_Xcu7vowilFnBbDwCLcB/s400/2017-01-16%2B16.19.09.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Pretzel Time?)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yup</span></span></div>
ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-88305108748283205892017-02-13T01:58:00.000-08:002017-08-14T12:38:37.817-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwwRy1Tr6go/WJfzclCssZI/AAAAAAAAMV8/0FHtOBtm00EW_qZy27sFp2mCSWsd4Ss3ACEw/s1600/2017-01-26%2B17.31.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwwRy1Tr6go/WJfzclCssZI/AAAAAAAAMV8/0FHtOBtm00EW_qZy27sFp2mCSWsd4Ss3ACEw/s320/2017-01-26%2B17.31.01.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"Where is your bike?" That's what my coworker asked me as we left work for the day.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I stared at her like a deer in the headlights.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"Didn't you ride to work?" She inquired.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It was 50 degrees that day. For </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">January in New York it was considered exceptionally warm for that time of year.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">She was asking a totally reasonable question, since I have a reputation for spending all day on the bike.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"I have it here in my trunk, but I only spin indoors this time of year."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Now it was her turn to stare at me like a deer in the headlights.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Triathletes talk in a language all our own and we regularly forget that rest of the world does not.</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Spinning</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">PR</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cadence<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Aero position<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Anyone of these tend to elicit a visual facial reaction the legal equivalent of</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"Just how far back down the road did the spacecraft drop you off?" </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I proceeded to explain to my coworker that between January and the end of March I do not ride outside.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before she could ask about where the spaceship was actually going to land again, I showed her a picture me on my bicycle connected to a stationary bike trainer & that is called spinning.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-msgV0uh1c/WJqYrvKx5VI/AAAAAAAAMXY/fMXMUlB2Tvggy7OZqEpKNiCV_lL6fxY3gCLcB/s1600/2017-01-05%2B19.24.45-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-msgV0uh1c/WJqYrvKx5VI/AAAAAAAAMXY/fMXMUlB2Tvggy7OZqEpKNiCV_lL6fxY3gCLcB/s640/2017-01-05%2B19.24.45-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the air temp is 40, it feels like 20 on the bike.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In snow or ice, you have zero traction.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carbon road bikes </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(& human bodies)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snap, like twigs on impact with cars trucks </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(or buildings).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hence, spinning indoors.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(You could take a spin class?)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A. Why spend ten minutes re-adjusting the seat when you have a bike at home that already fits you?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B. Who says the class will be targeting you race season goals?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C. The instructor at my gym sings along with the workout music...& she is way off key.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used to dread the 12 weeks when I could not ride outside. Then I discovered instead of staring at the walls of my garage, I could be watching movies or Netflix episodes of West Wing. Once I spent so much time on the bike that my family set a table setting on my back to tell me to stop for lunch.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1j08qDkJX-c/WJf0Tozcj_I/AAAAAAAAMWI/u7FddTAoB1gy2sCn5WP-xt5Jo_1WTGJqwCEw/s1600/2016-04-03%2B21.27.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1j08qDkJX-c/WJf0Tozcj_I/AAAAAAAAMWI/u7FddTAoB1gy2sCn5WP-xt5Jo_1WTGJqwCEw/s640/2016-04-03%2B21.27.14.png" width="427" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the next week, I took the bike outside & did a 30 minute set while my neighbors shoveled themselves out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkUMMrPm28o/WKEr8PC1BPI/AAAAAAAAMYc/J_JedjuaVe0WF4kwXvQHa8H1iWRL1rRoQCLcB/s1600/2016-01-24%2B10.07.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkUMMrPm28o/WKEr8PC1BPI/AAAAAAAAMYc/J_JedjuaVe0WF4kwXvQHa8H1iWRL1rRoQCLcB/s640/2016-01-24%2B10.07.37.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now 3 times a week for about an hour each, I'm doing bike workouts after the kids go to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Hopefully inside the house).</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The advantage of becoming a "triathlete hamster wheel" is the ability to reproduce workout results in a controlled environment.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are 5 zones, ranging from 1 to 5.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zone 1 requires so little amount of effort that it's practically "checking for a pulse".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zone 5 on the other hand feels like "I'm going to die at this pace".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each of the three workouts I do, require me to hold at a different zone for an extended period of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For example:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zone 1: 5 minutes</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zone 3: 2:30 minutes</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zone 6: 30 seconds</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Zone 6????)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the plan. This is how I am going to get faster at the 112 miles of cycling for Ironman Lake Placid.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few Triathlon terms:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>PR</b> is Personal Record, your new fastest time. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We want to be so faster, that we shortened the term for it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cadence</b> is mph, but we are measuring how fast you make the wheel spin when you pedal. If you are pedaling too fast, you are in the wrong gear. The bike is a machine & it should be working harder.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtUE0Ldsoqg/WKEwuj3dihI/AAAAAAAAMYs/tkDlJTQyqtQ-HPRf5DdFEM_oYLod6BGdQCLcB/s1600/2017-02-06%2B23.01.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtUE0Ldsoqg/WKEwuj3dihI/AAAAAAAAMYs/tkDlJTQyqtQ-HPRf5DdFEM_oYLod6BGdQCLcB/s320/2017-02-06%2B23.01.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aero position</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, bent over the handlebars being aerodynamic. The lower you are, the less wind resistance slowing you down.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82lgVrUNk9M/WJf5qgT1byI/AAAAAAAAMWY/t6eji4LLjdgLIiUducS91ElsKEEdx8dZgCLcB/s1600/2017-01-21%2B03.01.13-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82lgVrUNk9M/WJf5qgT1byI/AAAAAAAAMWY/t6eji4LLjdgLIiUducS91ElsKEEdx8dZgCLcB/s320/2017-01-21%2B03.01.13-2.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-76035875173204144152017-01-22T20:15:00.002-08:002017-01-22T20:15:38.722-08:00The Demons in Our Minds- 180 days to GO!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 Ironman triathlons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 times I have been unsure if I could finish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5wwKYlhX1o/WHRcumwp4_I/AAAAAAAAMPI/VfRf4Mn_FgYSWXNCvVWPOqXe7LUJ_CFNgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5wwKYlhX1o/WHRcumwp4_I/AAAAAAAAMPI/VfRf4Mn_FgYSWXNCvVWPOqXe7LUJ_CFNgCLcB/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(The Day After foot bandaging by Janet Roher)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2010-Ironman Cozumel- 2 miles from the finish & it hurt to move any further. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2012-Ironman Arizona-2 miles from the finish & I'm running out of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2014-Ironman Louisville- 6 miles from the finish & I’m afraid I’m going to pass out from the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2016-Ironman Lake Placid- 22 miles from the finish of the bike & it hurts too much to keep pedaling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(So why do you keep coming back?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like to challenge myself.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Well, yeah. When you put yourself in jeopardy, you persevere or you perish)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those are some big words. Did you google them?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I asked Alexa)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each time my completion was in doubt, I instinctively went to a place where I started to reconcile the failure I was sure was coming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Well, I tried my best.”, but I hadn’t. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(You copped out)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got scared & I stopped trying.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Why?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDsa_mME8zY/WHRc8R6s6XI/AAAAAAAAMPM/aw4SUzjNHUU3vSYHtFyNmyzSWReA19TWgCLcB/s1600/Dad4..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDsa_mME8zY/WHRc8R6s6XI/AAAAAAAAMPM/aw4SUzjNHUU3vSYHtFyNmyzSWReA19TWgCLcB/s200/Dad4..jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tyHdf0Px54/WIVHn6r1umI/AAAAAAAAMU4/yhzdaCiAiu8v2QMQc3pP6EgAc9IEFQ4ZwCLcB/s1600/Scan_20170122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tyHdf0Px54/WIVHn6r1umI/AAAAAAAAMU4/yhzdaCiAiu8v2QMQc3pP6EgAc9IEFQ4ZwCLcB/s200/Scan_20170122.jpg" width="198" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My parents raised me in an environment where I knew they were always there to catch me if I fell.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I don't understand what that has to do with Ironman)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't learn to read & write until I was almost 10, but they wouldn't let me quit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried to drop out of college, because it became </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">overwhelming, but they wouldn't let me quit.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(An athlete who acts as his own therapist, has a fool for a client)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Something like that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As coaches, we tell our athletes to bank those breakthrough workouts. You need them for those moments of darkness, when it your success appears to be in doubt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each race presents its own challenges, and I am reminded each time that crisis hits, that I have been here before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your entire life has lead to this moment, so look back, and draw strength from every challenge you have overcome.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYCaON2CWhU/WIVL4sycjqI/AAAAAAAAMVE/M55mNH0HB7IwfDWD3ZCNcb79IjXS-ZuKACLcB/s1600/Scan_20170122%2B%25283%2529-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYCaON2CWhU/WIVL4sycjqI/AAAAAAAAMVE/M55mNH0HB7IwfDWD3ZCNcb79IjXS-ZuKACLcB/s400/Scan_20170122%2B%25283%2529-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like the song says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We are dancing with the demons in our minds."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nbq6Ur103Q</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In triathlon, you can have the largest support team, but on race day you are the only person who can rescue you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCB0F7n2Fv0/WHRfIUYbZ1I/AAAAAAAAMPY/nyyQFNI-DEoIgPWb28yTDRYEYOUUn81EACLcB/s1600/20101128%2B231225_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCB0F7n2Fv0/WHRfIUYbZ1I/AAAAAAAAMPY/nyyQFNI-DEoIgPWb28yTDRYEYOUUn81EACLcB/s400/20101128%2B231225_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-54364704217049131722016-12-04T18:54:00.001-08:002016-12-04T18:54:59.445-08:00Why the Swim Matters-230 Days to GO<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">"I could totally do the swim at the Ironman. How long is it?"</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"2.4 miles."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">"How many meters is that?"</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"Almost 3,900."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">"Oh...how many pool lengths is that?"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">169 pool lengths...in open water.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">"H</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">ow many days do you get?"</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"2 hours & 20 minutes."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">"Oh never mind."</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's why they say that you cannot win on the swim, but you can lose.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Huh?)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the race starts at 7 a.m., you have to be out of the water by 9:20 or you get disqualified.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(So arrest me.)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They take your timing chip.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(So?)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FCYfs4sPeq8/WER2Z3scqNI/AAAAAAAAMGU/87Mq8bOLec0E9nsFjhze10qdI-5KP4TMgCLcB/s1600/0257_53041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FCYfs4sPeq8/WER2Z3scqNI/AAAAAAAAMGU/87Mq8bOLec0E9nsFjhze10qdI-5KP4TMgCLcB/s320/0257_53041.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you run past the crowds on your way to the finish line, that chip tells the announcer which athlete is approaching. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine being stopped at the finish line and being told that you're disqualified.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(You've given this a lot of thought)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The fear of missing the time cut off is why I swim every Monday morning.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Do you swim that distance every week?)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For the first three months of training I will swim 1,500 meters sets and focus on my form.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Who cares about what you look like?)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Form is where people lose time. The more streamlined you are in the water, the faster you go.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQN9j3OGyog/WER1PArnHmI/AAAAAAAAMGQ/TaY2Cu_1nJIhY1cPSH7d4svitGO5T-_sACLcB/s1600/2015-08-28%2B13.44.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQN9j3OGyog/WER1PArnHmI/AAAAAAAAMGQ/TaY2Cu_1nJIhY1cPSH7d4svitGO5T-_sACLcB/s320/2015-08-28%2B13.44.34.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the picture that explained why my swim time dropped from 1:50 per 100 to 2:06 per 100 in August of 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(What am I looking at?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bubbles as my hand was dropping. My form was collapsing, because I wasn't keeping my arm outstretched.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Triathlon swimming is all about your form, not your strength</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Don't you strength train?)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I do but, being physically strong will help you maintain your form.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Does it work the other way around?)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">No, it does not work the other way around.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Won't having big muscles get in the way?)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm not building muscle mass, I'm building endurance strength. The longer I can hold my fore arm straight out, the less drag I create.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(The faster you swim)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You are learning.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Thank you)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You're welcome.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-46683102842427706802016-11-13T20:16:00.000-08:002016-11-13T20:16:35.581-08:00Just a Marathon - 250 Days to GO<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The original marathon is a legend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No one is really sure if in 490 BC, Pheidippides actually ran all the way from the Battle of Marathon, back to Athens.</span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrwhHFPD4m4/WCkjJ9qb4sI/AAAAAAAAMCA/38oCD9GdYoolF_KzJRGhlG4sN4I5jOwFQCLcB/s1600/MarathonMan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrwhHFPD4m4/WCkjJ9qb4sI/AAAAAAAAMCA/38oCD9GdYoolF_KzJRGhlG4sN4I5jOwFQCLcB/s1600/MarathonMan.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No matter, at the first modern Olympiad, in 1896, it was decided that the run should be 25 miles. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Thanks guys).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was the olympic distance until the 1908 olympics in Great Britain.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Uh oh, I don't like where this is going)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That year, the finish line was 1.2 miles ahead of the King's viewing box & you had to finish in front of the King.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hence, the modern marathon distance of 26.2 miles was born</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Thanks guys).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the 3rd year in a row, I competed in the NYC Marathon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each year that I have run this race, the distance has seemed a little shorter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Compared to an Ironman, running just a marathon must have been easy for you)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks, thanks a lot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Truth is, any race is difficult if you actually race it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I grabbed a bus from the Meadowlands Sports Complex at 6 a.m.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was at the race start compound by 7 a.m.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Is that when you started running?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No, my wave wasn't scheduled to start until 11 a.m.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(What did they expect you to do for 4 hours?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After morning prayers, I hung out with friends. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(For 4 hours?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had celular reception.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 10:30, they started lining people up in front of their corrals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From there, each wave started the short march to the start line at the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Bridge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most triathlons have 2-3,000 competitors, so there are 4-6 starting waves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The NYC Marathon has 50,000 runners, so the start requires funneling groups of runners in waves, based on their run speeds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You enter the gate of your wave. You follow the flow of the crowd around a bend at a shuffle pace. It's like exiting a concert or game at Meadowlands or Madison Square Garden. One minute all you can see are the people in front of you, the next, you are suddenly at the entrance to the Verrazano Bridge. You are running across this massive structure where cars normally travel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzVrQdKBgfk/WCkpX4CJoCI/AAAAAAAAMCU/CoB9nCt1YO0FRhHd5mKULQujQMj8I4xJACLcB/s1600/2016-11-06%2B11.17.40-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzVrQdKBgfk/WCkpX4CJoCI/AAAAAAAAMCU/CoB9nCt1YO0FRhHd5mKULQujQMj8I4xJACLcB/s320/2016-11-06%2B11.17.40-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mile 3 - I was across the Bridge & running in Brooklyn. That was when I started to overheat in the Ironman costume</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(You didn't...you did)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did. I wore the costume again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Why?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kids dig it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mile 6 - </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The suit had cooled down & </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was in the zone; I was focused. Then I heard, <b><span style="color: blue;">"Go Ironman".</span></b> The kid must have been 8 years old at most, so I ran over & hi fived him. I heard the chant from a few adults too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cquVtRsgzQ/WCkra8A0OHI/AAAAAAAAMCg/84a5cxZuP189KbK0y75F3oyVSJjm68ydQCLcB/s1600/2016-11-13%2B03.45.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cquVtRsgzQ/WCkra8A0OHI/AAAAAAAAMCg/84a5cxZuP189KbK0y75F3oyVSJjm68ydQCLcB/s400/2016-11-13%2B03.45.49.png" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the next 6 miles, block after block. White kids,black kids, hispanic kids, even Hasidic kids.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Go Ironman."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made sure to hi five them all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I even let the little kids tap the helmet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brooklyn became Queens, Queens became Manhattan's Upper East Side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mile 15- I saw this sign & I had to stop:</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TXQd6JdK9iE/WCksWVPEjUI/AAAAAAAAMCk/UiXMzTomtK4nwmShowP-sPn1OYfyjgAxwCLcB/s1600/2016-11-06%2B14.45.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TXQd6JdK9iE/WCksWVPEjUI/AAAAAAAAMCk/UiXMzTomtK4nwmShowP-sPn1OYfyjgAxwCLcB/s320/2016-11-06%2B14.45.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the sub 6 hour marathon at Ironman Lake Placid 4 months ago, I knew that I could beat last year's finish time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsvfANqAW88/WCkwMmEMg5I/AAAAAAAAMC4/_oNETDTtowIZuxvHOtQzb--gci8uSEyZwCLcB/s1600/2016-11-07%2B13.40.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsvfANqAW88/WCkwMmEMg5I/AAAAAAAAMC4/_oNETDTtowIZuxvHOtQzb--gci8uSEyZwCLcB/s320/2016-11-07%2B13.40.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, naturally, I announced before the marathon start, finishing under 5 & 1/2 hours was my goal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Naturally).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was making good time according to my watch as I crossed into the Bronx. I was averaging 12 minutes per mile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was the pace I needed to keep to finish in less that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 & 1/2 hours.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXUzaVmvays/WCkvW9KjqQI/AAAAAAAAMCw/HGsFk85eiMEkSdbyKdH3sihx0L_Z4JL-ACLcB/s1600/2016-11-14%2B03.26.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXUzaVmvays/WCkvW9KjqQI/AAAAAAAAMCw/HGsFk85eiMEkSdbyKdH3sihx0L_Z4JL-ACLcB/s320/2016-11-14%2B03.26.24.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(How do you run for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 & 1/2 hours</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Question for another time. I have a story to finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few blocks passed the 18 mile mark I looked down at my watch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">DEAD!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Dead?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blank face. My rechargeable Garmin Fenix 3 was dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was flying blind. I no longer knew how I was doing on time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I crossed back into Manhattan, I asked a few runners,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Hey what time is it?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They kept telling me how long they had been running.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(So?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So 50,000 people did not start running over the Verrazano Bridge at 11:02 a.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With 5 miles to go, I was going to have to gauge my pace on my memory of what a 12 minute mile felt <span style="color: red;">(Feels?)</span> like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At mile 24, I got my answer: it was 4:08.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was going to have to run 2, 11:45 minute miles to make it before 4:32 pm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the last mile, I was going all out. I was nearly spent, but I wasn't leaving anything on the course. I sprinted across West 59th & back into the Park towards the finish. I was sucking air as I headed north.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I saw the clock as I crossed the finish line & I knew...it was 4:34. I was 2 minutes late. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tried & I failed to finish in under 5 hours 30 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, that's ok. I did my best & ... </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>(PING!)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I looked down at my phone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRlHiklWKOg/WCk10B2pz6I/AAAAAAAAMDI/9JsMswLaQkQbq1pHI0S7iXcuqZIca0tFgCLcB/s1600/2016-11-14%2B03.55.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRlHiklWKOg/WCk10B2pz6I/AAAAAAAAMDI/9JsMswLaQkQbq1pHI0S7iXcuqZIca0tFgCLcB/s320/2016-11-14%2B03.55.04.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Somehow, I thought I had started earlier than I actually did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPPfM-W3Lig/WCk2hXLOqnI/AAAAAAAAMDM/5quvsPsWYDMeaUldzdUTScmefc6FTgYRwCLcB/s1600/2016-11-06%2B16.57.05-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPPfM-W3Lig/WCk2hXLOqnI/AAAAAAAAMDM/5quvsPsWYDMeaUldzdUTScmefc6FTgYRwCLcB/s400/2016-11-06%2B16.57.05-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-79625147305641109082016-10-30T19:52:00.001-07:002016-10-30T23:18:36.188-07:00PT 2016- 265 days to GO<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After completing an Ironman Triathlon, a smart man would rest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not being very smart, 10 days later I participated in a 175 </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">mile charity bike ride.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tZMuHkYoDE/WBKz94vBrTI/AAAAAAAAL2Q/YSxdazBQx_wCXJg6YOcSdnlAMdr_e4VPACLcB/s1600/2016-08-14%2B03.27.59.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tZMuHkYoDE/WBKz94vBrTI/AAAAAAAAL2Q/YSxdazBQx_wCXJg6YOcSdnlAMdr_e4VPACLcB/s320/2016-08-14%2B03.27.59.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">On day one, at Mile 60, nearing the summit of a 6-mile incline my left quad cramped out. Laying on the ground, trying to stretch it out, I found my whole hip cramp out.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="color: red;">(Were you slithering like a snake in the dust?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pretty much<br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Once I stretch that out </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">(You called for the SAG wagon and called it a day)</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">I got back on my bike the road another two miles till the other side cramp out.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">(That was when you called that wagon and called it a day)</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">No, my friend came by and offered me a muscle relaxing cream.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">I was impressed that it didn't taste as bad as I thought it would.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">"Dave you know that cream is topical right?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">(Did your tongue go numb?)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">No & I finished the hundred twenty miles of riding. Then I threw in a 5k run when I got off the bike</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">(Then you called it a day?)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I slipped into an ice bath.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day we rode another 55 miles.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(Then you called the season quit)</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three weeks later I competed in Half Ironman Maine70.3</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bca63JSZGAg/WBK1R-wJXUI/AAAAAAAAL2U/nEaLSeSIDI4m74iMApMn4KYMf27Eo8v_QCLcB/s1600/2016-08-28%2B05.54.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bca63JSZGAg/WBK1R-wJXUI/AAAAAAAAL2U/nEaLSeSIDI4m74iMApMn4KYMf27Eo8v_QCLcB/s320/2016-08-28%2B05.54.33.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y37Rstqk8W4/WBK2a-tkSaI/AAAAAAAAL2o/LgLLy6UKRdcLNoOSIjy5jKK44ltx3s-xwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-28%2B18.30.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y37Rstqk8W4/WBK2a-tkSaI/AAAAAAAAL2o/LgLLy6UKRdcLNoOSIjy5jKK44ltx3s-xwCLcB/s320/2016-08-28%2B18.30.58.jpg" width="246" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three weeks later I competed in Half Ironman Atlantic City70.3. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had 3 athletes competing, I had to go</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly1vfisabZM/WBK1qWRjAyI/AAAAAAAAL2c/cuTmzgeQxlc86D32IYx_iTw9hHePd_dYwCLcB/s1600/2016-09-18%2B12.29.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly1vfisabZM/WBK1qWRjAyI/AAAAAAAAL2c/cuTmzgeQxlc86D32IYx_iTw9hHePd_dYwCLcB/s200/2016-09-18%2B12.29.45.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Because you have a death wish)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because I enjoy racing</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Yup, a death wish)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next week, I started to notice a tightness in my hamstring.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(The butt muscle?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The muscle that connects from your tush to the back of you knee.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The lower butt muscle?)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My PT reassured me it was just tightness... and with great intensity started to loosen it up.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ9j5JL3yh0/WBK4wYkf8QI/AAAAAAAAL24/K7g9Wli653QBE_V-25qxcxnu9UjXlyR9wCLcB/s1600/2016-10-11%2B15.28.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ9j5JL3yh0/WBK4wYkf8QI/AAAAAAAAL24/K7g9Wli653QBE_V-25qxcxnu9UjXlyR9wCLcB/s320/2016-10-11%2B15.28.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There is nothing enjoyable about having a grown man rub the knots out of your hamstring muscles.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There is nothing enjoyable about having your PT twist you into a pretzel shape.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But with 6 days to go to the New York City marathon there is great joy in knowing you will be ready.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(And that you have a death wish).</span></span><br />
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1669831519156534036.post-29879626493985085102016-10-20T19:54:00.000-07:002016-10-21T00:06:25.161-07:00The Unfinished Journey-275 Days to GO<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">Reset the count down clock, we're doing another Ironman in 2017.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(I'm shocked)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(You're never going to stop, are you?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I need to take a break in 2018 for my kid's bar mitzvah.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(So you are changing the every other year schedule)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yup, plus I felt like I had a unfinished business at Ironman Lake Placid.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Unfinished? You set a new PR! You finished a 140.6 mile race in under 16 hours!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkmGN6_JToA/WAmCLprfEJI/AAAAAAAALy4/G9rhyqP457IkPVqoGuxVOTJK9hBHYuQHACLcB/s1600/91_3rd-103927-FT-1320_095226-2540865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkmGN6_JToA/WAmCLprfEJI/AAAAAAAALy4/G9rhyqP457IkPVqoGuxVOTJK9hBHYuQHACLcB/s320/91_3rd-103927-FT-1320_095226-2540865.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, I did poorly on the bike.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Poorly? You rode 112 miles in under 8 hours.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At one point I had to stop to catch my breath.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOLd3GN6iyc/WAmBzvly5FI/AAAAAAAALyw/dQpcfO-yn3Y4VXpuI9D9ry8R0h2wiGbSACLcB/s1600/138_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_020220-2540912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOLd3GN6iyc/WAmBzvly5FI/AAAAAAAALyw/dQpcfO-yn3Y4VXpuI9D9ry8R0h2wiGbSACLcB/s320/138_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_020220-2540912.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(So you could have done better on the bike)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt that I could have done better at everything.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Is there a point where you will be happy?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">14:59:59</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(What if you don't achieve that goal?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I shaved an hour off my marathon. If I shave 30 minutes off the bike & another 15 off the run, I will be there. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Are you capable of a 1:25:00 swim, a 7:30:00 bike & a 5:45 run?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The motto of Ironman is, "Anything is possible on race day". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trick will be time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(You mean seeing your family)</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSTv5BEDg98/WAmB7ls0urI/AAAAAAAALy0/mrOscWEX-bsb2g7y6CZ4MGFUOoiVaZbaACLcB/s1600/159_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_098361-2540933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSTv5BEDg98/WAmB7ls0urI/AAAAAAAALy0/mrOscWEX-bsb2g7y6CZ4MGFUOoiVaZbaACLcB/s320/159_3rd-103927-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1320_098361-2540933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(How are you going to train more & not become, "Mommy, who is that man in spandex?")</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'll see, I have a plan. For now I have to get through the NYC Marathon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(You, Mr. ADD. You can do one thing at a time?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can stop thinking about Ironman training right now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(Says the man who just told us he plans to do another Ironman 11 months from now)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shuddup.</span></div>
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ericspapihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921895368296152908noreply@blogger.com0