2008 Hero....

Fellow blogger Ryan ( http://caughtontherun.blogspot.com/) (Someone please help me with this link thing....) got me thinking about a motivational hero for 2008. A person that when thought of inspires me to train harder or better. I so looked around and Faris Al Sultan seemed interesting to me. I found a podcast interview in which he seemed really cool and laid back, and he still rocked the speedo's. He talked about his fathers nationality and being Muslim and how it mixed with triathlon. I can relate to the Arab background and this was cool to me, its always compelling to hear about 2nd generation success stories. If someone would have described to my father 35 years ago the family he has today he would have told them they were out of their mind. OK, I'm off topic sorry...

So, I slept on that thought of "is this guy capable of being a hero" the answer is no.. Not to me, Faris (translates to Knight) is a natural athlete, he still has to work hard but not as hard as lets say Matt Reed... Now Matt Reed is a big dude, 6'5" Nickname "Boom Boom" again I can relate to his disadvantage.. But he's not inspiring to me, Impressive yes very much so, but Boom Boom isn't getting me out of bed at 4am to train.

My inspiration comes from the local newspaper that highlights the accomplishments of young high school students. The most recent phenom is Lauren Smith, http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3a3b3b3ffcc30b19 at 16 years old shes doing great things. Breaking records and with dreams of being in the Olympics, whats more inspiring than that? Or think of Steve Prefontaine his story (although it has holes in it) will lend a hand to the eye of the tiger.

I need to end this post, unfortunately I don't have an answer for Mr Caught on the Run. I've come up with a few possible answers...

1. I've driven by those with whom I race with and email daily speaking Language O' triathlon.

2 The fact that most of my training sessions are at the expense of my preggers wife's time/sanity and I want to make the best of it.

3. Most of all I think its the fact that until I met triathlon my life was job, job, job. My friends were work related, activities, social events, etc.... Could it be selfishness, or could it be me wanting to crank up the competitive creature inside. Like when I was that teenager with huge dreams wanting to see the moon!!!!

OK, Enough of the seriousness.... this isn't me... is anyone reading this, am I talking to myself???

Pace Less Hammer More!

Europeans don't seem to have the groupie mentality. Kid Rock

Triathlon Imagery

Triathlon imagery! What a wonderful thing, I guess? However, my mind is simple, almost Neanderthal like. It processes information slowly and without much reaction. Therefore, over the last few months, concepts like imagery and thought control have passed through it but as usual, no light bulb turned on. I’ve been waiting for this chain reaction similar to that of a grand finally at a 4th of July firework display.

I’m kidding it’s not that bad. I’ve heard about imagery before and how the best athletes are able to train and perform while blocking out negative thoughts. Concentration is difficult when waking up early to get in a workout then putting in a full day at work and trying to juggle a family, routine duties, and more training in the evening, day after day…. How about the thoughts of pain and boredom on those long swims? Or a conflict at work that replays in your head on a long run? All of which are taking away from the training session and the future performance. Ok, so what’s the solution? A higher confidence level? A life without tension, anger, depression, or chaos? A better job? Excessive amounts of descressionary cash? Who knows??? Maybe there is someone out there with a some back ground on the subject who can “learn” me something (Jane)(Oh wait, no one is reading this). Until then I will just hope that finding pleasure in training and racing will be all the motivation I need. As soon as my wife suggests that I need to see a therapist will be the day I go pro, LexaPro that is… Deep thinking isn’t my specialty (because I have no specialty, or the mental capacity to have a deep thought) I’m exhausted at this sad attempt to achieve a meaningful thought. HUH... once again I dont think that makes any sense..

Now, As I mentioned in my last post, we (Diet Coke and I) BROKE up. I was shackled to the wonderful silver can and now I’ve been freed from the Dungeness hells of aspartame! This leads me into my next battle dealing with a horrible accusation someone (Ryan) made about me in the comments of my last post. Although I have set some weight loss goals that are achievable anything further would require the amputation of both of my legs and arms. Remember the Black Knight? "Tis mearly a flesh wound" !

Never trust spiritual leader who cannot dance. ~
Mr. Miyagi

Last Day for Recovery...

So, today marks the end of marathon training/recovery, and honestly its easy to tuck that phase away in the bottom drawer and forget about it. Not to be redundant, but strictly running isn't my dealeo yo...





The digital camera took a dump last week so the camera phone will help illustrate my thoughts, mainly because my creative writing skills are that of that 3rd grader. Sometimes it amazes me how I managed to make it through college.








Typically work is slow this time of year so I've come up with a training plan based on my studies, (mostly during my down time at the office). My goal is a 5:30hr half Ironman on March 30 in Galveston .

So today will be my final day of Diet Coke, oh my beloved Diet Coke! We have been friends for many years "it's not you.... it's me" Diet Coke has been there for me when I was in need the most. It comforted me when I was feeling insecure, it stimulated my mind when I couldn't focus, and now I'm a slave to it!!!! Well not any more! I'm stronger than the pretty silver can of goodness! And like a garage door, I'm closing this chapter of my life!!!!
Next topic of discussion and also the main purpose for dropping Diet Coke, My Weight. If you'll notice below I'm the big goofy guy in the white shirt with a red hat. I have gained a few pounds over the last few month even while training for the marathon. Is it the love of food or the feeling of a full belly that I cant resist, maybe both.

So over the course of the next 10 weeks I'll make an effort to note what I put in my mouth so as to drop the lbs. I haven't seen 210 on the scale in at least 10 years, so that will be my goal. As most achievements deserve an award I will treat myself to a Diet Coke when that day comes.

Even though my focus will be on speed and increasing my VO2 max I'm sure my kiddo will be getting a few more trips in his g-ride, foshizzle.... Really, I got this jogging stroller for $5.00.... That's it 5 bucks on ebay, no shipping, what a deal. Not to mention the kid loves it but Nicole seems to think he should be wearing a helmet, so I do the "yes, dear" and leave asap, then I just say "oops I forgot" when she catches me later.


This picture has no bearing on anything, I just like the pictures of sleeping kids in car seats. What a life huh...

So if you've made it this far may God bless you for wading through the muck of my blog. This is not one of my best efforts as it is Friday so I'll be starting my weekend in less than an hour. Not that my mind was ever really in the right place its definitely somewhere else right now. I'll start my 1st day of training with a 6 mile run and 3200 yards in the pool while The Crystal Method bangs in my ears (Its the name of the game) and I mumble out of breath... Pace Less, Hammer More....


Have a good weekend....

"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it."-Sam Levenson

Houston Marathon

Oh the pain!!! My 1st marathon finish 4:12:59. Really I was shooting for sub 4 hours, but whats 13 min. really?? I'm not really a runner although the more I do it and the less painful it gets I enjoy it more and more. Could it be the solitude? Could it be the soreness in the legs after a good run? Could it be that I burn more calories running thus justifying a big meal? It could be all the above... The more enjoyable it becomes the more I find myself zoning out while running, and this is a good thing.

Here's my quick race review. I started the race feeling good, it was a bit cold but not miserable. The first 10k went fast (53:24), Chris my training partner helped me along as he is by far a much better runner than yours truly. Now the sun is out, were warm, sweating a little, the trash bags are off, enjoying the scenery. Chris carried me up to the half way point (1:53:49), when he so politely bid me adieu, gave me the obligatory high five, chunked the deuce, and said "I'll be waiting for you at the finish, gangsta!" This is where my ability started to fade, I was able to hang with him a few more miles, but my heart rate was getting a bit high so I backed off. At the 30k I clocked a 2:48:55. My hips and quads were screaming "stop running you fat phuck" so I did a few times, but then I would have the hardest time getting loose again, and I use the term "loose" lightly. Loose at that point was basically anything over a 2' stride. OK blah blah blah mile 20 was the wall, that damn bastard wall... I was enjoying the cheering sections although I had my volume turned up to max as I couldn't stand to hear "almost" from anyone else. The people-watching was however, my saving grace as there were lots of beautiful people on the sidelines. The last 1.5 to 2 miles I was able to pick up the pace and finish strong, 4:12:59.. Good enough for my lazy natured body. As I finished and was getting weighed Chris approached me with a Banana (in a very NON-Gay kinda way) as he had finished only 15 min or so before me and decided to wait on a brotha...

OK enough of that... Did anyone see the Middle Eastern Dance Club or whatever they called themselves??? They were on Woodway right before 610... Holy Crap!!! Being someone well anointed with the Arab culture, I was embarrassed for these people. I'm not typically a rude guy in person or in the blog world, but WTF!!! Honestly, they looked like a band of miscreants in their little belly outfits and those creepy looking guys that were beating the drums should be investigated for child pornography... OK sorry, I don't mean to hate, but I really find it difficult to congratulate. I can appreciate the support, but it would be like me and my redneck buddies starting a club to celebrate Indonesian Cultural Heritage. OK sorry that's my spare change...

Pace Less Hammer More...

Batman: "That's life, Robin, full of ups and downs. It ill befits any of us to become to confident."

My Epiphany...

A few weeks ago I posted a copy of "You Know your a Triathlete When " somewhere on the list it says something about long workouts and good conversations with yourself. Last night on the stationary bike an hour felt like 10 minutes. Deep thinking is not something normally associated with McLovin, but I had an epiphany. I'll make this quick, for two reasons. 1. Its dumb 2. No ones reads my doltish narrations anyway...

So there I am pedaling away (aero position of course) thinking about my wife's due date, (May 19) and how much I love the feeling of being a father. With another kid in the house I'll be blessed with twice the love. Then like a sucker punch in the dark it hit me!!! WHAT HAVE WE DONE??? HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN??? WHERE WAS THE VOICE OF REASON LAST SUMMER?? 2 kids 18 months apart this means a drastic change. All though I call myself a dolt, I'm not stupid. (HUH? That makes no sense at all but anyway.) Were fully aware of the sacrifices parents make especially in the first few years of a child's life. Our schedules will ultimately stay the same, but the bulk of the burden will fall upon my wife. Leaving the house at 4am doesn't leave much room to help out in the morning. As I went through all the scenarios in my feeble head all I could think was WTF!!! Then being the selfish ingrate that writes this blog I begin to think about my triathlon season. By the end of my self meeting I'm able to relate my life to triathlon. In the beginning I was overwhelmed even with a sprint distance and the training that went along with it. Not to mention a 70.3 distance was as attainable as winning the lotto, and so on.

So I came up with the analogy that having two kids 19 months apart, its like the start of an open water swim. Before it starts, its fun, everyone is laughing cutting up bragging about their own fitness, whatever. Then you get in the water and its cold, things start to suck. The gun goes off and the race begins the first 10 yards are great you feel good, then WHAM! your kicked in the head and your goggles fill with water. You try to fix them and you catch an elbow on your back. Now you try to swim and your out of breath, you cant find your stroke, you want to quit, its so tough, the water is still cold, you see a 60 year old passing you, your legs are heavy, IT SUCKS... Then something happens and you suddenly get it together. Ah, yes! now the current is helping you along, you found the perfect person to draft off of, your passing people again, feeling great about it, your a trained machine!!! Best of all the bad start is out of your mind and your focused on T1...

At least that's what I'm hoping life is like the.... GOD knows I've been wrong before...

So I guess I lied, sorry, its not as short as I had planned. OK, so to all those running in the marathon this weekend, best of luck to all! May the weather be on our side and the wind at our back...

Pace Less Hammer More....

When I black out, it's the happiest time of my life.

Artie Lange