Running On Empty

TGIF!!!!

Let me start of by saying that I fabricated the conversation between my wife and I in the last post. She has never talked to me like that and as a result of my sad attempt at humor someones feeling got hurt. In my defence, I explained that no one reads this nonsense anyway, she didn't seem to care... SO... to mend the busted fence I gave her the contents my wallet anyway!!!

Lets rewind...

East side Triathlon, June 29... 1st Clyde... but would have been 1st in AG also, this has never happened. Feels good to be getting faster. Still need more work on the bike. Look I have two thumbs..

Firecracker 4, July 4th... 3 in AG... 4 miles. 29:00... took 1:30 off my time from last year. First mile 6:40 something, after that I dropped 15 to 17 seconds per mile. Not what I had hoped to do but I'm happy with this considering that speed work is nonexistent in my run training right now, nor has it ever been. The right knee stays sore and "pops" all the time, speed work could set me back a few months. So until joint replacement is an option, no speed work. This being my second time to do this race its probably one of my favorites. Its local so there's lots of familiar faces and it takes place only a few blocks from the house.

Lets fast forward..

This Sunday, Couples Triathlon in Austin... My brother and I will be representing, "The Axis of Evil" futures flights could be compromised due to this name. However its fitting considering our Lebanese background, besides ITS JUST A JOKE!!!. Team Tarabay isn't as fun... Team Brown eyes is suitable but not very nice. We actually put some thought into the team name, don't ask why... Looking forward to seeing Jane and Pink again, we seem to have the same race schedule going this year.

July 20th.. There is a Du in Webster depending on how I feel next week Team McLovin could be making an appearance...

Have a good weekend...

States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.

George Bush

Life the Tumbleweed...

Life is hectic right now...

Training is steady but everything is negotiated with my wife as she has started running again to lose the baby weight. So it goes like this...

As he walks through the door after a hard day at work.
Mr. Tarabay: Hi Honey I'm home.. Can I train today, Please.. Love You?

Mrs. Tarabay: Yeah yeah... who cares?? Give me your wallet!! Now!

Mr. Tarabay: But you already have my manhood in that silly purse of yours.

She reaches out as though she's going to offer a kiss to her loving husband, then laughs like the wicked witch of the West and says.

Mrs. Tarabay: Shut the F__K up and give and give me your wallet before I slap you...

She takes the wallet, gives feeding instructions for the 5 week old kiddo and says..

Mrs. Tarabay: I only have 1 nerve and your getting on it.. B1tch!!! I'm going out! And when I get back the kids better be clean and in bed or you'll be sorry!!!

She mumbles under her breath as she walks towards the door, flashes a few gang signs then slams the door, I'm left quivering in the corner...

However she did "allow" me to get a new bike on Fathers day, along with new cycling shoes.

Racing another sprint this weekend in Baytown Tx. Although my runs seldom exceed 30 minutes (so as to not injure the knee), my fitness level is high. My weight is down. Cycling abilities are up. Swim hasn't gotten any better since the new baby, as swim time is only maintenance 2000 yards 3 to 4 times a week. Race report and pictures to follow after the race...

VD in the Eye

About 2am this morning my eye woke me up.. Red, Swollen, and calling me names... Could I have caught some of that VD bacteria at the race last weekend?? I wonder if anyone else that was at that race has the same symptoms??

So I went to work this AM but couldn't hang, made it to the Dr for some eye drops, then home to catch a nap with the little guy... Notice the sunglasses.. Even the low lighting irritates it...

Pace Less Hammer More....

The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit. -Somerset Maugham

Lets Review My first triathlon

My First Tri...





March 17, 2007


St Patty's Triathlon


Keller, Texas





Swim 5:18 1:37


T1 1:55


Bike 45:49 15.7mph (ouch)


t2 0:54


run 27:32 8:53 per mile


overall 1:21:26


18th place out of 27 Clydesdale's


Almost 20min behind 1st Clyde

My weight at the time 235lbs or so...

The swim wasn't that bad as it was in a pool and I had a background in swimming. But....

That 3 mile run was long distance at the time! And...

I was a bit disappointed with my 15.7mph bike pace as I was on a road bike and was getting passed by mountain bikes.

Being competitive in nature, I HATED being passed and not even being middle of the pack. Thus my journey began...

Today, I'm hanging around 215 lbs enjoying my lifestyle and looking forward to my next "appearance" at the Eastside Triathlon in Baytown Tx in 3 weeks...

Pace Less Hammer More....

On Lennox Lewis
"Lennox Lewis, I'm coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!" Mike Tyson

Post Race Hoopla...

I have to say... Racing again felt great... nothing measures progress like competition. Long race reports are a drag so I'll keep it short...

Prerace... got to meet some fellow bloggers.. Pink Guru Gal and Kathleen... Great to finally meet you guys.. Kinda weird.. never truly met, but I know a few details of their lives and them mine.. Hopefully one day we can get together for drinks or foolishness without aerobars or goggles...

On with the show..

The swim.. my heat was huge.. Clydes, Athens, u19, and relays.. it sucked.. The first 10 seconds went well then someone turned on the washing machine, and I got beat all to hell. After the initial beating, I got a little pissed.. recovered, however the damage was done. my goal of first out of the water was a pipe dream.. ended up 5th clyde on the swim...

T1... went well... 1:33... a relay swimmer stopped directly in front of me to take off his chip and I was moving too fast to stop... I hollered, got my body around his, picked up the bike but the rear tire didn't quite clear his head... oh well, when the train is coming through get the fu*k out of the way... Riiiight?

The bike.. flat and fast... got passed by one clyde in the first 2 minutes. However I didn't let him out of my view... avg 20.6, still need to work on this... 5th in Clyde on the bike..

T2... :37 seconds.. I had a bad spot for t2 in the transition area, could have been a bit faster, but not much...

The run... had the fastest Clyde run avg 7:40 mile... Each Clyde that got ran down, I made sure when I passed them ( and they saw the "C" on my left calf) I was giving it all I had, so they wouldn't chase. At the finish line there was nothing left.. Despite my best effort I knew in my head there would be no need for waiting for the results. But I did... and... BLAM!!!






I know... its just a sprint, but its my first... 1st place... great reward for my efforts.. Now I want more...

More training... less pacing... more hammering... Maybe, I'll look into moving to Florida to train with Ryan (Mr.Caught on the Run) as he would have put me in my place...

New Objective, Train hard on the bike... Go hard on the bike... I HATE getting passed!!

Maybe lose another 5lbs???

Pace Less Hammer More...