South Carolina Half Ironman

Just a short version of the race report for now. I'll try to get a full one up a bit later.

I will point out that being well feed prior to and during the race today made the difference between this race the my prior 1/2 back in June. The result was being able to finish the run this time without walking the majority of the race. Today's result was a 5:29:30 finish which I'm pretty happy with. Back in June I posted a 5:49 due to a total meltdown on the run. This year I was a little smarter, and a lot more relaxed. I'm hurting a lot worse right now, but it was well worth it.

Lauren and I drove over to Charleston, SC for a few days to celebrate our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY (which is Oct 1st). So, if time permits, I'll get a full report up later. Take care and thanks for reading.

Traveling Man

Tuesday 4:44 pm. (The phone rings and interrupts Matt from tweaking his fantasy team)
Matt: Hello
Client: Can you go to Sacramento?
Matt: (in head -SHEEEEEEEET!) Sure, what's going on?
Client: We need you to put on the superman cape. Do you still have it?
Matt: I think I have it, but it's a little loose. You see, I've been training for this Half IM this weekend and I've lost a little weight.
Client: So, can you be there tonight?
Matt: (SHEEEEEEEET!)
Client: Hello? Matt?
Matt: Yes, I'll get there as soon as possible.

Yeah, after being going to Chicago all of last week, I find myself flying the friendly skies again. Sacramento, CA on the eve of my final race for the year. Loving it. At least, Sacramento is a cool town. I had a little time this afternoon to check out the downtown area and found it quite attractive. I stumbled upon two bike shops which I give both two thumbs DOWN for not carrying 1 Tri bike. Not 1! Granted this is mainly a fat tire town so I can understand a little, but not 1? Come on.

Taper week has been good. Dedicated as always and fastidious in my nutrition plan for the week. Protein day sounds really cool, but it blows mad donkey chunks. I struggle with protein day, but I believe in the science and believe in the plan. The body has felt good all week. I was a little sore after Sunday's brick, but body feels loose and ready.

4 more days till the victory lap.

1 Week To Go

I've been just about as absent from blogger for the past few weeks as Auburn's offense has been during the first few games of this young college football season. The only excuse I can offer for myself is that I've been fairly busy. This past week I visited the great city of Chicago for a work convention. I'd never spent much time in the city, especially not in the downtown area, and I can honestly say I was quite impressed. I heard several friends comment on just how clean everything looked. I had to agree. I went out for a run early one morning and found a sweet bike and running trail along the shore of the Great Lake. There were tons of runners and cyclists out getting their exercise in. For the most part, the bikes were beaters and only used as commuters, but I did see a few equipped with aero bars and racing wheels. I had to laugh at a few coming by with arm warmers on. It was no where near chilly enough for that. Maybe they were just a little over anxious for the coming fall weather?
I was lucky enough to stay in the beautiful Chicago Hilton. Other than being close to a the running trail, the Hilton's most impressive feature was their 3 lane swimming pool. Thank you! It's so rare to find one in a hotel so I took full advantage when I had time.
Now, I'm back in Birmingham with my feet propped up watching football. I have 1 week to go until the season ending Half Iron in SC. Tomorrow is my last long day on the bike and on the run. I'll go 3 hrs on the bike followed by a ten mile run. After that, it should be an easy week of staying loose and eating right.
Check back for the game plan.

I Still Remember 9/11

God bless the families who lost loved ones 6 years ago today. God bless those who have lost friends and family members serving our country. May God bless our continued efforts to find a resolution to the war in Iraq. May God grant us the courage to endure the labor pains of freedom. May we look to God for direction in making decisions and trust in His soveriegnty. Thank you God for my freedom and those who have fought and died for this right.

3 WEEKS TO GO

This weekend marked 3 weeks to go until my Half IM at the end of the month. If this past weekend's weather is any indication of how it'll be for the race, I'd be ecstatic. For the first time in many months, we had a cool, well let's back up a bit, a non-hot breeze blow through Birmingham. A buddy of mine and I headed out around 6 am on Saturday for a 50 mile ride feeling fairly energized by the crispness in the air. All good things must come to an end though. The 75 degree pleasure soon gave way to 95 degrees of pain.

Given that our ride was 50 miles we had a chance to hit all the usually hot spots for cycling; Old Leeds, Powerman Course, Rex Lake, Ruffner etc. There were tons of cyclists out which is always nice to see. After the ride, we hit the road again for a 13 mile run. We did it in a two loops with a stop by a service station in the middle so we could stay hydrated. Again, tons of runners out. The parking lot we chose to start from was absolutely packed at 5:50 am of runners and cyclists heading out. It was crazy.

Both the bike and the run went really well. I had written out a nutrition plan for both and stuck to it. 13 miles is a lot easier when you have the necessary calories in the tank. I'm getting better at managing to steer and eat an endurance bar while on the bike. It's not pretty, but I'm getting it down. Overall, I was very encouraged by this weekend's results. Now I'm on for a taper. Going to enjoy the ride. Best wishes to all.

Currently Reading: The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell and The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.
Currently Listening to: The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter and Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.

Wanted: MOJO

So I've been a little awol from blogger for the better part of a week. Not a hiatus by any stretch of the imagination, but nonetheless, it's definitely been a break. Also missing have been my research on anything tri related, my constant planning for my next big brick, or my concerns for nutrition. It seems that I've lost of little bit of my drive, my excitement, or as super secret agent Austin Powers might say, Mojo.
I've got one race left to go, a half IM at the end of this month. The days are counting down quickly, although it still seems like forever away. My workouts have been fairly consistent but a little lackluster. It seems that everything that went right earlier this summer has suddenly decided to flip flop on me. Two flat tubes, 1 bent wheel, 1 cut tire, two blistered ankles, a cyclometer on the fritz, 1 infected ear (again!), and two tired legs. I know tired legs is common, but they just seem to be extra tired these days. In response, I've taken a few days off here and there to rest up. It seems to do the trick as my long training days after a rest day are always much stronger.
Along with these mechanical and physical issues, my desire just isn't what it used to be. It's coming down to the end of the season and to tell you the truth I'm ready for it. I'm ready to ride and run for the enjoyment of it. (Notice I didn't include swimming - although I sincerely doubt that I'll give it up over the off season).
BUT!, what I'm not ready to do is to put in a lackluster effort for my half IM. I'm still looking to score a PR so my training continues. I just need a little pick me up. A little Mojo. I'm on the hunt. Thanks for reading.