Tagged By A Noodle

Well, I've been tagged by a Noodle, a Tough Noodle at that. So check out her blog and read below the results of my five questions.
1- How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
Well, that would make me 23 and more interested in drinking beer and Disco Hell night than running. I really didn't get into running until I found myself having to go buy a pair of 36 inch waist pants. (I wear a size 31 now) That was enough to scare me into getting back into shape. Being stocky and possessing a severe case of cankles, running wasn't always quick, but my competitive side is a nasty one so improvement came quickly. Then as every other red-blooded insecure boy would do, I hit the weight room. I wanted to be thick and lift as much weight as necessary to impress the lady-folk. The result, a body that wasn't conducive to running, especially not triathlon. I quickly changed my focus and goals after seeing the results of dropping a few pounds. I started racing just below the clydesdale level (although I had hit a peak of 208 pounds). This past year I raced at 158. Right now I'm carrying a few more pounds, but I'm very happy where I am. Running has become a ritual and a much enjoyed aspect of my life. It enables me to clear my mind and helps me to go into the day a bit more focused already having felt like I've accomplished something.
2-What is your best and worst run/race experience?
This is and easy one. I've had some pretty bad runs which quickly come to mind. We won't touch on the ones which include the sudden need to go boom boom. That's another post. We'll focus on the ones where everything just fell apart. In 2006, I was racing the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon in Philadelphia, MS in JULY, in MISSISSIPPI. In JULY! Needless to say it was hot, and I was feeling every bit of the 95+ degree heat and 100% humidity. Both hamstrings started cramping just after the one mile mark. With 6 more miles to go, the rest would be a death march. I've never wanted to quit a race before in my life until that day. My wife followed me along to track my progress. The shame of having her see me struggle was killing me. I limped in, but thanks to the worst run of my life I posted my slowest time of the 4 years I'd competed in the race.
The best? Same race, 2007. I'd marked this day on my calendar that day I made it back home from the race in 2006. I went in better prepared and fully juiced on electrolytes. In 2006, I completed the 7 miles in 1:13:24. In 2007, I did it in 47:54 and finished third in my age group. It was a much better day.
3- Why do you run?
Well, some days it's because it's the only thing that will get me to the finish line of a triathlon. But mainly, it's because I have to. Don't read that to mean that I regret having to run. What I mean is that I have to run in the same way that I have to breathe. I love my wife not because she's beautiful or because of the things she does for me. I love her because my heart tells me I have no choice. It loves her for what she is. I run for everything that it is. It's a gift.
4- What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Best - To race fast, you have to train fast. Don't show up on race day expecting to find some special adrenalin based speed. You gotta pay for speed. It only comes with training.
5- Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
I read anything and everything I can get my hands on about Ancient Rome.
I sing in the shower, enjoy playing shooter style video games, and running makes me fart. That's why I run alone.

So let's tag some folks. Everyone racing CDA this weekend gets a break. So let's hear from my favorite Chattanoogan, Molly (who needs to break away from facebook), Dr. Tri Jack, and the newly crowned Ironman David. Let's hear it.

Tailwinds....

Changing Up the Game Plan (a bit)

You know that orange in the back of your fridge? You know, the one you've been saving. You can't wait to slice it up and suck down the juices, but there it sits. You know it's there. You still want it, but still it stays in there. Couped up. Slowly deteriorating. The once ripe luscious fruit will soon become a chilled moldy turd. That's how I feel right now. I'm wasting away.

Not being able to throw down the training hours that I'm used to has greatly put a cramp in my fitness. Since I have a cap of 5 hours of exercise per week, my workouts have been uninspired and unfocused. Yes, there is something to be said for taking it easy, relaxing, and enjoying the experience, BUT nothing trumps the competitive side that says "if you aren't improving, you're wasting your time." So with that said, I've decided to add some focus to my workouts with putting some set goals for each discipline. What I've done is to focus on my favorite distance race, the intermediate/Olympic , and set speed goals for each leg. To do so, I will be turning up the intensity of my work outs a bit and include periodical time trials to test my progress.

Here's how a typical week will look:

Monday - 1 hour run - 7 miles

Tuesday - Swim 4x500 at race pace - core exercises to follow

Wednesday - Track work - mix of 400s and 800s

Thursday - Swim - 10 x 50, 5 x 100, sprints on 1:00

Friday - Swim 45 minutes - easy - core exercises to follow

Saturday - 30 mile time trial on bike, brick 6 mile run.

Sunday - rest

So far the week has gone well. Tonight will be my third week of completing track work, and I've enjoyed seeing the improvements in my runs. Track work totally sucks, but it really pays off.

Hope every one's season is going well. A bit fist pump to everyone racing this weekend in CDA (Blink, Big-Un, Tac, Al, Tri-Guy,Momo). I look forward to tracking your race on Sunday.

Tailwinds.....

Weary

Over the last week, I've witnessed a couple of instances of people struggling with some really tough times and some simply struggling with the cards life has dealt them. For instance, there is a girl at our church who has been crippled with MS since birth. She's able to get around with a walker, but it leaves her exhausted. Getting dressed to go somewhere is a two hour ordeal. She lives a life that would leave most of us bent and in tears if we had to endure just one day of it.

Lauren and I visited a shelter for the homeless this weekend. Eighty plus homeless men and a handful of women crowded into an old fire house to get their one meal for the weekend. These are the real social rejects. No one looks them in the eye or much less offers a hello or a smile. They've long since felt human. They deal daily with the results of whatever led them to this path. (I myself recognize that we've all taken the wrong path in life, but some of us are lucky enough to have avoided any real consequences with lifelong implications).

Lastly, a friend lost her husband nearly one week ago today. He was in his mid 30's and died due to an epileptic seizure. She was there and tried to save him by performing mouth to mouth on him. I can't imagine the pain of watching a loved one die in your hands, nor the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring. There are so many questions.

This world, this life, that we are in is a broken mess. We're in a constant battle. There will always be pain, hurt, misunderstandings, and loss. Why does it have to be like this? When will there be rest?
I ran across this last night, and I wanted to share it with you. It reminds us of the promise of the peace that awaits us. You can find rest in this.

From the Gadsby Hymnal:

Weary of earth, myself, and sin
Dear Jesus, set me free,
And to Thy glory take me in,
For there I long to be.

Let a poor laborer here below,
When from his toil set free;
To rest and peace eternal go;
For there I long to be.

Burdened, dejected and oppressed,
Ah! Whither shall I flee,
But to Thy arms for peace and rest?
For there I long to be.

Let a poor laborer here below,
When from his toil set free;
To rest and peace eternal go;
For there I long to be.

Empty, polluted, dark and vain,
Is all this world to me;
May I the better world obtain;
For there I long to be.

Let a poor laborer here below,
When from his toil set free;
To rest and peace eternal go;
For there I long to be.

XTERRA SOUTHEAST CHAMPIONSHIP

This weekend Xterra came to town and took over Oak Mtn State Park. I haven't picked up a mtn bike since discovering road racing so this was a bit of bitter sweet feeling watching some very talented riders do their thing out on the course. The weather was absolutely coooooking but gorgeous all in one.

In attendance were the two reigning world champions, Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid. I had a chance to talk to Stoltz for a bit and help him out with his X'd out logoe'd zoot skin suit. He said Zoot wasn't sponsoring him anymore so he wasn't advertising. Big mistake Zoot. Big mistake.

There were only around 150 participants in the race which is a huge disappointment because all I hear are rave reviews for our trails. Stoltz commented that this was one of his favorite venues. Nonetheless, once the gun went off the water was on fire as the participants of the mass start took off for the two lap swim.

After watching the pros come out of the water, we headed up to the infamous Blood Rock which is an extremely technical descent that tends to claim a few riders each year sending them home early. Watching the pros handle Blood Rock was just a reminder why their pros. It was like poetry. While watching, one rider did succumb to the Rock, but after a looksie with the paramedics he was back on his way.

Leaving T2, Stoltz was in 2nd and McQuaid was in the lead for the women. It was all working out as everyone thought it would. BUT, don't discount the Alabama heat! We heard a report that Dan Hugo was just seconds behind Stoltz with a kilometer to go. Wow. But Stoltz is a champion and turned it on and beat Hugo by 16 seconds across the line. During an interview with Hugo, he let everyone know that Stoltz wasn't just 16 seconds faster than him. He admitted that while on the course Stoltz had flatted, changed his tire and caught him. Wow. That must have cost him 3-4 minutes.

As for the woman's race, it wasn't Mel's day. Shonny Vanlandingham took the win in an amazing performance. McQuaid fought hard, but evidently had some troubles on the run and finished 7th. I hate that for her, but I am stoked that some other wonderful athletes were able to share in the spotlight.

Our fellow blogger, Jameson, was the first amateur to cross. The dude's an animal and nice guy. He had no reason to talk to me after the race as he was probably looking for the food tent, but he was an easy going guy that was willing to share in his excitement.

Big fist pump to the owner of our local bike shop, Faris Malki, for taking home 1st place in the duathlon. AND, there was a Tri Jack sighting! DV was doing his daily spin while tearing it up on the sport course.

All in all, great day. I loved being out there and watching it all. Even if it was off-road.

Tailwinds.

Helloooo Humidity!

Well, Spring is officially over in Birmingham. It was so short, I hardly even remember what it was like. The days of the 78 degree high are a thing of the past. Oh, times they are a changing. The past few weeks have been laced with intermittent thunder boomers and hard rains that have brought back our good ole friend Humidity to our fair town. It seems that with this onslaught any whisper that could be considered a breeze has left town on the first available bus. I know, I know, if I don't like it, move right? No chance.
The past few weeks have been good to me though. I've found a new route to run through town or at least rediscovered an old route to run. It's a 6 mile route that takes me along the ridge of Red Mtn with plenty of ups and downs. It's a little more intense of a run than what I've been running, but by doing it I hope to continue to work on my leg strength. As a result, I can already tell a big difference in my cycling. I took out for a 32 mile ride this weekend on the same loop that made me weep at my poor performance just a couple of months ago. This time, I could really feel a difference in my legs and the speed showed. My climbing isn't quite up to par, but I don't consider myself an embarrassment to the sport any more. Despite getting absolutely poured for about 10 minutes it was a great ride. My goal was to push the speed the entire time. The legs were there, and I loved it.
This weekend, I'm taking a few friends with me to Oak Mtn to do a little practice tri for Buster Britton. For BB, I'll be body marking and acting as a sherpa for my friend who is doing his first tri ever. I'm really excited about seeing him cross the finish line as this will more or less be a celebration of his transformation from a 230 pound couch potato to a 165 pound machine. Can't wait to post about his race and show you before and after pictures.
Take care everyone and tailwinds to all!