Tag: Training

A return to strength

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Over the past several weeks, I’ve allowed myself to wallow in a bit of self-pity, which is at least part of the reason I haven’t blogged lately. Here’s a sampling: Oh poor me, I can’t run. Oh poor me, I hurt my hamstring again. Oh poor me, I didn’t get to run the Atlantic City Marathon. Oh poor me, I’m losing fitness. Am I serious with this attitude? I’ve had one of the most incredible years in terms of running and especially triathlon. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:  I ran 50 miles. I qualified for Boston (and am registered …

Making the best of the off-season

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 I’ve been involuntarily thrust into off-season due to the aggravation of my bicep femoris (one of my hamstrings) during the Vermont 50 several weeks ago.  My initial reaction to off season? It’s hell on earth. It’s a prison. It’s worse than being dipped in hot tar and feathered. Okay, maybe not the last one.  Suffice to say, I don’t enjoy this part of the annual training plan. But, that type of thinking is not very positive or productive. So, I’m turning this frown upside down, and I’m going to make the best of this early entré of off season.  It is my hope …

What will I learn today?

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About a year ago, I met with my University’s public relations guru, Barbara. (She is a media coverage rainmaker!) She had heard that I was training for my first Ironman, and that I would be raising money for a scholarship during the process. She wanted to help me promote the scholarship. We had lunch, during which she asked a series of questions about my athletic and academic history, about the training, about my motivation for raising money for the Iron Scholarship. At one point she asked, “Has this training helped you be a better teacher?” At the time, I said …

The first time finish line

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I’m addicted to the first time. You know: The first marathon. The first triathlon. The first 50k. The first ironman. And, this weekend, my first 50-miler: The Vermont 50. Crossing the finish line of any race is exhilarating. The feeling of accomplishment, of achieving a goal that you’ve set and steadfastly worked toward. Only you made it happen for yourself. Of course, finishing feels wonderful no matter how many times you’ve done that race before. But, hold up a minute. When you cross the finish line of your first attempt at a new event, the feeling is absolutely and overwhelmingly …

Losing control: Cannonman Half-Iron Triathlon Race Report

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I am neurotic about being prepared and having my gear organized. Perhaps you remember the pictures of my gear for Lake Placid, all carefully laid out and prepared. Or, maybe, you remember me writing about the packing lists I check and re-check to keep track of all of my gear. Apparently, I took a break from that approach for the Cannonman half-iron distance triathlon, which was held on August 22, 2010 at the Shawnee State Park, in Schellsburg, PA. I assure you, this break from the uber-Type A approach to racing was not freely chosen. There were several forces at …

Regular life

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After months and months of preparation for my first Ironman in Lake Placid, it seems that I failed to prepare for one thing: the post-Ironman blues. I had read about feeling depressed or sad after completing endurance events, such as an Ironman, but I was in denial that such a state of mind would creep into my consciousness. Pre-race, I thought: Depressed?! Are you kidding? I’ll be so pumped to have my “regular” life back. Guess what? Turns out that “regular life” has changed, and I am sad, irritable, edgy, unfocused, and  listless. I find myself recalling fondly, nostalgically even, …

Ironman Lake Placid: Running to the Finish

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The run course begins along Main Street, among thousands of people, cheering, ringing cow bells, shouting words of encouragement, and drinking lots of beer, which I could smell on the breath of some of the spectators. That is how close they get to you on the run course. A group of spectators held up a sign that read, “Free Beer!” I wonder if anyone took them up on that. One woman commented to me, “You are looking strong! Have some beer!” I replied, laughing, “Not sure I’ll keep looking strong if I drink that!” During the first three miles, I …

Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Bike & T2

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Once clipped in, I had no choice but to go down… …the hill, that is. As you come out of the transition area on the bike, there is a sharp almost 180-degree turn that takes you down a hill. After that, you head down a sharp but short descent on a street that is in motion, with hundreds and hundreds of people, screaming their heads off. I tried my best to enjoy this part, but I was nervous. It was raining, I was surrounded by hundreds of other athletes, and it all seemed just a bit chaotic. As with the …

Ironman Lake Placid 2010: The Swim & T1

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At precisely 7:00 a.m., the cannon went off to signal the start of Ironman Lake Placid for over 2,700 age group athletes. I looked at Carrie, one of the athletes I was talking with prior to the start, and said, “Oh, is that us?” She laughed and said, “Yup, that’s us!”   I was in no hurry to start. My plan was to wait one minute before starting. So, I walked along the banks to the start line of the swim. (I had been standing about 50 yards from the official start line.) I looked ahead as the washing machine …

Ironman Lake Placid: The Morning of the Race

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Basking in the post-first Ironman glow, just a mere two days after the race, it is hard for me to remember any other day in my life that was more amazing, more inspirational, more powerful than the day I had on Sunday. It started at 4:00 a.m., to the sounds of the Rocky theme (what else?) as the alarm clock on my cell phone went off. I looked out of our hotel window. The sun wasn’t up yet, and the sky was dark. John asked, “Is it raining?” I smiled. “Nope.” Morning showers were forecasted, but they hadn’t started yet. …