I’m In!!!

This morning I finally took the jump and registered for the 2010 Ford Ironman Arizona. Although my wife has a ton of questions, I am really looking forward to the adventure. I have no doubt that I will finish, but it's all about the "Ups" and "Downs" of training and the race. The fun begins after the holidays and stay tuned for updates. I am going to video as much of the journey as possible and put it all together when I am done. The "fun" starts soon.

2009 Race Season

Well, it's getting to be that time of year, even though there is still almost 3 feet of snow on the ground. I have started to give a little thought of where/when I am going to race this year and here is what I have so far:

1. BP MS150 – a 2 day charity ride from Houston, TX to Austin, TX (180 miles if you're counting) for the National MS Society, April 18-19
   
2. Evanston Triathlon (Evanston, WY) May 30 – Sprint - (It's close to home)
   
3. BAM Triathlon (Midway, UT) June 13 – Olympic – www.bamtriathlon.com
   
4. High Uintas Classic Stage Road Race – (Evanston, WY) June 20-21 - www.evanstoncycling.org/HighUintasClassic.html
   
5. Xango Echo Triathlon (Coalville, UT) – July 11 – Olympic - www.triutah.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=35
   
6. 5430 Long Course (Boulder, CO) – August 9 – Half Ironman - http://www.5430sports.com/5430long.htm
   
7. Jordonelle Triathlon (Park City, UT) – August 22 – Olympic - www.triutah.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=37
   

This is what I have for now. There are some others fun rides/races that I am considering and I am sure that I will find a late season half marathon or 10k. I am working hard on the bike already, preparing for the MS150 from Houston to Austin. I will be lucky to get one ride outside before I leave for Houston. I get weekly updates from friends in the Houston area as to how warm it is and how they enjoyed the riding….outside. Oh well, I'll just keep on stomping the pedals on the trainer and when the snow finally melts…

BP-MS150 Houston to Austin

Last April a couple of my fraternity brothers rode their bikes in the BP-MS150. Almost immediately after they finished they called me and asked if I would ride with them in the 2009 edition. So, registration opened in January and promptly filled to capacity (13,000 riders) in 12 hours. I was one of the lucky ones and was registered. I am really excited to be able to spend time with my buddies because we live across the country from each other. I have to admit that I don't know much about MS, although since registering I have learned a bit about it. For some reason MS is a lot more prevalent in the Rocky Mountain region (where I live) and I have several friends that are affected by this terrible disease. All of my friends are able to somewhat control the effects of their MS, but none-the-less their lives are affected.

The ride, it's a two day ride from Houston to Austin with 13,000 friends. There are options along the ride that can increase or decrease you total trip mileage. I have been told that riding though the stare park in La Grange is really run. This is the route we intend to take. Although, my back-side will be sore at the end of 2 days and 180 miles, it's a GREAT cause with GREAT people.

If you would like to make a donation, please click the following link:

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=5894374&pg=personal&fr_id=10222&s_tafId=108239

Ode to My Trainer

Dust off, Hook up, Pedal, Pedal, Pedal
What movie am I going to watch?
No little girl this is not a toy, and
No Murphy (my dog) we are not going outside for a ride or run
Sweat, drip, drip, drip
Starting to sweat a bit more, puddles forming
I have seen this movie 25 times!!!
Hey, look, it's starting to snow…….again
Pedal, pedal, pedal
Sweat, sweat, sweat

Up, down, up, down,

faster...Faster!...FASTER!!!

Damn, my legs are sterting to hurt

Crap, I am out of water!

Honey, I'll be done in 15 minutes

Can you bring me some more water?
Oh how I love to hate my trainer!

Recommendation

I don't usually write about stuff like this, but I had such a good experience, I thought I would share...

I have finally pulled my trainer out of the closet for the LONG indoor cycling season (yuck). While I was tightening my bike on trainer, the handle broke. I should also mention that I have an older trainer. I have the original CycleOps Fluid trainer. There are literally thousands of miles on this trainer. Besides being a great trainer, one of the best things about this trainer is the lifetime warranty. Broken part, no problem where's the phone. CycleOps has since changed hands since I bought this trainer years ago. It's now called Saris Cycling Group. I got on their website, ( www.saris.com/ ) and found the Customer Support phone number. I was a little apprehensive about calling because my trainer was so old. The guy who answered was extremely helpful and pleasant to talk to. He made my experience easy and fruitful, as I got exactly what I was wanting. He even mentioned that if they did not have the parts I needed, I could get a newer trainer at a discounts price. Here's the best part, I didn't even have to pay for shipping. They're GREAT!! The products they offer are great too. SCG, I'll be back and I'll spread the word too.

Karma is a Funny Thing

Take my advice…. Never (and I do mean NEVER) tell the nurse that you are not sick when she ask you, right before she gives you a flu shot. I have been down for 5 days now because, well I have no clue really. (because I was a bone-head) I needed a flu shot because we have little one at home and I don't want to be sick. I was a bit under the weather, but only had a little sniffle or two. We sent to the Flu Shot Clinic and I checked "no, I wasn't currently sick" and I also told the nurse I wasn't sick. (what a mistake). I go the shot and headed home. Several hours later I started feeling a little worse and worse. By the next day I was down for the count. I was in bed all weekend with absolutely no energy at all. Anyway, I am slowly getting better. I actually feel a lot better now, I just sound like I am sick to everyone else. Yesterday I finally got back into the pool and knocked out 3000 yards before work. I felt OK getting out of the pool, but an hour or so later it all caught up to me. Last night I was totally exhausted. This morning back into the weight room I went, my work out was good and at this point I don't feel as tired. So, heed my advice and NEVER lie on you flu shot questionnaire, it will catch up to you at some point. Karma's a bitch.

Sick..

I am not one to whine or acts like a "baby" and I absolutely HATE being sick. I am sure that nobody enjoys being sick, but on the few occasions I have been sick, I am miserable. On Sunday morning I woke up not feeling good, but hey I'm a trooper, I'll get through this. By Sunday night I was in some pretty bad shape. My wife was after me to take some medicine. That's another thing I don't like, medicine. It reminds me of hospitals and doctors, both of which I would prefer to stay away from. Nope, no meds, I don't need them. By late evening, I was in REALLY bad shape. I didn't sleep more than a couple of hours total that whole night. By the morning, my wife was forcing medicine down my throat. As much as I didn't want to, I had to admit defeat and take the meds. In bed half the day on Monday and still draggin' ass on Tuesday, I am finally starting to feel a little better. I haven't worked out since last Friday. I am sure that my morning workout will hurt twice as bad. Anyway, off to buy more tissues.