Sunday, August 25, 2013

Three years between posts isn't bad, is it?

Based on the date of my previous post, I have been more than a little lax in keeping this updated.  Its only been three years... a lot has happened in those three years related to my fitness and my goals.  I'll give a quick recap and then I'll closeout those years and move forward from this point.  

After the 2010 season, my 2011 didn't quite go as I had expected - not that it was bad, it just wasn't how I had laid it out in the last post.  In January 2011, I started working with an industrial rigging company as their controller.  As 2011 unfolded, my priorities shifted to my obligations related to this position.  10-12 hour days were standard and I would be lying to say that didn't have an impact on my fitness.  I'm not saying I had a total slide backwards, because I didn't.  I was still working out, I even ran 2 Ragnars, the Spudman and the Salt Lake Half Marathon, but I wasn't as prepared as I had hoped or nearly in the conditioned that I should have been.    Both Ragnar's were a great experience and I had a great time with some great friends.  After each Ragnar, I say it's the last, then the next year rolls around and I'm signed up again.  

In 2011 I did attempt my first 90 mile ride - from my house to the Hobble Creek golf course in Springville.  My first ride, Stacy's rescued me outside of Elberta as I had totally cracked and hit the wall.  Only made it 62 miles.  In 2012 I tried again, only to have a mechanical issue about 70 miles in (Stacy once again rescued me).  Later that year I did make it all way, but it damn near killed me.  This year, 2013, I tackled that ride again and was much stronger. In fact, I felt pretty good.  I still haven't participated in an organized cycling event.  I want to, but frankly I'm intimidated riding in packs.  I have only ever ridden solo.

Back to 2012 - it was not a strong year for me, fitness wise that is.  I did run a Ragnar and the Spudman, but that was about it and my heart was never truly in it.  I had fallen into some old habits and the weight was coming back on.  I wasn't putting my best effort in at the gym and frankly I wasn't well prepared for any of the events which I did participate in.

At the start of 2012, I was back up to 300, and not feeling good about it.  I was wearing fat clothes again and I was feeling it in everything I did.  I pretended I was still a success, but it was a front.  Working with my doctor, I set out in January to turn things around.  I started dropping the lbs again, and was refocused on the fitness.  My race calendar for 2013 was the Ogden Half Marathon and Ragnar - Wasatch Back.  No triathlons, no cycling events.

In April I was down to 280 again, and was preparing for the Ogden Half.  Then April 15th happened, the Boston Marathon bombings.  I was deeply affected by the events of that day.  Maybe it was because I know so many runners, I knew the type of person that was running in that race.  In a small way, I was one of those runners.  Maybe because I had friends in the race, and friends of friends.  Whatever it was I was deeply bothered.  Even now as I type I get emotional with the thought of those events.  The following Saturday, after the bombings, was the Salt Lake City Marathon.  The first major organized race after the bombing.  I was in no way even near prepared to run a half marathon.  However, as the week progressed, I felt a stronger and stronger desire, or need, to be a part of that event.  For no other reason than because I could.  I wanted to stand at that starting line with thousands of others and say this is what we are.  We are strong, we are runners, we are American's and nobody can take that from us.  I had Terra sew together two halfway of a blue and a yellow bandana for me to wear during the race.  It was my small tribute.  That bandana now hangs with my other medals, and will always be a reminder to me of that day.  It was an incredible day, not necessary the race itself, but rather the energy of the day.  The race was rough, I wasn't prepared and to make it worse it rained the entire time.  By the last three miles, I could no longer feel my fingers.  Regardless of all that, I crossed that finish line running, because I could.

In May, I ran the Ogden Half with some of my best friends, both old friends and new friends.  Again, it rained the entire race.  I enjoyed it and it felt pretty good, even if I couldn't feel my fingers again.  June, was Ragnar, and it was hands down my favorite race experience to date.  Again, I was with some of my best friends, and it was a perfect weekend.  No stress, no drama, just fun, laughing and good running.  I ran stronger in that event than I ever have in any prior race or training run.  I truly feel I had broken down a wall that had been holding me back, and it was great.  

Since June, I have been running strong and riding long.  My typical weekend involves a 9-10 miles run on Saturday and a 70+ bike ride on Sunday.  Technically, I think I am hurting myself a bit, by going so strong on the weekend, because it takes a couple days to recover.  It feels so good though to hit those goals.

At this moment, I am about 263, which is the lowest I have weighed in nearly 20 years.  The great thing right now is that I know I have more to give and to lose.  I am stronger right now that I have ever been in my life.  It feels good.  Don't get me wrong I still have my struggles, food will always be at the top of that list.  I struggle so much with comfort food cravings.  I don't think that will ever go away, I just need to adapt and recognize the challenges.  

All of this brings me to the last week or so.  I haven't had anything on my race calendar outside a couple charity 5k's and the Halloween Half (I'm not running in a costume).  I am facing a winter with only Ragnar and the possibility of the Ogden Full for next year.  I need something to work for, something to reach for, something to challenge myself with.  

Dan Iorg is one of my heroes, whether he realizes it or not.  He has run multiple Ironman and Half Ironman events, and he volunteered for Ragnar Hill, which pretty much means he's a machine.  He and Danielle are inspirations to their friends.  He has suggested to me in passing the few times we see each other, that I should do an Ironman.  He has always been extremely gracious with his complements and encouragements.  So this past week, his encouragements and my desire to have something to work for have led me to the decision to participate in the Ironman 70.3 St. George on May 3rd of 2014.  Notice I didn't say to finish, lol...  I am under no illusions of the challenge that I am taking up.  While I am confident I can grind out the bike and run, the swim scares the hell out of me.  1.2 miles in open water... I struggle in a kiddie pool.

So for the next 250 days, I will be focusing on the goal of becoming a Half Ironman.  I need to plan my training, figure out where I am going to do my swim training and learn how to swim effectively.  I will continue to train on the bike and on running.  I am hoping to take some Pilates Reform classes this winter to work on my core strength.  And if possible, sneak away a couple weekends and head south to train on the course itself.  I'm excited, a lot scared, but excited.  I have some ideas to continue to motivate myself, and I'll share those as I progress.  

Here's to a GREAT 2014!