This is probably my last entry before the race because I'm headed out in the morning.
On Monday of this week I decided I would squeeze in one more open water swim in the Gulf. The sun was out and the wind was calm, but when I got in the water the current was going directly into me. It felt similar to running the wrong way on an escalator. I know that I could have turned around and gone the other way, but then I would have had to end with the current against me. So I trudged ahead. After a couple hundred yards my arm petted something that I wouldn't recommend petting. A jellyfish. Those that know me well know I can have a temper from time to time, but you can't take your anger out on a jellyfish. I wasn't going to let that little blob of snot get the best of me, so I got out of the water and jumped on the bike.
While I was on the bike, storm clouds came out of nowhere and I started getting pelted with rain.
When I got back to Shrek (my van) I was frustrated and ready to get home. The drawbridge came up as I was leaving Longboat Key. This pause gave me the chance to stop and look around.
Even though it was raining the sun was clearly visible setting into the Gulf. Right off the bridge were three dolphin playing in the current.
I don't want to get to deep or sentimental, but I thought this was a good comparison to the preparation for Augusta. Sometimes I got caught up in the training or raising money, but when I stop for a second I am able to see the huge hearts of the people that are giving and the amazing miracles that these gifts have the potential to produce. Doing this has reminded me that there are a lot of amazing people out there.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Think Happy Thoughts
We are only a week and a half out now. I've started to taper. I'm scaling down the workouts and doing things that will be less likely to injure me. I also do this so my muscles have a chance to get full recovery. So far the only thing besides minor aches and pains I've delt with is the loss of two toe nails that I had grown fond of the last 26 years. They will be missed. This is a common occurance among runners. We might be in great shape, but most of us have some gnarly feet.
This next week is all about visualization. I'm trying to visualize my swim, bike, and run all going smoothly. It's unfortunate that whenever I visualize myself on the swim it's with "Finding Nemo" arm floaties.
This next week is all about visualization. I'm trying to visualize my swim, bike, and run all going smoothly. It's unfortunate that whenever I visualize myself on the swim it's with "Finding Nemo" arm floaties.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Shana Summers
Shana Summers has been a huge inspiration to me while preparing for Augusta. Her great attitude and great sense of humor during near death situations has left me with a different outlook on life. My favorite quote from her is, “Life is short so don’t go crazy over stupid stuff-it’s not worth it.”
Shana played div. 1 soccer and then tackled biking. It’s amazing she reached the level she did with her heart, lung, and liver conditions. It’s actually amazing when anyone reaches that level.
Shana had holes in her heart including a huge Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). She had a closure device put in for the ASD which then had to be removed because part of the device was sticking into her aortic valve causing atrial erosion. The atrial septum was patched with a Gortex patch. Post open heart surgery Shana tore her pec because her sternum is non-union wired together. Eventually, after all the other hoopla is finished, she will have to have her chest plated and screwed back together.
After the ASD was patched, doctors found that Shana had another CHD, a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). There was also a genetic condition of the liver and lungs present that was not allowing oxygenated blood to be used. She had AVMs in her liver which were creating “dilitations” in her lungs allowing blood to flow through her lungs without being oxygenated. An Arterio- Venous Malformation (AVM) is (the way I understand it) an area of no capillaries and capillaries are what help us use our blood.
Currently Shana is taking a Chemo drug (Avastin) to help repair lung function. The drug has caused her to lose 14 lbs off of her already small frame. Her liver is much better, but her lungs are worse. After these problems are taken care of she will have to have an ablation for an arrhythmia (fast or irregular heartbeat) the ASD repair caused to get her heartbeat back to normal.
She is still taking things out one at a time. She’s a fighter and she’s working her way up the ladder!
Shana played div. 1 soccer and then tackled biking. It’s amazing she reached the level she did with her heart, lung, and liver conditions. It’s actually amazing when anyone reaches that level.
Shana had holes in her heart including a huge Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). She had a closure device put in for the ASD which then had to be removed because part of the device was sticking into her aortic valve causing atrial erosion. The atrial septum was patched with a Gortex patch. Post open heart surgery Shana tore her pec because her sternum is non-union wired together. Eventually, after all the other hoopla is finished, she will have to have her chest plated and screwed back together.
After the ASD was patched, doctors found that Shana had another CHD, a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). There was also a genetic condition of the liver and lungs present that was not allowing oxygenated blood to be used. She had AVMs in her liver which were creating “dilitations” in her lungs allowing blood to flow through her lungs without being oxygenated. An Arterio- Venous Malformation (AVM) is (the way I understand it) an area of no capillaries and capillaries are what help us use our blood.
Currently Shana is taking a Chemo drug (Avastin) to help repair lung function. The drug has caused her to lose 14 lbs off of her already small frame. Her liver is much better, but her lungs are worse. After these problems are taken care of she will have to have an ablation for an arrhythmia (fast or irregular heartbeat) the ASD repair caused to get her heartbeat back to normal.
She is still taking things out one at a time. She’s a fighter and she’s working her way up the ladder!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Unsinkable Ships Sink
Yesterday I was biking at an amazing clip. I had various "Rocky" songs going through my head and some "ACDC". No one was going to touch me. I could feel my blood pumping and my "Quadzillas" firing. The wind was blowing straight into me, but I was taking it out like a gladiator. Then, out of nowhere, three guys in their forties passed me. One only had one leg. Humbled again. It amazes me every time I see an athlete like this, because they train that much harder to compete with an athlete with no disadvantages.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Grind Match
Saturday I spent way too much time thinking about if I was prepared for Augusta. I tried to think in wrestling what I would do if I was worried about an opponent. The answer being that I would train in a way that insured me that I was mentally tougher than him. The physical and skill aspects can be overcome with a tough mind. In wrestling, every once in a while, we do a thing called a grind match. In a grind match you find someone of similar skill level and wrestle untill someone reaches a breaking point. Yesterday, I did a "grind match" with the water, bike, and pavement. I didn't break.
I tackled my opponent. I swam a 2000m open water swim in the Gulf of Mexico. I followed it up with a 56 mile bike ride around Anna Maria Island, across Longboat Key, into Sarasota and then back. It ended with a slightly longer than 13 mile run.
I broke no records by completing it in 6:39:00, but won the mental battle with myself. I'm not sure if this is smart training, but the grind match is over. I'm mentally prepared and I broke the water and pavement, not myself!
I tackled my opponent. I swam a 2000m open water swim in the Gulf of Mexico. I followed it up with a 56 mile bike ride around Anna Maria Island, across Longboat Key, into Sarasota and then back. It ended with a slightly longer than 13 mile run.
I broke no records by completing it in 6:39:00, but won the mental battle with myself. I'm not sure if this is smart training, but the grind match is over. I'm mentally prepared and I broke the water and pavement, not myself!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's crunch time!
I just realized that we are only 24 days out! I'm feeling very good on the running portion. I've gotten to the point that I can maintain around 7:30 for 13 miles. I guess the key is to be able to do that after swimming and biking. Next week will be my last week of intense training and then I will start to taper down a little.
I have also added a teammate, or as it is labeled on firstgiving "training buddy". She is in a competition that makes Augusta look like child's play and she's kickin' butt and takin' names! Her story is truly inspirational and makes me think twice about complaining!
I have also added a teammate, or as it is labeled on firstgiving "training buddy". She is in a competition that makes Augusta look like child's play and she's kickin' butt and takin' names! Her story is truly inspirational and makes me think twice about complaining!
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