My First Marathon (x2)

2018 was originally about one goal and one goal only... to hear "Rose Scovel from Indianapolis, Indiana YOU are an IRONMAN." But a funny thing happened on the way... In 2018 I... swam 200 miles (longest swim 10,000 yards) biked 3,283 miles (longest ride 116 miles) ran 1,005 miles (longest run 26.2 miles) But I also... lost 40 pounds (back up a bit since the lowest weight) went off diabetes medicine got my blood pressure WAY down worked through some of my issues changed jobs And while I was at it I set some personal records... Donut 5K Holiday Run 12/22/2018 5K 0:28:38 (first time sub-30) St. Nikolaus Lauf 12/1/18 5 mi 0:48:09 [3rd AG] Monumental Half Marathon* 11/3/2018 10K 1:04:57 Monumental Half Marathon 11/3/201813.1 mi 2:15:13 Carmel Marathon 3/31/2018 26.2 mi 5:29:44 (first sub-5:30) Derby City Trifecta Olympic 8/12/18 1500; 40K; 10K 3:24:41 [3rd Athena] Grand Rapids Triathlon 6/10/2018 70.3 6:52:23 (first sub-7:00) And, oh yeah...I finis

Inevitably for triathletes, people start talking about the "off season" and "off season" training as soon as the last race of the season is over. Some runners do as well, and in Indy there are a large number of people who take off between Monumental (early November) and time to get back to training for the Indy Mini (early May). I've never been one of those people and diabetes don't have an off season...but the other day there was a good reminder from coach that there is no off season. This is a time of year to work on weaknesses, but keep training, its how we hit goals and beat others (if that's what we're trying to do).  My past few weeks have been 30-60% of the volume I was training at the peak of Ironman training, but still putting in 5-10 hours a week, usually in the middle of that. I took a few weeks out of the pool since I got a tattoo, my swims since then have been short and my November volume will be 1/3 of what it was most of the year...b

By all accounts this has been a pretty spectacular year for me. I have run several personal records and changed jobs to something I love with a great team. Finishing Ironman was the culmination of three years of focused work. The half marathon at Monumental was supposed to be a "parade lap" of sorts, with no time goals and just having fun. I had recovered from Ironman remarkably well and was running pretty peppy. I have had some pain in my foot since July, and finally went to the podiatrist (had an MRI and am waiting for follow up) and we'll see what happens, but I am not making it any worse by running. I decided that as long as I felt good on Monumental day I was going to try to crack 2:20 and have a little PR. On race morning I started near the 5:00 marathon pacer, which wouldn't take me out of hitting my goal but wasn't too aggressive to start either. I had planned heart rate targets for chunks of the race and had a pace band to spot check where I was, but

There were some fun movie scene references that came up in my head or were mentioned during Ironman Louisville and I thought I would share... 1) First stop on the bike... 2) Trying to capture the feeling I had on the trainer with this clip... 3) Realizing that this was actually the race and I couldn't just throw it in. 4) Every aid station as they were offering me Red Bull, Coke, bone broth, snacks...I just want WATER! 5) So happy to be off the bike...and to be running... As I remember more I'll add them.

It is finished. I accomplished my goal. It was wonderful and miserable and amazing and everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. My parents arrived on Thursday and we headed to Louisville on Friday so I could check-in and attend the first-timers briefing. As I stepped into the athlete check-in tent I had the same feeling I did for my first 70.3 in 2014 (except I expected it this time), the "I'm really doing this" feeling. With my athlete wristband on I attended the first-timer briefing and then headed to the Become One tent to get my "I will become one" wristband. On Saturday we went to the swim practice. The air temp was 43 degrees, but the water was 68. I had a decent little swim and learned what it was like to swim in the downstream current. I was pleased with how calm I was getting in. Later in the day we went to an athlete briefing and checked my bike and bags. In the evening we went to mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and then dinner before I

Three years is down to seven days. In those three years I have... Finished five more 70.3 distance races (GR twice, Muskoka, Steelhead, and Muncie again), taking 1:45+ off my 70.3 PR) Finished five more marathons (Indianapolis, Detroit, Monumental, Chicago, Carmel) and finally broken 5:30 at Carmel Lost 40+ pounds Completely changed my diet Reduced and then stopped taking diabetes medicine while retaining a healthy A1C I have worked with an incredible team who has been with me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Matt has been the "head coach" planning the big framework and specifically bike and run workouts, Doug early and then Sean got my swim from ugly to somewhat respectable, Lindsay figured out race day nutrition in all the various iterations, Jackie figured out how to overhaul my diet, Chris got my head in the right place. Along the way Shannon and Mark worked with me to be stronger and move better. Kristine helped me stretch and chill. Brian, Chris, Ryan,

Some athletes say the hay is in the barn when taper starts, others say the cake is baked...well, whether its hay in the barn or a baked cake..my major training is done. I am doing this thing. After three years of training we are two weeks from race day. A few great things have happened in the past few weeks...I have run some surprisingly fast miles, I have finished some solid bike rides, I have been in the lake and pool...my job is great...I went to a conference...the Speed Factory Racing team and Coach Sean had an amazing sendoff for me, and gave me a gift certificate for a massage that I had yesterday and it was AMAZEBALLS. Ask me about yoga balm. Other things, eh...the worst being that I was nearly hit by a car while riding yesterday...I swerved and stopped fast, but David was behind me and he hit my leg, then went down hard. He's very banged up, but will be ok. I'm fine, just a tire burn on my calf. I need to spend the next two weeks focused on recovering from niggles

This week was leading up to my long practice tri...we were going for longer than 70.3 and shorter than 140.6 and landed on about 2/3 IM which in real life was just short of 95 miles. Monday - long open water swim at Mystic Bay. Jen came out with the paddleboard so I could start early and go long and get in 3,165 yards. Tuesday - 6 miles total with warm up, 3 miles of light progression, 1 mile of 30/60s, and a mile cool down. It was warm and humid, but a decent run. 1:07:56 total time. Wednesday - I went to a new chiro in the morning to see if we could get to the bottom of some neck/shoulder pain. I have arthritis below C7...joy. I had a planned rest day and so I went to yin yoga in the evening, which was perfect because we did twisted root, which released the deep muscle cramp in my hip/IT band. Thursday - picked up the bike from the shop (pre-race tune up with new chain and shift cables) and then went to Eagle Creek to ride and run for an hour. Rode 8.24 miles and ran 3 mil

A lot has happened...and I am tired...but it is 7 WEEKS from IRONMAN LOUISVILLE!!! This may ramble a little and then will have a training log. I am processing that three years ago (when IMLOU was in August) Erika and I volunteered in T2 together and she told me she would be at the finish when I crossed...she will be with me in spirit, but I will miss a hug at the finish. After the San Diego trip I returned to work at my old job for 3 days and then went to Louisville to do an Olympic distance triathlon for Ohio River swim practice. The river wasn't as hard as I thought it might be (though straight line was hard) even though it wasn't wetsuit legal. The ride course was flat and fast and I rode well...then it got hot on the run and kinda checked out. I still finished with a very small PR and 3rd Athena. The next day I started my new job and I love it! The schedule has been a bit of an adjustment, but I am enjoying it. After my first week I went back to Louisville for a

This was the long weekend to visit my siblings in San Diego County. It was a great trip and had some training (and non-training) activities. I am currently flying home as I write. Monday - Open water swim at Mystic Bay. 1,958 yards in just under 40 min (wetsuit helps). I would have done more, but everyone else was done. Tuesday - Bike workout increasing power every five minutes. So weird not to run with the team, and to ride on Tuesday. 20 total miles. Wednesday - 3,500 yard swim. Went to the Irsay Y for a change. It's nice and conveniently located, but with 2/4 lanes taken up with swim lessons after work its not always convenient. Thursday - 17 miles on the bike trainer before heading to San Diego. Trainer was convenient and kept me from playing in traffic during rush hour, but I prefer being outside. Friday - running in Escondido on the neighborhood loop. Tried to miss some of the hills for a 3 mile stead state and I think I made it worse. Solid run, just tough. Satur

Last weekend David and I headed up to LaGrange for the Amishland and Lakes grand touring ride. Our friend Swati was also doing the ride with her friends. We stayed in this super cute cabin outside Shipshewana and drove to LaGrange on Saturday morning to start the ride. It was a beautiful, cool morning. David and Swati were riding the 67 mile route, while I was riding the 100 mile route. We were together for the first few miles and then the routes diverged. There were seemingly few people riding the century, or they started earlier, or something because after the first 15 miles I was quite alone for most of the ride. It was good, because I was riding my ride...just a lot of time in my head. The route folded in on itself a number of times and somehow I got off the right route, and then made a poor routing decision leaving the last SAG and could have been in for a 120+ mile day, but I checked maps and made my own way back to the school for a total of 106 miles. This was actually good for

The week leading into IM 70.3 Muncie we knew it was going to be a training race because the forecast was for hotter than a thousand suns and we had always thought if it as a training race anyway. It was also my birthday. The day before I met a friend for lunch and a tour of the recent developments in downtown Muncie. It was very cool, but I wasn't wearing the right shoes for it (flipflops)...I am too old for that crap. Then I checked in for the race, went to the athlete briefing, bought the things I needed/wanted, checked into the B&B, and then headed back into town for dinner. Then it was an early night. In true form, Muncie was hot. The water temp was 82.6 which really meant no wetsuits (even though I don't compete for awards it means it's much too warm for me to not overheat and panic) and a slow swim. Worse than I imagined, but I kept my cool about it. Then I had a super great bike. It was fun and fast and I enjoyed it a lot. In transition I had a hard time gett

Last week was a good one, with some important lessons for Louisville. Monday - 2,624 yard open water swim at Mystic Bay. Tuesday - 7 mile run with 3 miles of increasing effort every half mile. A fourth mile would have been good, but I was fast enough the last 800 that I didn't really have anywhere to go without "racing." But I'll take 7 miles in 1:20. Wednesday - Volunteered on the Firecracker6 course and then went for an easy ride with a friend. Later in the day I headed out to Fort Harrison to swim. 15 mile ride, 2,800 yard swim. Thursday - with sketchy weather and my bike being prepped for the weekend I did my progression ride on the trainer, but that was fine because it meant I had more control over it too. 20 miles with 50 minutes of increasing power ever 10 minutes. Friday - even though the pool schedule said the indoor 25 was open, it wasn't really so I converted the workout for the outdoor 50 and swam my 2,953 yards (2,700 meters). Saturday - r

I guess it's been since Grand Rapids since I have posted... The week after the race would have been the most boring training log EVER. It was a pretty solid recovery week, my last big one before October. Only 3,500 swim yards, 20.6 bike miles, and 8.7 run miles...and some yoga. The next week was back to regularly programmed training. Monday - 2,535 yard open water swim Tuesday - 7 mile run with 3 miles steady state Wednesday - 3,000 meter swim taking it to the Jordan long course and 12.2 mile easy bike ride. Thursday - 20.6 mile long bike intervals on the trainer because they're better that way and the weather was sketchy (storms) Friday - 3,000 yard swim Saturday - 62 mile ride in the north suburbs with friends, followed by a quick 2 mile run and brunch Sunday - 10 mile negative split run solo And then this past week... Monday - 2,612 yard open water swim Tuesday - death by track. I hate the track. 7.85 miles with 12 quarter miles...gah... Wednesday - 2,700 yar

I love the Grand Rapid tri. I have done it three times now and loved both the Olympic and 70.3 races. Last year and this year I did the 70.3 (Half Iron) - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. This race is also the Athena/Clydesdale National Championship and so I get to compete in that, which adds extra fun. Athenas are female triathletes over 165 pounds. David and drove up to Grand Rapids on Saturday and went straight to the expo/packet pickup. For the national championship there is VIP check in. Athletes also have to weigh in. I took care of all of that and then we checked out a few tables before heading to the hotel. Sunday morning I was up at 4:15 to eat, have David apply my race tats, and head out to the race. David dropped me off at the athlete drop and I went to transition to set up and hit the bathroom before putting on my wetsuit. I didn't have enough a time to get in the water before the swim practice was over, but still felt good about it. In the corral the Ath

Taper week leading into Grand Rapids 70.3/Athena Nationals. I love the Grand Rapids tri and the fact that it is the Athena/Clydesdale National Championship just makes it that much more awesome. For those who are unfamiliar, Athenas are female triathletes over 165 pounds and Clydesdales are male triathletes over 220 pounds. The national championship is an "open" championship, meaning you don't need to qualify in a prior race to compete. I raced the 70.3 (half Iron) distance of 1.2 miles, 56 miles, and 13.1 miles...but that will be in my race report. Monday - 2,700 yard swim. Tuesday - 5 mile moderate run just under 55 minutes, which used to be a super fast run for me. My heart rate averaged 152 and I was aiming for between 150 and 155, so this was great. Wednesday - Global Running Day 3.61 miles at Runners Forum sponsored by 361 Degrees. Fun run and I participated in the runner storytelling for the Running on Indy podcast afterwards. Thursday - 2,450 yard swim (We

I didn't post training leading up to Bayshore or a race report, so it's a two-week post this time. Taper -  Monday: Open water swim at Mystic Bay. Three triangle loops in the water for 2,670 yards. Breathing cottonwood the whole time. Tuesday: 5 mile run, race week gear check. Warm up, run through a few gears for three miles, cool down. It was a toasty day but my 4th mile was my fastest mile of the year and I was feeling food about it. Wednesday: 2,800 yard swim that somehow got recorded as 2,725. Since I had a night meeting I needed to get everything done in the morning and people needed me in the office so I just did my ride on a spin bike at the Y (14.7 miles). Thursday: I had a 4 mile run so I added on to the Monumental lunch run and called it good. It was toasty out but it was a pretty quick run for an easy run. Downtown has a lot of stops and starts though. Friday: Swim 1,000 continuous and get out. Drive to Traverse City. Saturday: Bayshore Half Marathon (s

The week before the week before race week is one where you want clockwork workouts with no excitement or drama. That's not exactly how this week went... Monday - first open water swim (OWS) of the season. It was only 1,640 yards but I got to wear the new wetsuit and be in the lake. NO PANIC at all...got in and started swimming. I was the first one in and the last one out, but with no other swim buddies for safety I got in all I could. (I earned a wetsuit hickey too...need to lube the neck in this one) Tuesday - solid steady state run on the Monon. You probably couldn't find prettier HR and pace data for a SSR if you tried (faster yes, more consistent unlikely). It was a good night. 7 miles total, 3 SSR. Wednesday - my Wednesdays have been weird and this was no exception. I didn't manage to get a swim in, I am maybe trying to get it in Sunday afternoon. I took my bike with me to Rushville for my night meeting and rode there after the meeting while I still had daylight.

There's really nothing special about this week...it was just a week in May. Except that it went from late winter to mid-summer, skipping spring entirely in Indianapolis. It is currently 86 degrees as I write this. Monday - Swim actually felt pretty successful.2,300 yards focused on speed. Tuesday - supposed to be an easy recovery run, but I ran with someone faster who wasn't feeling it and ran faster than I normally would have, but only for 30 min. 2.7 miles. After I had two stouts before food...yeah, I shouldn't do that anymore. Wednesday - another Wednesday where I had a night meeting so I did both workouts in the morning. Swam 2,850 at Jordan and then came home to ride. I decided just to go up and down Hoover...heading south I discovered there was a decent breeze out of the south. And 64th is rough between Grandview and Michigan Road. But I got in 15.2 miles, so we'll call it good. Thursday - I am helping with the Monumental lunch runs and this week I had rac