tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65742451365073321572024-03-13T14:54:19.718-07:00ChaptersPages of looking out, experiencing life and feeling blessed.Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-32822747243605862162018-06-17T16:39:00.002-07:002018-06-17T17:40:43.097-07:00IM Boulder 5.0 aka One F*cking Hot Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It's 3:45am and my body wakes up just minutes before the 4am alarm goes off. I got a solid 5hrs 45 min of sleep. Perfect. I slip out of bed trying not to rattle or wake up Jess. Walking towards the bathroom in the stillness and darkness of the early morning hours hearing the heavy breathing of Rugger at the foot of our bed. "Good boy" I think to myself, "You stay here and protect Mommy, while I go off to race." Closing the door behind me I turn on the lights to see all my stuff laid out on the counters and in our closet. I think to myself....I've got this shit down to a science. I then drop the kids off at the pool and read a few FB posts of racers already at the Reservoir. What are they going to do with themselves in the transition area for 2.5 more hours before the cannon goes off? I am soo not that type A triathlete. I get changed, unplug my Garmin, scribe my signature WM (WarriorMode)on each hand and bring my race morning items downstairs. Here all my nutrition is sitting out on the kitchen counter and in the freezer. I put up some hot water for my morning oatmeal, take a bite of a bagel I bought yesterday and almost broke my teeth it was so hard. I'll leave that one behind. Everything is ready to go just need the water to boil. I head back upstairs to kiss my love goodbye. One more quick stop in the bathroom to make a deposit at the porcelain bank. I always wonder how my system knows that it is race day. A soft kiss goodbye some well wishes by Jess and I am out the door. 4:30am. Perfect. Right on schedule to be at the Boulder HS by 5am. I'm driving into Boulder and I eat my oatmeal I am also drinking my second Nuun</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> (e<span style="background-color: white;">lectrolyte enhanced drink tab that is gluten free, dairy + soy free, safe for clean sport, and made from plant based ingredients.</span>)</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> water of the day. Can you tell I am also a Nuun Athlete Ambassador?? I know it is going to be a hot one out there today and I want to bank some electrolytes before the swim.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I get a great parking space between the HS and race finish line, drop off my special needs bags and head to the buses. I notice that there are really no lines of people and wonder if I am too laid back as the vast majority of the racers are clearly already at the race start. Onto the bus I go and am sitting next to a fellow racer with his family around. We are engaged in idle chit chat predominately talking about racing at elevation and the bike section of the race. I am always worried about conversation on the bus with fellow racers and wonder if I should just pretend to be asleep. Read about why I have that fear here..<a href="https://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/12/im-cozumel-race-recap-pre-race.html">IM Cozumel Pre Race</a>. I exit the bus to one of the most beautiful sunrises over the reservoir. This is going to be a really HOT day is what I thought when I saw that sunrise and then I began to peel my morning potassium banana. Just under 1 hour to race start.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise Race morning</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I made my way over to Bella to get her ready. I attached my hydration system along with my repair kit and filled up her tires to the amount of pressure where I wanted it to be. I put my fuel on her and she was ready to go. She looked good. She looked like she was ready to ride and that made me happy. Bella was made for days like this. She loves the excitement of race day and loves when I take her out on a 112 mile Ironman ride. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella in her place at bike drop off.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Over to the run gear bag to drop off some last minute items and then the same at the bike gear bag. Most notably more Hammer Endurolyte Extreem tablets, Nuun Electrolyte tabs and another water bottle filled with ice and Nuun. Do ya think I was preparing for it to be a hot day?? On my way over I ran into EK, got a great hug from Jen and a shout of "Lets Go Mets" from Dave. I love racing in my town. After getting everything all set I had noticed a row of porta johns tucked away around a corner with no lines. This was a miracle. I entered one and <span style="font-family: inherit;">began b<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">acking the big brown caddy out of the garage. Three times a charm! I am as light as can be and feeling great! While in there I sprayed myself down with trislide, rubbed on body glide and lubed myself up well ready to put the wet suit on. </span></span>At this point it was about just about time for the pros to start and about 20 minutes before us age groupers. I made my way over to drop off my morning clothes and finish putting on my wet suit. At which time the National Anthem began to play. I immediately stopped and began to sing, as I usually do. I was amazed at how many people are/were clueless and just going about there business and just tending to their own needs.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Little by little people stopped moving about and by <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); text-align: left; text-indent: -10px;">giving proof thru the night that our flag was still there, they </span>star</span>ted paying attention. Much better I thought.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Letsdothis</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The line was pretty tight as I began to make my way through the crowd. I wanted to seed myself around the 1:30 swim time. I wasn't sure exactly where I would finish. I was thinking I could end up anywhere between 1:15 and 1:40. If I chose 1:30 I didn't think I would have people swim over me because I was too slow and if I had to maneuver around a few swimmers because I was doing better, I certainly didn't mind. I pushed and wiggled my way up enough and was just behind the 1:30 marker and made home. Some more idle chit chat with another racer. A fellow New Yorker who moved out west. I took in my last bit of nutrition, an espresso flavored Hammer Gel with caffeine. A hug from 303's Jen and I was just about in the water. They then held up the race for what seemed like a few minutes just as I was about to enter the water. At this time it reminded me to ask someone what time it actually was. As we had 17 hours to finish the race from when we stepped foot in the water. I had forgotten this in a few races and then had no clue as to when 17 hours was. I definitely didn't want to cross the line in 17:01 thinking I just finished another Ironman because it was before midnight. 6:40 is what the gal said and then I was off. Garmin watch started and good to go. I hugged my usual just inside the buoys left lane and relaxed my breathing and just like taking a 2.4 mile stroll. I was swimming. Several times through the course of my IMs, my legs would tighten up or toes start to cramp. Not today. My hydration electrolyte plan was doing well. Buoy by buoy the course was going by. Once in a while an arrant body would swim sideways and cross in front of me or over my legs but I noticed how little contact was actually made in this race. I thought it might be because I had seeded myself slightly slower than I was actually going and that few minute gap in front of me didn't allow me to easily catch up and swim over people. I liked this with the exception that there was no one around me to draft off of. This is something I have been enjoying doing in my last few ironmen swims. But not today....I was on my own. After many buoys and a left turn and a bunch more and another left turn I had noticed that I was passing more and more people and working my way to the boat ramp and ending this part of the course. Nice swim. Back felt good and I was ready to get on the bike.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful swim</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Out of the water, music was playing, spectators were screaming and the strippers were working their poles. I hit my garmin to signal swim was done and that I was in transition #1. I found a couple of strippers to help me disrobe and off I was looking for my bike gear bag. Heading around the corner I decided to sit on the grass in the shade of a tree while my fellow runners all run into the changing tent. I take my time wiping down and getting my bike gear on. I, once again, choose to wear bike attire in order to be as comfortable out there as possible. It is worth eating up an extra 5 minutes in transition to do so. This has served me well in the past and I continued with that thought process today. Make yourself as comfortable as possible while doing this race. I took another few minutes to stretch out my hips and lower back and then I finally went into the changing tent to put on my bike shorts and spare everyone from seeing a full moon at 8am in the morning. Out the other side of the tent, I went to the suntan lotion station and made sure I had every inch of exposed skin covered. Next stop....Bella Nera. There she was waiting for me. A fair amount of bikes were around her. That must have been a decent swim I thought. I wasn't sure cause I had not looked at the time when I got out of the water. Out the bike exit Bella and I went and I hit the next stage button on my Garmin only to hear music. Wait a minute....that music only plays when my watch has finished a triathlon not between stages. Damn.....Garmin troubles again. I could only think that while the strippers were taking off my wet suit that the buttons on my garmin were pressed. I quickly reset my watch and started her all over again. A quick loop in the reservoir and we were out and riding on the Diagonal Highway. I really enjoyed this section of the course. It is a great start to the bike section. A relatively flat stretch of 15 miles to loosen the legs up after the swim and before the hills. Smartly laid out. About mile 11 there was the first aide station....I rolled through it refilling on water. 2 bottles. One to drink and one to use to pour over my body to try and keep cool. A right on 63rd and then a left on Niwot. Another aid station about mile 18. Two bottles of water. One to add to my Nuun mixture another to douse my body with. Up the grade on Niwot/Neva and a right onto Highway 36 continuing uphill till Nelson, it is here I felt a slight strain on the back. A right on Nelson followed by the first real downhill of the course where Bella let it out with speeds over 40 mph. We were smiling. Then I realized that my eye shield kept coming loose. Ultimately I had to take it off and was riding with it in my hand. We also realized we were hot. Dry and hot. As I poured the water over my coolwings, I realized I was pouring Hot water over my body and although it felt cool for a moment. Drinking hot water and pouring hot water over my body is not going to help lower my core temperature. We've got 85 miles more to go and the top heat of the day hasn't even arrived yet. Mile 30 was the aide station that I changed my game plan. I was going to stop to stretch the back out and instead of rolling through and grabbing water on the go, I sacrificed time and efficiency for being smart and attempting to keep the body cool and loose. I set Bella aside and I stretched out the back. I also put my eye shield back into my helmet realizing that a key snap was busted. This was going to a a nuisance as I needed this shield to protect my eyes from not only the sun but from bugs, wind pollen etc. I then went over to the volunteers and grabbed ice. I filled my hydration system with ice. I put ice in my bike shorts (groin), in a cooling towel that was around my neck and down the sleeves of jersey. (wrists & inside elbow) I wanted the ice to hit spots where the blood comes closest to the skin (pulse points) and help it not to over heat. I can't tell you what an almost instant difference that made. Up the rest of St Vrain. This to me felt like the steepest/hardest climb section of the course. I saw several people ahead walking their bikes up the incline. I wondered how they could be walking it on only the first loop about mile 32 into the course. I felt for them and sent them silent well wishes for a successful race. A bit more on HWY 36 and then we got to fly down Hygiene. This is one of the prettiest parts of the course as you pass through rolling farms with horses and cows. A rolling stream and plenty of trees. A u turn and now up that downhill we just came from. Mile 38 another aide station and the same thing. Ice in those key zones. Ice in my hydration system and 2 waters. Up the hill on Hygiene Rd and more folks pushing their bikes. This time I was vocal with Atta boys and encouragement to my fellow racers. To the top of Hwy 36 and a right onto Ute. This is another nice section of flat to slight decline. East = speed and downhill. West = ups. Then ahead at about mile 45, there she was. My Girl was out there, all smiles. I stopped and Jess and I chatted a little bit. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you realize how HOT it is out here??</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Took a few photos. Asked her to tell the family that all was going great. Gave a few kisses and Bella and I were back at it. A right onto 75th and now a rolling relatively straight shot back to the Diagonal for loop #2. By this time, I made several bike friends. People that would pass me on the ups but then I would fly by on the downhills and straight aways. Then they would pass me again at an aide station as I got off to do my ice routine. We would leap frog each other through much of the ride. Approx Mile 52 approached and this was the special needs area. I was thankful as I was just about out of water. Unfortunately there was no water to be had at this station but there was Kerry. I didn't need anything really from my special needs bag but I stopped anyway for a hug and a smile and a quick chat with my friend. Water and ice was just around the corner at mile 55 or so. This time I added three additions to my routine. I would take off my helmet and have the volunteers pour water over my head. I would then put ice in my helmet along with my other parts and I would place a few ice cubes in my nutrition bottle. By this time my nutrition was a hot mess of a gel and the ice would cool it down and thin it out. Onto loop #2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I stopped at every aide station along the way and continued with my routine. Besides my aide station routine, every 15 minutes I would ingest either plain water or Nuun enhanced water. Every 45 minutes of the hour I would ingest my infinit gel nutrition. Every 30 minutes of the hour and every hour on the hour I would ingest 1 or 2 Hammer Endurolyte Extreem tablets depending on what I felt my body was losing. I would simply look at my black shorts and see if and what the salt build up on them would be. If I noticed it was a lot I would immediately take two of these salt tablets if it wasn't bad then I would take one just to keep the reserves full. Turning right onto Nelson, I was just about to let it loose downhill when up ahead I caught a glimpse of my gal again. I stopped and pulled over for a kiss. She immediately apologized as she realized she picked a downhill spot and people were zooming by her</span>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okey dokey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I said I didn't mind and I truly didn't. I am so very thankful to have a loving beautiful wife that is out there supporting me and my endeavors that I couldn't care less if it wasn't the most optimal place to have to pull over. Up St. Vrain the numbers of bike pushers increased. The winds also seemed to increase quite nicely. I was concerned for my fellow bikers and how they would handle it if they are not used to riding in these cross wind bursts. Heading down Hygiene Rd, I took quite a bit of caution and had to hold Bella back a little bit. I would not allow her to hit 45mph as she had done earlier in the day. U turn and back up Hygiene Rd. The aide station at mile 84ish seemed to be the one I stopped at the longest for the day. I needed to stretch the back out again. Although it was feeling truly awesome. Best of the last 3 Ironman races. The heat was just so amped up, I took extra time to ice down and cool off. I had noticed bikers on the side of the roads, laying out under trees for shade, relieving themselves of their breakfast and lunch and getting rides back to the transition area as their days were done. I wished them each and every one a good day and healthy recovery. Heading back down 75th a bug flew under my helmet. Not thinking, I instinctively shook my head and my loose eye shield was now gone. I had a decent amount of speed at that moment and decided to let it go. I figured I would be ok for the final 10 miles or so. I passed Winstons place for the second time of the day and to no avail either time, he was not outside. I didn't blame him. I probably would not be out in this scorching heat either. Smart pig. Final turn onto the Diagonal Hwy and Bella and I were heading towards Transition #2 and towards the marathon section of the course. All in all it was a decent bike section. I believe I managed it well. My avg moving speed, my normalized power was pretty much spot on to what I anticipated doing. It did take me about 45 ~1 hr longer to complete this section then I had originally anticipated. I knew I would get off the bike 2 or 3 times to stretch and talk with Jess. I didn't anticipate getting off the bike a total of 11 times to do triage work on keeping me as cool as I could. At the end of the day it was 100% the correct decision to manage the bike section.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOvD3HKlBb6y24f0EG4LN5JASFt2HuDkzMKDKC41G_PZqtWC2GOFaucOxBbemAnRBcPkytUZaEz3UBRrCdJrX3d847CAqy-O1tW2MuM6Tuf2ocOwredH2siaEKgNWdF-l6y3qGbXOzKq7/s1600/DSC00751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOvD3HKlBb6y24f0EG4LN5JASFt2HuDkzMKDKC41G_PZqtWC2GOFaucOxBbemAnRBcPkytUZaEz3UBRrCdJrX3d847CAqy-O1tW2MuM6Tuf2ocOwredH2siaEKgNWdF-l6y3qGbXOzKq7/s320/DSC00751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My years of working with Coach EK were invaluable</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">During the bike I reflected back on the words of my then Coach EK. It was my first season of racing and about to do The Oktoburrrrfest Sprint it was as cold as could be and I was not digging it and he said something like....."This race is about how you as a racer handle the elements and what gets thrown your way and how you handle that adversity. That is what this race in the cold is about. Can you turn it off and still race or will the elements get the better of you?" Substitute F*cking Hot for Cold and you have it. Can I race smart and control what I can control and not let the elements get the better of me? I think I just did that for 112 miles. I owe him, along with many other things, that piece of knowledge and mindset for IM racing. Bella and I also had a blast as we topped out at 45.4MPH on the ride. I realized something else about this bike section. That although I had fun out there on this section, this was the first time in an IM that I wasn't singing to myself and out loud nearly the entire century ride. No singing at all. That's totally bizarre for me but I think I was so focused on getting it right and non stop thinking about what's next and what do I need to do and how will I stay on top of it that I never had the time to sing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I leave Bella in the hands of a volunteer and head to the changing tent. I again stretch and take my time. I put on running shorts. Going for that comfort factor. I just sit inside in the cover of the tent and relax. I watch racers come in off the bike and out and I just sit and relax. Ok, it's time to go. I head out of the tent to see Pam and Jen. Pam asks me what my number was, I reply 1563. I thought that was a weird question but who knows. Then I realize that I had my bid number tucked into my shorts. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuJZJ147dWwcWMNk-x9nLZLLty28rnjNQ78c6etXD2A5P2EMZUB3bGUHdRTzwgb5FTIclrmjhyphenhyphendab8q4Tkcjjve4pOH-xDT_ZtwU_DUAdQNuPbiqeDfSg-qo4HkeeG9oFNwTgtmKoxr_0/s1600/34984873_2137038326338263_319408312552521728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="613" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuJZJ147dWwcWMNk-x9nLZLLty28rnjNQ78c6etXD2A5P2EMZUB3bGUHdRTzwgb5FTIclrmjhyphenhyphendab8q4Tkcjjve4pOH-xDT_ZtwU_DUAdQNuPbiqeDfSg-qo4HkeeG9oFNwTgtmKoxr_0/s320/34984873_2137038326338263_319408312552521728_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey guys, I'm already for the run!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not sure how I did that but......high fives to the gals and I am heading towards the reservoir exit. I know that the beginning of this run is all exposed. Not a drop of shade. I also know it is a nice little climb out on 51st. I make the decision to walk it. Hell, I may be walking the entire marathon. Quick rough numbers in my head, I determine that I have about 7:40 to complete the marathon and be an 8 time Ironman finisher. I have this in the bag. What could happen I ask myself? I've been very smart on nutrition and hydration and electrolyte replacement my body should not shut down on me. The dry heat prevents me from really getting any blisters that are very prevalent for me in the humid races I've done so my feet should be ok. I just don't see how it wont happen for me at Boulder 5.0. Will it be my fastest race?? Not a chance, but I now know I will finish today. Hitting the rollers on the course I see people run past me just to stop and walk a few feet later. This was truly the Walking Dead. I don't know if I have seen as many people walking the marathon section of an Ironman race right out of transition in my 10 IM attempts. Then there she was again. About mile 4 or so. Jess joined me for a little while as we walked and talked. I shared my plan of walking the marathon at least up until I can get to the shade of the Boulder Creek path. She confirmed my math and we figured that I had just under 7:40 to finish the marathon. I wanted my body to come back and and then run when I felt like it. I didn't want to take any chances in blowing it now. She shared with me that Liz had finished the race and came in 3rd in her age group in just about 10 hours. I was so stoked for her but slightly sad. I've always seen Liz out on the course at some point but not this year. The course set up, my decreasing speed combined with her increasing speed did not allow that to occur. I was thrilled on her finish and sad I did not get a chance to see and cheer her on. Then suddenly I hear someone yell for me and I look up and it was Natalia walking her dog. Fantastic to see & hear her out there. Jess walked with me a little further. I gave her a kiss goodbye and off we went. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6S6EALgriTxervkRyalt_u4I0a7kXvWyplbyex-vE1KvDKdezThR75z_hP0d58jXGgGN5rx9YQT4yc5vqiRrRmanlYr9iAwxRTTUo_llaWltdIaRRhuIGna3g5q9t2g68noge8naVQws/s1600/35078439_2138598042848958_2527441391584280576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="557" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6S6EALgriTxervkRyalt_u4I0a7kXvWyplbyex-vE1KvDKdezThR75z_hP0d58jXGgGN5rx9YQT4yc5vqiRrRmanlYr9iAwxRTTUo_llaWltdIaRRhuIGna3g5q9t2g68noge8naVQws/s320/35078439_2138598042848958_2527441391584280576_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One step at a time.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The marathon was somewhat anticlimactic. It was just a matter of getting from point A to B in a certain amount of time. I stayed to my game plan. Every aide station a mixture watered down gatorade. Every 30 minutes or so a Hammer Gel for calorie intake. The shade felt fantastic. So nice not to have the sun beating down on you. Caught fellow 303er Bill out on the course a couple of times. Great seeing Dave out there looking for his 11th IM finish and Esra peddling around supporting him. I hadn't seen a few fellow Boulderites out there that I knew were racing and could only surmise that there day did not end up like they had hoped. The run section was also littered with people sitting in the grass and shade a few laid out with IVs in them getting rehydrated. The walking crew was similar to the biking crew. They jog past you and stop 5 meters ahead. Then you would jog past them and stop 5 meters ahead of them and the game continued. Every once in a while a participant would not pass you and it was your time to go again. You know they had slowed down even more or perhaps were out of it. I would try to make a 30 second run of it counting to myself. Staying to <strike>running </strike> jogging in the shady spots and flats. Jess was a trooper and all over the run course. She'd stay with me for a few miles then go eat dinner. Then walk/jog with me for a few miles then drive her car to another spot where she would meet up with me again for another couple of miles. She wore her Ironmate shirt and received tons of positive comments. I think we were unofficially voted cutest couple on the course. I'm blessed to have her as my partner in life. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmM59SivXwbB9379TkdtRP5Fx6gZgOGRTRcUMl9D5bJTsOUMk39vie9qvOsgwx197mDsLLBq8ZwPPZAEgt4ssbtN8F0vCtr56-0cNQIqheRe16Uc3AsJftXBgyHQKWYfH5SdFDzw1W2l/s1600/35144063_836426226550584_5474140967864893440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="424" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmM59SivXwbB9379TkdtRP5Fx6gZgOGRTRcUMl9D5bJTsOUMk39vie9qvOsgwx197mDsLLBq8ZwPPZAEgt4ssbtN8F0vCtr56-0cNQIqheRe16Uc3AsJftXBgyHQKWYfH5SdFDzw1W2l/s320/35144063_836426226550584_5474140967864893440_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we come!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We'd calculate pace and time to make sure I was still on schedule. I made sure to thank every volunteer each time I passed them on the bike and the <strike>run, jog,</strike>walk. I paid to be out there in the heat and entered the race. They are giving of their own time and were such a positive influence on racers. Their spirit was unmatched. It was the hardest I've seen volunteers work to take care of the athletes in my 10 IM races. Simply incredible. I truly cannot even begin to find the words to describe how fantastic they all were. I wish there was some way, I could let all of those individuals know how much they meant to all of us. I tried while I was out there but I know I could never do it justice. The sun set and I continued to pick my jogging opportunities. I think I may not have watered the gatorade down enough and the sugar was starting to act up on me. I couple of times I thought about it but I knew I would be in trouble if I attempted it......yep, if I would have tried, I know I would have Sharted all over myself. Does not make for good race photos and you get a lot of nasty looks from spectators. So for the 4th time of the day I released the chocolate hostages and lost weight the quick way. At the end of the day this wound up being my second slowest marathon. Mile 26 came and I saw Jess again...I was at the home stretch just around the corner and I would head down the finish chute. I could hear Mike Reilly in the back ground the spectators screaming.....ok here we go. No more 30 second jog....we jog to the end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I turn the corner and take flight. "Ohhhh he likes flying on in" says Mike "Come on Brother" I look up and see Jess and head over to her. "Aww he got a kiss" "This is Marty Rosenthal!" "Come on Maaartaaaaay" Then those words as I fly right up to him........"You are....." I stop and shake his hand"......an Ironman! Way to go Marty!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I continue down to cross the finish line fist pumped in the air. I cross the line to see my 303 teammates cheering for me and taking a few pictures. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironman Finish line #8</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A catcher comes over to me and congratulates me and starts to walk me over to get my medal. I'm thinking and wondering where Jess is. I'm ready to go home. I look up and what to my absolutely wonderful amazement do I see but my dear friend Michelle with a huge smile on her face. I wonder how she got in this area and then it dawns on my that she's a volunteer at the finish line and she is about to put my medal on me. How cool is that!?!?!?! A medal and huge hug from Michelle. We see Jess and head over to her.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait a minute.......that's Michelle!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozumel IM Reunited</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jess and I left the racers area and went over to see what the finishers food may be. I decided to pass on it. Jess and I then sat by the amphitheatre for a few minutes. What's next? I was wiped. This may have been the worst I felt mentally after a race. I was spent. I had been in worse states physically after a race but my spirits were not as high as they normally are. I was simply tired. I grabbed Jessica's hand and we started to head towards the car. She suggested that we go to the finishers shoot to cheer on the final racers. Great idea! What a fantastic and electric filled area. We spend the next 30 minutes or so cheering and clapping and bringing home those final few before the midnight hour. We then gathered up Bella Nera and my equiptment and headed home. Boulder Ironman 5.0 is in the books. A great and challenging day. 10th starting line, 8th finish line in 4 years. Not too shabby. I love this shit.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murphy's Tap House Post Race Bloody Mary</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Swim 1:27:27</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>T1 16:21</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Bike 7:28:56</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>T2 16:22</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Run 7:09:46</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Total 16:38:54</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>#WarriorMode</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>#Letsdothis</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>#TrulyBlessed</b></span><br />
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-36800176230466178762018-06-16T11:46:00.000-07:002018-06-16T16:18:17.085-07:00Back (and forth) for Boulder IM (2018)<div style="text-align: justify;">
A week ago Boulder IM celebrated it's 5th running in 2018. I had missed the 2017 version. It was the only one of Boulder's 5 that I didn't do. I wasn't happy about missing this hometown race but Bella I had just gotten back from IM Florianopolis two weeks earlier and I had just started a new job out of state and my beautiful wife would have clobbered me if I toed the starting line.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQztPNXhHVZE44S4qyjZ94f6Lha0FXpfhV33isIhvR4jviald8OeffRcu1qIjqMZzluyqBV2cga09qoeabFdok83v3LLQjtHxiev5t6_QQ5vzU0TrfYJIluUYZ3kedc641BWjjuWsXHQ1E/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQztPNXhHVZE44S4qyjZ94f6Lha0FXpfhV33isIhvR4jviald8OeffRcu1qIjqMZzluyqBV2cga09qoeabFdok83v3LLQjtHxiev5t6_QQ5vzU0TrfYJIluUYZ3kedc641BWjjuWsXHQ1E/s320/IMG_3571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella and I after IM Brasil</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I had been thinking about Boulder IM 5.0 for a year. But as the starting date drew closer, I began to have my doubts if I would be able to make this one as well. Working and training on the road is TOUGH! I was pretty happy when I was assigned to be out on the OC for the winter. I thought, no indoor trainer rides. I'd spend everyday, running and biking in the beautiful southern California sun. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh4WT96RmLqWmmxP41jNW8QtWEl4eCDTheStE1C1r7isihAYKUjDoQiZ-rRNtl6Wj7rHD1LKR_fogVr82Otpi6MRrwPIz7LX_vhix4_37Rx_4HwsbS-04pMcEPgeVj131fJYZVLFbrv2i/s1600/IMG_0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh4WT96RmLqWmmxP41jNW8QtWEl4eCDTheStE1C1r7isihAYKUjDoQiZ-rRNtl6Wj7rHD1LKR_fogVr82Otpi6MRrwPIz7LX_vhix4_37Rx_4HwsbS-04pMcEPgeVj131fJYZVLFbrv2i/s320/IMG_0528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in Newport Beach</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I brought Bella out to the coast with me. This was going to be great!! But it was not to be......I did get a lot of 2-5 mile runs in almost every morning to start my day. I also got a fair amount of swimming in a very hot 24 hour fitness pool across the street from work. This was a pool kept at temp for the blue hairs doing their aqua aerobic classes certainly not for swimming training. The riding....didn't happen nearly as much as it should have. I spent most of my weekends on the road trying to get back home to be with my family in Colorado, New York or Louisiana. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTUghii16GEJ0BK3FrQzaPNpfEFQ-sEHro4d8vRvCu-GukIeZJLBJ-JGMbNpNPwDrUwfpySREiCmSgEBCtPnszs3kVVWU53JUsFGHHRb1g3fnZZdyzPLziyLv_uqUlc_XTd9IY2oqNn_t/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTUghii16GEJ0BK3FrQzaPNpfEFQ-sEHro4d8vRvCu-GukIeZJLBJ-JGMbNpNPwDrUwfpySREiCmSgEBCtPnszs3kVVWU53JUsFGHHRb1g3fnZZdyzPLziyLv_uqUlc_XTd9IY2oqNn_t/s320/IMG_0581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RocknRoll New Orleans March '18</td></tr>
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That took away those long weekend rides, I have become accustomed to and I had to make do with a few 15 milers midweek until the sun started to set later in the day and I was able to squeak in a couple of 25 mile rides. Again, a far cry from what I am used to in order to hit 112 come IM day.</div>
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Then the weekend of May 6-7 came along. Just over one month out from the race. My doubts of doing this race was at an all time high. My training was sub par, particularly on the bike and I've been at or below sea level for just about a year now. How would my body handle the elevation gain? How would my legs handle the 112 miles on a bike then hit a marathon run? How would I ride the hills in and around Boulder? New Orleans, where I was prior to the OC, doesn't have much elevation gain. I need a mental boost in a big way. Friends started to ask if I was even racing because they hadn't heard from me about it or seen any serious training posts on FB. I was keeping what I was doing on the down low. This first weekend in May, I was flying Bella back to Boulder with me and I was going to do a Big Boy training weekend. My thought, if I can handle this weekend, it will be a nice step in the right direction for me mentally. I needed it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lvFV7J0Xzlboa9ncA3pGj-9dtNHQrdtGxTwxRinr1cy6hrnyH_ZJ3T8mWPwANCFI4juFW3tVJtjNa5ZLUHr9aC6VIqkm-cwVo6wb-Hq_QUONbytIidq0T2mnXbTkWr2adIzJ9PZ7DtLJ/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lvFV7J0Xzlboa9ncA3pGj-9dtNHQrdtGxTwxRinr1cy6hrnyH_ZJ3T8mWPwANCFI4juFW3tVJtjNa5ZLUHr9aC6VIqkm-cwVo6wb-Hq_QUONbytIidq0T2mnXbTkWr2adIzJ9PZ7DtLJ/s320/IMG_0694.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and I out for a run</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zmKodhaxLV86mfNdkuTHyeFHhIcR3V3_7WnJx4uF_-zTzRhBlMX_YIvAo1PbZo_3GEQ8p1IpCQ7RwCZ0bqWdegQ6Y-cRuFO4mxKGoLC0Kels3vqdRSbF3q0qoaL4i-vn0iblLH-nDSaA/s1600/IMG_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zmKodhaxLV86mfNdkuTHyeFHhIcR3V3_7WnJx4uF_-zTzRhBlMX_YIvAo1PbZo_3GEQ8p1IpCQ7RwCZ0bqWdegQ6Y-cRuFO4mxKGoLC0Kels3vqdRSbF3q0qoaL4i-vn0iblLH-nDSaA/s320/IMG_0695.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitting some hills as a brick workout</td></tr>
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Saturday Jess and I ran a 10k. I then bricked it by some time in the saddle riding up hills and inclines around our neighborhood. I reached at to my buddy Stephan for much needed companionship on a ride for Sunday. We hit a great 55 miles together. More importantly it was a single loop around the the Boulder IM Course. This was the most I had ridden in a single outing since IM Cozumel in November. I had a blast and loved the course. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PfFQHbWjQt4XFziaiylzQtF4_7wfsfqT_FhUQ_yLB62TCe0FV2CKy4Hyjo98riYjA0Ji7MFAIGH51qauTaHKE48qexVV5hg5iFS6g4jB22eg67WYsAkDWnBXfutSdGsq4r2QxyyoFju/s1600/IMG_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PfFQHbWjQt4XFziaiylzQtF4_7wfsfqT_FhUQ_yLB62TCe0FV2CKy4Hyjo98riYjA0Ji7MFAIGH51qauTaHKE48qexVV5hg5iFS6g4jB22eg67WYsAkDWnBXfutSdGsq4r2QxyyoFju/s320/IMG_0703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephan and I hitting the Boulder IM Course</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc8XL6ipzg2g5IBONWzwzzv9sZOCnwCiO-mv3mfd7z9rAVWhpf3B4a7TihuFpIDo_qmkUYrTRp3ZwbW0hsKnA-4buV7e55KukqLLDVyjkjviNDk0PsxqkM_R_6VuYWCh_GbXXjIkmllUt/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc8XL6ipzg2g5IBONWzwzzv9sZOCnwCiO-mv3mfd7z9rAVWhpf3B4a7TihuFpIDo_qmkUYrTRp3ZwbW0hsKnA-4buV7e55KukqLLDVyjkjviNDk0PsxqkM_R_6VuYWCh_GbXXjIkmllUt/s320/IMG_0705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello....Winston!</td></tr>
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It was definitely a step in the right direction. I could feel the pressure on my lungs on a few of the ups that I wouldn't normally feel when living in town. I wondered how this would feel the second time around during the race since it was a 2 lap course.</div>
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Back to California Bella and I went. </div>
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The next weekend was another trip to NY. CA-CO-NY on Friday. Jess and I landed late in Laguardia. I was able to lay my head on the pillow for just a couple of hours before I was out to meet my Uncle John for an open water training swim/paddle. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCoclf2hymMBz-4RarhgdVFNHjaRgqIC_RETBf8y4zJhuOwrgXFxVU0ArwrrT2q-CA97jRyTS55mlXeDJU1Tcy501ONlYjA4TPrUY0DlnaDH4HOiTyurA1D6hm_URvgmlS9DNcD96Kj0v/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCoclf2hymMBz-4RarhgdVFNHjaRgqIC_RETBf8y4zJhuOwrgXFxVU0ArwrrT2q-CA97jRyTS55mlXeDJU1Tcy501ONlYjA4TPrUY0DlnaDH4HOiTyurA1D6hm_URvgmlS9DNcD96Kj0v/s320/IMG_0715.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great South Bay Swim</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J_Kz5NYYDaWhia3ZILx-WRS7roQ_OuQyTEaI17A8SC93LYXQGFoq4S6EBck5Se3ud7E5f-D9MQ2htOVyViUKuWFqyk8eZG-HEMGx3iL2ZcSU0vr2hfj1QjV1LIeQaNwONW4bVJsFP2Cb/s1600/IMG_E0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J_Kz5NYYDaWhia3ZILx-WRS7roQ_OuQyTEaI17A8SC93LYXQGFoq4S6EBck5Se3ud7E5f-D9MQ2htOVyViUKuWFqyk8eZG-HEMGx3iL2ZcSU0vr2hfj1QjV1LIeQaNwONW4bVJsFP2Cb/s320/IMG_E0714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for an early morning paddle and swim.</td></tr>
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We entered the <a href="http://www.greatsouthbayswim.com/">Maggie Fischer Great South Bay Swim</a>. This is just about a 10k swim across the bay in NY near where I grew up. It is a fundraiser effort where I shall swim the distance and my uncle will be my safety paddler in a kayak. I have had a few HS buddies do this swim every year and I've always wanted to give it a try. So why not?? My Uncle and I wanted to get the feel for one another and the waves and current and such prior to the event on July 13th. So early Saturday morning before the boats were out on the bay, we were. To support our fundraising efforts please consider donating at.....<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/manage/MaggieCrossBay">Go Fund Me Swim</a>.<br />
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Then off to spend a wonderful day with my folks. Jess's parents also made the trip as the following day on Mother's Day we had the 20th running of a Memorial 5k for my cousin Elizabeth. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkS2lv4OrfGkYrZy4Id-KwXazt1OBJ6WImSLjFzbVVxlYAerDxeIBQVAPtaIGboHIi9Pd_icePfxCUCY1HUZM48ZIr825Hm8G-WAoyoFZ-0Ltp_fssn07Wf7lETtN2YX2BuD_xhVFIJFC/s1600/IMG_E0722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkS2lv4OrfGkYrZy4Id-KwXazt1OBJ6WImSLjFzbVVxlYAerDxeIBQVAPtaIGboHIi9Pd_icePfxCUCY1HUZM48ZIr825Hm8G-WAoyoFZ-0Ltp_fssn07Wf7lETtN2YX2BuD_xhVFIJFC/s320/IMG_E0722.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20th Elizabeth T McNamee Memorial Run</td></tr>
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It was an honor to have my family all together for this event. Sunday night back on the plane to Denver drop Jess off and then back to Cali.</div>
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Although the ride a couple of weeks ago was great with Stephan, I needed more than 1 ride of 55 miles to allow me to feel comfortable to do an Ironman. The following weekend, Bella and I were back on a plane to Colorado. It was my birthday weekend and I wanted to spend it with my wife and to hit 70+ miles of the course. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLSA9ubs2VtjEmUsiCksM5vBibKv6zh0ONsyjtPfOGS8wkkJEzq8zeMrJfe0osv2p-w8FJDIkcC39gIYpf1yYEG7mCJR-2Tp0Kiq368sd8vOGGvMkTHY0_dqbbtlHLOx9mh7yWIY2eKXQ/s1600/IMG_E0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLSA9ubs2VtjEmUsiCksM5vBibKv6zh0ONsyjtPfOGS8wkkJEzq8zeMrJfe0osv2p-w8FJDIkcC39gIYpf1yYEG7mCJR-2Tp0Kiq368sd8vOGGvMkTHY0_dqbbtlHLOx9mh7yWIY2eKXQ/s320/IMG_E0727.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to me!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDewiLqaqRZgWJ49ijSaQ1eqvWwrVaLeJuKot3H5fH1O3XRfK81dNsKMAX12kSNcQLgCHslJyBYlfFIMYTaJ4wXa_L38wKxGZVMPxHduZw3-0b269NjvQJBGyxacxJ8GHpPXUcQUeWOKQ/s1600/IMG_E0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDewiLqaqRZgWJ49ijSaQ1eqvWwrVaLeJuKot3H5fH1O3XRfK81dNsKMAX12kSNcQLgCHslJyBYlfFIMYTaJ4wXa_L38wKxGZVMPxHduZw3-0b269NjvQJBGyxacxJ8GHpPXUcQUeWOKQ/s320/IMG_E0729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf is a Bday Dinner Tradition in Boulder</td></tr>
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I think all the travel, lack of sleep and spending the previous weekend in the rain and cold in NY took its toll on me as I was teetering and on the brink of getting sick. I had taken the week off from training. I had a ride planned with a few of my Colorado peeps and I had to cancel that as well. Back to the OC Bella and I went. Concerned we might not get enough of time in to feel right for the race. I was about 75% / 25% that I was going to even do it at this point.</div>
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The following Thursday night Bella and I flew back to Colorado. Rugger, Jess and I enjoyed a beautiful Friday morning run together followed by a brick swim. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuj0ChRcrxZDjXhf-H_PQvvOJCX28xQwfmWMhm9SxzBvOEdj514N8jyLchAog_nE5Z7tcuLH-64hggQu36fu5x_V7GC-s_1NhgwvaL-8umH0xH3HM7ULy55cznyyn8vQOlQhEOteogtUu/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuj0ChRcrxZDjXhf-H_PQvvOJCX28xQwfmWMhm9SxzBvOEdj514N8jyLchAog_nE5Z7tcuLH-64hggQu36fu5x_V7GC-s_1NhgwvaL-8umH0xH3HM7ULy55cznyyn8vQOlQhEOteogtUu/s320/IMG_0739.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my favorite running partners</td></tr>
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Saturday was another test ride day.....this time Kerry took to the roads with me and we had a fantastic 70 miler. My confidance was now at a high for entering the race. Sunday was followed by an easy 20 miler through the hood. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u3dvGEwHeHd1RKXYctyz8J2iqNmfa3Pt6EcEd5v0xzC1chfz29bZ3xnpxxuo_XUxkL3C_0dnz-0REEP3zoxUr9HzPvhzA4ozthoxIBj53K2DgsoEoAmZRug_ByhXPp-dj7WeE6YfaPtX/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u3dvGEwHeHd1RKXYctyz8J2iqNmfa3Pt6EcEd5v0xzC1chfz29bZ3xnpxxuo_XUxkL3C_0dnz-0REEP3zoxUr9HzPvhzA4ozthoxIBj53K2DgsoEoAmZRug_ByhXPp-dj7WeE6YfaPtX/s320/IMG_0746.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly needed this 70 miler with Kerry</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1eKkNvTEOP2XcMruFYPeS_L_WTePhmhLOoj_gQQM0jXvwSrplorg3H14EuHpUU-zJAHjxn0RKWsZAYEk6YNBo6rJejyTiRMSMumKdNsLZBOGEuZIGCmYVIf9rCQCUyzy-m6UmNSPV04e/s1600/IMG_0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1eKkNvTEOP2XcMruFYPeS_L_WTePhmhLOoj_gQQM0jXvwSrplorg3H14EuHpUU-zJAHjxn0RKWsZAYEk6YNBo6rJejyTiRMSMumKdNsLZBOGEuZIGCmYVIf9rCQCUyzy-m6UmNSPV04e/s320/IMG_0750.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And......Winston!</td></tr>
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I'm heading back to Cali....to Cali....to Cali.....this time I left Bella behind as I wanted her all tuned up and ready to go. The team at Colorado MultiSport always does my prerace tune up and I dropped her off to get lubed and ready.</div>
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June 2-3rd the weekend before Boulder IM I was blessed with two easy days of riding with my tribe. Stephan, Kerry and Jen joined me for an easy 35 on Saturday and Eddie and Natalia for a super easy 20 on Sunday as my last peddle. I laughed and smiled so much during my time out on the roads with these people this last month. They truly are the reason I felt that I could do it. That I could complete another Ironman. I loved that they all killed me on the hills like I was standing still and Bella was thrilled that she was able to lead the way fly on downhills. This course would be forgiving to us.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzmNu_C8v2W7xFWf5phCTuwbYXQcCs8J8_wWoKFXLiIO19ndS_BEZrTALtZnNgpgH2DPVieuH_7cS_WJbR8Oq7c3meiOn1IoMaVQpRoCGH9e6Y69tmGOIHjnSWWIjQEGHn6eizONfulvt/s1600/IMG_E0753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzmNu_C8v2W7xFWf5phCTuwbYXQcCs8J8_wWoKFXLiIO19ndS_BEZrTALtZnNgpgH2DPVieuH_7cS_WJbR8Oq7c3meiOn1IoMaVQpRoCGH9e6Y69tmGOIHjnSWWIjQEGHn6eizONfulvt/s320/IMG_E0753.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning shake out ride with Stephan, Kerry & Jen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DiDAo1bzL9ZN1ygUFpjZw-u7_6FTkcrB6duYiCbQ60QV7UORzkVT5dS1Rj9VBCRN8yMf2Yh40yy45kHWlLuTXR98cCf5WxCPMHsFyvdUHPJM0crffwWVUPwxny8MQ3xEUiMg-JP03Wzx/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DiDAo1bzL9ZN1ygUFpjZw-u7_6FTkcrB6duYiCbQ60QV7UORzkVT5dS1Rj9VBCRN8yMf2Yh40yy45kHWlLuTXR98cCf5WxCPMHsFyvdUHPJM0crffwWVUPwxny8MQ3xEUiMg-JP03Wzx/s320/IMG_0760.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-minus 1 week to Boulder IM with Natatlia & Eddie</td></tr>
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I'm good to go. I know I am not where I would want to be or "should be" but this last month of building my confidence and riding around the course with my dear friends visiting Winsotn and the Oreo Cows was huge.</div>
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Back to and from Cali to Colorado one last time. I got in late Thursday night. Enjoyed an easy swim on Friday. With my best friend, my love, my #1 supporter on my side we went and registered for the race. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIq6NuFZG3f4iJZvjqOqJPxWehX8vy5-vxUyIME1cQqTn2-5LiQAPOoJlP7nPZzovAaDkrncDLHwffBhKpu4aaHYKO293mp7EE6BTWNNKhsXBrCvOjB-0mrML7T1w2kyp4cj6Gq137e_r/s1600/IMG_E0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIq6NuFZG3f4iJZvjqOqJPxWehX8vy5-vxUyIME1cQqTn2-5LiQAPOoJlP7nPZzovAaDkrncDLHwffBhKpu4aaHYKO293mp7EE6BTWNNKhsXBrCvOjB-0mrML7T1w2kyp4cj6Gq137e_r/s320/IMG_E0764.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder IM Registration....it's really gonna happen</td></tr>
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#Letsdothis. No backing out at this point. I spent an enjoyable relaxing couple of days with Jess doing the normal pack things up, drop things off, pre race routine. Saturday night, I made us our traditional pasta dinner with a couple of glasses of wine and I was all set and ready to meet Boulder Ironman 5.0. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTbqOAKHWxpA9vRJTuPfntxntZXp-XZX7qowe0buKH5Z6pUUXvI2pl0Ag4PKpjOrS4s-N12x4vpsCKt3FFFrmVMCuy9RjNusUIDFAl3IpjzQe2js4yFVIytJvd612SdXSwuDl2nT960it/s1600/IMG_E0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTbqOAKHWxpA9vRJTuPfntxntZXp-XZX7qowe0buKH5Z6pUUXvI2pl0Ag4PKpjOrS4s-N12x4vpsCKt3FFFrmVMCuy9RjNusUIDFAl3IpjzQe2js4yFVIytJvd612SdXSwuDl2nT960it/s320/IMG_E0769.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhhhhh Italia......Pasta e vino.....perfezionare</td></tr>
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I'm back! I'm back where I belong about to toe the line at Boulder IM.</div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-49781937377061041282017-08-29T21:31:00.004-07:002017-08-30T19:49:44.065-07:00IM Florianopolis ~ The 2-8-7 Race Recap<div style="text-align: justify;">
A solid night's rest. It's dark outside and raining. It's time to get going for Ironman Florianopolis. A quick bite to eat. I grab my special needs bags, my nutrition and a few other last minute items and head out to the athletes village and transition area to drop these items off.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vja4b5bbL_T-IcNxtAju5FitDUF1NHnopc2QzptydEY5rOOEVkw81UwgFhB69HGnteYPd56nyHUIrwjBAAJBwsHKNY8c4VQ221sKYcyRW4R1SLMYs7ZmPVJLelMDwJfb1rM1431Z89j/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39vja4b5bbL_T-IcNxtAju5FitDUF1NHnopc2QzptydEY5rOOEVkw81UwgFhB69HGnteYPd56nyHUIrwjBAAJBwsHKNY8c4VQ221sKYcyRW4R1SLMYs7ZmPVJLelMDwJfb1rM1431Z89j/s200/IMG_3963.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Saying Good Morning to my beautiful girl</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsmb8XKsY77uezX7oXBN4yzLralw6aafiDwWhprimCdgJPr3PmU4e57bEGAQV6bbkGs8uwiO1IiexZaD4-U3YGm4KlFl4IDjpczA4NRBOijX1ZdaqTkFUTJkmVhsZiWJPwWr0UR7X6P_5/s1600/IMG_3962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsmb8XKsY77uezX7oXBN4yzLralw6aafiDwWhprimCdgJPr3PmU4e57bEGAQV6bbkGs8uwiO1IiexZaD4-U3YGm4KlFl4IDjpczA4NRBOijX1ZdaqTkFUTJkmVhsZiWJPwWr0UR7X6P_5/s200/IMG_3962.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A little reminder to myself while peddling</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEJFnKcRalmH9eGez9uLNGyeU_IRTzf9VmcHMvyZDzde49F5T9E5rzJM_88ZRqleDPYPTAolJVL5tvyPCqjr3-TEZbjJfBIbyyfXU-sziLzkzpopYTnLOUOV-_8_9SLAMlAIwqLO7Uu6D/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEJFnKcRalmH9eGez9uLNGyeU_IRTzf9VmcHMvyZDzde49F5T9E5rzJM_88ZRqleDPYPTAolJVL5tvyPCqjr3-TEZbjJfBIbyyfXU-sziLzkzpopYTnLOUOV-_8_9SLAMlAIwqLO7Uu6D/s320/IMG_3964.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It's a beautiful morning for an Ironman</span></td></tr>
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After dropping these items off, I then went back to the hotel. Instead of staying out in the cold, rain for a few more hours, I decided I would go back to the hotel room, stretch, roll out my back, hydrate, get in a few more calories and just relax in a quite and warm atmosphere. I figured I would expend less energy staying warm and dry inside rather than cold and wet out. I would also be able to chill and relax.</div>
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I got back to my room and gave my Ironbuddy Hal a call that I was back and getting ready to go. My gear was all laid out, my hydration and my food was all set. 45 minutes to go time....what shall I do?? How about getting on social media to thank all those well wishes and supporters? Sure why not.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEssglN9wOH6uIeK4WPsTJ60Mt6lZMWkBpsYE-tEA677j8incy33D0Ov2A4e66rcGj-leKpfcAxpWSNGe8U8ZChCdtdGG0LxZtIHDu339CQ9s7Cw65OCVleSjvQ0lTpbNEE1C3EfjZZMU5/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEssglN9wOH6uIeK4WPsTJ60Mt6lZMWkBpsYE-tEA677j8incy33D0Ov2A4e66rcGj-leKpfcAxpWSNGe8U8ZChCdtdGG0LxZtIHDu339CQ9s7Cw65OCVleSjvQ0lTpbNEE1C3EfjZZMU5/s200/IMG_3449.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulkY32d22OsuNm8NvY41xDr_b43hCbucxITC9YytzF_qKpk-_BU4RCKuBrz2yCoIk7AW10VZOwCuVcz4MqO0x8T7qtfB_0mek38_Ul-c-LJBZ5p1SJlYZAZLfROXJS6bgPyHPhwo8zFO5/s1600/IMG_3451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulkY32d22OsuNm8NvY41xDr_b43hCbucxITC9YytzF_qKpk-_BU4RCKuBrz2yCoIk7AW10VZOwCuVcz4MqO0x8T7qtfB_0mek38_Ul-c-LJBZ5p1SJlYZAZLfROXJS6bgPyHPhwo8zFO5/s200/IMG_3451.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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It seemed so bizarre to me to be hanging out in my room on the computer with less than an hour to go before an ironman race . Soon enough, I needed to go. Hal and I locked up and headed out the door for the beach. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQBg66cdbwT54aU4Vz9kNG8NS7tEiEj9vYkVE6s0PsGbxo74lCNp3WGdwulQK0RdFk2DMeiuVX3w1jD6TjA9vM8EfQ8ks8VrT86JwOL0Tcqo6FLK4z3TySEwJuieoEvzVHUjHLNmpB2Hp/s1600/IMG_3461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQBg66cdbwT54aU4Vz9kNG8NS7tEiEj9vYkVE6s0PsGbxo74lCNp3WGdwulQK0RdFk2DMeiuVX3w1jD6TjA9vM8EfQ8ks8VrT86JwOL0Tcqo6FLK4z3TySEwJuieoEvzVHUjHLNmpB2Hp/s320/IMG_3461.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's about time....Let's Do This!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The weather was a bit overcast and cool but the rain had stopped. Phew....who wants to swim when it's raining?? I lubed up, put my wetsuit on. Yep, wetsuit legal in Brazil! I was able to splash around and loosen up for a bit. I gave Hal a hug goodbye and headed for the starting line.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s8NwcgJiinFGXXDKecsccX2L3rzaBw-5rlP6V-inWvKrLiSgNfXeRVUJEICdo0rWNMkpisZhbgbAIppirkRu2ZMU48XxaA5zNt_pRW5WxjIETuWhDUpqZ7-fwq4KHe-ppPLT1oBxZx0e/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s8NwcgJiinFGXXDKecsccX2L3rzaBw-5rlP6V-inWvKrLiSgNfXeRVUJEICdo0rWNMkpisZhbgbAIppirkRu2ZMU48XxaA5zNt_pRW5WxjIETuWhDUpqZ7-fwq4KHe-ppPLT1oBxZx0e/s200/IMG_3470.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs_StJ_klfWufKg3QF-9uFfR9GdHFdTpi6xO-MeOkdxZMkPIut8vZXozFZncnG3_aaq8AYuZ4UXPn5fBDCCCew_IkIPiLo-4Lez4mq1M-zwSNGcaLVOOMrmLwCjHKgg0uObs_JHzCu3x7/s1600/IMG_3471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1310" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs_StJ_klfWufKg3QF-9uFfR9GdHFdTpi6xO-MeOkdxZMkPIut8vZXozFZncnG3_aaq8AYuZ4UXPn5fBDCCCew_IkIPiLo-4Lez4mq1M-zwSNGcaLVOOMrmLwCjHKgg0uObs_JHzCu3x7/s200/IMG_3471.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1693029799"></span><span id="goog_1693029800"></span><span style="text-align: justify;">This was my 1st race in the 50 -54 age group and we were the last wave to take off. This was the most interesting swim course I have every seen. Most swim courses that I've done are rectangular or trapezoidal in shape. This course was like writing a squared out capital letter M backwards. The starting line was the bottom right corner of the M and on the shore. You ran down the beach and into the oncoming waves.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTkZjQIdtbMskkgJ7QEWQnmalvamQoo_rirvvgx3H60Rn7XKFVwijec28jHIDLYCNLiGBzyQFmSaBhLWhP2UFoPOxILPeniAYz0XOOsZ7TeLeM2n4KdDvBqhPOlJ6M0od-vNnac5PkZQ-/s1600/IMG_3476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTkZjQIdtbMskkgJ7QEWQnmalvamQoo_rirvvgx3H60Rn7XKFVwijec28jHIDLYCNLiGBzyQFmSaBhLWhP2UFoPOxILPeniAYz0XOOsZ7TeLeM2n4KdDvBqhPOlJ6M0od-vNnac5PkZQ-/s320/IMG_3476.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's me in the white cap</span></td></tr>
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You swam out approx 1050 yards or .6 miles to the top right corner of that M. I stayed to my usual game plan and hugged the inside lane of the buoys. During our practice swim there was a strong current coming into the shore and from left to right. Today it was not as strong but it was in the same pattern. My practice swim prepared me for my angle of swimming and approach to the water. Growing up on the ocean helped me to attack the waves and take off into the surf. I made a conscious effort not to go out too fast and settled into a real nice rhythm. Yesterday I was concerned I was even going to make it to the starting line and right now in this moment, as several other moments in this race, I was soo incredibly happy doing what I was doing and appreciating where I was in the world. Before I knew it, it was time to make my first left turn. 275 yards later another left turn and .6 miles back to shore. The swim back to shore was great as you were able to ride the current in. I found a fellow faster swimmer and tucked in behind him. I was able to conserve some energy by drafting off of him and then body surfed my way back to the beach. Running onto the beach high fiving Hal, around a fence and back into the crashing waves for the second half of the swim.</div>
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I observed the waves take out a few more racers and again gave thanks to growing up on the shores and beaches of Long Island. I hopped over a few breakers and dove right back into it. I was having a blast and thus far, best part....no back issues. I continued the second half of the swim with no issues. I was able to maintain a decent distance between myself and other swimmers as not to ruck over one another. I couldn't seem to find anyone that I could latch onto and draft so I just swam. Before I knew it I was at that final turn and heading back to shore. Current with me, I increased my stroke rate and relaxed my breathing allowing the water to do the work. As I got closer to shore I noticed people standing and having there legs taken out from the waves. I chuckled to myself and just enjoyed the ride as the surf took me to the sand. I was able to see Hal again for another quick high five and then into the changing tent. My back was feeling pretty good as I took my time to change out of my wet clothes and into bike kit. I used this idea of maximum comfortably in Boulder IM '16. Knowing I wasn't pushing it due to my back pains my plan is to be as comfortable as possible. Bike shorts have greater padding in them then tri shorts so why not? I took the extra time to outfit myself, checked and double check that I had all that I needed. I was debating whether I wear my sunglasses or the shield that attaches to my helmet. I never wore the shield before and my stomach turned a little on the thought of trying something new in a race. But a voice inside said, go for it. I believed the shield would be better protection for my eyes with all the rain. I decided to go for it. I then spent a few minutes stretching out my back and hips. It was cold and rainy and I didn't want to tighten up. Out of the chair and on my way to get my girl for a 112 mile spin. All in all I was happy with where I was at.....Physically & Mentally. Very different from just 24 hour earlier when I though Hal and I might just stay in the hotel today and drink our faces off. I didn't know it at the time but I was sitting at ...</div>
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Swim: 1:13:03</div>
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T1: 15:34</div>
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My 2-8-7 game plan had me at a combined 2 hours for swim and T1combined. Currently I was at 1:28 combined. 32 minutes better than planned. At the end of the day I did about 20 minutes better in the swim and about 10 minutes better in transition than I had expected. I'll take it!</div>
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I caught Hal again before I took Bella out and we were off. My plan on the bike was to be just like in Boulder. Peddle until some stiffness or about 25~30 miles into the bike and then pull over and sit, lay down, do what ever I needed to stretch out. Just take it easy and manage the bike section of the race. I felt great with my nutrition and my game plan. I headed out of town on the cobblestone type of road. Thank goodness this stretch wasn't much more than a mile or so. We'd now be out of town for approx. 55miles before we turned around for our second lap. The course was relatively flat with 4 decent climbs. The rain continued to come down but I tried to stay aggressive. At approx mile 20 there was an off ramp clover leaf that dampened my spirits of staying aggressive or put me in a reality check. I was going a bit fast and trying to make the turn but I couldn't slow down fast enough and cut the turn tight enough due to the rain. I thought I was going into the cement embankment or my wheels were going to slide out from underneath me. I took a deep breath and attempted to gain control of the situation and I did just that. Note to self....any downhill turns lay off the throttle for now on. At about mile 25 I caught up to Sandi, she was looking great out there. Something that wasn't looking so great was my Garmin Watch. Go Figure!! Two days earlier, I took Bella out for a ride and everything was in perfect sync with my power meter and my Garmin watch. Of course, not now. The readings had me off the charts over 1400 watts. I actually couldn't fully comprehend this and thought it was working fine. Do I normally peddle at 140 watts in an IM or 1400 watts?? Though when I slowed down some and rode easier it was registering as 0 watts. How could this be? I was still producing power. It couldn't be ZERO. Well then I also must not be producing 1400Watts. DAMN!!! I guess I can't count on reading and measuring my power output. I'll just keep peddling with what feels good. About 30 miles into the bike, I went to wipe my shield and of course the lenses popped out. I don't know how but I managed to catch the lens preventing it from surely getting crushed under my wheel or from one of several bikes that were behind me. I slowed down and pulled over. I worked to put my lens back in and tried to figure out how I popped it out in the first place. I was getting a little amped about not riding and losing time on the clock. Then I thought, dude, just relax. Use this as a break. Enjoy it. Work your back some and get back into the game. 5 miles later I saw the flashing lights of the lead vehicle escorting the 1st place racer. I wondered who it was. The guy looked familiar but I was 100% sure. It felt like a long time before I started getting lapped by the other pros. Damn that guy in the front must have a huge lead. Little did I know at the time it was fellow Boulderite Tim Don. Tim hails from the UK but also trains at Rally Sport and resides in Boulder. The huge gap between him and 2nd place was because Tim was on his way to set the World Record for the fastest Ironman race. Needless to say I never saw Tim on the course again. He was probably finishing the race at or about when I was beginning my run. Before I knew it I was at the turn around for the second lap and there was my Ironbuddy....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're wet, cold and tired but having a blast!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got off Bella for a few minutes to move around some out of the saddle and the chat with Hal. I was having a fantastic day. My back was so so but 1000 times better than in Cabo, my last attempt at an IM where I pulled myself from the course, right about where I was right now distance wise. I felt like I was riding fast but also felt like I was starting to slow down. A hug and a kiss and I was off again. The second lap was much like my first, rainy at times, difficult heading up the few inclines, taking it easier on the downhill and turns. I still to this day and amazed at Tim's feat and bike split, wondering how he handled the course so fast without losing control of his bike. Every race, I seem to get a song stuck in my head, particularly on the bike and this race was no different......Volare was the song of the day. I was belting it out loud and loud it was.....</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volare, oh, oh!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nel blu, dipinto di blu</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Felice di stare lassù</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nel biu, dipinto di blu</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Felice di stare lass</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was passing fellow racers singing at the top of my lungs and I would hear them laugh as I rode by. I rode into a long tunnel and it was VOLARE OH, OH! A few times during the remainder of the day, I would see people in the race and they would look at me smile and call out....Volare!!!! For some strange reason, I felt it connected us. Here I am singing Volare...Cantare at the top of my lungs during the middle of an Ironman race in the cold and wet when other people are fading and struggling mile at 100 into the bike, I am dancing and laughing and singing in the saddle. I thought it was pretty f*cking funny that this English speaking American is singing an Italian song in Brazil where they speak Portuguese. I felt light and very happy. It is just now as I type these words that I think about the words from the song and how apropos it was to sing it at that time........</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Flying, oh, oh!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Singing, oh, oh, oh, oh!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the blue painted blue.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy to be up there.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the blue painted blue.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy to be up there.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My maternal grandparents came to mind a few times during the bike portion of the race and again just now, I wonder if it was them that put this song in my head as they looked down at me from above in the painted blue sky. Who knows?? I'd like to believe this is true. Perhaps it was them who was also with me on that hairpin corner. I got off my bike three times here in Brazil to stretch out my back. Each time for about 10 minutes. In Bouder I had done the same thing but Six times. I didn't feel I needed it as much here which made me happy to think of the progress my back had made. Although I was in great spirits, I was also ready to get off of Bella. My back did have about enough of riding. There was a definite decrease in my power. This was probably more so due to the lack of conditioning than anything else. Although looking at my Garmin my power numbers were still off the charts as I was peddling at about 1000 Watts. One final turn, a short stretch and I was heading back towards transition #2 to call an end to biking for the day. Bella and I had another great ride together. Little did I know for myself on this day timewise how good it was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bike: 6:31:52</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My 2-8-7 game plan had me at a combined 8 hours for the bike and T2combined. Currently I was at about 6:48 combined. 1hr 12 minutes better than I expected. Again, I had no real clue at to my time as I wasn't out there comparing it to the 2-8-7 game plan. I was just racing. I did about 1hr 10 minutes faster on the bike and again about 10 minutes better in transition. I'll take it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All that was left was walking the marathon. I'm not too sure many people set out on their day saying, "Man, today I am going to walk a Marathon". But that was all part of my plan. Swim and ride and then coast the last 26.2 miles It wasn't a coast by any means. I did set off walking through town which was a little odd as everyone was cheering and yelling for athletes and here Hal and I are walking down the block talking. A spectator ran out on the course and joined us as I had my Colorado shorts on and he wanted to chat about Colorado with us. Pretty funny but all good. In transition, I had changed out of my cold, wet 303 Bike Jersey and bike shorts and put on my dry Nuun Jersey and Colorado Running (Walking) shorts. I continued to rock 303 with our ball cap. I felt like I was fully representing and head out of town.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cheeeeeeze! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Around mile 3 there was this hill. I was quite surprised that such a hill would be in the marathon of an Ironman let alone in any marathon. My knees were definitely achy after that 10k portion of the race, predominately due to the down hill sections. It was during this section that Sandi had caught up to me. Like before, she was moving well. She had a nice jog on. Little by little my feet started to pay the price of being wet all day. I could tell that one toenail was off or hanging on and that blisters were starting to form on both feet. Even though there were times during the marathon I wanted to run, perhaps out of shear boredom, I couldn't. Save to play another day became my motto. My knees hurt, my feet were blistering, I was wet, the evening started getting cooler and now my back was starting to say "Hello, remember me??" It was a long marathon. I was doing what I set out to do, in the fashion I laid out for myself. I continued to hydrate, to intake calories and attempted to keep myself as warm and as dry as possible as the rain persisted on and off for all of the 26.2 miles. This was the slowest marathon I have ever completed to date.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As we started the day cold, wet and smiling, so did we end it!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">2+8+7 = 17 Two hours combined swim and T1, Eight hours combined bike and T2, Seven hours for a walking marathon equals the required time it takes to cross the finish line and be called and "Ironman" 17:01 and you DNF. I completed the marathon in 7:06:47. Six minutes and forty seven seconds slower than I had planned. Combine my <strike>run</strike> walk with my bike and swim along with the transitions times and I was a 6 time Ironman finisher. I took flight to the finish crossing the finish line to have my Ironbuddy Hal right there waiting for me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What a crazy whacky 3 years and 6 months of Ironman Triathlon racing it has been. Although I had to drop out of IM Cabo at 2 different times in the last 1.7 years due to my back, I have been #TrulyBlessed to have been able to cross the finish line 6 times in those 3+ years. To have the love and support and fortitude to keep going. I love racing and everything about it. The healthy lifestyle, the hard work, being pushed and seeing what my mind and body & spirit can do and endure, the countless friends and relationships I have formed, the love and support of my peers and family memebers, the feeling of being absolutely humbled by my fellow athletes all along while traveling to some pretty great places. Oh did I mention that I sometimes manage to have some fun doing them too??</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We've finished 3 of my 6 Ironman races together</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzABHmkIpAdjO_HE03ywCuFc70n3E4MhZv0JamF9Pu6XBXJPZzsgxfO7W4zU9sYQ29GqoqLqjKnTYWQ9EIJDCnAFhxIlkYpUA-wrWi9HZJMXJD0nrfNrCSagMXtXpzjN2SR33BWwJRWon/s1600/IMG_3569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzABHmkIpAdjO_HE03ywCuFc70n3E4MhZv0JamF9Pu6XBXJPZzsgxfO7W4zU9sYQ29GqoqLqjKnTYWQ9EIJDCnAFhxIlkYpUA-wrWi9HZJMXJD0nrfNrCSagMXtXpzjN2SR33BWwJRWon/s320/IMG_3569.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Moving onto the second hand #6</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uh76cXY4GTP8yyIvFfjbsJ2IEtjWeJdZQ17c2XsgJYQQxwVBG3MGUrLC-PprVmvJO-T4iVKaAOsuxJtyME1kE8UaTQkS8LEmhdevpMR_0huKeB8SrAcU76Gkzc1kFLJ23bh3EcGNmdAT/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uh76cXY4GTP8yyIvFfjbsJ2IEtjWeJdZQ17c2XsgJYQQxwVBG3MGUrLC-PprVmvJO-T4iVKaAOsuxJtyME1kE8UaTQkS8LEmhdevpMR_0huKeB8SrAcU76Gkzc1kFLJ23bh3EcGNmdAT/s320/IMG_3570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Six time Ironman Finishers "Marty & Bella Nera"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_2SIgr6kHhgZq3N0B0b8pwkN-mEGDO8HmjVBabKbIefK9vvGVQwAVeMhEveKFMrZ5Gi-6P-l0yv3qv3yWfyvKlHCAIxhrGKB1xKmKRlaFWSe48yEBYsbz7OTdTLxltxCeeDGm5BTvZkJ/s1600/IMG_3573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="765" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_2SIgr6kHhgZq3N0B0b8pwkN-mEGDO8HmjVBabKbIefK9vvGVQwAVeMhEveKFMrZ5Gi-6P-l0yv3qv3yWfyvKlHCAIxhrGKB1xKmKRlaFWSe48yEBYsbz7OTdTLxltxCeeDGm5BTvZkJ/s320/IMG_3573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">"Fly me to the Moon let me play amongst the stars"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1slIrJWEtxXlYbtZh6IQrArm4Xw8G7SZKpplP5LADh_Gaowja6NseDkykzh4CKHnraVFvp8lfh5H7MpxQGa3wzIo8aTNRfCoX_nBTVbGpq7tl13Kc6bkE8L1CnaTd_RWJZrnQfh5UbbJa/s1600/IMG_3968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1slIrJWEtxXlYbtZh6IQrArm4Xw8G7SZKpplP5LADh_Gaowja6NseDkykzh4CKHnraVFvp8lfh5H7MpxQGa3wzIo8aTNRfCoX_nBTVbGpq7tl13Kc6bkE8L1CnaTd_RWJZrnQfh5UbbJa/s320/IMG_3968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Post Race Bloody Mary's are for Finishers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Swim: 1:13:03</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>T1: 15:34</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bike: 6:31:52</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>T2: 15:56</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Run: 7:06:47</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Total: 15:23:12</b></span></div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-80995603233434911192017-08-12T20:12:00.000-07:002017-08-21T15:25:57.343-07:00Here we go again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzF5AW3twnm1LEGEpUUmdvV1EKWBxBFqpEn_VzkTOQIYTASHVjMqKHl_uAQrvq1uzwc7Yg9yD462WjA2eLBnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here we go again.....</span></div>
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For those following my Ironman path, the above video, taken less than an hour to start of Ironman Florianopolis, should come as no surprise. Why should things be any different on my pursuit for the 6th Ironman finish as my 1st Sprint Race? Here we go again.........<br />
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I left Colorado with, what I thought, a very solid game plan.....<a href="https://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2017/05/two-eight-seven.html">Two-Eight-Seven</a>. I packed up Bella and off we took for Brasil. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbBV5Y_pr5jFnq_AAlXvU0r_LCGZ_5CaxxE6q7A0IJCV8VodRVgpF5dAH_ReDOBTp-AZfMY1i7C03QEHsmayRwUi-EwCbvbtxHUgRaTikvYGHmuQhdzC2oyWAC4uiAT0bP0jkdPQTr-mB/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbBV5Y_pr5jFnq_AAlXvU0r_LCGZ_5CaxxE6q7A0IJCV8VodRVgpF5dAH_ReDOBTp-AZfMY1i7C03QEHsmayRwUi-EwCbvbtxHUgRaTikvYGHmuQhdzC2oyWAC4uiAT0bP0jkdPQTr-mB/s200/IMG_3918.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxjtynRcm5pMzLj_j37FCSngmsZIopbDdElw2agYXwARQx1rLyMVlX_qDIZQ27TZX6c2IDutKJJQDE4WlI-2p_uP_J0_-4kkVxUxu36Vqwtmp5WgQcMYa4PlUAghjfHqU88ThAsdiuZvP/s1600/IMG_3917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxjtynRcm5pMzLj_j37FCSngmsZIopbDdElw2agYXwARQx1rLyMVlX_qDIZQ27TZX6c2IDutKJJQDE4WlI-2p_uP_J0_-4kkVxUxu36Vqwtmp5WgQcMYa4PlUAghjfHqU88ThAsdiuZvP/s200/IMG_3917.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Three planes and over 25 hours later we landed in Florianopolis for the South American Ironman Championships.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NQ5X9g4yYqHx2MwgOAnBBnjSVBwAc9ZuWmtK33JvAoBEgdQ50_0xN6zcKrUd0rVo1guZCH9LPZqco1qorhu1KU9kxu552s1FeI1g0Ubwovz8QSQSJd5HaJpLvHbN9L0spBMF589qaauz/s1600/IMG_3922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NQ5X9g4yYqHx2MwgOAnBBnjSVBwAc9ZuWmtK33JvAoBEgdQ50_0xN6zcKrUd0rVo1guZCH9LPZqco1qorhu1KU9kxu552s1FeI1g0Ubwovz8QSQSJd5HaJpLvHbN9L0spBMF589qaauz/s200/IMG_3922.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL6rl6I3Fyy90ACcw5TNp9NGk9hGg22_O0qji-sr8NnlNtqA0fEJ09yKjde-Cba8y9mmTSWCil8JZtoDUiC7LnV8e-HvNMEQCBnxdn1FbWtvE5QMUS-g3xHXa8eD8_J4qO6hPs0sMQf8g/s1600/IMG_3926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL6rl6I3Fyy90ACcw5TNp9NGk9hGg22_O0qji-sr8NnlNtqA0fEJ09yKjde-Cba8y9mmTSWCil8JZtoDUiC7LnV8e-HvNMEQCBnxdn1FbWtvE5QMUS-g3xHXa8eD8_J4qO6hPs0sMQf8g/s200/IMG_3926.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I arrived in Brasil the Wednesday before the race. Just enough time to get the lay of the land, check out parts of the course and handle registration. I spent most of Wednesday organizing myself, unpacking and stressing my body to be in sync with the time zone change. I attempted to stay awake through my travels and straight through Wednesday night. This way I could crash hard Wednesday night and wake up Thursday aligned with the local time. Thursday morning, after breakfast, I left the hotel and walked to the swim start. My hotel was just off the beach and I wanted to figure out how I would get to the starting line for Sunday. I got to race starting line and met up with fellow Boulderite Sandi. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PsgqtXV6h_vsPkwEQtTheFm9h4t5E4nyNbQ3hXhHw75d9TEieemZQxXLbqHn9lQr_PFqUwygVM-tTHBBMCtqRsoiauCHcxKjyXqfLdMvHI-bmUKcJbEkwU5mbdeLibnUkai93l3T__kZ/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PsgqtXV6h_vsPkwEQtTheFm9h4t5E4nyNbQ3hXhHw75d9TEieemZQxXLbqHn9lQr_PFqUwygVM-tTHBBMCtqRsoiauCHcxKjyXqfLdMvHI-bmUKcJbEkwU5mbdeLibnUkai93l3T__kZ/s320/IMG_3928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sandi and I after our prerace swims</span></td></tr>
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She had just gotten in from her swim. My goal was to do a 25 minute easy swim. Just to, you know wake the body up. Well, strong currents and my stubbornness to get a feel of the course and water pushed that to 45 minutes. A bit more exertion then I had wanted. Oh well......registration was up next.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTqPpnymI0SI6SNu4tjl79iJuuGAL44HjN8xAw25v3jbu8opbBUanQZWdsE5F0kELRqOps1HmkD2zjjeRApZepYtkdOTTTIzBOj-iGTdpmrFfunOla_LoosGZz70xH9dQbvtwOG3vro07/s1600/IMG_3937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTqPpnymI0SI6SNu4tjl79iJuuGAL44HjN8xAw25v3jbu8opbBUanQZWdsE5F0kELRqOps1HmkD2zjjeRApZepYtkdOTTTIzBOj-iGTdpmrFfunOla_LoosGZz70xH9dQbvtwOG3vro07/s320/IMG_3937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traditional Registration Pictures </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-gYWTCuFlJ-CKcOhrJtBOcne2eq6FNWmyc9JuEoLdsNzlTCYGbW0vgiPxiGhD_mQTTNUvkwfWn9YfX6zNqs2pBsecfTO180G6K2ZsADvLGkTBmgHjEln7OqqiNPtr_MOHnW8gaYfzOH/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1-gYWTCuFlJ-CKcOhrJtBOcne2eq6FNWmyc9JuEoLdsNzlTCYGbW0vgiPxiGhD_mQTTNUvkwfWn9YfX6zNqs2pBsecfTO180G6K2ZsADvLGkTBmgHjEln7OqqiNPtr_MOHnW8gaYfzOH/s200/IMG_3929.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngdhLXaKi-k4edQmgHG8YpZYM7fwXBk5bkEOlv0q37x832EUPltw5OpqiDuM1TFdi9cdKK5k8zjvQnSKYxVemehnl5p_-lXi6TdTut5n0UBF4jkU8YOUfo4u9-4e33xY4vz0zGDlIao9z/s1600/IMG_3942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1049" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngdhLXaKi-k4edQmgHG8YpZYM7fwXBk5bkEOlv0q37x832EUPltw5OpqiDuM1TFdi9cdKK5k8zjvQnSKYxVemehnl5p_-lXi6TdTut5n0UBF4jkU8YOUfo4u9-4e33xY4vz0zGDlIao9z/s200/IMG_3942.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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#2241 is now registered and in the house. I walked around the athletes village and checked out the transition area. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is a 1 transition area race. This is nice as it makes prerace bag drops easier and also great for spectators. The w<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">eather was iffy, Hazy, Hot and Humid one minutes, chilly and breezy the next. Friday was the race briefing so another trip to the Athletes Village to do such. Later in the afternoon, I took Bella out for a spin. We prerode parts of the course. Just about an hour or so. I did a full inspection of her parts and double and triple checked my power meter and Garmin connection. My last IM in Brazil saw me race with no power meter readings as my Garmin and power tap decided they didn't want to talk with one another. I didn't want to go through that again. All was fine!!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdw4sg0EuasSsRGn3t9AblLpQXvM4CIlMw4VZecvRuBa3jCm5TT9ol86tLbKG4ziOsEFS3PBfpigO0ijrxPpEQYMwBrenfNaPE9fu08mGqt9gSYLihmG7B0MVzZGDEnBXsjJ6aglQ5krG/s1600/IMG_3949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1117" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdw4sg0EuasSsRGn3t9AblLpQXvM4CIlMw4VZecvRuBa3jCm5TT9ol86tLbKG4ziOsEFS3PBfpigO0ijrxPpEQYMwBrenfNaPE9fu08mGqt9gSYLihmG7B0MVzZGDEnBXsjJ6aglQ5krG/s320/IMG_3949.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Riding through the neighborhood to loosen up the legs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">OK so you may have to turn your head sideways for this bike video.</span><br />
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It was a real nice ride to loosen the legs up. At night, I went to the prerace athletes dinner and then the skies opened up. Holy cow did the skies open up. It was a thunder and lightening show for the ages that went through the night. It didn't appear that the rain would cease anytime soon. Not only did the rain appear non stop on Friday evening but my old Iron Buddy Hal flew down from Rio to join along in the Ironman festivities over night as well. Hal got an early morning run in and we met up afterward for breakfast. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little lunch and a lot of catching up</span></td></tr>
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We spent the day catching up and getting things ready for the race. <br />
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Later in the day, the rain had stopped for a bit and we decided to take Bella in for bike drop. We caught a shuttle to the Athletes Village and waited on a fairly long line. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxpZbVD-t71EBVJMbvmb9BFlPIRkijtRcqSx55R7j-ZsQAHfIQVqxtE-aKdDuaRO3-Qa9UeqjakaIRkGM_oFhMMhZY37mu0NfumEQC6DIk35YlvCj0FquOO6VwbvvQ8sXQSDpdUbmxzjB/s1600/IMG_3955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxpZbVD-t71EBVJMbvmb9BFlPIRkijtRcqSx55R7j-ZsQAHfIQVqxtE-aKdDuaRO3-Qa9UeqjakaIRkGM_oFhMMhZY37mu0NfumEQC6DIk35YlvCj0FquOO6VwbvvQ8sXQSDpdUbmxzjB/s320/IMG_3955.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bringing Bella to the bike drop</span></td></tr>
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We got up to the front only to find out that we needed to have my bike helmet with me for check in. So back to the hotel we went to get my bike helmet and the rain began to come down once again. Turn ourselves around and back to the Athletes Village we go for a second time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPU6pTPWPHncNZ4y56XIQiU-kN7c44TB2WYab4aPByDhk5vu5CAuVblwJdN3Bd93ZmgXYEUTodlAQgBcOlgXVStfsDtkiVqMWEFqg__v43ZBhpqwLOjm8HPgegM16DizU27y1ils0y6u0/s1600/IMG_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPU6pTPWPHncNZ4y56XIQiU-kN7c44TB2WYab4aPByDhk5vu5CAuVblwJdN3Bd93ZmgXYEUTodlAQgBcOlgXVStfsDtkiVqMWEFqg__v43ZBhpqwLOjm8HPgegM16DizU27y1ils0y6u0/s320/IMG_3399.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm baaaack, this time with my helmet</span></td></tr>
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We get up to the front of the line to find out we are a little over an hour early to my scheduled bike drop time and they wont allow me to check in early. Now we are waiting outside in the cold pouring rain. We are not the only ones that this occurred to as race officials pulled anyone that arrived early off to the side and made us stand there and wait. It might have been a good idea to have someone at the checkpoint of the beginning of the line as people waited well over an hour on line to get up to the front to be told they needed to wait an additional hour outside in the cold rain at 8pm the night before their ironman race. Needless to say tempers were rising as the crowd grew restless and angry. Although I wasn't part of that drama, I had my own side story going on. My back kept tightening up. I spent the better part of the last several hours, the night before an Ironman, standing on lines in the cold rain and my back was not having fun with this. Typically the day prior to a race, I like to take care of my errands early, get off my feet, hydrate, eat my prerace meal and call it a day. This was not going to happen this race. Although I tried to remain in good spirits, inside I was thinking....maybe I'll just stay in bed tomorrow. I don't know how my back will hold up racing tomorrow if I can barely move right now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hal, Bella and I along with thousands of other bikes</span></td></tr>
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A slight break in the rain as I put Bella down for the night. I was at least grateful that they gave us all plastic bags to cover our bikes so that they weren't exposed to the elements through the evening. I kissed my girl and whispered to her that tomorrow we ride again. Ironman starting line #8. We dropped out together a few months ago on our last attempt at approx mile 60 on the bike due to back pains. How I wanted to finish IM Florianopolis with her tomorrow. But at this moment in time, I had serious doubts I would ever get to clip into her peddles after the swim.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGlVHDgj5sR6z90HifRuEcnzuuY_K4CWlsmRCkTnvx-wH3XuGvXyjqwTYft7sw759haP-5B_K_LuHzBlrMNtOT9kIyTGJXkqSO0lO_0UZLeeAoiN_I0WaGp-2gBRSi4SLfIzRoL0GxIIP/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGlVHDgj5sR6z90HifRuEcnzuuY_K4CWlsmRCkTnvx-wH3XuGvXyjqwTYft7sw759haP-5B_K_LuHzBlrMNtOT9kIyTGJXkqSO0lO_0UZLeeAoiN_I0WaGp-2gBRSi4SLfIzRoL0GxIIP/s200/IMG_3958.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyFeJEaeCG_RqiPciO7n6K4pPQgHt44GFcjl1auZBZY8WiMUVohWkU8J819-0A7ImVrHxVBYn_RBL2gnVFKDqfOmTA6p8yDRCs8NDfaCCHbGWWV5Re9Fd-9sG6fwV8gtD1DyQL_yQ6YUN/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyFeJEaeCG_RqiPciO7n6K4pPQgHt44GFcjl1auZBZY8WiMUVohWkU8J819-0A7ImVrHxVBYn_RBL2gnVFKDqfOmTA6p8yDRCs8NDfaCCHbGWWV5Re9Fd-9sG6fwV8gtD1DyQL_yQ6YUN/s200/IMG_3959.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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One long ass night was over. The night before a race unlike any I had ever seen before. My Ironbuddy Hal was right there besides me the entire time. Cold and wet we finished officially getting me all set for the race and went back to the hotel for my traditional prerace pasta meal. Unfortunately the waiter stated there was no red wine to be had as I customarily have the night before a race. Even though I saw glasses being served at other tables by other waiters. I was too tired and aggravated to argue and just wanted my room and bed. I still needed to put my nutrition together and get my head into the game if I was going to have any chance of putting another notch on my IM belt.</div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-32969355478846733092017-05-27T09:02:00.001-07:002017-05-27T11:04:26.408-07:00Two ~ Eight ~ Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In November of 2014 I flew down to Brasil to visit my IronBuddy Hal and compete in the inaugural IM Fortaleza. It was a great experience and afterwards over a few cocktails, I decided I would return to do IM Florianopolis in 2016. Well 2016 came and I was still in a bit of hurt with my back and was hesitant to make the fiscal commitment with airfare, hotel and race fees once registration was open. After completing IM Boulder in August of '16, I realized I could do IM Florianopolis but at that point the race had already sold out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU52RTtLnisCoTWwBcpJm5B3vI6i24NiuBvpA1DycjzcJRb3v-gX3VtfrR_dicYcf_aMz_6hkeEskYGpoW84QXOO6D9ee9it0PUby5aYO2ZznUoSxFJmlNOrgjWB3Vb2dzrFANzHVq92zs/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU52RTtLnisCoTWwBcpJm5B3vI6i24NiuBvpA1DycjzcJRb3v-gX3VtfrR_dicYcf_aMz_6hkeEskYGpoW84QXOO6D9ee9it0PUby5aYO2ZznUoSxFJmlNOrgjWB3Vb2dzrFANzHVq92zs/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I attempted to do IM Cabo instead since IM Boulder went off without a hitch and well, we all know how dismal that turned out with my back, forcing me to drop out about mile 60 on the bike. And so began the arduous task of trying to come back once again without undergoing any sort of invasive therapy or surgery. I basically took off the remainder of October and pretty much all of November. In December I started to run (ummm jog) again as Jessica and I signed up for Rock n Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon in January. Running was the only thing that allowed my back to feel decent as compared to biking or swimming, which both put a lot of stress on my back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7sb9i2RHv38-V8Rx4o9hBQZhwD03fHB3INgh_i2SSmBwAPrfTGtqDpSgsy28jMTjDeAFi_6GCZnh1QnCYtjbU7TvlibHOWXt_7NbPZIJMi4PiAHd_QIzEtTDcBPy1X-aZy3qFQvgjpD3/s1600/612679_246734185_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7sb9i2RHv38-V8Rx4o9hBQZhwD03fHB3INgh_i2SSmBwAPrfTGtqDpSgsy28jMTjDeAFi_6GCZnh1QnCYtjbU7TvlibHOWXt_7NbPZIJMi4PiAHd_QIzEtTDcBPy1X-aZy3qFQvgjpD3/s320/612679_246734185_XLarge.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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After that January race, I continued to run and at the end of the month decided to add swimming back into my routine. I would only swim with a pull buoy though. I did that for a few weeks as the pull buoy acts as a floatation device and lift my hips and legs putting less pressure on my back. I then went for Full Lava Pants. This is similar to the pull buoy but allows you to kick rather than using your legs to hold the buoy in place. Since IM Florianopolis is a wet suit legal race, it was my thought that the lava pants would mimic the actions of the bottom half of a wet suit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFztZToxRzEOBYQoN57G6Wlrl4nED-TsI-bGCbjSyF5EHbvz2KP8p4xADkmHpRFIH1YZ0p9bowh-k6fjXlmnhmCG6QRh5bEHwQt2hpWW06lbRB_uwaYY0iLqBQXPfq2tD24CLtYmhggrLm/s1600/140416_JDB_Tri-103-583x421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="583" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFztZToxRzEOBYQoN57G6Wlrl4nED-TsI-bGCbjSyF5EHbvz2KP8p4xADkmHpRFIH1YZ0p9bowh-k6fjXlmnhmCG6QRh5bEHwQt2hpWW06lbRB_uwaYY0iLqBQXPfq2tD24CLtYmhggrLm/s320/140416_JDB_Tri-103-583x421.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkuZCLcqhZola2o0VXEG_156NL_7D3Z7ie9Q0fY-_CIxUYzSpl-ed41MI-S0PAyPVTaVHCp0i8oPVE6Y7LqOPl-aCKQVUnWG4-4G-ZRQ4N355IxPjO8pVx4BbuZ7bhyphenhyphen5hxFjk0DMJgu6u/s1600/8128799-4-zoomin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1044" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkuZCLcqhZola2o0VXEG_156NL_7D3Z7ie9Q0fY-_CIxUYzSpl-ed41MI-S0PAyPVTaVHCp0i8oPVE6Y7LqOPl-aCKQVUnWG4-4G-ZRQ4N355IxPjO8pVx4BbuZ7bhyphenhyphen5hxFjk0DMJgu6u/s320/8128799-4-zoomin.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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March rolled around and I thought it was time to get back in the saddle and on the bike. I was concerned that that training in all three disciplines would aggravate the back and lowered my run miles as I increased my bike mile. Bella was very happy to be back out in the action and the early days saw Kerry and I making the reacquaintance with Winston. Eddie joined the party and our weekly rides would begin. I then started leading Boulder Tri Club B rides and more people joined our band of merimen riding the roads of Boulder, Loveland, Berthound, Erie, Westminster, Longmont and such. I added midweek rides back and forth to work weather permitting. And all was good in my training world. I knew I was behind where I would like to be with a race approaching but I didn't want to rush this back/spine. I would find myself reminding myself that IM Florianopolis is a no pressure, no stress, enjoy yourself in Brasil kind of race with your Ironbuddy. If all goes well there I would have plenty of time in the season to continue to train and get stronger and do an "A"race later in the season....say November on some tropical Island perhaps??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5BrqNZ90Kbqwsg-qX0hLqb60MM1F_s6qxP3Pnx_dR5lClWK_DQpmhFpTMF50UnYL9CxKq52IUvLwvI5yLlFiJ8sDIaCUGCmX_Ak0rm2CQB4xYiy91y7QgsEM-e2E8BsZ1dnIkvOnFCPF/s1600/IMG_3861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cQ0Xo0k8jxjg7Fr3i3psX5_Vj9eMvDFBfMgLI7grBiykBWWYbeynzhEHbddlquYwkJdxhVznXmoX7-1nY9sPFoxpAY_CTzTe2bcHD1YA2gIsIrPrkT7TLpVHgbVbysRM0kLG8tl_-a1r/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cQ0Xo0k8jxjg7Fr3i3psX5_Vj9eMvDFBfMgLI7grBiykBWWYbeynzhEHbddlquYwkJdxhVznXmoX7-1nY9sPFoxpAY_CTzTe2bcHD1YA2gIsIrPrkT7TLpVHgbVbysRM0kLG8tl_-a1r/s200/IMG_3844.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1135" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5BrqNZ90Kbqwsg-qX0hLqb60MM1F_s6qxP3Pnx_dR5lClWK_DQpmhFpTMF50UnYL9CxKq52IUvLwvI5yLlFiJ8sDIaCUGCmX_Ak0rm2CQB4xYiy91y7QgsEM-e2E8BsZ1dnIkvOnFCPF/s320/IMG_3861.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-DhyphenhyphenynNcX-jOshq-4pQDSer1sojb_h_iDvnChRZwktQSHTcu3lTOzhTKABn6DBQAKAjg2oZA9v2RmsDHLWJOk-42T5m0M7ZOn17tamG_rio6AoS69Y-y3jJIbnVfLATLCPvOicG14spJ/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-DhyphenhyphenynNcX-jOshq-4pQDSer1sojb_h_iDvnChRZwktQSHTcu3lTOzhTKABn6DBQAKAjg2oZA9v2RmsDHLWJOk-42T5m0M7ZOn17tamG_rio6AoS69Y-y3jJIbnVfLATLCPvOicG14spJ/s320/IMG_3811.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol8x8yjX_0ZYuX-H8h_w3YyejM-wHQNYLQqid1vyDCOu47WcdIdH-dgJhOlDtx3O6w5a0ILvSwlPw2SvokVgMPh855ubmmDoMVFDjlQtWF3eO1eY_fOvBtrwCydw2HlcXNfiy2spIiNif/s1600/IMG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1177" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol8x8yjX_0ZYuX-H8h_w3YyejM-wHQNYLQqid1vyDCOu47WcdIdH-dgJhOlDtx3O6w5a0ILvSwlPw2SvokVgMPh855ubmmDoMVFDjlQtWF3eO1eY_fOvBtrwCydw2HlcXNfiy2spIiNif/s200/IMG_3840.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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March and April were great strong riding months and the swim was coming along quite nicely. Increasing my yards and mileage along the way. The running.......all but disappeared. A few measly miles here and there. But nothing as to what I would "normally" be doing. I was spending my time listening to my body and giving and taking what I could. Logging the hours in the disciplines that put the most pressure on the back. If I could get to the marathon with enough time, I could walk it, if need be. Just get me to the marathon and we'll figure it out from there was my mindset and what my body seemed to like as well. Towards the end of April Natalia returned from Florida and another weekly riding buddy was back in my life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAucra7vFsiuFMq3HCPOFTTsrBo70L6p9dcqvb3ULffu96Cg8j-pTMcRXZB-eRG8Dodg4k_ahAnG6PpzcIgn2ixqS455ZveJAkMedA4TG9sD66QxXrRPEFdLdmFWwfbEIE_MBci5nCnAOs/s1600/IMG_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAucra7vFsiuFMq3HCPOFTTsrBo70L6p9dcqvb3ULffu96Cg8j-pTMcRXZB-eRG8Dodg4k_ahAnG6PpzcIgn2ixqS455ZveJAkMedA4TG9sD66QxXrRPEFdLdmFWwfbEIE_MBci5nCnAOs/s200/IMG_3874.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUHx5ql-6_5MwNW8aTTkJg947UB9Jh_oNjH50_4qNNMYP2Y2LjY1ezoC4LMhAeHWLNLN8bm0iyY6idLgQ_896xT2uA6-CX53Jl0M3m76CRhUdWZjhZytp9XfYb5dVkxJnnxmPoi6EnIdE/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUHx5ql-6_5MwNW8aTTkJg947UB9Jh_oNjH50_4qNNMYP2Y2LjY1ezoC4LMhAeHWLNLN8bm0iyY6idLgQ_896xT2uA6-CX53Jl0M3m76CRhUdWZjhZytp9XfYb5dVkxJnnxmPoi6EnIdE/s200/IMG_3897.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxVS-cuoRjZFWYS5pTxPpnPcSi8mV5F-wa0_Ua0fglv2JjeAQGxOwkCiZSvxe7AUM_YamP997QaFJfZwC9Q7tAr3sgQNQFhkjhrcxRa5J9fTlgQQJfaUPUQMSiNbK9TrPefXORyUIC2k/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxVS-cuoRjZFWYS5pTxPpnPcSi8mV5F-wa0_Ua0fglv2JjeAQGxOwkCiZSvxe7AUM_YamP997QaFJfZwC9Q7tAr3sgQNQFhkjhrcxRa5J9fTlgQQJfaUPUQMSiNbK9TrPefXORyUIC2k/s320/IMG_3898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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More importantly, I was having a blast being back out on the bike and riding. I'd mix in interval training, some nuero work and speed work along with the long easy rides. I also realized I had a lot of pictures of me peddling Bella with friends and a pig. The week before I'm set to take off for Brasil, I do all my "normal" pre race week things. I have two great swims at Rally and go for an easy hour ride in the hood. Making sure to stop by Winston and the Oreo Cows to say hello.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSbQ_OFH-sKMXgTOUV1cC7vkJr8BUPsqnq5eEzD9ZhqwuPLWhIh2D2CV_VwBmdARBfp8w8TvS79enZddrKaEPUf-2vDsmjHUBz-A0HYIWw_dU_o4Z-uKLu0zDAWg_09DA_Rrntqk5JW2Y/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSbQ_OFH-sKMXgTOUV1cC7vkJr8BUPsqnq5eEzD9ZhqwuPLWhIh2D2CV_VwBmdARBfp8w8TvS79enZddrKaEPUf-2vDsmjHUBz-A0HYIWw_dU_o4Z-uKLu0zDAWg_09DA_Rrntqk5JW2Y/s320/IMG_3909.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYOkvRhDIr6fKXsXBBDyCZjI59NJBRJ1T0GZxu8ko7HcPcvrykiRah2QYkvPHIEx3Wfbph30_qf4upnBz2Dtmipj1UBXAL-3wFvg8xpjEa-RK7ojEBBqUaaN_Gy523TQVshL5Kz26QRIu/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYOkvRhDIr6fKXsXBBDyCZjI59NJBRJ1T0GZxu8ko7HcPcvrykiRah2QYkvPHIEx3Wfbph30_qf4upnBz2Dtmipj1UBXAL-3wFvg8xpjEa-RK7ojEBBqUaaN_Gy523TQVshL5Kz26QRIu/s320/IMG_3913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This past week I also made two stops to visit Darcie and her magic elbows for deep tissue massages to loosen up the back. Then there was this little thing of turning the Big 5-0 and entering a new age group. So Brasil will be my first race in a new age group. Joining the ranks of the older guys category and I am ok with that. I don't typically race against other people when doing an IM race. Sure it is nice to look at the numbers afterwards and see where I fit in with the rest of the peeps my age. And yes, every once in a while I'll see an age on the calf of someone and say, I can catch them or damn that guy just passed me and he is in my age group. But at the end of the day, I race because I love being out there and moving and growing and having a blast. It certainly is my hope to finish this race but I understand that it is not necessarily up to me alone but the powers to be also play a key role. I raced very smart in Boulder last summer and finished. I went into Cabo last fall with the same game plan and dropped out because of my back. Here I am 7 months later with the same mentality of healing my back and racing smart so that I can finish the race and yet continue to play in this life of mine. Race smart? How so? What's the game plan?? What are you going to do??? There is a time limit on an Ironman, there must be some set of clock goals??</div>
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I know you're all on the edge of your seat. The answer:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQn74f-Uq1gPE4AlRMaPWRLB9JO0dVP-C0xhhEQQ6eXrsmqnN0k-YHsmkT3tyT7lZLgzDXPwczdDBuJ8aex5lnp2TbvFrAR0VBr6RKQosWuHM1Ta0mZMJTZeFjOBy4Ag519MLx-gfJ0H/s1600/number-210.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQn74f-Uq1gPE4AlRMaPWRLB9JO0dVP-C0xhhEQQ6eXrsmqnN0k-YHsmkT3tyT7lZLgzDXPwczdDBuJ8aex5lnp2TbvFrAR0VBr6RKQosWuHM1Ta0mZMJTZeFjOBy4Ag519MLx-gfJ0H/s200/number-210.png" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRAAqQdkJg0iIhACIHyuRkb1G1gQdpiB1ECD3WpE27v3WpMaaZNWuTI9TLUNjrAqGtVeVLfQJo-Z9Q_Nri2owjKHX2pyVUQybsHd3JAoY_NwMbYdeRvspgXIAOY2k4ET_Aj52RuffolVx/s1600/4b10cba99903fc99da48693848acb1ba.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="463" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRAAqQdkJg0iIhACIHyuRkb1G1gQdpiB1ECD3WpE27v3WpMaaZNWuTI9TLUNjrAqGtVeVLfQJo-Z9Q_Nri2owjKHX2pyVUQybsHd3JAoY_NwMbYdeRvspgXIAOY2k4ET_Aj52RuffolVx/s200/4b10cba99903fc99da48693848acb1ba.png" width="144" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejfFPTo4hctox1IeOJMKRkq0yUvoUhXDni0lOXH3rZJeeLyLwYNJ2RG6YXwpGZXK7N7LrmkhS0xCJCoBsrYcNJwTshfBw28OidDczdOkw-lybPwSNLe0sGq_oZ61hb-eys1E1WhLgnEG1/s1600/numero-7-letras-e-numeros-numeros-pintado-por-giovannaol-1021490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejfFPTo4hctox1IeOJMKRkq0yUvoUhXDni0lOXH3rZJeeLyLwYNJ2RG6YXwpGZXK7N7LrmkhS0xCJCoBsrYcNJwTshfBw28OidDczdOkw-lybPwSNLe0sGq_oZ61hb-eys1E1WhLgnEG1/s320/numero-7-letras-e-numeros-numeros-pintado-por-giovannaol-1021490.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep - If I can follow this simple equation then I should/could finish the race. 2hours for the swim + transition, 8hours for the Bike + transition and 7hours for the marathon totals 17 hours. The amount of time allowed for one to cross the finish line and be an official Ironman finisher. It's a long day and certainly not ideal or optimal for great athletic performance but it is one that can get me to the finish line and I can save the PR attempt for another day. All the work is done now I just need for race day to come. </div>
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18 hours and counting till Ironman Florianopolis begins and a promise from 2014 is fulfilled.</div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-44709408128069853612016-11-17T14:45:00.001-08:002016-11-20T19:03:21.935-08:00From Boulder to Cabo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNY-SXQ0330BdAiFbjDBNRJUDMcU3VnRwpdr8rlurlXVcfPxnZ0J82D6Er05y4rCEEJZ1pJEuwlbxGZu3iW4nGyzDNIy3pcL-D0qMtsjUP3rSbp3qy_uSbP1O6ZVlk7u1ayev4EzSsfB8/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNY-SXQ0330BdAiFbjDBNRJUDMcU3VnRwpdr8rlurlXVcfPxnZ0J82D6Er05y4rCEEJZ1pJEuwlbxGZu3iW4nGyzDNIy3pcL-D0qMtsjUP3rSbp3qy_uSbP1O6ZVlk7u1ayev4EzSsfB8/s320/IMG_0436.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4zHL55UO4533g-Ma9oAIQkXq6luBh7E6ZspdUS4KfDPJ856q0DCHatCq5N9O24b75rBVz6adRM5Q32evLSX_4UiqpZns9yK0GoUh0HK606G0kkC1vkMAlGlTZKKdypE7VezQ5NX9RTQD/s1600/84_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_097980-2933672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4zHL55UO4533g-Ma9oAIQkXq6luBh7E6ZspdUS4KfDPJ856q0DCHatCq5N9O24b75rBVz6adRM5Q32evLSX_4UiqpZns9yK0GoUh0HK606G0kkC1vkMAlGlTZKKdypE7VezQ5NX9RTQD/s320/84_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_097980-2933672.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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After I crossed the finish line of IM Boulder 2016, I had just a little over 2 months to toe the line for IM Cabo one more time. Two months of recovery and staying in IM condition. My back/spine felt pretty good considering that I had just finished another Ironman competition. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4F7L4KLT-OMHy-ODvMI4IX9do8jl2AP9YYtLJjvv0H8s1K0fg3BZyfIX-vim5sSohbunOfHIQcVCod4RDauH15UJJuFa5s-IjRQgWFY6r1xQS0RG7gh9U-U3bvOm6Vx5ZtUABoiq9AfT/s1600/IMG_3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4F7L4KLT-OMHy-ODvMI4IX9do8jl2AP9YYtLJjvv0H8s1K0fg3BZyfIX-vim5sSohbunOfHIQcVCod4RDauH15UJJuFa5s-IjRQgWFY6r1xQS0RG7gh9U-U3bvOm6Vx5ZtUABoiq9AfT/s320/IMG_3065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monday was Bloody Mary Day as Jessica and I celebrated our accomplishment together and then Tuesday, I was back in the pool followed by a session in the recovery boots. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_YCwNMfjPoyCO2Eih2KCjKEYTjHosY12lUCz6YDh3C22-2c3h-tBisxqet5x-QG5EJpceTK6lbIlUl1Sc-ZmRpYo2PPw6jRfh_Qv5I3O4mfdqxwn7QVUAOGFI9y4rVdrXl6jkRx2SQNg/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_YCwNMfjPoyCO2Eih2KCjKEYTjHosY12lUCz6YDh3C22-2c3h-tBisxqet5x-QG5EJpceTK6lbIlUl1Sc-ZmRpYo2PPw6jRfh_Qv5I3O4mfdqxwn7QVUAOGFI9y4rVdrXl6jkRx2SQNg/s320/IMG_0455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are many people that believe in a complete passive recovery after an event like an Ironman. Some believe passive followed by active recovery is the way and fewer still prescribe to the immediate active recovery. My education, personally being a coach and 40+ years of being an athlete has given me a very good sense of who I am and what I need to do. Each race and every event potentially has a different affect on ones body and I believe it is important to listen, understand and give your body what it needs to best heal and get you back in the game. I certainly don't have all the answers but I know that this boy needed to move after Boulder IM and to the pool I took. I laid off the bike to relieve any pressure on my back and stayed away from the pounding of my joints with running that first week. I just swam and sat in the recovery boots. I went to see Darcie for some manipulation and a great recovery massage the beginning of the second week and added an easy short jog mid week with leading a Boulder Tri Club 40 mile bike ride to finish the week off and add to my swimming sessions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MgnLT_GMJk693ckL6LKXlZSZHPBQVV0Pte_i1Klr1utaRXFm8oIbJ7O6-26Od3u4J6DAQTRc6hDeXA-vo-rGr_fZ109f0P87giBDLdJmNOP-M2VhKgO69f4chKQflj2oYGDIf_w5JCvr/s1600/IMG_3084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MgnLT_GMJk693ckL6LKXlZSZHPBQVV0Pte_i1Klr1utaRXFm8oIbJ7O6-26Od3u4J6DAQTRc6hDeXA-vo-rGr_fZ109f0P87giBDLdJmNOP-M2VhKgO69f4chKQflj2oYGDIf_w5JCvr/s320/IMG_3084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Post race week three saw an increase to my swim, bike and run. It also saw me take a trip to my favorite PT Heather for a once over. Some more work on my back/spine with electric stimulation and dry needling to go along with those magic thumbs and getting in there. The month of September saw, in my eyes, some great training and had me wishing it was June and just heading into the season rather than finishing it off. I was feeling the strongest I had felt in over a year.</div>
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October rolled around and it was time. Time to walk down the aisle. Time to marry my best friend and my biggest and my best supporter. It has been a long wonderful journey, almost a half a century through life but each step, every day lead me to that point at the alter when we looked into each other's eyes and made a vow to one another in front of our family, friends and God. </div>
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What an incredible day! What a truly fantastic time. I could only wish that every day could be as loving and perfect as that day. </div>
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I, of course, did get an easy training ride in the morning before all the festivities began. I did have an IM to compete in a few weeks after all!!</div>
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The wedding weekend was over and Tuesday, I was back in the pool. Another week of feeling good and training. That is, until Saturday rolled along. </div>
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I met Eddie early Saturday morning to hit some interval threshold riding. 5 intervals for 10 minutes each holding at 90% threshold. I decided to do these on Nelson Road as I like doing threshold intervals up hill. 1 through 3 felt pretty good. Number 4 and then 5 not so much. A cool down and 45 miles later back in the parking lot, I knew I was in trouble. Perhaps doing the intervals up hill wasn't the best idea as riding uphill puts a greater stress on my lower back and spine. This was then immediately followed by traveling to Phoenix for work and spending the next 3 days in meetings all day. I couldn't sit still for more than 30 minutes and I had to get up and move around. While in Phoenix, I set up sessions with both Heather and Darcie to try and get me right again. All through this back/spine process it has been....once pain is felt STOP. Stop training and wait it out, then start again. Baby steps.</div>
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I arrived back in Colorado to very little training for the following week and then back on a plane. This time heading towards Cabo. I sometimes thought to myself.....WHAT AM I DOING? Jessica couldn't make the trip with me as she took additional days off of work due to our wedding. So I was heading down there solo. On the anniversary of our engagement, on the same beach that I proposed and she said yes, a year later but this time alone. </div>
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I made it down to Cabo but Bella didn't. She decided not to make the transfer in Houston and I was now running around trying to figure out where she went and if she would make it in time for the race. </div>
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My friend Susan was going to head down to Cabo to support me in this endeavor but suddenly I get the call that she is not feeling well and would not be able to make the trip. Boy someone seems to be telling me something about this race I thought. Wendy and I managed to find one another and spent the next couple of days registering, going to the practice swim and heading to the race briefing together. </div>
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Wendy like myself, did not finish Cabo '15 and was also looking for a little redemption. My back and my spirit just was not truly feeling this race. Hurting my back a few weeks prior, my newly proclaimed wife was not by my side, Bella decided to take a longer route to get to Mexico, my dear friend Susan had fallen ill and was unable to also head down. It just felt like things were not aligning for myself. What was the universe telling me? I shook this all off as I believed it was just more steps to take along my path to reach the goal. I reminded myself that I can not worry about those things that are not within my control and I released them out into the universe. </div>
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The day before the race a slight switch was turned on as I went for an early morning easy ride. I felt great! My power meter and Garmin watch were in sync. I was getting my data, which did not occur my last two out of country races. My back was loose as I rode most of the run course and towards the finish line. Yes, I am here and I am ready I thought. </div>
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Warrior Mode. Same game plan as Boulder IM. Take it step by step along the way and make your way to the finish line. If the back hurts, not just discomfort, bail and live to fight another day. BUT take it methodically and there should be no issues. I truly was finally here. I reviewed my game plan, my hydration/nutrition plan, my staying cool plan, my electrolyte replacement pan, my cleaning the sand off my feet after the swim plan. I had a little mini plan for it all. I dropped Bella off at TA1. I dropped my run bag off at TA2. I went back to the hotel and put my feet up. </div>
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I prepared my fuel for the bike portion of the race. 8 hours of fuel in one water bottle. An extra 1~1.5 hours of fuel.....just in case. I brought it down to dinner with me and gave it to the waitstaff so that they could put it in the freezer over night. By the time the race began and I finished with the swim it would be cold and drinkable. It was oriental night at the hotel restaurant but in the corner they had some pasta. I was able to put together my traditional prerace pasta with veggies and a glass of red wine meal. </div>
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For a crazy beginning, this is really falling into place nicely, I thought and I went to bed. I got a solid 7 hours. I woke up fresh. Stretched out my back and rolled my hips, hammies, glutes and quads. I went and got some breakfast and started to hydrate to stay on top of the heat/electrolyte loss curve. I picked up my fuel from the kitchen to see that is was only cold, not frozen. I was a bit disappointed as it would then turn into a hot mess while on the bike. Oh well. I caught the bus in front of my hotel and headed out to the beach. It was funny as I was the only one on the bus. Damn Type A Triathletes, I thought. They all caught earlier buses. <br />
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I looked at my Garmin and it was frozen. My food is cold and my watch is Frozen. Ha! I knew it was too good to be true. I finally made sure my power meter and watch was all synced and now the brand new Garmin was frozen. I began pushing every and any button but to no avail. Finally mid way to the beach, it clicked and started working. That was weird. Oh well. </div>
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The bus dropped me off the and sun began to rise over the water and horizon. It was beautiful. I made my way down to Bella. Filled her tires with air. Put my nutrition on her and just sat and prepared myself. It was so calm and tranquil. I watched people race around me but that was not the space I was in. I continued to hydrate, take in electrolytes and have some conversation with Wendy whose bike was just a few away from mine. </div>
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The day was starting to heat up just as the 70.3 race began. I changed into my speed suit and gathered my belongings to drop them off to the bus so they can be brought to the finish line. One problem.....the bus had left. I managed to get permission to put my clothes bag along with my TA1 bag. No biggie. Time to line up. I put myself in the back of the 1:30 swim group. I finished Boulder at 1:26 but this is an ocean swim with a little chop, no wet suit and certainly not the Boulder Reservoir. The Mexican National Anthem played and then we began to make our way to the starting chute. A year ago, I stood at this very same spot with my back hurting, wondering how was I ever going to make it and thinking perhaps the swim would loosen it up. Today is a completely different story. A little stiff but I felt good. Down the beach and into the oncoming waves, I hugged the inside of the course and buoys and we were off. Miraculously, I had counted the buoys prior to the start so I knew just how many I had that made up this rectangle ocean swim course. The water was more clear than the year before. My assessment was because there was a hurricane in the area last year the water and sand was chopped up a bunch more and the water was cloudy because of such. Though I heard a lot of people say this year the water was choppy. I truly didn't think that at all. It was however very salty and I had to remind myself several times as I took in water to make sure that did not occur often as I would then have serious GI troubles. Throughout the swim the inside of my mouth became slightly numb. I wasn't sure if it was the salt or the jellyfish stings. I did get bit quite a few times all over. Nothing debilitating at all, but rather like pin pricks. </div>
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I heard Eney's voice in my head about following a faster swimmer, much like how birds fly in a V formation to save on energy and draft a bit. I also thought that I'd use it so that I could keep my head down and allow the faster swimmer to site for me. It is a bit of blind faith that you put onto someone else but I figured I'd go for it and continue to learn and grow as an open water swimmer. I'd hang out with someone and then when it would feel like they were slowing down, I would shoot off of them and look for someone else. At times I would also find that my lead bird was leading the flock astray and I would have to jump off and join another. Buoy by buoy the course was going by and I was feeling pretty good about my swim, my hydration before getting in the warm water, and my game plan in general. About 4 buoys left till I hit shore and it hit me.......my back. My first real pinge of pain this race. </div>
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Damn Demons got me even before I got out of the water. I tried to stretch while swimming and loosen it up and/or just relieve the position I was in that caused the pain to return. My pace slowed down and I allowed the flock to leave me behind. I reached the shores and took my time heading up to the gear bags and changing tent. 1:33:41 was my official time in the water. I was good with that. Right where I expected. Slower than normal but good for me on this day, in this location, in this physical state. In Boulder, I had a nice tree to sit under and grass to lay out, stretch and ready myself on. Here....nothing but sand. Then I heard fellow Boulderite, Michael Lovato's voice over the PA. Hey it's Marty Rosenthal from Boulder now out of the water. I gave a few fist pumps into the air and into the changing tent I went.</div>
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I spent the next 18:46 trying to figure out what was happening. I took my time getting ready. There was no real place to lay out without getting completely covered with sand. So I couldn't stretch my spine out like I'd prefer to. Similar to Boulder, I brought a complete change of clothes for the bike to try and be as comfortable as possible. Trouble this time is a pound of sand followed my feet and into my bike shorts. That was a lot of fun trying to empty out. I took care of my nutritional needs, got myself mentally prepared and thought.....let's see how long we can hang on. Step by step to the finish line......or not. As I got to Bella, I took another moment to assess the situation and see if I was truly ready for the next part of this journey. Wendy then popped by, said a quick hello, grabbed her bike and was off. I walked Bella to the bike mount area, got on and started to peddle up the hill. Swimming and biking hills....the two biggest stresses for my back. </div>
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Excellent Smithers....excellent. </div>
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Let's just make sure you are taking it easy. So I look down at my Garmin to see I wasn't getting a reading. WHAT?!?!?!?! Just yesterday it was fine. How could it not work now????? I got to the top of the 1st hill and got off. This time I took a spare battery with me just in case. I dismounted Bella and began changing the battery on my power meter so that I can read my watts. A few minutes later I was back in the saddle but sadly enough for some wacky reason, I couldn't read any power. Couldn't read my RPMs or the distance or speed. Nothing but elapsed time. It figured. Away I went. The first section of the bike is rollers followed by another up hill. All in all I believe there is about 6k of climbing on this course. There was an aide station approx every 8 miles on this course and that is how I measured my distance and would compare it to my elapsed time to try and determine my speed along the course. I made my way passed the 1st aide station and I was hurting. I thought it was a little too early to stop and get off so I determined that I would keep going. I got to the 2nd aide station and was thinking to myself how am I going to ride another 95+ miles?? In Boulder I stopped about every 30 miles for 10 minutes or so. Let me just make it to the 3rd aide station at 24 miles and we can see what happens from there. The next 6 miles or so was all up hill and my thought was at aide station #3, I will be done. They can call the course marshalls and come get me. My day is done. I got to the station about 24 miles into the race and just got off of Bella. In my broken Spanish, I spoke to the volunteers of what is happening and I just sat down under their tent. I asked them not to call anyone just yet and to give me a few minutes to see how I am doing. That is when this small, round elder Mexican woman came over to me and began pounding on my lower back and massaging it. This was the nicest thing anyone could have done for me at that moment. She worked on my back for about 10 minutes and then I got up, gave her a big old sweaty hug, gave her my deepest appreciation and Bella and I were back at it. The next 8 miles or so were downhill and Bella and I were able to fly through them. There is more fight left in this dog. Step by step. I grabbed water and such at the aide station and kept moving. Aide station #5 about 40 miles into the bike section, I was hurting again. I couldn't wait till the 6th station as I had hoped and had to get off the bike. I went to the bathroom, sat down and dumped a ton of ice down my back. I was wishing I could have my masseuse from aide station #3 along with me. These volunteers like in the aide stations before them were soo incredibly nice. In my broken Spanish, again I would attempt to communicate with them and they were all just so gracious. What to do?? what to do?? I realized that the hot corner of the bike was about 10K away. "Hot corner" because the bike section of the race passes through this point 7 times and it is only a block away from the hotel. I can make another 6ish miles and then I'll call it a day and so I peddled on. I got to the hot corner and the crowd was cheering and rooting everyone. It was a pretty cool site and I thought "How can I get off the bike and quit in front of all these people?" and so I peddled on. A short out and back and I was once again approaching the hot corner just before I turn onto the toll road for an uphill climb towards the airport. And I thought to myself one more time....."How can I quit in front of all these people?".......my reply.....How can I not??? I made a promise to myself, my beautiful new wife, my coach, my family that while racing Ironmans for 2016, I would respect my back/spine. I would respect my healing process. I would tuck away my ego and live to commit stronger another day. It was a year ago at this exact spot where I talked with Jessica and decided, I had enough. My body, my back was done. Now a year later, I stood at that exact intersection faced with the exact same decision to make. The difference......last time, I gave it all and my back had completely seized on me as I was in bad pain trying to go on. I have nothing to prove at this point in my life. I am blessed in so many ways that I couldn't even count that high. I am a 5 time Ironman finisher. I've gone to 7 IM starting lines in 36 months. I think because I pushed myself so much with my back last year, that is part of the reason why here I am a year later having to make that same decision. To make this decision SUCKS. Pure and simple. It sucks. I am not a quitter but I am smarter and I don't want to have to be in this situation ever again. So is it wise to struggle up and down the hills of Cabo in this heat and push myself to a point where I may not be able to race strong for over another year or call it a day, take care of my back/spine, be proud that I had a fantastic Ironman race just 2 months earlier in Boulder and know that I am on the path to recovery. I choose the latter. So after about 55 miles on Bella, I got off, notified a race official that I was done and step by step made my way back to the hotel. I changed my flight, my hotel and the car rental. I wanted out and wanted it yesterday. The next day I packed my bags, went to the airport and headed home. <br />
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Cabo 2 - Marty 0 </div>
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We will be back Cabo....not next year, maybe not for 5 years....who knows....but we will be back. #WarriorMode</div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-29271178162244304432016-09-22T16:34:00.000-07:002016-09-23T11:02:25.867-07:00IM Boulder Race Recap 2016...3.0...The Run, The Fun, The Bloody<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although I was in great spirits coming off the bike and leaving Bella for the marathon portion of Boulder Ironman, I was still in a bit of lower back/spine discomfort. I spent the morning trying to manage comfort and allow myself to be as comfortable as I could be so that the Demons wouldn't beat me to a pulp and call this day before I had the chance to cross the finish line. <br />
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I managed to keep myself in the race with, thus far, a solid game plan. I had just been out on Bella for 112 miles or 7:19:19. Over the last year and in preparation for this race, the longest I had ridden was just over 3 hours or about 50 miles. So with the way my injured back and spine have been I was very happy with the outcome. I felt that if I could just get to this point, to the run, with 7+ hours to go, I would cross the finish line. Heck, I could walk a 7+hour marathon. Even with this optimism, I still had to manage my back, the 26.2 miles ahead of me and the clock. On the bike I had stopped and gotten off 5 different times. Each time the duration was between 5 -10 minutes. Even though I had spent somewhere between 30 - 60 minutes resting my back during the bike section, I needed a time out before the run. I laid down on the grass and brought my knees up to my chest and rocked and rolled on the ground. Massaging my back and stretching out the sucker. I organized my food and hydration. Washed my face. Changed my clothes. I put on running shorts. Three events and three outfit changes for me. Again, comfort and feeling fresh was paramount. I've never changed out of my tri kit before while doing an IM. I have to say it was quite nice.</div>
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I saw Steve Seltzer in the tent. He was volunteering and we chatted for a good amount of time. I decided it was time to move on to the Boulder Creek path and see what was up with this marathon thingie that was still ahead of me. After over 22 minutes in TA 2 I decided it was time to move on. A quick stop at Bullfrog suntan lotion station YeeeeeOOWZER!! the alcohol in the suntan lotion stings.....and I was off. <br />
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Exiting from TA 2 and the High School I chuckled to myself.Race volunteers were directing a racer in the opposite direction that I was starting to go. Why?? Because this racer was running towards the finish line. It was about 9 hours into the race, he was finishing and I was setting out on the marathon. I called to the volunteers that he was heading the wrong way. After a moment of shock, they got it , collectively shook their heads and laughed along with me. Wished me well and I began to head out on the Boulder Creek Path. I knew I would see Jessica in just over a mile and I began my slow and steady shuffle eastward. There she was as expected waiting with a huge smile and hugs and kisses. We chatted for a bit and off again I went. Almost immediately after wards, I ran into Harvey for a high five and over the bridge I went. Base Salts had a great set up around mile 2.5 with music blasting. These guys and gals were out there all day dancing and high fiving and cheering people on.<br />
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They also had tons of signs that people made at the expo posted along the route. Again kudos for a great support of the athletes and Boulder IM. It was during the run (walk) that you really got to see a ton of the local community out there cheering and supporting the racers. The BTC was well represented for sure. Deiter, Cisco and about a billion other BTCers were high fiving and volunteering. Cheering us on every step of the way. I altered an easy jog for a walk depending on the terrain. Flats and down hills I attempted to jog, up hills I fast paced walked. I saw Coach EK pretty early on during the run. He was out there peddling around trying to keep track of his athletes. It was here that I found out that fellow Teammate Kenny had withdrawn from the race, Ed was hurt but still moving, Conrad had cramped up pretty badly and was struggling on the run but continued to move and Liz was crushing it. <br />
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He had to ride ahead because he wanted to catch Liz at the finish line. Sure enough moments later there she was. I gave a quick shout out and wished her well as she was on her way. I made a quick hope for her that she would cross the tape in time to make it to Kona. I appreciated the updates on the gang and kept just kept my onward journey. Out to the "flux capacitor" the heat had really started taking effect on racers. The morning started off pretty cool and ideal but then somewhere midway through the bike the sun came out. I think a lot of people paid for the early morning coolness and perhaps did not hydrate as much as they should have. Little by little racers continued to drop as evidence by their bodies along the course. <br />
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It was great to see Dave out on the course. A year earlier I had passed him during the run as he was having stomach issues. He looked much better this year. I was happy for him. I ran into Jeff who just a week earlier had completed IM Vineman. People say I'm nuts for doing two or three in a year. Jeff is on his way to complete 2 in two weeks. Oddly enough I ran into two other racers who were completing the same feet. Pretty cool.<br />
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I saw fellow 303er Bill out there. He also had hopes for a Kona birth but like many others with those inspirations, today would not be the day. Ben was moving along. I had seen Ben a couple of times on the bike during my stop and start ride. He took the lead on the bike and never relinquished it. I ran into Natalia who just months earlier was learning to ride a TT bike and now was on her way to completing her first IM. Great to see Pam completing her "last" and 10th IM out there too! <br />
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Just after I crossed that initial bridge in the beginning of the run course I saw Susan and Ken. They were waiting for my arrival. Two absolute great people that I had the privilege of training and running IM Boulder '14 with. They "walked" with me for a good number of miles. We laughed, shared stories and kept moving. <br />
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I later learned that Susan was concerned for the way I looked. Although I felt pretty good on the inside, I guess the 12+ hours of racing at this point in the day had its effect on how I looked from the outside. Again my longest training session before today was about 3.5 hours. Now my body was moving/exercising/training for half a day. I didn't realize how I looked until the photos afterward and totally got how Susan felt as my face and body did look drawn and tired. <br />
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Jessica joined along in the parade at about mile 10 or so and the 4 of us walked and talked as we made our way through the course. At some point Susan and Ken dropped off and I caught them both again later. Jessica stayed with me for a good while, then ran out for dinner and came back for more support. She's the best!!! For sure! I am lucky and blessed to have her in my life. <br />
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I am sure I ran into 500 more people who at this point in time a month and half later I don't recall who and where I saw them. What I can say is that it was a great feeling to see and be with so many wonderful people in the community. One of my concerns about the run (Walk) section of the course was that people would see me walk and be like "Get Moving Marty" "Pick up the Pace" It may seem odd but people said that to me last year when I was doing IM Boulder '15 injured. It annoyed me and I really didn't feel like hearing it this year knowing what I went through with my back and spine to even get to the starting line of this race. Not a peep. I didn't hear one comment like that all day. I only felt the love and support from the community. It was a wonderful thing. <br />
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My hug and kiss count was way high. I had to have hit 1 million easily by now. Jen contributed to that total, I am not even sure how many times. I saw that woman everywhere on the course. One time, she and Susan went by on a golf cart, delivering pizza to volunteers and another time driving by picking up trash along the course. Always a hug and kiss from my gals and dear friends. Now lest you think it was all rainbows and Unicorns for me out there, that is far from the truth. I had in my head that 12am, midnight was the races end. Problem was that 17 hours would actually be between 11pm and 12am. So not having my Iron Buddy Hal by my side to do the math and give me updates, I was trying to figure it out in my head. Jess and Susan were trying to find out the rules and regulations I was trying to count back to when my actual start time was so that we could figure out how much time I actually had left on the course. When did I exactly start? It was a rolling start so what time did I enter the water? What was 17 hours from that point? When did the last person in the water? So if I entered into the water 15 minutes before the last person, the finish line would be open 15 minutes longer then when I should cross the line. It was truly confusing for my head to figure out at this point. I had thought I had 17 minute miles for the 26.2 to do for the marathon when I started. I was keeping about a 15 min per mile pace but had slowed down to 17 min for the last few good number of miles. <br />
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Now with the understanding that the race would not be open till midnight but actually closer to 11:20 for me, I began to panic. I now felt I needed to make up 40 minutes with less than 10 miles to go. I wasn't sure how I was going to do that and was kicking myself in the ass for the 16 min TA1 and the 22 min TA2, for the 5 times I stopped during the bike and rested for close to 45 minutes. If you added those "rest times" up I could get back 1:15 easily. Now I am concerned that I wont cross the finish line in time for being merely 2 or 5 minutes behind. What a shame that would be. I put my head down and tried to muster up the energy with the caution of my spine/back to run. I spent a considerable amount of time and energy worrying over this fact. How could I have been so careless as not to manage my time properly? This whole entire race had been about managing my injured back/spine and managing my comfort. <br />
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I followed my game plan exactly as I had promised EK I would and now at the final few hours and miles I find myself in jeopardy of not finishing in time. I was not happy with myself. Each step was now about making up time. I noticed somewhere around mile 18 that it was getting dark. I had another 8 miles to go in the dark with my glow stick that the race volunteers handed me. I hadn't experienced that happening to me at my two previous IM Boulders till close to mile 24. Oh well, so be it. Before you knew it I hit that point where a mere 7 hours earlier I had played with a few volunteers and a racer for going the wrong way as he was making his way to the finish line and I was just starting out on the run. This time that area was pretty desolate. Except for Jess and Jen. <br />
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There they were waiting for me. I got to spend a little time with them as I approached the final turn. Jess took off to get into location to see me cross the finish line and I hugged and kissed Jen one last time. I turned the corner and took flight. Flying to the finish, my traditional finisher chute approach. There he was waving his towel and calling me in. The Voice of Ironman Mike Reilly. "Look at him having fun" he stated about me. I was. I was having a blast and the weight of the last 14 months of injury and a failed IM Cabo attempt was lifted off of my shoulders. <br />
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I made my way to Mike as I wanted to thank him. We shook hands as he called to the crowd to proclaim...MARTY...YOU ARE AN IRONMAN. What a treat. I've heard those words now 3 times in English, once in Spanish and once in Portuguese for a total of 5 Ironman Finishes but that was the most enjoyable rendition. I thanked Mike again and made my way the last hundred yards to the final finish line. <br />
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What am I going to do?? What's my finishers pose or what am I going to do to cross the line? The first 3 IM finished I did a heel click. Last year, injured at Boulder, I simply crossed the line as there was no celebration of that magnitude for me. <br />
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But I have to honor this race with something......Hmmm Jaclyn has requested I twerked in the past. Nah, I'll probably throw my back out trying that. What to do ? what to do? The finish line was approaching very quickly and I had no more time to think. <br />
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Oh boy here we go. Can I get my body up for another heel click? Ahhhhhhhhhh............it was ugly but I did it.<br />
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I crossed the line and was immediately met by an eager volunteer. I assured her I was fine an appreciated her help but she put my arm around her and she wasn't going to allow me to walk un aided. We came up to the next volunteer and I realized that she was collecting the ankle timing chips. I bent down to take it off and they both were like "NO" we got it. This was too funny. I felt fine. I wondered how I looked. This was a wee bit too much for me. <br />
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I looked around as in the past this is where I saw my Mom & Dad, my Aunt Maria, Cousins Paulette, Loren & Karen, teammates Ana, Jessica, Coach Eric & Lindsey Dear friends Nick, Pui Fong, Chris & Erin.....but that was not to be this year. There was no family and friends or fanfare at the finish line. Just a couple of over zealous volunteers doing an excellent job with a guy who did really did not want much to do with them. And then I saw Jessica on the other side of the barrier and her smile and the world was good again. I snuck away from the volunteers as they "chased" after me and went to my girl for the best moment of my day. We did it.<br />
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After a few kisses and photos, I went back to my personal body guard as she escorted me through the maze of finisher photos, finisher T shirt pick up and finishers pizza slices. She pointed out to me where the medical tent was and finally delivered me to the family and friends reunion zone where she officially turned me over to Jessica. <br />
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I thanked her for her service and Jess and I just went an sat by the amphitheatre. What's next? I had half expected to see a bunch of people I knew and head out for our post race Bloody Mary as we did last year. I did see some 303 teammates in the distance covering the finish line but didn't want to really disturb them. I grabbed Jessica's hand and we went to the finishers shoot to cheer on the final racers. <br />
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We waited till the last one officially came in and decided to grab Bella and the rest of my equipment and head home. We each had to drive and sucking down a finishers Bloody Mary at this point in time wasn't going to happen. Till the next day.....where we went to the best place to gather a Finishers Bloody Mary .......... Murphys Tap House.<br />
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Now that I have had a month or so to forget more than I remember about the details of the race, I thank you all for joining me along in my journeys. I am very proud of finishing 5 Ironman races in 32 months of racing. It would have been nice for it to be number 6 and not be injured but oh well, that's life. This race was very different for me than the others. I barely told anyone I was even racing. The cat was let out of the bag when I went to register. I felt going into the race that I was alone with Jessica doing this race. Literally and figuratively. But Boulder stepped up and supported and cheered and hugged and kissed me all the way to the finish line. Never leaving Jessica and I alone. <br />
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I will be forever grateful for the memories of IM Boulder 2016. I guess each IM has its own story line. Making each one truly unique. It goes along with why my Blog is called Chapters and this was just another great one in my life.<br />
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Upcoming Chapters......<br />
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#MartynJess<br />
15Days....8Hours...8Minutes...32Seconds to Kona and my own World Championship.....to our Wedding Day. <br />
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#Letsdothis<br />
37Days...1Hour...58Minutes...12Seconds to IM Los Cabos <br />
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#WarriorMode <br />
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#Finallyfoundmyrinny</div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-59943414225326685392016-09-19T13:21:00.002-07:002016-09-19T16:23:52.448-07:00IM Boulder Race Recap 2016... 3.0 The Bike, The Back...The Beautiful Bella<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I really liked the bike course design. I thought is was laid out really well and hoped that I would be able to make it through. I was particularly worried about the, I'll say, 5 hills that were out on the course. My back truly feels the extra strain when climbing. I wasn't sure if I'd get through the 1st hill let alone being quite concerned for hill #5, going up Nelson Road for the 2nd time. I was pretty confident in my strategy to manage the course but it all means nothing if those Demons catch up and my back begins to seize up again. The bike section for me was going to be the real test if I could finish or not. I was happy with my calorie and hydration intake during TA1 and planned on drinking every 15 minutes on the bike with extra endurolytes every 30 minutes on the 15+45 along with more calories every 30 minutes on the 30+00. Exciting stuff right?? A similar game plan has worked very well for me in my past races. I tweaked my calories and electrolytes for this race increasing them ever so slightly. Any extra water in my bottles when I get to a fuel zone gets dumped on me to keep me cool and my bottles get refreshed with new fcool iced down water. Again, this was all part of my comfort plan. I did not want to have a deficit in the slightest bit with my nutrition. I couldn't afford a mistake in this category. At each </span><span style="font-family: "\22 georgia\22 " , "\22 times new roman\22 " , serif;">Aid station, I would refresh myself by pouring water over my head and gathering up 2 more bottles of iced water to carry around as a pack mule to drink and cool myself off a little later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I appreciated how the course set itself up after getting into the saddle at TA 1. You had close to 7 miles of warming up on the newly paved Diagonal Highway before making a right onto Highway 52 in preparation for the first hill of the course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">About 2 miles into the hill, I noticed a gal walking her bike. As I approached, I asked if she was ok and if there was anything I could do to assist. "Nah, just gotta walk my bike up this hill. Once I get to the top, I'll be fine" was her retort. You'll be fine??? I thought. Fat chance in hell. If your walking your bike up Hill #1 what's gonna happen at mile 80 when you're making yourself up Nelson Rd for the 2nd time?? I figured this gal A) is under prepared for this race and B) is going to have a very, very long day. I wished her well and kept on peddling by. In the aftermath, I wished I would have caught her bib number. I would have loved to see how she finished her day. I thought I handled the hills on Hwy 52 and then again on Lookout Rd at miles 10 & 15 very well. Once I felt a bit of an incline, I would get out of the areo position and ride straight up and down to relieve some of the pressure from my lower back. Most of my rides leading up to IM Boulder had been straight up and down and just recently, I started to put myself in the more aero but also more back/spine stressing position. In the past I would have ridden these hills in the aero. But my race management mindset had me be as comfortable as I could and I took it nice and easy on these inclines. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Pack mule with 4 bottles of water</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soon there after, I thought about stopping as I started to get that feeling that perhaps I needed to let out some of the fluids that I have been ingesting. I opted not to, thinking I could hit the next one in about 15 miles or so. TMI???? Nah. A left turn put us on 57th St and hill #3. This is the shortest hill on the course but perhaps the steepest grade. I pulled my psoas muscles on this hill during IM Boulder 1.0 at mile 100 or so. Ever since then I have had this slight fear of this little hill though I've ridden in a gazillion times over. But today is different, I am back in an IM, injured and trying to manage my way through the course. For all my worrying, the incline by the airport, was in my rear mirror and I was about to start the 2 lap loop section of the course.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">IM Boulder 2015~ Family & Friends at Jay & 36</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I turned right onto 36th at Jay Rd and I had my first Boulder IM flashback. This is where I saw my family each loop of last years course and I was hoping that I might see Jessica's face here this year. I made the turn. No Jessica, no smiles, no hugs or kisses. I was a little sad but I kept on riding. I wonder where and when I will see her on the course. Oh well, I put my head down and kept peddling about 5 minutes later I looked up and what did I see??? On a relatively abandoned section of the course at approx mile 23, there she was, all smiles and standing next to two other people that I had no clue who they were. The three of them were cheering and shouting at me. I pulled over for some kisses and hugs. I learned that the elder couple was from Oklahoma and usually scout out the race course the week prior but didn't have the opportunity to this time around. They just got into town and pulled over on the side of the road as they didn't want to miss their racer ride by. Jessica saw them and joined along. So there they were. We all chatted for a few minutes I said my goodbyes, grabbed another set of kisses and hugs from Jessica and Bella and I were off with smiles on our faces. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Jessica & I at mile 23ish</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Passing my old stomping grounds in the Holiday section of N Boulder, I noticed the car traffic starting to back up. I thought traffic must be building up for people heading up to Rocky Mtn National Park and Estes. Another moment later, I understood why. There on the ground was a fellow athlete (Michelle Walters). Two or three cars were pulled off the road and an athlete or two were also standing over her body. I saw the pool of blood and immediately thought it was her head. I've taken a knock to my noggin before and new how vascular it was. My next thought was to stop. There was already 5 or so people around her and I wasn't sure exactly what I would/could do. I was sick and saddened to my core. Not knowing what to do I felt like quiting. Getting off my bike and call it a day. Emergency personnel must surely be on their way. I wondered how she got hit and I thought that she was behind me. I recognized her kit and knew that we passed each other a few times but last I knew, I was in front of her. I then thought of my stop with Jessica just moments before and realized she must have passed me at that point. What if I didn't stop? Would that have been me? Would I have witnessed what had taken place live? I said a prayer and asked for God to look over her, her family as well as anyone else that witnessed the actual occurrence. Bella and I solemnly peddled off.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Heading down Neva Rd</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We zipped down Neva and turned onto 63rd. Another aide station was coming up. I have to say that this may have been the best functioning aide station that I have ever seen. I remember peddling up to it thinking it was being hosted by the Marines. Then I realized it was younger boys and a few families and fathers or troop leaders. I wish I could recall the name of the group, ROTC, or Scout Troop but they were kind, encouraging, efficient and kept the area free of debris and bottles from the ground. I still hadn't taken care of business but needed to since I hopped on the saddle. I've never stopped at an aide station while on the bike to relieve myself. I've heard stories of people going while peddling but I couldn't bring myself to do that. I figured this was a different kind of race for myself and stopping at around mile 33 or so might be a good thing to keep my back/spine loose. To alter my bodies position and get off of Bella for a few minutes. Waiting on line, I saw many of the people I had passed , now passing me. I got anxious for a Milli second. Let it go, I thought. Let them ride and you manage and ride your race. So I did. I released them and went back to chatting with a few of the gracious volunteers.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Hanging Loose</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">The hill up Nelson Road was next and one I was a little nervous about just because it went on for a few miles at varying degrees of inclines. I went back to my game plan of getting out of areo to relieve some of the lower back pressure and took Nelson predominately upright with a few times getting out of the saddle and standing up just to mix it up a bit. That wasn't all that bad I thought to myself. I managed it much better than I had anticipated. Passing aide station #3 and mile marker #40 brought me back onto Hwy 36. The next section is a great ride. Almost 10 miles of decline or "flat" road. A chance to air it out, recuperate, hydrate, take in nutrition. Just a real nice fast section of the course down to Route 66, east to 75th St and through Hygiene. More kudos to DC and his race crew as the train tracks through Hygiene were covered with mats. The last two years this area was a yard sale with water bottles, nutrition and anything else not tied down to your bike all over the road from that "bump" going over the tracks. This year it was nice and smooth and nothing on the floor. As I passed aide station #4, I thought to myself, I think that was the 303 Sno Cone tent. Dang, I wanted to stop but I wasn't going to turn around at that point. For some reason, heading south on 65th (Approx mile 53) is maybe my favorite part of the course. The foothills and Flat Irons are to your south and west and the road is just a nice rolling country side road. Esthetically a great part of the course for me.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Hmmmmm....what a lovely day for a ride.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the slight hill of 75th and Plateau Rd, I was passed by a fellow EK Endurance Athlete. I realized I was being lapped on this 2 lap course. I immediately thought it was Kenny but in the aftermath of the race, I don't think I saw a Fu Man Chu Beard and believe it may have been Conrad. Perhaps Ed?? This is pretty funny because they all have very distinct looks and body types. It is still kinda silly that I don't know who it was to this day. (Hey guys....if you read this and remember passing me, let me know!) I cheered to whoever it was on as they past me. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Winston "A celebrity along the course."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">I gave another shout out this time to Winston and soon I was pulling into the bike special needs area. Here I knew I was going to see many fellow BTCers. I saw Patricia and continued to add to my daily hug and kiss total. Of the 6 IM's that I have done only on my first have I ever stopped at the bike transition. Today is a different plan and it was part of my race management. I had stuck a sugar free Red Bull in the freezer last night and thought it might be a cool refreshing drink and break at this point in the race. Stealing a page from Coach EK, as I believe he always does a Red Bull in his special needs bag. It was a far cry from cool and refreshing as it was a HOT Red Bull at this point. Note to self......don't do this again. I had gotten off of my bike and just sat along the fence and chatted a bit with AiT Director Dennis. I started to laugh at myself at this point. Here I am in a "Race" and I am sitting down chatting with people and truly enjoying the company and companionship of our Boulder Triathlon Community. I typically enjoy myself in a race but this was definitely different. As I sat there, I watched all the people I passed on the bike, pass me once again. I let it go and laughed to myself again. I got up, shook some hands, gave my deepest gratitude to the volunteers and away Bella and I were again.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Silly face at the cameraman time</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Down the Diagonal, west on Jay I was now on the second loop of the course. I said hello, high fived people, yelled for more cowbell and had a bl<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ast with the spectators. Always mindful of thanking the volunteers, police offices and fans for being out there. Mile 66 or so was where a few hours ago, I saw a young woman lying in a pool of blood along the side of the road during lap #1. She was gone, but a few Accident Investigation cars were still there. I saw h</span>er mangled bike off to the side. I sensed she was no longer with us and said another prayer. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Hwy 36</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whipping down Neva and Niwot a left turn and I was back at the aide station of the day the ROTC/Boy Scout/Marine Aide station. Offering my thanks and gratitude. No bathroom break for me at this time. Hello Nelson Road for a 2nd time. Fingers crossed, riding in the upright position, back don't fail me now......it didn't. Then back to the fastest section of the course. Through Hygiene and turning onto St. Vrain. If this is where the 303 Sno Cone tent is, I am going to make sure I stop and chill with my peeps. Mile 93 it is them! Hugs around and <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I chat with Nicole and Khem for a bit. <span style="background-color: white;">As I sat under the 303 Snow cone tent relaxing and stretching out my back/spine at mile 93 of the bike section of Boulder Ironman, I thought to myself, I am living proof that you do not have to be physically in shape to complete a Full Ironman. I've said it before, that anyone that sets their mind to it, can finish an Ironman. Today, I thought, I am that experiment come true.............Piece by piece, I have thus far taken this course apart and managed it and my back/spine to work with one another to be as comfortable as I possibly could. I had gotten word that while I was sitting there Jessica was at mile 95 waiting for me. Hugs and kisses around to the 303 staff and off I went. My girl is just a few miles away and it's been over 70 miles since I last saw her. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It's time for some KISSES!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSEcEf72uystR9E3IJ9KTX5IHXkO5GWX-66QUeqnI6w8qTllJl3z2YTlPRUEXO_OteEH4ZzKV1inwQrY9ylbl1bxNDQ8BJcA9QCYOeDOwMsQ9rjA19E55mQj-8vG3wnA-FXHxEhrbKr6a/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I sped down the road and there she was at Nelson & 65th. I spent a few good minutes with my gal. I was feeling great. We made a plan to see each other on the run course and away Bella and I peddled. Mile 95 or so, the IPA guys were great in cheering folks up the little hill. High Fives with my buddy John. Another shout out to Winston and I was at the special needs area. I didn't feel like stopping at this point. I have a great rest at the 303 tent and then again with Jessica just a few miles ago. I noticed that my power output was much higher than it normally is during an Ironman race and could only attribute it to the amount of rest I was getting. My time all in all was a little slower but my wattage was greater. Through the special needs station, whoops I suddenly make a u-turn. Susan, Kerry and the crew were like, What the??????? I realized I had passed Patricia up with no hug or kiss. I get off my bike and run back to her for one more along the bike course.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z72KhqrmgKuFeKy-XHCq7cNvO-yMNHpYpWx67Eke1W669R1oFx6aqRD6M4aYmr8EXQGLilzfPJubhTwDfkGOEjGKZaMVgWgGIRpDjh6I6ZuMzqbAVnYeNs5NWdbd1ZRCbx1OfwgzQ-xA/s320/39_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_048958-2933627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="241" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">"You da man" pose</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z72KhqrmgKuFeKy-XHCq7cNvO-yMNHpYpWx67Eke1W669R1oFx6aqRD6M4aYmr8EXQGLilzfPJubhTwDfkGOEjGKZaMVgWgGIRpDjh6I6ZuMzqbAVnYeNs5NWdbd1ZRCbx1OfwgzQ-xA/s1600/39_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_048958-2933627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Heading down the Diagonal I have a nice conversation in Spanish with a racer from Mexico that I had continued to leap frog with during all my stops and starts. Jay Road to Folsom. Heading into town and the High School. Tons of cheers and spectators and cowbells. One can never have enough cowbells. I remind them of that and they roar. Bella and I did it. We avoided the Demons for 112 miles. We had a great managed ride. We enjoyed every moment, every peddle. After 10 months of having that failure in Los Cabos and having to dismount and quit after 5 hours in the saddle with almost as many hours struggling with back/spine pain, we just spent 7:19:19 together in harmony. No pain to really speak of. Some stiffness/tightness but I will easily take it over how I felt getting off the bike last year at IM Boulder '15 having raced injured and then having to quit in Mexico because of that injury. Not this time. Not in IM Boulder 3.0. No Demons, just love and support and smiles.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Gun show...."I'm da man" pose</span></td></tr>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-21687966173742953782016-09-15T15:47:00.003-07:002016-09-16T06:50:02.115-07:00IM Boulder Race Recap Version 3.0 The Beginning <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I walk under the arches and start my way down the boat ramp. Once last check on my Garmin, goggles down, deep breath.... <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Back/spine don't fail me now......I say Nokk three times to keep the Demons at bay and I walk into the water. The Drive for Five has begun.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKKxJNUAWE8KEKLbrWt51sY_17N34stT-7nVrc3rDvizGIAj2o4rMu-Az6dJQnRZC7o8nvZYDYyfYR1kqcsGwW8sK0IO6Z0hGkQHgKlFLgoM9VFSqqAggx4WLxZZcuAEGh3KrIOCWZKVF/s1600/105_m-100730657-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_099156-2904113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKKxJNUAWE8KEKLbrWt51sY_17N34stT-7nVrc3rDvizGIAj2o4rMu-Az6dJQnRZC7o8nvZYDYyfYR1kqcsGwW8sK0IO6Z0hGkQHgKlFLgoM9VFSqqAggx4WLxZZcuAEGh3KrIOCWZKVF/s320/105_m-100730657-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_099156-2904113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">A much different start than IM Cabo, where my back was killing me before I even began the swim. I picked my favorite inside line on the cones and began swimming. Boulder 2016 is underway for me. My 3rd Boulder IM in the 3 years of the races existence. The Drive for Five Ironman finishes attempt #2 since the dismal day in Mexico a few 10 months ago. A long journey to get here over those 10 months. More a mental battle than anything else really. I mean, there is the physical component to being injured and unable to perform and to do. There is the aspect of gaining close to 20 pounds since the injury occurred and your mind watching the weight go one and your body morph into something you've never seen before. Having the patience to allow the healing to take it's course. The daily watching of your teammates and others around you excel while you're trying to just find happiness out of riding pain free on your bike for an hour or to train two days in a row. The roller coaster of emotion being able to have a great ride for 3 hours on a Saturday afternoon only to not be able to swim for 30 minutes pain free a few days later and then sit out of the pool for the following 10 weeks. I never truly got deeply depressed. I was unhappy. Many times.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aRb1OhvnzgNdCKs7RYmi5O7jqAiAigZnaTTKZVsbkzfpD99XU3q2i0k9iS1u6CHQO3jS1_MSMvE7klExvalBBF0Jw-k3gPv7ee11yBSPFApKASUSsX9acdbyd_loupcaIfdwQbtyrRS7/s1600/c6ed5c72eea55ab42626fa41693cc608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aRb1OhvnzgNdCKs7RYmi5O7jqAiAigZnaTTKZVsbkzfpD99XU3q2i0k9iS1u6CHQO3jS1_MSMvE7klExvalBBF0Jw-k3gPv7ee11yBSPFApKASUSsX9acdbyd_loupcaIfdwQbtyrRS7/s200/c6ed5c72eea55ab42626fa41693cc608.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SM_6JseT3u7WUeOK0XUvmca1WrTWcTDYNV7_7-e8qJVOJHg0R_4AD7z1N_VepXz-4JgQrBZXWWHQJ86TLgNXiN816p4FAMENvystIObT_wrHJSC1GnyORXlfaOdg1Y_vOvkty4fdybmz/s1600/article-1363297-0D7AFBB9000005DC-359_306x423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SM_6JseT3u7WUeOK0XUvmca1WrTWcTDYNV7_7-e8qJVOJHg0R_4AD7z1N_VepXz-4JgQrBZXWWHQJ86TLgNXiN816p4FAMENvystIObT_wrHJSC1GnyORXlfaOdg1Y_vOvkty4fdybmz/s200/article-1363297-0D7AFBB9000005DC-359_306x423.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But I am blessed in soo many ways in my life and am humbled daily by all that goes on around me. How dare I complain or sink so low when I have it so good. So what if my back and spine hurts. I am fortunate that they work, aren't I? Boo Hoo poor me, I can't ride my bike for 2 hours or more than 2 days in a row without pain. I can barely "run" for more than 30 minutes without having to stop and walk. I am fortunate that I can walk or am even able to get on a bike and peddle it right?? So yeah it did take a little to overcome some obstacles with my injury to get me to the starting line but here I am for my 6th time trying to finish #5. Doing what I love, in my home town, surrounded by thousands of people just like me. Many who have overcome insurmountable obstacles to get here. So for me, I just have this nagging back issue and a great game plan to manage my spine so that I can take on this Ironman for as long as I can......and I swim.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aqfLZuoWy8Ako4BMKrMeWiayYWKuh3DKPMAwh7pMHgWsBQ1XRuFzKCM-0JOqW1URNQKY5DkFkillAr7xsaBW5FGINwHGUrIttckDGVQiG4_3g359wSDcSFJCcr9jZfirZ0TnHhIqwDwm/s1600/DSCN1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aqfLZuoWy8Ako4BMKrMeWiayYWKuh3DKPMAwh7pMHgWsBQ1XRuFzKCM-0JOqW1URNQKY5DkFkillAr7xsaBW5FGINwHGUrIttckDGVQiG4_3g359wSDcSFJCcr9jZfirZ0TnHhIqwDwm/s320/DSCN1430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I , once again wonder why I didn't take notice as to how many buoys are out there before the turn and how many back to shore. I'm not sure how many times I've said that to myself in a race. So if you are reading these words.....next time you are aware that I am racing, remind me to count the buoys before I get into the water. Oh well. I look for another swimmer that is going my pace or a touch faster so I could tag along for the ride. No such luck. I do notice someone swimming completely sideways as they just</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">swam over my body. I keep swimming but take a peak to make sure I am on course. I am. I wonder if that is what I am like when I typically swim about 2.7 miles in an Ironman race. This fine gentleman literally crossed my path at least 4 more times before I exited the reservoir. I few times while swimming I tried to stretch out my back while not collecting too much drag to slow me down to a crawl. I was worried about my stamina and how would I do. I had only swam over 2 miles once in the last 10 months. A few weeks back I did a BAM Bare Bones 2 mile swim and did it in my usual 2.25 mile fashion. I felt ok with that swim but not sure if I would have felt ok with following that up with an 112 mile bike and then a marathon after wards. I made sure prior to the race that I was well nourished. I believed that my nutrition would play the biggest role it ever had during an ironman race for me. I could not get that wrong. I could not suffer any set backs if I was to keep those demons away. I needed my nutrition to lift me up and not be a detractor for me. I hydrated more than I normally do prior to the race. I figured if I took in too much, I could just leave a trail behind me in the water. I knew when I came out of the water, I did not want to be dehydrated and try to play catch up on the bike. All in all, I felt like I had a decent rhythm. I did not feel fast but I felt consistent and that was important to me. I felt a slight tightness in my back but no real pain. I felt like I was spotting pretty well, especially for me and I felt my buddy swim over my legs one more time.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B6H84n3cZ-HaN_KOwnMSeQeDzm03c6VYLj2Sg21zPfrPAuH4GLRYlWclHSqPxRKAp5tvtkPh8w-AwU5GCIlRDNjS6hC_jM7bxcOeqQpnMu88SX9T0KlRAIoX2wBusuoSisvmfT2v7FvN/s1600/9_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_008404-2933597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B6H84n3cZ-HaN_KOwnMSeQeDzm03c6VYLj2Sg21zPfrPAuH4GLRYlWclHSqPxRKAp5tvtkPh8w-AwU5GCIlRDNjS6hC_jM7bxcOeqQpnMu88SX9T0KlRAIoX2wBusuoSisvmfT2v7FvN/s320/9_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_008404-2933597.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">What 20 extra pounds looks like stuffed into a wet suit.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">As I made my way towards shore, I went through my mental check list. Do I go on or do I call it a day? Do I head back home to Arvada for breakfast and a nice Sunday afternoon with Jessica and celebrate my swim with a tall Captain & Ginger? Do I sit in the saddle and take Bella out for a spin? Let me get to my feet and see how I feel with all the weight on my spine and we'll go from there. I got out of the water and a volunteer immediately unzipped my wetsuit. I thought that was awesome as that had never been done to me before. I made sure I stopped the swim on my Garmin and set it to Transition 1. I looked up and saw the crowds and heard the cowbells and I was happy. Fist pumping for more cowbell. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgVNazblWi15MZWNbXat9-_1fjDUC_Fre8jsn-iNbbbqGeC2pelIQ2aKmmsXGSsnrwjGOLfeusLUyLanH_H92jFsYq1jaC945bYjXzuTiEJCm9UWOSzJQt3vFPpU-tuJ07d56-fxiVU5n/s1600/7_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_002893-2933595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgVNazblWi15MZWNbXat9-_1fjDUC_Fre8jsn-iNbbbqGeC2pelIQ2aKmmsXGSsnrwjGOLfeusLUyLanH_H92jFsYq1jaC945bYjXzuTiEJCm9UWOSzJQt3vFPpU-tuJ07d56-fxiVU5n/s320/7_m-100730831-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1324_002893-2933595.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">More Cowbell!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Two strippers immediately removed my wet suit and off for my gear bag I went. I packed differently than I had ever done in an ironman race. I didn't pack for speed in the TA but for comfort in the race. This was part of my race management/strategy. To feel as good as I could, as long as I could. I wasn't worried about seconds but about how many miles I could last. I didn't have a full tri kit on under my wetsuit as I normally do but just a swim suit. This way I could put warm dry clothes on after wards. I gathered my bag and stayed outside the changing tent. I went under a tree and sat down. I hydrated and ingested liquid calories. After a few minutes of just being, I then went into child's pose to stretch out my back, then into pigeon pose for each hip. I sat and gathered myself. I took out a towel and dried myself down. I put on my 303 Cycling shirt instead of a tri top to increase skin coverage to prevent possible sun burn and to allow me to store more food & drink in my shirt pockets. I put on all my gear and then went into the craziness of the changing tent to change out of my swim trunk and into a pair of cycling shorts. Again, deviating from my normal tri shorts, cycling shorts have a thicker pad in the crotch. Staying with the theme of going for comfort in this race and in the saddle I wanted my crotch to be as comfortable as long as it could be. The most I had ridden in the last 10 months was 3hrs and 23 minutes. A great day around Carter Lake a few weeks prior. I knew if my back held out, I would be with Bella for double that time today and most than likely a fair bit more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;">I left the changing tent and made my way to a line of volunteers smearing Bull Frog sunscreen on to those athletes that desired. More hugs and kisses as Susan was one of those volunteers. It was great to see her there and brought a huge smile to my face and heart. I kept my shoes off as I had a fairly decent distance to go to get to where Bella was. Right by the bike exit. I hobbled my way across the bike staging area and ran into Dana. Yep, more hugs and kisses. I have to think she must have thought I was delirious as I could not find Bella. It was odd because I went right to were she was but I couldn't see her. I think she was playing with me and hiding. I told Dana my number and should promptly pointed Bella out to me, about 2 feet away from where I was standing. We took some pictures. She was shooting a video and I was about to hop on my bike and then realized it would probably be best if I put my shoes on first. Seriously, I felt like a newbie. Dana held my bike while I put on my shoes. Another hug and kiss goodbye and away I went. All in all I spent a little over 16 minutes in T1. 16:36 to be exact. It prompted my buddy Ken to ask me later if I fell asleep in T1. So far so good. No sight of the Demons. Back is stiff but no pain. I'm working my way towards 1 millions kisses and hugs on the day. I now have a date with my Bella. </span></span><br />
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<br />Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-50213304675026418302016-09-09T13:27:00.002-07:002016-09-09T13:27:35.732-07:00How Long will I last??<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the decision whether or not to start Ironman Boulder out of the way, the only remaining question for me about the race was "How long would I last?" </div>
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I thought of doing small things like, do I post on Facebook that I'm doing the race. I was thinking about creating and Over / Under on how many minutes or miles passes before I graciously bow out with back troubles. But I didn't want to make a big deal of entering this race, particularly since I had no clue if or how long I would last and I certainly did not want any pity if I did have to back out. Maybe no one would really notice I have entered and I'm participating.</div>
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I thought that this was my 1st Boulder Ironman without my Dad here to cheer me on and give me high fives along the route. I didn't want to ask family to come out for the race. <br />
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I've been fortunate to have family fly out to support me from New York each of the 2 Boulder IMs and loved having them out heere with me and listening to their stories of the day afterwards. I laughed for hours last year as my Mom & Dad, Jessica, Loren and Karen shared stories of their day. <br />
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I thought, I didn't decide to do the race till a few days prior and my family is coming out for the wedding just two months. I can't ask them to hop in a plane on the drop of a dime to see me race particularly if I didn't know if I was to even finish. Besides that I didn't even tell my local friends, many of whom stood outside for 10+ hours over the last two years cheering me on. I thought to myself that besides Jessica out there, I was alone. I would start the race alone as she had previous obligations for the morning of the race. I knew I'd see her out on the course somewhere but it was still an odd feeling racing in my hometown without any of my family physically here to cheer me on and wish me luck at the starting line, like I have had in years past.<br />
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I thought that with my 20 pound weight gain, there was no way I could fit into my new 303 Triathlon kit without offending little kids, older ladies and just about everyone else along the course.<br />
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I thought that while everyone else was tapering, I was still trying to build up a few hours in a row of training without pain. Two weeks of consistent training before an Ironman doesn't make you feel like you can smash down doors but it did help to reinforce my game plan of smart race management and that maybe just maybe I could pull this off.<br />
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I thought that I had a plan that I would set out on the course and somewhere on the bike, my buddy Harvey would catch up to me. At this point we would just hang out and enjoy one another company and help each other through to the finish line. That was until Harvey mentioned to me 7 days before the race he decided not to do it that his head wasn't into doing a full 140.6.<br />
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I then thought that we were going to give this bad boy a spin and see how long we could hang on.<br />
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Registration day came and Jessica and I set out for the High School to get me all signed up and ready to go. In and out I thought. No one needs to see me there. I'll be in stealth mode. I made arrangements to meet up with Patricia as she had race number tattoos that I could adhere. When I saw her and gave her a hug and kiss, I thought that this race could also be about hugs and kisses. When my family has come to the race I always stop what I am doing and hug and kiss each of them as a sign of thanks and gratitude that they have traveled across the states to be out there for me. So Patricia and I decided that a million hugs and kisses would be needed to be given out on race day. As Jess and I walked through the race expo and registration, we ran into Coach EK and teammates Kenny, Liz & Sasha. Kenny & Liz were going for it. Trying to qualify for Kona. I have mad respect for both of them as athletes and people.<br />
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I thought, heck I am just trying to get through the swim alive. <br />
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I thought that my cover was blown as too many people I know were at the expo and the face book posts began.<br />
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The next day Jessica and I went back into Boulder for all the mandatory gear drops. It was at the reservoir where I ran into Jen for the 1st time on the weekend and I continued to work on my hug and kiss goal. I had a brief reunion at the bike drop with Michael Stone and ran into another EK athlete Conrad. <br />
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I put Bella down for the night gave her kisses goodbye and for a good nights rest and Jessica and I headed back home to Arvada. I was breaking with a lot of traditions that I usually do before an Ironman during this registration process my prerace dinner was not going to be one of them. Although we did not go out to a restaurant for our meal as we normally do, I think we upgraded this tradition by making homemade sauce to go with the rigatoni and vegetables and garlic bread. Jess and I avoided the craziness of downtown Boulder and just enjoyed the mellow night together with great food and of course a nice glass (or two) of a primo Chianti Classico Reserva as well.<br />
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By 10:30pm, I was all body marked, packed and in bed. Ready for a few hours of shut eye. I slept great and got in my 5 hours that I had wanted. Trying not to wake Jess up, I ate, gathered my stuff, went in for a kiss goodbye and headed out the door. I got a great parking spot by the High School and went to drop my special needs bags off. In the distance I could hear a familiar voice giving directions to racers. It was Patricia and I went in for another hug and kiss. Heck a million is a lot to try and get during an ironman event! It was great to see her to start the day and just a prelude of what my day would become. <br />
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I made my way to the busses and got aboard. I was joined by a fellow NYer and we made idle chit chat on the ride up to the reservoir. It was his first IM and his brother lives out in Boulder so they thought this would be an ideal race for him. All in all it was a mellow ride as the sun started to rise over the reservoir. <br />
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My timing was pretty good as I had more than enough to load the hydration and nutrition on Bella, check her out mechanically, put a little more air in the tires and kiss her goodbye till later. <br />
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I ran into my girl Jen again for more hugs and kisses and worked my way up towards the line of athletes getting ready to enter the water. I spent some chill time with fellow 303er Bill prior to the Cannon going off. Like many of my friends/trainingmates, Bill was shooting for a Kona spot as well. One last final check. I dropped the kids off at the pool and headed down to the water. Cap off, sing the National Anthem and run into another fellow 303er Nicole. A few moments later Dana is also there. It's like a 303 party!!! The race is moving along as I make my way down to the waters edge for my waves start. One last check of about 50 on my Garmin watch we are all set to go. <br />
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There is the Race Director Dave, I give a high five and congratulate him on his new baby and into the water I go. <br />
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Back/spine don't fail me now......I say Nokk three times to keep the Demons at bay and I get into my rythm. The Drive for Five has begun. #Letsdothis #WarriorMode<br />
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-80369297958425333672016-09-08T14:00:00.003-07:002016-09-08T15:31:31.106-07:00T-minus 3 days<div style="text-align: justify;">
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As I sat under the 303 Snow cone tent relaxing and stretching out my back/spine at mile 93 of the bike section of Boulder Ironman, I thought to myself, I am living proof that you do not have to be physically in shape to complete a Full Ironman. I've said it before, that anyone that sets their mind to it, can finish an Ironman. Today, I thought, I am that experiment come true.............<br />
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My last entry in here, I talked about why not?? and <a href="https://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2016/07/how-day-may-go.html">How The Day May Go.....</a> maybe I'll be able to finish the swim and set out on my bike. Maybe after the swim my spine will be aching and I'll have to call it the day. Who knows?? I truly didn't have a clue. The only thing I was 100% certain of was that those Demons would get me. <br />
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They would hunt me down, tap dance on my head and mock me for attempting to do Boulder IM without any consistent training. No runs longer than 45 minutes, no bike rides longer then one 3+ hour ride up and around Carter Lake and having a span of no pool for over 10 weeks. Most likely they would get me by noon for sure. I would be home with my family and being thankful for another day out there. Another day of a healing my back and spine. Another enjoyable training day of 14 miles or 140 miles. The big money was on the 14 miles. <br />
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The funny thing.....those bastards were no where in site on race day. I didn't realize it until just this second as I type these words. As I waited for the cannon to go they weren't there. Not like Cabo, when I felt them in my back while standing on the beach. This was the first Iron distance race that I've entered that the Demons didn't catch up to me at some point. Did they have the wrong address? Where they still at IM Lake Placid from the week before?? No, they were out there in full force. I watched and observed them as athlete by athlete call it a day and grimace in pain. But they stayed clear of me.....Perhaps they took pity on me for enduring a year plus of back, spine, glute, hip and hamstring pain. So f*cking bizarre.<br />
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The months leading up to Boulder IM were filled with travel. It was none stop Engagement parties, bachelor parties, graduations, wedding showers, weddings, business trips. Take each of those events and pretty much multiply it by two, as Jessica and I are blessed to have family in New York and Louisiana equally eager to be a part of our special event. So, it was double the fun. What wasn't fun was the lack of training because if the increased back troubles, the lack of perceived results or getting better, the doubt that started to creep in my head of forgoing prolotherapy for the non invasive all natural slower healing process and gaining about 20 pounds during the span of this injury. Although I wrote those words in my last blog entry that I was going to participate in Boulder IM and just see how the day goes and I truly meant every one, I doubted that decision every day, 50 times over each and every day. I went back and forth a gazillion times on whether I should or shouldn't do IM Boulder 2016 even though deep down inside I wanted to try. I knew I was in trouble. The patience that Jessica showed to me and the number of times she heard my story over those last few weeks, would be unbearable to anyone else and she is a truly a saint to me. Mother Teresa was recently canonized but I think Jess deserves a strong runner up nomination. She supported me if I said I didn't think I could do it. She supported me if I said I wanted to go for it. I knew deep down she preferred that I didn't race but she wouldn't let on. She'd smile at me and tell me that she fully understands and supports my decision, no matter what it may be. Dang I think I ought to marry me this woman!!<br />
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With all the was set against me entering Boulder IM, I truly tried to do my best to juggle pain, healing, training, traveling, wedding planning, new home organizing and anything else that came my way. July1st was when I proclaimed to the world in my last blog entry that I was going to do Boulder IM. I was in the midst of very little training due to my back/spine. <br />
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As I look back on my Training Peaks calender I see a sea of Red. Red dates for all the workouts that I did not do. Prior to June 4th there was a few Green (good) or yellow (So So) training session sprinkled in but then June 4th came and The Colorado Sprint Tri was on my calendar. A sprint race that I almost quit midway through the bike because of the feeling I was having in my back. I felt that set me back months. I pretty much ceased training as I was instructed to allow pain be my guide as to how much I could or could not do. I did virtually nothing till July 10th when I tried my hand back in the water for a swim. The following week, I picked up the number of training opportunities as the month+ off seemed to allow the pain to leave enough to train again. <br />
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Saturday July 16th is a date that turned things around for me. I posted a BTC Saturday B ride and I went out for a ride with some great people. The following week I rode back and forth to work a few times and the next weekend I rode up and around Carter Lake with Boulder newbie Kerry. We had a great ride. I saw a ton of friends on this beautiful day out on the roads. It was great to be with Kerry as her newness and open eyes to our playground was refreshing and helped to remind me that I train and enter into Iron distance races for the pure joy and love of it all. <br />
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I was fortunate to lead a couple more weeks of BTC Saturday rides and with each week was reminded how much I love just getting out there and surrounding myself with great people. Kevin, Harvey, Kerry, Natalia, Ben, Eddie, Jennifer in particular went along for the rides. With each week and with each ride we'd discuss......"So, you gonna do Boulder IM?" <br />
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My confidence grew that I actually could and should start the race. The support around me from my fellow triathletes was pretty special. Although I hadn't made my decision, I was definitely more calm and sure about race day. I believed I had a strategy that would work for me. I believed I had the right mentality to go into Boulder IM. I had walked through it a billion times in my head, in Jessica's head and my fellow athletes heads. I knew I could follow my game plan. I was sure of that. There was one person however that I knew was not on the same page as myself and all for the right reasons. It was this person that I needed to have on my side and believe in me and what I believed. For without his blessing, it would have been extremely difficult for me to show up on race day morning. To this day, I do not know if I would have raced if he said not to, even though I can be pretty thick headed.<br />
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Coach Eric has been with me for my 2+ years of racing. The only tri coach I have known and trust explicitly, even though it may not always appear that way. (See thick headed comment above). He has coached me to cross 4 IM finish lines in 22 months with a DNF in attempt #5 because of my back seizing up at IM Cabo forcing me out of the race. He has watched my very slow progress in healing to try to get to another Ironman starting line. He knows of my of lack of training and how out of shape I am as compared to where you "should be". He taught me about the demons that are always out there looming. Would attempting to do IM Boulder set me back with all the work and most recently the progress I was finally starting to show? Why risk it and have to sit out for another year?? As a coach, does he view me as making a mockery of Ironman training? Does he see me as being reckless or wonder if I even care or do I just care about my ego? I don't know but I knew I needed his blessing and we needed to chat. It's the Thursday before the Ironman and I call EK on my drive home from work. Almost an hour goes by and we run through it all. My thoughts, his thoughts. The potential consequences of participating. The cost/benefits of starting this race. The typical ego of a racer. My thoughts on a race game plan/strategy. It wasn't a good conversation. To this athlete, it was a great one between himself and his coach. At the end of the conversation, I heard the words I have been craving to hear from Coach EK for weeks since I first brought up the idea of "I'm gonna go for it" like a young child seeking approval from his parents......."After an hour of talking, you've finally convinced me and I support the idea of you entering. IF and only IF you can execute the game plan we've just discussed". My reply....."Come on man, I had you at Hello." <br />
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A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders and I'm excited to share with Jess the news that I'm racing. I know she's heard it a billion times before but this would be the last. <br />
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T-minus 3 days to Boulder IM....but who's counting. #warriormode #letsdothis<br />
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-48382542552234361452016-07-01T09:31:00.002-07:002016-07-01T10:23:28.208-07:00How the Day May Go.........<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b>As I stood on the beach waiting for the race to begin, I was in pain. My lower back hurt and I wondered and thought what was I going to do. Suck it up and gut it out is what came to mind. You got all the way here. You raced Boulder IM injured, surely you can handle this race. Perhaps the swim and water would loosen up my back and I just needed to get moving rather than standing around, I convinced myself of that. Just work out the kinks and you'll be fine. Except I wasn't...... </b></i>Excerpt from</span>..<a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2016/01/los-cabos-imthe-race-that-wasnt.html">IM Cabo Race</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">That
was over 9 months ago and I think if I was to stand on that beach today, I
would say almost exactly the same thing. Progress has been slow since
that day. I've had enough, Boulder IM is quickly approaching and I now
feel like I am in the worst shape since I was age 2 ok maybe 3. Nah,
actually I was in pretty good shape back then. After trying everything
from voodoo dolls to lighting candles to bathing in chicken blood (not really,
I'm a Vegan after all) I decided to head to the Boulder Sports Medicine Clinic.
After testing muscular strength and flexibility they stated like others
before over the past year, every thing seems to be strong and flexible.
Let's take it up a notch and a peek inside to see what may be up, an MRI
was ordered on my spine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We came up with this....</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"Marty
doesn't have any signs or symptoms related to any nerve root irritation which
is great. Pain is aggravated with swimming (back extended) or with
transitions between biking and running (flexed to extended). Pain comes
and goes during the day as well from unknown causes. I think that this is an
instability with possible forward slippage of a vertebrae (possible), but again
without any radicular symptoms. Pain is central, however there is some
irritation along the SIJ bilaterally as well. Symptoms and tests all point to
instability and chronic irritation of the low back most likely L5/S1 and bilateral
SIJ."</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ms mincho";"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">At the end of the day, it was mentioned that it is probably
my iliolumbar ligaments...</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"I’m
leaning towards going after his ilio-lumbar ligaments as a plan of attack for
his back. He was really tender on the left side and moderately so on the
right one. I’ve had some great success with prolotherapy to those too if
things aren’t progressing."</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Ilio-Lumbar
Who???? </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
Pain is likely to arise in the lower lumbar spine and may be felt as occasional
stabbing attacks. This can be exacerbated by physical activity involving the
spine, e.g. twisting or bending, and long periods of sitting can also bring on
the pain. The area can be tender to the touch and your back might feel weaker
than usual. Painful attacks are often brought on by physical exercise
involving bending and twisting of the lumbar spine. </span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I'm
lucky that while participating and training for iron distance triathlons there
is no twisting of my lumbar spine while swimming or bending involved while
riding on a bike for 6+ hours. Sheeeeeeeesh.</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "arial";">Prolotherapy
whaaaa?????</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
In simple terms, Prolotherapy stimulates the body to repair
painful areas. It does so by inducing a mild inflammatory reaction in the
weakened ligaments and cartilage. Since the body heals by inflammation,
Prolotherapy stimulates healing.</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">So
the ligaments in my lower back/spine that feel like an occasional stabbing
attacks takes place can potentially be healed with injections into my spine
with a sugar water to induce inflammation by the injured ligaments so that my
body attacks the area and potentially heal it. </span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Got
it! Where do I sign up??</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Wait.....a
slight problem is that the guy writing this blog (me) doesn't even take an
aspirin when he has a head ache. Can I see myself laying on a table and
having a doctor inject my spine with a sugar water concoction?</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The
Miracle Worker at Red Hammer Rehab, Heather and I decided to forgo Prolotherapy
and attempt to work on it the natural way. This is also the much slower
route and with no promise of healing. Nothing in life is a promise and
there is something said to avoiding "quick fixes" in life.</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">As I
see it, here is where I am at......over a year ago, I decided to play kickball.
While taking off from 1st to 2nd with my explosive burst, I hurt my
hamstring. Hopefully I am not losing the sarcasm on anyone. Tears
in my hammy, a reoccurring injury for over 20 years and also a top 40 tune in
the late 70's. Here I am in the middle of race season so I continue to
train on it and in a little over 2 months later I participate in IM Boulder.
The path to get to IM Boulder wasn't without it's set backs from this
injury. My goal was to manage the injury to get across the finish line.
To the outside world, it appears that things start to fall apart for me
on the bike. Yet who knows what was going on in my body those previous 2
months. After the bike, I dismount Bella and I then walk hobble and jog
my way to the finish line. We are not done yet because after IM Boulder,
I continue to train with dead leg. Meaning my glutes stop firing and I
have no power from my upper right, hamstring injured, leg. So my hammy,
my glutes and now my lower back start to hurt. Fast forward another 2
months and I toe the line for IM Cabo. No one ever said I am the
sharpest knife in the drawer..... now we are back to the first few lines of
this blog standing on the beach. </span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It
has been over 5 months since I have last written in this blog. I truly
had no clue as to what to put down. I'm not a pity person and I didn't
and don't want to put words out there that would cause such. So I put no
words out there at all. I avoided it. But through all this time, I
realize that you can't ignore it for ever. Not writing about it doesn't
make it go away. I'm tired. I'm tired about avoiding it yet on the
same hand I'm tired about talking about my injury. I'm tired of trying to
figure out exactly what is wrong and when will it get better. I'm tired
of working on it for over a year. I'm tired of spectating and
speculating. I'm tired of having gained over 20 pounds since I stopped
training to "give it a rest and slowly get back into it". I
miss swimming, biking and running. I miss that beaming smile on my face
and laughing while doing such. I miss high fiving spectators and screaming
"More cowbell". I miss seeing my teammates out on the course
and the Tri Community in general. I miss that feeling of being alive and
squeezing every moment out of life that I possibly can while participating in
Iron Distance training and events. </span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Maybe
this entry is meant to be a place for me to just vent. If I didn't know
it already I am not a good spectator of life, I am not a good excuse maker, I'm
not a good ventor, I am not a good patient. Suck it up butter cup and get
back out there is more my speed in life.</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here
we stand 36 Days....7 hours....1 minute....1 second until until August 7th.
The day of Ironman Boulder. I know, I have no right to even think
that I could/should participate in IM Boulder. I know that the thought
that I could complete 140.6 with the lack of training and condition that I am
in is preposterous. I am not even in normal "Martyshape" let
along Marty Competing in an IM Shape. I know it. Deep to my core I
know it. "Wait a minute, what are you saying here?" "Are you even contemplating....?" "Marty, surely you must be kidding?" I'm not.
I know that I am tempting the IM Gods and they think I am making a
mockery of them. But I am not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Coach Eric, once told me that the
Demons will always get you. It is not a matter of <b>if </b>they will get
you but only when. Our goal as coach/athlete is to try to not have them
get you till the end of the race or as close to the finish line as possible.
I know on August 7th, those Demons will get me much closer to the
starting line then that of the finish line. For all the reasons I know I
have no right and should not be able to complete IM Boulder '16, I also know
that I should try. What do I have to lose? I feel very confidant in
the knowledge that I will not cause any permanent damage to my back and spine
by attempting Boulder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In meeting up with Miracle Worker Heather last
week, we discussed the race and my health. We discussed what gives me joy
and why I participate in IMs in the first place. I am not chasing Kona or
attempting to make a name for myself as many of my teammates are. I love
them for that and their achievements, drive and determination give me great joy
and satisfaction. I'm just a guy who really really enjoys the comradery
of racing and being out there with his peers. I want to do my best and I
enjoy surrounding myself with others willing to take that first and that last
step in pursuit of their dreams. Quite simply, the entrance fee has
already been paid. I shelled out the dough and I can't get my 750 or so
clams back. I figure I might as well have the most expensive training day
out there. I hope that this particular training day will take me 142.6
miles to the finish line. I tack on the 2 extra miles for the way I swim.
I know that most likely, I wont have the chance to turn up 13th St. in
downtown Boulder and fly to the finish. Some may say with a defeatist
attitude like that, there is no way I will cross the finish line. Well, I
laugh in their faces. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop76iJYCkXxPOQIDR12QGBdHhUgz7xipZXMDwKHLb3USqDzvl3ZFUynVo9ZX_mKUKfTzJ0Kype2Quf9Q61k0T7IzZ9QJEYdV7hE6dGS__12LVYRUyjlmr3e7aFWCSGLCrgIU-nkApH1YO/s1600/demon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop76iJYCkXxPOQIDR12QGBdHhUgz7xipZXMDwKHLb3USqDzvl3ZFUynVo9ZX_mKUKfTzJ0Kype2Quf9Q61k0T7IzZ9QJEYdV7hE6dGS__12LVYRUyjlmr3e7aFWCSGLCrgIU-nkApH1YO/s200/demon.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d8CwSbbcpIz8MWwq0_rnSaB2oPeONQigAJr8-JIktcVe1hs0cXKsd1Cgji6h0SZR6WhrLwU_MBaiG2AcSv7hNCd78qzdChebPKgdIFi2TZkj0D7mdiO5Sf007nxt-UselrAMGasdvNlm/s1600/belial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d8CwSbbcpIz8MWwq0_rnSaB2oPeONQigAJr8-JIktcVe1hs0cXKsd1Cgji6h0SZR6WhrLwU_MBaiG2AcSv7hNCd78qzdChebPKgdIFi2TZkj0D7mdiO5Sf007nxt-UselrAMGasdvNlm/s200/belial.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Those demons surely will get hold of me early on.
In Cabo those buggers were waiting for me on the beach even before I got
in the water. Perhaps I will again see them before the swim on the shores
of the reservoir or perhaps after making the first set of turns at the big
orange buoy or maybe I could avoid them until standing up after getting out of
the water and getting back on my feet. Who knows? My plan as of
this second is to swim 2.4 miles. Get out of the water preferably before
the cut off. Assess the situation. Stretch, get into child’s pose,
hydrate, smile, high five people, maybe sing a song, see my beautiful fiancée
and give her a kiss. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGovtsQQ_MZjByGgKw9LIpx82sW6KLMboPq3oXFF1iofeh-1OvlQRJIp0nbmO9Uw6R_1rRSEQY03DnqPqSalxrS_RAElR_BMxdFPJRrwSG9OPFaiZRLHUkZX_zCMPPyN_JOFsAlbSnPid_/s1600/IMG_1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGovtsQQ_MZjByGgKw9LIpx82sW6KLMboPq3oXFF1iofeh-1OvlQRJIp0nbmO9Uw6R_1rRSEQY03DnqPqSalxrS_RAElR_BMxdFPJRrwSG9OPFaiZRLHUkZX_zCMPPyN_JOFsAlbSnPid_/s320/IMG_1976.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">If the situation is right, I'll pry myself out of
the wetsuit and squeeze my pregnant like belly into my 303 Triathlon gear and
head out for a 112-mile bike ride along beautiful Boulder Country roads.
Let each mile unfold as it may. I may finish the 112 miles before
the cut off (fingers crossed) or I may call it day as I am zipping down Neva
Rd. I think this is where the real test of my back and spine will occur.
If the Demos were knocking on the door while swimming, I expect them to
be knocking it down with sledgehammers during the ride. During an attempt
at a sprint race a few weeks ago, those demons were pounding about 10 miles
into the bike. I know that I will have a hard time riding on Bella.
If we are so fortunate to do the math correctly and I'm able to bring her
to rest at the bike corral, I will go through the process much like after the
swim. Laying down rolling out the back, singing a diddy or two, hydrating
and determine if I have 26.2 miles left in the back. Will I have enough
of time to walk a marathon? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcyK4f3F75A0t0tKSiIU-9JkZYsWcVZHe_iXSsCBEzpFfARRoGDDxJbgj_xyHGJ7hSpWEudJ8EH3Tlxq3E-NTWqqq5a5vIqPppk-0f7x_L2hTYaG7z8tYoMAE6mb_uBn_NYPcgis125IR/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcyK4f3F75A0t0tKSiIU-9JkZYsWcVZHe_iXSsCBEzpFfARRoGDDxJbgj_xyHGJ7hSpWEudJ8EH3Tlxq3E-NTWqqq5a5vIqPppk-0f7x_L2hTYaG7z8tYoMAE6mb_uBn_NYPcgis125IR/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="232" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Get to the finish line before the clock
strikes 12? I truly anticipate loving every second of this adventure. Being in
the moment for every step I take and appreciate all that is around me. I
wont be the happy idiot oblivious to all. I'll be going through that
thought process of another DNF. The possibility of having to quit.
The thought that, man I am going really slow out here. That guy 300
pounds heavier, smoking cigarettes and wearing jeans just passed me like I was
standing still. It will be tough to see people spectating and cheering me on to
give more and the feeling I am letting them down. How long can I deal
with that stabbing in my back? How long can I play with those demons
before they do their victory dance over me? Will they have their victory
dance on me?</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I believe I
will give each stroke, each peddle and each stride my full ability of the day
and if I am so fortunate to have Mike Reilly call me an Ironman for the 5th
time then that would be f*cking great. BUT even if by lunchtime, I am sitting
on my back porch with Rugger, Mocca at my feet, Jess by my side, Jacob in his room watching The Walking Dead and a Captain
and Ginger in hand while Banana Pancakes is playing on Pandora, I know that I am
truly blessed. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aT4UANr7f-eFrqmF6GyZr6XrI8e4e72kxzMVU4_W_PVhHs4Y8PGoXh82CofRYrb_0Yt1LvZNihgVuO2t7eiluE6ikMH49J2MH-znnHJWp7ZTVJFEL35db2Aiz8cCGeWkbE46K4O1IHZg/s1600/IMG_2207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aT4UANr7f-eFrqmF6GyZr6XrI8e4e72kxzMVU4_W_PVhHs4Y8PGoXh82CofRYrb_0Yt1LvZNihgVuO2t7eiluE6ikMH49J2MH-znnHJWp7ZTVJFEL35db2Aiz8cCGeWkbE46K4O1IHZg/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I envision that this is how my day may go......for right now at least. ;-) #warriormode</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-1159087675892919872016-01-15T15:02:00.004-08:002016-01-15T16:27:19.446-08:00Los Cabos IM....The Race that wasn't<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I've been struggling to put pen to paper for this update and report but figure it has to happen sooner or later so here we go. Where to begin is difficult enough, as quite a bit has gone on in my life over the since my last blog entry. This blog was set up to be about the steps and the journey and the chapters of my life. Though the vast majority has had something to do with racing and my venture into the world of Ironman triathlons. Well, my life has had some absolutely beautiful turns and some fantastic steps have been taken along my path. My training, my racing, my Ironman journeys on the other hand not so much. Which do I write about and what direction do I go? A large part of me wants to forget about the #Drive4Five, IM Cabo part of this journey. But, that stop over in Cabo part of my path is where she said "Yes"and the beginning of truly having someone to walk besides. I can't deny that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FfAQZDmzOuZ9_7Du4iyOjLPhT1yAHDzvaJJEE3tRonfX7rAy0jQziKL8J7rjgTGlsOblCBktWFmcahoBUCoj1TIDW8H5SSmdlS0sF5ivw1GJHKiNLGNbs7XMB7e5jVl4cfryrfEMUy74/s1600/IMG_2263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FfAQZDmzOuZ9_7Du4iyOjLPhT1yAHDzvaJJEE3tRonfX7rAy0jQziKL8J7rjgTGlsOblCBktWFmcahoBUCoj1TIDW8H5SSmdlS0sF5ivw1GJHKiNLGNbs7XMB7e5jVl4cfryrfEMUy74/s320/IMG_2263.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of magic was made in Cabo</td></tr>
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A lot of what I would write about leading up to IM Cabo would be "bitching". I don't do bitching very well. I'm not typically a complainer. The stars were definitely not aligned for me to have a good race and I could not will myself through this one. I was and still am nursing this damn hip, hammy, glute lower back injury that occurred prior to Boulder. I figured since I was able to suck it up and make it through Boulder, my body would be able to do the same in Cabo. I trained pretty diligently and followed the game plan in those 2 months between races. I sat in steam rooms and saunas to acclimate myself. Spent hours doing "The Foundation" to strengthen my ailing muscle groups as prescribed by a therapist. The normatech boots were almost a daily ritual and hours were spent with Darcie pounding out the knots. In my head, I did what I thought I best could do to be ready for race day. A week or two prior to leaving for the race, I went out on an easy run with Jess and her Dad. My back really started to ache about 3/4's into the jog. The following day my quads were as tight as could be and hurt. This was a new one as thus far all my discomfort was felt on the posterior part of my body. I ignored this pain as I wasn't really sure if there was anything I could do about it at this point. Continual sessions were scheduled for me to lay out on the table so that Darcie can help get rid of what was going on. I landed in Cabo 2 days prior to the race with a buffer in hand to continue to try and keep my muscles firing and not shutting down. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a little butt buffing to stimulate the glutes</td></tr>
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I spent two days running around to get myself registered and take care of the race logistics. I would have to say this was the worst organized IM race that I have seen. There appeared to be more questions then answers for many of the racers regarding race logistics, the actual race course and the entire registration process.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tradition of wearing last IM Finishers Shirt to Registration</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our favorite places.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed and ready to go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting Bella in her spot for the night</td></tr>
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As I walked around from gear drop to swim practice to bike check in, my body and hence my mind were really not in the game. I felt like I was on my feet a bit more than normal pre race, I was sweating quite a bit as it was hot out and it felt like there was always something to do. For those distractions I made sure I ate well, slept well, packed well and took care of those things that were within my control. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxbWyuC-Qz9OgW0s49GfYgYWMZu10p5A8vskrr4aajSFGoV0oIKIEz5rdSSeqCJ87KWX51KSLdw3NQNIk-K1seNxZsXy3THxTfh-8PpE5_VaQB79h1Lz3smlPQ_u03SBpa_3VRS0bd-fP/s1600/IMG_2198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxbWyuC-Qz9OgW0s49GfYgYWMZu10p5A8vskrr4aajSFGoV0oIKIEz5rdSSeqCJ87KWX51KSLdw3NQNIk-K1seNxZsXy3THxTfh-8PpE5_VaQB79h1Lz3smlPQ_u03SBpa_3VRS0bd-fP/s320/IMG_2198.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to alter the traditional pre race meal in Mexico</td></tr>
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I was organized and ready for the race in that sense and with exception for an upside down 3 on my arm all appeared to be good to go from the outside. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyAEbZOMvGNH7uenHEnmuTNsrvVAZjx-iY5PiW6E926hVfVGfetwlRf0gpTHLfH4mAZ_BDjTVoTaGbrz5lF_P4Y1s71zb72Vdld_1Wei0Ez3Zo8jD1NT-7qxRP5lry3YJSIgyxleCcwg/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyAEbZOMvGNH7uenHEnmuTNsrvVAZjx-iY5PiW6E926hVfVGfetwlRf0gpTHLfH4mAZ_BDjTVoTaGbrz5lF_P4Y1s71zb72Vdld_1Wei0Ez3Zo8jD1NT-7qxRP5lry3YJSIgyxleCcwg/s320/IMG_2201.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the?? </td></tr>
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As I stood on the beach watching the 70.3 race take off, I was in pain. (The full and 1/2 both took place on the same day) My lower back hurt and I wondered and thought what was I going to do. Suck it up and gut it out is what came to mind. You got all the way here. You raced Boulder IM injured, surely you can handle this race. Perhaps the swim and water would loosen up my back and I just needed to get moving rather than standing around, I convinced myself of that. Just work out the kinks and you'll be fine. Except I wasn't.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvepLxOc4jcQ6PBnvW4futp1FCEVdNuznwerXw6dUXf0aJoqb6wiYhGEaivvH4WuTaWDTGsO3i-CA3xQtflmHh8Yc7ApyvV3mmqAilolMN8WvYYe9UUY-lu7ti21ws0BpwBmKTdNv2E8pF/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvepLxOc4jcQ6PBnvW4futp1FCEVdNuznwerXw6dUXf0aJoqb6wiYhGEaivvH4WuTaWDTGsO3i-CA3xQtflmHh8Yc7ApyvV3mmqAilolMN8WvYYe9UUY-lu7ti21ws0BpwBmKTdNv2E8pF/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging Loose....Tight</td></tr>
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I spent my typical 15-20 minutes to try and get my watch ready for the race. Making sure it was on multi sport. Making sure all the screen displays are as I want. Making sure that I have the GPS satellites all aligned and making sure I press the right buttons to work it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj-OCl4MNdkc094Q76DYHbO_03rD1hLJXMtRdoHqYm3iJhTz85pg8PH9LUBVhzE1X9anaKDkNsny5rfJIoW618PJUoEEuFH2xrfTLI80RlVMTsSGW4YwquzqDOVed8KIPdEVtvcG2hfJV/s1600/12045396_10208132516533540_7775933068452749421_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj-OCl4MNdkc094Q76DYHbO_03rD1hLJXMtRdoHqYm3iJhTz85pg8PH9LUBVhzE1X9anaKDkNsny5rfJIoW618PJUoEEuFH2xrfTLI80RlVMTsSGW4YwquzqDOVed8KIPdEVtvcG2hfJV/s320/12045396_10208132516533540_7775933068452749421_o.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is Kenny when you need him??</td></tr>
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Jess and I took cover in any shade we could find until it was time for those racing the Full IM needed to line the beach. One last kiss and away I went. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFnlZci3dchrgDyqvAB5tQRD2TTjevyZbgwZJNCn5-o7Pe9jXacDGuzDmyjvDylVNA11-8XH0OBcOutfAIdL6ilau1lvrPHZ-iPyVE7XEvQ3s-wPtWOiVc102KZyapJLlC6X2EKEVKR31/s1600/Swim+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFnlZci3dchrgDyqvAB5tQRD2TTjevyZbgwZJNCn5-o7Pe9jXacDGuzDmyjvDylVNA11-8XH0OBcOutfAIdL6ilau1lvrPHZ-iPyVE7XEvQ3s-wPtWOiVc102KZyapJLlC6X2EKEVKR31/s320/Swim+Start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking waves at the start</td></tr>
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The gun went off and I timed my departure from the beach into the crashing waves. Memories of a growing up on the ocean and boogy boarding and surfing went through my head and I was off without a hitch as other struggled running into the crashing waves and the tide. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPyshfGD-i4W36Gv-ZZ2IfahMtidCL-Dcx3W3ZYSRpCOgz41YERXN5UmdJpyfiz9zkvPV7HM_L0Wd0Zs3h50G7JpeQvVYW8i73AOT_Rxw9QBio1ni74YFWABdvVGenp1Cam0H2-q13Ih/s1600/IMG_1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPyshfGD-i4W36Gv-ZZ2IfahMtidCL-Dcx3W3ZYSRpCOgz41YERXN5UmdJpyfiz9zkvPV7HM_L0Wd0Zs3h50G7JpeQvVYW8i73AOT_Rxw9QBio1ni74YFWABdvVGenp1Cam0H2-q13Ih/s320/IMG_1973.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice day to be out in the ocean</td></tr>
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I took off without much concern. I had my line that I was going to follow to get out to the buoys. I looked for open space to get a rhythm and started strong. I then eased on my kicks and concentrated on rotating my body. I kept waiting and shifting around for my back to loosen up but it never happened. After the 2nd buoy I seemed to spend the vast majority of the swim with this rather large man to my right. With the entire ocean in front of us, I had to share much of my hour plus with this herculean young gun. I took a shot to face at one point and was happy I didn't loose my goggles but it pushed it into my eyeball and I had to work against that suction to free myself up a bit. Keep moving and don't panic. Thoughts of an "accidental" retaliation came to mind but Coach E came to mind in keep moving. "Be the Distraction, don't get distracted" Undeterred I continued to hug the inside of the buoys and only found myself perpendicular to the rest of the swimmers a few times. I ignored the pain in my lower back for the most part and concentrated on breathing and moving. I'd look for feet so that I could hang off of and then if the pace wasn't right I'd move along. A few left turns around a couple more buoys and I was on my way back to shore. The exit out of the water would be as important as entering the water. As I was spotting ahead I could see more than a few folks have their knees taken out from under them from the crashing waves. Back to 7th grade, in my mind and I was body surfing along the coast of Long Island at Atlantique. Yes, I've caught a nice one. Wheeeeeee ride it it. Hop up and don't let the undertow pull you back out. Sweet. That was fun and I was right in stride. Let's do it again, Let's do it again I thought. This was fun!! Out of the water and towards the transitions area. I spotted Jess and was able to get another quick kiss in. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did have some fun!</td></tr>
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I grabbed my gear bag and headed into the changing tent. I made sure to ingest a decent amount of fluid as it was warming up out here. My new Rudy Project helmet on. Glasses on. Lotion on. Desoto Sports Wings on. Dang, I noticed people putting their race bids on. Mine was in my running gear bag, oh well. Glide on. Eww it was already melting and with all the sand around, I lathered the glide paste mixed with sand on my feet. I was certainly getting plenty of that sand in my shoes. Shoes on. I ran out for my bike realizing that a ton of sand was now entering my shoes and all over my feet. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPUsC72cxCgcybwCAO3lNDndfRl1_QBueCUpfeT4sl17TTXfL0RYBw-iKj3KG5eF7bsqAR0MbQ3gF0MJrrjE7OWTkLvWKvjix8krlyJqwSN6HZhjCBkd54SxRMpa7YZXnHrLRxgA5tnSU/s1600/IMG_1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPUsC72cxCgcybwCAO3lNDndfRl1_QBueCUpfeT4sl17TTXfL0RYBw-iKj3KG5eF7bsqAR0MbQ3gF0MJrrjE7OWTkLvWKvjix8krlyJqwSN6HZhjCBkd54SxRMpa7YZXnHrLRxgA5tnSU/s320/IMG_1978.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hi Jess!"</td></tr>
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I looked around at the other racers to see how they were handling it. Did they have their shoes and socks on? Yep. Ok let's go. I grabbed Bella off the rack and carried her as I did not want sand on her chain to the road. I then leaned her against a wall and sat on the ground. I took my shoes off, as I have a history of having chopped hamburger meat feet in tropical climate races, Take the 5 minutes to correct an issue that will cost you potentially hours later I thought. I continued to wipe my feet off best I could and literally poured the sand out of my shoes. I didn't understand how there wasn't a line of people doing the same thing. This was seriously mind blowing to me. Oh well, I can't worry about them and continued to dump the sand out of my shoes and off my feet and finally I peddled away.</div>
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Coming out of transition was a steep hill from the water to the main highway. I granny geared it and took my time looking to make sure I was on top of my power and not blowing up. Well, that was my intention. I looked at my watch and like in Fortaleza, I was not showing any power readings on my watch. Here I am 2 minutes or 1 mile into the bike and I have no reading for my power. Sh*t. Here we go again. It's crazy that we learn to use and trust technology. I spend hours upon hours of training on Bella always being mindful of my power. At the right power, in theory, you can ride forever. I get to the top of the hill, pull over and hop off Bella. I give a quick inspection to my power meter. Yet everything is aligned and on the bike. I open the cover and remove the battery and replace it back in. This battery is less then 6 months old. No reason for the meter not to be working. I get back onto Bella and ride away. I then peddle backwards to try and reset the meter but to no avail. Not much I can do at this point. Looks like another Ironman of riding blind and just going off of feel.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollers most of the ride</td></tr>
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The bike section was a course of rolling hills. From the swim we peddled to Cabo San Lucas turned around and back towards San Jose Del Cabo. For much of this section, I was feeling ok. Not great but not horrible. I was definitely in work mode and managing the pain I was experiencing in my back. I would shift around in the saddle alot. Especially heading back from San Lucas. It was at this point I could see all the racers that were behind me, coming at me and then eventually passing me. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several out and backs allowed you to see where you stand</td></tr>
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The time it took for them to hit the turn around and ride by we was getting shorter although I was peddling away from the turnaround. My power and speed seemed to all but disappear. 18mph...17mph...15mph...to 14mph. I then got off the bike for my first time to try and stretch out my lower back. Soon after my first bit of stretching I saw fellow Coloradoan Wendy ride by. I got to the Y intersection where I saw Jess and Karen rooting and cheering me on. I crossed over my fellow racers for yet another kiss and then decided it was time to get off the bike again for a stretch.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left changing lanes blinker on, I'm coming in for a kiss</td></tr>
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I laid on the ground under a few palm trees and again tried to twist out the back. This seemed to relieve the pain for a little bit. A quick out and back to the Y and another kiss.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGCGy1vHy2HB8fMswLs7uHVNZwWvB5gEeEkiPIB5HgZ0PXaD_AkPkZkmIux1RUbKq-jIAwH7puXfs4AGOiIu3qAYbUmhtX7RmlPBbVCNcJUtq82J2jK5vuUTKYUAmgxArUVXF4on05Hnx/s1600/IMG_1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGCGy1vHy2HB8fMswLs7uHVNZwWvB5gEeEkiPIB5HgZ0PXaD_AkPkZkmIux1RUbKq-jIAwH7puXfs4AGOiIu3qAYbUmhtX7RmlPBbVCNcJUtq82J2jK5vuUTKYUAmgxArUVXF4on05Hnx/s320/IMG_1984.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I come</td></tr>
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The next section of the race was not fun and nothing like I've experienced while participating in IM events. The next section of the course was a long desolate stretch to the airport and back with a decent amount of climbing. I noticed in this section that less and less people were passing me. I realized that I was starting to slip to the back of the race. I was now averaging close to 11MPH. With every underpass that I came upon on this stretch, I would stop to stretch. I would run into other racers that were done, seeking protection from the hot sun in the shade from the road above. Some were crying, some almost incoherent, some with just a blank desolate stare on their faces. I almost could not believe that I was here witnessing and experienceing this.</div>
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At the airport turnaround, I came across another male racer and we shared a few stories. He told me how he was out on the side of the road for close to 30 minutes and was feeling a little better to try and push on. We rode together for a spell when I noticed that we were starting to get passed by racers. I realized that these were racers that were on their second lap of this two lap bike course. I wasn't even finished with lap one and the leaders were now passing me by. I then noticed several ambulances out on the course on the other side of the highway, picking up the scattered bodies, I had left behind seeking shade. We came upon the next water station and that is where my partner for the last few miles remained. "I'm done" he said. "I'll wait for the meat wagon to come get me." We bid each other farewell and off I went. Every water station, every chance of shade, I was off my bike and trying to work my back out and in. I rode standing up. I rode tucked. I rode sitting upright. I altered my body in every contortionist position humanly possible to make it a few more feet then I'd alter my body position again as to best not have this pain in my lower back. I started to do the math I was approaching the 1/2 way point on the bike and I was in and out of the saddle for 5 hours. I had slowed down to single digits and wasn't picking up any speed any time soon. That meant lap number two would be 6, 7 hours?? No F*cking way. I was all alone and I believe the last bike riding on the course. I have never been in this position. What has happened? What is going on? What do I do? I approached the Y intersection again where Jess and Karen were nervously awaiting my return.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRAGRhs-MVAfwAHmDFfNkrzCerjD8l7AmtMegdb-wLOagXseCpwpgxwFI26N_1gCbW2CpL8aj3sJSmWv3ovTMR3jb7siGwL5xtVdsiQcRycgrWyampnq4-_SPIwCYKVtYBPatE2MFDk83/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRAGRhs-MVAfwAHmDFfNkrzCerjD8l7AmtMegdb-wLOagXseCpwpgxwFI26N_1gCbW2CpL8aj3sJSmWv3ovTMR3jb7siGwL5xtVdsiQcRycgrWyampnq4-_SPIwCYKVtYBPatE2MFDk83/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Alone at the end of the ride.</td></tr>
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I got off Bella. I didn't know what to do. Karen is a coach, Wendy's Coach and an IM Competitor as well. I was hoping their would be some pearls of wisdom she could share with me. Or some magic secret that perhaps I didn't know about that could get me through this race or maybe I was lookng for someone who could give me permission to drop out. The numbers just did not add up. Meaning, there was no way, I was going to make the cut off from the bike to the run. I found out I had 3 more hours until the bike cut off yet it took me 5+ hours to complete lap #1. How was I going to do lap #2 in 3 hours???? Virtually impossible. I kept trying to trick my mind that it could work but the numbers didn't lie. Jess the ultimate supporter, was a champion in supporting me and whatever decision I would come to. I ran through the numbers for the billionth time and it didn't change. 3 hours till cut off. It just took me 5 hours to complete one lap. Can I cut two hours off of what I just did?? As we were standing there trying to figure out what to do, the race personnel put cones across the road and the course just behind me was closed. I was 5 minutes ahead of that cutoff. Seriously, I am in last place, the last man standing. I was the last person on the course and anyone behind me was officially done. I've read articles about this. An ambulance passed us by with the carnage of people I spent the last 3+ hours riding and talking with. Our hotel was a block away from this Y intersection or I could start the long out and back toward Cabo San Lucas again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOIW98b0IHUOYNbs7a2iXo1k5dhKJ6sqOJZpIGKVjIb0eE1UTiws5fdvWM88FTYucpYeBuCht7oZi9wZAXSJ6Yd_SuDgfhUl2I9caZZwdfjAHY83Q8hi7KGxUSYla7IbXTo95jbLFSoBH/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOIW98b0IHUOYNbs7a2iXo1k5dhKJ6sqOJZpIGKVjIb0eE1UTiws5fdvWM88FTYucpYeBuCht7oZi9wZAXSJ6Yd_SuDgfhUl2I9caZZwdfjAHY83Q8hi7KGxUSYla7IbXTo95jbLFSoBH/s320/bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went over to the race personnel and gave him my name and bib number. I was taking myself out. I know a lot of family and friends were following me and I am sure many were nervous with my times and could figure out something was wrong. I went back into the hotel room and took to social media</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ummmmmm.....What happened??<br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><b>FaceBook post: </b> OK.....so time for a first......I took myself out of a race. Many of you know the woes I have been having with my leg, back, hip and glutes since before IM Boulder. I have been giving them all a ton of attention to try and ready myself for IM #5. I went into the swim with my back hurting but was hoping it would loosen up. It didn't. A decent swim and then onto the bike where it seized up on m</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">e at about mile 15. My pace was as slow as a snail. I had to get off the bike a few times to try and stretch it out but it just would not work itself out. Just past the midway point on the bike I made the cutoff by 5 minutes. Quick math showed there was no way I would finish the bike in time to begin the run at the pace I was going. So after 5 hours of struggling on the bike to get it together, I realized today was not going to be my day. I pulled a Rinny and dropped out on the bike due to back troubles. So now I will take the rest of this week to enjoy myself with Jess and be thankful for all the wonderful things I am blessed with in my life. This burns and I am sure it will for some time to come BUT that is life and just another step along my path. I appreciate all the love and support you all have bestowed on me and as Coach Eric just texted me" This race doesn't define who you are". So now I will rest up, heal and #5 will happen soon enough. Looking forards to the off season to come back stronger than ever. We've got some work to do <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002586508838&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/erin.carson.7" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Erin</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=5803711&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.quirion.1" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Amy</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=135600456&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/darcie.jones.75" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Darcie</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1065246923&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/coachek" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Eric</a> and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=631045553&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/heather.s.north" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Heather</a>.</span></i></div>
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What to do next?? I showered and went to lunch with Jess. My traditional post race Bloody Mary was replaced with a Captain and Ginger. A smile and appreciation was on my face and in my heart.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When life hands you limes, cut them up as a garnish and put them in your drink!</td></tr>
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The outcry of support was intense for me in the minutes, hours and days following the race. The bottom line is I fell short of my Drive 4 Five and 5 complete Ironman races in my first 22 months of triathaloning. I am not sure I ever quit or pulled myself out of anything in my life before. I certainly never even gave it a thought that this would happen to me. After I did I first IM in Cozumel 22 month earlier, I thought there would never be a reason why I couldn't finish a race. To date, I still struggle with that idea. I didn't finish. I pulled myself out. That's not me, that's some other guy. I think that may be the reason why it has taken me soo long to sit down and write about it. If I don't write about it, it didn't happen right?? But......it did happen and it definitely doesn't define me as a person. I know that and I'm ready to move on.</div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-59403447550858423912015-09-03T09:44:00.003-07:002015-09-09T08:56:58.608-07:00Drive 4 Five<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A month just passed since I took my traditional "Flight to the Finish" and drank my traditional post race Bloody Mary with Team Marty after Ironman Boulder 2015,</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAaXJf6kuNHFApbnI1VPQd4MTYXUi-2U93U-doELKuax2oCN3O398d4qVG6WPNSTMDI3j5hVP9Onw3bsrhEx9itxMctHuuACTiry6XVMJDEDGM9Cdx1iG-oEQXVntxKVwJ-eWU-AcWoAx/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAaXJf6kuNHFApbnI1VPQd4MTYXUi-2U93U-doELKuax2oCN3O398d4qVG6WPNSTMDI3j5hVP9Onw3bsrhEx9itxMctHuuACTiry6XVMJDEDGM9Cdx1iG-oEQXVntxKVwJ-eWU-AcWoAx/s320/IMG_1930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, let's get our Bloody Mary!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had ice on my knee and shared stories and laughs with the gang of the days ocurances. I ordered a monster dish of Udon Noodles in a Spicy Peanut Sauce. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Jess and I shared an order of Crispy Brussel Sprouts to start and after that, I was finished. It was delicious but I was crashing. I practiced post race hydration with water, vodka and tomato juice and a bunch of veggies on a stir stick and now I needed a bed. I asked for a to go container as I knew those noodles would be devoured soon enough. I said my goodbyes and thanks to the gang for spending this last part of the journey with me. We went back to Chris & Erin's to lay our heads for the night. After a few hours of rest it was off to meet up with my Cousin Loren and Karen<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>down in Denver for Brunch and a send off before they caught a plane back to New York. As great as it was to see them at the race it was equally better to relive the experience with everyone at Brunch. Sharing stories of the day from Team Marty's perspective, hearing about Loren holding up a "We Love You" sign during the race and that racers were blowing him kisses and such as they passed by. Team Marty truly had a sense of their contribution not only to me but to the hundreds of racers whose lives they touched and the impact they made along the course. We were peeing in our pants and my face hurt from smiling and laughing so much with the various tales of the day. What a great way to decompress after the race. Back to the house to have a post Brunch snack and finish off those Noodles. My appetite was in full gear. Later in the day we took Dad to the airport for his midnight red eye flight back to New York and we held onto Mom for a few more precious enjoyable days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg01JZLNnLuGRvFhjLmLj_Sxu5T3r1NPNmsP7gAmBQKuh3FQQ1um0sBr_ccyH57ZjbAGtX5SXykyGkP-QSXi5MJkPlDtuo8Tt2M7nSMWQ4nI5342OIRfEXqMJja86rIigOMK0HtKLCqp9/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg01JZLNnLuGRvFhjLmLj_Sxu5T3r1NPNmsP7gAmBQKuh3FQQ1um0sBr_ccyH57ZjbAGtX5SXykyGkP-QSXi5MJkPlDtuo8Tt2M7nSMWQ4nI5342OIRfEXqMJja86rIigOMK0HtKLCqp9/s200/IMG_1894.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once Mom left it was time to get back to work. First order of business was to look into taking care of this leg. I set up an appointment to have Jeff Hoobler look at it. Jeff, amongst other things, is a M.A.T Therapist (Muscle Activation Technique) I knew my muscles weren't firing in my right leg and Coach Eric highly recommended that I see him. That meeting wasn't going to occur for another week so it the meantime....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got out on my bike.....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6gqGYYCWT3A7k9KWQzbiMEBjJTaHmke3021iSM_bM1BjVOIvFrcrZ0CyQtE7FMKyKrb2AtLYpIhwhX8fMMBR4Bw1w_f-Bh0zxNxP0deirH-Id7VKnNLqzLIC8UWppIFCnBEOuT_vYDcQ/s1600/IMG_1901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6gqGYYCWT3A7k9KWQzbiMEBjJTaHmke3021iSM_bM1BjVOIvFrcrZ0CyQtE7FMKyKrb2AtLYpIhwhX8fMMBR4Bw1w_f-Bh0zxNxP0deirH-Id7VKnNLqzLIC8UWppIFCnBEOuT_vYDcQ/s320/IMG_1901.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supporting my new Boulder IM Jersey.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hit the pool....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Non impact movement</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and sat in the boots.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1dn42d9rDy95U0qWxuFyILW5DdFQ0u8Tgcc18ILzROKyRpmKpsuiA8l_Yz3rHFq13Z55nEgW0_xbJe_oklRguw8e15rOFV_PFJZ9s5xazguIdMExEdwJdhHSzdIcvuIneiWeI9pezhX4/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1dn42d9rDy95U0qWxuFyILW5DdFQ0u8Tgcc18ILzROKyRpmKpsuiA8l_Yz3rHFq13Z55nEgW0_xbJe_oklRguw8e15rOFV_PFJZ9s5xazguIdMExEdwJdhHSzdIcvuIneiWeI9pezhX4/s320/IMG_1887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite places to nap</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday came and Jeff and I met. It is here where we discussed my hamstring not firing. Without getting too much into it and showing off what my billion Dollar College Degree in Sports Medicine paid for let's just say that the repeated trauma, multiple tears over the years, to the same area of my Hamstring muscle caused my body to want to protect itself so the Central Nervous System detects this stresor and as a defense mechanism, inhibits the ability of the muscle to contract. So my body by trying to protect itself from further damage in a sense has shut down. By my Hamstring shutting down the surrounding muscles (Glutes, Quads, Lower back) cannot work to their full capabilities and then the left side tries to compensate and that begins to hurt and shut down as well. It is a system of muscles that need help not just my hamstring. My body is producing a protective mechanism to keep my body from moving into a position of weakness or vulnerability. My goal is to eliminate this "tightness" by simply restoring my muscle's ability to contract and fire again. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get that?? It is unknown to myself at this time, how long it will take about 20 years <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(1st time I tore my Hamstring)</span> of this tightness and weakness to stabilize and have a balanced functioning leg. I'm pretty stoked to see the difference <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(if any)</span> in my performance once I get this sorted out. Two weeks after Ironman Boulder I participated in the Steamboat Triathlon. I did the Sprint Distance Course. I love heading up to Steamboat as it is fantastic to see friends and the place I called home for 5ish years is absolutely beautiful. The town was all a buzz as the Pro Cycling Tour was taking place, there was a Trail Marathon and a Mtn Biking race going on simultaneously. I took the trip up and shared housing with fellow BTC Members, caught up with dear friends Karen and Matt and peddled around the Yampa Valley.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFva3n51VQe2irN3wkF1rLG_AQnHdt4FtHSkBAc2sALbgseG2jtswgKx5NDof0yY2qDvO_xIDkCyN6mIyq3PzGqPD3EiHSvADnB3dH9hdKj4xKVCusyABv7z3CU70whaI-b0NXytIaWXc3/s1600/IMG_1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFva3n51VQe2irN3wkF1rLG_AQnHdt4FtHSkBAc2sALbgseG2jtswgKx5NDof0yY2qDvO_xIDkCyN6mIyq3PzGqPD3EiHSvADnB3dH9hdKj4xKVCusyABv7z3CU70whaI-b0NXytIaWXc3/s320/IMG_1978.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warming up on the Yampa River Trail</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday Morning came and it was race time. After swimming (?) my way through a seaweed infested lake and then getting held up for about 2 minutes by a train while riding, my run off the bike was, as expected, pitifully slow. I did manage to jog after the swim and ride. Something I had not truly been able to do for the last 8 weeks. My right leg muscles were not firing with any force and were tight. I had to keep trying to tell myself quick feet. Just move those feet and you'll go forward. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not expecting much, to my surprise, I wound up finishing in 3rd in my age group. I took the podium along side two great guys and friends from Boulder.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2CAZE4Ca2_Neolhuq9AaUKR0FqROpwYMW5ObxauzNjIWUOKFpsL9aFb4mFivaraQx-rdsWEuAUK2nuld8BGgnKjHVz3FUlG9wdSyV2OsDF2LOWesTSlA9G_GtfYiAwtHmAn7QN_XMS3V/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2CAZE4Ca2_Neolhuq9AaUKR0FqROpwYMW5ObxauzNjIWUOKFpsL9aFb4mFivaraQx-rdsWEuAUK2nuld8BGgnKjHVz3FUlG9wdSyV2OsDF2LOWesTSlA9G_GtfYiAwtHmAn7QN_XMS3V/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephan 2nd, Kevin 1st, Me 3rd</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIcn1Hp1HT-fgxrVMOb2Pkmqz-TTMmbKsNLD4oX7uXVjXvGvNnPPbnBLaLkcc1OWkeAa_S4DXXhDPT7i8M2Xfdf20I6F1YxBJLLQmwBY_m9fPWw02H6r4fDkFQpupZVG8xILJI9wnFWEk/s1600/IMG_1992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIcn1Hp1HT-fgxrVMOb2Pkmqz-TTMmbKsNLD4oX7uXVjXvGvNnPPbnBLaLkcc1OWkeAa_S4DXXhDPT7i8M2Xfdf20I6F1YxBJLLQmwBY_m9fPWw02H6r4fDkFQpupZVG8xILJI9wnFWEk/s320/IMG_1992.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always the Bloody</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My thoughts about racing, my leg and life in general is to keep driving forward. Keep living life to the fullest, keep learning with wide eyes and an open heart, keep trying to better myself (Spiritually, mentally and physically). It is not about being the best out there but about growing and being the best version of me that I can be. People have asked me <b>"Was it your goal to complete four Ironman Races in 20 months?</b>"....Heck no. I wasn't sure there was even going to be a number two. I did one, really enjoyed the experience. Love seeing what my body, mind and soul can handle and all three were definitely involved in that 1st IM in Cozumel for me. Cozumel Race Reports: <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/12/im-cozumel-race-report-swim.html">Cozumel ~Swim</a>, <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/12/im-cozumel-race-recap-bike.html">Cozumel ~ Bike</a>, <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/12/im-cozumel-race-recap-run.html">Cozumel ~ Run / Finish</a>. <b>"Do you have something to prove?"</b>.....Double Heck No. I love to train. I love the feeling of being alive and moving all my parts and all my senses. At 48 and well past my prime. Although medals are fun, the journey, path and experiences of getting to the starting line is what it truly is all about for me. The Race...as I have said before, is the celebration of that Chapter of life. That Chapter that is IM Cozumel or IM Fortaleza or IM Boulder. I've traveled to beautiful parts of the world, been a part of wonderful things and met and shared incredible experiences with phenominal people because of participating in Ironman events. Why would I not want to have that in my life? <b>"Are you addicted or obsessed with Ironman Races?"</b>.....Triple Heck No! In all honesty, I could stop tomorrow. But why should I if I am experiencing happiness along my way. I look at myself as a simple man, trying to enjoy my life. I don't have any major Ironman goals (Kona, A Billion Races, setting records) that I wake up striving for every day. I'll be honored to be a part of whatever comes along my way. I'm not trying to prove anything or impress anyone and I don't think I am obsessed with anything in life. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKoIWu3_niSM3GyW_PasQHbwTszeFYGBLonBtkmlTFWE-UTZwlOqXuRW999C2LPjAytZtqTg-PSxDmKiVLPijB6F3iYjw5gnT1Mj4_oISQBbXrsvb3pLzMSH4vYEIM5tTifE__C0CVqSe/s1600/c6ed5c72eea55ab42626fa41693cc608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKoIWu3_niSM3GyW_PasQHbwTszeFYGBLonBtkmlTFWE-UTZwlOqXuRW999C2LPjAytZtqTg-PSxDmKiVLPijB6F3iYjw5gnT1Mj4_oISQBbXrsvb3pLzMSH4vYEIM5tTifE__C0CVqSe/s320/c6ed5c72eea55ab42626fa41693cc608.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben Baltz age 13 racing with his dad</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wonderful fellow triathlete that I met in Cozumel, Suzanne, shared the above picture on her FB page yesterday, Her caption read <i>"Dose of Perspective"</i>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am humbled by the sport and the wonderful people that I have met along the way. I am in awe with what I am surrounded by and for now, I love to be surrounded by it and am thankful that it will forever be a part of the path that I have walked.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Hu4jtWuky_JH6P3mTN0QnQskUZTSrdq2yRkDQy4zYza0RX36HMsqmhwBzlsn9eakxiv5fMZWDqjejoxdvPItDvRZyeDnVe1xbLG0PCGFE4pgpq0snUyfO27YI1W7iJqN0yIif798Dao/s1600/night_high_speed_car_driving-hd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Hu4jtWuky_JH6P3mTN0QnQskUZTSrdq2yRkDQy4zYza0RX36HMsqmhwBzlsn9eakxiv5fMZWDqjejoxdvPItDvRZyeDnVe1xbLG0PCGFE4pgpq0snUyfO27YI1W7iJqN0yIif798Dao/s320/night_high_speed_car_driving-hd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always driving forward</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I will continue to drive forward. I will work on my leg to see what happens if/when it is aligned. I will attempt to figure out the mystery that causes the loss of toenails and blisters beyond compare on my feet while racing in tropical conditions. I will continue to train and be happy and I will continue to put myself in situations that amaze me and give me the opportunity to grow.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QtiF_ZNLF2VsSXbay_A54r7_mbD3IwbOSSUmWacxyAMbOPFjvCEErHA1AA6P1VoZaLWQyITrRtb_4gWH9BkuIDNHxcTO-iqYY74VKTGzSJKcPf8r6eIofqQWUTk81hz1tc2jM7N9kZqQ/s1600/IMG_1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QtiF_ZNLF2VsSXbay_A54r7_mbD3IwbOSSUmWacxyAMbOPFjvCEErHA1AA6P1VoZaLWQyITrRtb_4gWH9BkuIDNHxcTO-iqYY74VKTGzSJKcPf8r6eIofqQWUTk81hz1tc2jM7N9kZqQ/s320/IMG_1906.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Made the change to ride sockless.<br />Will this prevent blisters in humid conditions?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning new bike routes away from Boulder. <br />Peddling to Mile High stadium</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was in the early 80's when I first heard the expression <b>Drive for Five</b>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A respectful shout out to recently deceased and our legendary Coach Al Arbour. He led the New York Islanders to win four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an avid NY Islander fan the Drive for Five was our battle cry. So when thinking about what I am now attempting to do, this was one of the first things that came to mind the expression.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Drive for Five. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(BTW - No team in any of the four major sports has strung together four straight championships since. One of sports all time greatest dynasties that is very overlooked IMHO)</span> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Met's Captain David Wright, who wears <b>#5</b> is seen here high <b>Fiving</b> fellow teammates after delivering a crushing blow to the Astros. David has just returned from the injured reserve list and is gearing the NL East leading "Amazins" for their first playoff run since the Mets lost to the Cardinals in the NL Championship series in 2006.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I, like #5 David Wright and the Mets will move forward from injury or challenges to see how far we can go in this season. I, like my NY Islanders am on a path to "<b>Drive for Five". </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Islanders were not able to win that 5th Stanley Cup in a row. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will the Mets win the World Series this year? Will I be able to share in a celebration called Ironman Los Cabos? I've been racing for two years and in that time,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> this will be the second time I will attempt to do 3 Ironman events in a 12 month period. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I will attempt to complete five Ironman races in 22 months. IM Cozumel - 12/13, IM Boulder - 8/14, IM Fortaleza -11/14, IM Boulder - 8/15......IM Los Cabos -10/15. All that to me is another step, another day, another chance to be alive.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive 4 Five<br />Ironman Los Cabos 10/25/15</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to say that I shall complete #5. I don't know what challenges lie ahead or what direction life will take me. For now I will be on that path to hold a celebration of this journey and if it should come to be.... on October 26th, I will be sitting on a beach with Jess by my side, a drink in our hands, looking back on this Chapter that is IM Los Cabos with smiles on our faces.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">51 Days...20 Hours...15 Minutes...38 Seconds to IM Los Cabos....but who's counting??</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#Letsdothis #WarriorMode #Drive4Five </span><br />
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-64100214034976354552015-08-31T14:05:00.004-07:002015-09-14T09:36:04.877-07:00IM Boulder Race Recap 2015...2.0 ~ The Bike, The Run, The Bloody Mary<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Bike ~</span></b> Hey wait.....Where is the Start of this race?? If you find yourself wondering where the swim and start of the race is, check out my previous blog entry <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2015/08/boulder-ironman-20.html">Boulder Ironman 2.0 ~ The Beginning</a> then get back here. I'll wait.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Coming into T1 from the swim, I knew I wanted to work on bettering my transition times for the race. IM Boulder 1.0, in retrospect, I felt I lost some valuable time in transition and if I wanted to better my placement every minute would matter. It would come to pass that this was my best T1 of the 4 Ironman races to date. Not only because my time was the fastest but because while bent down putting on my shoes a volunteer came by to help us racers. I thanked the volunteer and when he replied "No problem" I realized the voice sounded awfully familiar. I gazed up to see my good buddy Kevin helping out. Huge smiles and hugs. It was great to see him. I probably would have been a minute or two faster if we didn't engage in brief conversation but I'll take that exchange we had over a gained minute or two any day. In T1 I was organized and knew every step I was going to take. I think my only mishap was not getting suntan lotion put on the back of my neck. As I was getting my legs lubed down with lotion, I was scouring the crowds for Team Marty. There they were screaming and yelling. I got kinda sidetracked and took off without having the neck area covered with Bullfrog. Luckily, it did not come back to hurt me. In my haste in trying to get through transition and to Bella, I had my head down and I was charging forward towards the bikes, I looked up and there was 303 Grand Poopah, Dana taking my picture with a huge smile on her face. What a great honor it is to race, represent and be a part of Team 303 Triathlon.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T1 chute between swim and bikes</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I went into this bike section feeling really strong...both mentally and physically. Although I feel I had a shortened training season in preparation for IM Boulder my bike training rides and races leading up to this day had been pretty strong. I was riding 5+ hours of wattage (power) on my bike unlike I had ever ridden before. Coach Eric and I had reviewed what my numbers were going to be on the bike. The game plan was to ride at a lesser wattage output then capable in order to have plenty of gas in the tank for the run. In the end, it doesn't matter how fast you swam or rode your bike or cruised through transition areas, if you walk the marathon and give all that time back. I knew this and agreed 100% with Coach E's assessment and game plan for me. I was coming off of failures in my past few attempts at running off the bike with my lingering Hammy issues. Just a few weeks prior, I pretty much walked the entire 10k at The Boulder Peak Triathlon. So let's save that leg for the run was the idea. I got to the bike racks and much to my amusement, surprise and delight the vast majority of bicycles were still in place. Had I had that good of a swim?? I looked down at my Garmin....Damn, I forgot to stop my watch after exiting the water. I quickly clicked through the transition and went to the bike section on my watch. I mounted Bella and started to head out. But before I left the reservoir, I saw Jessica and my Dad and I shouted at them. I think I caught Team Marty by surprise by the startled looks turned into big smiles on their faces. I didn't see my Cousins or Mom but heard them as I peddled by on the other side of the road. I hope they aren't on opposite sides of the roads all day as that will be too confusing to me. Which side am I too look at and say hello??? I thought as I departed the reservoir and made the left onto 51st St.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "You Da Man" point</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">In typical fashion, coming out of the reservoir and hitting those first few inclines people are pumped and bang those hills pretty hard. I have learned that if I just stay disciplined and to my power numbers, I'll catch up to quite a few of those folks in time as they fade from going too hard too early. So I worked on keeping my adrenaline in check and rode my numbers. Got some fuel in me as I just swam for over an hour. My nutrition plan for the bike was pretty simple. Every 15 minutes I would drink. On the :30 after the hour I would take edurolyte salt tabs and every hour on the hour I would ingest fuel. I would grab 2 bottles of water at each aide station whether I needed or not. One would refill my water bottle in my aero bars and one would go in my jersey, just in case. If I did not use all my just in case water by the time I got to the next aide station, I would dump the remainder of that water over my head to help cool me down. This nutrition plan has basically worked in some shape or form for me since IM Cozumel. I learned some big nutritional lessons at that race and have adapted or adjusted accordingly race to race. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hanging Loose and Rocking On Pose</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The course was 2 approx 42 mile loops with a final out and back over some Boulder Hills before you head into downtown and to transition area #2 at Boulder HS. At about mile 30 just after passing Mary's Deli in Hygiene you have a nice down hill that crosses train tracks as I hit those tracks my salt tabs went flying out of my aero bars. This must have been a common occurrence as the road was littered with debris. I put on my brakes after a milli second thought if I should stop or not and walked back carefully scouring the road for my container holding these salt tabs. There was no way in the world I would want to ride another 80 miles with a marathon following without electrolytes in my system. I just hoped the container didn't open and the pills would be thrown around the floor. At that point I would have crawled on my hands and knees to get as many of those tabs back as possible. I noticed a few water bottles amongst full nutrition canisters. How in the world could people have dropped these items and not stopped to pick them up?? This was pure nuts to me. Especially at mile 30, it wasn't mile 100 or so. Oh well. I found my undisturbed bottle of salt tabs on the edge of the road, put them back on my aero bars and made sure they were secured by my "I'm a babe" bracelet. I thought to myself....I certainly am. I chuckled and off I road. Those bands were serving their purpose for sure. It was great seeing Marian out on the first lap as we were leap frogging one another. Seems like she took me on the inclines and I had the descents. It was fun riding with her for a little while. She was also racing a bit injured. We shared thoughts of what would happen "if" and also what was next in our seasons. It was a nice exchange and brief bond for me. Unfortunately I later learned that Marian did have to pull out during the run because of such injury. Mile 44 was approaching and I knew this is where I should see Team Marty. A great location where the bike section passes by 3x and is around the corner from my buddy Nick and PF's house, where my family was roughing it to a buffet of food and wine while I peddled.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XG5sKfG6EtcAHZ9Jrvg2NhTvIMg_I75_H1r85Sil1vDsSULFBDQbLBV5TJ4EXSWTHJ7WzU9HZY_cU2RR2dMqjEv6Zq8CLUvcsxBP0u9RPPiaNYu5HGhV9TEj60hvCk1T3ophfEJsc7xp/s1600/11845000_10153465387236145_7784721078053951946_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XG5sKfG6EtcAHZ9Jrvg2NhTvIMg_I75_H1r85Sil1vDsSULFBDQbLBV5TJ4EXSWTHJ7WzU9HZY_cU2RR2dMqjEv6Zq8CLUvcsxBP0u9RPPiaNYu5HGhV9TEj60hvCk1T3ophfEJsc7xp/s320/11845000_10153465387236145_7784721078053951946_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mid Fives to Team Marty</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuTCqJGCq96fnsup_OJlBvFFATzuG1x5Qo10aoihEvLh8EOxHKO7oulA7sEyW_RQF__d8OwOw8Uw_FL7jCRVwNAzMH-4aOAuRDmT48Sm1TSLUoCvTywydocYs-wX2DmcbnLG8ncBlG_SQ/s1600/11703511_10153465398311145_5398869082742311685_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Team Marty almost doubled in size as Chris & Erin along with Nick & PF joined my family and Jessica in cheering me on. I was totally thrilled to see everyone and made a wide right turn for lap </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">#2 onto Rte 36 in order to give everyone a hand slap and mid Five. Definitely one of the high moments for me in this race! Up 36 and a right onto Neva Bella and Iwere riding. Exactly where we were supposed to be. Then mile 55 happened approx. 3 hours on the bike and riding up on 63rd. My power started to drop. I felt like my energy was being sucked out of me. I started running through the checklist in my mind. I am eating, I am drinking, I am riding on my numbers, I am taking in electrolytes.....why is this happening. I could not conceive why after about 5 hours into the race I was being zapped. This is the moment when the Demons caught me. Coach Eric once told me when I first started racing, that the Demons will always get you out on an Ironman course. The goal is to make it 10 minutes from the finish line not 10 minutes into the swim or in this case 5 hours into the race. All I could do was watch as more and more people begin to pass me. Dave was one of them and looking strong. I recall thinking that he must have had a nice swim and was wondering if I'd see him again on the course. He had just done IMNZ in March and I was curious if he was fully recovered. I now had the long climb up Nelson Road. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">My right side glutes and lower back began to hurt, badly and there wasn't a thing I could really do about it. Suck it up Butter Cup, came to mind. That and Warrior Mode. I definitely did not feel like a Babe at this moment. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I came to the special needs bag drop area and knew there was nothing in there that could help me at this point. A spare inner tube or C02 cartridge wasn't going to give me my power back. Seeing Tricia dressed as a Super Hero for the 2nd time helped to lift my spirits as my appreciation for her and her volunteering was huge. This is a big advantage of racing on your home turf.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Marty @ Mile 60</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuTCqJGCq96fnsup_OJlBvFFATzuG1x5Qo10aoihEvLh8EOxHKO7oulA7sEyW_RQF__d8OwOw8Uw_FL7jCRVwNAzMH-4aOAuRDmT48Sm1TSLUoCvTywydocYs-wX2DmcbnLG8ncBlG_SQ/s1600/11703511_10153465398311145_5398869082742311685_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuTCqJGCq96fnsup_OJlBvFFATzuG1x5Qo10aoihEvLh8EOxHKO7oulA7sEyW_RQF__d8OwOw8Uw_FL7jCRVwNAzMH-4aOAuRDmT48Sm1TSLUoCvTywydocYs-wX2DmcbnLG8ncBlG_SQ/s200/11703511_10153465398311145_5398869082742311685_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Being chased down to get dumped on</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Approx. Mile 60 I got another boost. Team Marty drove ahead of me to surprise me out on the course where I did not expect them to be. Can I say it a billion times????.......huge appreciation. Just after I passed my support crew a volunteer chased me down and sprayed me with ice cold water and handed me my 2nd water bottle from that aide station. Chek it out here....<a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.ratay/videos/10205646576177488/">Mile 60 on Bike</a> Just listen to Team Marty scream even as I've passed and made the right turn up and on 36. Awesome!! I was slightly revived and feeling a little bit better though my power numbers were not showing it. I noticed a little bit of salt forming on my shorts and decided to alter my salt intake. Instead of 2 tablets every :30 after the hour I changed it to 1 tablet ever :15 and :45. I also changed my food from every hour on the hour to a smaller amount but at every :00 and :30. I continued to drink every :15. Hours 3 to 4 were quite tough for me on the bike and about 1000 racers passed me by but around 4:30 I started to pick it up again. I recall Nancy passing me by and thinking "great for her". this was her 1st Ironman and she was having such a wonderful season racing and training for this event. I recalled back in March leading a ride through the second half of the course with Nancy and how far she had come. M</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">y power was still low but my spirits were higher. I wasn't losing any more power but leveled it off. At mile 85 or so, I came on 2 racers that were having a conversation. One of the racers was telling the other guy that he ran out of salt tablets and was struggling. Here we go again. I've seen this at almost every Ironman that I've done and similar to the other times, I rode up to the guy once he was alone and offered him some edurolytes. Not wanting to short change myself, I apologized that I could not give him more but handed over 4 edurolyte tablets. I believe I had enough to last the final 35+ miles on the bike. I figured, at least bought the guy some time to find more and not to continue to drop in electrolyte deficit. I bid him the best and I peddled away. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Hour 6 crept up and in my original game plan I would have been at or about T2 by this time. I was still an hour or so out from that point. Not happy with myself. I was quite frustrated because I would easily ride close to 50 watts more of power on my easy long training rides but today it was not happening. Again, I just kept thinking something was not right. Besides the pain in my back and glutes now the outside of my left foot was killing me. What the hell is this from?? I kept wondering to myself. I loosened the velcro on my bike shoes in case the pain was coming from my feet swelling and my shoes were too tight. This did nothing as I continued to ache in a spot that has never hurt before in my life. What is going on?? I kept riding at my slow and powerless pace drifting back and forth from being mad and frustrated with myself to singing and smiling and being thankful that I am alive and out on this beautiful day. Out on a more desolate part of the course two really cool things in particular made me thankful and smile. The first was seeing an absolutely fantastic sign that read......</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW58K1vkctqtrP22S7z5-LZez6X4mx95yLcwBfH_s_jvH12V_ia-cgu3wP0CRQht4mwhQUfxRZFwLLPTllHfhXsaiWTn3ytTlcLHiKcGJDhoEZoTraeqSv22eIsUHYtE_wEzxEDDGFpTw/s1600/20282_1139838956033039_4307639831862974550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW58K1vkctqtrP22S7z5-LZez6X4mx95yLcwBfH_s_jvH12V_ia-cgu3wP0CRQht4mwhQUfxRZFwLLPTllHfhXsaiWTn3ytTlcLHiKcGJDhoEZoTraeqSv22eIsUHYtE_wEzxEDDGFpTw/s1600/20282_1139838956033039_4307639831862974550_n.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">made by Sammi. The second was p</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">assing the 303 Snocone Tent. Although I did not partake in a Scratch Snocone. It was great seeing my dedicated team (Jen, Nicole, Sasha & Dana) from 303 out there. I know what a difference 303 Triathlon made to the racers last year and seeing them out there this year with snocones I could only imagine how much joy they were bringing to the athletes. Much appreciation for these wonderful folks in my life.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">303!, 303!, 303!,303!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I'm guessing Sasha was a hit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicole & Jen making racers happy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">303 Chief Dana was taking all the pictures</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Here's the big difference between IM Boulder 1.0 and 2.0. Version 1.0 I was non stop laughing and singing and having a blast while racing. 2.0 had a lot of this "frustration" of not being able to perform as I knew I should or believed I could. Coach Eric's words of "Race with what you have on the day" kept ringing through but at times were drowned out by the sheer wonderment of "WHY?" Why is this happening? It shouldn't!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hit the hill on 52. I hit the hill on Lookout Road. I hit the hill on 57th where I over peddled and pulled some stuff in my groin in Boulder IM Version 1.0. Just one more pass by Team Marty and I'll be heading down 26th and bringing it in off the bike. I began to worry about the run. I was supposed to be saving it for the run. That was the game plan. I couldn't even produce the low power that was supposed to be a breeze for me on the ride. I was convinced that 2000 people passed me on the bike. My lower back was aching, my glutes were hurting and the outside of my left foot was killing me. I'm a wreck, I thought. I can't wait to see Team Marty by Jay and 28th that'll at least lift my spirits. But, they were not there. My heart sunk. Huh? What? OK, maybe they are on Nicks corner just a block down. But to no avail. Dang, we must have missed one another and perhaps they are already at the run. Oh well, I thought. A left turn on 26th and about 300 yards down on the right side of the road there they were!!!! Loren was looking like he was having a blast. Mom and Dad were screaming and rooting and hollering. Nick was taking pictures, Chris was videotaping & </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> PF, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karen,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Erin were ringing those cowbells as loud as they could. Jess was beaming from ear to ear. At first, I wondered if it was the affect of them having too much wine and that they were standing out in the sun too long. But it wasn't. What a great site this was too me. I needed that. They all should know <b>just how much</b> I needed that. Let's do this.........</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>T1 </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 1.0 - 10:00</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 2.0 - 9:52</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ride (different course 2014 vs 2015)</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 1.0 - 6:38:29 187/391 = 47.8%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 2.0 - 7:07:15 217/370 = 58.6%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><b>The Run ~ </b>Unlike in transition1, I was slow in transition 2. So slow that this was the slowest transition to date of my Ironman experiences. I didn't know what to do. I could barely even walk let alone set off for a marathon. Although my back and ass hurt this left foot thing, made it impossible to pretty much even walk. I just sat there. I changed my socks. Put on some skin lube. Thank goodness no blisters were forming as per in Cozumel and Fortaleza. I took off my bike helmet and put on my running visor. Loaded up with nutrition and got some suntan lotion applied and I hobbled off. What can I do? Can I run? Can I jog? Can I even walk? I started out on my exploration of ....what can I do? I did my best to try and figure it out. I began to try and work out whatever was going on in the lower half of my body. I was thankful for being off the bike. While jogging, I could try and work things out. Alter my gate, adjust my stride, move and stretch and wiggle unlike you can do while being in the saddle. About 5 miles in my trying to figure it out and make the pain go away shuffle I came across one of the biggest smiles out there.....it belonged to Sammi. What a joy seeing her and then to my surprise, Kevin again. Surprise because I was unaware he was finished with his volunteering duties and now to be out on the course giving a boost to us all. Big hugs to both and again another reminder of appreciation for such wonderful caring friends. I made my out and back to both ends of the Y or Flux Capacitor as Race Director Dave calls it and passed Kevin and Sammi for another brief moment of joy. Not too soon after that I saw Kenny. He managed to get some shots of me for 5280 video and I was able to brag about how my Garmin watch had actually come together. You can see that here <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNfblNKJy1w">5280 Boulder IM Run Course</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">at :50. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Kenny always brings a smile to my face. Whether it's Tuesday morning morning swim or Sunday afternoon dragging my ass in Boulder Ironman.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dude my watch is working!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">My attempts at running really started to mess with my knees. My left foot hurt so much that I had to alter my gate and stride. But altering my stride I was putting pressure on my years of rugby knees and they began to hurt. I pretty much felt my day was over as my body could not do what I had been training it to do. Experience has told me that once I feel the pain in my knees danger and trouble is teetering on that tight rope and it had to be managed. More and more I was coming to the resolution that there was no hope for a strong or even a decent marathon and that all my thoughts of best finish yet would have to be thrown out the window.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Leaving the Flux Capacitor</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bridge to Scott Carpenter Park</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 9 was approaching and that would mean meeting up with Team Marty. The plan was that I was going to pick up a passenger when I got to them. Jess was going to run, walk, shuffle with me for the next 5ish miles till I got back to Team Marty again. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBZv2g1MMmFpmVROLM37BMo6sKEioovdwBVXjI2rariLBub79He4BC5EQj2lqh1II6_GFt9SaH0KFetPlTMr7V9E4rMWnm9PWO8ZVxAnBnU8L9zeEYbKJ5q99urTEovfKIWMrK8EEJ797/s1600/11807770_10153465400446145_8479401348432338690_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBZv2g1MMmFpmVROLM37BMo6sKEioovdwBVXjI2rariLBub79He4BC5EQj2lqh1II6_GFt9SaH0KFetPlTMr7V9E4rMWnm9PWO8ZVxAnBnU8L9zeEYbKJ5q99urTEovfKIWMrK8EEJ797/s320/11807770_10153465400446145_8479401348432338690_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hi Fives with dad</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a video of a typical pass through Team Marty central. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.ratay/videos/10205649416128485/">Mile 9ish on marathon</a> Can you tell we are a hugging and kissing type of family?? Wouldn't want it any other way!! So Jess and I were off and it was a great reprieve because I could share some of my thoughts and not dwelling on my knee hurting. The right leg was dead. Just not firing. Similar to The Boulder Peak and every brick training session I've had since the injury just 6 weeks back. You can see the barely a jog in the video as we left the group. About a mile later out popped Susan onto the course for a hug and kiss. Super fantastic to see her out there. A year ago we trained together weekly for this race so it was wonderful to see her out there in support for me and the rest of the racers. She decided to join Jess and I for our casual Sunday Stroll. A few hundred yards after that, I saw Coach Eric come out on the course. When I think about the people in my life that I am concerned about disappointing with my athletic performance or should I say lack there of, besides myself, Coach Eric ranks right up there. A good coach knows who you are and what you have got to offer. He should be with you every day. Wondering and thinking about your mental and physical state. He should be with you for every training session even if he is a million miles away as he reviews your data on Training Peaks and plans out what is best for you for your next session etc. Maybe that is an unrealistic expectation for a Coach. I can only speak of how I was when I coached for all those years. You put so much of your time, energy, heart, mind and plain old hours into your athletes. They become an extension of yourself out there with their performance. When I don't or can't perform, after the routine of beating myself up, I immediately feel bad that I have let down my coach and feel a great weight of disappointment. When I saw EK it was dual emotion that went through me. It was great to see him out on the course. It was also a bit of a fear to see him. Not unlike a dog after their guardian returns home after he rummaged through the trash. A feeling of guilt and wanting to hide. I have not had a solid or even semi decent marathon in my past Ironman races. Always some reason or "excuse". In Cozumel and to a greater extent in Fortaleza. my feet were like hamburger meat, all chopped up with multiple blisters and with ripped off toe nails. Boulder Version 1.0 saw a pulled groin and really tight leg muscles from the last hill on 57th st while riding and now here I am again failing at the marathon section of the race with leg issues from hammy injury from playing "Kickball". Something my coach did not want me to do and warned me against doing. I think we both felt that Boulder 2.0 would be different. That monkey was finally going to get off my back. This obviously wasn't the case and this was the first time I had seen Coach E since my poor ride and now a walking marathon. Here comes Marty with his tail between his legs to his Coach. Coach Eric was great. He didn't rub my nose in it or whack me with a newspaper, but he clumped along with me as he was wearing his bike shoes down the Boulder Creek Path. He spoke words of encouragement and even discussed the idea of stopping the pursuit of finishing Ironman Boulder. We decided that I would keep going as long as my knees did no hurt to any greater extent. He wanted to keep me on a short lease and for me to pull myself if it felt worse. Better to end it today and rehab then to push it and be out for a long time. I know he was 100% right but it was difficult to hear and I knew that it would even be more difficult for anyone to pull me off the course, pain or no pain. I am typically not the smartest athlete when it comes to that sort of thing. Jess and I left Eric and Susan and continued our way to Eben G. Fine park. After my chat with Coach Eric, I felt that weight lifted off my shoulder and began to enjoy myself much more on the course. Unlike I had felt thus far in Version 2.0 and more like that all day from Version 1.0. Passing through the masses of spectators downtown, out of no where, I spotted, my cousin from another family, Dianne. I hadn't seen Dianne in almost 30 years, but she was out here as her husband George was also participating in the race. A hug and kiss and I was off shuffling again with Jess. A mile or two up the road was Laura, Charles, Cisco and a few more BTC members. And so began silly face making during photos on the run. I used the open mouth one a lot on the course and for the rest of the day. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Charles grabbing a shot of Jess & I</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere on the course, I ran in to Travis. This was his first full IM and we've had nice exchanges leading up to the race. Sharing of newbie advice etc. He was having some nutritional issues but hanging in there. We spent some time on and off for the remainder for the race supporting one another. Heading back towards the family, we ran into Susan again for one last hug, kiss and selfie.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With Susan @ mile 13ish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLA3kpaeZg-AHyJ_1hLVR7bmOE9b_oRfyo5zDfIwQNlxKyPF9broU7IYKxmM7uDjdATPcSpC51lgeGD-mBwj6LKA2aBt79YRpYp3N1PgOnIzAsrhUi3JrjBDuGhipFxzHhwRCMj7fXsON/s1600/11807125_10153465400661145_8018403014454234780_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLA3kpaeZg-AHyJ_1hLVR7bmOE9b_oRfyo5zDfIwQNlxKyPF9broU7IYKxmM7uDjdATPcSpC51lgeGD-mBwj6LKA2aBt79YRpYp3N1PgOnIzAsrhUi3JrjBDuGhipFxzHhwRCMj7fXsON/s200/11807125_10153465400661145_8018403014454234780_o.jpg" width="145" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Back to the family mile 14ish</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a special treat it was for me to be able to spend these last 5 miles or so with Jess by my side. She endures the daily grind of my training and preparation and it made it extra special for her to be literally taking part of this journey with me. I dropped Jess off with the family and was more than 1/2 way through the marathon. Insert another hugging and kissing video here.......<a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.ratay/videos/10205649696575496/">Mile 14ish on the marathon</a> Two great quotes from friends about my experience with my family out on the course were "The Great Ironman Kissing Bandit" was John's and "It's so great that your races not only have water stations to stay hydrated but love stations to keep the love going." from Jane. That was so true as my family and friends kept the love going all day. Another pass of Sammi and Kevin with more hugs and kisses. Heading out to the Baseline point of the flux capacitor, fellow newbie IMer Susan passed me by. We chatted for a little bit, both in our 4th Ironman in 20 (me) and 22 (Susan) months. I hit the turn around at Baseline and to my surprise there was Team Marty with Ice cream and Gelatto, none was Vegan for me of course. They picked up Jim, Erin's Dad to add to the party and fanfare. This was truly turning into a party for me. Then I ran into the Iron Tiara herself Kristina and she shot this picture and quote....."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">Always the best smile out here!"</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Kristina. It's easy to smile when there is so much support and love from our community and in my life. The run section wasn't all smiles to me as it was tough seeing fellow triathletes and coaches out there watching me walk. They'd cheer words of encouragement to me to pick it up and get moving but they had no idea what was going through my body. I hate excuses and wasn't about to stop to try and explain what was going on. Let them think I am weak, I thought. I really couldn't care less at that point. I'd politely nod or shake their hands but wanted to hide in the same breathe. I saw plenty of fellow local athletes out there struggling as well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd exchange pleasantries or perhaps shuffle by one another stone faced almost like we couldn't say a word to one another. Too pissed off to acknowledge or more like embarrassed to be seen in such a state. It is all good as we each go through our journeys, our highs and lows or demons of the race. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I saw several racers being tended to by medical staff and a few laid out along the course. You simply knew their day was over. Mile 18 something changed in me. I wasn't quite sure what it was at the time. I was able to pick up my shuffle to an easy jog. I caught up and saw Dave again and we chatted briefly. He was having GI issues but hanging in there. We high fived and off I went. I than began doing 30 x 30 or 30 x 1 min. Basically running for 30 seconds and walking for 30 seconds or running for 30 seconds and then walking for 1 minute depending on the terrain or how my body felt or if I met up with people and chatted. Russell, Brian, Amber, Esra, Jonathan, Darren, Colleen, Pete, John, Katie, Jen & Jen....the list just goes on and on as to how many wonderful people I knew that were out there racing, volunteering or supporting. I almost feel bad listing folks, as I know I missed about a billion people but the point is that everyone was part of this final step that is my Boulder Ironman Version 2.0 journey. The celebration as I called it of completing my 4th Ironman race in 20 months as a triathlete newbie. I was running. I wasn't blazing but running at mile 19 of the marathon of an Ironman race. Something I have not done yet to date with exception of when you get to the finisher shoot filled with adrenaline. My numbers show that my last 6 miles I actually descended in my splits meaning I was running each mile faster and faster. I passed Team Marty one final time in the dark for yes another round of hugs an kisses. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It felt like it was darker earlier this year than last and became tougher to see people</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on the Creek Path. I caught up and passed Susan and Travis and wished then each a successful finish. Welcomed Travis to the exclusive IM Finishers club and made my way to Eden G Fine Park one last time. Along the route I heard people make comments like "holy shit, this guy is motoring for so late in the race", "Fantastic Pace" In the aftermath, I have come to learn that my body was getting back to its regular state. Meaning, earlier in the day most of my right upper leg muscles had shut down. My quads, glutes, back were working overtime to pick up for the lack of being able to use my hamstring and stopped firing. Once my right leg went, my left started working double time to make up for the difference, hence the foot pain from all the extra weight and work on the bike it had to do. My 5 hour nap while marathoning enabled my body to get back to it's somewhat "normal" state and I was able to start running. Pretty friggen interesting no? Again, I didn't realize the whys at the time, I just knew I could run again and I did. I also didn't want to push too much hence I continued to do the 30 x 30 rather than just an all out run. I felt great. I reflected a bit on the day during this time and thinking, <b>Yes, I am doing it.</b> I've never experienced a race like this. It certainly was not what I was expecting. I was overwhelmed with feelings of appreciation. I thanked every volunteer all day long, that I came in contact with as I am in awe of them giving of their time and energy to take care of me. I appreciate and am humbled by my fellow athletes and their journies to get to the starting line. I couldn't even put into words my thoughts of appreciation for my family, my girl and my friends for being there all day for me. Running all over the course, traveling halfway across the country and supporting me every day just to be there for and with me to be a part of this final celebration. It sounds so cliche, but truly there are no words that can describe the love and appreciation I have for all of them. Coach Eric and my training partners with Boulder Tri Club, EK Endurance and my 303 Triathlon Family all came to mind. It takes a village is the saying and it speaks the truth. I took that right turn the one that takes you off the Creek Path and towards 13th St. Dark and desolate, I noticed I had the runway to the finish line pretty much to myself. I ran into Kristina again and then Kenny. He asked if I would take his Go Pro with me through the finishers shoot as he was working for 5280 Elite and 303 Triathlon. My mind went to, "Will I be disqualified?" then "How do I work this thing?" Sure, let's give it a try, I figured. Up 13th and crossing Canyon Dr. I ran into Charles and the gang one last time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lights got brighter and the crowds got bigger and louder. Version 2.0 felt like a more festive finish line than 1.0. I entered the chute and it was time to take flight......I was now flying to the finish. Unable to really see anyone or anything I was in my own mind. I raised my hands in the air. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXFK9i27Udk2EIYuzqSbcQgCec_shCiMkw1x-yybN2P9Vx7gRB__LfegWrcyUKICBqhJr0Cou-PQIV_4gwjRzrNJuAN2fCZ6rZFeEQjW1NUn-Z8gHyg1MP3ktVIUoR76FZo_jV53vcK6b/s1600/1111_093160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXFK9i27Udk2EIYuzqSbcQgCec_shCiMkw1x-yybN2P9Vx7gRB__LfegWrcyUKICBqhJr0Cou-PQIV_4gwjRzrNJuAN2fCZ6rZFeEQjW1NUn-Z8gHyg1MP3ktVIUoR76FZo_jV53vcK6b/s200/1111_093160.jpg" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_9nA800nRmQGeBKaTLQNnauDz9n4FtYqPtzds3fZDRvUxk7mAez6rXhwQsObQi5LOJBbDsN3k1hUfjJGY8tqmB6-hPe5Ilnk7QCVWfh-iYVjZATSftte19jcVZoXJRzsAvcqhLcJZN4T/s1600/1111_093163+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_9nA800nRmQGeBKaTLQNnauDz9n4FtYqPtzds3fZDRvUxk7mAez6rXhwQsObQi5LOJBbDsN3k1hUfjJGY8tqmB6-hPe5Ilnk7QCVWfh-iYVjZATSftte19jcVZoXJRzsAvcqhLcJZN4T/s200/1111_093163+-+Version+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was approaching the finish line I thought about my traditional heel kick that I have given in my 3 previous IM Finishes. My original thought was to do the same. But it didn't feel right to do that right now. This race was different. The celebration wasn't about me but about the appreciation and love and thanks I had for everyone that was with me. I chose not to click my heels bringing attention to myself but to just finish and cross the line in appreciation for everyone else. So silently I gave thanks once again to everyone and I crossed the line for us. What a journey, my best celebration finish. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the Flight to Finish Video.....<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Lorskyfink/videos/10153463675481145/">Flying to Finish</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing the line I was greeted with, yes, more hugs and kisses and more friends with huge smiles on their faces. Some of them were sweaty delicious hugs....<a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.ratay/videos/10205650199708074/">Finish line Hugs</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my mom's 1st live Ironman journey. Although she has been with me on every step for the previous three finishes it is something else to be there live.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sangue....with my girls</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantastic to share such an experience with my Cousin Loren.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All smiles after the race!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Immediately after I was greeted by my family and friends it was back to business. Straight to the medical tent for ice for the knee. Keep the swelling down as it's back to work on Tuesday morning swim with Coach Eric.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Much thanks to Coach Eric as we've finished<br />4 Ironman Races in 20 months together</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But before Tuesday comes there is one more tradition to follow through with. Coach Eric along with two fellow training partners, Jessica and Anush, joined Team Marty and we made our way to the nearest bar for a tradiional post race Bloody Mary.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to Boulder Ironman 2015. All in all a fantastic day filled with<b> 15 hours of me managing my inability to race to my potential and having full appreciation for those sharing the day with me. </b>Version 2.0 was slower and more difficult in many ways. Tougher to get to the starting line and definitely tougher to get to the finish line. In the end my smile was just as big and my heart just a full.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #515151; line-height: 28px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth sailing. What is the lesson or gift in what you are experiencing right now? Find your joy not in what's missing in your life but in how you can serve." - Wayne Dyer</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 1.0 - 14:45:08 203/391 = 52%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boulder 2.0 - 15:26:10 214/370 = 57%</b></span></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-28355550543162338372015-08-25T13:33:00.000-07:002015-09-14T09:36:37.988-07:00IM Boulder Race Recap 2015...Version 2.0 ~ The Beginning<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't believe it has been over 3 weeks already since I made that left turn up 13th street towards the light, the noise, the crowds, the finish line of Ironman Boulder 2015. I've documented in this blog over the last few months the difficult journey it has been for me to get to this starting line. This race..... is simply that, just a race. Just another day out and about in the world, doing the things that I love to do. I'm not curing cancer. I didn't loose 300lbs on my way to get to this race. I didn't have dear ones leave this planet during the journey to that which is IM Boulder. I am humbled a billion times over by each entrants personal journey to get to the starting line. To me the race is a celebration. The celebration of that journey, for each of us no matter how bumpy or smooth our path was to get to the Boulder Reservoir at 5am on August 2nd. Emotionally to me, in 2014, that celebration personally was much more grand than in '15. That is not to take away anything from my experiences from this race. Version 2.0 was a very different race for me. Version 2.0 was much more about my journey, then that final celebration. It was a day about my family that came out to support me and my support system, not about clicking my heals crossing the finish line.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Team Marty @ The Boulder Reservoir</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the end of the day, in my eyes and head, the race was a disappointment to myself from a performance standpoint. Secretly I harbored visions of a higher % placement in my age group than the 3 Ironman races I had completed in the previous 20 months. Not only a higher percentage but about 10% better compared to my other fellow age group competitors. Although I know time does not signify how good or bad you do in a triathlon, its all based on what percentage that you finished in your age group, I also harbored a secret desired finish time. I (perhaps unrealistically) felt my recent injuries would not play a part and get in the way of my desires of race day performance. I realize that these are very selfish statements to make. And ones somewhat not customary for me to make aloud. The truth of the mater is, in the larger picture, those that care about and for me could care less if I came in 1st place or 2500th. Of course they want me to reach my goals and my dreams but above all else they want me to be happy and healthy. Version 2.0 was 15 hours of me managing my inability to race to my potential and having full appreciation for those sharing the day with me. I've been asked "How was the experience?" "How was your race?" and until I just put that last sentence on paper (computer) I have not been able to sum up my day better than I just did.....<i>Version 2.0 was 15 hours of me managing my inability to race to my potential and having full appreciation for those sharing the day with me. </i>It was definitely a high and a low, a yin and yang, a full day of frustration vs. sheer love & joy.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6S1gY1bhJnuZPYDn89MAkxNIW3yN7X7NBoTEjS_7IZmrXn4ywBs6w4Q23Ygo0jA5A3aBKbBSTzj-B9sumADdGUppF7224u6yzVNuPRkPtN8IEZtUE8wqeOrS7DT6xWu9BDOOSzMn0lJS/s1600/11794276_10153465398921145_4858720296634079381_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6S1gY1bhJnuZPYDn89MAkxNIW3yN7X7NBoTEjS_7IZmrXn4ywBs6w4Q23Ygo0jA5A3aBKbBSTzj-B9sumADdGUppF7224u6yzVNuPRkPtN8IEZtUE8wqeOrS7DT6xWu9BDOOSzMn0lJS/s320/11794276_10153465398921145_4858720296634079381_o.jpg" width="198" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The High</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The Low</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few days prior to Boulder 2014 was very easy for me. My family came into town and were stationed in my Boulder home. We went to registration together. I did my final rides around town visiting Winston and the Oreo Cows. I went to work. It was all very smooth and easy. Version 2.0 was a completely different story. Recently moving down to Lakewood saw me trying to adjust to an unfamiliar territory for pre race training rides, a 1.5 hr drive back and forth to Boulder for registration and gear drop, and pre race bike tune up. In 2015, a lot more coordination of scheduling for myself and others was needed. If I forgot something it wasn't a 2 second ride back to my house but a haul back down to Denver. I don't think I was prepared for how different this change would be. My chief concern was my family. In 2014, I knew that my family had my house to go to in order to use the bathroom, refresh, grab a bite or just rest and get out of the heat/sun in between cheering me on out on the course. I had them set up in a hospitality suite where I worked loaded with food, drink and a private restroom while I was out on the run course. All I had to concentrate on was being happy and racing in my home town. Version 2.0 saw little of that and it took a lot of coordination and concentration to make sure my out of town loved ones were going to be ok. This was not better or worse, just different.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1st IM Finisher Shirt-Last Brick Run</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">1st IM Bike Jersey-Last Brick Ride </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My dear friends, Chris and Erin were more than gracious to open their home to myself & Jess along with my folks the night prior and night after the race to crash. This took a huge burden off of trying to get up to catch a 4am bus at the Boulder HS after driving up from Denver and then having to drive back at midnight after a full day of racing. Equally awesome were great friends Nick & Pui Fong allowing my family to base camp at their place after the swim and during the bike section of the course and coordinating where my family should be and when while I was out there. Food, drink and wine would be plenty at their place and what a great proximity their house is to the 2 loop bike course. This was spectacular. Version 2.0 had me rely and depend on a support group second to none. So I laid out all my equipment. We packed our bags and headed to Boulder to register and race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Laying it all there. One last check</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Team Marty checking in</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Registration Silly Face tradition</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Boulder Tradition - Going to Lululemon and finding your name</span></div>
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With all the differences between IM Boulder 1.0 and 2.0 I tried to maintain a sense of prerace routine and normality for myself and my traditions. Traditions such as making silly faces at the camera while registering and wearing the last IMs Finisher Shirt to Registration and swinging by the finish line to say "I shall return".</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My pre-race meals have become as standard as I can get them. Version 2.0 was exactly the same as Version 1.0 same meal, same wine, same restaurant with a slight change in the supporting cast of Team Marty. A nice relaxing meal, avoiding the downtown craziness and the welcome reception. A chance to just enjoy my family, my gal and my friends.</span></div>
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<b>The Swim ~ </b>So for the first time in a billion years the Boulder Reservoir is wetsuit illegal for a IM hosted triathlon. What does that mean?? The Ironman website states...<i>Wet suits are <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">prohibited</span></strong> with temperatures over 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (24.5 degrees Celsius). Athletes who choose to wear a wetsuit in water temperatures between above 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (24.5 degrees Celsius) will not be eligible for awards, including World Championship slots.</i> So a conversation ensues with Coach E and we decide, I am not going to try and place in any age group championship this time around :-) I might as well go with a wet suit. We then decide to go sleeveless since the water is warm and it'll help to keep me cooler and less a chance to overheat.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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Up at 3am, I get a good 4~5 hours of sleep and I'm happy with that. Some oatmeal, start hydrating and a bagel for breakfast. Grab a banana for the road and Team Marty is off for the HS to catch a bus to the reservoir. It was a beautiful morning with the promise to be a mild day as compared to Boulder '14. I set Team Marty near a tent. Family is secured, now time for some business. I check in with Bella and load my hydration, nutrition and tool kit onto her. The night prior I grabbed some red rubber wrist band bracelets to mount my tools on my aerobars. They promote the Boulder Babes Rugby Club and have "I am a Babe" printed on them. I carefully put those band on the bike so I can read those words throughout my ride. Prior to heading to the reservoir I also marked my hands with a WM as a reminder that besides being a babe I am in full Warrior Mode today. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I have a nice conversation with Bella as we are feeling super ready for the day. I remind her how much I love and appreciate her and what a wonderful day we are going to have together. She reminds me that the rubber bands that say "I am a Babe" are meant for her. We share a chuckle together, I kiss her saddle and back to the family I go. Adding to the list of in person supporters is </span>my cousin Loren and his wife Karen, who flew in from NY the day prior to be a part of Team Marty. So super psyched to have them make the journey. I also meet up with Coach Eric to briefly review the day. It's time. I put on my wetsuit, down a Hammer Gel and some water, kisses and hugs around and off to the starting corral.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Pre swim connecting with the family</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By the time I got to my fellow wetsuit racers, which happened to be the majority of those racing today, I was pretty far in the back. I couldn't have this. I was a bit concerned with being right in the front as I didn't want to be swam over and I certainly didn't want to be in the middle of the pack. So I continued to make my way through the crowd of neoprene until I found a spot where I felt "comfortable". I went to the far left of the line so that I was at the close/short end of the racers. My game plan was to be just to the inside of the buoys around the course. I checked my watch for the umpteenth time, for those of you following the 5280 Triathlon videos you'll get my reference. Last year I didn't work my watch correctly and didn't have a clue as to my swim splits. I had to figure it out while riding the course. Version 2.0 would be different. I was confidant that after 20 months of watch follies, I was going to get it right. ummmmm yeah sorta. BOOM the cannon goes off and so do I. I was real happy of my placement in the group and have a free left side and a crowd to my right. A few kicks and body rubbing pursued as we made our way around the large rectangle of orange buoys. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They were laid out about 8 long make a turn a few across and about 8 to return to shore. I'm guessing somewhere about buoy #5 I realized my right side lower back was tight and a bit in pain. I spent a far bit of that 3am time rolling out my lower back and stretching my hips to try and give my injured hammy a chance for today's race. I knew that was my first sign of trouble but thought, perhaps it'll work its way out. I continued my stroke and my breathing and just kept my thoughts on a rhythm, on trying to swim straight and to stay relaxed. Buoy after buoy I counted each one. I wish I had remembered exactly how many buoys there were for each length of that rectangle. This is something I should pay attention to better next race. I convinced myself there were 8. Along the way I attempted to draft to conserve energy, I caught up to a good number of those racers not wearing wet suits and passed them by and simply tried to retain good form. I felt strong and was happy. Before I knew the shore line got larger and larger and this 2.4 mile swim was over.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All in all I am happy with my swim. Brief facts and stats.....Finished 712 out of 2770 swimmers or about at the top 25%. 83rd in my division out of 370 or top 22%. Not bad for this boy who learned to swim before his 1st Ironman 20 months ago. I also had sooo much fun swimming I figured I would swim an approximate an extra 500 yards above the 2.4 miles according to my Garmin watch from my zig zag style. Need to work on better open water swim sighting. Up the ramp I went, as I had a date with a few strippers. I laid down and in 3 seconds flat 2 gals stripped me of my wetsuit. Gotta love that! No time for a cigarette, I now had a 112 mile date with Bella I needed to get ready for.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boulder 1.0 - 1:17 105/391 = 26.8%</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boulder 2.0 - 1:20 83/370 = 22.4%</span></b></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-50127242532834392032015-08-11T16:45:00.001-07:002015-08-11T22:47:43.023-07:00Sh*t Happens<div style="text-align: justify;">
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It's Thursday night, just a mere two days before Ironman Boulder and I am waiting for the parents flight to come in from New York as it has been delayed. I haven't been in here too much writing race reports and updating what's going on in my life. Sitting just a few days out of my 4th IM in 20 months it is hard not to reflect on just how did I get here. Particularly since my last IM. Getting to the starting line of Fortaleza was very tough. My training had suffered tremendously with the unrealistic expectations and the pressures of work. I had seriously given thought to quitting and dropping out even before I got to Brazil. I actually stopped training at one point, met with Coach E and was resolved that I should not go. A deep and strong mental struggle existed between my loyalty to my job / work ethic and my life values and beliefs. <br />
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In the end, I did not compromise my values nor my work ethic but went into IM Fortaleza physically under prepared. Getting to this starting line of IM Boulder is not as difficult as I didn't have any mental turmoil and never for a moment thought of giving up my my journey to get to the swim start. Getting to the Boulder start will definitely go down as the one that has the most complications and set backs that I have faced to date. I at times felt the universe was telling me to back out, to give up. One thing after another was thrown in my face. Time and time again this adversity did not stop me along in my path but caused for reflection and aided to deepen my determination for 4 in 20.<br />
So what was up? What has kept me away from writing down my thoughts? What signals was I receiving that could be perceived as "Don't Do Boulder IM!" What has transpired these last 8 months to this usually pretty Zen guy to make me say I faced the most set backs of my very short triathlon career?<br />
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In <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2015/05/making-up-for-lost-time.html">Making up for Lost Time</a>, my last blog entry, I chronicled my resignation from work and touched how I suffered from a Sinus Infection and Bronchitis. I had made a dismal attempt to get back into training and by mid April I was ready to go full force into Boulder IM. May was a busy race month. I had the Summer Open Sprint mid month and introduced the world to my ongoing Garmin Watch problems.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCI3aymSLl4&feature=youtu.be">Watch Saga #1</a> is a funny video that takes the viewer along with me. Needless to say this continued all summer long thus far. The Summer Open went by without much fanfare for myself. It was a get out there and see what you could do, set the bar and then see how the Colorado Sprint compares two weeks later.<br />
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The Summer Open was followed by a great, fun relaxing day at the "Bolder Boulder. Jess and I had a blast.</div>
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But Marty, I thought this was about Shit Happens. Seems like an awesome month so far you may be saying. I would agree. The final weekend of May saw the inaugural Colorado Sprint Tri in Boulder. I was fired up for this race and learned a valuable lesson. An assigned easy training day means easy, no matter how great you feel. As I rode harder and faster all week in training then I did come race day. My power was below what it should have been and my running suffered because of it. Shit Happens, I thought. I flew to the finish, had the traditional post race Bloody Mary and normal difficulties with my Garmin watch just like every other race I do.</div>
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Then in early June I had my 1st real injury of my 18 months and 3 Ironman history. I classify it as a triathlon injury, though I know Coach E and many others would disagree. For the 5th time in about 20 years, I seriously messed up my hamstring. 1st time (tear) playing rugby, 2nd & 3rd times (tears) playing softball, 4th (tear) playing Ultimate Frisbee. Small micro tears that caused a build up of scar tissue in the muscle causing one Physical Therapist to bend his needle in me while dry needling, after tear number 4 about 3 years ago. This Triathlon injury occurred just like the previous during an explosive movement taking off from 1st and going to 2nd while playing kickball.</div>
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You see, when you have a very supportive partner, who never complains (out loud/or to my knowledge) about the time I spend training or the races that I enter and she asks me to play kickball with her fellow teachers in Denver School District Kickball league, damn straight I am going to show that support back and say yes. So although, I didn't injure the old hammy in a triathlon specific event, I did in a show of support for my gal who continually supports my habit of training and triathlons. Shit Happens.</div>
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This injury caused me to back out of Boise 70.3 in June as the 1st race I ever had do such to. In the past it has taken me 8 to 10 weeks to rehab myself since having that gunshot feeling in the back of my leg depending on the severity of the injury. Boulder IM is in 8.5 weeks from the injury. Here we go.....A late start on my training due to work, Sinus Infection & Bronchitis and now a messed up hammy. I've spent the last 8.5 weeks managing this last set back. Coach E altered my training giving me the best opportunity to succeed. Heather implemented the trifecta of pain as my PT. Darcie manipulated and dug deep as my Massage Therapist. I certainly had an incredible group of people working with me to help get me to the starting line of Boulder IM as healthy as I could be.</div>
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At the end of June, Jess and I made the decision that I would move in with her down in Lakewood. Starting July 1st I would rent my Boulder home. Originally Jess was going to move up to Boulder but with still not having found that right position for myself this helps to cover the mortgage payments. This move certainly put a kink into my training regimen. 1.5 hr drives to make a 6:30am swim practice then "hangout" all day to make a 5:45pm track session. I have no clue about the roads around Lakewood so I would take that drive again so I could hit the roads in Boulder, get my rides in and train on the course. Visiting Safeway so I could use a rest room or going to the gym so I could shower after a session. Hanging out and living in my car. It reminded me of what my Italian Grandfather affectionately used to call me and what his father called him.......</div>
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This was just another obstacle to overcome and deepened my resolve to Boulder IM.</div>
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In mid July, about 4 weeks after the initial hammy trauma we decided to give the Boulder Peak Olympic Tri a go and see how she would hold up.</div>
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The Peak had all my usual suspects in it.....Smiles, a Garmin I can't work, flying to the finish and post race Bloody Mary. This time dead leg also came to the show. After getting off the bike about a mile into the 10K, I had no right leg. Everything from the knee up basically felt dead. The quads were heavy, the glutes weren't firing and the hammy stayed in T2.<br />
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I did that hot out and back in shame. I watched people that knew me and fellow BTCers with disapproving and puzzling looks on their faces and shouting out me to get moving. I heard volunteers at aid stations, who I knew, tell me to pick it up. I watched people that had no business passing me move ahead of me with ease as I did a different version of the walk of shame<br />
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I felt pretty shitty. Shit Happens. This was the 1st race I ever left before the awards ceremony even began. I just wanted to hide. I went home and chilled for a few minutes and then laced up the runners. I was going to show myself that I was ok and do an easy cool down 3 miles or so. After about 10 minutes of running or about 100 yards, I decided to turn around, call it a day and go home. That brilliant idea certainly didn't help. The final few weeks before the race was much of the same. Most of my runs were without pain but with a heavy tight leg. After a final easy brick workout just last week, I experienced that same dead leg feel. Swim felt good, bike felt fun, run felt like a slow heavy jog.</div>
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I go into Boulder IM reflecting and with mixed thoughts about how the day will wind up for me. With all the craziness of the last 8 months for me, I never gave a doubt that I would be standing at the starting line of IM Boulder. I believe in signals from the universe and now 2 days out, in retrospect, I can't help but wonder if I have been receiving those signals saying "Don't do Boulder IM", "It will be a bad day for you", "something bad will happen" and all these signs were meant to steer you away from this race on this day of August 2, 2015. That's not how I read those signs though. As I was going through it, I like to believe it was more of a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" type of message, that I have been receiving. A perseverance type of message. SO I feel ready. I feel good. I feel that I will race with what I have on the day. That sometime before the clock strikes midnight, I will cross that finish line to have finished my 4th IM in 20 months with people that I love around and supporting me. Mentally and Physically (with exception to my hammy and the muscle groups surrounding it that have failed me) I feel primed for a personal Ironman best. Not sure how, with all the distractions and the small window of training to prepare me for this race, but I feel ready. I am not too high, not too low.....I am simply ready. Ready to face the day and the challenges ahead of me and all the shit that may happen. Let's Do This. Warrior Mode.</div>
</div>
Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-53754210855015083422015-05-11T08:13:00.004-07:002015-05-13T07:26:45.352-07:00Making up for lost time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5pNKFP9n9r5_oB55l_wAKZrkgb09BIA15ERbS58nxHOg3JF3UYNJs79K0rio9wDpZBCohZGMJI2Nm5TXLtcNr385mOjnaI4wsuZb7TMm_2Ntn2q_JzlaW5wQKJcxlGP34YeYXF3W9oTE/s1600/11155146_906393216074152_3131227246876309401_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5pNKFP9n9r5_oB55l_wAKZrkgb09BIA15ERbS58nxHOg3JF3UYNJs79K0rio9wDpZBCohZGMJI2Nm5TXLtcNr385mOjnaI4wsuZb7TMm_2Ntn2q_JzlaW5wQKJcxlGP34YeYXF3W9oTE/s320/11155146_906393216074152_3131227246876309401_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday Coach Eric posted an article on FB that he wrote for Training Peaks last year entitled <a href="http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/making-up-for-lost-training-time">Making up for Lost Training Time</a>. I immediately replied to his post <b><i>"Did you write this for me?"</i> </b> Was he calling me out and using Coaching Psychology to put it in a forum like that so I would know he was talking about me without coming out and saying it so that no one else knows
he is directly talking to me? I know that may seem silly to the rational
mind but the athlete that believes that s/he is behind feels the guilt and
immediately starts to wonder what can I do to make up that lost training time?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_q_84kq5KquIJwAukEWBK2JUYD02Lxn2TdJPQmWK4BNKHu3iRNB3lPEJaD2JDZUcG33ogd-e9xDRXQrOnOjWnzL-KKn2cu3kFaJVlxlBj9faX3YMwPOOvZvicQQRL6atGKHNMMHNWN_u/s1600/2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_q_84kq5KquIJwAukEWBK2JUYD02Lxn2TdJPQmWK4BNKHu3iRNB3lPEJaD2JDZUcG33ogd-e9xDRXQrOnOjWnzL-KKn2cu3kFaJVlxlBj9faX3YMwPOOvZvicQQRL6atGKHNMMHNWN_u/s320/2323.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year in my pursuit of doing 3 Ironman races in 11 months saw me take virtually no time off from training. Just one race jumping into another then another. I didn't want time off. I didn't feel the need for time off. I was enjoying myself and my life's journey and experiences. It was my intent to continue along this path into my 2015 race season. Then came a mid September day when my life started to go in a bit of an uncontrollable downward spin. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;">My training had drastically
reduced in the final 6 weeks leading up to IM Fortaleza due to what I perceived
as unrealistic and irrational conditions at work. It was so bad that I almost
backed out of competing......almost.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-Jjz_bKK2Q9iwAKuQ_YRfPVvu_qqG9AUrAuupOZcByle36Q7NPY1f6FNtbEi9xGQumhqO6m5A5QZFzoAM45ZufPooUXkh80NMzAxgJabJlwG-HOFg2J9_t89zHUS4JWYFsbk30Suba8W/s1600/0618_055540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-Jjz_bKK2Q9iwAKuQ_YRfPVvu_qqG9AUrAuupOZcByle36Q7NPY1f6FNtbEi9xGQumhqO6m5A5QZFzoAM45ZufPooUXkh80NMzAxgJabJlwG-HOFg2J9_t89zHUS4JWYFsbk30Suba8W/s320/0618_055540.jpg" width="315" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;">Those conditions didn’t
change when I returned from Brazil and for the next four months continued to
get increasingly worse. </span>Interestingly enough, although signs of constant improvement were being shown at work in all areas (Guest & Associate Satisfaction and Fiscally) for the 1st time in years, the US Corporate office of the hotel suddenly was asking, unrealistically, for more then had ever been produced/asked for of the hotel and they wanted it yesterday. Yet major mechanical malfunctions existed around every corner, Hot Water Boilers out of service, multiple Elevators not working, constant roof leaks during rain and public spaces of the hotel still not functional or operating since the flood over a year prior had not been addressed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFLuSZ-javi7ac2S_Zn8J09gCq7IGzWDIRQ8KzsiVwcJNjtmQJBiGdJ-4G6u71zfrDeFAJOgKgaH4R5FXIUlqQIOeHVOX1Vp1JFtX4h2jsFaWkihbfaqYb01VCqsHCtPY3xi08Ueorh3P/s1600/100_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFLuSZ-javi7ac2S_Zn8J09gCq7IGzWDIRQ8KzsiVwcJNjtmQJBiGdJ-4G6u71zfrDeFAJOgKgaH4R5FXIUlqQIOeHVOX1Vp1JFtX4h2jsFaWkihbfaqYb01VCqsHCtPY3xi08Ueorh3P/s320/100_1846.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did the only thing I knew how......put my head down, put my team on my shoulders and carried on. Fix it the best I could with the resources and manpower that I had. We were short staffed over 30 people from the previous year due to the new hiring freeze and policies set forth by the Corporate office in their attempt to try and have more money hit the bottom line. My training and personal life suffered. I virtually lost a half of a year due to stress and uncontrollable circumstances. I could no longer look a guest in the eye and apologize for an elevator that had been broken for 1.5 years and explain why they had to walk up four flights of stairs. I could no longer look an employee in the eye that had just gotten yelled at by a guest because the full paying guest had no HOT water during their stay and their only option was to be escorted to another wing of the hotel where a room just became vacant so that they did not have to take a COLD or no shower. This is after months of pleading with the company to replace the 25+ year old heater. Fun huh?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOiek1guZekWwA0CjLw8jtu9kFFAaplmN0SrkeXIpG2Zpb6W0jkA7zM7_Ew2hM9-TyBCBjzYaQ9oq-ty1z2MjKvKMrLzJolUm9b_yIOZ3y0H2N9w_ebVoAVmzX4Hxp2d99B0uHNFxwx9x/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOiek1guZekWwA0CjLw8jtu9kFFAaplmN0SrkeXIpG2Zpb6W0jkA7zM7_Ew2hM9-TyBCBjzYaQ9oq-ty1z2MjKvKMrLzJolUm9b_yIOZ3y0H2N9w_ebVoAVmzX4Hxp2d99B0uHNFxwx9x/s320/123.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could not put my name or my face to such a place and I left. On Jan 20th, I said no more and tendered my resignation. I realized that I lost a bit of myself during that time. Any time spent maintaining to stay in shape and preparing myself for my second year of Ironman competition completely ceased. Many important things to me in my personal life took a back seat to work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was raised to do the best job that I can. That you don't quit. That you make your company, your family and your friends proud. I have never walked away from anything before. I have never not been successful in any work venture that I put my hands on and name to. And here I was quitting. Walking away from an entire Executive Team that I built and hired with the lure of my dreams of the potential that was held in the hallways of the hotel. Walking away from all the guests through the years that I befriended and gave business to this company because I would ensure their stay or meetings would go off without a hitch. Walking away from over 100 employees that I lead through a national disaster, that I cross trained and personally created events so they would have shifts to pay their bills, that endured for over 12 years of virtually no capital improvements to the hotel compared with now a 100 room renovation, new public bathrooms, new public spaces, new kitchen equipment, new Wi Fi, new gardens and bars, painting of the building and increased safety and security systems in place.. yadda yadda yadda...I could go on for hours. We have come an incredible distance in my few short years at the hotel. I did it all because I was passionate about it and I truly LOVE what I do. Leading, building, creating, improving operating efficiencies...all that stuff is righteous to me and where I excel...........and I quit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTODpM0cf2W9wAa-YrK3E0ADMHct_bIjZgmOl60sDQxWCe_eVpXMtPT2qRfSapD5c-Ww7nueY06iMN8vla0TzJ1IQey43LLBtOVi9vIrq1V412JArYnB0SUjfgZgReThbLpmGgQtXi4B2K/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTODpM0cf2W9wAa-YrK3E0ADMHct_bIjZgmOl60sDQxWCe_eVpXMtPT2qRfSapD5c-Ww7nueY06iMN8vla0TzJ1IQey43LLBtOVi9vIrq1V412JArYnB0SUjfgZgReThbLpmGgQtXi4B2K/s320/123.jpg" width="230" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a guy that tries to live in the now and the present, I let a lot of time slip away. Those 4 months from September to January, I will never get back again. I will never get those miles back in my legs and lungs nor the time missed spending with my girlfriend or my boy or experiencing life. Doing the things that make me laugh and smile and just enjoy the shit out of my journey, my path.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am, at almost the heaviest I have ever been, in horrible shape and feeling bad/guilty about quitting work. After months of roadblocks and trying to find solutions with the corp. office I know it was the only choice I really had at recapturing my life and getting my essence back. I begin the job search but I am hesitant about training again. I am so far behind where in my mind I should be. Starting all over again is never easy and a bit of a daunting task. Besides how can I have the luxury to train all day when I have no job? How irresponsible of me! How can I be biking and swimming and running for hours when I have 2 mortgages to answer for? So I stayed away from committing to race training. I mean, I hung on or tried to. I would do the occasional swim or ride or run. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9zIf9h7tvPHsd_DeMg4MevF0bCpKwDshjBUw3k2xvv0O9sMw-9X-eTPh-CGjRo1coiET548JFqJeF5FkjkEoTRuUjA6Ou7ogkRBlEFJUqLCr7xqYHMmYsK34zc6GCJHHU6AqzoOaBOzB/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9zIf9h7tvPHsd_DeMg4MevF0bCpKwDshjBUw3k2xvv0O9sMw-9X-eTPh-CGjRo1coiET548JFqJeF5FkjkEoTRuUjA6Ou7ogkRBlEFJUqLCr7xqYHMmYsK34zc6GCJHHU6AqzoOaBOzB/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started to lead easy group rides for The Boulder Tri Club on Saturdays and Sunday is a Fun day for a Run Day group trail runs on Sundays. I was doing what I believed I could to try and stay in shape and be fiscally responsible at the same time. I wouldn't spend the money on lift tickets and saw the least amount of on hill time that I had experienced since about 1997. I did share one epic ski weekend with my godson in beautiful Steamboat. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSZlWgwHCMKC4KqpC-BOi6P8UbshSQ2MumQVh-Lp3k7Lxl1ipk4AgigYNXnBut1ySI-aWO7ywvILxIqQG3DH7ITrTLqjdZPml9i9jw8uZDSK6-SlApR_0JvmwYEgJfK6kyLHB3abTiSdD/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSZlWgwHCMKC4KqpC-BOi6P8UbshSQ2MumQVh-Lp3k7Lxl1ipk4AgigYNXnBut1ySI-aWO7ywvILxIqQG3DH7ITrTLqjdZPml9i9jw8uZDSK6-SlApR_0JvmwYEgJfK6kyLHB3abTiSdD/s320/IMG_1209.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then March rolled around and I realized it was 2 months out to Boise 70.3 and 5 months out to Boulder Ironman. Man I was going to be in trouble. I need to pull my shit together and get back in the game. I would not give up on myself and the 2015 race season just yet. As Coach Eric stated in his Blog <span style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><b><i>"</i></b></span><span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Times-Roman;"><b><i>The 2015
racing season has started. However, some athletes may be behind in training and
the thought of a race makes you shake your head and think, “There is no way I
am ready to race right now.” I’ve heard that before and there are plenty of
legitimate reasons for being in this situation. The question is what can you do
now to get in shape quickly but safely."</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To me the answer to this question was easy. So I called Eric and asked for a sit down. With my racing schedule in hand we chatted about where I was and what I wanted to have happen. I still felt a little guilty about going into this without having a full time job but I knew I would feel a lot worse giving up on myself because I would be physically incapable to compete. We decided to start our new journey together aptly on April Fools Day, April 1 and Eric was officially Coach E again. I have said it time and time again, the single best investment any triathlete can make is to hire a Good/Great Coach. In Boulder there are a ton of posers and people who call themselves coaches. But if you can find a good one they will help you achieve your goals safely. Three Ironman finishes in a year, without ever competing in a triathlon, injury free is a testament to that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Tw4xJTSRpmHU4Nso1AogZBnht3xHJyMcpp7HzQBxGwaymp55DMXpZ0b8MdO4a76dIbri4RiB4m5KLuaJqvofoUFu9FqIdE1adyrzFxmvBAXIcFCnaR6FzomR2CzQdPpULru2774-t3wI/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Tw4xJTSRpmHU4Nso1AogZBnht3xHJyMcpp7HzQBxGwaymp55DMXpZ0b8MdO4a76dIbri4RiB4m5KLuaJqvofoUFu9FqIdE1adyrzFxmvBAXIcFCnaR6FzomR2CzQdPpULru2774-t3wI/s320/IMG_0827.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So April 1 comes and with baby steps I begin to get back into a real training mindset and mode. Then it hits. Simultaneously, Bronchitis and a sinus infection. I am out again. I struggle to try and train and realize I may be doing more harm then good and am sidelined once again. The pressure of being "race ready" is even stronger than ever. Mentally I am there and ready to commit now physically I cannot. During this additional 2 weeks away from training I realize that it is impossible to do a job search for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I definitely notice how more "free" time I have had and how it has been wonderful to spend with Jess and to continue to allow our relationship to grow. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZrcZGylt-ytHfzxZVJoTWHQoJqdU10cXzXm-WoA9tEG9p1mp0kOBbtA9x3rG5z5RUxLbAs4gktk3-Sv49izlhC8W_ENMUarsl-i7U3omrmDxjt3Ok60SF86s97iPd4ZAyVGrk1ZNqvg8/s1600/r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZrcZGylt-ytHfzxZVJoTWHQoJqdU10cXzXm-WoA9tEG9p1mp0kOBbtA9x3rG5z5RUxLbAs4gktk3-Sv49izlhC8W_ENMUarsl-i7U3omrmDxjt3Ok60SF86s97iPd4ZAyVGrk1ZNqvg8/s200/r.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UUsNsYi8ZFbtwR0_xvFbjWruqFz75DjZ6nWVeLEXt_3ZEj9D0dilSbhf1icJDm34uar3mxUPryziB6qztvoAz-wpxGAPycoVHegS9vX_Dv2JWAmZo4Xv9TgwuvvsQqtwp9CHoYAgmRQJ/s1600/IMG_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UUsNsYi8ZFbtwR0_xvFbjWruqFz75DjZ6nWVeLEXt_3ZEj9D0dilSbhf1icJDm34uar3mxUPryziB6qztvoAz-wpxGAPycoVHegS9vX_Dv2JWAmZo4Xv9TgwuvvsQqtwp9CHoYAgmRQJ/s200/IMG_1273.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am able to stop everything for a moment and reflect on my journey. Much of the outside world (Work & Training) that once gobbled up my time ceases to exist. I am able to calm the outside demons in my head and am allowed to focus. I started hosting Full Moon Wine Soirees again, put together plans for a few 14er hikes, meet up with friends for dinners and shows, go for mountain bike rides and hiked Mt. Sanitas for the first time in over a year. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteaKe4hyphenhyphen8ytPq2HD3cDy__baDvq3sMQVjdB1UJW_8IeJ7XGgghHjnEybMvs01FAjwXyUVEy2_lbeFyBd9NaGSco18Ozlzhw55ZIsTDlAQrOG9HsKfkxZPxmHtulCRuVWDB9T-0uOqzgcq/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteaKe4hyphenhyphen8ytPq2HD3cDy__baDvq3sMQVjdB1UJW_8IeJ7XGgghHjnEybMvs01FAjwXyUVEy2_lbeFyBd9NaGSco18Ozlzhw55ZIsTDlAQrOG9HsKfkxZPxmHtulCRuVWDB9T-0uOqzgcq/s200/IMG_1393.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUVOIsNx0c5E4FjBrn-t3EqlrvohJkpsjtMhyNIXTot3X6j1d04JqMYM6y-wOy5yo-OuVzSW3DuvjeHZaGb_hbOgFFuv-syVYb-akzsGYL56tnJWPYUdIVnt06Y3XCHsTwuzMEegB3A_d/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUVOIsNx0c5E4FjBrn-t3EqlrvohJkpsjtMhyNIXTot3X6j1d04JqMYM6y-wOy5yo-OuVzSW3DuvjeHZaGb_hbOgFFuv-syVYb-akzsGYL56tnJWPYUdIVnt06Y3XCHsTwuzMEegB3A_d/s200/IMG_1414.JPG" width="160" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFg0CxRWxr5F2-jcL7kcN61UFprCKsRfckCnOdYwJblHwjBhIhz44yS2-fH_pybhPtufHSPxNOJySiarnVH2av6eQWxIAfWgx6rrTHzqiAdjlXDqXdPEPY7nh63iv7RY2gTmXez8w_V9h/s1600/IMG_1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFg0CxRWxr5F2-jcL7kcN61UFprCKsRfckCnOdYwJblHwjBhIhz44yS2-fH_pybhPtufHSPxNOJySiarnVH2av6eQWxIAfWgx6rrTHzqiAdjlXDqXdPEPY7nh63iv7RY2gTmXez8w_V9h/s200/IMG_1261.jpg" width="191" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I volunteered to be a guide for a visually impaired runner at a race and the time with my boy has increased dramatically. Being sick and stopping my training for those few weeks allowed me to reflect. I was gung ho to jump in with both feet almost mindless of what was surrounding me because I was feeling soooo far behind and needed to catch up. I am back to living in the present and feeling with even more sense of gratitude the path I am walking and the people who are besides me along the way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now I'm off the medication and finally back at training full force again and loving it. Each session feels better and better than before. I am psyched for the race season ahead and although getting a late jump on things, I feel more confident right now then I did at this point last year. I still have a long way to go to achieve my race goals but my mindset is as good as it can be. And I'll persist to search for that career position that I desire at my pace without obsessing over it. And will not settle for just a job but would rather go without and be happy in my life. And I'll continue to cherish my long Sunday trail runs in this beautiful Boulder town with my boy and gal along my side.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I making up for lost time?? I'm not sure but I know I am taking control of my life again and in a way that I haven't had since that September day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>"I often tell my athletes “worry about the things you can control. Not the stuff you can’t” ~ Eric Kenney</b></i></span></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-88243235917634747922015-03-13T10:09:00.000-07:002015-03-16T06:55:10.548-07:00In the Wake of IM Fortaleza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDCGus2ulqCa1KUWYYewQIJkQc0qn9FrfmHEmtxXP50l_layMcZZJWThiPYc2ry-MATrPE3kxLQyN8u3iqodHFutaq0C24ibIEqBVoXTmS5tLKufuvn_9yaYDcGm828PjKFtz0V8q8XXk/s1600/0618_055688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDCGus2ulqCa1KUWYYewQIJkQc0qn9FrfmHEmtxXP50l_layMcZZJWThiPYc2ry-MATrPE3kxLQyN8u3iqodHFutaq0C24ibIEqBVoXTmS5tLKufuvn_9yaYDcGm828PjKFtz0V8q8XXk/s1600/0618_055688.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7yc0iNou7XMduoyU02jLPR3l1RLicQeXa9msfV-kEuWzhzM_otR1x0TowcRfwpCJ575ttWK8mCXqe6fRCni_wASDblpMAiJ8honOAW-DhHzrwgDY_Zkg41_Qoa_LJkHHzem2jR3YPEl_/s1600/0618_055916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7yc0iNou7XMduoyU02jLPR3l1RLicQeXa9msfV-kEuWzhzM_otR1x0TowcRfwpCJ575ttWK8mCXqe6fRCni_wASDblpMAiJ8honOAW-DhHzrwgDY_Zkg41_Qoa_LJkHHzem2jR3YPEl_/s1600/0618_055916.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the moments following crossing the finish line of Ironman Fortaleza, I met up with my Ironbuddy Hal, got my medal, saw Felipe, looked for food, took some goofy pictures and crashed. Hal and I sat down and for the first time and I realized how much trouble my feet were in. I knew I had blisters. I knew they hurt during the race, but the adrenaline and excitement of the race has ended and now I was left with the reality that my feet were f*cked.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84tRZEpI4DPr5KR0LMLHBGh7YVpU392hLFQbARjbc-dGSDmYDT7CNnQsjtXexZmBm6jVoratlfunnFQZMw6loLv2-WVPJ6bSUJrnCsVwg4yraEM67728Thi31RG7GAkVw-McjTv_984_W/s1600/0618_057630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84tRZEpI4DPr5KR0LMLHBGh7YVpU392hLFQbARjbc-dGSDmYDT7CNnQsjtXexZmBm6jVoratlfunnFQZMw6loLv2-WVPJ6bSUJrnCsVwg4yraEM67728Thi31RG7GAkVw-McjTv_984_W/s1600/0618_057630.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnVrfy6rvGGdihfUITlu7jYHAZ1bQWRaZ678H06ZiEp_ZacS-4vtKCw0OTO_6YjI7lLDAl-Y-fT_sOsM1qszeLnDPYeJJH4xopsa5GycJBya3OE1DHec08z7Klqcnu5fo81_kd03SEOBw/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnVrfy6rvGGdihfUITlu7jYHAZ1bQWRaZ678H06ZiEp_ZacS-4vtKCw0OTO_6YjI7lLDAl-Y-fT_sOsM1qszeLnDPYeJJH4xopsa5GycJBya3OE1DHec08z7Klqcnu5fo81_kd03SEOBw/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwUKJyqbUxVqON-1yammDzWHU4Eig0skP4U8gfpy4-3CLZWKOEx-A3m7mGIRTMogyV9rw8Egb1AVzUL-nWOxb7Zuq5nFO6Y98s-L_qmidpVeb5IvlaxNuuQNGxoMfDA7Ar60IObh7XtY7/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwUKJyqbUxVqON-1yammDzWHU4Eig0skP4U8gfpy4-3CLZWKOEx-A3m7mGIRTMogyV9rw8Egb1AVzUL-nWOxb7Zuq5nFO6Y98s-L_qmidpVeb5IvlaxNuuQNGxoMfDA7Ar60IObh7XtY7/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to do some house keeping stuff like get Bella and my gear bags and of course find a place that serves Bloody Marys. Hal and I managed our way over to the race host hotel as their restaurant was still open and surely they could make a Bloody Mary. As I was hobbling over, I truly wonderd how I just completed 26.2 miles on these feet that I could barely walk the 300 yds to get to the hotel.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next few days were spent staying off my feet as best as I could and hydrating.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRL5xdKj5LHbotjuq44zAdpXt7UAyoFxKVh-GZlUKEFcbOdmf4KEx_gTrdNnkdaUuTPb6DYXM9oFmiuoQj2fLQeFrYLEqbV3otWKB3nzHKfiZ2MTPvIGMYiuAizL8CdPTwoc1f98mDmL2/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRL5xdKj5LHbotjuq44zAdpXt7UAyoFxKVh-GZlUKEFcbOdmf4KEx_gTrdNnkdaUuTPb6DYXM9oFmiuoQj2fLQeFrYLEqbV3otWKB3nzHKfiZ2MTPvIGMYiuAizL8CdPTwoc1f98mDmL2/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My IronBuddy, truly was, as he helped me out a tremendous amount. He even found me a sterlized blister needle to help drain them. So began my daily routine of waking up, draining my blisters, sitting by the pool,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373e4d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Mn-NEQyCbNxu6HsIFGP6mzVzmgE3AGw8BFv7WOrK8HSbFDyr8GprsOmlhr3qOwps-tbrIgdrepjts5cDq7Tt7sKVXwa-FXFmDPlCw06sh96qByUww-NkBXsDoMbpdNkyIQ1RCxZASYb/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Mn-NEQyCbNxu6HsIFGP6mzVzmgE3AGw8BFv7WOrK8HSbFDyr8GprsOmlhr3qOwps-tbrIgdrepjts5cDq7Tt7sKVXwa-FXFmDPlCw06sh96qByUww-NkBXsDoMbpdNkyIQ1RCxZASYb/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hobbling to lunch, returning to the pool, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUlvO-ZC2LnBoshQ8yrBefERXm_ECmtw5pQKEOb_1h0FjJUW7iUMMhI-V20IxdqH9prpFM1vA7tIz-A2dBevDtm-aW9gZnf3KwLCDSTPOjI21uUAZ5sGMdVhuFZFqe-YEzUB4mEw5ljsE/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUlvO-ZC2LnBoshQ8yrBefERXm_ECmtw5pQKEOb_1h0FjJUW7iUMMhI-V20IxdqH9prpFM1vA7tIz-A2dBevDtm-aW9gZnf3KwLCDSTPOjI21uUAZ5sGMdVhuFZFqe-YEzUB4mEw5ljsE/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">draining my blisters, then sitting by the pool until the sun started to come down,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCW2TILBlvIN0y75aJeEleSYMA4VHApfRK0tJ8K_qBpnw9rtcBpRGEqZAxERs0BbexIEuAkJcfk_-5-JOmsWeOtoYhyYkAzQE6UghOyazJuAaq2KIVCToAeQhGLqoLL0QligbnLFpuZHx/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCW2TILBlvIN0y75aJeEleSYMA4VHApfRK0tJ8K_qBpnw9rtcBpRGEqZAxERs0BbexIEuAkJcfk_-5-JOmsWeOtoYhyYkAzQE6UghOyazJuAaq2KIVCToAeQhGLqoLL0QligbnLFpuZHx/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then hobbling to dinner in this quaint beach town in the northernmost part of Brazil called Canoa Quebrada.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7xTl6QX-nTFkY-XBWM6OHym4ETN8M0sFH_beqp5X2eMKQmhE9eWZub9OVJtXbdgxpq5QXLjU-qQzOVwrPknKp5kGWo4vObx3CofGYVgwbrilCNVw-99DEoxYu0n9HBSCQP1xJIvrrQGu/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7xTl6QX-nTFkY-XBWM6OHym4ETN8M0sFH_beqp5X2eMKQmhE9eWZub9OVJtXbdgxpq5QXLjU-qQzOVwrPknKp5kGWo4vObx3CofGYVgwbrilCNVw-99DEoxYu0n9HBSCQP1xJIvrrQGu/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then heading to bed but not before one last drain of the fluids from my feet and the blood from under a few of my toenails (For Jessica's sake, I've spared you photos I took of that but email me off line if you'd like to see!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started to feel guilty by being in this beautiful part of the world and here I was just sitting by the pool as I was afraid of getting sand or dirt or anything in my open draining wounds. So the next morning we got up earlyish and I hobbled my way down to the beach.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mLli5Mb2PXZ2IKBTWOIaLSatb9jsP82JL4vnIfCaXIa0rX0zMaKx3g3LWHBiX5gtcpwdJzdSMJ69eAXaDG_4aBoTJZZ2n1M7b8Df3yToMQZgnIMaaUlb2PcRFo7FAFqzg1iz6MSk7QgQ/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mLli5Mb2PXZ2IKBTWOIaLSatb9jsP82JL4vnIfCaXIa0rX0zMaKx3g3LWHBiX5gtcpwdJzdSMJ69eAXaDG_4aBoTJZZ2n1M7b8Df3yToMQZgnIMaaUlb2PcRFo7FAFqzg1iz6MSk7QgQ/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" height="200" width="181" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We continued to hydrate and recover.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBS-AOwUXwk89X3EPwsh4vdSaRwpWfaJd9x3jZ6Y9NL3W8P3V1I0vKs11RYtSjQcdHJlT6QP1-k_g7v_bsUxUacJRMWYcZVIVtOVV954x0SVoJMSdRq-VVNKyPX_IonPEmjNf76Jff0mqm/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBS-AOwUXwk89X3EPwsh4vdSaRwpWfaJd9x3jZ6Y9NL3W8P3V1I0vKs11RYtSjQcdHJlT6QP1-k_g7v_bsUxUacJRMWYcZVIVtOVV954x0SVoJMSdRq-VVNKyPX_IonPEmjNf76Jff0mqm/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" height="141" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzuBVVns_W8LSnFA-CEwh7diBDFLfnEX8QTRzYC_FoV15uUTuqBYnpiJbvpFJ-_OMjCJRR8cVUlW9eXhJ6qPUrbeCvLdN6rp4LhYtSZCuNA07tG5acpQCMgIfW99Y-VW5HhuFAgSzRCOe/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzuBVVns_W8LSnFA-CEwh7diBDFLfnEX8QTRzYC_FoV15uUTuqBYnpiJbvpFJ-_OMjCJRR8cVUlW9eXhJ6qPUrbeCvLdN6rp4LhYtSZCuNA07tG5acpQCMgIfW99Y-VW5HhuFAgSzRCOe/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhWwhcPd80GVWFp0jKzF31SGk46r1tsUdgz4B3kZOaB3lt1bQG5660nkSmaLbTqe4eBC72aWs_tMnvibQct2kBPONQ08b6zCBm0wtdDWM1hjDhE2HKoDwDTHNwUg-bm46tnGZS1j_pEiL/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhWwhcPd80GVWFp0jKzF31SGk46r1tsUdgz4B3kZOaB3lt1bQG5660nkSmaLbTqe4eBC72aWs_tMnvibQct2kBPONQ08b6zCBm0wtdDWM1hjDhE2HKoDwDTHNwUg-bm46tnGZS1j_pEiL/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4HrREbEZQRSxRVAdCbkL8snRVP54dpA9dG6epnbjOlCWzk6aHhiITAPb1VzHUA6qc1hvIuHkwl2kxY1XPV7X-0wAPoabFFRAaPVHfYK6JEKGaQiJ34V2j_QmJrRQH2X0oj1SPTTKjCjp/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4HrREbEZQRSxRVAdCbkL8snRVP54dpA9dG6epnbjOlCWzk6aHhiITAPb1VzHUA6qc1hvIuHkwl2kxY1XPV7X-0wAPoabFFRAaPVHfYK6JEKGaQiJ34V2j_QmJrRQH2X0oj1SPTTKjCjp/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time came for Hal and I to bid the sleepy little oceanside town of Conoa Quebrada goodbye and off we went to the airport to catch a flight to Rio. Hal lives just outside of Rio near Priai u Pepe. We had a few days in Rio, unfortunately it rained most of the time but I was able to catch up with some dear friends (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joana & Isabela</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from back in the Killington days that worked with me. As well as more recent Brasilian friends </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkHO8W2iXguikEPAEHmgIqPY37aHd1EAXp4PqTb5V24ijwSt2X5s9nB7KHy8vVcmEfkq9GG7237qGroKFIAyaf5tCm1VRVcN8WWj_-U3Ob1vDd7hOPvxFZ_mNShzx_Ob9x88D3Ly1q5Te/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkHO8W2iXguikEPAEHmgIqPY37aHd1EAXp4PqTb5V24ijwSt2X5s9nB7KHy8vVcmEfkq9GG7237qGroKFIAyaf5tCm1VRVcN8WWj_-U3Ob1vDd7hOPvxFZ_mNShzx_Ob9x88D3Ly1q5Te/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" height="234" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marcello and Felipe. It was great to see every one. The last day in Brasil the sun came out one last time for me. It was enough to catch some vitamin D on the beach and grab one last acai con banana, mel y granola.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lDTY0QhvTjOxLt8ezF__dGdn9yhyfCcfSeS8iRQLkgAGxD-xBFGF65LplK_8bUCaqSY5p8tU2QWGMeSa-afsW_NLU-dRqUQ3xoKB3oP7lmGCgJYFntvXukf_55pB9Yb6_ciqnnvqht-D/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lDTY0QhvTjOxLt8ezF__dGdn9yhyfCcfSeS8iRQLkgAGxD-xBFGF65LplK_8bUCaqSY5p8tU2QWGMeSa-afsW_NLU-dRqUQ3xoKB3oP7lmGCgJYFntvXukf_55pB9Yb6_ciqnnvqht-D/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hal and I made our way to the airport as he had meetings in the states and was catching a different flight back to the U.S. This Ironbuddy pulled out one last treat. Admittance to the VIP lounge where we continued to work on our hydration skills.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lP38WhX6agcROZ-JdbBNWOvts3w8-HcMonafc1hOIZSVdofV2p1p1OqSKcxGdmQne6o8j9cXc7zvPaXw8X65LsIwk-nIqi22B2mYDCzObv0-lCrQCnUEN3mF4H91OxVlHPZMGuPpDvp6/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lP38WhX6agcROZ-JdbBNWOvts3w8-HcMonafc1hOIZSVdofV2p1p1OqSKcxGdmQne6o8j9cXc7zvPaXw8X65LsIwk-nIqi22B2mYDCzObv0-lCrQCnUEN3mF4H91OxVlHPZMGuPpDvp6/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I landed back in the states, late Monday night to begin work on Tuesday morning after swim of course. Half expecting to see a pink slip on my door for taking this trip. But no such luck. A few more weeks at the grind an then a quick weekend jaunt to spend Thanksgiving in Florida with both sides of the family was perfect and just what the doctor ordered.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since November things have been a bit of a struggle for me. Not too much different than before I went to Fortalzea, predominately because of work. About a year ago I wrote in this blog titled <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2014_03_01_archive.html">What am I doing??????</a> It was basically a 1st Quarter report of 2014 but in it I talked about dealing with stress. Stress at work, stress at work causing me to miss workouts, poor eating habits, poor sleeping habits. Again all a by product of the work stresses. Since my return from Fortaleza that stress has easily magnified itself a countless amount. I don't mind stress, I actually think I reveal in it. Remaining calm in a sea of craziness. I have made a professional career out of turning things that were upside down into successful ventures. But I think there comes a time when we all must say enough is enough. I won't use this blog as a forum to "bash" the company I worked for. They do it to themselves enough daily through the way they treat their employees and guests. Let's just say that on Jan 20th, enough was enough and I tendered my resignation. The toll that my spirit, my mind and my body had taken needed to end. I have been asked a billion times.......What's next Marty? What are you going to do? Are you staying in Boulder? Are you still racing? and on and on. My answer.....simply, I don't know. I didn't have a master plan and something hidden in my back pocket ready to pull out. I know my spirit, my mind and my body essentially makes up my being and all that who I am. Those three components when balanced make me feel incredible. That is what I have been doing. Taking care of those three essential needs for myself. Since Jan 20th......Besides loosing 4 toenails....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAQXDGv07YipCAraqKmG8-gvkdTvzmIRMA-SHx6WdkweI7m0BxSE1S6BCrhi4aFYDKTNBZ4jYy7S1rs6IEin5UC6OGIiJGdhDPqDYKcCjejUqLZdArg1kMWE3-O4VYLiH2jrJ1L7SoRKc/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAQXDGv07YipCAraqKmG8-gvkdTvzmIRMA-SHx6WdkweI7m0BxSE1S6BCrhi4aFYDKTNBZ4jYy7S1rs6IEin5UC6OGIiJGdhDPqDYKcCjejUqLZdArg1kMWE3-O4VYLiH2jrJ1L7SoRKc/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.....I've gone on bike rides with my friends</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyxpnK5EYqsYU2CkTEFMxd5AR8flg8vuxCL-aclwh41cD1RRIfLoFDcobNbhvCqOUe5ASNl0UikaPMcReqIg281bO_s04VAH7UdujiHFmy2iYCaBEY4-UoEq0FYr8ISAwV_DENQAICNVp/s1600/IMG_1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyxpnK5EYqsYU2CkTEFMxd5AR8flg8vuxCL-aclwh41cD1RRIfLoFDcobNbhvCqOUe5ASNl0UikaPMcReqIg281bO_s04VAH7UdujiHFmy2iYCaBEY4-UoEq0FYr8ISAwV_DENQAICNVp/s1600/IMG_1188.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and worked on my kisses</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBs904GXaqGJpWhgfmNkPeXELcZY-oBi6s64e_sb2Z12gFIi005BWXmZlN01LXdYTtsxT6gOCav3pV3ql7kpAON1vRBJR4E8Icy0oQ7ESfHrlWznSjPtFkgIPkhOBAy0FDOmxCkwIYOuI/s1600/stmbt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBs904GXaqGJpWhgfmNkPeXELcZY-oBi6s64e_sb2Z12gFIi005BWXmZlN01LXdYTtsxT6gOCav3pV3ql7kpAON1vRBJR4E8Icy0oQ7ESfHrlWznSjPtFkgIPkhOBAy0FDOmxCkwIYOuI/s1600/stmbt.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Returned to "The Boat" with my godson....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgGYmXKKDxUiH9oaaijWPeaJC8OuWHMYU0214bojyMwRcV_QMCfg9YJwROSuFyrUFiKh8n6t_hid9XEqB-wTYNU-WYG5XMmTSb_3Bya7wmHS_TIz1vMbnSDgcjBPE4e9y_nXeqscEvcMI/s1600/IMG_1205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgGYmXKKDxUiH9oaaijWPeaJC8OuWHMYU0214bojyMwRcV_QMCfg9YJwROSuFyrUFiKh8n6t_hid9XEqB-wTYNU-WYG5XMmTSb_3Bya7wmHS_TIz1vMbnSDgcjBPE4e9y_nXeqscEvcMI/s1600/IMG_1205.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and enjoyed epic Pow Pow</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've devoted time to my boy...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TUdsfedU0MrvDRAiy8ErhyphenhyphenFLI-mYAu-v1swz4M0VYJtJh0x-qUBT6vnji2Anq8cODPTukmmF07VieKBpWVFml6UMjlKwqNtwInjDeu8PpZ4Oa2FBJb7p8N9tZ2xWLK_StZ7UXRS1553V/s1600/r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TUdsfedU0MrvDRAiy8ErhyphenhyphenFLI-mYAu-v1swz4M0VYJtJh0x-qUBT6vnji2Anq8cODPTukmmF07VieKBpWVFml6UMjlKwqNtwInjDeu8PpZ4Oa2FBJb7p8N9tZ2xWLK_StZ7UXRS1553V/s1600/r.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and have tried new things with my girl.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know what my future holds or where it will take me. I know that I have the love and support and belief that I can do anything. We truly are the only ones stopping us from obtaining our goals. That doesn't mean every day is sunshine, rainbows and unicorns. Doubt and fear creep into my mind. Wanting to do nothing but lie under my sheets enters my thoughts. I acknowledge those feelings and thoughts but I don't allow them to lead me. I know I will land exactly where this path, this journey, this life is meant for me to be and I will appreciate the experience and each moment along the way. SO for now I don't have a ton of plans. I am seeking the next true great opportunity for myself and my future and keeping my mind and spirit open to all that comes my way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrppLNMZhBdma1wCCZ_OmZdQfkiuLUop4_NscMgJXXb2unF7KIaQv0FRUrByNp4oHPRA3tX6mVfIvtswLLupB0eI3ykj2Uc3gHoKtnYEAZwnITAxUdgRXbYz4ElI_IFlAMQWTzpGYx0w07/s1600/13--07-31+Endless+Possibilities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrppLNMZhBdma1wCCZ_OmZdQfkiuLUop4_NscMgJXXb2unF7KIaQv0FRUrByNp4oHPRA3tX6mVfIvtswLLupB0eI3ykj2Uc3gHoKtnYEAZwnITAxUdgRXbYz4ElI_IFlAMQWTzpGYx0w07/s1600/13--07-31+Endless+Possibilities.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about racing and triathlons?</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not giving up on these just yet. I enjoy myself way too much to stop having these in my life. If you have followed my Ironman race blogs, you should/could easily guess I have some unfinished business to attend to. I am happy and proud of my 1st year racing triathlons. I think I did a decent job of representing myself as an individual. I would however like to get back to represent myself better as an athlete though. I have had people laugh at me with that statement. <i><b>"Dude, 3 Ironman races in a year, yet alone your 1st year of doing triathlons is a pretty incredible athletic feat."</b></i> I hear it, I appreciate it, I don't agree with it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I don't have is a complete summer schedule planned out. I know the schedule that I would like to do but I am unaware of where geographically life will take me next. So because of this I have only committed myself to a few larger races. The Sprints and Olympic distance training races are still up in the air.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what are those larger races??</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">June 13th ~ 1/2 Ironman (Boise, Idaho)</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7cJylMl9p2X5f-y2sGvbVOPNEdxw3po7zL5XVmB75g1ENPJ9ImyEU88ZuF_NcgVA6GO5x0YAEx-ICUaQttJxx2KrFZy4RochxARFMslTJZz32dIxUpIxBJM5CGhNfoqZk4MRyu68Na5b/s1600/boise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7cJylMl9p2X5f-y2sGvbVOPNEdxw3po7zL5XVmB75g1ENPJ9ImyEU88ZuF_NcgVA6GO5x0YAEx-ICUaQttJxx2KrFZy4RochxARFMslTJZz32dIxUpIxBJM5CGhNfoqZk4MRyu68Na5b/s1600/boise.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">August 2nd ~ Ironman Boulder (Boulder, CO</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">)</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">October 25th ~ Ironman Los Cabos (Los Cabos, MX</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">)</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I welcome you to join me in this and my adventures. Whether it be to continue reading about my journey in this blog or to literally join along as a participant or spectator. Book your rooms, make the plans, commit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel a sense of relief that I have been able to regurgitate the last 4+ months in these last few days and pages of my blog. I look forward to this continual wacky wonderful world and life that we live and the Chapters of the books that we write as we move along our way.</span></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-60810168378451265662015-03-11T12:46:00.004-07:002015-03-11T12:46:40.670-07:00The Warrior Shuffle (IM Fortaleza ~The Run ~ The Finish)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sitting in transition after the bike, I knew I was in trouble as I took off my bike shoes & socks and looked at my feet. The bottoms were milky white. It was like they were not even my feet. They certainly didn't look like my feet. They didn't feel like my feet yet they were connected to my legs. They had to be mine and the ones I had to use to carry me the final 26.2 miles to finish line of the inaugural Fortaleza Ironman. I grabbed a towel and tried to dry them down and massage them simultaneously. I then applied as much body glide (anti friction ointment) on them a possible. I even put a layer of anti blister balm on top of that. I put on my asics kayano socks that have carried me through numerous marathons and 1,000 of miles of running with no blisters to speak of, except IM Cozumel. It must be the humidity that destroys my feet I think to myself. I reload on endurolytes, I reload on Hammer gels, apply another layer of sunscreen, soaked a towel and wrapped it around my neck and off I went.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ironman shuffle </td></tr>
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The run is a two lap course that takes you through the city streets slightly and back to the beach. You run along the shore and up and down piers for approx 6 miles turn around and do the same in reverse. Twice. It was nice to run along the shore. The sidewalks in which we were running and the piers got very crowded with the people of the city just coming out to enjoy their Saturday night. Unknowing of an Ironman race taking place at at times you would have to bob and weave your way through the crowds just to try and get ahead.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shoreline & pier section of the run course.</td></tr>
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For me it was all about the time now. I knew my feet were in rough shape. I wasn't sure of the pace that they would take me. It was slightly frustrating because I've had issues in the 2 previous IMs when it came to the final section of an Ironman. In Cozumel, my feet were hot to start the run and I had some pretty intense blisters. In Boulder, I had pulled a muscle in my groin/ab area that took me off stride. I yearn for a clean run in an IM. It would not happen on this day. Like in Cozumel, it was all about just finishing and managing the clock to make sure that happened. I started doing the calculations in my head.....Swim 1:30 TA1 :10 Bike 7:25 TA2 :15. Approx. 9.5 hours has passed that meant I had about 7.5 hours cross the finish line. I did the marathon in Cozumel with Blisters in 6:35, in Boulder with leg muscle cramping in 6:25. I was in far worse condition at this point in the race than either of the previous two. Worse as in my feet felt destroyed and my physical condition going into the race was not as good as the previous two in the year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You da' man IronBuddy Hal</td></tr>
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One of the great things about this run course was that it was very easy to have spectator interaction. Although I had not seen my IronBuddy Hal yet during the entire race during the <strike>run </strike> walk section of the race, I was able to not only see him but he <strike>ran</strike> walked with me at times for miles. He helped do the timing and math as my head was a little fuzzy trying to add my splits up. The course passed right by our hotel and since it was an out and back 2 times he was able to join up with my 4 times during the race. He had my timing down perfectly so he could watch and support me and then head up to the pool for a few caipirinhas.</div>
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On the back of my out and back (approx mile 9) I saw Felipe from Mexico. We stopped and he gave me a big hug. He was hurting but it was because of the heat and humidity and wind and because we were participating for over 11hrs now in this Ironman. He was so thankful for the endurolytes. He kept saying <b>gracias mucho</b> <b>me salvaste la vida.</b> (Thank you much. You saved my life) That brought a huge smile to my face and was another reminder to me of what I go through in all races.........it's a very humbling feeling. All of us have our own stories and our own demons and our own obstacles to over come. But an Ironman or Marathon or any such event brings people together from all over the world. We each have our journeys and for this brief instance in time we are all together and gathered for the same cause. To cross that line. Sure we may have different intentions on times and PRs and personal achievements. And I know, I sure went through my own ordeal with all the crap at work that I almost didn't make this trip...but I did and now I am in an embrace with a man from another country whose path was supposed to cross mine at mile such and such on the bike just so I can share endurolytes with him so that he too can feel and experience the beauty of this community coming together. I am blessed to be a part of this, to be alive and to experience such feelings. I am humbled by the grace of it all. I ask Felipe if he wants/needs more as there is still about 6 hours left in his race. He says yes and I hand over 12 tablets. 2 for each hour. I see Felipe 2 more times out on the course and exchange high fives each time. Closing in near the hotel and there he is....my Ironbuddy Hal...we do a check on the time and the condition of my feet. We run through the math to see how I am doing. I am slowing down a little. (I wasn't sure that was possible) Hals shuffles with me for a few miles till I reach the pier.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hot and humid <strike>run</strike> walk for sure</td></tr>
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I would set small goals for myself as I didn't want to fall too far back. I seriously felt in jeopardy of crossing the line in time. Against the wind I would try to alternate shuffling from one light post to the next then I would walk to the next then I would shuffle to the next continuing to alternate back and forth. With the wind I would try to shuffle as much as humanly possible. I crossed paths with Stephanie from Ohio a few times. She was looking strong on the run and had passed me on the last back to finish a few minutes ahead of me. I crossed paths with a gentleman and his wife that I met at the pre event pasta dinner several times with big smiles and high fives. They were a couple from either S Africa or Australia and he has done over 200 IM races. They seem to travel the world doing IMs and introduced me to several 100+ IMers. Pretty damn impressive. They did Boulder and Cozumel with me as well, though I met them here in Brazil. The course was truly about the racers as the city and community did not have a real sense of what an Ironman was. It was the inaugural event and not many spectators lined the course. You could tell that the vast majority of people out spectating were for a racer. The tiny island of Cozumel makes a lot of money off the race and the islanders welcome the racers and embrace the course and us being there. Lining the streets, yelling words of encouragement in Spanish etc. Boulder was an awesome crazy mad house of spectators as the race took place in the mecca of triathletes. But Fortaleza you were with yourself and your kind and you had to appreciate it for what it was as you had to get through the journey on your own with little fanfare of support or crazy signs. I was all smiles and being in the moment an enjoying myself and my adventure and sharing some race time with my 42 year friendship Ironbuddy Hal in Brazil. How friggen cool is that??</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Thinker" Pose</td></tr>
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Eventually the mile marker hit 25 and I went through a set of lap gates for the final time. With each lap they put a colored wrist band on you. Pink for the first lap, Lime for the second lap and Black for the final approach. I made my last turn past the transition area. Wings were up and I was taking flight on the home stretch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phenomenal hearing IronBuddy Hal screaming </td></tr>
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Trouble viewing the video?? Check it out on this link <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10205337039128352">Flight to the Finish ~ IM Fortaleza</a>.....</div>
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Seeing all come to fruition was pretty damn cool.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was barely able to lift off. I gotta find another way to cross the finish line. </span></td></tr>
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And no Jaclyn, I am not twerking.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complete goofball!</td></tr>
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Thank you ma'am yes I'll have another.</div>
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The tri-fecta or three-peat</div>
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Chillin after the race with my IronBuddy Hal. Watching the final racers come through.</div>
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Ummmmm yeah I am pretty stoked and happy.</div>
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Yes!!!! Felipe crossed the line for his 1st IM in just under 17 hours. </div>
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A Congrats hug and introduction to his wife.</div>
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It wasn't pretty. It was a tough journey from start to finish. From not almost even attending due to workloads and missing many if not most workouts in those last 6 weeks or so to the big ocean swells and no buoys to guide the way in the ocean, to the 103 degree heat and hot sun and humidity and the relentless wind to riding blind without a power meter or heart rate monitor and running out of water with over 30 miles to go on the bike and crashing into a motorcycle to hitting the pavement with milky white feet full of blisters to the most disgusting traditional post race bloody Mary ever! </div>
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But I showed up and I did it. As mentioned earlier we all have our story of the journey and difficulties and my struggles are minuscule compared to others and what it takes for them to show up and just get to the starting line. This was my slowest IM of the 3 I completed this year by 15 minutes compared to Cozumel. But even so, I placed higher in my age group. The race was said to be sold out at 1500 competitors. Only 876 crossed the finish line. I finished 851st.</div>
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I could never have completed this Chapter of my life without the strength and love that my family has shown and taught me through the years. And by Chapter of my life, I am not talking about this Ironman. The Ironman is just an event. <br />
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I am happy to have finally put these pages in my book. <br />
The memories and Warrior Mode will forever be with me.<br />
I can close this Chapter and begin my next. <br />
But.....what is next??<br />
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<b>Didn't catch the other sections of the race blog??</b><br />
<b>Check out these links below.</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>IM Fortaleza Prerace ~ <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-way-of-warrior-im-fortaleza-preview.html">The Way of a Warrior</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Swim Recap ~ <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2015/03/warrior-in-water.html">Warrior in The Water</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Bike Recap~ <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2015/03/road-warrior-im-fortaleza-bike-run-recap.html?spref=tw">Road Warrior</a></b></span></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-56595896070122513452015-03-09T14:53:00.002-07:002015-03-10T09:56:12.827-07:00Road Warrior (IM Fortaleza Bike Recap)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water to Wheels</td></tr>
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My swim to bike transition was pretty smooth. As I was heading out to meet Bella, I was secretly praying that the air had not gone out of her tire and that I would have to use one of my spares to start the bike section. I also thought, hell, if that is what is meant to be then so be it. Those 5 minutes wont be the difference between finishing or not. I had a big smile on my face as people were shouting directions to me in Portuguese going through the TA. I hadn't a clue what they were saying it was just a riot to be in the midst of it all.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading away from the shoreline and into the city </td></tr>
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The first stretch of riding was along the beach and shoreline which was quite beautiful but also very windy. You can see from the palm trees in the pictures that there was a steady wind. Unfortunately for most of the ride it was a head wind. I heard that the winds were at 15 to 25 mph at a pretty constant clip all day. As the taxi driver shared with me the winds are strong and constant all day. I was prepared for it. I know that the constant beating of a head wind can take its toll on a rider and slowly but surely suck the energy out of you. Stick to the game plan. Use your power meter and ride and don't let the bastard get you down. Those were my thoughts for riding along with proper hydration and nutrition. I got crushed on the bike in <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/12/im-cozumel-race-recap-bike.html">IM Cozumel</a> for not taking care of my electrolytes in the hot and humidity. Fortaleza was not as humid as there were no tropical storms to contend with but the temperature was hovering around 103 most of the day. The winds, the heat, the humidity and not being in top shape were all in my mind but also things I know I had no control over at this moment in time and I was going to continue playing the hand I was dealt and continue to smile and enjoy this opportunity I was given along the way. Then it happened...</div>
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For some reason about 15 minutes into the ride, my chain just popped off. I don't even think I was changing gears. I hadn't realized and continued to try and peddle and the chain was now stuck pretty deeply between the crank and bike frame. I tried to rescue and continue to back peddle to loosen it up but that was not going to work. I had to stop. I got off my bike and really had to use some muscle to loosen the chain out from its wedged place. It finally came out with a big "POP". It was free again. I put the chain back on and began to peddle away. I looked at my power meter to get set back in the rhythm of riding but now no numbers were being displayed. After all I went through the last 2 days to get my power meter to work, don't tell me it is out again?!?!? I looked down at my crank an realized the magnet was gone from the crank. When I snapped my chain out I think I dislodged the power meter magnet. I couldn't believe it. Only about 5 miles into the bike section and now I have no power readings. I never ride without looking at my power. How will I know if I am pushing it too hard or taking it too easy. I have about another 105 miles to go. This will be like riding blind to me. </div>
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OK, wait...although I don't train by it, I can go off of my heart rate monitor. I'll try to just keep that a constant as can be. If I cant ride by power, I will ride by heart rate exertion. Not a bad back up plan. I check my watch and continue to ride. As I am looking at my watch I notice the numbers are very erratic. They would jump all over the place and disappear then be high and low and disappear again. This will not do. I am back to riding blind. Shit.....this is going to be a long potentially painful day. OK what to do??? what to do?? Ride I thought. Just ride. What did the cavemen do? They didn't have heart rate monitors and power meters. They just rode. Although I hadn't practiced riding for 100+ miles in 103 heat with 20 mph head winds, I was just going to ride. Ride by feel and being aware and trying to stay honest with myself on perceive exertion. And away I continued to peddle.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No power meters or heart rate monitors here!</td></tr>
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The bike ride was pretty mundane. The scenery was bare and barren. Riding on a single lane of a highway with nothing separating you from all the traffic but a single lane of cones just outside a city of about 3 million people. Supposedly, we didn't ride in a less dense or scenic area because the winds near the water, along the shore were much worse. So we ride inland. It was a two loop course out on the long stretch of rolling highway. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triathlon = Wind + Heat + Hills</td></tr>
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I was very conscious of my nutrition to make sure I was taking in enough calories. In fact, I was taking in to many calories. I realized something was up as I started to project nutrition out my mouth. Why was this happening? I reviewed my game plan and then I realized that my fuel bottle, filled with 8 hours of highly concentrated fuel was half empty and I was less than 3 hours into my ride. Instead of in taking fuel every hour, I was ingesting every 30 minutes. That immediately stopped and I skipped my next intake and slowly increased my amounts as planned. I was back on track with no GI track troubles! Yay!! My fluids were working great. The race did a nice job of having water stations every 10K. This was much greater than I had seen before usually it is about every 10 miles not 6. So I was happy for that. At each water station, I grabbed 3 bottles of water. One more than I did at Boulder. I refilled my water between the aero bars and dumped the rest on my head, arms or legs. I would refill my areo water with the second and as I approached the next aide station I would dump the remainder of the 3rd over my head, arms and legs to attempt to keep cool.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All is thumbs up!</td></tr>
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In keeping with tradition, I made as many goofy faces/poses at the cameramen as possible.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which way to the gun show? (NOT)</td></tr>
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Fortunately or Unfortunately for the next 4+ hours of riding I had Miss Megah Trainor stuck in my head. Out in the middle of nowhere there was this van parked along the side of the highway with HUGE speakers and a few Brazilian ladies dancing around. As I was approaching I could hear </div>
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"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">But I can shake it, shake it</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Like I'm supposed to do</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">And all the right junk in all the right places</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5JPT5GBe9sO8fTN_tMlYMp0XuzoaOHRdZhqy3llSwLS7dcDu1caJLpB_h_tDxTWsNpyEVfu9gA57tmEpv8KBI_ITo4sLTGCoTvzROE9Q-PPe9krCnl3T1Qq4oxIgvpXAW2Ll7RRvv_ih/s1600/Meghan-Trainor_All-About-That-Bass_vid-screengrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5JPT5GBe9sO8fTN_tMlYMp0XuzoaOHRdZhqy3llSwLS7dcDu1caJLpB_h_tDxTWsNpyEVfu9gA57tmEpv8KBI_ITo4sLTGCoTvzROE9Q-PPe9krCnl3T1Qq4oxIgvpXAW2Ll7RRvv_ih/s1600/Meghan-Trainor_All-About-That-Bass_vid-screengrab.jpg" height="201" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Thanks to Meghan Trainor I had about 4 hours of music in my head.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yeah my mama she told me don't worry about your size</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because you know I'm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">'</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because you know I'm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because you know I'm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, no treble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm all about that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Bout that bass, 'bout that bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hey, hey, ooh</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You know you like this bass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">AAAAahhahhahhhhhahaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!</span></div>
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That was it. My ears and mind was tainted. I could think of no other. I had lost Robert Nesta Marley. Mr Jack Johnson and Mr Dave Matthews no longer went along with me on this bike ride. And the worst part was at the time all I knew was the chorus. So those 8 words were sung over and over and over again for 360 some odd minutes. At least I was very happy with my electrolyte replacement strategy this race. As I had failed in this arena in the passed. I had plenty of endurolyte pills and Hammer Fizz tablets to keep a proper pH balance for this race. In a particularly windy section of the course I had come up on another racer. I could tell he was struggling. Side by side I attempted to make idle chit chat with him. Felipe was from Mexico and my Spanish was far better than his English. He was asking when the next water station would be as he was struggling. I learned that he was cramping big time in his legs. I took out a few endurolyte tablets and showed them to him. He didn't know what they were and was skeptical about taking "medicine" or these pills. I assured him they were safe. Explained my training and routine with them. 2 every hour. More if needed. I gave him 8 tablets as I didn't want to be short for myself but I knew it would help him get out of the deficit and on his way. We were a little more than 1/2 way through the bike and thought that might carry him through to the next transition. I patted Felipe on the back and peddled off wishing him well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinEvEFT_Vl9sbR9x_6yoMsCgLqnGKQE-C_of8LUPxS5-ubGPJwzvathdfmi5ZsIeyT8UFJRZpcU7Zc73aQnxOJeKkbZJEpItfKjazzbOU8jMVio-SA2xMuIBh3BYQ979nuNYScDwQtTZN/s1600/0618_021404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinEvEFT_Vl9sbR9x_6yoMsCgLqnGKQE-C_of8LUPxS5-ubGPJwzvathdfmi5ZsIeyT8UFJRZpcU7Zc73aQnxOJeKkbZJEpItfKjazzbOU8jMVio-SA2xMuIBh3BYQ979nuNYScDwQtTZN/s1600/0618_021404.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous "You da man" pose</td></tr>
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I pulled up to the next aide station calling out in my Portuenglish from 25 feet or so out...<b>água água água</b>. So this way I could get my bottles of water and be gone. But not this time. I got "<b>não mais água</b>" in return "<b>Gatorade??</b>". <b>Não, obrigado</b> and I continued to peddled off. That sucked but I still had 1/2 my aero bottle filled and a full though warm bottle of water in my back with the sun continuing to beat on it. Surely I can conserve and make it 6 miles to the next stop. Approaching the next aide station I had just about 1/2 an aero bottle of hot water left. I had not dumped or cooled myself in water for the last 12 miles. <b>água!! água!! água!! </b>.I began to call to only get the same response in return as from the previous station <b>não mais água</b>,<b> Gatorade???</b> Shit!!!!!! What am I going to do. I was boiling up and didn't want to drink the Gatorade because of the sugars. But I had to do something. I grabbed a Gatorade and stuck in down the back of my shirt and rode with it for a few miles and then cut the Gatorade with the water I had in my aero bars. 6 more miles I can make it to the next water station. Surely they can't be completely out of water on the bike course of an Ironman race?!?!?!?!. There are lots of riders behind me and I still have about 30 miles to go. For the last hour plus I rode without any cooling agent in the heat of the high sun. Approaching the next station I go into my " <b>água!! água!! água!! </b> call. <b>Sinto muito, não há mais água</b>. Are you kidding me??!??!?!? I stop, get off my bike and look in the tubs of dirty ice water that they used to cool down the water bottles and Gatorade. Can I fill my water bottle with this?? Crap!!!!! I think about possible stomach ailments that could lie ahead with 20+ mile to go on the bike and then the marathon and a week of beach and relaxation. I could not risk getting a bug or parasite ingesting this dirty water. In my pantomime and portuglish I explain to the volunteer that I want him to dump the ice water on my head. <b>água em sua cabeça? </b>he questions half thinking I'm crazy. <b>SIM!!!</b> I reply and get a bucket of ice water dumped over me to the thrill and deep chill of it all. I grab a few cubes from the trough and dump them down my back and under the elastic of my shorts and off I go. As I pull away I can see other people getting off their bikes and ask the volunteers for the same thing. I chuckle to myself......It's all about the bass, no treble. WM (Warrior Mode) I then catch up to Stephanie from Ohio. This was the first American that I noticed out on the course. We chat a little and I share my water over the head story with her and she is relieved as she was wondering what she was going to do. We approached the next aide station together and I begin my call for water, half expecting to know the reply.....<b>água!! água!! água!!........</b><b>não mais água......água em minha cabeça. </b>Their eyes light up and they grab buckets. Happy to dump ice cold water on the gringos. By the time Stephanie and I stop two ice cold buckets of dirty water are dumped over our heads. I grab a Gatorade and some bagged iced. I fill the aerobars with the clean ice and pour the Gatorade in it to continue to cut the Gatorade. I put more ice down my shirt, in my wings, and in my shorts. And so it goes, I separate from Stephanie and begin my new routine for the next 4 aide stations until I reach the Transition area. It was ugly but I made it through the exposure. Along that final stretch, I began to see an increasing number of bicycles along the side of the rode with riders just sitting on the curb dejected and waiting for help under trees under over passes in any shade they could find. Back towards the city I rode.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjp-0vuCBPeSq_twNQp1NYOMqxANwfILZlN0Zu9k7rURgrrJtBclduvVobdste0FJSmi9ZKM-NXeHHN4yxuPlxul4iv1KRppYBQpsyP-WQe8URF66uSA-F9-ZtclD_vbq6JAsYmNprHH3/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjp-0vuCBPeSq_twNQp1NYOMqxANwfILZlN0Zu9k7rURgrrJtBclduvVobdste0FJSmi9ZKM-NXeHHN4yxuPlxul4iv1KRppYBQpsyP-WQe8URF66uSA-F9-ZtclD_vbq6JAsYmNprHH3/s1600/f.jpg" height="155" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a quick ride through the city and back to the beach to begin the run.</td></tr>
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I am not quite sure how the next section happened. I mean I recall exactly what happened but still till today I cannot phantom how I came away unscathed. A few blocks from the transition area there was a slight downhill with a hard left turn. The city was jammed with traffic. A single lane of cones separated us racers from the cars an tons of motorcycles and mopeds. All through the race, cars were jumping the cones to come into the bike lanes. Fortaleza DOES NOT have a culture of bicycles and sharing the road. Countless times I saw near misses and people riding in the "coned bikers lane" to beat the traffic or make a turn across the bike lane to get where they needed to. Downtown was madness. I felt safer all those years riding my bike in Manhattan sharing lanes with NYC taxi drivers than I did with a supposed designated bike lane in Fortaleza. As I was approaching the bottom of the hill about to make that hard left I saw a motorcycle cut the cones and come into my lane. In that instant I had 2 choices, lay the bike down and take the road rash and all else that may come with it or make the turn and lean into the motorcycle and see what happens. I took that later option. Side by side we collided. He had no clue I was coming. He had a female passenger on the back. I leaned in with my shoulder to get ready to absorb the shock, hoping I could still cut the turn and remain clean. I hit the handle bars of his motorcycle, his side view mirror snapping off from the impact with my shoulder. It bounced me back upright from my lean as he went down. I continued to peddle during the entire ordeal and rode away. I could hear the gasps of the people in traffic. The yell of surprise from the rider and his passenger. For an instant, I wondered if I should stop, go back and see if everyone was ok. Then I thought, he was totally in the wrong. I could see me going back and a band of Brazilians beating the shit out of me. Better keep moving. They obviously know where to find me as there was a race going on. Then a smile and those words came to mind.......<b><i>It's all about the bass, no treble</i></b>. Warrior Mode. Away to the TA I rode.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZENzQVXqvl55VN638KuVj0vjRQoZlAtHc96DYaEuNp6PT1-mCTKQgdSJhCaWDjg_-TJVzH-VdRvka6wb2J97KSn6PKfk2_SEMetdSJjp_USEqvUZfZ0ir0aWy3o6MLR4l2wMreEUie6ZZ/s1600/0618_024892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZENzQVXqvl55VN638KuVj0vjRQoZlAtHc96DYaEuNp6PT1-mCTKQgdSJhCaWDjg_-TJVzH-VdRvka6wb2J97KSn6PKfk2_SEMetdSJjp_USEqvUZfZ0ir0aWy3o6MLR4l2wMreEUie6ZZ/s1600/0618_024892.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Tough but satisfying day out on the bike. ~ WM</td></tr>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-38239133863890398972015-03-08T21:22:00.002-07:002015-03-09T10:56:50.316-07:00Warrior in Water (IM Fortaleza Swim Recap)<div style="text-align: justify;">
4 months after completion of IM Fortaleza I strive to put down my thoughts on the race and my experience. Much has happened on my journey these last 4 months. Someone asked me today....Why write one when so much time has lapsed? I feel it necessary step to finish this race report. Almost so that I can move on and continue to shed the weight of the last 4 months and begin new chapters of my life putting behind the past.</div>
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Sunday Morning....Race Day. 3:30am in Fortaleza.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbjyvL7yDYBZjvVwNoh1ShAAWLwSYOPQGH7mDgPuUXiWwXMX5lPKgm0FSE14_PyxwG12KoKep4u3WI8BH4sIjw0HsxIOFrWlduwi1TjbytH4B3tKQT1Fo5gJjhyqaBtAL_TJ77VlhGMyF/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbjyvL7yDYBZjvVwNoh1ShAAWLwSYOPQGH7mDgPuUXiWwXMX5lPKgm0FSE14_PyxwG12KoKep4u3WI8BH4sIjw0HsxIOFrWlduwi1TjbytH4B3tKQT1Fo5gJjhyqaBtAL_TJ77VlhGMyF/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unlike the two other previous IMs that I have done, this one starts at 6am and ends at 11pm not midnight. So an already 5 hour time difference to race is now putting this start time 6 hours earlier that what I am thinking and accustomed to. Basically I will be starting my 3rd IM swim at 1am.</div>
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My game plan is to arrive at the race at 4:30am. This will give me 30 minutes to put my fuel on my bike and give one last gear check. As the bike transition area will close at 5am. Then I'll have one hour prior to race beginning to warm up and relax.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF7kbrsMGjQhEdxi0RuGhTVqciVMDAkg5Y_NfBPbI1PR4C4ykafSl5O1OGpe3sWc5FT07UhuphslYxtpXVKwQh56p771w81t3bjl19ndPgJIBndybZC0QvsbPkfwVPkQdab_EyJkFkpLb/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF7kbrsMGjQhEdxi0RuGhTVqciVMDAkg5Y_NfBPbI1PR4C4ykafSl5O1OGpe3sWc5FT07UhuphslYxtpXVKwQh56p771w81t3bjl19ndPgJIBndybZC0QvsbPkfwVPkQdab_EyJkFkpLb/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hal and I get to race central and I depart for Bella. I drop my special needs bag off and put my nutrition on Bella. I then noticed that Bella's front tire appeared a little soft. I borrow a pump from a nearby competitor and as I attempt to inflate the tire, it actually deflates. I have a 60mm thread on the wheel when it really should have an 80mm thread and the bike pump could not grasp the threads completely and all the air came out of the tire. Holy Shit! What am I going to do now? I have 15 minutes before the bike area is closed. Because of the deflation, the thread sinks deeper into the wheel making it virtually impossible to get a grasp on an inflate. My spare inner tube is 80mm so I run and get my repair kit from my transition bag and head back out to change my tire. I was virtually in panic mode or as much as I get towards it. I didn't want to be kicked out and then have to try and change a tire after the swim during the bike transition. I borrowed another pump and thought to try one last time. I manage to get the tip of the thread caught and slightly inflate the tube enough to keep the thread from sinking in. At this point I then put my CO2 Cartridge on the tube and was able to fully inflate. A huge sigh of relief as I had preferred not to use one of my spare tubes at 80mm before the race even began in case I got a flat out on the course. Besides meeting up with the <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/08/demons-page-1.html">Demon Nokk</a> this was the most panicked I had become before/during or after an IM. Managing difficulties for the race and not letting it stop me = WM (Warrior Mode)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI7g6Nl9S6Vgcb4rBJJ8VWNRvMC6AVdn0qqMei4UDTunaa4xtKsH1GoIy9bwtpNVvPBxZfgcpaFOTbFbr6GJdtnDxONz9rjhcUomUAP4tdrEn-rbKVOIAlN67qszPdwTh3t8zCkqB0uLE/s1600/1962731_10152775077375708_8055047109308373772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI7g6Nl9S6Vgcb4rBJJ8VWNRvMC6AVdn0qqMei4UDTunaa4xtKsH1GoIy9bwtpNVvPBxZfgcpaFOTbFbr6GJdtnDxONz9rjhcUomUAP4tdrEn-rbKVOIAlN67qszPdwTh3t8zCkqB0uLE/s1600/1962731_10152775077375708_8055047109308373772_n.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a></div>
Equipped with my Warrior Mode mentality, I am ready to face all the challenges of the race and the day ahead. It has already taken a Warrior to simply get to this starting line. I figure there is not much that can be thrown at me to take me off my path of 3 IM's in 11 months for this 1st year rookie guy who enters triathlons. I hang out with Hal by the start for close to an hour making sure my watch is ready to go, making sure I am ready to go. The start is a mass in water start. So besides shaking out my shoulders and breathing, I don't do a tremendous amount of warming up. I figure by treading water for a bit, it'll warm me up some. Then suddenly the gun goes off and I head to the water's edge keeping in tradition of being the last person in the water. I give Hal a thumbs up, say Nokk 3 times and I am literally the last person in the water starting off in 1500th place. Just where I like to be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCTOqaHUm995X5w1nNFTrtQ2wOzIncsta_R9Qf_DRxcyJaEUxFjg5Pzbb9_pAjumb8s_9O-dwtzyy1wWSsiAO56HjagkmkdFvZuPz3NzWnT4JFzGFfmjvPLzrFXCxbURiYadIksUAEeof/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCTOqaHUm995X5w1nNFTrtQ2wOzIncsta_R9Qf_DRxcyJaEUxFjg5Pzbb9_pAjumb8s_9O-dwtzyy1wWSsiAO56HjagkmkdFvZuPz3NzWnT4JFzGFfmjvPLzrFXCxbURiYadIksUAEeof/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Prior to entering the water, I survey the course. The instructions were to swim straight out about 1800 yds into the ocean towards a large sail boat go around the sailboat and head back towards a large orange buoy one last turn around the buoy and back to the pier. I can see the Sailboat, I can see the buoy so let's go. Seems simple enough. That is until I got into the water. The swells were so big that every time I looked up I saw a wall of blue. I knew the swells were big from the practice swim earlier in the week but I thought the boat was big enough I would be able to catch a glimpse of it. Not the case.....here we go WM. <br />
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I quickly catch up to the rear of the pack and just keep sighting swimmers. I'd look for a school of swimmers and head towards them. Once I caught them, I would look for the next school of swimmers and head towards them. After the race looking at my GPS, it was a pretty nasty zig zag swim from what should have been a straight shot. There was no shoreline to look at, nothing to set my bearings towards. I finally make it to the sailboat and that was a cool experience as there were a lot of people aboard cheering us on. Heading towards the bouy and the pier was much easier to sight as I picked out objects on the shoreline and used them as my marks. It was a decent swim. I felt good. I, as usual with these longer swims, get into a rythmic feeling between my breath and my stroke and occasional kick. I think it may actually slow me down as it is almost meditative for me. breath stroke stroke, breath stroke stroke. I try to keep myself hoest every once in a while with an all out burts for a 10 count or so. Once while rounding the sailboat when going up for a breath, I took in a huge mouthful of salt water. I was a little concerned if that would affect my stomach. I was trying to keep moving while coughing and breathing as I didn't want to stop. But DANG that water was super salty. The water was clear enough that you could see 5 to 10 feet in front of you. Not endless like Cozumel but certainly greater visibility that the Colorado lakes and Reservoirs, I am used to. Towards the end of the swim I do my typical Dolphin kicks to wake up my legs and get them ready for the bike.<br />
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I finished the swim in 1:31 about 13 minutes slower than in Boulder. With the swells and conditions of the ocean and myself, I'm happy with that. I recall seeing plenty of swimmers just bobbing up and down in the water trying to find there way. Hal later told me he observed racers getting out the water and immediately quitting. I couldn't imagine all the time and effort and finances that one puts out there to enter an Ironman race and then to quit after the 1st discipline. Off to the bike.......</div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-1211917784968700402015-01-04T10:00:00.002-08:002015-01-04T15:08:49.135-08:00The Way of a Warrior (IM Fortaleza Preview)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89yghMvWDWjmi7qaW_l6qWkeMRN6kFHGrwuGYdf5PkxuqNdM4iEcyMuGw9HITEefG-kxMbJB_7OswmlkBlITQ02d4ZP_1mC1hUhuym9tV9noXOgcq9X0Hwzj4u9nDxvcnJPBv3dmw26u/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89yghMvWDWjmi7qaW_l6qWkeMRN6kFHGrwuGYdf5PkxuqNdM4iEcyMuGw9HITEefG-kxMbJB_7OswmlkBlITQ02d4ZP_1mC1hUhuym9tV9noXOgcq9X0Hwzj4u9nDxvcnJPBv3dmw26u/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunday Morning....Race Day. 3:30am in Fortaleza.<br />
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Text comes in from Colorado, 10:30pm MST Rock N Fire!!!! then a few moment later.....Warrior Mode! My reply.......100%. And that's how the day began. Little did I or Kenny know at that moment when we were shooting texts back and forth that was exactly what would be needed from me. To be in Warrior Mode for the inaugural Ironman Fortaleza. After he sent me those words, I grabbed a sharpie and stamped both my hands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73k2vEc_qIN1LLAOXCeJXUjr2cOe0Sc5krIW1MvOcVMRBzy2GFcByejo_YGhUnFm_KcORWHizhXHZeXr3RYEaYy68nBa4-vNfpm8GxXZGlznuwt6FxqT5W4i5qjagDR91jhcqHR5eJ92o/s1600/IMG_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73k2vEc_qIN1LLAOXCeJXUjr2cOe0Sc5krIW1MvOcVMRBzy2GFcByejo_YGhUnFm_KcORWHizhXHZeXr3RYEaYy68nBa4-vNfpm8GxXZGlznuwt6FxqT5W4i5qjagDR91jhcqHR5eJ92o/s320/IMG_0806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I chose these two words to be my mantra on the day. Sorry Cuz it was not your initials William McNamee that I wrote on my self, though you were with me the entire day anyway. Those words seemed fun and whimsical and to the point. I liked the way the W & M could be joined as my symbol. Two words that I thought would bring a smile to my face and remind me to push through and to have fun. My symbol that no one would be aware of but myself, keeping it personal and close to the heart. Two words that already seemed somewhat appropriate on my journey to IM Fortaleza.</div>
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Rewind........December 9th 2013 day after IM Cozumel. I chat with my IronBuddy Hal, who was there to support me in my 1st Ironman as a stop over on his way back to Brazil from the states.</div>
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I figured he could fly to Cozumel to support me in my race. I could race in Brazil to support him as my oldest and dearest friend. And there is where the Warrior Mode journey began. Could I complete in my first year of triathlons 3 Ironman races in 11 months? A warrior could.</div>
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Fast Forward.......August 9, 2014. Just about a week after my completion of Ironman #2 Boulder. I evaluate the race and my knees. Both look and feel good. I decide my trip to Brazil would indeed be about racing in #3 and not just a vacation to vist Hal. I make the announcement and public about my intentions in the blog....<a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2014/08/these-three-things.html">These Three Things</a>. Post IM Boulder I have some brief successes with racing (Two Podium finishes) and then thats where it all goes topsy turvy for me. </div>
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Work becomes nuts and I am thrown a few major unseen curveballs. At this point I am about to hang up on the idea of heading to Brazil. I am missing workouts left and right and my silent dream of a big PR goes right out the window along with the possibility of even taking the trip. I meet up with EK after another long tough day at work and we chat for hours. Seems like the smart decision is not to race and not to go to Brazil. I sit with this thought for a week or so. For a guy who is usually pretty easy going and happy, I am not. Not in the least bit and I feel like I have lost who I am. I feel the <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2014/03/first-quarter-report-what-am-i-doing.html">Demon of Stress</a> taking over. Warrior Mode......I've worked long and hard for this. Made sacrifices along the way. Others have also sacrificed for and with me. I reach back to my being and my belief of enjoying life and the experiences along the way and I recall the words I have said to myself many times in the past but have seem to have been absent for a recent span....."Live in Love not Fear". </div>
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Don't make decisions based off of fear. Fears like losing a job and all that may come with that happening, fear of taking a vacation /race that was approved 8 months prior for the thought of it not looking good to the new boss, fear of not getting solid training in for weeks, fear of not performing well.....but rather make decisions base on Love. The love of life and my path and journey, of visiting a dear friend of 42 years, of travel, of pushing oneself and the experience of an Ironman and the love being part of something much bigger and trusting and knowing that every thing happens for a reason. The final decision was made. In the end, it was an easy one. I put my faith and trust in the universe....I am going.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ on top of Corcovado Mountain</td></tr>
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Packing and getting ready for IM Fortaleza, I felt very comfortable and at ease. I packed a lot less then when I did IM Cozumel 11 months earlier. No need to take a ton of extra stuff. To me this was part of racing efficient. Smooth and easy with as few mistakes as possible. I measured out all of my nutrition for not only race day but in case this Vegan would have a hard time eating in Brazil. I wanted to make sure I had a protein source. I borrowed a bike bag from Esra and packed Bella up nice and tight. I put all essentials (nutrition, swim goggles, running and bike shoes, swim speed suit, helmet, Garmin, bike repair kit and my 303 race kit) in my carry on in case the luggage got lost I'd still be plenty ready to race comfortably. Since I was racing in foreign lands it was important for me to have a piece of home with me and I summoned all the good spirits and vibe that Boulder IM provided and used my backpack as my carry on.</div>
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There was 5 hour time difference and I wanted to adjust as soon as possible. I would be starting the race at 1am Boulder time. My goal was to sleep as little on the plane as possible so that I would exhaust myself and crash once I got to the hotel and wake up on Brazilian time. WM.</div>
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Once I got to Brazil, I gathered my bag and Bella and set off for customs. I realized that I should have taken Bella onto the line for declaring items since her worth was more than the allowed amount. But the lines were looooong and I was already 30 minutes on the line when I realized I was on the wrong one.</div>
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As I passed through the check point an officer approached me, pulled me out of line and questioned Bella and her worth. I looked at him shrugged and played the dumb tourist role. I pointed to my Boulder Ironman bag and said "Race" about 3 times. He gave me a look like what the hell am I going to do with this one and waved me through. WM</div>
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My Iron Buddy Hal had a car prepared and ready to pick me up at the airport and away we went to the hotel. As we were driving to the hotel I attempted to speak with the driver. Me with my Italispanglishguese and he with his 100% Portuguese. An interesting attempt to say the least. What I did get out of the conversation was that it is always windy. Should be a great bike ride I thought.</div>
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I got to the hotel, paid the driver and off I went. Oh boy here goes check in....wait, where is my phone? Crap, where is my work phone and private phone?? I left them in the car. I was half asleep, half worried about getting Bella out and what I was going to say to try and check in that I put my phones on the dashboard and forgot them. I spent the next 20 minutes trying to explain to the non english speaking desk clerk that I left my phones in the car service and I needed to get in touch with them. He virtually just smiled and nodded at me. This is not a good way to start the trip. I knew I should have taken a Rosetta Stone Portuguese course. I sat in the business center trying to look the car service up on line when I turn around a see the driver of the car with my phones. I jump out of my seat and gave the guy the biggest hug he probably every got in his life and a nice fat tip. Off to bed I go.</div>
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The next morning I woke up and needed to head to the host hotel as this is the sight of the swim, all transitions and the finish. I wanted to walk around a get a lay of the land as well as get a practice swim in the ocean in. I ask a taxi driver how much to get to where I needed to go and I heard quinze $50. That would be about $20 US Dollars which seemed a fair price and I hopped in the cab. Again, I break out the Spanitalianguese and I learn there is about 3 million people in Fortaleza and I learn that they are absolutely crazy drivers and 1/4 of them seem to be on motorcycles. How am I ever gonna ride my bike through this city? We arrive at the destination and I take out a $50 bill to pay the taxi and he starts saying "NAO" (no) . Here we go I thought. This is where the shake down begins and he is going to try and get as much out of this Gringo as he can. We went back and forth for a few minutes. He kept saying quinze and I kept thinking yeah $50. Let me run through this. In NYC or Denver the distance I just traveled would easily be $20 if not more. I run through my head...vinte = 20 trinta = 30 quarenta = 40 cinqüenta = 50. So what is quinze?? Wait thats 15!! $6 US dollars for this trip?? I pay the man with another fat tip being given out. I leave the cab and I am embarrassed, humbled and thankful. I have been showed 2 very nice acts of kindness from the people of Fortaleza, where they could have easily taken advantage of me. You can take the boy out of New York...<br />
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I'm glad I decided to give this swim a test drive. The ocean, although not violent or rough had very large swells in it. All I could see and feel was a wall of blue. I've never had or experienced vertigo before but that is the best I can think of to describe what I had. I could not tell which direction was up or down. All I felt was the rising and falling of my body in a sea of blue without any ability to locate land or a horizon to set my bearings straight. I almost had the faint taste of my acai breakfast in my mouth but continued to paddle and swim on. I'm glad I got to experience this prior to the race so I knew what to expect. WM Surely there will be plenty of bouys out there to guide myself and give a better sense of awareness to my being. ;-)</div>
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Attempting a selfie with winds and traffic. Not an easy task. Hence no smile :-)</div>
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The next day I take Bella out for a ride as I wanted to feel the winds and see the traffic. Both were plentiful. I wonder how the race organizers were going to account for and manage all the traffic. During my ride, I realize my power meter is not reading. The last time this happened was just before IM Cozumel 11 months earlier. At that time it was determine I needed to get new batteries. So after my ride a 4 hour journey of walking the streets and speaking Englitalishguese to try and find this specific battery for my power tap ensues. New battery, all set. Next up registration....</div>
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I begin to register and go to race briefing, continuing of wearing the previous races shirt (IM Boulder) during this process as I had did in Boulder with my Cozumel Shirt. Registration takes place and off to find another meal as being a Vegan in Fortaleza was not the easiest of things to do. One can only eat soo much pasta, iceburg lettuce and or Acai. Ok maybe never too much acai.</div>
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The next day was gear drop. My IronBuddy Hal arrived late in the evening and we spent a good portion of the next day packing, relaxing and getting ready for the race. I change the batery in the power meter and no luck. No lights, nothing...what am I going to do?? I always ride, virtually staring at my watch the entire time to ensure I am riding at the appropriate power. A quick text to Coach EK......What am I going to do???? After a quick run through it is decided to ride by heart rate. Hal and I decide to try another battery and off Hal goes. Seemed like 5 minutes later he was back with 2 batteries. A far cry from my 4 hour journey earlier in the week. "Yeah, just around the corner at the drug store" Hal states. The new battery in........It works!! We are golden and off to drop Bella and my gear bags.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Gear Drop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers put all labels on your gear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking Bella to Bike Drop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Sharpies here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until tomorrow my Bella Nera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Expo</td></tr>
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Nothing left to do but relax and wait for tomorrow to come. Hal and I head out for my traditional pre race dinner. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta with plain tomato suce and a glass of Sangiovese</td></tr>
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After dinner we head back to the hotel where I open a package from home to find a 10ft long sign of photos of family and friends wishing me well on my journey. A very special and wonderful surprise created for me by Jessica. </div>
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I've thought it several times over during this trip but now I know for sure, I was meant to be here and made the right decision to come. I breathe a heavy sigh, I am surrounded by love and support. The only question left for me is with the recent lack of training will my body hold up and push me through the race? As already stated my original goal of crushing my PR is long gone. It is now all about enjoying the final step of this journey and finish my 3rd IM in my 1st year of doing Tris. Have a decent swim, ride consistant and give myself enough of time so that no mattter what I can drag my ass across the finish line. I tease Hal 16:59:59. He's not amused. I lay out my clothes and call it a night.</div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-40694400753539170752014-09-22T23:16:00.001-07:002014-09-25T15:53:21.617-07:00On Any Given Sunday
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<span style="color: #262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Any Given Sunday is a classic movie where Al Pachino delivers a
great inspirational speech about fighting for victory and moving on in life and
about living about not giving up and that every inch of forward progress
matters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i>I don't know what to say really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives all comes down to today. Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble. Inch by inch play by play till we're finished. We are in hell right now, gentlemen believe me and we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell. One inch, at a time.......On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches that's going to make the fucking difference between WINNING and LOSING between LIVING and DYING.......I'll tell you this in any fight it is the guy who is willing to die who is going to win that inch. And I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what LIVING is. The six inches in front of your face.</i></div>
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This past Sunday I participated in the Oktoberfest Tri. It was a 2 week build up to a race like no other I had participated in and not in the good sense. To say I have been busy would be an understatement. It is budget season at work and our first round was due. Having a new staff under me put a larger than normal amount of work on my plate to get it done and turn it into our corporate office by the deadline. During this time, I missed 4 days of training. 4 days of biking that I will never get back again. As I look towards IM Fortaleza, I know my greatest chance for improving my time from IM Boulder will be on the bike. Missing those 4 days in two weeks less than 50 days out is certainly not going to help me. I also met up with some friends from my past.<br />
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I had a visit from Belial ~ The Demon of Guilt. He first made an appearance in <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/08/demons-page-2.html">Demons~Page 2</a>. He reminded me that I am letting myself down by not training. That I can rationalize, be busy with work , look out at the cold and snow all I want and I can complain that I am too tired, too hungry, it's too dark, too anything to train and I can skip it. I can crawl up in a ball and go under the covers and hide. Hide from my responsibilities of getting my ass ready and in shape for Fortaleza. As I miss each training opportunity to make myself better, I hear him in my mind on how I am letting myself, my family & friends, my coach down. Doesn't matter that you've completed 2 IM's in 8 months. Right now you are not training as you are supposed to and you are letting everyone down. I hear his cackle ringing in my ears as he mocks me, "Two weeks is like a lifetime, you'll never get those training days back, you are failing". It has been great having Belial hang around the last few weeks. A week after he arrived a second visitor came knocking on my door......</div>
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It was Cortisol ~ The Demon of Stress. He hadn't been around since <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2014/03/first-quarter-report-what-am-i-doing.html">What am I doing?</a> Cortisol paired up with Belial as the guilt of missing training fueled stress. The thought of missing training made me think and believe I am out of shape and getting pudgy. That I might need a B Cup for my Bro, to notch another hole in my belt and to let out my pants. After all I did miss 4 training sessions in two weeks and 9 since Boulder IM 8 weeks ago. How am I ever gonna manage to cross the finish line? (Yes, sarcasm) The Stress Demon has been present quite regularly never wanting to really leave me alone. My eating, training, sleeping, recovery, stretching habits have all gone arry. Headaches have been pretty regular where typically in my life they are non existent. Yesterday, I even forced myself to take 2 aspirins, which rarely ever occurs. To end the week my Exec. Admin Asst approached me and said she was worried that I may burn out. Me burn out?!?!?! I never thought such a thing was possible till I heard her words ringing in my ears.</div>
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Lately, dare I say, in my head, I feel like I am moving around like a rickety "old Man". My neck hasn't stopped hurting for months. (At least it stopped cracking.) My hip has felt out of whack, My leg muscles feel tight, my lower back aches just trying to straighten up. Heading into Steamboat Sprint Tri 5 weeks ago I felt fast and spry. My spirit was light and I was jovial. A huge contrast to waking up this past Sunday morning to head to the Union Reservoir and the Oktoberfest Tri. The pieces just didn't fit into place on Sunday like most race mornings for me. I was in a decent mood but not carefree like most race days. There was the gloom or heavy feeling hanging in the air that nothing can/will go right. I had forgotten to get my race packet earlier in the week. I had to now get it race morning, where there will be a late fee charge. I saw Kenny and Sasha as we entered the expo area as well as the loooong lines. I asked them if they would be kind enough to take my bike into the transition area as I was fearful I would get a horrible spot since I first had to wait on the packet pick up line. I was psyched they did and I got on line. Well, after about 10 minutes of the slow moving line I looked up to realize I was actually on the porta potty line and not the packet pick up line. Yep, this is how my day is going to be I thought. Off this line and onto another. I get my race number and head into the TA. After a few rounds of walking up and down rows of bikes I finally spot where they racked Bella. I set up my transition area and head off to wait on another line to get body marked and then I go on another line to get my racing chip. Finally done with the last line of the day well am I? Nope, I can't get my racing chip because my bib was by my bike and I needed it on me. So off the line and get my bib and back on the line. And so the morning goes. And I think to myself....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW38HxzdydjFaGGCjYwMLMWsWhMU3ejBwPQv_24SwFpfikEDQLi-L1h26gR2G_qdDUDm7zmQLYImqMUwxgvtVODdxvKzE4rXoaT7ntqoA3aeGOyTHC3nbJdxi4W8BwV6y5ukrpyRj4zVSC/s1600/chubby_baby_pray-faithwithoutborders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW38HxzdydjFaGGCjYwMLMWsWhMU3ejBwPQv_24SwFpfikEDQLi-L1h26gR2G_qdDUDm7zmQLYImqMUwxgvtVODdxvKzE4rXoaT7ntqoA3aeGOyTHC3nbJdxi4W8BwV6y5ukrpyRj4zVSC/s1600/chubby_baby_pray-faithwithoutborders.jpg" /></a>....please Lord don't let me come in last place. </div>
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Nok, Nok. Who is there?? It's me......</div>
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...Nok "The Drowning Demon"<a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/08/demons-page-1.html">Demons~Page 1</a> I, at times, have been scared shitless of Nok during this process of learning how to swim. I have started each race with him in mind over the last year and I prepared myself how to deal with him and not allow him to get me. Then there was the Boulder Sprint, I tried to start in the middle of the pack with Ken and bailed out after about 50 meters of getting hammered, kicked, punched and frustrated. I haven't tried that again since. Today I did make my way towards the front of the swim group. I usually like to go to the side away from everyone but today I couldn't. I was trapped and we didn't even start the race yet. I looked left and right and there was no where to go. I didn't want to start at the back of the pack. This is a sprint. I truly felt stuck, in more ways then just this one. The horn sounded, I started my garmin and I was off. I was sandwiched. Caught between the mass of people on my right and a rather large guy on my left. Keep swimming, keep kicking, keep moving. I heard Coach EK in my head about the story of people that stop when they panic and people crash and swim right over them. A few races ago that would have been me, but not on this Sunday. I was not in my comfort zone. I felt my heart rate go through the roof. I was not in my zen zone. I had no pattern to my breathing, to my stroke, my kick. I was just trying to find some space to move. Before I realized it I was past the 1st buoy and rounding the second. How could that be possible?? I keep feeling people touching my feet. Not like Susan at Rally Sport touching my feet in the pool but an I am gonna swim over your ass and drown you if you don't get outta my way touching my feet. Keep moving, don't stop. I hear you EK, I'm not stopping!!</div>
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Finally, my breath slowed down and my stroke had some sort of rhythm to it and I tried, really tried to swim straight. Long strokes, extend, follow through, don't lift your head on the breath, elbow high, dolphin kick and so a billion things I have heard Jonathon and Eric say to me in the pool kept playing over like a broken but comforting record. Before I knew it, I was preparing myself mentally and physically for the "what's next" Getting out of the water, I had no clue if I had a good or bad swim. It felt ok time wise but like crap mentally. <i>"Don't go too fast out of the gate on your bike." You have a tendency to do that on your bike and run"</i> Coach EK says to me a few minutes before the start. We set my power goal earlier in the week and I was riding about 7 watts less then that to start. Trying to heed his words and not go to hard at the start. I then realize I screwed my Garmin watch up and had paused it rather then putting myself through transition and start the bike leg. I promise, One day I will get this watch 100% perfect in a race but not on this Sunday. I mess with it a bit and get it set straight. Then realize I haven't had any fuel. Going up hill, not the time to do that right now as I peddle and watch the scores of people passing me. I try to stay true to my watts and just ride my race. I hit a flat and so starts my calculated nutrition as I don't want to intake anything on the run and feel I may need to catch up a little as I hadn't ingested anything to this point. My mind wanders to the deadening feeling I have in my leg and I shift around to loosen up and I keep my eye on my power. I realize I am starting to catch and pass a few folks that took off like a rocket and flew by me. Though I am still getting passed far more than I am I am reciprocating. Then Belial comes to mind and my missed bike rides over the weeks. Cortisol pops by to remind me I am out of shape and should be disappointed in myself for allowing it to happen. </div>
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And I think Lord on this Sunday please oh please don't let me be last in my age group. </div>
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I enter the transition area off the bike 2 watts higher than I had planned and feel pretty good even though it felt like everyone was faster than me. I can't find my bike rack. I walked the space but it was not the normal racks that I was used to and could not find where I needed to put Bella and grab my running stuff. I am going back and forth on the aisle and I hear spectators chuckling at me. Yeah, keep laughing at me jerky. I am annoyed because any decent work I may have done on the bike I feel is now completely lost. I finally find the rack and realize that I did not see it because someone else bike was in my spot and somebody else threw their wet suit over my running shoes. So it looked a little different then what I was anticipating and how I left it. (Thanks Kenny) I am off on the run. I know exactly where I want to be on the run and I hear <i>"Don't go too fast out of the gate on your bike." You have a tendency to do that on your bike and run" </i>I think about Kansas 70.3 and how I felt great the first few miles, faster than I should have been and my knees fell apart on a downhill. I settle in but dang, my lower back is as stiff as can be and I watch my time drop from being too fast to being below my desired race pace. A few minutes later my neck and lats and shoulder start to feel tight. My right side has taken a vacation and not allowing me to perform as planned. Now I am in try to fix it mode and figure out why I hurt and feel soo stiff. Charles while running by mentions that I have no arm swing and look stiff. Yep, I do and it feels that way. Ok first section is up hill perhaps I can make some of the time up on the downhill return trip. I hit the half way point and I try to pick up the pace. I am losing real estate and if there is a time to pick it up it needs to be now. At this point I am 30 seconds slower per mile than I expected to be and with every person that passes me I look at their calf to see their age group and wonder how much further am I falling behind. I round the final turn and have made up significant time. In the 5K I bettered each split by about 20 seconds. On the final straight away, I even gave thought to not doing my finishing move, but I couldn't allow a bad race to interfere with tradition, even though I was sour on the race so.....<b>Wings Up</b>....I'm taking flight and <b><u>Flying to the Finish</u></b>. I cross the finish, I hear Dana call my name and see Bill moments later and we pause for a 303 Tri picture.</div>
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My back is sore, my shoulder is tight, my hip hurts a bit and I ran pretty slowly. Not feeling that great at this moment but I am surrounded by some great people. Coach EK takes 1st in his age group. Kenny takes 1st in his age group. Elizabeth takes 1st in her age group. Dana & Bill take 2nd in the mixed relay. These folks are not great because they did so well today. They just all happen to be quality people that performed well on this Sunday and I am proud of them all. I finally make my way to the race results to see where I landed in the pile and there in front of my eyes I notice that I had just raced my fastest sprint tri race of my short career. I literally felt like shit and raced 3 minutes faster than I did in Steamboat when I was on the podium in 2nd place. It just goes to show you that <b>On Any Given Sunday</b> during triathlon season anything is possible. I hear Coach EK in my head,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> <b><u><i>race with what you have nothing more. nothing less. </i></u></b> </span>Today, I did just that. I had the 10th fastest swim time of my age group and the slowest run time. In the middle of the pack on the bike. Pretty damn funny to me. The weeks leading up to the race were pretty bad, prerace felt off, the race itself felt like crap and yet I had just ran my personal best....... <b> I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what LIVING is. </b></div>
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I hope I will always make the decision to live and to experience life and when I want nothing more than to crawl into that ball and stay under those covers that I am able to pick myself up and take it one inch, one step at a time. After the race, I decided not to do my training ride as scheduled. My back stiffened up pretty good, my hip hurt even more and my head was pounding. But during that time, I decided to rededicate myself to my training and my goal of IM Fortaleza. I will go back to a proper eating schedule, I will add a 30 minute run to life daily, I will make an appointment with Heather my miracle worker and have her lay her hands and needles and electric stim on my body to hurt and heal it sooo good. I spent the rest of the day with Jess, hobbling through an art festival, eating momos and Tofu Aloo out on our favorite patio, catching a movie and sharing in a traditional post race bloody mary. </div>
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<b>What a great fall Sunday!</b></div>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574245136507332157.post-68234009600633199072014-09-01T07:20:00.002-07:002014-09-01T09:04:22.705-07:00A Coach or No Coach.... is that the question?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I was about 7 and started playing football I realized that I was not as big as the other kids but that didn't mean a thing to me. As I continued to get older and grow it was noticeably not at the rate as the other kids and it wasn't long before I was the smallest kid on the football field. I was slightly disappointed. Not because I was littler than the rest but because my professional football career came to a screeching halt. I realized that I would never make it to the big show as a player. My dreams and thoughts then changed to ...."How else can I make there?" Maybe I could be a team physician or better yet a COACH."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzAbK1JBdqezQfkRq7Y9GFQAbB6m_d4rgWLH75cpCT1Xs_qRd5L5HJcFFNcsQ2SmfbJ6HPVnf4bq0twclLVm8_4dJzGsHzUuwdwLvZugAC-aqOalgshrWUuuHmvwwh6v9HzT8iktfnjYV/s1600/p-811585-don-shula-miami-dolphins-autographed-hand-signed-16x20-photo-inscribed-325-ape-shula-wins-16x20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzAbK1JBdqezQfkRq7Y9GFQAbB6m_d4rgWLH75cpCT1Xs_qRd5L5HJcFFNcsQ2SmfbJ6HPVnf4bq0twclLVm8_4dJzGsHzUuwdwLvZugAC-aqOalgshrWUuuHmvwwh6v9HzT8iktfnjYV/s1600/p-811585-don-shula-miami-dolphins-autographed-hand-signed-16x20-photo-inscribed-325-ape-shula-wins-16x20.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In college I went on to study Sports Medicine took all the Physical Education requirements of Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Conditioning and Fitness...yadda yadda yadda. I went on to own a business that specialized in coaching athletes and certify Coaches. I ran Development Camps, Coached at all levels from High School to University to Men's & Women's Leagues. I became certified in all sorts of training modalities. I was a personal trainer and taught everything from yoga to spin to strength conditioning to cardio kick to step aerobics with seasoned hardened athletes to those lovely blue hair ladies in my aqua aerobics classes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM3jfXgRPDx8Nw9sZqm8ArFKpBUvuKPx_WtaQpV-tsh3fl2yp6OUDKWb4c7DPqaUBGaFBbi0qfHxHAeVcQ5_1SSy9uu8UzPN2-CgoRM-oMEJoQbTrYcaAnUv47xnn9ibXe-y2rStc4XYf/s1600/waves_older_adult_group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM3jfXgRPDx8Nw9sZqm8ArFKpBUvuKPx_WtaQpV-tsh3fl2yp6OUDKWb4c7DPqaUBGaFBbi0qfHxHAeVcQ5_1SSy9uu8UzPN2-CgoRM-oMEJoQbTrYcaAnUv47xnn9ibXe-y2rStc4XYf/s1600/waves_older_adult_group.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been a Director or a Ski & Snowboard School and I also taught Rock Climbing for a time. So you might say I know a thing or two about coaching athletes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2011 I decided to run in my first marathon. Without any real track or running specific coaching background, I immersed myself in the field and coached myself to multiple marathon and half marathon finishes. I sought out training groups and coaches from time to time but it never really clicked or felt quite right. I continued to work with myself and the knowldege I had and the training readings I would get from Runner World and continually bettered my times each race and became a stronger runner.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing the finish line in my 1st Marathon</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2013 I decided to jump into the world of triathlons and Ironman Racing. I had never really swam before. Except the doggie paddle and hadn't a clue about riding a TT bike. Once I entered into Cozumel Ironman I began researching all about training for an IM. I watched tons of You Tube videos on swimming and read every from the couch to an Ironman in 6 months kind of articles and books. I wasn't sure if I was going to get a specialized triathlon coach or not. I'm not the kind of guy that hires a coach. That is for the serious athlete. I'm, well, I am just me. Will a coach want to take me on? I am not trying to win an age group or make it to Kona. Am I going to get stuck in a groups of fellow smoes like myself and just run around the reservoir for hours like I have seen while out on my own runs? How and what I am I going to do? So I decide to take a masters swim class at my gym. Surely they will be able to teach me how to do this. I go a few minute early to the class because I want to speak with the instructor to inform them that I am a Newbie....like brand spanking new and I was not sure how advanced the Masters Class was. After his initial shock of me just jumping into an IM in under 6 months without knowing how to swim or ride a TT bike and being made fun of for wearing board shorts to my first day of swim the very next thing I was asked....."Are you going to hire a Coach?" "Yes", I said not really knowing where this would take me as only 10 minutes earlier I hadn't a clue. "That's very smart and probably the best decision you can make. Do you have any candidates in mind to interview?" Huh, me interview for a coach?? I guess that is a great idea and suggestion. "Well, I have a few leads I say". "OK, well I can suggest a few if you'd like" Most definitely is my reply and I get a list of 3 or 4 local coaches. And off I go interviewing. I do some more research and dwindle it down to about 6 names that seem like might work for me. Finding a coach in Boulder is certainly not a difficult thing to do. Around every corner is someone lurking to make a few extra bucks and saying they are a coach. This was a weird process for me as I felt that I hadn't a clue as to what I was looking for in a coach. It can but doesn't have to be a daunting task. Some of the folks I interviewed laughed at me and didn't have the time for a newbie like me as they looked down their noses at this guy who's #1 Goal was not qualifying for Kona. I understood what they stood for and hold no angst about them. I knew virtually nothing about triathlons and nothing about 2 of the 3 disciplines about it. But I know people and I know what I like and dislike and I refused to be intimidated by a process. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber Point Elementary School & My Kindergarten Class</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would a kindergartner not go to Elementary School because they don't know the alphabet yet? Heck no.....and I was not going to not hire a coach because I was afrad to make a fool out of myself because I didn't know much about the sport. I continued interviewing and I narrowed it down to two candidates. Both of whom were recommended to me. Both who didn't seem to care if desired to come in first or just cross the finish line, both who seemed to understand that I have an absolutely crazy work schedule and both who just seemed to care that I got out of it what I wanted no matter the level and would work with me to get there. Both who I thought would make a great coach for me. They both had different training methods so I chose the one that seemed like it was more fitting to what I was currently aligned with.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Coach ~ Eric Kenney w EK Endurance</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I narrowed the choice down to one and have not regretted a minute of it. Well, maybe sometimes, particularly during those COLD December early morning swims. Deciding to hire a coach, besides my beautiful Bella Nera Cannondale Slice was the best decision I could have made for myself and the wisest choice on how to spend my money. I often hear folks say, "I can't afford a coach" I get it, seems maybe like a luxury, but I wonder and think, you can't afford not to have a coach. People will spend thousands dollars to get a faster bike. Spend hundreds on an aero helmet or a streamline wet suit. Those are cool and all but a coach can cost less than that bike and hlmet an wet suit and get you a much faster overall time. Besides it is tough to race if you are injured and a good coach will help you get where you want to go injury free. It felt like I had some naggin injury every other week while marathon racing and I am now on my way to a 3rd Ironman in a year without any "real or substantial" injury. I know I could not have done that </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look back at over the course of the last year and my triathlon training and competition of two Ironman races. And in every race and more than a few training session, I hear my coach's voice inside my head.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx0Z_iULtSb8zrCgvGNkoUTgzygX-7HqbiWootvHe3WNOFqCbuba5Vtc_GxY_K1DoE_wA__jEgZ_vQhs2rHkyeG3_jNPcJdBU5cQ3wWUyiF-B5kTXz62TvFp5AUhhss0rnMtM60F5JDuT/s1600/DSC00751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx0Z_iULtSb8zrCgvGNkoUTgzygX-7HqbiWootvHe3WNOFqCbuba5Vtc_GxY_K1DoE_wA__jEgZ_vQhs2rHkyeG3_jNPcJdBU5cQ3wWUyiF-B5kTXz62TvFp5AUhhss0rnMtM60F5JDuT/s1600/DSC00751.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Eric and I before my 1st triathlon</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>From quick one liners.....</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>"push it but don't burn yourself out and then give it all at the finish line."</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b> <i>"Finish strong, be tired at the end and don't hold back"</i> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>"Run as flawless as a race as you could and run a race, not do a workout." </b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>"Don't be distracted. Be the distraction"</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><i>"D</i><i>on't stop moving, keep moving"</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>"slow is smooth and smooth is fast".</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span style="font-style: italic;">the bike is the only part of the race you can still move forward without doing anything and coast and catch you breath. Though I am not saying you have to coast if you don't need to, then keep peddling"</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>To race Day Strategies......</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">"<i><b>hill coming out of the park, don't power up it and burn yourself out at the start."</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">."<i style="font-weight: bold;">Now at the end of the bike it is a sharp turn with rubber mats and it is easy to get caught and stuck and wipe out"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Dump water on your head in this area as the day will definitely be heating up by the time you get to the run section and there will be 3 water stations"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>To setting the game plan.....</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Swim:</span> steady and long in the swim</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ride:</span> steady! like you did in the TT loop is pretty good. bike pedal around 170 watts. coast when you can on down hills etc. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Run:</span> find your rhythm in the first mile then try and run faster each mile to the finish!</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To settling pre race jitters and doubts...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">There was the time I was standing in FREEZING cold water before a race, wondering why I was not in my bed back at home...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coach Eric must have caught my body language as I step foot into the water as soon thereafter he was by my side. <b>"Marty, this race is not about time or distance. You swim 5 times longer than this in training. This race is about how you as a racer handle the elements and what gets thrown your way and how you handle that adversity. That is what this race in the cold is about. Can you turn it off and still race or will the elements get the better of you?"</b> I think to myself...the elements almost already won while I was still in my nice warm sheets until I texted you. <b>"Cozumel will be hot and humid and will potentially have some nasty cross winds. You will have to contend with them."</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"><b>To trying to prepare me mentaly & physically for what was to come....</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">This past week my coach had a training session in the pool where he put 4 people in my lane and then hopped in the pool himself. He was grabbing my feet. Ripped my goggles off of my face. Pushing and pulling on me all wile I was trying to swim laps. I laugh now when I type these words but I so truly appreciate him trying to recreate for me what I may expereince and to mentally prepare me for whatever may come my way. From.... <a href="http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/11/1463its-real-now.html">http://bookofmarty.blogspot.com/2013/11/1463its-real-now.html</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>To Hydration...</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Never pass up an opportunity to fill up on water" </i>Definitely saved Esra, Susan and I one hot July day on along bike ride.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Take 2 bottles of water at each aide station, put one in your jersey immediately, grab another and refill your aero bar waterbottle dump the rest over your head, legs ad down your back....</b>along with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Purchase those wings if you can it'll help you cool yourself down and provide UV protection.</i> Were two Boulder IM Race Day Saviours.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I can go on and write 20 pages of words and stories and notes and antidotes from my coach and the experiences I've had with him over the last year. Many of which saved my ass out on long rides, in races and in my head.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Do I agree with everything my coach says? Nah. Do I drive him crazy at times with my newbie questions and 11pm texts? Probably......ok yes. Coach Eric gives me a kick in the behind when needed and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">tells me </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">I've done a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">solid j</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">ob when I deserve it.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My team of fellow triathletes w EK Endurance Coaching</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best, smartest and single most impactful decision I've made when jumping into the world of triathlons was to hire a coach. Would I have finished my first, IM in Cozumel without hiring a coach? I'd like to think so. Would I have had a much more difficult time? Most definitely. Would I have continued in the sport and have had as much enjoyment in what I am doing right now? This, I am not as sure. My triathlon journey at times has been painful, scary and unsettling. I could only imagine how much worse it would have / could have been if I didn't have a coach to guide me. But that is not the case, I am loving and enjoying each and every step of this journey largely due to the mentor that I have and for that I will be forever thankful.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUbrrNHh4dWxUNgmgJp4h-YqKrb1Ytb0eTJ8lg8RNIxqSSxfE0Ja7G1RRDwNwgJSF1HUjBdwNrIt1KqUuSNsZddeZHFSUPmNRdYndmoVRhFo_pQ9q9hL_EjJX_X5taX9JNgvsTF7V0zzl/s1600/0770_100065+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUbrrNHh4dWxUNgmgJp4h-YqKrb1Ytb0eTJ8lg8RNIxqSSxfE0Ja7G1RRDwNwgJSF1HUjBdwNrIt1KqUuSNsZddeZHFSUPmNRdYndmoVRhFo_pQ9q9hL_EjJX_X5taX9JNgvsTF7V0zzl/s1600/0770_100065+-+Version+2.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the finish line....at one of my last races.</td></tr>
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Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758713610693201014noreply@blogger.com0