The Ups and Downs of a Clydesdale

ANYONE OUT THERE...

2010-04-10T07:28:00.002-04:00

Well it has been a crazy year. My job at Honda is going well and my bosses (Yes bosses) seem to like the work and effort I put into it. Anyway, I have been struggling with Plantar Fasiciatis (PF) for over 5 months now. I hate it. I have still been running just nothing long distance. I gained about 10 or 15 pounds before I really started to suck it up and I have lost 9 pounds over the last month just eating right and rgetting in the gym.

Well since it has been a year I am sure people are wondering what are my plans. I have none for the short term. I do know that I will get to 190lbs this year. I will then get a real tri bike and next year I will compete in an Ironman event, most likely Beach to Battleship in Wilmington.

If anyone in the High Point area wants to train then let me know.

Peace out.

OMG???

2009-06-06T07:33:00.003-04:00

So like I have a week before my first tri of the season and I have done like hardly any training since the half marathon. I guess I am looking at this race as a warmup for the rest of the season... Not sure if that is true but I will tell myself that.... Hope to put in a good time but I am not expecting much since it is a longer swim and bike than most sprint tris. ANYWAY, Enjoy some new pics of the boys...

Happy Mum's Day....

2009-05-11T07:05:00.002-04:00

I did NOTHING this weekend. I already feel like a lazy slob that will never be able to finish a 5K. I know crazy but I guess that is what drives me to train from day to day because I don't want to be that 400lb guy in the corner that says "In 2006 I did the Florida Ironman" burp... fart... Sip my Diet Coke!

Anyway, things are OK at the house. The kids are still asleep but we think True baby is getting sick again or as I believe just teething but hopefully Heather will not read this post and make a comment! HA Love ya hun!

So tell me this... Am I loser for getting my wife a clothesline? This coming from a guy that got his wife a breast pump (Christmas) and a vaccum (Mother's Day last year) on two other occosians as a gift. YES I know!!! Shocking... I am thinking for birthday a workout outfit? HA Just kidding she would super glue my undercarriage to my leg! Anyway, peace out.... Enjoy...

What up???

2009-05-09T07:37:00.003-04:00

So the kids slept in until 7 this week and we actually got a lot of sleep this week, which it seems my body needed. I guess recovering from the half marathon.... or that will at least be my excuse. Anyway, no training this week, but Tri Latta in Charlotte coming up in June. OHH BOY. I am going to add my race schedule for the tri season on the right.

Work is going ok. Crazy but I love seeing things come together so that is good, just not as quickly as everyone else wants. I am on call this Saturday until 3PM. OHH BOY....

Picture of the day....

Traid Tri Team Member...

2009-05-05T06:49:00.003-04:00

Well after a lot of thought and the fact I know nobody that enjoys the insanity of long tri's I decided to join a team here in the local area, Triad Triathlon Team (TTT). So it seems that I haven't really done anything with them but hey I at least joined and partake of the discounts.

I am still sore from the crazy run on Saturday. I am just waiting for there to be a report the course was only 12 or 11 miles long. I keep going over that race in my head and I am just amazed at how good I felt going into the final few miles. I have never felt that strong in a half at the speed. There are a handful of people that understand the lack of training I had for this race and that is what amazes me. I don't want to do that again because I believe I could get a nasty injury or something.

Picture of the day...

I needed that...

2009-05-02T15:57:00.001-04:00

I was not prepared this morning as I should have been but the NC Half-Marathon proved to be a great race after all. I believe my time was 1:36 and change ended up winning my age group. I felt sluggish this morning but after a few sips of coffee a PB sandwich and a protein bar and some water (over a two hour time period) I started to feel it. The race started and the first 4 miles I was with Dave Mercer aka Billy Idol. There were some hills and he is not as strong on them so he told me to just go on. I headed out and the next two miles were at 7:20 or 7:30 pace. Then I settled in with my pace and eat up the hills and spit them out. I felt very strong.

I finished with no legs but I finished strong and maintaining my pace. I was very happy to come close to my PR of 1:35 at Myrtle Beach half which is a much easier course than this one.

I mentally needed this. I feel like a monkey is off my back and that I can go out and have a good racing season. I hope to post much more often than once a quarter.

Enjoy...

HELLO McFLY...

2009-04-30T06:31:00.002-04:00

So does anyone pay attention to anyone at 5AM in the morning at the gym? I am not sure. Had a good 4 mile tempo before the big race this weekend. Anyway, my towel fell off the treadmill in the middle of the run. 2 People I KNOW saw it and walked by and the lady, aka Chatty Cathy, that works at the gym was discussing how hard she works out everyday with a lady obviously trying to but CC just didn't get the clue.

Anyway, I am getting ready for the NC Half-marathon this weekend. Should be fun but I am sure to be in pain since the mileage was down for some crucial weeks of training, just due to True baby being sick and all. I think I can hit the tempo but I am sure to get to about mile 10 or 11 and start to feel the effects of the lack of training.

I do have a question... Is it crazy for me to be day dreaming about doing another Ironman? I mean I am constantly thinking about going long and hammering out a solid time. I am thinking Ironman Arizona would be awesome to do. I don't know just day dreaming...

I know I know....

2009-04-16T15:24:00.001-04:00

I am supposed to be doing work BUT I don't want to even though I am about to get sucked into a meeting I don't want to be in. Anyway, I have been running and plan on racing the NC Half Marathon.

I also have actually signed up for two triathlons and plan on writing about that later. I really just can't wait to post the pic of the new bike I hope to get soon. Also more to come up on that.

I am around and need to update this thing more often. I plan on doing so... especially since I am feeling it this year...

I am a live...

2008-12-02T06:36:00.002-05:00

Is it me or do we miss the good old days? Back when Airwolf was on the tube and we didn't have Facebook to waste our time and you didn't have a care in the world. (Yes I totally have Airwolf or Knight Rider on my mind at all times...)

Ohh well... Training... MMM Where and what is that exactly? So I weighed in after the Turkey festivities and Thanksgiving itself... 212, which is about par for the course these days. At least I haven't blown up to over 220, which normally happens around these times. I have had two good runs in the last 3 weeks or so and it is starting to get really cold outside so the morning weekly runs at the gym have slowed down (for me anyway).

In case you haven't heard, The LA Marathon moved dates to Memorial Day weekend, which is good and bad. Good - I have more time to train Bad - It is going to be Hot as balls in LA! Anyway, I am going to start my base this week and get ready for some solid mileage build up for this thing. I have a few tight muscles, nothing a good massage wouldn't take care of (Michael?). Anyway, need to get ready for work. PEACE...

IT IS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG...

2008-09-27T09:06:00.003-04:00

Well, I have been spending a lot of time on facebook and I have struggled to post anything here. Well it seems that I am getting really pumped to do something big like a marathon or something. As stated earlier depending on how my buddy does in Beach to Battleship this year, I may be forced to do an Ironman earlier than projected. I am having to much fun with my kids right now to put that on them. Anyway, so the plans right now are to do the LA Marathon, which HONDA sponsors and will be sending me as part of the Honda Aircraft contigent to kick some butt! Right now my goal is a 330 marathon. I think it is doable, I will just need to get the pseed training in. Also, since I will be training I will probably meet some buddies in Charlotte to do Thunder Rd. Half marathon. That hasn't been given the "Wifey Seal of Aproval" so that is still up in the air.

On a funny story at work note, during lunch on Friday a weird set of stories started to be told and then a bomb was dropped by someone at the table. Basically we were talking about massages and how weird it is to roll over and be sporting a little "excitement" (as some might say!). Then I told a story of a buddy that was getting the Big V but the prep was a cute nurse shaving his "area" he got "excited" and she thumped him. That took care of that and she walked out not saying anything to him. AWKWARD. Then someone else told about their wonderful experience with the Big V. Then the bomb was dropped! The guy sitting across the table goes "The most wonderful thing in the world is having a prostate exam with a female doctor with long skinny fingers." Everyone proceeded to loss it and I asked if that conversation just happened, someone else said you aren't supposed to like that. Anyway, that answered a lot of questions I had about that guy!

Funny stuff!

Take it easy and be careful out there!

Big Boy pulls one out...

2008-09-17T21:30:00.002-04:00

Ran in a local Sprint Tri this last weekend and it ended up as a good time especially since I finished in first with a time of 1hr and 4 mins. Smokin! Course was good the pool swim was really awful. Other than that the people were nice and the handouts were awesome.

Other than that I am working like crazy and loving my little family.

Peace out...

Yes two days in a row...

2008-08-14T18:50:00.001-04:00

OK so I am waiting for a large data file to open so I thought I would give a quick post...

Woke up this morning to meet a group of runners that leave the Y at 5am. Yes 5am. It was a good 3.65 mile run with some good runners. I kept the top guys in front of me and paced with them the first half. They weren't that great a keeping pace on the hills so I was able to catch up after my nice little warm up by the halfway point. Anyway, I ended up with a good pace to finish and beat pretty much the entire pack besides the lady that was running beside me. Anyway, Tired now but I love that type of running at should help my times and I hope to continue those as long as we live that close to this Y.

Peace out...

Down times for sure...

2008-08-13T10:59:00.004-04:00

Well my training has been at a all time low since I really started this crazy adventure 6 or 7 years ago. Such a blur now but every year seems to do that anyway. I plan on doing my first triathlon (and probably the only one) in September. Then I am going to start preparing for the LA Marathon. Honda is the main sponsor and they fly out Honda employees for free if they have done an endurance event of that size. I think an Ironman qualifies!

So that will be my next six months of stuff. Work at Honda has been great, I am getting loaded down with tasks and it is getting really hard to find time to train. Luckily the Y I go to opens at 5 so I can get in a solid workout and lift and be home before the kids even wake up. Big T wakes up at 6:30 or 7 and Little T wakes up at 8. Anyway, putting a marathon on my to do list will motivate me to get back into running. The good thing with the lack of training is I have maintained my weight or even lost some. I am still hanging around 210, which is good for me, because usually during this lack of training I blow up to 220 and that is no good.

Here is a recent picture of the boys and the wife!

Have a great day! PEACE!

Been a while...

2008-03-10T08:35:00.002-04:00

Well it has been almost like 3 or 4 months since I have written something of value on here. (Some would say I have never written anything of value, but they are haters!)

Anyway, life has been crazy and good since having #2. Truiy (Truitt but his brother calls him Truiy!) is getting big and growing everyday it seems. Tobias is doing OK, still doesn't have a hang on the sleeping thing but he is healthy and cute (MOST OF THE TIME!). Family is good. Wife is beautiful as always and the two boys are growing.

Running is coming along, since I signed up for a half-marathon here in Greensboro. Ran 7 long miles at 8:30 pace. Felt good just sore. My mind really just pushes through most pain I have when I run. I was looking at doing a 1:35 half but now I don't know what I will be doing. I feel fine but I might want to just go out and enjoy this one. Not sure if I will be able to but we will see.

PEACE!

AMAZING #2!

2008-01-02T17:05:00.000-05:00

Well Christmas was great but the New Year Holiday was AWESOME! The wife had #2 on Dec 31st at 11:20PM. His name is Adrian Truitt Waldridge. We will call him Truitt, which makes Tobias and Truitt (T n' T)> We just got back from the hospital today! Life is good today but will be work from here on out!

Here are some great pics...

Bring it... Hold on... NEED ADVICE...

2007-12-10T10:25:00.000-05:00

Well as I am looking to 2008's Tri season I continue to have to be reminded that I my wife is about to give birth to our second child... Now with that happening, I feel like such a child whining about not being able to do something. I really want to be there with my family but the 2008 tri's are calling me. It also might have something to do with a buddy of mine doing the BEACH to Battleship (Ironman distance but non-Ironman) and I want to be there to beat him! HA HA Well anyway, I am sucking it up but would love to hear some advice from the fathers out there and to see how I handle telling ym wife I will be doing some races.

Anyway, here are some classic pictures of T-Man. He has been making "truck noises" and he looks like Bill Murray from Caddyshack. Here is the evidence...

HAVE A GREAT WEEK and Train Hard...

The Parade of Rednecks...

2007-12-04T12:30:00.001-05:00

Well as far as workouts go I have been getting better at some consistence. I have someone to run with me 2 or 3 times a week during lunch. He isn't that fast but it gives me some crap mileage to build up for the next month so I can start doing some steady lap workouts. I really need to join the Y here in Greensboro. I will be doing soon since they are waving the signup fee if you bring in a slightly used or new blanket. SWEET! Then I can get on a bike or swim more consistently. WOW Swimming seems so foriegn to me right now. I miss it but man I can't wait to write about that first workout...

OK so to the title of this post. Well my parents invited T-Man, The Wife, and me to the local parade in the small town that I grew up. Basic good family time but attached are some classic, CLASSIC, photos from the parade. ENJOY! By the way those that read this from that general area of Liberty, Ramseur, Asheboro, I love the parade and your not a redneck in my book! HA HA

NOTE: The awesome REBEL FLAG and PIMP HATS!!!

MORE TO COME!

Turkey Trot Breakdown...

2007-11-27T13:46:00.000-05:00

So I talked (twisted arms of) some of my friends into doing this local 5K Turkey Trot called the Greensboro Gobbler. I wasn't really expecting much since I had run a total of about 6 or 7 times consistently but I did have a really good 3 mile run one morning, which made me think I could maintain a good time and not completely disgrace the Ironman I used to be! Anywho...

My friends (Let's call them "Beauty and the Flying Jelly"!) showed up to our house ready to go. We pounded a bagel and I drank my 4 cups of prerace coffee and we were on our way to the Gobbler. On the way we discussed our game plan of knocking down small children and goosing the old ladies that were in our way. The Flying Jelly decided that this was not a good plan because he is a firefighter and he would be compelled to help therefore NEVER finishing the race. Finally, we were ready to start and we were warming up and peeing in the trees and getting ready to go we lined up and put ourselves in a good start position. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS... the old ladies and the people out there with their GPS watches that really don't "care" about their times but want to be really annoying start to pack in front of us. I had a lady in front of me that had here hand held water jug with her for a 5K... A 5K FOLKS! Give me a break and get to the end of the line. ALSO an older lady (NOTE: I REALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OLDER LADIES I LOVE THEM! THEY COOK REALLY WELL AND ARE FULL OF WISDOM!) that I noticed in front of me, was wearing her aerobics outfit! No problem there but she immediately started walking! UGHHHH! GET OUT OF THE WAY! I am sure there were some old men or middle aged people doing the same so I would say the same thing to them! MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!

OK now that I got through that, the race course was awesome. There were a lot of people out there for a narrow road but it turned out great by the first turn. I loved this course, even if it was a two lap course. It was down hill or flat for the first half of the lap and then up hill and rolling for the second half. My kind of course.

So I start out running off to the side and begin to pass as many people as I could then get back on the road and start to pace myself. I felt good and I had a great rhythm going. See the mile marker, which is marked by a clock! I shake my head a couple of times and rub my eyes (Why you ask?). Well I was passing the clock at 6:00 even and it took me :16 secs to get to the starting line so I ran a 5:44 first mile! First thought was I AM SCREWED FOR THE REST OF THE RACE and second thought was WATCH OUT FOR THE SQUIRREL BECAUSE I AM FLYING!

Anyway, second mile came to a 6:30 pace and I thought to myself I have a sub 20 min race wrapped up like my junk in a speedo! Well then I hit the second half hills and fell off the mark and turned in a 20:48 time, which my watch read 20:32. I thought that was a great run for someone that hasn't been doing much. I really needed that run and I plan on doing a couple more just to stay fit this winter.

News on the Family front:

We have found a rental house here in Greensboro, NC near the Guilford College campus. We don't plan on staying here long but we do need to have a steady place for the new baby and T-Man and The wife as we all go through this transition.

Take care and PEACE OUT!

LOVE YA FLYING JELLY!

Running by running event...

2007-11-20T08:31:00.000-05:00

I have known this about myself but it seems it takes an event to get me going and ready to get out the door to excercise. I really was in a funk until I signed up for an event and just in the last week and a half I have been running more consistent and with a purpose. I love it. This is why I do this.

Honda has been a great company to work for so far. I haven't had that much in challenging work but there are a ton of smart people here that I am learning from. Need to go but I hope you guys are doing well.

New baby in less the 7 weeks! CRAZY!!!!!!!! I am excited to see our family grow and hopefully my wife can stay unpregnant for a while this time!!!

Looking good...

2007-11-15T12:04:00.000-05:00

Well I guess the tri season is officially over for a lot of people out there and the running season is in its finally stages. I have a local Turkey Trot 5K in Greensboro that seems like it should be a good time. I have some friends that will be doing this with me. Anyway, after some of my runs this week, even if they were quite short, I feel like I can get under 21. It will be tough but I should be able to do it if I am rested and feel good. I will post on that next week!

I got an email from Tobias and this is what he wants for Christmas...

Enjoy and have a good week!!!

Thanksgiving Trots...

2007-11-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Well I think I am going to get motivated to do a local Thanksgiving Day Trot in the Greensboro area. Should be good to see how far I have fallen from the glory days of old in 2006. HA HA

Seriously, some of my buddies back in Greenville are going to do the full in Wilmington, SC called the Beach2Battleship. That has me fired up for this coming year. I just need to figure out what races to do and where to workout, ohh yea and where I will be living!

Everything is going pretty well. I am actually maintaining my weight of 205 and have been eating pretty good, not healthy but decent portion sizes. Once we get everything figured out here I think things will be getting better.

You guys take care and I will soon have some pics of the kid...

PLEASE READ THIS '07 IRONMAN FLORIDA RACE REPORT

2007-11-06T14:12:00.000-05:00

This guy is from Greenville,SC and is a great competitor and professional. This is the '07 Florida Ironman race report that is well written and very acurate with what happens in the Ironman race. Seems the officals have a "What happens on the bike course, stays on the bike course!" Anyway, enjoy the read and I am glad a pro is able to make some noise about this. I hope it creates change...

'07 Ironman Florida Race Report

IT KEEPS ON COMING...

2007-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Well it seems that after I start to get some momentum, I hit a wall. Seems I have gotten the acute bronchial asthma again. AWESOME! So that has stopped everything for me and work is getting busier by the day. So time to get in a good workout has been ZERO! I feel pretty good today but still coughing a good bit. Anyway, nothing new but I am feeling better and hope to get some good running in after I get rid of this. Stinkin' allergies!

I ROCK...

2007-10-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

Well every since I started this job, I have worked out a total of 4 times in 3 weeks! THAT IS AWESOME!

I think I am turning into a ball of goo, even though I still feel OK but I really need to find a gym. Somewhere I can go to early in the morning and get a solid workout.

The new job is good, just trying to figure out where I fit in. Seems the guys that have been here the longest let you know it. So basically when you are having a conversation with someone they say "Well I was here in June of last year and was the 13th American here!" I guess I am supposed to say "OOOOOOO, AHHHHHHH!" even if these guys suck as engineers. Which most of them aren't but there are a few.

Also if someone can find me a gym to workout in Greensboro, NC that would be great, also a house, a Dr., a wife Dr. also known as OBGYN, a baby Dr., and a hospital to have the new baby! Thanks get back to me when you have all of that! Ohh I forgot to mention somewhere to live in the next month!

PEACE!!!

First weekend as a family...

2007-10-13T09:53:00.000-04:00

We are starting this weekend off great! Tobias slept through the night for the first time since we have stayed in these apartments. We are not sure why but we hope they continue! We are actually having our first weekend in the new location together. Seems very weird but exciting.

This week was an OK week at work for my second week, but we have some real challenges to overcome to get a plane ready for test flight next year. Anyway, it is still exciting and I am on the front end of this thing. Very cool! The only exciting thing this week is I got my company uniform. Basic khaki pants and different button up shirts. Well when I got fitted we tried on some different sizes. Well I decided on the 36 x 34 pants. When I tried on my uniform pants on my first day I was like man these are tight but doable! Well after sitting at my desk from 7:30 to 8:30 I lost all feeling in my lower half, specifically my balls! It was like I had ridden 100 miles on a bike! I mean I was in the zone and didn't notice it until I stopped to take a break and then I stood up! PAIN! I almost fell back down in the fetal position but was able to muster up the strength to stand! Had to change at lunch and all was well with the world!

Had a really good run with Mercer yesterday. Ended up being a 5.4 mile loop but Mercer said it was 4.4 and when we got back my watch said something different! He is british so I will give him a break. Now that I have a consistent work schedule I should be able to get together a solid workout schedule until the wife figures her schedule out and then all could change.

Take it easy!

1st Week...

2007-10-09T12:54:00.000-04:00

Well my first week at my new job was great. I have a ton of work to do and it helps to keep me focused on the things I should be focused on! It has also given me some needed consistence, now I need to find some times to workout and get ready to rock next season.

My training consists of just maintaining 4 miles in under 30 mins. I need to also work on getting a good base of running and swimming back in because this year I simply didn't work on either of those consistently unless I had an event coming up.

On the Family Front... T-Man had to be taken to the ER last night for having a 104 degree fever for three days in a row. NOT GOOD! Seems to be doing good today with some extra antibiotics and an IV. The wife says he is catching up on his sleep so she can as well. I believe every thing will be OK but you just never know! Crazy how much I worry about that stuff more than I do when I see he falls hard!

Anyway, take it easy and have a great week.

It's official...

2007-10-04T17:33:00.000-04:00

I have started my job in Greensboro, NC with Honda Aircraft Company. I will miss Greenville,SC but I believe this was a good move for my family.

Another plus is that the NC series Triathlons seem to be in the general area, where as the SC ones were mostly on the coast or more than 1hr and half away. Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope to begin to update more frequently.

PEACE OUT!

THE MOVE...

2007-09-27T11:14:00.000-04:00

Well my new job and the next chapter in my life begins. Not only do I have a new job but I have a new baby coming in Jan. and a new training ground and racing area. I believe my new job with Honda Aircraft Company is going to be a life time job. At least I hope so. The company is really putting their money into the company and as most of you can see from the TV commercials airing the plane is pretty sweet.

Anyway, just be thinking of my family and me while we are making this big transition. We will be closer to family but we are leaving behind some amazing friends and church family in Greenville,SC.

Hopefully next week I will be able to get some solid workouts in, instead of working on this house like I have the last two weeks.

Peace Out!

New Tobias pic...

WELL WELL...

2007-08-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

It seems that my dial up doesn't like the Blogger setup and usually takes forever but today it just worked. So I decided to post.

Well this weekend was the IM Louisville. Seems to be a hard race due to the temperatures and ever rolling hills. Should make for an interesting race after I decide to do in 09! OHH YEA! Meet a guy at the Bandits Tri, Kyle Moody, that did it and he finished so congrats to him. It is just an accomplishment to finish so well done. I hope to read and get in touch with more people that did that race to see what they think.

Seems that I have been feeling really well and have decided to integrate Yoga into my training. Man does that stuff really work. Stretches and strengthens muscles. It is an amazing workout if you haven't done that before. The lady that teaches the class does an excellent job. Anyway, running has been going well and lifting and relaxing has been good as well.

On the other front, I have two job offers in the works, one local the other moving from Greenville,SC, which will be hard to do. Anyway, things are moving along there. Anyway just wanted to write something up while it worked. Take care and have a good week.

Weekend Warrior Race Report...

2007-08-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Well since I am out of a job, I decided to take my son and head to NC a little early and hang with the Team Parents. Which they really helped me out with taking care of Tobias (pretty much doing it all) and ended up paying for a hotel room in Wilkesboro, NC because the drive was further than I thought. Anyway, time for the race report.. RACE

Seems the this race has been called by a few, the "Toughest International in the Southeast!", it says it on the shirt I got and now from experience I would say it ranks up there. I have let the race day sink in and I really think I did the best with the amount of training I put forth. I ended up third in the "Fat Boy" Division with a time under 3 hrs. Well that right there should speak to the course. It is rolling hills with moderate climbs and the run does two laps, which you run over the dam that the course is laid around, twice with a couple of other quad busting hills. The big surprise of the day was the temperature really held off. It wasn't as intense as I expected it to be on the run. It was hot but not as bad as I was thinking. Also besides the hills on the bike, I think I had the best possible bike ride with the amount of training I had been putting in. The swim your asking... Well it felt like I was swimming in warm chicken broth. It was crazy! I had never swam in 90 degree water and it was 91! I actually wanted to take my cap off to let my head cool down. I was scared of a DQ there. Once some race pictures get posted I will put them up.

Also on another note, I ran into a guy (THAT GOT 2nd "Fat Boy" Division) that 1) actually has seen my blog and admitted to reading my garbage and 2) I have raced against the past couple of years. Well in two weeks he will be doing the race I contimplated, that's right, Louisville Ironman! Best of luck to you Kyle!

PEACE OUT AND REMEMBER this is not fat but a protective layer for my rock hard abs!!!

Well...

2007-08-06T10:02:00.000-04:00

Well nothing really has changed since my last post. Still don't have a job, looking to stay local here in Greenville,SC so it seems to be taking some time. It hasn't even been 2 months but man I am getting really anxious to get out there and get me a job that I can focus on.

To more important things, this no job thing has allowed me to really be able to get in some good workouts and clear my head. A week ago though we headed back from my family in Kentucky and once we got back Heather had a stomach bug. She was throwing up all day and eventually had to be taken to the emergency room. She had 4 liters of water put back into her system by IV and some meds and she was out until the next day. She was extremely sore and out of it the next day. Then Wednesday night I got whatever she had. NO FUN!!! I wasn't to excited since I have a tri this coming weekend that is supposed to be one of the toughest to do. OHH GREAT! So with that going on my workouts were non-existent and my energy was so low this weekend it took me a full day to recover from a 45 min bike ride. This should be fun this coming weekend.

Well if anyone has a good engineering job in Greenville,SC let me know! I would love to see what you have to offer. HA HA

Take care and I will talk to you later.

A lot has happened...

2007-07-10T09:47:00.000-04:00

Well since the last post, A LOT has happened. I don't have a lot of time to chat but here is the overview.

1) Lost a job...
2) Making a career change (if possible)
3) Looking for a job...
4) NEED A JOB NOW!

Anyway, we are doing ok I just have 60 days to find a J-O-B! If not than the wife's pregnancy is termed as a pre-existing condition and that is NO GOOD! Ohh well, thanks to those that care and are helping me out. Especially thanks for the prayers. Take care.

Politics...

2007-06-14T07:30:00.001-04:00

I am dreading this next year.... For the triathlon season? No! For the possibility of more war? NO! For the upcoming election? YES!

I am a conservative that cares for the environment, I hate BIG Government, and I like the idea put forth by Neil Boortz for taxation. Ok so that really makes me a moderate or whatever. I do know this... I HATE politicians. Both are scoundrels and will do anything for power. I believe the lesser of evils are the republicans because of what they stand for in legislation (AT TIMES!!). Not that I want to spool up a bunch of comments on this because I do believe God is completely and ultimately in control. I will do my part but God is in control and I hand over my life to him to guide me.

But the point of today's post, even though this isn't about triathlons, I hate our current politicians and the system they work in. Just reading Drudge and other news outlets, it just frustrates me to NO END! I read the Bible and I feel like Jesus would condemn these people like he did the Pharisee's. Crazy stuff going on in the world right now and more people are concerned about who can Dance better or be our next American Idol, when in the end it really doesn't matter. God loves us, he sent his Son to die for us, he rose, GAME OVER! We win if you simply believe in Him and act on those beliefs by reading and understanding his Word. A lot of people are hurting out there and they want to fill a void that only Jesus can fill. Sorry for the preaching today just a lot on my heart this morning. Comments welcome!

What is different now...

2007-06-11T09:01:00.000-04:00

I can remember when I weighed 260 and was just comfortable with being Big and Beautiful. I would eat out all the time and would have a vegetable about once a month and thought asking for no mayo on my sandwich would help me maintain my weight. I also thought I wasn't obese (legally) or "that" overweight. It is interesting to think that I could eat an appetizer of mozzarella sticks, an order of wings or a Buffalo Chicken sandwich, with a basket of fries, and a few sodas and then and go get dessert. That is where I began this crazy triathlon mess.

One Day a guy at work, that same size as me, said he was tired of being as big as he was. I asked him what was he going to do about it. I suggested we have a little fun with it and make it a competition. We called it FBA, Fat Bastard Association, and the winner had to have lost 20% of his body weight. 20% you ask... Yes because for two 6'3" guys that weighed at 260 and wanted to be around 200 lbs that was 20%. I have never in my adult life been under 200lbs. Isn't that crazy! I mean I have always just been a big guy and most of my friends are nice enough to say, you don't look that fat except for those man boobs and that belly you sport when you wear those tight shirts. I regress, So the FBA started out and we had a few other guys join in. The first to drop out was a guy that thought he would win by starving himself for a week and then would just eat right after the starvation period kick started the weight loss. Yea he was going nuts around Tuesday of that week and then by Friday had to eat something or he was going to faint. I do have to give him the fact that he did drop like 10 pounds that first week but he couldn't make the decision to stick with anything. The next guys just couldn't stick with anything, and then me and the original guy actually lost weight and stayed there, but the winner dropped weight like a mad man. He was not eating properly but he was at least eating nothing but veggies and some meat but as soon as he started with bread again all the weight just came back. During this whole time I finished 2nd by running and I just fell in love with running. I couldn't believe how much I really enjoyed it. So I started to do 5k's and 10k's and then someone mentioned triathlons. I was like that is doable. Let's see what we got.

Well an even more long story short, here I am 6 years later 215 pounds and unsatisfied with where I am at. This is usual for me as you may have noticed from previous posts. I am not content with much. I seemingly need to be doing the next big thing. I mean I finished a freakin' Ironman last year. Anyway, I have held 215 for the past couple of years and I am tired of it so some guys in my Bible Study group have started the FBS, Fat Boy's of Summer, and the plan is to see how much weight we can lose over the summer. We will weigh in every Sunday night. I am looking to get to 200lbs by the end of summer. It is not an impossible feat but something that will be a big challenge for me. Bigger then the Ironman, in my mind anyway...

So what is different now... Well I love running and just being outdoors, I enjoy competition, and I have a 6:30 mile for a 5K from an 8 min mile. More importantly, I have married the woman of my dreams and we have an awesome little guy 1 year old that we are trying to tame. Anyway, peace out and have an awesome week!

Post will be removed...

2007-06-07T08:31:00.001-04:00

The previous post will be removed due to the possibility of someone in my family seeing the post. Sorry for tricking you avid readers. LOVE YA!

My Future Tri News...

2007-06-05T12:01:00.001-04:00

Been a while...

2007-06-01T07:20:00.000-04:00

Well I seem to not be able to get my thoughts or workouts on here weekly like I thought I should. Anyway, I am doing great. I had an awesome Memorial Day with friends and family. Just got sunburned and relaxed. Can't beat that with a stick...

Training has been going good. I think I have the mental stability to move forward with what I want to do. HA HA Seriously, I have found some really great late season races that I am going to sign up for and see what happens. I updated my list -------> over there so if anyone wants to join me there you go!

Ohh yea... I mentioned some big news would be coming out about my future triathlon life... Well it is about time to share. Maybe next week when there is a press release...

Take it easy!

Just read this...

2007-05-16T10:59:00.000-04:00

Something I read today and thought I would share. I got this from my subscription to Outside Mag. and thought it was something I have struggled with and is something you can apply to all facets of life.

"The hallmark of a lifelong athlete is not the ability to focus but to refocus."

WOW! Insert Husband, Father, Sibling, Son, and Christian!! Just a thought!

Good stuff!

Finally...

2007-05-14T09:03:00.000-04:00

This weekend was the Clemson Triathlon and Mother's Day all in one. To start the weekend I had to travel to Clemson and run the tri. Well I was expecting much from myself since I had only been really training for this in the last 4 weeks. I had been running but that was so I wouldn't balloon up to 250.
Anyway, I was very relaxed for the start of the race and just told myself to get out there and rock this joint. The swim was as good as I could do for swimming 4 times since Nov of last year. The funny thing is I had a better swim time this year than last year but I was all over the place last year. Felt good on the bike until the last mile or so and then my calf started to cramp on the stroke down on the bike. It stayed that way through the first half mile and then it went away. The run was tough but they removed the big hill that they had last year so the course this year was rolling and seemingly longer. Anyway, I was comfortable for the rest of the run and I passed the 3rd place clydesdale with about a mile to go and he picked it up and stayed on my tail. I had nothing to give once he made his move. That is what the lack of training gives you. I couldn't put him away and I couldn't catch him. Ohh well. My buddy took first so I at least was handing it to someone cool and not some jerk! He did well and is a better swimmer this year then last year and is a good cyclist anyway. He stays the same for his run for pretty much every event.
Now one of the cool things about triathlon and running and just staying fit is running into people that have lost 175 pounds and are at their first event. That is what is cool about doing this stuff. Yea I finished 4th and would have loved to have finished 1st again, but I didn't put up the effort to give myself a chance. These people are out there just to survive and change their lives for the better so they can live longer with their loved ones. Pretty cool seeing some of that in action. I believe that was the mindset change I needed after this weekend.

OK Mother's day was very cool. After the tri I used a carpet cleaner to clean some of the floors I have made a mess on and the stairwell, where Tobias made his mark with some puke! Anyway, that was part of my gift with some chocolates for the Wife. She has something even nicer coming, just didn't order it in time to get here before Mother's Day. Ohh well. Tobias did great for his first Mother's day and seemed to enjoy hugging his mommy for the day. Very cool kid!

Well I will have some big news coming in the future about my tri future because I may have just changed it up.

Have a good day and PEACE OUT!

What does today bring...

2007-05-03T08:18:00.000-04:00

Man I love Greenville, SC. The seasonal transition weather here is awesome. Spring to Summer and Summer to Fall. Just love sitting around soaking up the weather. Anyway, I come to you today to bring a very important issue that needs to be talked about. Old people at the gym....

Ok I love old people and the wisdom they bring to our world and what they offered in the past and just the great stories MOST of them have to tell. BUT at the gym they are, how do you say... IN THE WAY! I go to the gym pretty often, 3 or 4 times a week, and I enjoy just lifting and swimming and taking some of the spin classes, plus I get free baby sitting while the wife works. Anywho, I am going to the pool yesterday and I think it took me, maybe, 5 minutes to get changed from work clothes to swim gear. Hop, yes I hopped, into the shower and as I turn the corner there he is. He is Ed, or something, and he is a very nice old man and I have talked to him in the past. When I say talked I said hello. While I expected nothing different today, ED DID! Ed begin to talk about how he used to be a plumber and how much his speedos are chaffing him. AAAAWWWWWWWWWWW I tried to run but he blocked my door to leave and he talked with me jumping around like a caged deer trying to get by. (IF you have never seen a caged deer, it is pretty humorous until they start to get really pissed!) Anyway, he finished is story on broccoli and he shifted weight and then I WAS GONE! Man, I love stories like the next guy but when I have to go and do something and my mind is on that one thing, I can't stop to appreciate what is going on around me.

I know I am going to get all of the two readers emailing me today saying what a jerk and the other two asking me why I didn't punch him when he started talking about his speedo. I really wrote this because sometimes we can miss really important things,in other peoples lives, when we are focused some much on ourselves and where we want or "need" to be. Think about that today when you are grinding out miles or just in your car and you don't have time to help someone.

PEACE OUT...

Here is the little one and his buddy...

Now what do we do...

2007-04-18T10:37:00.001-04:00

Well what do we as people and athletes do, when something like the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech, when something major happens? There will be plenty of organizations donating money and running events to help the families with their loss. Same thing can be said for cancer research and other devastating occurrences. For instance, my Uncle David passed away recently from cancer and I was really affected by the life he lead and was left wondering how can I help so other people aren't left wondering why...

This week has challenged me to look "outside" myself. As a christian I try to do that with the relationships I have with people or with people I see in need, but in a bigger sense of things what can we as normal everyday people do to help others. We aren't Micheal Vick that can simply drop 10,000 bones to help these families, which on a side note is a joke with the amount of money that guy pulls in every year but he is at least thinking of them and not "Ron Mexico" or his water bottles.

I guess I would love to challenge myself and others out there to really touch someone this week!!! NOT NEXT MONTH OR SOMETIME THIS YEAR. I mean this month. For instance, I have an acquaintance with a kid that went to our church that is off at college. He happens to be Korean and quiet. Not a good mix for what happened this week. I really want to let him know that what happened this week he shouldn't allow others to run over him because of who God made him. I really worry about him from time to time and pray for him, not only for this weeks happenings, because he is very new (AND LEGAL) to America and it is very easy for us "Americans" to take advantage of people that are open and vulnerable like my friend. Back to the point, just get out there and lift someone up today and talk to them and let them know you actually are interested in their lives and want to help them.

I will get off my soapbox. Enjoy the funny picture...

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly...

2007-04-11T08:27:00.000-04:00

So the last week and a half has actually been pretty productive. I am concentrating on lifting and just enjoying working out. I really have succeeded in enjoying my workouts again. I just need to keep that rolling and I will be back to regular form in no time.

The wife is out of town, which is a bummer because I can't sleep without here being around. I have no clue why. I usually read at night when she is around and get through three pages and the I am out. Well the last couple of nights I can read an entire chapter and not be tired, so I read another chapter and still nothing. I hate it. I have no clue why and it just makes me frustrated so I just sleep on the couch until I pass out from exhaustion.

Finally the ugly, I have tweaked my foot playing basketball and it has been bothering me on my runs so that is no fun! It isn't a lot of pain but enough to wonder what in the heck I did to it. Anyway, have a good week folks and enjoy!!!

COOL FAMILY PICS!

2007-04-05T13:51:00.001-04:00

Epiphany Time

2007-04-04T09:39:00.001-04:00

So I had this great thought come over me the other day and I want to write it down so I can read it and see if it makes sense...

OK so my epiphany was that I would not do any triathlons this year, except for the one I already paid for. My reasoning is that I just don't feel excited about it like I did when I had this daunting task in front of me, like I did last year. I want to go backpacking and hiking, and just run and bike for the fun of it. Do a 5K or 10K or a century or whatever comes up and be ready to do something like that. But to work so hard to finish in the Top 3 in the State of SC as the Fat Boy of all Fat Boy's is not high on my list this year (See list below!). I think I had to have this revelation to get out of the funk and pressure I have been putting on myself to meet others expectations of what someone would do after completing an Ironman the year before. I can hear it now "That guy did an Ironman last year?? I mean look at him! His butt is so big! IIIII Like big butts and I can not lie!" Maybe not that last part. (I got caught up in a song sorry!) But think about it. The reason I "FEEL" like I have to do something this year is just to keep a level of expectations for people around me because I completed an Ironman last year. My inner circle of friends (that are going to read this) could give a flip but it is those others that are wondering "What is he going to do this year to top last year?". And don't get me wrong that is probably nobody but I have this perceived notion that people are talking and looking and wondering, and honestly that is what has driven me to do what I have done in the past. BUT NO LONGER!!! This Cyldesdale is going to go at his own pace, pulling a beer cart and all.

Anyway, I hope this rant makes since to some out there that are struggling with moving forward after completing something big and don't know what to do now!

Priority List:

1) Know God better and what he wants out of me and my life!

2) Grow closer to my wife and child!

3) DO SOMETHING FUN not a perceived event.

a)GO HIKING AND BACKPACKING! LOVE THE OUTDOORS GOD'S COUNTRY and BEAUTY!

b)Do a half marathon this year for the heck of it. I do love running!

c)Maybe sprinkle in a century ride. NOTHING TO HILLY! #1 reason I hate biking.

What do you think....

Funny photo of the day... (Just for you Brad!)

Always this time of year...

2007-03-29T13:11:00.001-04:00

Well my wife pointed out that this time last year I was struggling mentally with the same stuff I am mentally struggling with now. Stuff like, man I should be less weight then this or I can't seem to get motivated. Not sure why but it must be as the pollen comes out I go mental. Well I am trying to really over come those issues with just pure will. It is a struggle to get out but I end up 100 yards into going man this feels great! So onward I go. I have ZERO expectations for myself this year. I would love to place in the top 2 for SC Clydesdales but I really don't care right now! I just want to stay healthy and enjoy my boy! Speaking of...

HAVE A GOOD DAY!

What is going on up there?

2007-03-08T20:50:00.001-05:00

Well with my new job I haven't been able to focus very well. It is really effecting my training. It is probably more about change then it is I am actually doing work. I really need to figure out how I am going to train. I already have figured out what I am going to train to, so I just need to get out there and do it and see what works.

Anyway, I have been trying to get to 10 or 12 miles a week of running (I hear the skaf of those training for an Ironman or just doing regular training!!!) with lifting and some biking. That is going ok but I am having some hamstring problems the last two runs, so that means 60 bucks to get my leg worked out. Ohh well the cost of being a little boy.

Well take care out there and have a good week!!!

Clydesdale Down...

2007-02-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

Well this weekend was not very enjoyable. The wife and I came down with a stomach virus Thursday night and that lasted until the next morning for both of us. It was not a pretty sight. She was upstairs and I was downstairs, because really neither of us enjoy hearing the other ones ejection of stuff. Who does? We didn't have enough strength to check on each other and when we did the other one would have to run away or fall to the floor because of the amount of energy expended just going to visit. NOT FUN AT ALL! So all day Friday we laid around on the couch and just chilled and hoped that T-man wouldn't catch anything. He didn't get anything we had but by Saturday morning he was running a fever of 101 to 102. Then it got bad and jumped to 103.5 by the time we got to the doctor it was holding around 103. He had an ear infection. GREAT!Well an update for today is that he is feeling better but has some squirts. I think it is because of the antibiotics but we aren't sure. The wife and I feel OK but still feel like a truck has hit us.

What a lovely post... talking about poop and throw-up on an entire post. GRRRREAT!

Nothing happening but...

2007-02-20T14:08:00.000-05:00

Well I haven't been doing anything except working out 3 times a week at best. I weighed in this morning and I weighed 215. That is not a lot but I have gained 5 pounds from the Ironman. I guess in the big picture of things that is pretty good because I was up around 220 at one point following Thanksgiving and Christmas. Anyway, my broken toenail still hasn't fallen off and it hurts after biking and running. I really don't want to hop in the pool because I like to not get tired of that to soon. With that being said I hope this toenail falls off soon so I can get back to 5 times a week of working out.

Well take care and have a good week.

T-man picture of the week...

The finally Ironman Pain...

2007-02-12T20:18:00.000-05:00

Well it seems Ironman Florida '06 has come back to get me one last time... Well to start a month or two ago I notice my big toe nail on my left foot was still bruised underneath and looked really weird. Well the toe nail popped mostly off while I was on the floor playing with T-man. It didn't hurt but it didn't fully come off. So I immediately soaked it for 15 mins and tried to get it off. Well that probably did more damage then good. My foot feels better today but man it is sensitive and feels really awkward. I guess I am seeking any advice you guys have. I really haven't been keeping up with the Ironmen training out there in blogger world since the new job change. I plan on getting back to it soon. Anyway, any advice will be good.

Take care and have a good night.

The new job...

2007-02-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

Well the new job is great. Everything is rolling along pretty well. Have new work and new stuff to do. Challenging at times but anything would be challenging compared to what I was doing before. Company website...

KTM Solutions

With that being said, my training has been down and my injuries/colds have gone up. I can't seem to get rid of this groan injury and my big toes have been hurting since the Ironman (Just after runs or basketball but they still hurt!). I think I may end up lossing one toenail because it must have pulled off during the Ironman. Not sure. Anyway, any advice there would be great!

Start of a new job and the search for a new helmet...

2007-01-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

Well at this point I feel awesome about my new job. Things seem to be working out really well. I hope that continues... You just never know how a small company like this one will do.

Well I am in search for a new helmet and need your advice. I have been on trifuel.com and seen what people have given good ratings but I am just wondering what I should drop my dough on. Let me know and take care.

The Clydesdale Cometh...

2007-01-18T08:19:00.000-05:00

Currently I am probably at Super Clydesdale status, but I am really starting to hammer the tempo and track workout runs (around 6:10 min/mile). My long runs have been OK but I plan on going a little longer and hitting 10 miles for those. The bike is there but I have been on it twice the last two weeks. I need to get into my spin classes to really give myself one more bike ride a week. Anyway, my focus this year will be on the Half Ironman. I hope to really do well and have a 5 hour time. Should be doable but I have to stay injury free.

So I am quiting my current job here with Lockheed Martin, and will be going to my new position Jan. 29th. My new job is a smaller company here in town that does engineering work for multiple industries, aerospace, automobile, industrial, etc... So that will be the next challenge for me besides triathlon series. I am extremely excited to get into something like this and hope that this year is a blessed one. Wish me luck.

Take care guys...

David Drake has left the building...

2007-01-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

Well my Uncle David passed away last week and I attended the funeral on Monday. It was an amazing and tear filled day. My prayers are with my family and specifically my Aunt Bev, Cousin Chris and Dawn. I don't know if I could handle my father's funeral as well as they did. They were emotional yet strong. It was amazing to hear Chris talk during the funeral. He did an amazing job. My Uncle David had some beautiful things said about his life.

You look at those comments and you want to think people will say the same of you. I hope that is the case with my Uncle.

If anyone out there cares they can donate money to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society under the name David Drake. It is a great cause and I hope to help raise money through Team in Training.

Peace!

Update...

2007-01-03T09:34:00.000-05:00

Well before I left for Christmas I had a neck injury and wasn't doing any type of working out. During the break I ended up running 10+ miles and playing basketball twice (2+ hours each time) and I am feeling good. The diet was horrible during the break but I felt good. Starting to work on some core exercises to really help build that up this off season. Also I seem to not be able to get constant with my lifting so I hope that comes around soon. Work actually got busy for a short while but that is cooling down.

Had an awesome time during Christmas. T-man loaded up on some gifts to play with, while the wife got everything she asked for. The wife wanted Mickey's Christmas Carol, which up to this point was almost impossible to find but I snagged a DVD online. I guess Disney, like Ironman North America, holds their stuff to sale at a premium whenever they release it.

Received some bad news on the family front. My mom's brother, David, is finally being taken over by Leukemia. He was sent home yesterday to bear through the pain for just a little longer. Talk about an Ironman. Living through something like that makes my Ironman feat seem like nothing. My prayers are with my family and my mom. This was her closest brother and she is taking it hard. Also my dad will have to have a hip replacement soon so there is a lot my mom is dealing with.

Well I have to end this on a high note so here is something cute to lift your spirits...

I may be in pain BUT...

2006-12-21T06:42:00.000-05:00

Here is what makes it feel all the better...

Sucks to be me...

2006-12-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

I am not whining or anything but I am in some pain. Since the tri season is shut down and I have just been running and lifting, I decided to join my church's basketball team. Well, Monday night was one of our games and I got my head knocked off. I noticed a sharp muscle sprain in my neck but I kept playing. Well after I got home and laid down I noticed my neck starting to hurt really bad whenever I moved, so I decided to call it a night. Woke up at 5:50 to get going to work and I couldn't wash my hair so I called it a day and stayed at home and called the Dr.

Well after some really good muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory, I feel much better. Still some very dull pain but I am able to at least hold my head up. The only problem I have is I can't run right now and that sucks. Ohh well I guess that is life and I am glad that this type of thing didn't during Ironman training.

Also of note is that I have gained 10 pounds that I now need to work off. I guess the slump in training and changing from usual training from Ironman training has something to do with it and me just wanting to eat stuff I wouldn't eat during training. I just need to focus. That is what I lack. I can train all day long and stay focused but I can't seem to make myself focus on calorie intake. I really struggle with that. Anyway, I hope to really start getting back on track with this and getting back below 210.

Peace out!

Awesome weekend...

2006-12-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

Well I had a great weekend full of gathering with friends and a dirty Santa party. I completed a 16 mile bike ride and a 7 mile run this weekend and felt great. This was the first time on the bike since Nov. 4th and I felt great. The weather was outstanding here with the highs getting into the 70's! FLIPPIN' AWESOME!!!

Well here is a post by my buddy Steve! He was bitten by a dog in Romania where he is working for the great Lockheed Martin! Enjoy the shots Steve!

Hope everyone out there has a great Christmas and New Year. Also, enjoy the weather while it lasts, or as the media would tell us enjoy the weather while the ice caps melt!

The Weekend of a Clydesdale...

2006-12-06T17:06:00.000-05:00

I didn't do jack all weekend and didn't get a run in until this afternoon. I guess I felt guilt and didn't want to blog since I didn't do jack squat! Did I mention I did nothing! I did take the kid for a stroll in his new shiny BOB Stroller. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THAT THING SOME ROAD TIME!!!

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing great out there. Today's run was no where fantastic but it was a good tempo run of 4 miles at 7:40 pace with 1 mile warm-up and 1 mile cool-down.

I have been lifting a little and seem to have picked up 5 pounds since the Ironman. I hope that doesn't continue.

Well, I guess that is it. Take care and PEACE....

Funny Photo Of the Week...

Finally some family Ironman photos...

2006-11-28T07:43:00.000-05:00

Enjoy...
Before the race start...

TEAM PARENTS before the swim start...
LOVE THE HAIR!!! Also shows how bad the wind was blowing!

SWIM START!!! CRAZY!!!

T-man waiting for me to come by on the bike...

Me on the bike...

Me on the return for lap1 of the run...

The day after pictures wearing the swag...

Back on the wagon...

2006-11-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

Well this Thanksgiving was great. I actually did some exercise and enjoyed the time I had with my family. It started with going to the wife's fam in NC a week before the Thanksgiving weekend and we showed off the T-man. He seemed to really enjoy himself with her family and just laughed and cried as much as a little baby could. I had a great run there and didn't get hit by any cars, even though the wife's grandparents were for sure that would happen if I went running. After that I came back to SC to work and relax (relax meaning I didn't do jack squat!). Well Team Parents picked up Heather in NC and then drove down on Wednesday to pick me up so we could leave to go to KY.
KY is where I was born (Bardstown) and where both of my parents were born and raised (out in the middle of no where but about an hour from Louisville). My mom and dad have a large family. I believe both of my grandparents had 8 children. So each get together with Team Parents families are big. 40 plus people! We went to my dad's family get together on Thanksgiving day. Packed house with a bunch of kids running around and a baby that we were trying to get to nap. Not a good mix but we had fun. I got dogged by my cousins in basketball. This brought me down to earth a little even if I am an Ironman. My mom thought it was funny! I do have excuses 1) my cousins are all about 2 or 3 inches taller (my dad was the runt of the litter) 2) they have shot a basketball in the last 4 months. Ohh well I ended up with a nice eyebrow cut and some bruises on the ribs, which happens every year!
OK so when we stay in KY we stay with my Aunt Mary, which lives in Louisville. Her daughter, my cousin, is one of my best friends and I just love hanging out with her. The wife really enjoys Sheri as well. So we usually do the shopping thing and just hang out together and that is pretty much what happened. Saturday, the day my mom's family gets together, I needed a run! I was jones'en for it. I was about to run out of the door when my cousin's smallest child (8 years old) said he wanted to go along. I told him I was going to do 4 plus miles and then I would come back for him. He said cool! I got the run in and stopped to pick him up. He was ready with his basketball shoes on and jeans and a polo. He tried to strap a FM receiver to his shoulder like I have my mp3 player. Very cute! Anyway, he ran solid for 1.25 miles. He did awesome. I think he will be the next Ironman in this family! I gave him a few pointers and he really listened to what I had to say. He wanted to know how he could do more and when and how. I thought this was just awesome! GO ALEC!
Well the family arrived and T-man was in full cuteness and really did his thing. I am sure he will be getting some extra Christmas presents for that showing. Update on my Uncle David, he is not doing well but he was there and sat through the whole get together saying a little but the cancer has taken him and he knows it. They are just waiting for him to move on! Just say a few prayers for the family! Anyway, the weekend was great and telling the Ironman story really made my head big! I could hardly fit through the van door on our trip back home! HA HA!!

I am so blessed and so thankful for my family and everything they have meant to me and my parents. Also just living in a country where we can travel and get together and have a good time is so awesome.

Also of note I hopped in the cycle class this morning and lifted some weights.

Take care and I will have pictures coming soon!

Well...

2006-11-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

Since one of my two fans asked me to post something exciting, I decided to post the "Picture of the week!". Which may also turn into "Caption of the week!", which will allow my fans a chance to submit a caption to a photo. I will choose the best one and you will win nothing. Isn't that great.

Anyway, here is the photo of the week. Enjoy and have a great Thanksgiving out there in the blog world!

What am I doing??? Help please...

2006-11-21T12:53:00.000-05:00

Well I have been completely unmotivated, except on a few occasions, to do anything at all. Is it the "Ironman depression"? I don't know but I feel like just sitting and enjoying my time. I guess it is hard to make change in from my old schedule (OLD: working out early morning twice a week and doing the rest after work to NEW: Working out every morning in the gym.). Just seems hard to get up at 5 and get going even though I know I can do it and have don it in the past.

I guess the real problem is with the holiday season going I don't want to lose where I am in weight or cardio. I really want to take that into next season so I can accomplish my goals there.

What are some tricks that you guys and gals do to stay on top during the "load'em up" season?

Let me know and take care!

'07 Season Planning

2006-11-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

Well now that I have been enjoyed being an Ironman for over a week, I need to start looking into the '07 season. My main goal for '07 is to place in the top three in the Clydesdale Division in the SC Triathlon Series. This is an attainable goal I just have to step up the amount of races I do.

So what am I looking at doing...
1) Clemson Sprint Tri
2) Festival of Flowers Oylmpic Tri
3) Greenville Sprint Tri
4) Hartsville YMCA Olympic Tri
5) SC Half Ironman
6) Hickory Knob Olympic Tri

#6 is a maybe depending on where I am in the standings. It is the last race of the year and if I needed to do it to place then I am there. I hope to clinch by then!

I am planning on doing some smaller races around the area like 5K's and such to keep me active this off-season as well as a weight training program. I will need that to make sure I can finish next season. Anyway, hope to see what you guys plan for the future. Take care and PEACE!

Ironman pics...

2006-11-13T08:09:00.000-05:00

Well I started off the week with some lifting and a spin class this morning. Felt really good. The hamstring is still really tight so I plan on spinning or swimming and stretching until it starts to let go a little before I attempt any type of run. Other then that, I was in the gym at 530 to get ready for next season. WATCH OUT SC Clydesdales!!!

Here are the Ironman pics. ENJOY!!!

Now what???

2006-11-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Well with the biggest achievement in endurance sports behind me, finishing an Ironman, I am wondering what I want to do next year in the sport of triathlon.

Well the first thing that comes to mind is trying to place in the top three for the SC Triathlon series put on by Set-Up Inc. in the "Fat Boy" or Clydesdale Division.
I will probably try to do some more local races, 5K and 10K distance, especially this off-season. I love running in the cold weather until it gets you sick but I should be past that time for myself. I usually get sick around the beginning of Nov. and then that is it for the year.
I plan on getting some local sponsorship just to pay for some entry fees and possibly get some gear. Not sure how all of that is going to work out but I will be hitting up some guys for some information.
Finally, I will be raising my first child, which has been amazing up to this point. Seeing him grow and advance is so cool. T-man is going to be a hand full. I can already tell I will getting back everything I put my parents through. There are some things that are hard wired and passed on to our children and stubbornness and wanting to do what he wants to do is what I have given my son. I just hope he has his mother's heart, because that will be my only saving grace. She got one spanking! I got one as soon as I woke up, and 90% of the time I deserved them. Just like mixing it up at the Florida Ironman, this will be challenging but fun! Can't wait for this to continue.

My workouts this week have been ZERO, NADA, NOTHING! I feel good but my left leg and hamstring are tight and I will probably start weight training and low mileage next week. I really need to work on my diet so I can stay right around 200lbs or just right below. I would do something this week but I am leading my church's Men's prayer breakfast Saturday. So my lecturing series begins. HA HA

I plan on continuing this as a workout log and my plans for the future. PEACE!

Ironman Florida Race Report...

2006-11-06T13:45:00.000-05:00

Well where do I start...
We arrived in Panama City Beach around 1:30 CT and unpacked and just relaxed. I went out for a 1 hr bike ride and felt really good and the conditions were some what windy but nothing to bad. A lot of people were out and about riding bikes or running. I was second guessing my training plan the entire time I was watching these people.
Should I be out running as well? Should I be out there biking?
This happened the entire rest of the week while I was resting and just hanging with my parents. I decided on Thursday to go for a good swim out in the ocean. Gatorade people were there to look over your bags while you swam so you didn't have to worry about that. Very cool. Got out there and started swimming, then I noticed "Hey I can see the bottom, thats cool." "Man I am pretty far out here and I can see the bottom still! WHAT WAS THAT?" If I could have been wearing my HRM it would have probably been off the chart. I was pretty much by myself while I went all the way out to the turn buoy and back. I hustled my way back in. I did not like the fact that I could see the bottom. I was hoping this wouldn't be a problem on race day and it wasn't. Later on Thursday I went for a nice easy 4 mile run. Noticed some knee tightness but nothing I haven't felt before, so I iced that night and went to bed.
Friday Team Parents and Family and myself went to Penescola to go see the Air Force Armarment Museum. Pretty cool, especially since someone in their ranks there was retiring after 25 years of duty with the Air Force. Very cool to be a part of that. We also stopped in Destin to shop and just walk around. Tobias was having a rough night so we checked in early and all went to sleep. T-man went for a solid 10+ hours of sleep which was very cool for him to do that for his daddy!
Starting my list of complaints about the race and the race city...
1) There is NO where and I mean NO WHERE to eat! The places I did know off, like Olive Garden (Saw 1 in Destin didn't see one in Panama City) or Carabba's (Saw one on the farside outside of Panama City Beach) were packed and had a 2 hour plus wait and people that were inside were waiting for food for an hour. The hole in the wall joints were hit and miss. We went to one the Thursday night that was awesome but Wednesday night's joint was not that good. I should have paid more attention to this then I did where to stay!!! Friday night we just bought some pasta and a chicken and eat at the condo, way to go Mom and the wife.
I decided to wake around 4 to start pumping some carb's and coffee to get out last night's dinner. YEA COFFEE! Bagel with PB&J and a protein bar and some accelerade with water. Meet up with a buddy of mine that was doing the race (No he doesn't have a blog) around 5 and started making the mile walk down to the race site.
The weather was 40 degrees with a 20 mile wind blowing so it felt very cold. Something like Romania not Florida. I was bundled up and pumping full of coffee so I was ok but I saw some guys there wearing just shorts and a t-shirt that looked like they were about to die, some just looked used to it. There were a bunch of Canadians there so that is probably who I saw. By the way they weren't sporting a mullet. Go figure!
Loaded my bike with the food and drink for the day. Dropped off my bags and started to get ready for the race. Now while all of this is going on the voice of Ironman started saying how the wind is dying down about 7 miles out so just get your heads right and don't let the wind be a factor. He continued to say that.

2) If you are going to give race info to someone make sure it is accurate! Don't just start spouting off crap to get my head right. They really should have not said anything about the wind or when it should die down. BECAUSE THE INFO HE DID GIVE WAS GARBAGE!!

Anyway, so I am feeling good and ready to go. I get in my wetsuit and head for the beach looking for my family. As soon as I am about to give up I see them and man this was a blessing. I was so pumped and ready for the end of the day were I could just hangout and be with them. This gave me such a boost!
They are playing some music, Van Halen garbage and then finally some U2 but I couldn't even hear it because the cannon went off and I went for the water.
The swim:
The first lap and entering the water was simply crazy! Just a ton of people trying to get from the beach to this buoy out in the water. I was mostly swimming with my head up after about two strokes down and then I would sight and try not to get hit for two and this went on until I turned to go back to the beach.

3) I don't know who else saw this or even cares, but there were a ton of people cutting the buoys short and just cutting the corners out there. Not that I could do anything about it but I would feel incredibly small for doing all this training to just try and grab an extra 30 secs or more by cutting a corner. I didn't cut corners during training why now? I just didn't get it but there was nothing I could do so I continued on.

I got out of the water at the end of the first lap and it was around 33 mins. I was very pleased especially since I was holding my head up a lot during that first lap. It thinned out quite a bit and after a pee break in the water I hammered away again. I felt good! I was starting to feel my wetsuit on my neck but nothing major. My shoulders felt great so I decided to push it a little bit. Well that didn't work to great because I was getting myself way off course. I felt like I was zig zagging the whole time. I was getting frustrated. On the way back in I just put my head down and tried keeping people to my left and to my right. The ocean really started knocking people around. Possibly why I was off course so much but I wasn't going to let that hurt me. I figured it was myself just screwing up out there. Anyway, I got out of the ocean with a 1:11 on the clock. I was hoping that was the time for the pros still added on there since they started 10 mins before we did. I was wrong. I was still happy with a 1:10 time. I just felt I could have had a better time out there. I still felt strong and my mood was good.
I got my wetsuit ripped off of me by some volunteers, which were great for being out there when they didn't have to be. They could have been at home eating breakfast, instead they were helping adults get there wetsuits off! Very cool. Thanks volunteers!
THE BIKE:
Well with the "supposed" 7 miles of head wind ahead I just kept it easy. I was doing about 15 to 16 mph and just staying calm and eating a little. Mile 10 goes by and we still have a lot of headwind of about 15mph. I felt as if I was climbing the entire time in the head wind. I was not really prepared for the first 50 miles of the bike having so much head wind. I averaged about 17mph for the first 50 miles and I was starting to feel the effects of myself trying to push through it. When we got to a spot on the bike where there was a tailwind I started to push it. I got to the special needs area and another group of volunteers were out there handing out our bags. My volunteer handed mine to me upside down so everything spilled out and the guy behind me ran right over my sandwiches! For a fat boy this devastating but I eat them anyway like a fat boy would do! Around mile 70 my body was feeling ok but I felt as if I was bonking and I couldn't go on. So I started eating everything I could. I felt horrible. In a 10 min time frame I eat about 600 calories and I sort of came out of my funk. I also so Team Parents and Family around mile 80 so that could have been what really picked me up. It was great to see them but I wanted to stop and get off the bike and call it a day. My mind was playing some major tricks on me. None of my leg or back muscles ached just my head and neck and it felt like I was going to fall off. I kept eating whatever I could get my hands on. Water and bananas and oranges. I was eating whatever I could just to get in off the bike. I finally reached the last 10 miles and I was cruising. I would spin for .5 mile and then cruise and stand up on the bike and stretch my neck and turn my head. It almost felt like when I was in college and I took the Engineering In Training test that last 8 hours. My head felt like all the blood was at the front of my head. It just hurt PERIOD. I finally dragged myself into T2 and the great volunteers helped out and gave me my stuff.
Ohh yea in the transition area was a tent for males and females to change. For T1 this tent was packed and there were no seats you just had to get naked standing up and they had these guys in there dumping out your stuff and handing your clothes to you and cleaning up the stuff you were taking off. So yes your junk was ether directly in there face or in the general area. If I was a volunteer this would not be my job. Thanks but no thanks for me. In T2 I had a nice seat to sit in and change and relaxed a little. Hit a gel and moved on. The guy forgot my Timex watch, which luckily I didn't have my Garmin in there because I didn't find my watch after the race. Not his fault I was just so out of it he probably dumped it and neither of us saw it. Ohh well.
THE RUN:
Finally I felt in my environment. As soon as I stood up I felt like a different person. I walked out of T2 to the first aid station and got some water and started running. The course was laid out by some condo's and beach front property and then turned and went into some neighborhoods. This was cool because people were throwing this parties in their front yards drinking and grilling as you ran by. I actually yelled at a group of people to make me a steak Medium and they all yelled back telling me to come back after the race. Very cool. There was also a crack head or some random crazy guy that was slapping his hands together at something I will not know. He would run with some people and just be laughing and just looked like he was out of it. Very weird but funny. Team Parents and Family were at the mile one mark where our condo was. I got to see T-man and my mom yelling at me to go get'em. Also very cool! Well the run didn't start to get tough for me until around mile 14 where I started having a problem breathing. I figured this was going to be an all night thing so I walked for a bit and put on a long sleeve shirt to see if the warmth on my chest would help. It seemed to work or the adreline really just kicked in and got me through. At mile 18 I decided to walk all the aid stations and run to the next one. Once I got to the out I was really feeling it! It hurt to start running after walking so I decided I need to continue to run as much as I could. So would run with someone until I needed to walk at the aid station and then would start running once someone passed me. If that happened after the aid station so be it but it got me running again. At mile 24 I decided to just run it out. No more walking or aid stations. I had 2.2 to go. How many times have I done this this year? How long have I worked to get my feet moving even when I didn't want to go anymore? I picked up the pace and really started to feel good! The last 1.5 miles I had people telling me GO GO! and little kids giving my high fives. I also may have told someone I need more cowbell! I was pumped! I was getting close. Once I entered the gate to start going to the finish line I started yelling "Make some noise!" and pumping my hands up in the air! I didn't even hear the guy tell me I was an Ironman! I just heard people yelling at me! I crossed the finish line and YELLED! I was so pumped! Another volunteer helped me get my stuff and a finisher picture and then sent me to the next person to see if I needed medical attention. This is where my body said good job but I have no idea of what just happened. I wasn't light headed or felt like I was going to throw up. I just couldn't take a deep breath without coughing and I was cold. Luckily the last volunteer came over and stripped me down and put my finisher shirt on me and got me some chicken broth and just stayed by to see if I needed anything. She was great. She actually said that she has some stories to tell her grandkids. How grandmother stripped some many men in one day. She was telling some funny stories. After I felt better I decided to start moving otherwise I didn't think I would be able to. So I got my gear and called it a night. I was freezing and shaking once I got back. I got some hot food in me and took a shower and my body finally started regulating my temperature.
Overall:
This was awesome. Something a year ago I didn't think I could do or even imagine myself doing. I just felt this was why out of my reach as an athlete. It was very cool (yes I have said that like 10 times) to have my family there to see me do something like this. Now I have something to talk about over Thanksgiving besides my cousin who just qualified for Boston! HA HA I bet this tops his story! Anyway, I learned a lot about myself as an athlete and a person. People can do anything they decide to put their mind to but you need help besides just the training you do. God and family have been such an important part of this!
God for giving me the ability to just be there and to pay for something like this and guiding me to some major developments in my self as a person during my training and race day. Family for being there to support me regardless of what I am doing. I could have been in a throwing poo contest and they would have shown just as much support. They are awesome. Friends out there that have been reading this you are in the family category even though you probably wouldn't support me so much with the throwing of the poo! HA HA

Thanks for reading this. As the offseason goes on this will be some rants on training and me trying to get some money from sponsors for next year. I believe I will attempt 6 events next year. Much smaller and closer to home but I will attempt to place in the Clydesdale division in the SC Triathlon Series. I will have to see! Take care and PEACE OUT!

PICTURES TO COME SOON!

I am an IRONMAN...

2006-11-06T11:16:00.000-05:00

Well I will have a more detailed race report later today posted but here are the basics.

Swim: 1:10:59
T1: 8:54
Bike: 6:06:21
T2: 6:40
Run: 4:29:41
Total: 12:02:34

The swim was cool for the first lap, just a lot of people trying to get from point A to point B. The second lap of the swim I seemed to get off course a whole lot. The waves really seemed to knock me around at the turn buoys but once I saw the coast I pounded it out and tried to keep people to the left and right of me so I could swim with some type of proper form. The bike was grueling. There was a head wind for the first 50 miles and then off and on for another 20 miles throughout the course. I have a list of what I really disliked about the IRONMAN, which this will be one of them but it wasn't the course or the wind it was the annoucer feeding us information about the course. I believe I bonked for the first time ever and it was on the bike. I was prepared to be banging out 20mph but it was more like 17mph for the first half. I was getting mad and probably the reason I bonked because I tried to hammer out of my funk. I got to mile 70 and I wanted off the bike. I pushed on and got to the run and I felt for the first time in the race like I knew what I was doing. I felt like I was in my environment for the first time all day. Great run and fun to cheer on people and to hear others telling you great job. I was pumping my arms when I was coming to the finish telling people to get loud and then I let out a huge scream when I finished, which might mean my finish photo will have me doing a tribal scream with my ugly face on. Anyway, thanks for keeping up to date out there and all the prayers and emails. More to come later...

I actually have some work to do after lunch. This is a first so I better get to it.

This is it...

2006-10-31T09:43:00.000-05:00

Well this will be my last post until I return from the Ironman. I hopefully will be an Ironman when I return. I just want to thank the people that have been reading this, and giving me words of advice and wisdom and especially the little song I got on my work voice mail (you know who you are!). I will be thinking of the finish line and all the people that have been there to help me finish my workouts and motivate me.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is a dare. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

PEACE and I will be talking to you next week!

2006-10-30T07:51:00.000-05:00

Drive it like you stole it!!!

Yes I have posted this before but here it is again! I love this video! This is how I feel before the start of every race, just a little insight into the mind of the Clydesdale.

This is it...

2006-10-30T07:35:00.000-05:00

Well this weekend was great! I had a 60 mile ride to finish off my training with a long run that loomed the next day. I banged out a 10 mile run in 1:26. My leg stayed in control with just minor aches and pains but felt great otherwise. Cardio was there and I was actually running and felt like I could have just given it my all! I finally feel ready for this! I just need to pack and get down there and figure out everything I need to do. Then I can relax and enjoy my son and Team Parents. I CAN'T WAIT. Well I hope everyone is prepared and confident!

Believe you can do it and you will!

More interesting and less known facts...

2006-10-27T07:22:00.000-04:00

About 272!

Two hundred [and] seventy-two 272 = 2^4·17, sum of four consecutive primes (61 + 67 + 71 + 73), Euler number, primitive semiperfect number, pronic number.

In the year of 272...
By Topic
Roman Empire
- Emperor Aurelian reconquers the kingdom of Palmyra, composed of Syria, Egypt and large parts of Asia Minor, forcing queen Zenobia to flee to Parthia.
- During the Siege of Tyana, Aurelian has a dream of Apollonius of Tyana and spares the city.
- Palmyra is destroyed after a revolt, and Egypt is forced to subject to Roman rule.
- Rome forms an alliance with the king of Aksum (Axum).

Asia
- Sassanid Shah Hormizd I succeeds Shapur I.

Religion
- Dometius succeeds Titus as Patriarch of Constantinople.
- Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, and two of his disciples are beheaded near a hill outside of the city. The hill will later be called Montmartre, the Mountain of the Martyrs, in their honor.
- Paul of Samosata is deposed as Patriarch of Antioch.

Births
- February 27 - Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire (306)
- Wei Shuo, calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Deaths
Saint Denis
Shapur I.

Learn something everyday.

By the way, I have woken to a sore throat the last two mornings. That is not cool! A lot of drainage from the nose I believe. I am trying to remedy the situation but a big bummer if I were to come down with something.

BIB NUMBER...

2006-10-26T10:55:00.000-04:00

272

Look for me as I crawl across the finish line! BRING IT!!!

Also of note some past 272 bib number finishers...

MICHAEL LAMOUREUX 11:11:05 (2005)

KEVIN GROGAN 09:25:41 (2003)

Allen Heaton 11:54:29 (2002)

I hope I can do the 272 number proud!!!

Just what the Dr. didn't order...

2006-10-25T08:33:00.000-04:00

Well I went to my deep tissue guy yesterday and my leg feels pretty good besides being sore from the work he did on it. I can't wait to run tonight to see what happens. He also suggested that I NOT do one more long run, instead just get to the start line of the race and if something happens out there, I will have to WILL myself across the finish line. If I go out for one more long run and I do some more damage to the leg then I don't even get to race. Great points and I think I will listen to that instead of being hard headed about it.

So it seems everyone is pretty much packed up for the Ironman in Florida. I AM NOT! I really need to think about that this weekend. We will see. I have one issue with my wetsuit where it seems to rub really bad against the right side of my neck. I didn't use much body glide in that spot so that might do it but I am going to have one more test run before just to make sure that takes care of the issue.

Have fun packing and tapering folks!

Getting close to the big day...

2006-10-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

Well with less then two weeks to go and my hammy still hampering me, I went out this weekend to do what I could do to get prepared. Saturday the weather was amazing here. I had a great 80 miler that afterward I actually felt that I could do a marathon. It was one of the few times I have truly felt that way. BUT Sunday rolled around and my leg was aching. I had already called to get an appointment with one of the best deep tissue guys around here but it isn't until Tuesday. So I decided to just sit and hang with the boy and watch some Panther football. I ended up going to the gym and doing a little swimming and sitting in the hot tub. MY leg felt better but I sort of hated myself for taking it easy like that. I want be able to do that on Nov. 4th. Also a new finding over the weekend, is that my bronchial asthma has come back in a small but confidence crushing way. This has bothered me in the past but I know what it is this time instead of letting it bother me or get to a point where I have to go to the doctor. We will see.

I hope everyone else had a much better weekend.

SC Half Iron pics and one funny one...

2006-10-23T08:01:00.000-04:00

Here is my group of friends that I have been training/competing against all year...

Here is me holding Tobias before the start of the race...

Here is me at the finish of the race...

Now here is the funny one. Greenville, SC holds a downtown event every year where all of the local restaurants and companies get a booth and they block off the entire downtown area and allow people to wonder from tent to tent to try whatever food they like. Well I saw this truck and had to get my picture in front of it. Vive la Clydesdale!!!!

Have a good day! I will be posting later on how my weekend went...

2006-10-19T16:01:00.000-04:00

Ain't No Sunshine when you are hurt..

Ain't no sunshine when you are hurt and ailing. Love this song though!

Pure Will

2006-10-19T10:01:00.000-04:00

Had my swim and run yesterday. I hopped out of the pool after a 2500 set workout. Felt great, my shoulders were a little sore but nothing unusual. Changed in the locker room and took off for my run. Well the knee is still tight but I was able to run and felt good doing so. It is going to take pure will to get through this Ironman. I plan on getting some deep tissue work done this week on my leg, which should help the situation. I will update you on that experience later this week.

So has everyone already laid out their gear for the Ironman and pretty much have it packed? I would like to hear what you have prepared for each stage of the Ironman. Let me know!

PEACE!

Dr. don't know nothin'...

2006-10-17T11:19:00.000-04:00

First off that is proper english for the title. Secondly, I just got back from the Doc and he doesn't think it is runner's knee but more of a degenerative arthritis problem. I disagree and will be using my handy dandy runner's knee CHO-PAT knee brace.
It has already seemed to help the tightness around the knee as I wear it to work and when I work out. So nothing exciting coming from the doctor besides me arguing with him about my condition. I don't doubt that the arthritis will be an issue in the next 10 years but right now that is not what is causing the pain. Anyway, just wanted to update you guys.

Help please...

2006-10-16T08:41:00.000-04:00

Well the knee is no better but is usable. After doing some research this weekend and doing my bike rides, it seems the tightness in my knee is from an over use injury that is just inflamed. I am trying to break the inflammation but nothing is really working so today I am getting an appointment to see what the good doctor can do if anything. Hopefully they have a brand new knee I can pick up at CVS and be good to go by next week. I love HMO's!

Seriously, I was supposed to do a brick Sunday after a 4 hour bike ride on Saturday. Saturday morning was flippin cold so I didn't get started until 9 and I ended up doing the local mountain climb, Parris Mountain. I called it a day after 2 hours and a half. Not bad for getting some other muscles worked. Knee felt pretty good was a little tight. Sunday I was planning on doing a 2hr bike and a 1 hr run. After the bike and setting a really good pace my knee was extremely tight. Could I have run? Yes. Should I have run? I don't know. I decided to have a pity party about my knee and call it a day. Went to my bible study class Sunday night and eat like a pig. Banana split and all! Anyway, I have got to change my mindset about this. I am not sure what is going on with my knee. I think it is an overuse injury and I know my cardio is at a spot right now where I can finish the run, but will I be there in three weeks? That is my problem. I need to run this week and see what I feel like. I hope my cold heat and compression help my leg. We will see.

Take care and I hope you guys had a better weekend then myself.

2006-10-13T09:39:00.000-04:00

THIS SONG IS IN MY HEAD NOW...

LOVE THIS MOTIVATION...

On the road again...

2006-10-13T08:05:00.000-04:00

Well after taking 3 days rest I got back out on the bike last night and felt great. 25 miles in 1:18. I was a little surprised but I didn't feel the hamstring at all until I stretched after the ride. The hamstring is a little sore this morning but nothing real bad. I have been icing and heating the area. I have a swim and a run tonight. I will see what happens after that. Should be interesting.

Here are some race photos of the SC Half, where I came in 3rd for the Big Boy division. (5hr 27min finish)

Bad ending to a long weekend...

2006-10-09T07:06:00.000-04:00

This weekend was supposed to be a 100 mile bike ride and a 22 mile run, Saturday and Sunday respectively. Saturday started later then I would have liked but I was on the bike by 9am and ready for the long ride ahead. The current temp when I left was around 57 and when I woke up it was around 49, so I figured it would be the usual day and get back up to the high 60's low 70's and I would be good. It was very overcast and cloudy but I didn't look at the weather because everytime I have I have chumped out and didn't get on my bike. I would have rather been caught in rain and pulled over and then called the wife to come get or just let her know where I was. So I figured I would wear double layer sleeveless shirts. Well I was cold the entire ride. I finally warmed up around hour 3 but that was not much of a warming.
Anyway, I found myself trying to extend my usual route by going down side roads to see how long they would go. I got down one and started hearing gun shots so I turned around. Another one I was on started to look like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, so I turned around. Not cool to have weird people try and touch you while you are on the bike. I expect dogs to come out and chase me but I had some random guy, possible mentally handicapped, come out and try to do something. I have no idea. Besides all of that I pulled into the house and got to mile 100 at 5hr 38 mins. Felt good, felt like I had properly hydrated and eaten. Stomach didn't hurt and muscles were just tired from the long day.
So Sunday comes around and we go to church and then head home so I can get ready and go for my long run. I decided to do my long run around where I work which is called the Donaldson Center loop. People bike out here everyday of the week and some pros come out on Tuesday and people, including myself, run around the loop. The loop is a 7.23 mile loop that is rolling around an old Air Force base. Well I was planning on doing 3 laps and then finishing it out to get to 22 miles. First lap I had to use the bathroom so bad the entire time. When I got back to my car I ran inside to where I work and dropped a deuce and come back out to finish. I felt A LOT better now and at this point my foot was acting up but that is normal until I get to a point where it stops. Just happens with my body. I don't know. So on to lap 2. I still felt good and I was hydrating and eating some Jelly Belly's and Clif Bloks. I got to mile 12 and felt ok but I could start to feel my hamstring tighten. Mile 13 OK YES MY HAMSTRING IS REALLY TIGHT NOW!!! Mile 14 Ok that doesn't feel good. My hamstring was tightening and starting to hurt where it attaches behind my knee. It also felt like my calf was starting to catch. I was not in awful pain. I could have run through it if needed. I could maintain my pace and keep going for the Ironman if needed but I decided at lap 2 that I was calling it a day.
Now I need to figure out what to do for the rest of this week. HELP???
Should I take the next 2 days off and try to do my long weekend? Should I push my long weekend to next weekend and just take it easy all week? I don't know what I should do really. I plan on taking a few days off and icing and heating this leg. Let me know!

That is what I am talking about...

2006-10-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

I don't know if any of you have seen this clip but it is pretty awesome. ENJOY!!!

Possibly my '08 Challenge...

2006-10-04T11:09:00.000-04:00

Next year will be no Ironman events but in '08, depending on how I do this year, this might be it!!!!

What did I learn???

2006-10-02T07:53:00.000-04:00

The SC Half was great. Yet again the Set-up inc guys held a great event and the weather was awesome.

Let me start from the beginning. The night before I agreed with one of my buddies I would stay with him on the run as long as he was running and not walking and he would hold back on the bike for me as long as we were doing 20mph or greater. This is yet again the last time I do that because he as a cyclist would kill on the bike and hates that he doesn't and I feel the same way on the run. So the next morning, the kid decided he would wake up around 230AM because he was so excited about the race day. Then he wouldn't go back to sleep so he decided to play in his crib until I decided to just get up and get going. We needed to leave the house around 445 so we could follow some friends down to Greenwood,SC. When we arrived at my friends house we were waiting on another guy. When we called him he was still asleep, this was par for the course for this guy for the whole day, so we had to leave and go get him and then we were finally on the road around 515 or so. We got checked in once in Greenwood and took our time getting to the transition area. Well once in there they made an announcement that we had to be out of transition in 10 mins. for a mandatory pre-race meeting. HOLY COW!!! So I rushed and got everything ready and I was prepared and ready to go, I was surprised at how calm I was. Grabbed my wetsuit and some baby oil and goggles and timing chip and swim cap and was out. Got the wetsuit on while he was talking and prepared my mind. The fat boys or Clydesdale division was in the third wave and when it was our time to go I hopped and immediately got my wetsuit to body temperature. HA HA. The water felt great and I was ready.

The gun sounded and I was really surprised by how spaced out everyone was. I got punched once in the face but nothing to bad and from there on it was just a few slaps in the back of the foot and as I got up to the second wave a few of those guys seem very disoriented but I was around them in no time. I had a much better swim at this Half then I did in the Festival of Flowers, matter of fact I pretty much had the same swim time for the half as I did the olypmic. SWEET!

Once in T1 I waited for my buddy that was a minute behind me and we jotted out of T1 and hopped on the bike. Immediately the third guy that was supposed to stay with us dropped back. We were cruising for the first half of this ride. I mean cruising. I was not in my aero bars for the first half because we were trying to slow down so he could catch up. At mile 30 we pulled over and took a pee break and waited for him to catch up which he did and we let him full his water bottles and we were off again. Then after mile 40 we decided we would wait for him in T2 until he arrived. So we pounded it out and I really felt good keeping a 20mph average. This course was rolling but had long sections of flat. It was a really good race course. I will be doing that race next year for sure. Once in T2 I felt great I was ready to go. My hips were a little tight but I was used to that in my training. OK so now were in the waiting game for our third buddy. I want to note here I didn't agree to do anything with this guy. It was my other buddy. To bad we are men of our word because we would have been gone. 10 mins later the other guy arrived.

The run course is up and down and actually tougher than I thought or remembered. Well as we started going the third guy was already saying he wasn't going to keep the pace we were at which was somewhere around 830. So we all slowed down to about 9 or slower. We held this pace until about mile 3 I was dropping them because I couldn't run as slow as they were going. As soon as I was about to turn around and tell them I am off if someone wants to follow behind me then come on or be left, the third guy started walking and my buddy caught up to me. He said don't kill me but keep a good solid pace. I did that and we had a great run. I could have gone faster but I honored my word to him until he decided to walk, which he didn't. We really started dropping people on the second loop. It was starting to get hot and at mile 10 I was starving. I was grabbing pretzels and whatever else to subdue the hunger pains I was having. I didn't take a gel because I wasn't sure if that would make it worse or not. Well once we got to mile 12 we kicked it up a bit. My buddy started feeling bad but was able to keep up. The thing about the finish which is awful and cool at the same time is there is a straight up 10% incline about 30 yards to the finish line. My buddy took two steps and his hamstring cramped up. He pushed through as much as he could to the finish.

Overall the race was great but I did learn a few things.
1) Eat a little more on the bike regardless of the temp because I would need the food and calories. I hydrated well but it was food I needed.
2) I need to find out what is rubbing my neck raw in my wetsuit. OUCH!
3) I need to pace myself on the run regardless of how well I feel for the first 8 miles. I could have pushed an 830 pace but I don't know how I would have finished with my body depleted as much as it was.
4) Never say you will stay with someone unless it is really important to them for you to do so.
5) Next time some jerk, finishing lap 1, decides to run straight out you just because he is in front of you and expects you to move and you have no where to go lay him out with a forearm shiver. JERK!
6) Show up early to race day so you don't feel so rushed and you get better parking.
7) ENJOY THE DAY! I did this but it was important to do so!
8) Yelling at yourself is not only for crazy people it helps to motivate.
9) Don't try the flat coke on an empty stomach.
10) Buy cheap water bottles because I seem to lose one per race. This time due to a rough and bumpy patch of road.

That was it guys. I finished 3rd in the "fat boy" division. Should have been second and a close first place chance. My overall time was 5:37:24, as SHOWN HERE!

Have a good week while I recover today!

It is amazing what this sport offers people...

2006-09-29T15:12:00.000-04:00

Here is a VIDEO that will hit you right in the gut. It is truly amazing what this sport offers people. No matter who they are. Have seen and heard this before and I am sure you have as well. Have a good weekend.

This is it until after the race.

I am getting excited...

2006-09-29T10:51:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to get this race over with and move on to the REAL DEAL Ironman.

I feel like Will Farrel in THIS CLIP!!!

The SC HALF...

2006-09-27T08:56:00.000-04:00

Here is a little information on the upcoming SC Half that I will be competing in...
The swim is the same location and start as the Festival of Flowers.
Here is the bike profile and course. First off this is not a flat course, it is more of a rolling course that has some good hills in there. Should be interesting.
The run is two laps of the Festival of Flowers run course, which as stated above I have banged that out.

Common Man had the same question last week, about how hard he should push himself at his Olympic distance tri. I wonder what I should do here. I don't want to be a big push over to my buddies that will be out there competing, I don't think my man side will allow me to do that, but my Ironman side is saying take it easy do what you want to do on race day and go from there. My Ironman bike pace is somewhere around 18mph and my run pace somewhere around 9 or 930, if that is possible. All I really want is an under 2 hour half marathon, which is doable since most of my long runs have been right at 8 min miles. I wonder if my mind will allow self doubt to come in if I go at Ironman pace and really struggle. Then I tell myself I have been training hard and that shouldn't happen, BUT WHAT IF IT DOES? AHHH. Anyway, I think I am going to shot for 19mph on the bike and a 830 pace on the run. I guess I will see where my body is at. Which I can't wait for because I love proving my mind wrong about so many other things. HA HA

Take it easy!

Boo Ashley...

2006-09-26T07:20:00.000-04:00

This weekend was supposed to be a long brick workout. That didn't happen. I kept paying attention to the weather reports calling for strong thunderstorms so the wife and I went to the local Farmers Market and then hung out with friends. I was expecting the bottom to fall out but it never did Saturday. So I decided to do the brick Sunday afternoon. Well I get on the bike on my trainer because again they are calling for thunderstorms and I didn't feel like getting caught in the middle of that so I stayed on the trainer and went to go for a spin outside to see what the weather was like. It was really gusty and didn't look good. My Panthers were on TV so I called it a day and was waiting for the rain to come. Yet again it turned out to be a nice evening and I felt like a big loser. So I decided Monday I would do a 7 mile run, which I did and I did it in a pretty good time. Felt good and today I am going to do a mini-brick just to make sure I am ready for this weekends Half-Ironman.

Yes this weekend I have a Half-Ironman and I can't wait to get out there and mix it up. I feel good. My hamstring is still tight but it is ok after much stretching. I need to look at this post everyday so I make sure I get pumped to do my workout. Take a look. Thanks Flatman!

PEACE!

Nice try...

2006-09-21T10:38:00.000-04:00

Well, I pushed my workout for yesterday to the end of the day. I go lumbering into the gym not really wanting to be there. I am starting to get changed as the after-school program kids are coming out of the pool area. One kid ask me "Are you going swimming?" I said yea I hope to. He goes "Well I don't think you will be able to because ROBERT PUKED IN THE POOL!" And then in chorus all the kids point and laugh at the kid. I said "Hey hey! That happens every now and then. Robert did you eat before you swam?" Robert says "No." sheepishly. I said "What happened then?" He says "I took in a mouth full of water and it all come back up with food and stuff I had for lunch." NICE! I said "Don't worry about it does happen." Then his friends begin to give him a bad time by saying. THANKS ROBERT. YEA ROBERT THANKS, WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE FUN. The best line I heard was from the kid beside me which said "Hey Robert do you want to go and kick all of the soccer balls into the woods so we can't play that either?" Classic.

Anyway, I got a 38min run instead of 44mins. My hamstring on my left leg is really hurting after I run. So I am going to take it easy on the bike today so I can have a good brick workout this weekend. We will see.

Have a good one.

Interesting stuff from other blogs...

2006-09-18T13:51:00.001-04:00

Tri Calculator ...

OHH MY GOODNESS...

ENJOY!!!

Awesome Weekend...

2006-09-18T08:52:00.000-04:00

Well after my write up on Friday, I felt I needed to do something to get me out of my funk. I had a swim that night and I have felt up to this point that my swim is what I was more worried about. So I hopped in the pool and did 4000 meters in an hour and 20 mins. I felt really good after that and my legs were good. I did have a few toe cramps but I was able to control them without stopping. (Anyone have ideas on stretches to stop toe cramps during the swim?)
I went home and we went to our cool downtown area and hung out with friends to listen to Friday night jazz night. Very relaxing.

Saturday morning I hopped on the bike as soon as the sun was up enough for me to ride around safely. I had to get 5 hours of riding in. I started out going towards downtown and cruising to wake up my legs. I averaged 17mph to get going. I then headed back towards my usual bike ride. Once I got to my halfway point I eat my PB&J and headed back home. Overall the ride was good. I had some pain early on in my knees but after I warmed up I was feeling good. I had some pain in my booty area but that was expected. No real bad back problems for the ride which was good. I felt like I could have taken off for a run but the wife was standing there with our cute little boy so I just chilled out for the rest of the day. I ended up with 90miles on the bike averaging 18mph.

Sunday Morning was my long run. My legs were a little tight from the bike ride but I had energy. Once I got to mile 4 of the run my legs felt good so I picked it up a little. I love running out of all of the events. I got to my turn around and was feeling really good. I only had one bad spot where I was running out of just plain water, so I stopped and ran into a gas station and bought a water and filled up my flasks and off I go again. They totally revived me. The cool water cramped my stomach a little but nothing major. I worked through that and kept trucking. Overall the run was great. No major problems except some tightness in my left hamstring, which is still hurting now. I ended up with 19 miles in 2hrs 38mins. Felt great and could have kept on going but I needed to get home and go to church. I really wanted to get my first 20 miler under my belt but 19 will do.

I hope everyone's weekend was as good. Ohh yea I turned 29 Sunday! YEA!

Talk about making me doubt...

2006-09-15T10:22:00.000-04:00

Well I didn't have much to do yesterday and so I read some race reports about Ironman Wisconsin. THIS ONE made me hurt from the inside out. I usually get really anal about things and could totally see myself going through some of the same things this guy felt. Forgetting bottles, not have proper clothes, etc. You name it and I will probably do it. So it got me to thinking what would be the times I would be happy with in best and worst case situations.
Best case:
Slight breeze from the beach with no major current issues in the ocean. Slight breeze on the bike course with slightly overcast day with temps in the mid to high 60's. Same for the run but stays a little warmer as night comes.
Time: 11hrs 30min
Worst case:
hurricane is coming: Major gusts with high rollers coming in from the ocean. High winds with rain on the bike course. Rain and wind on the run.
Time: 14hrs
HOT AS ALL GET OUT: Humid and hot but good conditions for the swim. Bike course is brutally hot and humid. Same for the run course until night comes but the damage is done.
Time: 14 to 15 hrs

This is what is constantly going through my head recently. See I am really looking forward to being able to finish an Ironman in under 12hrs. I think that would rock but at the same time if the worst case scenarios occur I don't want myself to feel as if I am a loser or something. I don't know. I am just planning on going out there and doing the best I can on that day. My true test is the SC Half Ironman coming up on Oct. 1st. I am ready and can't wait to get out there and mix it up. I just hope a poor performance there doesn't carry over to the Ironman. That will be what I will have to mentally work on after that race.
The one thing I don't always do during a race is talk to myself. Reading the above article makes me think if I should or if my praying and just singing songs or just being totally blank will effect me. Isn't that weird? I mean I am preparing myself for a physical event but the one thing I read from race report to race report is how mental Ironman is. Am I mentally prepared? I don't know, but I will tell you this. I will be out there mixing it up and ready to go!!

BORING....

2006-09-14T10:38:00.000-04:00

Due to the rain I ended up doing all of my training at the gym. I started with the swim, which felt great. I had a little side stitch and toe cramp at the end but other than that I felt great. I have had the toe cramp before during a swim. Matter of fact during my last Olympic swim it popped up on me. Which was sort of good because I know I can control my body enough to let it release while I chug ahead. I then went to the treadmill to do a 42 min run. MAN THAT WAS BORING!!!! It reminded me of this when I started to blog today. Enjoy...

Other than the fact that it being boring in the gym, it was a good run! I felt some tightness in my left hamstring that I get from time to time and I just stretch it out really good and use "The Stick" at home. "The Stick" if you don't know is this cool little roller that helps to get the acid out of your legs and allows fresh blood to flow. It really seems to work well.

Sorry about the rant yesterday but I am really fed up with politics. Everyone seems to have a side, which is great, but the politicians are just a bunch of losers and we have to vote an which is the worst of the two evils. It usually comes down to republican for me, even though I have a slight lean to the tree hugging democrats from time to time. Either way our country is going down a bad path that unless we get rid of the entire group of losers that are supposed to be representing us as a people and we start over. Here is an interesting article written by Ben Franklin from Wikipedia.
1773 - The Public Advertiser publishes a satrical essay titled Rules By Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced To A Small One, which is written by Benjamin Franklin.

Have a good day and sorry for the politic crap!

What I am tired of...

2006-09-13T06:45:00.000-04:00

I am tired of hearing how hard the second lap of the marathon is going to be. I am tired of hearing how the democrats are taking over Congress. I am tired of ESPN. (Yes they are turning into the CNN of sports news. They seem to try to spin stories so they can get a certain outcome.) I am tired of how bad my upper management/leadership is.

Other than that I am just great. Bike ride Tuesday night was great. I seemed to be able to push it pretty hard and climb hills with authoritie! HA HA This morning I was going out for a 6 miler, it was misty, so I started off and it turned into a down pour in two steps. So I came into work and here I sit.

So what are your goals for next year after finishing your first Ironman?
I am not sure what mine are yet but I think I am going to try for 7 tri events next year.

Have a good day!

Always Remember 9/11...

2006-09-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

Movin' on...

2006-09-11T07:31:00.000-04:00

This weekend was a decent weekend for training. Friday I had a good 50 min run at a decent pace with some hills. It seems when I hit some hills my mood seems to be a lot better overall when I am finished. Good run to start the weekend and I also received my new bike wheel. Saturday was a normal bike day I ended up with a 44 miler with a climb up Parris Mountain (local hill climb). Felt really good climbing, which surprised me. I hit a gel pack at the top and came down and finished in some rolling terrain. Sunday was a large brick day. I needed another 2hr30min ride with a 55min run afterward. I felt ok on the bike but I really hammered it. I averaged about 19.3 mph. Which is really good considering where I train. On the bike I eat a PB and honey sandwich and had one gel, I also carried two accelrades with a plain water. When I got off the bike I felt as if the sandwich hadn't digested and it wasn't going to go away. I started on the run and felt normal for just getting off the bike. I got to mile 2 and could really feel the temp outside starting to bother my stomach. I got to mile 3 and puked. OHH RELEASE. I felt better. I had to get the PB taste out of my mouth so I hopped a fence at a local school and washed out my mouth and guzzled some water because I just lost some. It was a different run after that. The first half of the run I averaged somewhere around 830 but the last half was just under 8. With all of this happening I need to really look at what I plan on doing. I have been switching around things that work and don't work. This weekend didn't work to well. I believe a lot had to do with me taking in more accelerade instead of just plain water. Hence the sandwich wanting to come back up. I know I need the sandwich but maybe not for this distance. Not really sure. After this weekend, I learned a couple of things.
1) I am ready for the Half Ironman
2) Puke to the side
3) Make sure you don't hit the dog that is chasing you
4) Make sure you are fast enough to hide from the cops when they come after you after jumping the fence at the local school.

So there you go.
The kid is doing great and advancing ever day. Really cool to see that.

Take care!

Update...

2006-09-06T13:17:00.000-04:00

First, I still haven't found the tire and the county decided to mow for the first time on our road all year long. I still have hope but it is getting less and less by the day.

Second, My uncle is still alive and doing ok. He is receiving care at a hospital and they are thinking about moving him home to pass on. He is able to receive platelets at the hospital but will be unable to at the house. So they are rethinking the moving him home bit. It seems that there is a small chance he will be able to live and I think they are thinking he might get stronger and be able to have some surgery but they are not sure. Thank you for all of the prayers there.

Finally, the kid is great and doing well.

This is a rest week so nothing exciting until the weekend where I have a long brick. Take care and have a good week.

No good awful morning...

2006-09-05T07:59:00.000-04:00

So I will start with the weekend...
This weekend was great. My folks came into town and took care of Tobias so me and the wife could run around town and see the US National Cycling Championship here in Greenville. Very cool. We also took Tobias to the pool which was awesome. He seemed to enjoy it, as much as a baby can enjoy something. I had my long weekend and it went great. Did an 85 mile bike on Saturday and a 16.5 mile run on Sunday. Those went well and the weather was great for the rides. Overall the run felt good my legs were dead for the first mile or so but I picked it up from there and had a good run. Monday was an off day and I just hung out around the house and mowed the lawn, which helped to get the acid build up out of my legs. Great weekend.

So this morning I put the bike up on the roof rack and then the front wheel. This was around 6am. I eat some grub and get on my way to work. No more then a mile and I hear something fall off the roof. I go into shock. I get to a place I can turn around and see what had fallen off. It was my front wheel. I guess I didn't lock the skewer hard enough. Anyway, my back locks up after some searching in the dark. I couldn't see where the tire landed. It wasn't in the road and cars weren't rolling over it. Then it started to rain. I ran home and got a flashlight and let the wife know what happened. I feel like CRAP at this point and want to just sit in a corner and scream. I get back out there and the rain is coming down some more and I give up. I go home and tell the wife I am going to work. I tell her if she goes anywhere today to drive by the location to see if she can see it. I may go back out to see if I can find it. Anyway, bad start to a week that was going good. Ohh well.

Here are some baby pics at the pool...

I almost forgot...

2006-08-30T08:57:00.000-04:00

Some baby pics...
Caption "We don't eat our kitty!"

Caption "Can I go to sleep now!"