Hanging out in Chicago

Flew out to Chicago yesterday to meet with a client team here.  This is one of my neverending projects; I just can't get the open action items closed.  Zaps my energy... after the last year or so, I really just need it to end.  Got barely any sleep past night...

Apart from that, I found out that there are charity slots open for the Ironman in Florianopolis, Brazil, but they are going for $1,300 - half to register and half to a charity.  I am seriously considering it, and I know if I do that, I am all in.  It's the event I want, so more to come! 

Gratitute to:

22) Friends who check in with you when they haven't heard from you in a while

23) The Daily Show / Colbert Report hour on Comedy Central and the laughs it gives me

24) Graham's 10 year tawny port

10 Years as an IBMer

I have officially finished my 10th year as an IBMer.  The work in my work-life balance equation - but I have probably have given over 50% to them over the years!  Last year, I travelled for work all but three weeks, and stayed on a client site five weekends.  But it is what keeps me employed... and provides the challenge to keeping a schedule.  I've been in closet sized fitness rooms with broken treadmills (I had one shut off while I was running.  It stopped, but I kept going!  They gave me free parking - not sure the connection.) I've run through the dark, then found that there was no path beside a busy stretch of highway.  I have even completed 19 miles on a treadmill, due to the heat outside.  And somehow, I have found a way to run 7 marathons through it all.

I have renewed my commitment to making it happen.  I know I can; I just have to put myself in the mindset.  As I pursue a Smarter Planet*, I can also pursue a stronger me - I don't need to sacrifice one over the other. 

* Smarter Planet is an absolutely brilliant, timely presentation of the current state of technology, and what we can do in the near future.. this vision is one of the things that keeps me going throughout the day. 

2 and a Half Gallons a Week

Well, I broke down and finally started with a personal trainer at the gym at the office. Her name is Jill and we had our first evaluation session on Thursday. She was unimpressed with my eating habits and I was unimpressed with my first weigh in. Absolutely the largest number I have seen. I am signed up with her Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next 5 weeks.

She didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know about my eating, but I need some focus, so she asked me to keep a food log. Finally, a good reason for twitter. I have set up a twitter account where I will log what I am eating, when I am eating, starting at midnight

tonight.

I am also challenging myself to drink more. Water, I mean. I am committing to drinking 2.5 gallons of water a week, at least. That may sound like a weird amount, but I am buying the bigger jugs, with the spout, to be able to track it. I will probably drink more at work, but this will make sure I do at least six 8 oz. glasses a day. I had a little numbness in my foot and cramping in my left calf (again!) while running my 5 miles tonight. I think it had to do with hydration, so yet another good reason to drink more water!

Went to the 8th Annual Mill Valley Bike Swap. Was good to get out of the house at least, but unfortunately I didn't see too much there that I couldn't live without. I do need to get a bike if I am going to do the Seismic

Challenge - training starts June 27th! Only one more shot at an information session, and a training overview and social. I think I'll decide after that.

Talking about committments, there is a great site called StickK.com where I

have registered my committment to run the New Hampshire and Maine marathons. Heather and Allyson will be my referrees, and if I do not finish either one of them, I have to donate $300 to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. There is nothing that I would find more offensive than to give money to the building of a facility that celebrates that presidency!

After my run, I had my last splurge with some movie theater popcorn while watching Up. I wanted to see Star Trek, but I am so glad it was sold out. Up is brilliant, and I highly recommend it. Great story, well told. Go see it and let me know what you think.

Updated Strategy

4Q2007
- Conservatory 5k - December 17, 2007 - Completed!

1Q2008
- Embarcadero 10k - March 30,2008 - Completed!

2Q2008
- Wine Country Half Marathon Run/Walk - April 13, 2008 - Completed!
- Kaiser Permanente Avenue of the Vines Half Marathon - May 18, 2008 - Removed

3Q2008
- San Francisco Marathon - through the AIDS training program - August 3, 2008 - Completed!
- Get my bike! Start bike training! - Starting 2Q2009

4Q2009
- Green Mountain Marathon - ADDED - October 17,2008 - Completed!

1Q2009
- Disney Marathon - January 12, 2009 - Completed!
- 50 mile bike ride? - Removed
- Start swim exercises - Start 2Q2009

2Q2009
– America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride - Missed Registration.
- Bay to Breakers 12k - May 17, 2009
- Sun Valley Half Marathon - May 31, 2009
- Lake Placid Half Marathon - June 14, 2009

3Q2009
– Swim Race of some sort - Pending
- September Marathon - Pending
- Peak Performance Maine Marathon - October 4, 2009
- Seismic Challenge - October 17 - 18, 2009

1Q2010
– Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC? (if I am still in Atlanta)

3Q2010
– Olympic

3Q2011
– Half Ironman

3Q2012
- Ironman

Swimming in the ocean

Went to Clearwater, FL over the weekend, and took a dip in the ocean. First of all, I realized I have no swimming ability, so didn't really swim, just dove for shells. They were nice shells I found, and I really did some soul searching about my prospects of completing a triathlon.

As I tried to swim, I realized that I think that I will be able to, but I need to learn how to really swim correctly. Found this video on youtube from coach-janet.com that I think I will start to try these tips. I don't have a place to swim at the moment, and I don't know if I will before next year, given my strategy, but I think I might want to start earlier. Anyway, it's been on my mind.

Carbo Loading

I'm loading up for the 23 miler in the morning. Got some whole wheat pasta (had some earlier today as well) with olive oil and and parmesan cheese. Sauteed up some top sirloin with pepper and onion salt. Had a big glass of water and a glass of milk. Filling, and should slowly release carbs into my system.

Going to get up at 5:45, and be in Berkeley by 7. Have to be on time!

I hope that this run will help me lose another pound. I was down to 178.4 this morning, and 25% body fat. Looking back, I was 192 on February 16 - 126 days ago. That's minus .11 pounds a day. I could conceivably get to 169.9, if I work it. Hell, I am running a marathon, what more work is there to do than that? :)

Have been considering a personal trainer once a week for the next 10 weeks to my birthday... we'll see. Not sure I really need it. I know what to do, but I have not been hitting the gym like I was. The time off really caused me to break my habits. I need to get back into it. Monday. (and then next week, I am in Orlando, so will miss another two group runs!)

Found an Felt S25 on eBay. Looks nice, but will probably come in too expensive. Have been looking for an S32, but have not found a 54" in a little while.

12 Mile Run - Complete!

After a good rest day on Saturday, both from work and training, I hit the Berkeley Marina for a 12 mile run. Have to say that there was very little soreness, and even now, I am doing fine.

Looks like I will need to re-think the race strategy. I found out today that the two races that I had slated are on lower mileage days. (I got some bad intel from the training program... but now have the full schedule.) So the Wine Country and Avenue of the Vines half marathons are out. I am going to look for a good replacement tonight and update the strategy.

Next week, only 6! To keep consistant with my training plan, that means I should do 3 on Tuesday and Thursday, and 1.5 on Friday. Light week.. think I will work on speed.

Embarcadero 10K - Race Recap & Follow on Training Run

The AIDS Marathon Training schedule had us at a 10 mile run this week, but I really wanted to get a 10k in the first quarter of 2008 to stay true to my strategy. I postponed it as far as I could, which is how I chose the Embarcadero 10k on March 30 - but then had a conflict. Could I completed a 10k, then follow on with a 4 mile run to round out a 10 mile run? I found out.

I started out pretty strong, running consistantly the first 1.6 or 1.7 miles. That's pretty consistant with my training up to now - I can go at about a 10 min/mile pace for about 2 miles. I did cramp up in my left calf - I had expected it and tried to stretch it out, but I guess not quite enough.

I got behind these three ladies that were running a 5:1 split, with a good pace in the 9:30 range when running, and followed their lead through the turnaround, and back to the water just after mile 4. That moved along pretty well, but when I stopped for water, they kind of took off, and I didn't see them anymore.

I finished the 10k at the 1:03 (validating) mark, and paused my Nike + while I got a cup of water. I was a little embarrassed that I finished after they had started giving out the awards, but that was enough to motivate me into doing the follow up 4 miles!

I started out heading back the way of the race, knowing that I just had to get to where the water stop was and back. As I did, I say a hot dog stand, and memories of my childhood rushed into my head, and I started jonesing for a hot dog.

I made the decision that that spot was going to be where I finished, and I had to do that fuzzy math... what is half way from 6.9 miles to 10 miles, so I know when to turn around. I averaged, and decided that I would turn around at 8.5.

When I got back to the water stop, I realized I was only at 8.25. And there it was, Pier 23, jutting out into the bay, and I headed down, and paused for the breifest of seconds to admire the view of the Bay Bridge and take a look at the Golden Gate bridge in the distance, then headed back. You can see the my waterstop show up at the 8.5 mark.

After that, I just kept running, running, running. I actually finished up the 10 miles right before the hot dog stand, when a group of tourists got in my way, so they probably thought I just gave up when I got stuck behind them, but I was actually done. I was very surprised at my time - 10:19 min per mile! I did pause the Nike twice - the water at the 10k finish and a bathroom break about 7.5 or so. I don't think that the combined total of that was 5 minutes or so.

I did wolf down 2 hot dogs - but given that I burned 1,100 calories, I think that's ok. I was surprised to realize that I had run by the famous Fisherman's Wharf TWICE before realizing where I was! That gave me a little chuckle.

Overall was a very good day.. Race and a Training Run - mission accomplished!

One step at a time...

I've been thinking a lot about the time between August 29th (my birthday, and the day I start my bike training - if I get a bike by then!) and the "America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride" in June 2009. I want to do another marathon in October and then follow it up with another in January. I think then I will cut down to half marathons.

Anyone know anything about Duathlons? That might be an option in the late first quarter or second quarter of 2009.

Regardless, I need to be starting a swim program in the first quarter of next year. Issues: need to find a place to swim, and need to have body fat down to a less-embarrassing point, need the right gear, and need to actually learn how to swim "right." LONG way to go here.

But I guess, for now, I will take this thing one day at a time. I've got the right program, and the right attitude. I'll keep on keeping on.

Strategy Update

4Q2007 - Conservatory 5k - December 17, 2007 - Completed!
1Q2008 - Embarcadero 10k - March 30,2008
2Q2008 - Wine Country Half Marathon Run/Walk - April 13, 2008
- Kaiser Permanente Avenue of the Vines Half Marathon - May 18, 2008
3Q2008 - San Francisco Marathon - through the AIDS training program - August 3, 2008
- Get my bike! Start bike training!
1Q2009 - Miami or Disney Marathon
- 50 mile bike ride?
- Start swim exercises
2Q2009 – America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride
3Q2009 – Swim Race of some sort
1Q2010 – Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC? (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 – Olympic
3Q2011 – Half Ironman
3Q2012 – Ironman

Strategy Update

4Q2007 - Conservatory 5k - December 17, 2007 - Completed!
1Q2008 - Embarcadero 10k - March 30,2008
2Q2008 - Wine Country Half Marathon Run/Walk - April 13, 2008
- Kaiser Permanente Avenue of the Vines Half Marathon - May 18, 2008
3Q2008 - San Francisco Marathon - through the AIDS training program - August 3, 2008
1Q2009 – Bike Race of some sort
3Q2009 – Swim Race of some sort
1Q2010 – Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 – Olympic
3Q2011 – Half Ironman
3Q2012 – Ironman

Strategy Update

I've updated the strategy. Aggressive to get to a 10k by end of March, given where I am today.

4Q2007 - Conservatory 5k - Completed!
1Q2008 – Nutrition Fuels Fitness 5th Annual 10k - tentative
2Q2008 - Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon - but is full!
3Q2008 - San Francisco Marathon - through the AIDS training program
1Q2009 – Bike Race of some sort
3Q2009 – Swim Race of some sort
1Q2010 – Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 – Olympic
3Q2011 – Half Ironman
3Q2012 – Ironman

Serious Breakdown

Christmas Vacation. Stress. Work. I broke down. I have not been able to get back. Been so tired, so unfocused on this goal.

I need to get back on the horse.

and I will. Today I start. Tomorrow, I start the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. I am practically starting from scratch. Look forward to seeing their training plan. First day is going to be a bitch.

I have my new shoes on the way. I got the Nike Air Span+ 4 , now I just need to "upgrade" my iPod Shuffle to a nano, so I can use my Nike + sensor. ($179 total)
Documenting for the record - weight today, 192.

Signed up!

Signed up for the Conservatory 5K and I am ready to go. Might have to walk it, but I am doing it to meet my first goal on my strategy.

Updated Strategy

4Q2007 - Conservatory 5k
1Q2008 – A 10k TBD
2Q2008 - Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon

4Q2008 - Full Marathon
1Q2009 – Bike Race of some sort
3Q2009 – Swim Race of some sort
1Q2010 – Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 – Olympic
3Q2011 – Half Ironman
3Q2012 – Ironman



Based on this, I only need to be able to run a 5K by December 9. Meets the baby steps criteria, I guess.

Strategy status

I put this together last month as my path to an Ironman, and my current status:

4Q2007 -Atlanta Half Marathon MISSED
1Q2008 – Disney Marathon (Maybe ING Miami, since Disney is closed) 8 WEEKS BEHIND
3Q2008 – Bike Race of some sort
1Q2009 – Swim Race of some sort
3Q2009 – Sprint Tri – TRI-PTC (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 – Olympic
3Q2011 – Half Ironman
3Q2012 – Ironman

Looks like I need to adjust to hit the ING Miami half. Of course, I should get off my butt and actually train, huh?

See more progress on: complete a triathlon

Strategy Update

4Q2007 -Atlanta Half Marathon
1Q2008 - Disney Marathon (Maybe ING Miami, since Disney is closed)
3Q2008 - Bike Race of some sort
1Q2009 - Swim Race of some sort
3Q2009 - Sprint Tri - TRI-PTC (if I am still in Atlanta)
3Q2010 - Olympic
3Q2011 - Half
3Q2012 - Ironman

Re-Re-Kick-Off?

Ok, I am a slacker, a loser, whatever.

Disney is now 16 weeks away, and I have not hit the roads once. It is time to start. Will I have the ambition? Damn, I better find it. I am totally slacking and getting over weight. Now 36.5 over target weight. It's not even funny.

I am going back to my original training plan for Richmond. It's a good plan, I just need to execute. Nutitionally, my plan is solid - the execution is the issue there too. No one to point to but myself.

Strategically, there's already one slippage, but I think that it is reasonable. I can hit the Atlanta half marathon in November. I love running 13 miles, then eating up some great Thanksgiving dinner!


Now what? Let us see...

Getting Started

I'm going to finish a Ironman Triathlon before I am 40. I've never biked before, I've never swam before, but I have run two marathons.

I want that "M dot" tatoo!

Weight training and nutrition are going to be important on this journey, so I'll keep track of them too.

Here's my thought:

4Q2007 -Marathon & Half Marathon
1Q2008 - Marathon
3Q2008 - Bike Race of some sort
1Q2009 - Swim Race of some sort
3Q2009 - Sprint
3Q2010 - Olympic
3Q2011 - Half
3Q2012 - Ironman

Maybe mix a marathon or two in there? Not sure. Have so much to think about.. gear, training, time..