Fear

Eighteen months ago, I stopped at the top of these steps and gingerly carried my bike down them while a friend confidently rode his bike down them.  Despite their reasonable gradient and straight descent (and my full-suspension mountain bike), I was overcome by fear.  Today, I could ride down them without hesitation.

Fear can be a powerful tool.  At times, it can be logical (nobody likes falling down stairs).  Other times, it simply prevents us from moving forward.

I'd like to say that I'm easily embracing every new challenge that presents itself.  Unfortunately, that is simply not honest.  Rather, many of my steps into the unknown have been taken tentatively with an eye toward the comfort of the past.  However, just like riding down a long set of stairs, the key to overcoming fear (and successfully moving forward) is to focus on the challenge ahead and forget what lies behind.

Re-finding a groove...

I have no doubt that a strong mental state drives physical response.  After three weeks of lingering illness, Rachel visited last weekend.  We relaxed, visited K.C., and enjoyed a few nice meals.  By the end of the weekend I felt "healed."

This week's training reflected that my body was ready to start working again and I'm ready for the final 12-week push to Clearwater.  It won't be easy and it won't always be fun.  However, through the journey, I expect to learn more about myself.

Coast Guard SEALs?

In an interesting twist, the USCG has agreed to send Coasties to BUD/s with follow-on orders to spend 5-7 years with a SEAL Team.

With the USCG having the authority to make arrests, what effect will this new partnership have on domestic terrorism?

Just keep listening...

Since I failed to listen to my body and just take time off last week (and weekend), I'm still battling a bug. 

I've been reading a lot of athlete blogs lately and I can't help but realize that I don't share their enthusiasm for technologies.  If you listen to some, they'll convince you that it's impossible to finish (let alone race quickly) any endurance event without an HRM, GPS, and wireless (it's always gotta be wireless) Power Meter.  Now, I'm not a technophobe (after all, I did spend part of my career working in Intel's Digital Health Group helping promote standards such as Dynastream's ANT technology).  However, I gotta ask...How much is enough?

Why are we spending thousands of dollars to decrease every last gram off a bike and then making the bars/stem look like this?

Maybe I'm just getting cheap (or choosing to spend my money elsewhere), but I just can't get excited about staring at a computer when I workout.  After 8-10 hour days wasting away in an office, the last thing I want is to "zone out."  Rather, I think I'd rather just push my body, listen to it, and then push a bit more (of course, listening would have helped a bit last week).  

Anyway, rant off.  Everyone will pursue personal excellence in their own way.  However, when I'm outside, I want to embrace the moment and let myself go.

For those who are interested, here are my results and associated technologies:

IMUSA 2000--11:44 (no aerobars, no HRM, no other items)

IMC 2001--11:40 (aerobars, but no HRM...It broke at the start line)

IMW 2002--12:25 (aerobars and HRM)

IMCdA 2003--10:33 (road bike, aerobars, disc, HRM for the bike)--103 degrees on course

Kona 2003--11:11 (aerobars and HRM for entire race)

IMCdA 2004--13:xx (sick and didn't listen to my body...HRM, Disc, Aerobars)

IMC 2004--11:20 (aerobars, no HRM)

IM South Africa 2006--12:20 (aerobars, Power Tap, Zipp 404s)

IMCdA 2006--10:55 (aerobars, Power Tap, Zipps)

IMCdA 2007--I can't remember (Slow)...I just carried a camera, stopped to see friends, and had fun all day...(no technology involved)

IMAZ 2008--DNF (Tri Bike, HRM, Disc with Hed3)

24 Hours of Adrenaline (Laguna Seca) 2007--No gadgets except an iPod Shuffle for the first 12 hours...I listened to my body and placed 5th overall.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see significantly better performances when I use technology.  My best days have occurred when I've really zeroed in on my body's response to the conditions.

Frogman Swim-Run-Swim

In ancient Hawaii, Warriors were known as koa, and gave their name to the koa tree, whose hard wood provided many of their weapons.

A traditional warrior society, Hawaiian chieftains and their retainers practiced a type of martial arts (lua) and engaged in Olympic-style games during the annual Makahiki festival that tested their abilities.

Much like the Koa Warriors, the bi-annual "Frogman Swim-Run-Swim" tests Military, Police, and Firefighters while honoring those who have paid the ultimate price in service to country.

Since 9/11, nearly 4,400 military have died. Perhaps, more troublingly, more than 1,200 Police Officers have died in the United States during that same period. To honor those who have fallen, the F-SRS committed to completing more than 5,600 push-ups and sit-ups during the course of the event.

So, here's how the day went (0800 hrs. start):

100 sit-ups

100 push-ups

Swim 250 meters

Run 3/4 mile

50 sit-ups

50 push-ups

Run 3/4 mile

25 sit-ups

25 push-ups

Run 3/4 mile

50 sit-ups

50 push-ups

Run 3/4 mile

25 sit-ups

25 push-ups

Swim 250 meters

100 push-ups

100 sit-ups

Toast to our brothers

Despite the early start and challenging workout, I felt honored to be invited to participate in the Frogman S-R-S and was thrilled to take home the "win" on Saturday.

Runny nose...

I had a great pair of workouts on Tuesday...Then, the body just said it needs a break.

I've got one heck of a summer cold right now...Wed/Thurs off, but I managed an EASY swim this afternoon (the solution to pollution is dilution).

Pleasant surprise...

I guess I melted yesterday because it was 100+ degrees outside during my run...I left the house without checking temps and just assumed it was 85 as it had been much of last week.  Needless to say, I understand why my hill intervals sucked yesterday...I should have been wearing my Fuel Belt.

Man, I really find ways to make things difficult on myself sometimes:-)

This morning's swim was mediocre...Slow on the 200s (2:59, 3:00), but at least I can complete them again (shoulder did pretty well). 

Time to go ride the trainer.  It's humbling to know that the TdF guys are riding longer today on their "off" day than I will ride on a training day.