New schedule

Good early Milwaukee early morning, so up I get at 530 am our time and it's 430 am their time !!! The crazy people are still out partying and I'm sitting planning my month of may!

I just received coach Paul's new schedule and it's getting intense, the numbers are going up! It shows around 11 hours a week give or take a half hour! That's going to be an interesting time audit for the month !

The long runs on Sunday are starting to return also the outdoor rides which are going to be exciting ! Also long runs outside and I will not let this opportunity go !!!! Proper food proper sleep, it's time to focus and put everything together.

Off to the snow conference here in Milwaukee do the day


Have a good one

Still In Milwaukee

Busy at a snow conference lots to do lots to see, finished my long run while all my buddies are boozen it up, at least I won't have a hang-over!
For some reason today my legs are very tight !!! Lots of walking so I'm going to do a yoga class here at the hotel to try to stretch out these tight legs !
One thing I really hate about going away is missing my family, they are a huge part of my life and I can really see it when I'm away from them!
I went to swim at Bally's fitness an their pool wasn't quite a 25 m pool but it did the trick it wasn't the cleanest pool I've been in but it did the trick !
I'm going for a run after I stretch out with the yoga.
Have a great afternoon I post again before bed !

Milwaukee

Time to train on the road tomorrow !
Off to Milwaukee !

Great swim!

One full hour swim !
No shoulder pain no drugs !
Dr Jason is amazing!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure you plan

A very important part of all triathletes life! Especially if your a age grouper with a full time job ! I've posted my time crunched schedule many times before but this is the time of year when training increases and you need a firm plan ! Mine is made for the whole summer ! Just need to fill on the missing blanks.

Im very confident in saying that when I arrive back in canada on the third of my there is no reason why I shouldn't have my plan fine tuned and just have to ride the triathlon wave all the way to my 70.3 ironman !

On a body note I have been off Celebrex (an anti inflammatory drug) since last Thursday I had a reaction to it and had to get off it !
I will start the methotrexate next Sunday and see how that goes !


Have a good night!

When times get hard !

Don't loose sight of your goals

You will thank yourself after !

Not sad to see the trainer put away !

It's been a long winter sitting on the trainer ! And for those athletes who sit on their bikes on the trainers much longer than me I'm sure your glad the nice weather is coming soon too!

A very busy fast approaching season is coming up for me and I feel very confident I will enjoy it! I have four races coming up and can't wait ! I'm also very excited for the up coming DRTC season also. We are sure it's going to be a fun filled exciting year!

I Felt a little motivational spark today and I'm glad it's finally come back ! I have a business trip that leaves on Friday morning and when I come back I plan to be in full swing with my first race coming on the horizon the fire seems to be started !

I have decided that it's going to be a good thing for my children to do this summer also !!!! I'm going over my schedule to try to plan a race for each of them to do, my oldest daughter has already started training with me and the other two next week ! It will be so much fun!!!!!

My first race I get to race with my sister in law and my third I get to race with my brother in law! Both of those races will be exciting for the whole family ! I really have to thank my brother in law Garth for turning on my triathlon switch it has sure made a great difference in my life !!!!!! As did my friend Kim who pointed me in the right direction!

Without my coach I would be lost also he is very good at saying the right things at the right times for so many people he coaches, I hear it all the time and have experienced it for myself ! Just when your world is crumbling around you he fixes everything with a single talk !!!!!

Old faithful !!!!! My family, they take the brunt of everything ! Those days your tired and grumpy and those days that you can't go on they are always there with that friendly family nudge out the door !!!! They say things like "common dad I want you to be an ironman "
Or Erin's favorite " common dude are you gonna sit there and think about it or get out and do it?" do many people putting so much into it that's what makes triathlon a beautiful thing !

I have one memory that sticks in my head ! On I will always remember!! It was my last race of the year last year and I blew myself up on the bike so my run was a walk/run when I thought I would try to run my last two km when I had one km left I rounded the corner and my friend from the DRTC was there and said "common you have been training for this all year now get your foot into it" that was enough spark to fire me up and I sprinted the last km!
Well as much of a sprint that I had left!!! But I did pass about ten people it kind of looked like a charging rhino !! But I did it !!! Now to get ready for this season !!!!

Have a great night !



And thanks :)

Time to focus

Well I got on the scale tonight for the first Tim in a 7 weeks ! Not as bad as I thought ! I figured I'd be back in the 290s but nope !!!!!!! 269 not bad for the way I've been eating! The only thing I think that's saved me Is that I've been training like a mad man, due to the shoulder injury I've cranked up my other training days to compensate for the lack in the pool but my swim has gone down hill.

The month of may is my last attempt ! I need to focus on training 100% my job has gone back to normal there is no reason why I can't beat this food addiction !

I will focus on planning, and sleep also putting 100% into every workout ! It will also be nice to get off the trainer and treadmill!

Have a great night !

Is the off season important?

Yes it is !i think that you need to put as much into the off season as you do in the training season ! I listened to coach paul talk about how we will benefit in the summer from the hard work we put into the winter !

I will not make the same mistakes during this off season ! I had huge plans about cutting weight and starting my season at 220 lbs but unfortunately it's not going to happen !

If I try hard I might be at my race weight for the 70.3 ironman but I will have to work real hard for that ! I will need to monitor all meals plan all meals and be completely honest with myself !!!

I'm not completely upset about the weight loss thing because I'm still lighter than last season and still fit, even though this last month has been a bit of a screw up I will be on track for the third of may when I return from my business trip to Milwaukee for the snow conference !

So next years off season will be very important due to my plans for ironman in 2013. I think with my kids being one year older and more independent I will be able to train threw the winter like I need to for the full ironman !

Have a great night !

20 weeks 1 day

That's the number of days to my 70.3 ironman race ! That is not an extremely long time! I kept my fitness going all winter and like last summer being my first race season this winter was my first off season !

I will try to remember a few lessons I learned for this summer and put them into place this summer. Be happy! that was one problem I had last summer !!!! I never smiled so this year I will have fun!
This summer I will have a clutter free transition area ! I am not built for speed so the faster out of transition might help!
Pace ! I will find my pace and how ever many people pass me I will ignore them !!!! I cannot change my body and go faster than its trained for !
My swim start will be in the middle !!! I tried the front I tried the back, I will start in the middle !
Nutrition ! I will do it correctly !
I have learned many things this year I will put them into effect !
Tomorrow I will talk about what I learned in the off season !

First ride on the fast tri bike

So the day has come to be the proud owner of an expensive new tri bike ! Scott plasma 20 from D'ornellas ! After a long bike fit and changing the aero bars from carbon to aluminum she was ready to roll !
I rode with Peter today and we had a good ride ! We saw another team mate Robbie out for a run as we were grinding up a hill but I didn't know it was her but I shouted to Peter who was up ahead of me to gas on it because this runner was pulling away from us as I chuckled to myself !
We figured out or was Robbie and off we went !

Over all it was a good ride but will take done time to get used to !!!

Real tired now

Have a good night !

New bike

I was fitted for my new bike today !
Is it ever sweet !!!!!!!!!!!! I will post a picture tomorrow because I couldn't bring it home because I had to get the aero bars switched to aluminum from carbon fiber because they wouldn't stay in place they kept slipping down !

The fitting took over two hours he adjusted everything right down to my shoes ! I had to get a peddle spacer put on my left foot because it was out to far !

I can't wait to feel this rocket out on the road I felt so strong on it today , just the position on an tri bike is so different it's awesome !

Still now word on my blood test I guess I will have to wait till tomorrow, if it doesn't happen by Friday I won't start till after my trip to milwaukee because I don't want to run into problems down there !

Have a good night ! Can't wait for my new bike tomorrow !

!

Running with my daughter

Went to the gym with my oldest daughter ! Sorry abbey when you turn 13 I will take you too!
We did half hour on the treadmill and half hour on the elliptical ! She held up good!

Still waiting on my blood tests to see if I can start my meds ! Spent some time today trying to find some articles on endurance training and the drug methotrexate, not much info out there but judging by the side effects not many people on the drug train for endurance sports ! I guess I will have to wait and see!

I ran again today with my compression sleeves and the jury is out ! they help me, im not sure how but I think they keep my muscles from fatiguing from bouncing around !

For the most part we had a good day !!! Now try on tomorrow !!!


Have a good day

Swim ! Check!!!!!

A great day Monday had appointment with dr Jason did some more work on my shoulder and right ankle. My ankle felt good but by the end of the swim my shoulder was getting a little funky!

So I get my new bike on Wednesday ! Can't wait to take it out and give it a try, not sure yet if I'm gong to put my aero bottle on the handle bars or a aero bag instead of an under the seat bag ! Will have to see!

Had my first Celebrex pill today and felt a little nauseous and a bit of a dry mouth but I'm quite dehydrated ! I start the methotrexate Sunday night and I talked to coach Paul about switching my days off and he said yes, so next week my day off will be Monday ! He also said off any weights that cause discomfort so I guess my abs will finally get the attention they need!

Really miss all my tri buddies at spin and swim but times are a little tight this time of year with all the kids sports and activities but I'm still getting my workouts in so that's a plus !!!

Have a good night !!!

Making some changes

Finished my busy week of hockey and running the roads ! That was my last hockey game and although we didn't win I really enjoyed the tournament. I escaped without any major injuries but a small groin aggravation and a puck in the thumb ! nothing to bad but they are looming in the back ground !
My shoulder is feeling much better we will see at tomorrow nights swim 21 weeks to ironman 70.3 muskoka I can see there is some increases in the future in total hours coming !
Quick update on the new meds I'll be taking soon, I have decided to wait until Sunday night to take the methotrexate and change my off day to Monday then Tuesday night resume my training plan hoping to give myself as many hours as possible to adjust to the side effects from the meds !
I think I have come to terms with this whole situation and I'm looking forward to feeling better !
Hope you have a great week !

Coach knows

A coach knows when to push, when to listen, a good coach knows how to keep your spirits up !
I have a good coach just even reading his blog can set things right !
Trust your coach and things will always work out !

Hockey for heart

Lost the first game two more tomorrow

More blood tests

So yesterday I messed up my blood tests and had the wrong one done yay!!! I hate needles and blood tests!
After I start my new meds I will need my blood tested every week for a month then once a month after that to make sure my liver isn't getting damaged and possibly after 3 years I may require a liver biopsy (nice)!!
This keeps getting better! Maybe this new drug will help my bad ankle ! I might have to revise my training plan due to the fact I might have some side effects from this drug at the minimum nausea , and good stuff like that, my plan is to take them the day before my day off training then will hopefully have 38 hours off before training again!
Just a wonderful bump in the road from fat to fit !
When I quit drinking for my life changes to feel better I always had the chance to have the occasional beer with my friends but now with the new drugs they said absolutely no drinking so to a guy who used to be an weekend alcoholic this bit of news is a bit disturbing knowing before I chose not to drink but now I have no choice at all! This is a blessing in disguise at least I can never go back to the way I used to be!
I've been a little upset over the last day now finding out this news of possible arthritis problem because it might have a factor on my ironman but is a little premature for worrying !!! I still need to see the arthritis doc but my sister having the same thing with the arthritis doesn't look good but we can hope!
The good part is I have an amazing team supporting me so I will get straitened out and move forward !



Have a great day

Long awaited doctors appointment

I went to the women's college hospital today to have my psoriasis check up because I've noticed it getting worse also some new pains I thought were from training but it turns out it could be a type of arthritis caused by psoriasis, the doctor said if we catch it on time it should have minimal effects which is good !
I have some more test in the future I'll keep it posted !
Cross your fingers

Run run run

I didn't think I would ever say this but running is getting less stressful!
Today I went to dr Jason for an adjustment just before I ran and he worked away on my foot a little bit today and wow !!!! what a difference I completed my run with ease no pain no problem ! I was feeling so good I wanted to keep going !!! but I didn't I must follow coach Paul's training schedule ! After my quick run i jumped on the elliptical for a 40 min blast! After the run today I had the bright idea I would go for a swim because I missed yesterday due to the holiday but changed my mind at the last second reminding myself to follow coach Paul's plan, he makes it for a reason
When I arrived home that's usually when the train falls off the tracks, after an hour of cardio this 260 lbs wants fuel and with my lack of willpower in the kitchen a grilled cheese and a piece of cake go down the hatch ! The grilled cheese was with fat free cheese low calorie marg and brown bread but all the same still a grilled cheese ! followed by a piece of birthday cake !! Not at all what I was going to eat in the plan I made out :(
I will do my best to hold my own this month then when I get back from my trip to Milwaukee at the end of the month it will be no more excuses time!
Have a good night !



"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did"

Motivation !

I've asked this question before usually just to myself ! I don't always have an answer, I think I will ask some friends what they use for motivation ! I really depend heavy on my wife for my motivation, I would be sitting around waiting to train just dilly dallying and she would say "what the heck are you doing get out and train" even though she would much rather have me around the house she boots me out the door! Then I hear as I'm walking away "I'm not working my ass off for the fun of it ! I'm buying you a triathlon bike and paying for races and hotels so get out there and train !!!! I want to go to Hawaii "!!!!!!!!
I always give her a big thanks when I get home, she's great and I always tell her its going to be a team effort, like she said on our wedding day from the good times to the bad through thick and thin.
Bet she didn't think there was an ironman involved!
Have a great night !

Good training this weekend

I'm happy with my runs !!!! Coach Paul has me starting small with 2 and 1's for 20 minutes then 40 minutes of elliptical with an hour of weights ! Awesome workout !!!!! I used to have extreme pain after a run but I think this ramping up from the beginning is working !
It's the hardest thing for me to do is take it easy, but it's something I need to do is follow the coach and take it easy, 40 more lbs and I'm there !!!
Another busy week is on the way but I have a half ass plan and will keep it going threw the week ! This will be a difficult month but with only 9 weeks to the first race I need to be on the toes !
Hope everyone had a great Easter !!

So pleased

16 months ago I had high blood pressure of around 150/119 was a number I saw often my doctor put me on two different kind of blood pressure pills, he told me I had to make a decision to make, keep going like I am and live a shorter life ! Or change your ways and live longer !!Yes I was having fun but didn't really realize how I was negatively impacting my life and everyone that depended on me !
So after some extensive testing away I went on my fitness quest ! I looked like lots of people in the gym I see now the first timers the ones you won't see in another month but I kept at it ! Never giving up then in the spring of last year I decided that this was going to be my new sport ! Triathlon !!!!!!! I have enjoyed most of it so far ! The only part I find real hard is watching my kids face when I'm walking out the door with my gym bag in hand and all they want is to spend time with me ! Or when I'm completely exhausted from work and training and I'm a little cranky !!! But I'm learning to watch that! I've spent some time today making out my plans for the upcoming week so things are looking good do far!!!


Have A happy Easter !!!

Weather changes

I'm trying to think back over the years if I have ever seen a winter like we just had? I really don't think that we can do anything to stop the changes, I know we can recycle and cut the harmful gasses that destroy the ozone, and helpful stuff like that but I really think that the planet is just in cycles.
The planet is a living thing and all living things have to change, I hope it changes for the good !
I have noticed that people on this earth are changing also ! The is a lot less courtesy around I think that needs to change, less respect around I think that needs to change, say thank-you ! Hold a door open for someone and not slam it in their face just try to be considerate all the time that's all it takes !
Be positive, there is nothing more non productive than negativity it sucks !!!
I'm around lots of negative people, during the day and if your not carful you will bring that negative feelings home or carry them around with you ! Please do your best to avoid negative people, thoughts, and feelings!!
Change is good we all need to chafe a few things in our lives, it takes time ! Some more than others ! I expected change to fast !!! From my old lifestyle to my new I think I thought I could go from fat to fit way to quick ! ;) I also thought since I was doing sooooo much exercise I could eat anything I wanted ! But no I can't I need to monitor what goes into the tank, I haven't been eating like I used to eat but still can CHANGE a few things, like dressing, spreads and coffee to name a few ! My training plan isn't fitting in to good on Wednesday's to good I might have to CHANGE that too!!!
Living my busy everyday life without a plan is not working I have to CHANGE that too, this weekend is my chance to CHANGE that!!!!
Unfortunately my body is CHANGING and I need to be aware of that to I always rip through a workout even if something is hurting I need to train smarter not harder ! Is a part of me is hurting I need to CHANGE it up and modify it and keep going and not mope around feeling sorry for myself things are going to get much more harder from here on in ! I wonder some days if I have enough guts to train for an ironman, but I'm not going to give up !!! This weekend is a pick myself up weekend and get focused ! A good friend told me the race season is officially started so I better get my act straightened out and CHANGE!!!


TIME TO CHANGE !

Another one of those days !

So last night my rear dérailleur screwed up so of course the bike shops are very busy and I try to adjust it myself and then messed it up more then tonight I plug my new swimp3 player in and unplug it without ejecting it and now that's screwed up, so sore shoulder sore foot and broken equipment !
But I know what I have to do !
Go to the gym and spin swim without music focus !
Easier said than done !!!

Same old problem

As you know I love to eat ! I find it hard to believe to believe I can quit smoking and drinking and train every day and not miss any days with the best motivation ! Yet I can't seem to get this food thing under control ! I know it sounds whiney but man it's a hard situation to control !
I've been fluttering through for the last couple months waiting for a break threw to come but nothing !
I am not going to give up I will continue to try and try but my poor ankle can't take all this weight pounding on it ! I will continue the elliptical with minimal running but with Guelph only 10 weeks away the most at 2 lbs a week will be 20 lbs and I have a hard month for diets with a charity hockey tournament and a business trip to Milwaukee for 5 days so definite planning will be needed !
I'm happy to see my friends Peter and Liz and Lisa doing well with the battle but no success for me yet ! But I won't give up!!!




Have a great day!

Switch in the on position

On your left !

A way of life

Triathlon started as just a hobby sport like hockey is to me ! I think about hockey usually the day before I play if at all ! Triathlon is an everyday commitment !! I get lots of people and friends that say "I think your crazy" or "that's not good for you" or my favorite "your over training" in those people's eyes I may be crazy and they might think I'm over training but I have a plan and a coach and a new way of life ! And yes the day I had today would put a non triathlete to bed but here we go ill try to explain it !!!
Wake up at 445 am get ready for work (7 am start) I like to toddle around in the morning work a full day till 530 pm and head home (1hour drive) to whitby for our Drtc monthly board meeting, discuss club business for two hours then scarf down a snack and head to the pool for a 1 hour swim ! After the swim of course I'm hungry again so shepherds pie and a salad and a small piece of lasagna ! Yes yes I know I shouldn't eat that close to bed time but when your in the 260s you need fuel for your ship!!!
Hoping to be in bed by 11:15 to get up at 500 am tomorrow to start it all over again!!! Leave for work at 6 home to the gym at 630 do my 25 mins on the tread mill 40 mins on the elliptical then my 1 hour of weights and whammoo
Its 930 pm again!!
And yes to some it might seem like I'm complaining but I'm not, I'm just trying to explain the life style and commitment changes it takes to be a triathlete!


Have a great day!

April fools day!

Happy April fools day ! Time to switch the triathlon switch from winter maintenance to training for a race !
Many of my friends have started their training for a race but mine is still 3 weeks away ! That will be 20 weeks to my ironman 70.3 things are well on there way to work out just fine ! Providing I don't get injured I will be happy !
Hockey is over for the season and till after my ironman ! We didn't win but there was lots of fireworks at the game just the way I like to finish off the season. ! I felt a small groin pull today so I will have to take special care it doesn't develop into anything
Coach Paul still has me running and cycling indoors which is ok with me ! It's kinda crappy outside !
I'm hoping to have time to pick up my new bike in the middle of the month ! Very excited about that to get tearing up the quiet country roads !


Cross your fingers for a good week !