#31: A new chapter, you've arrived at BaseCamp

18 months ago (or thereabouts) I sat in an auction to place a bid on a building that would, if the day went as planned, be the new home of our operations.  We got the building and shortly thereafter, started the long winding road of renovating and opening our new place.  We decided that we would call it BaseCamp31 (ironic that this is "episode #31" of my blog don't you think?), which any person who has ever made the trek upward to a peak or summit knows, is the bottom of the mountain.  Why BaseCamp31 and not Summit or Peak?  Well, for us, this would be a redefining moment, the bottom of what we hoped would be another exciting climb, rather than a peak, where, by definition meant it was downhill from there.  Sure, it's been an exciting 12 years of hills and valleys and we feel like we've gotten "somewhere", but definitely not reached our peak......only the beginning.


What I didn't know was that getting to the Base was going to be a ridiculous (some might say Sisyphean) effort in and of itself.  Between rules and regs from the town, the architectural process, working with multiple contractors and trying to keep the whole process organized and financed......we joke that this has been an endurance event more than any Ironman could be.


Well this weekend, we finally got "in" and have been diligently putting the final touches on "camp" so our clients and friends can enjoy it too and we can start the next chapter in our journey.  From moving heavy equipment from the office down the road on Friday afternoon to hanging pictures and installing desks, the place has had some life breathed into it.....a definite refreshing feeling, knowing that finally, it's going to happen.


It really has had many parallels to training for an endurance event from the times when you experience utter frustration and feelings of hopelessness to the moment when the littlest details becomes an opportunity that gives you enough light to see that the end is getting closer, to those "great" training days when things just seem to click and give you confidence, to those nagging injuries/setbacks that seem like they take FOREVER to get better and make you question your own sanity....and of course there's the realization you have after crossing a finish line, that there is more that can be done, that you can do better next time, and that it's worth your effort, no matter how ridiculous it seems. 


I'm certain BaseCamp31 will be a constant evolution and I embrace it......but for now, I'm glad we're here and excited that tomorrow, when 2/3rd of the operations are open and running (Fuel Good Cafe' soon to open) in this "new place" for one full day, I'll sit back and enjoy it for a bit.....but only a bit b/c after a breather, an inventory of the current plan, some regrouping.....it'll be time to roll-up the sleeves and get back to work; the journey isn't over, it's really just beginning and the hard technical climbing is still ahead.


Almost ready for the next stage of the climb,


Mike E.

#30: Reflections, Resumption and Redemption.....

So here we are, now two weeks post IM St. George........and I've now gone through all of the stages of the post-race depression cycle, you know:  jubilation -> what-if -> shoulda-coulda -> if-only -> pig out b/c you can -> feel the effects of eating garbage -> what now? -> realize you're missing it -> look for a rebound relationship -> AND FINALLY get back in the saddle.   If you've done an endurance race you know what I'm referring to.


Usually this only takes me a day or so......but I think (in part) because we've been so busy trying to get BaseCamp31 finalized and open (lots of long nights and oh, it's soo close) it took the full two weeks.....but after watching my fellow PACERs do the run-a-muck yesterday and watching PACER Member and club treasurer Chris Bush en route to finishing his first 1/2 Ironman today (awesome job btw)....."we're there man."


And, since the last effort was ridiculous, but not quite RED-iculous, I am not only rededicating myself to my training, but to writing about it as well......I've had almost 550 hits in May so far, so somebody must find this semi-interesting (in the "watching a slow-motion train-wreck" sort of way).  

So what are the next steps of my journey?  Well......there are many b/t now and my next chance at an Ironman Distance race (7/22/2012, Lake Placid, NY).  Here's what the next few months are going to look like:
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Monday 5/23 to 6/2:  Get back into some routine, with emphasis on weight training and pool technique work


Friday 6/3 to 6/5:  Go to school (to ensure I get into my preferred race, IM Lake Placid, I've elected to go camp with Carmichael Training Systems...one of the more well-known training outfits.....I don't think they were so into my idea of going to 2011 camp and racing 2012, but they came around to it.....I'm pretty excited about it).


Monday 6/6 to 7/31: Building Blocks - Swim skills, Strength, Build Bike Power, Run Endurance


Thurs 8/4 to 8/7: 2011 RED-iculous Relay (2nd annual EPIC invitational endurance monster-jam.....think you've got what it takes? It aint for everyone....more on this as it gets closer)


Monday 8/8 to 8/26: August Build Phase....heat & hard work


Sat 8/27 to 9/10: RACE WEEKS (? Gran Fondo NJ, ? VA Beach 1/2 Mary, ? Hunterdon 1/2 Iron) - not sure which I'm doing here.....none?  all? Not sure.


Sun 9/11 to 10/14: Recover & Resume


Sat 10/15: BC31 O'er Hills Race and Oktoberfest:  Save the date and keep an eye out for this one.....shaping up to be the new and different kind of craziness that we all so truly love.


Sun 10/16 to ?:  AC Marathon 10/16?  Not sure if I want to step into this the day after the Oktoberfest.....maybe Philly Marathon 11/20 instead.
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The goals b/t now and next summer really are pretty simple for me:


1. Shave 15-20 minutes off my swim time.....this is going to take a lot of technical work and stroke improvement.  I've got an ace-up the sleeve here though......she just doesn't know it yet.


2. Continue to improve on the bike:  I was happy with my jump b/t last fall and this spring, but I need another one of those jumps.  The best cyclists still whooped me by over an hour on the bike.....so I need another power surge.


3. Push my running to a whole new level:  I'm probably the most excited for this one.  Despite the over-heating, dehydration issue I had in St. George, I felt really solid here going in.....my running progressed solidly over the winter and I think I'm poised to make another big jump here.  I'm strongly considering running Philly Marathon as a barometer to where I've come from my very first race......but on the other hand, I've been there done that, so I'm not locked in yet.


4. Figure out the mother of all endurance equations: "racing = pacing": I need to get some more race experience at the longer distances so I can learn the right pacing/racing strategies.....I feel like I've got a good handle on the science (training), now it's time to get on the art.


__________________________________
I'm going to have to go a little unstructured b/t now and the fall b/c training focus in our house has shifted from Ironman to Marathon-Mom (10/31 Marine Corps)......but I'm excited to get back on track and on the road to redemption.


Your encouragement along the way has been AWESOME.   I hope you'll continue to read along and maybe even consider getting involved (always a spot on the PACER Team for those who are ready to get out there).


And so, I guess there's only one more thing to say:


Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats, HOOOOOOOOO!


Mike E.


Oh....and here's a little recap of the day for you if you're interested.
I think my leg may have made the footage.....woo hoo!

#29: Swim, Bike, Desert Death March, wait what?

It being Sunday......my normal day to post, I guess I should, I had a pretty eventful weekend.....and since it took me 14 hours to finish this thing.....I thought I owed it to you to give you 14 hours of stories (OK, maybe not that long....).. :)


LATE NIGHT, EARLY MORNING.....IT'S ALL IN THE PERSPECTIVE:


What started with a crazy travel debacle (family flew from Philly to Houston to Phoenix to Salt Lake and then DROVE the nearly 5 hours to get to St. George b/c of some airline mechanical issue) that my Brother, Wife & Kids handled remarkably meant that getting to sleep the night before the "big race" was a bit tricky.  I eventually did fall asleep and got a solid 4 hours in before waking up to get ready at 3A (when they arrived).....shuttle buses to the reservoir left beginning at 430A and there was still a lot to do down there so earlier was better.  This was about 1/2 hour before I figured on getting up so not a big deal.  The kids were exhausted, they each gave a hug and half smile and climbed into a bed, out in no time.  The adults went over the plan for the day and that was it......off to the buses.


After checking in the remainder of my gear and jumping on the shuttle we rode out to Sand Hollow.  My seat-mate was a guy from the West Coast who had done a few of these races, but not this one.  It was a subdued buzz throughout the 30 min ride as everyone anticipated.  We talked about strategies, etc......we agreed that the big x-factor was going to be the heat.....we were right.


Fast forward through the tire pumping, multiple porta-potty trips, continuous sipping at electrolytes, wetsuit donning and cattle-herding of bright green and pink dotted heads into the swimmer start chute and there we stood, almost 2000, listening to the national anthem and getting ready to do this thing.  


THEY SAID IT WOULD START @ 7A.....THEY WEREN'T LYING:


This was the first detail I wasn't quite ready for.  In the other 2 triathlons I've done they get everyone in the water, wish you well and fire the "cannon".  This one they told people, hurry up and get in.......I had just gotten wet and started to make my way toward the starting line (a few 100 yards away) and "boom", the race started.  Wait, I'm not ready.....oh well, dummy, get in the water earlier next time.  This was my first "learning experience" on the day and besides giving away a few minutes to get across the starting line, not a biggie.


The course was a rectangle:  A LONG stretch, a turn and short stretch, a turn another LONG stretch another turn and short stretch to the finish.  I felt much more comfortable this time than the last mass-start-swim I did....a whole lot less of that claustrophobic feeling and after a min or two found my groove.  Starting in the way back had one advantage for me.....it is and incredible boost to be passing people the entire way....things felt like they were getting in order and I felt like I was moving through the water well.  The water was still chilly (62deg F), but I was generating plenty of heat to be working up a sweat.....I cannot IMAGINE if it was 52 like last year.  Every 20 minutes I heard my watch just as planned.  At 40 minutes-ish, my right shoulder started barking some, but I made some adjustments on the fly and got to the next beep.  I couldn't see the final turn buoy (really bright out there), but there were PLENTY of people to follow still.  I eventually got out of the water, somewhere around middle of the pack, way dizzier than I expected being.  Staggered a little, exhaled that this section was over and started to transition.  


IRONMAN (the brand) has this down to a science.  Out of the water you sit down and a team of people strip your wetsuit off.  Then you go "into transition", call out your bib # and someone races and finds your bag.  You change (which is kind of tough when wet), get some sunscreen (which another team of folks apply).  Someone has already found your bike and away you go.


I took my time......I knew that I was mid-pack on the swim and knew it was going to be a long day, so I wanted to feel right on the bike, the (supposed) long leg of the journey.  I opted to wear the white long-sleeve wick-shirt I got from Disney Marathon to protect me from the sun and I think this may have been a key detail in getting across the finish.


The bike course is big and hilly but having done the computrainer many times I felt prepared.  Before I shipped my bike I also changed the cassette (the little sprockets on the back) to one that was a bit more suited for "climbing" and rented the racing wheels....2 additional decisions that paid off.....I FLEW.  I didn't push it.....stayed within my game plan......and I passed riders.  For the next 6+ hours I passed people (a little more than 200 I think) which again felt good.  I'm sure 30-50 of them were people who I entered into swim transition with and I just took my time there, so that got me "even"......but the next 150 or so were all people who out swam me.....this says: 1. Swimming is not my strength (which I knew) and 2. I made up sound ground in my biking skill-set.....even after getting off to stretch once, I managed to pass 239 people on the bike, 25 from my age group.  


The ride to town was 21 miles and it went by quickly.....whew 21 miles gone already....at 25-ish I zipped by my family....they didn't recognize me until I was right up on them and I heard Lindsay yell "SH**" as I passed b/c she missed her chance for a photo.  


The first of 2 loops went pretty well.....absolutely gorgeous morning for a ride and the heat was only barely coming into play......it was probably 80 or hotter at that point, but when you're traveling b/t 15 and 20 mph, it felt cooler.  The first time up the "veyo wall" I cranked.......not heavy pushing cranked, just good alignment, steady pedaling cadence and passing another 10-15 riders......more climbing back past "Snow Canyon" and then some tremendous descending back into town.  I remember as the bike whizzed down the hills that I should be nervous going that fast, but I wasn't.....it felt great.  I can't wait to look at my garmin data, I probably hit 50 mph.  


ANYWAY....the second loop began and although I could have lived without it, things were still going as planned.....by mile 70 it was getting hot....the air was stagnant and I had lost a water bottle....ugh!  Recover, recover I kept saying to myself and I backed off and watched my heart rate fall back into any easier place.  At that point I did a little body check and realized that my L knee was pretty achy......that darn quad tendon....way too long to go for this to be a problem, so I started massaging and planned to stretch at mile 80-ish water stop.  I also felt the back of my right knee feeling almost "tacky".  I thought, oh no, maybe I missed sunscreen there....that's going to SUCK tomorrow.  It was then that I realized the powerbar pieces (that they cut in half and therefore are open on 1 end) that I had tucked in the bottom of my shorts had melted and were dripping down my leg.......GROSS.  I'm sure to anyone who saw this that melted powerbar was NOT what they thought was dripping down my leg, but with a heavy dousing from the remaining water in my bottle, I was able to scrape off enough to not have to get off the bike.  


Mile 90 was VEYO a second time.....and it was TOUGH on tired legs.....but I still passed people.......the computrainer is an amazing device.......back up the final climbs, and back down into town.  I had finally found my "people" (the group that was going about the same pace)....the last 10 minutes there was a cluster of 5 of us who would pass each other back and forth......

Heading to Transition 2

TRANSITION 2....THE BEGINNING OF THE END


Into transition feeling decent.  My legs were tired, but I expected this kind of tired.....it was the kind of tired that comes from riding a bicycle 112 miles......and I was about where I thought I should be time wise.....got my gear on, took a couple of good gulps of fluid and forgot to use the porta john......oh well, mile 1 there's a water stop......and this is the fateful moment.  Not to gross you out talking about urine.....but let's just say when it's orange and there's not much of it.....DEHYDRATION is on your mind.


OH NO.....damn dry desert heat.  It was doing exactly what I had feared.....pulling water off me without me realizing it......and I was drinking a ton on the bike......I got out of the porta john and gulped down a few 4oz glasses....  The water belly feeling ensued a little.....but I said to myself....if I was going to do 26.2 starting out dehydrated, in the heat of the day (which had to be at least 93 on the road) on a brutal course, I HAD to get some fluid in.....and I jogged off.....next stop mile 2....same routine, but I still had in my head that I would "get right" so I put in some carbs too; the mix was too much......  


It's definitely what I needed.....by my body didn't like the idea.  My stomach couldn't clear, meaning everything just sat in my stomach sloshing around....what a horrible feeling......like a water belly that won't go away.  I could literally see my belly get distended and feel it sloshing around.....oh, I better walk this off.....


Walk? yes.  Walk it off? no.  


Every time I started to jog my stomach would cramp up.....terrible......first it was jog a little....nope.  Then it was jog the down hills.....nope.  Eventually it was just walk......and walk.....and walk.....


Utter disappointment.......everything was on track only a short time ago and now this?  My legs were still feeling like they could go......my heart rate was where it should have been......but I'm CERTAIN my body temperature was not in a good place.....without fluid it couldn't have been.  My breathing was more labored than it should have been and I knew I was in for a long day.  


About the only thing I could get in at that point was cola....about 4 oz per mile.  Thank God for nutritional crack.....it's what got me through.  The high-calorie, high-sugar, high-sodium, terrible for you unless you need sugar fast elixir was the only thing that didn't make me feel like I was going to burst.  The problem is, it wasn't nearly enough fluid or nearly enough sugar and I was losing ground. 


 By mile 10, when I saw my family/cheering section they were doing what great families do....they were desperately trying to pick me up......I was really disappointed.  I didn't want my kids to see me like this.......I pulled my hat brim down as low as it could go, flashed them the I Love You hand gesture and sucked back tears with barely enough left to shuffle-jog by.......finally to the 1/2 marathon turn......


"I have to do this all again?" 


I thought.......well, there was no way I wasn't finishing this thing and by then I had come to terms with the fact that if I was going to finish, it was going to have to be with fuel economy in mind.  If I depleted myself too fast, I was going to crash.  Even just walking, a couple of times I'd feel myself stagger a little and I thought "No WAY"....get your self together.


By mile 17, my stomach had started to FINALLY settle and the outside temperature was starting to come down.....I felt MUCH better........I thought.....no problem, 9.5 miles left, I can jog this out.....only a few weeks ago I did this in a little over an hour.....but after walking the better part of 17 miles.....the body was now feeling like what a body feels like at mile 17.....hamstrings OUCH......quads OUCH.....lower back CRAMP.......neck and shoulders CRAMP.....L hip Barking......nope; this was not happening.  Looking back, I probably could have stretched out and gotten at least decently back on track......but I was done.....mentally checked out....just wanted it to be over.....and so I trudged along......


By mile 22, after talking with a few of the long line of people in the same situation (most everyone in fact) I was psyching myself up to at least jog the last couple of miles to the finish.  I knew that I would be passing my loyal fan base, who had been sitting in the heat all-day, worried to death at times (I'm sure), and I felt like I owed it to them to show them some strength.....I tried to hold my head up and jog.....it was tolerable.....so I jogged some more. 


Only a 5K left.....3.1 measly miles....of course this is where I had planned on "racing".....but that was gone now.....just finish strong with your head up.....get finished. They yelled and Eric ran along side me a little telling me "you're looking strong now" (he was lying)....but it didn't matter, this thing was going to be done.  I slapped high fives with my kids and said "now let's get this stupid thing done" (I'm sure that'll come back to haunt me...we don't say "stupid" Dad)......they cheered and made their way to the finish line.


Within 1/2 mile from the finish I could see the crowds lining the streets and I felt the urge the thank them.  I started slapping high-fives and all the way down the row and people started getting into it......I could hear the excitement coming through and it was AWESOME......I heard my wife yell from somewhere on the right and I put my hands up.......14 hours and 13 minutes later, roughly 2 hours longer than I expected....it was done.....or so I thought.

Ecstatic, relieved, and 10 yards from the finish

They escorted me to the family area and after I assured them I was OK (I came to realize I wasn't) I sat down as my family kept a watchful eye on me......I was really depleted and that last bit of energy it took to cross took the rest of what was left.  About 2  minutes after talking to my Mom on the phone, the adrenaline wore off and I felt like I was going to fall asleep....I laid down.  Again....support network to the rescue.  I could see they were getting worried, I could barely sit up straight.  My Dad and Sister corralled my kids and got them back to the beds......Eric and Lindsay hopped the fence and got to work getting me OK.


"Get some food in you" they'd say  "I can't" I'd respond.  They found the semi-hot chocolate.  They got me to take a sip and kept me talking......I knew what they were doing....I've been in that spot before......and I was so glad they were doing it.....they told me about facebook and about the people watching on-line.....have another sip......they told me about all of the friends who were following the day and how well the kids behaved......and I cried.......have another sip.......they reassured me that "everyone crashed on that run".....have another sip.....and that "this the toughest course we've ever seen"......have another sip......they showed me a picture of me coming across the finish that someone posted (thank you whoever did this).....have another sip......and then 3 cups of chocolate later and some final emotional purging and I started to come back to life.....they were obviously relieved and we found my gear, put by bike on the "transport truck" and found the car. 


GOALS & OBJECTIVES
On my goals - I got about 6 of 17 objectives met.....which would've scored a 28 in my little game.....finished, just in the top 50%: 829 out of 1914.  Did the bike in 6:25 (only twenty minutes longer than it took to do the "run"....ouch).  I think I would have hit the first swim goal had I started at the starting line, but it is what it is.


This is NOT something I'll be doing again for a while.......I've overdrawn big-time on family time....and I need to start paying back with interest.......the accomplishment is by no means lost on me, but there is no doubt, as happy as I am to have done what very few do, on a course that Ironman USA calls, "the toughest Ironman course in the world", I am not satisfied.

As they drove, I read the posts of encouragement, responded to the texts, saw the "likes".  What awesome people.  What awesome support.  You all are really the best and I couldn't possibly explain how meaningful this is to me.

And now....the morning after.....with some gatorade and a bowl of cereal in my system and a big hug and smile from my "early bird" middle child.....who has been an incredibly tactile, loving, hugging kid from day one (and the only one awake with me)......I feel good.

Sure I hurt.....my knee is stiff.  My L upper shoulder is tight.  My neck is achy and the bottom of my feet are still a little numb (had I known the speed at which I would be traveling, I'd probably have packed hiking boots).....but I feel good.......far from satisfied.....but good.....a finisher......an IRONMAN.

Humbled and then some,

Mike E.

#28: 1 day out: The last look over the cliff

Well it’s here, the final-final, the very last day of race prep.   So far it's been eventful and now it's time to chill.  The day started pretty quietly and over my cheerios I did some planning and putting together my swim to bike bag, which along with my bike needed to be checked in today.  With that in hand and after realizing the hard way I made the mistake of doing this BEFORE getting my cup of coffee....I hit the road to preview the remaining bike course that I didn't see yesterday when I went for a quick 20 miler which felt pretty good.  There are large sections of “chipseal” where, instead of paving a road they just affix gravel to it using tar of some sort……we have roads like this in Hunterdon……and in general I try to avoid them….lots of tiring vibration through the arms and shoulders…..which should be interesting on some recently “swum” arms.

The good news is that my average speed was actually faster than I’m expecting to go in the race and I did this with a very moderate effort and stopping at every stop sign along the way…..enter the mental “what-ifs”…. either I practiced on a very downhill section of the course (the ups and downs seemed pretty even to me) or renting those race wheels was a pretty darn good move……this would put me 6 minutes ahead of my stretch goal for the bike.  Whoa, whoa, slow down there trigger......you haven't even seen the hilly part yet.

And so (by car) I made my way through the "GunLock" reservoir and up "THE WALL".  Bloody hell.  This is going to be the real deal.......as I drove and my poor little rented Nissan struggled, my race strategy of save A LOT for the run was reaffirmed.  Absolutely gorgeous terrain and spectacular views of snow canyon.....but sooo much more disconcerting when you see the big picture around it......two loops......prior to a, by running standards, equally daunting course.....and hence, SAVE A LOT for the run.  

Eat, drink and be still:

And so as to not repeat the caffeine issue tomorrow AM, I'm back at Starbucks (along with several other iron-wanna-bes) to get some ground for the AM.  Sort of the calm before the storm…..a still body, but mind that's pinging like nobody's business…..I can't stay too long b/c I need to head back to get my feet up (literally) and resume putting in the carbs in. In addition, it's time to do the fine-tweaking of my race & nutrition strategy for tomorrow and calming the mind.....which should be nooo problem, now that I got word the family is being rerouted to salt lake b/c their plane couldn't cut it......where they will drive nearly 5 several hours to make it to St. George.....thanks US Air.

SPEAKING OF RACE STRATEGY:

Anyway....back to calming....I’m taking this race from a couple of different angles. 

Exertion: The first is exertion specific……there is no such thing as going hard the entire time……especially not with the added fun of 90 degrees (with little to no acclimatization) and very little shade expected…..however, like with any race, it’s about picking the right moments to go “a little harder” and equally the right ones to “back off some”.  The experts say: swim easy, slowly build on the bike, get through the first 18 miles of run steady, do an assessment of an ever so slightly faster pace around 20, gently build tempo through 24 and hang on through the finish……and THAT is the vaunted “patience of an Ironman”…..get 136 miles into this thing before even considering it to be a “race”……it’s so easy to say, but when the adrenaline is cranking and you’re feeling SOOOO good in the early stages, it’s about holding back and then when you think there’s nothing left, you have to find something.....

Small bites: The next angle is taking the race in very small baby steps……go mile to mile?  Impossible to tell in the swim and too small for the bike…..so it’s more like, use 20 minute check points……I do this primarily to remind me to eat and drink enough…..I find that I’m really not hungry ever, I just start to suffer when I don't get calories in…..but not much different than “pavlov’s dogs” I’m pretty good at responding to a bell (or in this case succession of beeps).  In the water I might hear the beeping, which tells me that if I’m on my pace, I shouldn't hear it more than 4 times maximum before I’m out of the water…..if I do, I’d better regroup and reassess b/c it’s time to make some readjustments to the plan.  From that point forward it's: hear a bell and put 100 calories of sugar and some fluid in your gut.

Fly under the radar: The next is race stages and time cut-offs. There’s the water, transition 1, the ride to town, the first loop, the second loop, the final climbs, transition 2, run-out 1, run-back 1, run-out 2, run-back 2, finish.  That’s 10 stages before the finish….some with time cut-offs.  

1. The swim cut-off is 2 hours 20 minutes…..assuming things are going as planned, I should have roughly an hour to spare……
2. depending on how much heat the water takes out of me, I should be out of transition 1 well before (hopefully an hour before) the 9:30A cut off time.  
3. There’s a 21 mile ride from T1 into “town” again, the cut off here of 1130A should be no problem….hoping to be there by +/- 10A-ish…….
4. start of second loop, mile 64 on the bike by 2:05P, which gives me 4 hours to get there….assuming no mechanical issues, I should be there by 1230-1P….
5. next checkpoint is the top of Veyo (for the second time) latest = 430P….4 hours to travel 29 miles BETTER be more than enough…..hoping to be there around 230/3P…..
6. out of T2 by 530P….with any luck (i.e. no bike “issues”) I should be putting the running shoes before 4/430P……need to be at mile 18-ish before 1045P….which is some where between 3 and 3.75 hours after I’m hoping to have crossed the finish….so if this cut-off comes into play, it’s been a really rough day.

SOME PERSPECTIVE, NOW TO CALM:

But….no matter what happens in the race, I know that I am an extremely lucky guy to even be here.  For the last several months I’ve not had to worry (more than a little) about the safety or health of my family…..Regardless of how much I hate taxes, I’ve not been exposed to a truly oppressive or unstable government.  I am gainfully employed and even though I find myself putting in long hours and (what feels like) a big effort, I'm surrounded by genuinely good people who help others to change their lives.....

So, while I've been out “riding bikes” for the last few months, others around the world have hated people like me, while still others yet have been sacrificing themselves to keep the freedoms intact that allow me and the other 2000-ish racers here to set out to play our little game……and so, my last strategy is to keep it fun and take it in; To get past the challenge and enjoy the gift;l to take NOTHING for granted and soak it all in….which leads me to my final and most important part of pre-race prep.

THE FINAL SIGN-OFF UNTIL THE OTHER SIDE:

If you've been reading along the way, you know I've been searching for the right sign-off.....and I scoured for famous radio sign-offs that seemed to fit the mood at the time....and so, before I do my final sign-off, I figured I'd preface it with the following since at 330A tomorrow when I roll out of bed to start this thing, I’ll probably not be sitting down at the computer. 

Somewhere in the air right now are my wife, 3 kids, brother, sister and Dad (who gets much of the blame for starting this whole endurance thing) all coming across the country to personally help me get through this.

Sitting in New Jersey right now are my Mom (who in addition to likely going through novenas at a feverish pace, is watching my dog instead of getting flowers on Mother’s day) and the rest of the Eisenhart family (the other dozen or so that couldn’t be here), 

All over the country (and in some cases the world) my extended family, my Pro-Activity family (made up of staff, clients and friends), my PACER people (the rare few who “get” this desire), my friends (who I don’t get to see enough and have had to miss seeing them a few times b/c of training), my professional colleagues and those from the APTANJ (who I will be missing an important meeting to race instead), my casual readers (who have been keeping an eye on this blog from all over the world) and the many who have quietly assured me along the way that I can do this (I’m sure a few others that I’m missing too).

To you people: YOU ARE AWESOME AND I THANK YOU! 

If you’ve followed this blog even here or there, you know I’m very rarely short on words…….but there are no words that I can type that can really express my gratitude for your encouragement, positive energy and (at times) patience. 

 

Training for this thing has been a serious undertaking.  A huge commitment by many and it is no more lost on me that I will not be getting to the starting line “all by myself” than it is that I will get through this without your encouragement.  Triathlon may be raced as an “individual”, but it is NOT a sport of individuals…..every time one of my kids said "Dad, you're STILL riding your bike" I felt a little guilt for robbing them of a moment together.....and EVERY TIME Lindsay found a way to make it all OK for them and thus, for me.  

Every time I got crazy stressed trying to meet all of my professional and training commitments, there was my Pro-Activity team to do what needed to be done.  Every time I doubted myself (without even realizing it probably), one of you swooped in with a "how's training going?", and tolerated my rambling long enough for me to talk myself back into the groove.

I FULLY understand that I am one of very few people who have enough support to be here…..not that there's a tremendous line of people who want to per se.....but there are more that want to than can.....and the way I see it, I owe you all big time……

I hope to honor your help and encouragement along the way by being a strong, honorable competitor, a smart racer and in something less than 24 hours from now, a something I've not yet been…..

I expect to be challenged; I expect to smile, laugh and probably cry.  I expect to question myself more than once, and battle the voices inside that say STOP doing this…..but I owe you one and so I expect to push through.

Truly, I don’t know if this effort will turn out to be RED-iculous by PACER standards…….but I do know that I get butterflies every time I think of Mike Reilly, the “voice of Ironman” announcing, like he does for every competitor who crosses the finish:

“Michael Eisenhart from Annandale, NJ…..YOU…..are an IRONMAN”.

Humbled,

Mike E.

#27: 2 days to go and my head is swirling

After signing off yesterday I got through mostly what I was hoping for: 

• Found target for race essentials
• Found the Dixie Center and got checked in, stamped, picked up my bike and got the racing wheels put on
• Bought some "official" IMST gear, which sounds strange, but will motivate me during the race b/c I'm way to proud to wear something that I didn't "earn"
• Found a local pizzeria, where the waitress was all too happy to tell me that the owners were from New Brunswick and another loner triathlete from Colorado Springs who I was chatting with brought up (jokingly) that I don't seem like the guys from "Jersey Shore" - no matter where you go, Jersey has a special place in people's heart!

AND THEN.....after my pasta settled a little

I FOUND THE RUN COURSE


...........um, it's a dooosy.  The "red hills parkway" is very well named....very red, very hilly and by the weather report very hot.  Parked the car around 730P (dusk) and ran part of the "hills" of red-hills.  It wasn't terrible, although I definitely felt like I was working a little bit more.  With a (listed) elevation in St. George of 2860 ft, it's still well below the 4000ft standard of where altitude becomes an issue.  But, then again, with a (listed) elevation at home ranging from 250-500 ft, it's a decent swing......got to keep the hydration and carbs up....which will help.  


OTHER STUFF

Here's the bike course.....see those "hills" in the distance..... aint that some shh....aint that some shh... (a little cee lo humor) yeah, that's what I said.


OK, got to run, just got the call that my gear drop-ship is in....next stop Sand Hollow Reservoir for a little chilly swim, some lunch, a preview of the bike course (a bit more up close), dinner and then the "mandatory debrief meeting"......


More tomorrow.


Mike E.

#26: 3 days out....Arrival, St. George

"Welcome to St. George, Utah......the temperature is 75 degrees and the sky is clear.....special welcome to athletes who are participating in the Ford Ironman on Saturday......remember to hydrate."  and those were the parting words of the flight attendant as we stepped out of the little plane that jumped us from Salt Lake where there were snow capped peaks to St. George, which looks more like the setting for a Wile E. Coyote cartoon than a place where people should be trying to traverse 140.6 miles on human power......oh, how I'm hoping to feel like the roadrunner.  About the easiest way to describe it is:  BIG AND BEAUTIFUL!  Lots of open terrain, lots of hills and some mountains in the distance, that, unfortunately seem to be the ones that gave this race it's notorious reputation, and thus hills and mountains that I will be getting rather intimate with (maybe some pics tomorrow).  So far things seem to be about what I expected.....some shock, some awe, a little doubt a small rental car and a latte with wi-fi at Starbucks (my travel indulgence) where I currently sit.

Met another athlete in the airport who told me she's hearing of 20 mph winds on Saturday (after a calm 4 mph breeze all week).  Ouch.  This is actually the first bad news that I've heard......but the ray of hope (maybe) is that the winds change a lot, so "don't trust the forecast".

The plan for the remainder of the day is to do a little shopping for the race essentials that I couldn't pack in a carry-on, find out EXACTLY when my gear will be available (see no whammies), where it is and how to get it.......find my accommodations and perhaps go check out the run portion of the course (and maybe even give it a go) and then start fueling.....what's on the menu you ask? carbs with water seasoned with water and carbs and some swimming in the chill tomorrow (assuming my wetsuit arrives).

FYI TRACKING:  Anyone who's interested, in addition to following the play by plan on Pro-Activity's FB page, the last update I got from the race folks stated that there was a tracking page on the Ironmanlive website.  I think THIS LINK will take you there, but it doesn't give any indication that it's the St. George race and the first time I tried it, I got results from Louisville, KY race from 2010.....so who knows.

OK, time to get down to some serious google mapping and figure out how to get around this place!

More tomorrow,

Mike E

#25: 4 days out......the point of no return

Today was my last day of work before heading out.  It was a busy day......so busy in fact that I could only squeeze in a powerbar and a bag of pretzels until I got home at dinner time......not exactly the carbo-load of choice, but that doesn't officially begin until tomorrow anyway so we'll just strike it up as a "lean" eating day.....yeah, that's what we'll call it....around 430P I got my reminder email from the airline "it's time to check in".  It actually gave me some goosebumps.....I'm almost there, this thing is going to happen.....and so I set the auto-responder on my email.....and THAT makes it official!

After cramming some dinner in and rushing a kid to soccer, I made my way to the pool for a final prep swim......30 minutes with about 10 minutes of hard swimming.  Felt pretty good.  Adjusted my rotation just a bit to make sure my shoulders (esp the R one) didn't take any extra stress.


IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING.....


And the winner is: Blog #8 "The wasting away diet". 


Just an interesting stat for anyone who's been reading on a relatively regular rate.  #8 had a lot to do with the rapid weight loss associated with the ballooned training volume and it was by far my most popular; 2 to 1 against the average and 60% higher than the post with the next highest # of hits.....I think this is funny a little, so many people along the way have mentioned to me that I'm looking rather trim, which on the one hand is a nice complement, but on the other hand doesn't seem surprising.  In the month of February alone (so says my training log) I burned 32,207 calories via training (about the equivalent of 9.2 lbs of fat).  


What's really wild for me is that at this point, I am at 157 lbs and pretty stable (about 2 lbs heavier than my goal of 155)......which is only about 8lb weight loss from where I was previously.  Based on my bioimpedence though, I've lost about 6.5% body fat since January......which on straight math equates to roughly a 10.5 lb weight loss......so if the math works out (not an exact science, but interesting I suppose) I've lost 10.5lbs in fat and gained back 2.5 in "lean" mass.....and although my goal was far more function related (be able to complete this thing) than physique related.....coming from somebody who has been able to maintain an "almost athletic cut" for years (old story...ask me about it sometime), I'm not complaining.


In fact the change is so significant (and because I want to make sure I stay focused after this thing), I finally broke down today and bought some jeans that actually fit......2 inches down in the waist......it was sort of weird to not have them almost falling off.


___________________________


Alright, enough of this for tonight.....need to pack my carry on and make sure I'm not missing anything for my "dawn's early light flight".


Tomorrow's report from Utah.....


Mike E.

#24: 5 days to go.......gear is en route

Since yesterday was my final "hard" training day, today was a day off from any significant training effort.......and so I put my time to good use:  Packing & Sending my gear.  Whew!  There's a bunch.....just add ANOTHER pricey transaction associated with IM Racing to the mix.  By the time you throw in a couple of helmets, a bike pump a bunch of water bottles, fuel belts, racing gear + shoes (running and biking), some tools for bike adjustment, spare tubes, a wetsuit and some other miscellaneous racing items.....you've filled a pretty large box.  Insure it and make sure it's going to get to you on time and you've got another fat bill to deal with.  Awesome.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FEDEX......GET THIS ONE RIGHT!


But, after pestering the poor FedEx woman, who although very pleasant had me rattled a little when she couldn't initially confirm there was an actual FedEx shipping center where the address in St. George said it would be, with the same basic question "it will get there when you're promising right?", asked three or four different ways to clarify she responded "unless there is an act of God, it will be there on Thursday by 10A".......I couldn't help think to myself "no whammies, no whammies, no whammies, STOP" and with, what felt like a lucky enough tracking number in hand and a slight pang of doubt in my gut, I waved my gear good bye and left the shipping center.  I kept my goggles with me so I could do one more swim (tomorrow), but the rest is on the road to Utah.


So at this point the bike is shipped, the gear is shipped and it's nearly 9P.  A good stretch and some rest is the only thing left for tonight.


And......exhale slowly.


Mike E.

#23 Final Prep and a little motivation.....6 days before lift off

Ground Control to Major Tom; Commencing countdown engines on......Check ignition and may God's love be with you......

Well, if you know the song, I'm hoping for a bit more pleasant outcome than the good major had, but to a certain extent, that's what this week was for me......the beginning of the countdown....the final hard sets, testing the armor and getting ready for take off.  


So even though it was a solid training week, I figured I'd save the great detail my final workouts and just give the reader's digest version: a couple of fairly intense bricks and a final confidence booster in the pool (knowing you can do +/- 80 laps is tedious, but really good for the head) for another day.


Instead, I thought it would be best to use this post to set the stage for RACE WEEK.......so glad it's here.....it's going to be a long few days of anticipation I think. 


And so, I figure, in getting down to the real business at hand, I should start by coming clean with the readers and share my goals, objectives and expectations now that after months of prep it's finally nearing "go-time" for arguably the most grueling course in arguably one of the most grueling endurance tests around.


I'VE HEARD GOALS ARE A GOOD THING


Over the last months, I've come to terms with the fact that it's going to be hard and like most things, I won't hit every goal this first time around.....so I'm approaching this race almost like stair steps......a series of goals & objectives from the very base goal (finish in 1 piece) all the way through the "if everything went just perfectly" stretch goal (a qualifying time)......and, because I so love turning just about everything into a game, I've decided to see how many "points" I can accrue along the way.

This puzzles me too....

Tally each completed goal and add together.......


1. Complete the race (ultimate disappointment if I don't do this)
2. Complete the race without significant injury or ailment (fairly confident here, unless I do something dumb, which I'm known to do time and again.....OK, I have a history of this)
3. Place better than my bib number #861 (Last year finisher 861 did it in just under 14 hours, which assuming #1 & #2, I feel pretty good with this)
4. Place top 50% (last year about 13% did not finish and with 1914 registered this year, that means, assuming all things the same, somewhere around #832, again feel pretty good here if no major "body malfunctions")
5. Complete the race in less than 13 hours (a little disappointment if I don't given my training effort so far)
6. Complete the swim portion in less than 1:20 (should be able to if the cold water doesn't hamper me)
7. Complete the bike portion in less than 7 hours (assuming no major mechanical issues, should be OK here)
8. Complete the run portion in less than 4 hours (somewhat of a variable, doable, but never a gimmie)
9. Complete the race in less than 12 hours (a big hurdle for anyone racing IM, and something that I feel is a good [in the realistic sense] goal for me)
10. Complete the swim in less than 1:10 hours (will have to be a good swim, not my best, but good)
11. Complete the bike in less than 6:30 hours  (good, but not my best)
12. Complete the run in less than 3:45 hours (this will be tough, but hard training pays off)
13. Complete the race less than 11:30 hours (stretching it here, transitions better be fast and nutrition has to go right)
14. Complete the bike in less than 6:00 hours (things would have to "fall into place", would be extremely happy here, but I've tried to engineer out some power need with a more versatile 11-28 Cassette, a smoking fast Cervelo P2 with Zipp 404 on front and 808 on back, and a crazy looking but fast "Aero" helmet from Giro; let's hope it helps).
15. Finish top 10% age group (ecstatic, but not necessarily content)
16. Qualify for Ironman World Championships, Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii (just plain Red-iculous)


If I tally the points for each successive goal the maximum score would be 136.......so we'll see where it shakes out.


AND NOW, A TIP OF THE CAP


I'll probably go more into this during one of my DAILY posts (you heard this correctly, I'm going to try to do a daily blog post from here until this time next week, when I'm hopefully recounting a great day), but this weekend was a real motivator for me and so I need to tip the cap where deserved:


This weekend our little local endurance team (PACER) showed that it's no "little-local" anymore.  We started PACER as something to do that was healthy and a little competitive.....sort of an "active wager" amongst friends.  In the last 2 years we've had fun, but last night at the opening banquet for 2011, we got to see our group growing up fast:  18 runners participating in opening weekend, 12 of them completing a 1/2 marathon, which is no small undertaking.  Already several (by our age-graded method) achieving medal status and most setting the bar higher in the category of personal achievement.  This is so motivating for me......a powerful experience onto itself to watch people achieve something that they weren't sure they could, or build on what the knew they could do.......and on top of all that, we had plenty of laughs.  Drinks and Karaoke, hidden talents and people just being themselves.....what's not to be inspired by there?  And the final boost?  Watching a client turned friend work his butt off and honor himself and his family by embarking on a serious health-change journey and in the process do something truly extraordinary........this weekend was a huge uplift for me and to my team......in all sincerity, I hope I can perform with the same passion and heart next weekend that I watched this weekend.....thank you all!


And to any of you in the blogosphere that aren't a member.......2 things:


1. We're a pretty fun group (OK, a little bias here)......the door to new members is ALWAYS open.....


2. I'm not selective at all where I get my positive energy from and I'm going to need a bunch to pull this thing off.......so if you're a person of faith.....I'll take your prayers.  If not, positive energy & thoughts are welcome too.


THE GAME PLAN GOING FORWARD
The last bit here is more administrative.  I really hope you've enjoyed reading my quirky tale of my attempt to become an IRONMAN so far.  In an effort to share as much of the experience as possible (since joining us in Utah is asking a bit much) I will be doing a short daily blog until next week......I've also put my wife and family up to doing the play by play during the race.  Haven't worked out all of the technology kinks yet, but it will definitely be posted on Pro-Activity's Facebook Page since the great majority of traffic on this blog comes from there, I'm going to assume most already have found it.  If not, and you want to share in this experience......become a fan and stay tuned on 5/7.....race starts around 7A in UT (9A EST).


THANK YOU FOR PLAYING A ROLE IN MY JOURNEY.......


Mike E.