#35: The REDEMPTION tour starts NOW!

If last week was about motivation and understanding the why.....this week was time to make it official and get both feet firmly back onto the road to redemption.  After dragging my feet a little and missing the official deadline I was able to make a last minute plea to the race director, and successfully got entered in the NJ State Triathlon, which, for me was the first milestone in my multisport journey.  Last July, I entered this Olympic Distance (.9mi swim + 25mi bike + 6.2mi run) and had my first taste of triathlon......

Foreshadowing is one of my favorite flavors

Well, it was hot......damn hot.  The water was 88 deg, the bike was reasonable, but the run was miserable.....I suppose I should be getting used to this type of thing?  And so, by sealing the deal and registering for this race (+/- 30 days from now) I will be toeing the line again with the goal of shaving BIG time off my finish from last year.  This will be an excellent way for me to see how far a year of training has brought me and I'm excited for it.

I went out this weekend and did a little brick training to see where things would go.  Did a tough 30-ish mile ride and averaged a bit over 19 mph and a 4-ish mile run on a hot day (high 80's / low 90's) and averaged a little over 8 min miles.  Although I'm not back in racing shape yet, I was happy with this as a test.

And so, GAME ON.

After the NJ State Tri, I may stay on the road to redemption and repeat my Hunterdon 1/2 Iron performance....we'll see; but the most important thing is that with a definite event planned, I now have to get more specific with my training....and find the time to get it done.


And so, what's the game plan for the next month?

• I feel like my base is fine, however it'd be wise to get in the water a bit more. 
• I need to work on some heat tolerance strategies and emphasize hydration.  
• I need to do a little speed work to be ready for a more intense (less aerobic) race and
• I need STRETCH

My hips and legs have been getting more and more achy lately.  Seems like just tightness, but it's getting to the point of discomfort, which is not a welcomed concept.  I'm going to put my effort where my mouth is for a few days and really try to restore some flexibility.....been a little lazy here, but I can't ignore any longer.  OK, maybe I'll ramp up to this little pose.......but you get the idea.

Most importantly though, I need to catch up on some rest.  Have been running on fumes a little and it's going to catch up with me if I don't make it a priority.

And on that note.....

Good night,

Mike E.

#34: c'mon Pyle, get up that hill....persist

The last few weeks of training have been suspect.....but I've been trying to pop in to BC31 to get some strength work in when I can (which is needed).....and then a funny thing happened to me....someone asked me a really obvious, but incredibly difficult to answer question  "what motivated you to keep going with this stuff?"......my answer was pretty much an "I don't really know".....I think I actually said, "it gets under your skin, you just do"....but then I really started thinking about it.  Why DO people keep going?  What is it that drives me to continue?  Whew, that's way tougher than it should be.....and I've come to realize, it's a long list.....and there are so many little things that flip a switch "in the moment".....but what's the underlying big stuff? What are the big drivers for me? I'm not sure I really know all of the time.  Maybe that's a good thing....or maybe not.  And so, that innocent little question kick started some soul searching for me this week.


Why do I want to push myself to a limit that can be dark and painful again?  Why do I want to put a bunch more time, money, energy and effort (commodities that I'm always feeling "low" on) into something like this?  Why not just take some time off for a while?


PASSIVE COMPLIANCE? 


Remember Private Pyle (Lawrence was his actual name) from full metal jacket?  Ok, his demise isn't so wonderful in the movie and that's not what I'm getting at here, there's definitely a level of discomfort watching those scenes.....what I'm getting at is more the idea of "compliance".....


In the opening scene where they "meet" for the first time, the drill sergeant tells him to choke himself, and he does....sometimes that's what life feels like...you don't know why, but you give up looking for the doorway and just keep running into that brick wall over and over.....just because.....last week felt a lot like that at times......just trying to get up that hill......doing what I "should" because I probably should.....it's a pretty crappy feeling.  Sort of like a twisted version of "duty" or "well I said I would, so now I should"........tedious drudgery.  I usually find myself feeling this way most when I'm fatigued.....when I haven't gotten enough rest/recovery......


Many of those unfortunate enough to know me in these times know that my brain starts shutting things down (like my verbal filter and so now you get what I'm feeling sometimes without any consideration on the impact of the statement), my patience gets low and my attitude goes more pessimistic (years ago my sister bought me a shirt with "Grumpy" of the 7 dwarfs on it.....wonder why?).  Unfortunately, this is a state a lot of the people I meet seem to be in ALL the time.....they're fatigued, they're run-down and they're getting beaten down.......kind of a malaise (maybe even a quasi-depression for some), usually accompanied with pain.....yuk!


COMPLIANCE vs. MISSION?


Then on the other end of the persistence spectrum is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time, when Cool Hand Luke is getting repeatedly knocked down, beaten to a pulp, but keeps getting up.......absolute stubbornness.....unrelenting commitment........being ALL IN.  Still uncomfortable, and still being driven to face a pretty awful set of circumstances.....but it's more conscious, more head on. The emotional swing from the thrill of the fight to empathy felt by the other prisoners watching is made obvious......but this example of "drive" is totally different than compliance.  It's ACTIVE.  He is actively driven, at some deep visceral level......a deep drive to succeed at the task at hand and not give up.....ever......until it's done.  I love this feeling.  I find myself seeking it out. I think it's one of the main reasons I find myself willing to take on challenges that other people find hard (or dumb)......by achieving them it validates to me that the important things in life (whatever we personally deem them to be) are worth working for.....even when it's inconvenient, painful, hard or otherwise not pleasant. I find this so compelling that I try, sometimes without even realizing it, to convince anyone who is willing to listen to me ramble to do something BIG....something totally outside their comfort zone just to get a nibble of what it feels like to be all in and to ultimately GET THERE.....it's awesome.  


I laughed to myself this week when I read Eric's blog about "my brother gets me all amped up for crazy things....etc".  It's true, there I was all last week trying to sell Ironman NYC to anyone who would listen.  Why?  Because, I really believe anyone can do it......and because seeing someone commit and get serious about something that seems impossible even if it takes a few tries....is AWESOME......of course Ironman is a natural fit....their slogan "Anything is Possible" resonates deep with me and there are so many everyday people who have proven it (check out the videos below for a couple in a long list of ordinary people doing extraordinary things via Ironman who ultimately complete the mission).


And so I'm sure you can imagine how totally pumped I am for one of my PACER teammates (Chris B) who has decided to step up to the event in 2012 (somehow we both got our registrations done within the 11 minutes it took for the event to sell out) and for the (at least) 2 others who have verbally committed to 2013.....and more are considering......that by itself is enough to drive me.


It's not totally crazy.....really.


I was happy to see a related "re-tweet" this week by Daniel Pink, the author of the book "Drive" (which is one of several that will reside at BaseCamp31 for anyone to peruse over a great sandwich/salad/smoothie at Fuel Good), which I read a year or so ago.  It brought me back to some important concepts... In the book he makes the argument that there are three key things that drive us to perform:  Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose.....


To me, Mission and Purpose are one in the same; and Autonomy is probably why I feel so crappy during moments of "compliance" (just going through the motions is a lot like being controlled......the opposite of any shred of autonomy) and so if Pink is right, that leaves....


MASTERY
This is where the challenge comes in.  To figure out the game.....to keep working the problem until you get a breakthrough.....to ENDURE.  This is the basis of my love-hate relationship with things like puzzles, riddles, the rubick's cube, etc.  I get sucked-in and keep going until I figure them out....sometimes putting way more important things to the bottom of the list.  Ironman represents the same kind of thing for me......there's competing....and getting to the starting line at an event like this is a serious commitment and achievement all by itself.


Then there's finishing....a next jump in mastery.  With so many things that can go wrong, time-cutoffs, and the sheer length of the training period and race, getting across the finish line, whether fast, slow, vertical, horizontal or other, is another jump in mastery.


And then there's QUALIFYING for the championships in Kona, yet another level of mastery.  No doubt this (the basis for this blog) definitely drives me.....the thrill of the hunt.....the game itself.....or something along those lines.


And so, this week was a baby step back in the right direction.  Had a couple of big work-related-hurdles that we got over (one of which is the approval to open the cafe' to the public HOORAY) which left me just enough time to do some Red-iculous stuff:

• Got a strength training session in, mostly legs.
• Got Registered for Ironman NYC on 8/11/2012 - which negates Lake Placid - but I think something close to home will be very cool (thanks to Linds for sitting at the switch to get on exactly at 12P).
• Did a 16 and change mile ride, which felt great and I was happy to get in
• Did an 8 and change mile run, which was a little sluggish at the start, but felt decent and was generally happy with my pace
• After a failed attempt on Friday (too busy), got in the pool yesterday for the first short swim in a while.  Felt good to be in the water (taking that as a good sign).
• Met a guy at the garden store (of all places) who has done a bunch of the IM races who lives locally.  He was excited b/c this year he moves in to age group 60.  That's right 60 and doing these races regularly......now that's motivated!
• Got to bed (relatively) early 2 nights in a row and got to sleep in (again relative).

And so I'm making my way up the hill.....less and less like Private Pyle and more and more like a man on a mission to achieve "mastery"......many little hills (and valleys for certain) between now and then, but 60-ish weeks from now, Ironman NYC!


Oh, and BTW, in case you get the urge.....you're a little late, but there ARE still fund-raising slots available for Ironman NYC......

ANYTHING is possible,

Mike E.

_______________________


A person on a mission!  Arguably the most famous finish in all of Ironman (1982).




________________________

An identical mission....an amazing person.





She missed the bike cut off in 2004 and got kicked off the course, but came back finished in 2005.  That's GUTS!
______________________________


Haven't seen this in a while?  Worth your 4 minutes!!

#33 weak week, fun race, a great team and stormchasing......

Storms on the horizon?


After racing from Lake Placid back to NJ last Sunday (in an effort to make it home for the last call g’nights) it was back to the real world, the beginning of a long stretch of getting back into my groove.  Work had piled up (small business owners NEVER complain about this…..but a challenge nonetheless); dad stock was nearing its 52 week-low from spending so much time putting final touches on BaseCamp31 (#bc31 for you tweet-ers) and not at home; body was feeling sore (4 weeks off followed by 70 miles bike, 1 mi swim, 13-ish run on challenging terrain will do that); but my mind as cagey as ever, just as ready as ever to send synaptic reverberations pinging off the walls of my skull……I’ve learned to recognize that for me this usually means it’s time to get organized, re-prioritize and reinvest some time/energy in things that have fallen off a little, b/c there’s a wicked curve-ball coming……not always sure exactly what I’m preparing for, but it’s that never-fails, calm-before-the-storm warning signal that I've learned to listen to.

And so, after a hectic week where I saw magic hour “40” (you know that mythical hour when the work week is supposed to come to a spontaneous halt) come and go early Thursday AM, I took some time yesterday to prepare for 2 important projects I’ve been working on, coaxed (in a loving and never frustrated way of course) my children to clean their rooms, which collect “stuff” at an alarming rate, even got a little spring cleaning done myself (timely, now that it’s summer) and watched my hip-hop 7 year old do her recital-thang. Followed that up with some suspect pre-race fuel and some sleep.

When the 5A bell rang, I wasn't really feeling so juiced up to race a 10K.  Having not really trained for this race, I was hoping to just go out and do a respectable time, somewhere around 45 minutes, which would be around 7:15 min/mile pace.  But the disappointing thing for me was that there were so many good opportunities this weekend......a 40 mile bike ride for the NJ Burn Center which is sponsored by one of our corporate clients, a 5K in New Providence for the very worthy NJ Sharing Network and the Orange Classic 10K a race I've been trying to nudge folks from another client toward this year......and there was simply no way to do them all (you know I would've tried).....and thus, we are only as good as the people around us.  While Nick (who achieved a 60+% age grade for his "bronze") and I headed North for Orange Classic, Jeff and Tim went Northeast for the Ride and Amy, Amy, Eric, Lindsay, Linda and kids went East to support the sharing network.

By the time I got to Middletown, I was feeling more ready.  Nick needed to break 44:50 to get his goal and at 7:13/mile, that was a perfect pace to shoot for even though this course was hilly and therefore challenging.  We set out somewhere around a 7:20 pace and having read the race course description I knew it would be best to chip away at that only after mile 4 when the hilly sections were (mostly) behind us......of course I didn't mention this to Nick until mile 3.  Overcast and relatively cool and things went according to plan.  After mile 4 we started to pick up the pace a little and I watched the average pace start to drop on the trusty Garmin.  By mile 5 we were down to 7:10s which was just about right to guarantee we met the goal.  We hit the Middletown HS track somewhere around 43 and change and then kicked the finish for a 44:05-ish (figuring 5-10 clock vs. chip time).....7:07s.

Felt pretty good about this, but (as usual) left feeling like I had more and wondering what "coulda" been should I have actually trained for this distance.......oh well, that's the fun of this stuff I guess.

Haven't heard how everyone did at the other events, but saw the FaceBook Posts that Eric and Amy W both won their age groups at the Sharing Network 5K and Lindsay was only a few seconds off a PR.  So assuming the bike-ride was a success, it was a solid day of racing.

And now back to the Ironman training show?

It’s tempting to think so, but as reality should have it, I’m guessing the remainder of June is going to be more of the same.  Even with the end of kid #1 lacrosse and kid #2 dance AND soccer, the workload will continue to percolate, wife-soccer has started, wife-marathon training is on the very near horizon, the Fuel Good is almost open-able and school’s (almost) out for summer…..and that's not even the curve ball (too predictable) but I’m not afraid……mostly b/c that would be sensible, and that’s just now how I roll.

Bottom line is that I need to work toward getting into a reasonable groove soon though b/c things are about to get interesting.......

Stay thirsty my friends, (and here's a little video to help)

Mike E.

#32: So this one time.....at Triathlon camp.....

I set the wheels in motion this week to make another jump toward the end goal by attending a weekend long training camp in Lake Placid, NY.  Part reconnaissance, part learning, part training session, it was a pretty cool experience.  Seeing the course first hand has so much benefit in building a strategy and getting to meet some other athletes and hearing their stories is very cool as well.

On one end of the spectrum, the once collegiate level cross country runner who has been racing triathlon for a while but is just now making the jump to ironman, to Fernando, the 58 year old dermatologist from North Carolina who has run 18 Boston Marathons and 8 Ironman Triathlons, to the Ex-professional Cyclist who now is going after triathlon; “These guys are animals,” I thought to myself.  When I introduced myself to the group I told them I wanted to be Fernando if I ever decided to grow up…….he told me later that his PR in the marathon was 2 hours and 36 minutes (whoa!).  On the other end of the spectrum the handful of athletes who are just ready to prove something to themselves and their friends/family…..to persevere, to endure.  You can’t help but appreciate the funny way life winds around and puts you somewhere you never thought you’d be, but know that you somehow belong.

Day one was pretty tough, but good; a 70 mile bike ride (the first loop of the course plus a little) and a little less than the first loop of the swim (1 mile).  The bike felt pretty good for about the first 60 miles and I hung near the front of my group averaging about 18-19 mph…..but then my body remembered I’ve taken the last 4 weeks off of training; I got pretty tired but finished fine.  Recon mental note – a couple of hills back into town that could be no fun if not ready for. 

A few hours later, the swim was decent.  The course is a little strange in concept to me, just b/c I’ve never tried a 2 loop swim course……swim a LONG straight, turn and head back, come out, go over the timing mat and head in for a second loop.  Not sure if this is a good thing or not.  I sort of like the idea of breaking it up and getting to take a land break, if only for a second…..but I’m not sure I’ll be huge on getting back in again for a second lap.  I swam about “my” speed (faster than the slow folks, slower than the fast folks), and got some good tips on form and sighting buoys to keep a straight line, something I definitely lose time on as I zig zag all over.

Shortly after that it was time to check in with the family and hear about new flashy soccer cleats, some cool socks with monkeys on them and a 4 ½ year old who was really just too busy to talk b/c he was getting ready for bed (I'll have to make an appointment with his assistant next time).  As much as I have looked forward to being at the camp to get some work in, it’s always grounding for me to talk to them and remember how much you can miss even in a few days away.  Thankfully this is really my last time away pretty much until next fall……so I can commence the “catch-up” on Dad responsibilities.

So now I sit with my cup of coffee in this quaint little ACTIVE town before I head to meet the group for a training run (+/- 13 miles) and “see the run course”.  Going to have to take it slow (if I’m smart)…..it’s been too long in recovery to expect much from my legs…..and nothing worse than 5 hours of driving home with crampy legs.

 

And by the way – having seen the height of an Olympic ski-jump for the first time this weekend I’ve decided that THAT is truly ridiculous……so if this triathlon thing doesn’t work out……well.....you just never know…..Eddie the Eagle did it.

That is all,

Mike E.