One day I will remember that sleep, eating and drinking right are as much a part of this as all of the training, Oh well, maybe one day.

The morning started with a 3 AM wake up so we could get to lake of the pines and go through our packet pickup and get everything ready. Thought we might be a little early, but didn't want to get there and be rushed. We had that covered. We were the first ones there. Not just contestants, but support and everything.

This wasn't to bad though. Got to watch a sunrise with Cristen and chill out a little before we had to get everything together. Made for a very nice parking spot too.

I believe there were 140 contestants in this race which was nice because there was one distance and only 2 waves. We got to start right at 8:00 and with 2 waves and only 3 minutes apart you knew where you were against everyone.

The water temp was 86 degrees. Pretty comfy. The air was still so the water was very smooth. Lake of the Pines is pretty lake in very rural setting, but I would not call it clear. Even with goggles on you could not see your hands in the water during the swim. I had plenty of time to look for them too. That was the longest half mile swim I think I have ever done. I think my split there was about 30 minutes and I felt every bit of it too. Its not that its so tiring its just mental. You can't just put your feet down and be ok for a few minutes. I was hurting to get to the end, but once I got there I was ok. Did not cramp and was feeling pretty good going into transition.

The bike is becoming my favorite leg. This course is very hilly. Its starts and ends with a pretty decent climb. It is an out and back course with just a little deviation on the last half mile. I wouldn't call it fast but it not extremely difficult. I believe I was passed by two until mid point and then I started pulling pretty good. I think I pass about 20 on the back half. This seems to be the same as what happened in Valley View a few months ago. Maybe where my strength lays.

The run is a very level course on asphalted park roads. Probably 60 to 70 percent was in  the shade. The run always make me mad. It should be my strong suit. Its definitely what I work on the most. During run training a 5k should be at about a 9:00 mile or less pace. I started out good. The first half mile was at a sub 9:00 pace, but then I kind of bonked. My stomach had been bothering me the whole race and now my calves where starting to feel like they were being ripped off my legs. I finished up at a pace of about 12:00 minutes per mile. But I did finish.

I never set out to win. I am racing against myself a P.R is not that important unless I am feeling really good that day. The opportunity to get out there with some friends, make a few new ones, and a cold beer at the end. That is what its about for me.

Catch Up

This year has seen some major changes for my life. It started out normal enough. I was training for some half marathons coming up and preparing for my first full marathon. The half marathons really were not that much of a challenge anymore except for speed and the full marathon still seemed out of reach.

April 15... the Big D in Dallas, TX. This was my first full and I was nervous. Felt like I had the training in to finish, but was not sure. Went up with 5 other guys. Two wire ironmen already and for 3 of us it was our first full marathon. The temp was great, but rain was expected and rain it did.

The first half was ok and about what I expected, but at about mile 15 the pain started to set in. Nothing specific just a general ache below the waste. Keep going... you have done this mileage before. Mile 19 and that was it.. had to walk a little. Man it was hot and my legs were hurting. Was really starting to question my sanity at this point. Run walk it was all the way to the finish. The last mile or so seemed the longest. It was a really nice feeling going across the finish. One of my buds even shot a vid clip for me.

The finish was great, was hurting like hell and all I could think of was you "idiot" you are doing this again in 2 weeks. If I could have cancelled in those first couple of hours I believe I would have. Luckily I did not.

Fast forward 2 weeks and we are on Oklahoma City for our second race. There were 3 of us doing this back to back. The two ironmen and me. I would like to think that in itself says something for me, but I doubt that. Ironman is a distant goal for me, but I have not taken it seriously yet.

Now I am on my on, well kind of anyway. This group of friends is done for a while. One is taking off for a couple of months and one is training for an utra. (El Scorcho). I hook up with another buddy to do a sprint tri in Valley View on May the 19. Just a little sprint so no trouble right. Wrong. It helps if you don't get trashed the night before at a casino.

Got up at 5:00 that morning to make transition. Nothing was ready. Hurting, hung over bad. Considered not going to race. Made it to transition and after having to run back to truck 2 times to get stuff I had forgotten, finally got everything ready. Turned out to have a good race. FY.I.- don't recommend starting your race day this way.

Now for the big change. I will not go into a lot of detail, but I had made the decision that my 14 year marriage was no longer sustainable. You can think me a shit for doing so, but I promise its nothing I have not already though of myself. I came home from the race and moved out of my house.

It has been about two years since I started running and triathlon. I usually went to bed at 9:00 PM and ate pretty decent. My schedule was set and consistent. Welcome to single life again after 15 years and at 45 years old. Can't set still. Eat everything. Drinking beer, shooting Patron. Partying every weekend that I didn't have my daughter. Felt like I was trying to re live my youth. Can you say mid life crisis? 


I was not training. Very hard to get up at 5:00 AM and ride or run when you didn't go to sleep until 1:00 AM and you are hung over. My running partners just about quit calling me. I was even wondering if I wanted to participate in racing anymore. 


Now for the catch up. My "friend" was on my case about not running and riding. I had promised the guy I normally do the tri's with that I would make to Jefferson for the sprint on July 15 so with 12 days to go before the race I actually signed up. Trying to get my shit together, as I write this post it is 2 days (Friday 13th) before race. I have laid off the beer and Patron (for the most part anyway). I have done bricks of riding and swimming or riding and running almost everyday. The stamina is not quite there. I couldn't do the marathon distance right now, but I am confident I can handle this sprint. 


I guess life is about balance. My life has taken a dramatic change. I am gonna have to learn my limits. I see my daughter a lot and she stays with me at least every other weekend. The last few conversations with my soon to be X have been civil. Hope we can kind of be friends again one day. 


My summer will see a sprint in 2 days and then another in Tyler in a month or so. I also have registered for and Olympic distance in Rock Wall close to the end of season. Time to quit playing catch up and get back on track. 


Happy racing