Withdrawals

No, I am not suffering any major withdrawals right now (although some of the sandwiches I saw on Man vs. Food last night made me REALLY miss a burger). Rather, in a fit of rational thinking, I finally caved and adopted Coach's thinking as to my racing Ironman Arizona. Thus, I found this waiting in my inbox this morning when I hit the office chair: "Hi Ian, Thank you for your interest in Ironman! You are now withdrawn from the 2009 Ford Ironman Arizona. Please allow 5-10 business days for your partial refund to appear on your credit card statement."

I am a little less than thrilled to be pulling out. This is going to be the first IM for the Brothers Pearson and we had all signed up together last year. I was really looking forward to racing it with them as we have done many races together before. However, I am still going to head out there for the race and this way, I can be a better supporter during the race and hopefully help them along. Maggs will be racing too, and my buddy Matt, I think?? So my athlete card will be pretty full, but I am up for the challenge. I figure it will be a long training day either way, or at least I will tell myself that so I can feel the post race dinner is well deserved.

In somewhat more uplifting news, on Tuesday I ran what will essentially be my last "real" track workout. I don't know about you, but I find running track by yourself to be somewhat of a mental challenge. Last week my buddy John was nice enough to provide company and pacing. This week however, he was on his way to a dinner party and seemingly all other options were busy. I say seemingly because there was one other option. I have written before about the incredible support I have received from many people in my triathlon pursuits. Yet one person stands head and shoulders above all, MOMS! That's right, faced with heading out to track all by me lonesome, 64 years young Moms stepped up to the plate and met me there. I don't think I recall seeing my mom run since the last Turkey Trot we did as a family when I was like 8. But by the end of the night, I had her running "Straights and Curves" (Coach Ed would be proud). It was awesome to see and I was stoked she was enjoying it! Look out ladies in the 65-69 AG, you could just have a new player in the mix!!

Getting Real

So race numbers for Kona appeared yesterday and come October 10th I will be tattooed with the numerals 1686.

I like the number, it has a good ring to it. The realization that Kona is now 17 short days away was made that much more real by the appearance of the race number list. I am feeling good about it. I am anxious, nervous, and a little on edge, but I am happy, and not scared or freaking out (knock on wood).

I had been feeling like I just wanted to hit the "Fast Forward" button on life for the last couple days, but then my friend Matt imparted this bit of wisdom upon me: "Enjoy this time, there are many people who would give anything to be in your position right now!" Not to brag or toot my own horn, but I do realize that I am extremely lucky to be one of the few who will be getting the chance to race on Triathlon's most hallowed ground this October 10th. For that I feel beyond fortunate, and grateful to all those who have supported me along the way, even down to those that just left a simple encouraging comment on this blog. It has all helped. So I am savoring it now. I don't want the Fast Forward button. In fact, once I get to Kona I'd be willing to bet my bottom dollar that I will be looking for the "Slow Motion" button!!

So here it is, its REAL, its awesome and I am going to enjoy it!

Speed Kills...

Or at least it HURTS ALOT!!

My training program has hit that section where I start knocking off some of the BIG volume, and start upping the intensities. Early in the week the bike efforts were ok, and the runs were actually pretty good. I ran some repeats on Tuesday and each one got progressively faster and faster. That, I thought, was a good sign. Thursday night brought a tempo run that I was NOT looking forward to after a rough morning on the bike. A friend of mine, John Megeff, who is fresh off competing in the Wild West Relay and the GoreTex Trans Rockies Run ( 2 person team runs the whole 120mi in 6 days across the Rockies and each person runs every bit of it!!) decided he wanted to join in the pain. Fortunately it went much better than expected, in large part due to John's help pacing. With that, the attempt at garnering some speed seemed to be moving along. Then Saturday came.

With fellow T3er, Bill, we met up with Jason May (another wicked fast local guy fresh off an Overall win at Malibu Oly) for some hard bricks. To say these were tough efforts is a drastic understatement. As usual, Bill brought the hammer down on the bike and sooner that I would like to admit, I was off the back. Jason stuck with me, but I think that was only out of pity. The run was nothing spectacular but I was able to stay on pace. Round #2 brought even further degradation. My heart rate was like a high schooler refusing to get out of bed in the morning. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get it out of bed. Saved by the bell, we all headed out on the run together and I honestly thought about sitting down on the grass and calling it a day. But my ego got the better of me and I pushed through and actually felt halfway decent on the last mile. The rest of the day consisted of some painful legs, a mediocre ocean swim, and a fun BBQ for my buddy Craig's birthday.

Sunday was my last big brick. To be honest, on Saturday night and even Sunday morning, I thought there was NO WAY I was going to be able to do it. I even went back to bed after eating breakfast. But after 9.5hrs of sleep, I awoke feeling surprisingly improved, got my ass in gear and headed out on the bike. 5.5hrs, 95mi and a bunch of climbing, and I was off on my run. About 20mins in I felt a bonk coming on hard and fast, but I scaled back the pace, focused on my breathing, and kept the heart rate in the "fat burning" (GOD I hope so!!) zone. I thought I could actually feel my body switch over at the lower pace. I was glad to have it done. I was glad I did it in the heat of the day and didn't have any mental or physical issues like the day before.

Today is mellow but the rest of the week continues the speed switch with the OC International Tri this Sunday. I am looking forward to dialing in all my Kona gear and getting that one last race effort. Hopefully it will be a confidence booster and send me off to Kona content, confident, healthy and smiling.

Cheers!

IRONMAN CDA

Tonight at 9pm on Universal Sports. Coverage will be aired... Might just be my .5secs of fame!!

Made it... with new records

The MEGA weekend got kicked off early last Thursday when I jumped ship to SD in the afternoon due to the fires and smoke up here in LA. By 5pm I had changed and was headed out the door from the luxurious confines of the coach's pad in Cardiff. 3hrs and a little over 24mi later, I was back, and neck deep into a couple huge plates of some INSANE chicken and pumpkin enchiladas. Coach's wife's cooking may be some of the best I have ever had!!

Friday morning brought with it the longest swim of my life. Thankfully Coach took me to an awesome new pool and it was me and a 25m lane for the next 2hrs. 340 laps in the bank, and I didn't think I was going to be able to steer the car home! Later that night I uprooted again and headed to Kona Camp '09 Mega Weekend Headquarters (formerly referred to as the Wernick Manor Resort and Spa).

Saturday began with yet another trek up Mt. Palomar followed by a picnic/refuel in the park before our afternoon runs.

Sunday brought us a little reprieve from the climbing, but was still a long day in the saddle. I ended up tying my personal record of 137mi. The record however, was soon to fall. Much like me.

Monday was labor day and LABOR we DID!! At the outset of the day I was questioning just exactly HOW in the HELL I was going to be able to pull it off. My legs were NOT ready to be back pedaling a bike, and the hours ahead were NOT going to be easy. Somehow though, an hour or so in, they came alive. Its was almost like they just gave up fighting and went along with it realizing they had no choice. The good thing was I didn't once find myself asking "WHY?" I was doing it. That answer is solid as these rocks.

Sunday was supposed to begin with a small group, but in a fitting twist, Jon had to go save lives at the Oceanside Pier swim and IM recovery and Family duties claimed Kevin and coach. Thus Charisa and I were on our own. Like I said, fitting. It was our MEGA weekend and somehow it only seemed appropriate that the 2 of us would face the hardest and longest day alone. I have to say, a better partner in crime couldn't really be asked for. Over 3 days of intense and long hours of training, not a complaint was uttered, and smiles and laughs continued all the way to the end. And that end, came after over 9hrs of riding covering 160mi and over 8,500ft of climbing. A new record for both of us.

Mega Weekend totals =

Swim: 5.2mi

Run: ~ 35mi

Bike: 364mi

For me, those are all records. And I am, if I do say so myself, impressed. Don't fret though, my head is firmly kept in check by the fact that my friend Ken can say: "My daughter did that too. Only she ran a bit further!"

Let the MEGA weekend begin!!

Well the Coach has saved the day again. I am off this afternoon heading south to SD and away from the fires, smoke, and the deathmill, to fulfill the training plan. I will be enjoying the evening in the lap of luxury when not out punishing myself on my long run, and then head to training headquarters (a.k.a.- the Wernick Casa) for the remainder of the MEGA weekend.

A little fiesta for the IMC'ers and Kevin who nabbed his Kona slot and a Ironman PR will take place one evening. The rest I am sure will involve a bunch of the following: FOOD, DRINK, foam rolling, compression garments, complaining, soreness, bonking, and internal questioning.

If I make it through it, I think I will be very happy with myself.

My Nemesis

I harbor a serious, deep, and seething dislike for treadmills. I began my running days stuck in the basement of my Law School library running on treadmills and since I sprang free from that institution, I have stayed as far away from these evil creations as possible. I like running. I find it fun, relaxing and a good way to "unwind" but the treadmill, without fail, overwhelms the restorative capabilities of running, and leaves me feeling more "wound up" than when I started. I ran 13mi on a treadmill once and was on the verge of punching someone.

Due to the firestorm that has beset upon the LA area, the ocean breeze has been similarly overwhelmed and the air is thick with lung irritating and nauseating smoke. So last night I found myself aboard a deathmill for my interval run and spent 1:20 of my life that I will never get back in complete mental agony. This morning I was back in the same spot for another 40mins, and it wasn't much easier. Thursday night of Coach's MEGA schedule, calls for a 3hr run. I can't decide which is the better option: 1) Run outside and risk almost certain respiratory irritation/damage, or 2) head for the deathmill and risk my sanity and possibly freedom as the potential is high that I will serve some time for the assault I will almost certainly commit following such a stint.

decisions, decisions....