Pac Crest here I come

10:30 Thursday morning. I am packed and waiting to get out of Portland and heading to Sun River OR. In two days I will tackle a Half Ironman Triathlon at Pacific Crest, 1.2 mile swim, 58 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. I have been training since about January or February for this event. I am sitting here a little antsy, I want to get going, I am just a bit anxious. I know I am ready, this is a big test. Why am I doing this, well there are many reason and they have evolved over the winter and spring. The main reasons are, I wanted the challenge and I needed to channel some emotions in an appropriate direction. When it comes down to it this training has been good therapy.

Late last fall my life took a turn I wish had not come about and it hit me pretty hard. I had to do something. As my work schedule began to calm I found some swimming lesson that fit my schedule, programmed in some running and cycling, worked on swimming outside of my lessons and slowly built a physical base. Two weeks ago I completed an Olympic distance Tri. For A guy who just started taking swim lessons in February I am pretty pleased with myself. I swam 1500 meters and still was able to ride and run. The swim this coming Saturday will be only 500 meters further than the Olympic distance swim so I am confident.

The training allowed me to shed emotions, work through what was going on or simply forget things for a bit. I have reflected, swore, cried, dreamed, smiled, learned, processed, I believe I have grown, I am a better me. I am thankful.

Most of my running lately has been on trails either solo or with a friend. The trails provide so much solitude and beautiful scenery. I also want to get a MTN. Bike for this same reason. I just want to be on a trail somewhere taking in the sights and enjoying myself and those with me. I want to continue to be at peace, a peace that I have rediscovered from exercise, enjoying the outdoors and those around me. Work and my house projects will always be there and I will take care of that when I need to, but I want to live and be aware. Life is too short and should be shared, enjoyed and relished. Why don't you come along sometime?

When I am cycling up Mt. Bachelor on Saturday it will be with a smile on my face and the knowledge that all is well and it will only continue to be. Bachelor I am going to kick your ass, see you Saturday.

Peace

Portland, cloudy, the gods must be pissed.

Okay, I don't know who in Portland has pissed off the Gods, but please make amends. Prostrate yourself before your master, burn incense, sacrifice a virgin, pray, ask forgiveness. I don't care how you do it just make yourself right with your lord, master, God, supreme being, et al. I am simply tired of the rain and clouds. I want sunshine and warmth. I did nothing to deserve this, nor did the rest of the population of Portland. Get right with your lord. End of story.

Pray

Training, living, mocking, drinking, wrecking.

Well, I have been training, working, living, painting, attending parties, mocking, and wrecking. I have been in the open water about four or five times since I last posted, good stuff, so much better than the back and forth in the pool.

Amongst all the training; I have been trying to finish painting my living room, which had to be proceeded by plaster patching. I have discovered I have no patience for the tedium of plaster work, but it is done. And the rather uneven work I did I am willing to just call character, which hopefully matches me. With spring here, they say it is suppose to get sunny sometime..., ha, liars. Anyway I find myself outside working in the yard quite a bit as well. I feel a little like a pin ball and probably appear to be a little ADD, bouncing from one project to another and training. Oh spread gravel, oh go run, oh texture wall, oh go swim, oh go paint, oh go for a ride, oh damn there are some weeds. It keeps down the tedium and varies my activities. Besides I really have not been able to sit still for a few months now. I chalk that up to more energy due to a more balanced life.

Recent racing has included a Trail run race in Forest Park, which I entered at the last minute and did surprisingly well. That day also included an impromptu party which I like to call "when training meets Tequila." Let's see, run a 20 K in the morning attend BBQ party in evening where the Margaritas were made correctly, meaning lots of tequila in use. Emily your "ritas" are wicked. Said margaritas forced a post party rest day in which the only major thing I accomplished was three naps.

Mocking, despite bouncing from project to project, drinking tequila, etc. I was able to put all three disciplines into a race. Just under a week ago I participated in my first Tri. The local Tri club, of which I am a member puts on a Mock Tri to give newbies a chance to race without the real pressure of a true competition. The only timing done is if you set your own watch. All in all I did well. Swim was good, needs improvement, but I was not the last one out of the water and I did not freak out. I came out of the water at a dead run passing at least 9- 12 people, have to make up time. Bike went well hammered the 13.5 miles and I was able to pound out the 3.1 mile run, although it took about a mile to feel like I was really running like I should. That transition from bike to run is an odd one.

Wrecking, I headed out to Rocky Butte yesterday for some hill repeats. I managed to get two under my belt when for no apparent or particular reason I crashed, rather spectacularly. All I know is all of the sudden I was going down. I was able to clip out of the side the bike was going down on and in a modified fashion surfed on top of my bike. Damage list includes, scraped wrist, broken watch, bent rear skewer, rear wheel way out of true, minor bike frame tweak, scraped up bar tape, scraped bike seat, sore hips. I actually avoided going down on my knees. I was sprawled and sliding atop and over my bike on my hands and feet. I must have slid a good 10 to 15 feet, so Cycle Path is fixing up the bike. They will true the rear wheel, the frame is not so badly tweaked as to make it unsafe to ride. I am having them put on new bar tape and do a general tune up. I will also get a new chain as the one I have was pretty worn. I just need to find a new blue seat to match my blue bar tape. The wreck is giving me the opportunity to geek out my bike. Pictures to follow soon.


Words: industrious
diligent
wreckage

Open Water Swim

Did my first open water swim tonight with my new wet suit. Had a friend coach me on sighting and provided great encouragement. Swam about 700 to 800 yards in total. I can do this... I can do this.. I will do this.

Thanks Lindsay


Word: encouragement

Back on Track

So I was a little distracted and tired a few weeks ago but training is back on track. Lots of Running Riding and Swimming. Swimming is coming along well technique and form are coming along great, now I just need to build the endurance to go the distance. I will get there. I know I can do it, I am an athlete. Lots of support from friends, a good coach and shear will, will get me to my goal. I am having fun and the effort is paying off on many levels; increased skill, endurance and the excersise leaves me satisfied and recharged. All this excercise and focus on the goal has been good therapy for me. I believe it has made me a better person for the stress relief and focus it gives me. I am hooked on endorphins. It has allowed me to think and process as well as leave my cares and worries behind me. I am a happier person. The challenge is great.


Word:endurance

Derailed

My training, this last week, was derailed. I have plenty of excuses but no real reasons. I am, however, undaunted and will press forward. I am doing what I want and having fun. Just need to bring back a little focus. I'm good.


Word: committed

New Toy

I purchased a bike stand this weekend for working on my bike, plus a chain cleaner and assorted other goodies, including a long sleeve jersey. Damn Performance and their ubiquitous good deals and clearance rack. So, I have had my bike for over a year now, and currently have my eye on three other bikes, I am becoming a gear head. Cleaning and doing the minor maintenance I am capable of was a pain without a stand. So it was time to pony up and make the purchase. I got it home and immediately set it up and spent the next two hours cleaning my bike. A clean bike is a happy bike. I like new toys. This bike stuff is fun.

So I mentioned I also purchased a long sleeve bike jersey off of the clearance rack. I really like bike clothing because they actually make long sleeves long enough to cover my long ass monkey arms. I would probably wear this stuff more if it wasn't for the mandatory three back pockets. Although in Portland I could get away with bike jersey wearing as a fashion statement, especially if I doff my orange hand made wool cycling hat. I am so vain.

I completed another good full week of training. The week was capped off by a great weekend of friends, running and riding. Friday was a rest day and went to a show, The Black Keys. Managed to still get up at 7:30 Saturday and go for a long run with Jen, Em, Andrea and ...and... damn I can't think of her name. Put in 12.5 miles of low intensity trail running. Went out again Saturday night. Belgian Beer Fest, dinner and beers with Jon and Malia. Once again arose in reasonably good shape and by afternoon ventured out to Marine drive and up to Springdale and returned making for good solid 41 mile ride. Then it was off to watch the last half of The tour de Flanders race with Mike. Well, Performance is close to the pub where the race was on and knowing I had a bit of extra cash from some overtime it was time to get the work stand. It actually is quite collapsible and portable making it a great item to take along if I think I need my stand at a race.

So, here is to good friends, exercise and new toys. Oh and while you are raising a pint in a toast, today marks the anniversary of the beginning of the repeal of prohibition. 75 years ago today it was legal to consume and make 3.2% beer. A fine thing indeed.

Word: full