Monday, December 29, 2014

2014 Year In Review

IMAGE SOURCE
 
 
This year marked my first full Ironman distance race.  Unfortunately, the swim at Ironman FL was canceled due to really bad rip currents.  That why we immediately signed up for Ironman TX 140.6 in 2015.
 
I hope to blog more in 2015.  Between training for Ironman FL, switching jobs, starting a new company and running a Rotary Club my life has been SLAMMED!
 
This year I completed:
  • Ironman Florida 140.6 (Completed race with a hernia)
  • One Century Cycling Ride (Around 6 hours)
  • Two Marathons (Best Time 4:11:85)
  • Two 70.3 (Best Time 5:29:17)
  • One marathon swim (Time 1:13:35)  The other marathon swim got canceled due to lighting
  • Two Half Marathons (Best Time 1:50)
  • Countless thousands of miles of training.
Other accomplishments for the year:
  • Left my old company and took a new job at a great company
  • Started my own Medical Software business (still a work in progress)
  • Finished up my two years as my Rotary Club's President
  • Received the Rotary Precedential Citation with Distinction
  • Received an honorary Rotary Paul Harris Award

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Ironman FL 2014 - Inguinal Hernia

For those of you who don't know IMFL's swim was canceled.  It was crazy cold (40-50F) and crazy windy 20-35mph.

IMFL was my first IM.  I was bummed the swim was canceled but I talked to the person in charge of the swim and I think it was the right call.  The rip currents were the problem.  The morning of the race some kayaks were been turned over and the safety personal could not get back into the kayaks.  The current was pulling the boat anchors around.  The guy next to me for the finisher gear did a warm up swim that morning and stated for every 2 feet forward he would go 8 feet to the right.  It was the right call for safety.  The safety personal would not have been able to do their job if needed.
Also it was SO cold and windy that hypothermia would have been an issue on the bike.  Being wet in low 40s F with 30mph winds and on a bike could have been dangerous.
I did not eat or drink for the first hour on the bike.  It was crazy windy and scary.  I was being blown all over the place (sometimes more than a foot). 
That crazy hard wind and cold made up for the lack of a swim but I’m a pretty good swimmer. 
Am I am Ironman?  I don’t know.  I know I could have finished the swim and the race long before the cut off.  I put in all the hard work/training and I think that is what counts.  I also did the race with a budging inguinal hernia that will require surgery the week after the race (tomorrow).  It appeared 5 days before the race. My first doctor told me NOT to do the race.  The surgeon told me I could but if something went wrong I would be in the ER for emergency surgery.   I could not stand one the bike for fear I could put too much pressure and cause serious issues/damage.  A friend of mine did the race with a broken shoulder.  One guy did the race two days after passing a kidney stone.    That should count for something!  J 
But I have unfinished business with Ironman.  I want that swim!!  So last night my wife and I signed up for Ironman TX 2015
I want to do a post soon about what I have learned about having an Inguinal Hernia and doing an Ironman.  This is little information about it on the internet and I think it could be useful to many men.  This is something many of use may face while training.  I have surgery tomorrow so I will do it afterwards.  I will also do a post(s) about getting back into IM training post-surgery.
 
 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Ironman FL 140.6 Bound

Ironman FL 140.6 Bound
 
For all one of my readers here is an update.
 
I'm Ironman Bound this Saturday!!  This will be my first Ironman.  I was planning to finish around 12-13 hours but things have changed.  I have a medical issue pop-up on Thursday of last week that will need to be operated on when I get back.  I was able to get clearance from the surgeon to do the race but I have to take it easy and if something goes bad I must quit. So know my goal is to finish before the cutoff and healthy.
 
The weather looks pretty good (see below).  Maybe a little cold and windy.
 
I have not been on the bike or running since the medical issue.  I am a little scared but we will have to play it by ear during the race. 
 
 

 
 
Temp starts out at 51F and end around 56F.  A little chilly.
 
Wind kind of sucks.  Basically 10-17 mph all day.
 
0% chance of ran is nice

Monday, October 20, 2014

Ironman FL 140.6 IN 11 DAYS

 
 
The countdown is on!!  Only 11 days till my Ironman FL race! 
 
Sorry for the lack of updates.  SO MUCH is going on with me right now.  I have a huge deadline at work.  I'm starting a new company. I'm training for Ironman FL.  I just got done helping coach the local Special Olympics swim team. And being on the board of directors for my Rotary club.  Most work days start at 5 AM and don't stop till its time for bed at 9:30 pm - 11 pm.  I'm so BURNT.  I've never wanted to clean the house and work on the lawn so much in my life.  I never thought I would see the day where I looked forward to doing the dishes. 
 
 
 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Chattanooga Ironman - Tacks, Oil, Dead Bodies?!

Chattanooga Ironman - Tacks, Oil, Dead Bodies?!

Strange things happened at the inaugural Chattanooga Ironman...tacks, oil and a dead body in the water.

"Gallons of shiny silver oil dumped in the riders' path on narrow, two-lane West Cove Road in Chickamauga, Ga"

"Tacks also were scattered at various points on the bike course, causing numerous flats."  This caused nearly 30 flats.

 "Midway through the swim, a voice crackled on the radio: "Water Ops, we have a body in the water on the north side of the river."

Misunderstanding the nature of the call, the dispatcher responded, "You mean a noncompetitive swimmer in the water?" 

"Negative," the rescue vessel responded. "We have an actual body. It is not a competitor. We repeat, it is NOT a competitor. It is a DOA."

Everyone within earshot of a radio shook their heads in disbelief as the swimmers, unaware of what had been discovered across the river, swam on.


Pretty Good Rant About The Oil and Tack Idiot(s)... I would have been much less debonair if I would have written the article. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/sep/30/iron-tacks-and-liz-baker/


News Sources

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/oct/01/walker-sheriff-helped-route-bikers-around-oil/

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/sep/28/chattanooga-ironman-bike-course-sabotaged-tacks-an/

http://www.nooga.com/167931/photos-the-view-of-ironman-from-the-water/

 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Hutchinson Island 70.3 Results

Just a quick summary of my race results from this weekend.  I will post a race review soon.

Hutchinson Island 70.3 Results
Final 5:29:17

Overall: 24/120
Sex: 20/120
Age Group: 5th

Swim: 37:31
  • This was a hard swim I have done
  • I was 16th out of 120 out of the water :-)  Those masters classes are paying off.
Bike: 2:50:47
Run: 1:57:05

Friday, August 29, 2014

I SO WANT ONE!!
IMAGE SOURCE

Buy me one now here!!

This is on my ever growing Christmas wish list!!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Triathletes Sabotaged with Thumbtacks

I hate to say it but this happens quite often.  I have personally seen it done in Clermont where I live.  Someone dumped two boxes of tacks in two different locations.

Be careful and watch out while you are cycling.


http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/08/19/triathletes-sabotaged-with-thumbtacks-near-steamboat/

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Metalachi - Something completly Un-TRI related

WARNING 1: This is what happens when you over train for an Ironman...

WARNING 2: Some language in the videos and Metalaci link may not be work safe.

OK, I admit I'm a huge 80's rock/metal fan!!  While watching my normal Dio, Queensryche, Metallica, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, etc YouTube videos I somehow came across something completely new.  It is a band called Metalachi.  The world's first (and only) heavy metal mariachi band. 

These guys ROCK!!  Just image if you threw  "The Three Amigos", Kiss, Motley Crue and Gun N Roses and a few Christmas light covered sombreros in a blender, the result would be Metalachi.  These guys have played at some big name bars (Whiskey A Go Go and the Roxy, etc).  They have a unique "talent."




Below is Metalachi's cover of Master of Puppets, Nothing Else Matters and Winds of Change.  AWESOME!! RADICAL!!



We're Not Going To Take It...
 
Dio Rainbow in the Dark Cover...
 

Monday, August 4, 2014

Catch Up

Sorry for the lack of updates for the two of you who read my blog.  :-) 

I've been slammed with Ironman FL training.  This weekend was 77 miles on the bike and 13 miles running.  The 13 miles running was followed by seven hours of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with my family.  I consider that a brick!

Less than 89 days till my Ironman Florida.  This will be my first Ironman full distance event.

Bonnie and I are famous.  We are spotted several time on Ironman's 2013 Appreciation video





 

Thursday, July 3, 2014

RooSport Winners Announced

IMAGE SOURCE


And the winners are...




Roo Sports will be sending you a free RooSport 1.0 Pocket.  What I need you to do is email me your address.  My email address located here

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Win a FREE RooSport 1.0 Pocket

IMAGE SOURCE


Who does not LOVE free stuff!!  RooSports has provided me with TWO RooSport 1.0 Pockets to give away for FREE!!  Two lucky winners will win one a RooSport pocket.

If you are interested here's how to enter.    You can enter multiple times by completing several of the following.
1) Go to RooSport on Facebook and "Like" them.  The link is here.
2) Become a follower of my blog.
3) Comment on this post and let me know how you plan on using your new RooSport Pocket.
4) Mention this giveaway on your blog and link back to this page. (Let me know you blog name so I can check it out)

In your comments please let me know which tasks you have complete. 
 I will announce the winner on the morning of July 3th.

You can read my review of the RooSport pocket here: http://halftriing.blogspot.com/2014/06/roosport-20-wallet-kickstarter.html

The RooSport 2.0 is currently on Kickstarter.  They have already reached half of their Kickstarter goal in less than 12 hours! They are #1 on ALL of Kickstarter in the "Fashion" category and have broken into the Top 25 in the entire world for most "Popular" Kickstarter projects!




Tuesday, June 24, 2014

RooSport 2.0 Wallet - KickStarter



I have the RooSport 1.0  and love it for small runs during lunch time where I have to carry my security badge, my locker key, cash, 1-2 gels, credit card, etc..  It's nice, small and comfortable to carry.  I have used it twice a week for almost 2 years now and have been happy with it.

For me, it's a little to small for anything more than a training run.  I would not want to carry more than about 2 gels in it (but maybe that will change now that it is becoming larger).  I also could not see putting my cell phone into it due to the weight and discomfort (but maybe others do not notice).

The magnets are super strong and I have not had any issues with them.  The material is  nylon and very comfortable.  No chaffing or discomfort. 

It is not waterproof (but none of my belts are).  I always recommend putting all your moisture sensitive items in a zip top bag.

This would be a good product to use while traveling to carry/conceal your valuables and passport.  It would also be good for those days where you only need to carry a few items around instead of carrying your whole purse or wallet.

I am excited to see the new/upgraded version being offered on Kickstarter.  Go check it out here.

RooSports FAQ will answer most of your questions.
RooSports Website
Kickstarter Link


Image Source

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Running Zombies?! What next?!


Stockton Man Says He Was ‘Zombie’ After Swimming In Stanislaus County Reservoir
(See news report about)

Oh, just freaking awesome!!  Like amoebas, sharks, snakes, cars, summer heat, etc. is not enough to worry about while Ironman training.  Now I have to worry about becoming a Zombie!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Shawn's Anomaly Is Needing Help





Shawn’s Anomaly ( http://www.shawnsanomaly.org) is a looking for athletes to volunteer to help spread awareness about children born with birth defects and physical abnormalities.

The H.O.P.E. (Helping Others, Providing Education) flag was created to honor and inspire families affected by congenital birth defects. It is covered with the names of children that are affected or have lost their life to congenital birth defects. Over the past few years, the flag has been carried for many marathons and Ironman triathlons. We can't walk hand in hand with all of the kids across the finish line, but their names can cross with us.

Our goal is to have the H.O.P.E. Flag carried for every marathon mile of every US Ironman in 2014. We are looking for athletes to help this challenge become a reality.

Shawn’s Anomaly is the only non-profit dedicated to the mission of providing education, hope, and help to families affected by congenital anomalies

Sadly, birth defects are often overlooked by society unless it hits you close to home. Shawn, was born with several birth defects including one that affects 1 in 35,000,000 children. The feelings of hopelessness and the unknown that his parents (Matthew & Rachel Murphy) felt should never be felt by any parent. They decided to do whatever it took to prevent another family from going through what they did again alone.

We are looking for 2014 Ironman participates to carry the flag during the run portion of the Ironman. We are going to document the athlete's stories and training while pairing them up with a family affected by congenital anomalies The plan to tell each family's story and invite them to be there when the athletes finishes with the flag to catch their reaction. Once we collect all the athlete and family stories, we will then put them in an online documentary series called the Stories of H.O.P.E.

For additional information please contact: ShawnsIronman@gmail.com

Information about the H.O.P.E.: Flag Challenge: http://www.hopeflagchallenge.com

Information Shawn’s Anomaly: http://www.shawnanomaly.org

Information about the hope flag: http://www.shawnsironman.com/p/hope-flag.html

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

91-Year-Old Woman Breaks Marathon Record

IMAGE SOURCE

Click Here for the NPR news report

This is awesome.  A 91 year old woman just ran a marathon over the weekend and set a record for her age group.

"Thompson finished Sunday's race in 7 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds. It was her 15th marathon in 16 years. She started running the San Diego race at age 76, missing only last year's because of oral cancer.

Thompson has been battling skin cancer recently. She told reporters she had undergone nine radiation treatments in 11 days, the last one coming just a month before the race. She wore bandages and tights to cover wounds left by the treatment" <SOURCE>


SIDE NOTE:

I just completed Ironman Raleigh 70.3.  In the next few days I will post a review. 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Weekend Update: Parting, Training, Special Olympics Coaching and Raleigh 70.3 Bound

Weekend Update: Parting, Training, Special Olympics Coaching and Raleigh 70.3 Bound

This weekend I will be Raleigh 70.3 bound.
It will be the first training race in my
Ironman FL training season.


My teams board of weekend racers.

Bonnie and I after our Saturday training.
Damn, I've gotten skinny!


Yes all three plates at the end of the table are mine!!
Two eggs, hash browns, turkey sausage, toast and a plain pancake.
How do I stay skinny again.  I'm a pig!


It's our teams Memorial Day Party.
It is like a where's Waldo.  I'm in the middle "hydrating" with a beer.

Tonight will be the first time I ever try coaching someone!!
I will be helping to coach our local Special Olympic swim team.
I hope I can do it.
Man of War Swim Team

Monday, May 19, 2014

Triple Brick Saturday

The Triple Brick Saturday

Saturday was the first triple brick of the season. 

The brick consisted of:
  • 22 Mile Bike
  • 5   Mile Run
  • 22 Mile Bike
  • 4   Mile Run
  • 22 Mile Bike
  • 3   Mile Run
The bike had two options "hard" and "easy".  The "hard" route made you do the Buckhill and Sugarloaf hills a total of SIX times.  I bet you can guess which route "Mr Over-Achieve" did.  Needless to say I was tired when I finished  :-(  I must be getting stronger on the bike because all my Sugarloaf climbs were done in the seated position.


The hard SUGARloaf Hill Route




The easy "non-SUGARLOAF" Route
LOL





The shoe I found while on the run.
It must have belongs to a little guy named "Ken"

After the ride my coach threw ice water on me to cool me down.
!?REFRESHING?!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Coming Soon: Jack Beattie's 25th (2014) Annual Lake Swim & Pancake Breakfast

Jack Beattie's 25th (2014) Annual Lake Swim & Pancake Breakfast



You must be leaving under a rock if you live in Central Florida and have not heard of (or participated in) Jack Beattie's Lake Swim and Pancake Breakfast.  This is an awesome and FREE event.  To learn more go to my 2013 post about the event

You should first go to Lucky’s Lake Swim at 7:45 am and then head over to Jack's to swim some more.

I think last year they had about 100 swimmers.

You can see pictures of previous years swims here and here.

Jack Beattie's 25nd Annual Masters Mile (Lake Maitland)
Saturday June 7th
10:30 AM  with a pancake brunch afterwards till 1:00 PM
561 Via Lugano
Winter Park, FL 32789



Jack and I before the 2014 lake swim


After the event there is a HUGE and FREE breakfast spread

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Hurricane Man 2.4 Mile Swim..The Race that never happened..

Last Saturday was supposed to be my first 2.4 mile open water swim race but it got canceled due to the rain.  It was being held in St Petersburg, FL.  Luckily this area of town is my old stomping grounds.  I went to school on 54th Ave south so when the race got canceled I knew many places to go and have some fun.
 
Being that it was so early in the morning and I was skipping my normal morning routine to do the race I needed to get my exercise in.  So I found a local LA Fitness and swam for one hour.

Haslam's is AWESOME!!
IMAGE SOURCE
 
After the swim, I called a buddy of mine and we met up at Haslam’s Book Store (Florida’s largest new and used book store   This place is really cool.  It’s a HUGE, 60 year old book store of new, used and rare books.    It’s always on my todo list when I visit St Pete.
I love this place.
My next stop was Cigar City Brewing in Tampa.  For those of you who don’t know, my other hobby (other than triathlons) is home brewing beer, wine, cider and mead (honey wine).  Cigar City is one of my favorite breweries and it happens to be in Tampa, FL (on my way home).  I took the brewery tour (for the second time) and had a beer. 
While at the brewery I found a new cycling jersey (can I get a WooWoo!!)
So even though the race got canceled I had a blast.  I will try the 2.4 mile open water swim again in August.  This ones in Jacksonville (which happens to have over 12 microbreweries in the area J )

 
Barreled aged beers!! My favorite. 
Wood makes everything taste better.
 
The back of the brewery
 


The first three brewing tanks (A1, D2, and C3)
Which have been renamed by the brewers (with photos) as
A1 = with photo of a cow..Get it A1 steak sauce and cows
D2 = R2D2 with photo of Star Wars R2D2
C3 = C#PO with photo of Star Wars C3PO


The back part of the tasting room

My new Jersey
(no I don't shave on the weekends)

My LOONNGG arm selfie.
 

I just had to buy it.
Now I need a Terrapin Brewery jersey.

Back side

 

 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

I know I am slow but...

My last 70.3 finish line photo.
IMAGE SOURCE


I received an email from WTC yesterday and apparently Ironman thinks I should be in the "Physically Challenged" category for the Ironman Raleigh 70.3. 

I guess my past times have been so slow that they must think there is something wrong with me. 

Thanks Ironman...I'm just speed challenged!!.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Strange things I saw this week!!

Strange things I saw this week!!

A 7 foot alligator about 5 feet away from where I was riding my bike.

I think he was getting pissed at the family of six from MI who were
staring at him.  It's not to often you see an alligator in Lake
Michigan!


I strange man who REALLY needed to shave before his ride.

My new Mexican Lucha Libre swim cap!!
I look totally awesome.  I did a fly elbow off
the swim blocks onto my lane mate
for the 3 count!!


Summer is coming.  The air plant is blooming.


And so is the Africa Iris

And this air plan is confused because it is only suppose to
bloom in spring.


My friend runs an ice cream shop and had to get
rid of his pineapple and mango chunks and purees.
He had no use for them so I started my
Pineapple Mango wine!!

The girls at Rotary went painting and asked me to go.
Bonnie was suppose to go but bailed at the last minute.
This is my wine class painting.  Not to bad considering
my last paintings were in kindergarten using my finger
and were hung up on the refrigerator by mommy.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Caution Low Flying Drones

Maybe not quite the same type of drone!! :-)
IMAGE SOURCE

Yet another thing to worry about while racing!!  "Triathlete injured as drone filming race falls to ground"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-07/triathlete-injured-as-drone-filming-race-drops-to-ground/5371658