New 13.1 PR 

1:38:54

2nd out of 35 in Age Group

22 Overall out of 720 participants

Still looking good after all these years

Finally I get to ring the bell

Oh Great!! Man Eating Crocodiles in FL

Oh Great!! Now we have "Man Eating Crocodiles in FL"?  

By Sarah McCans - http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarah_mccans/290053263/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7960247

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/man-eating-nile-crocodiles-found-florida-origin-un/nrQkn/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/florida-nile-crocodile_us_573f7902e4b0613b512a5d3d

SOURCE
By MathKnight and Zachi Evenor - Own work, CC BY 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36133676

Ironman TX Bike Course Mess

 

 

http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/IM_Texas_course_revealed_5742.html

 

Holy cow, I am glad I am not doing IMTX this year.  This race had an AWESOME bike route but this year due to rain, construction, acts of god, the global warming, El Nino, etc. the route had to be changed and SHORTENED!!  The route is now only 94 miles.  The route has about 80 turns.  There is a turn about every 1.1 miles on average.  That is going to be a mother of a route. I also feel for those who have to do a shortened race.  My first Ironman had the swim canceled and it was a heartbreaker.

 

 

Saucony Zealot ISO Running Shoes Review

A good shoe is like a old friend.  You go though both the good times and bad times together.  Together you push through the heat, pain, joys, fears, etc. 

 

This year I had to say goodbye to my old friend the Saucony Mirage (review).  My friend helped me through dozens of 13.1, a half dozen 26.2, a dozen 70.3 and three 140.6. We had five models and many, many years together..  We had some good years and a not so good year.  The Mirage 4 was not your best model but the Mirage 5 added some much needed changes and I had high hopes of spending many more years with my old friend.  But Saucony said they had enough of you and discontinued make you. 

 

This year I had to find a new friend to train with.  I have IM Chat 140.6 later in the year.  I did not know how I could ever find a friend to replace the Saucony Mirage. 

 

2015 ZEALOT ISO (SOURCE)

 

 

Saucony then introduced me to a new sexy model called the Zealot ISO.  They said she was just like the Mirage.  So when my last set of Mirages had to be put to rest I had to move onto my new friend the Zealot ISO.  With tears in my eyes I put on the new Zealot's and we went out on a running date.

 

The date started off slow as we got to know each other I found my new friend very comfortable.  I am sad to say she is a great replacement for the Mirage.  The new shoe is very well constructed and extremely comfortable.  It breaths very well in the hot Florida heat.  It has a 4mm offset (like the Mirage).  The Red/Black/Silver model is really cool looking also.

 

I highly recommend the Zealot ISO.  It is a great replacement for the Mirage and the Zealot has become my primary running shoe. 

 

For more information on the Zealot (see Saucony page here)

 

 

(SOURCE)

 

2015 Was A Busy Year

 

 

 

 

It was not a great blogging year but it was a VERY busy year. 

• Two 140.6 Ironman
• Ironman Texas
• Beach 2 Battleship
• Two 100 mile cycling races
• Two 70.3
• One Goofy (Half Marathon followed the next day with a marathon)
• One Olympic

 

A new Ironman PR was made at Beach 2 Battleship.  I smashed it with a 11:46:16. 

Swim:   50:53

T1:       10:02

Bike:     6:07:59

T2:        9:48

Run       4:27:37

Overall: 11:46:16

 

  Next year I have planned:

• Best Damn Race 13.1
• Ironman FL 70.3
• Ironman Chat

Who is really in charge of Wanda Group and now Ironman.

About "owners":

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/world/asia/wang-jianlin-abillionaire-at-the-intersection-of-business-and-power-in-china.html?referrer=

About the sale:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/ironman-to-be-acquired-by-chinas-dalian-wanda-1440642571

Huge 920-pound gator captured in Alabama lake

IMAGE SOURCE

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/23/giant-alabama-alligator/32242003/

Be careful where you swim in AL!!

Cyclist Hit By Chunk Of Concrete

Cyclist Hit By Chunk Of Concrete

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/08/09/answers-tough-to-find-after-cyclist-hit-by-chunk-of-concrete/

If you live in Minneapolis watch out and contact the local authorities if you have any information.. 

I would like to say this is rare but I have seen it in Orlando also.  I have had beer bottles thrown at me while cycling AND running.  I seen tacks throw onto the road. Car intentionally try to get close to cyclist.  At IM Chat they had oil and tacks on put on the road.

Watch out and be careful.

Saucony Ride 8 Review

Saucony Ride 8 Review

IMAGE SOURCE

IMAGE SOURCE

IMAGE SOURCE

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of trying on the new Saucony Ride 8 shoes and wow was I impressed!  They shoes are seriously comfortable. 

The Ride 8 is a much more plush shoe that I am use to.  I am use to running almost exclusively in the Saucony Mirage shoe which is a 4mm drop and is a firm and responsive shoe.  Usually plush shoes are not very comfortable on my feet but this is shoe is different.  I found it was not too slug like the other plush shoes I have tried on.  This was a little larger in the toe box than the Mirage 8 but still fit fine.

I did notice a slight difference in the 8mm vs. the 4mm drop that I am use to running it.  It was not a big deal though.  It's just something that I noticed.

They are also slightly heavier (14 grams more) than my current shoe but for a plush shoe I found them surprisingly light.

I have the Silver / Red / Citron model (see photos above) and this is a really cool looking shoe.

This a great overall shoe for someone who can wear a normal fitting shoe.  I highly recommend these shoes.  I they will now become my go to shoe for long training runs!

See other reviews here:

• GetOutThereGear Review
• Gear Institute

SPECS (From Saucony)

• Shoe Category: Neutral
• Pronation: Neutral
• Cushion: Plush
• Construction Type: Neutral
• Surface: Road, Track
• Arch: High, Normal (Mid)
• Water Resistant: No
• Waterproof: No
• Offset: 8mm
  • Heel Stack Height: 26mm
  • Forefoot Stack Height: 18mm

Garmin Varia Rearview Bike Radar

Garmin Varia Rearview Bike Radar

Edge computer or Varia head unit can show multiple approaching vehicles and indicates the relative speed of approach and threat level.

This is an new an interesting technology I would like to try out.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod518151.html

Cheap Medal Hangers

I got several "honey dos" done this weekend.  One tasks was hanging up both Bonnie and my race medals.  I used a curtain rod and clips.  The total cost was about $30 a piece.  I think they come out pretty nice. Each wall has about 40 medals hanging. 

 

The hand painted artwork was created
and gifted to us by a fellow Ironman.

Bonnie's has many more medals.  She focused more on marathons
while I focused on 70.3s.

 

Saucony Mirage 5 Review



Saucony Mirage 5

IMAGE SOURCE

 

Saucony Mirage 5 Review

 

Saucony Mirage 5 Details

SPECS

• Shoe Category: Guidance, Natural Running
• Pronation: Moderate
• Cushion: Responsive
• Construction Type: Natural Motion
• Surface: Road, Track
• Arch: Normal (Mid), Low
• Water Resistant: No
• Waterproof: No
• Offset: 4mm
  • Heel Stack Height: 22mm
  • Forefoot Stack Height: 18mm

 

Sorry this review is a month or so behind.  I've been training for the May Ironman TX, working and starting a new business.  Needless to say life has been very busy!

 

I have been running in the Mirage series of shoes since the first Mirage model.  I love this shoe model.  Every year I try on other models and brands but I keep coming back to the Mirage.

 

I have gone through three Mirage 4 and two Mirage 3 in the past year and half of two Ironman trainings.  I loves both models but I the Mirage 4 had some major flaws.  The first being they wore out really fast.  Keep in mind I am training for an Ironman though.  The uppers of the shoe has a fine white/silver mesh that "fuzes" out in the first several months (the Mirage 3 did not have this issue).  After that developed two holes in the fabric of the shoes.  The bottoms also wore out pretty fast.  Even with these issues I love these shoes.  I just wish they would have lasted longer.

 

 

Fuzzy Issues with Mirage 4

 

 

 

Mirage 4 wear and tear

 

 

I can not wait till after Ironman TX to put these shoes on and go for a long run.  Just last night I laced up a new pair of the Mirage 4 that will carry me through Ironman TX in May.

 

The Mirage 5 looks like a big improvement on the Mirage 4.  The Mirage 5 has a completely remodeled upper.  This upper no longer include the "fuzing" mesh (with was only cosmetic in nature).  My first impression of these shoes are they are gorgeous.  I love the colors.  The new upper material no longs has the fuzzy mesh (so it should last longer).  I have not had much time to run in them yet because of Ironman TX training.  I do not want to switch shoes this close to the race.  From the time I have had in they the are very comfortable.

 

The uppers are made out of a seamless breathable mesh that is extremely comfortable and breathable.  They will not cause any hot spots or toe nail issues.  The mesh makes them feel like putting on slippers.

 

The shoes has 4mm drop that seems to be my sweet spot for comfort.

 

From what I can tell the men's Mirage 5 comes in two colors red/black and navy/citron.  The red/back are really awesome.

 

These shoes are awesome and I can not wait till after Ironman TX to put these shoes on and go for a long run.  I highly recommend the Mirage series of shoes.  They are lightweight and very comfortable.  The Mirage 5 looks like it fixed all the minor issues I had with the previous model.

 

 

The Mirage 5 New Uppers

 

 

Orlando City Soccar Inaugural MLS Game

They dressed up the Citrus Bowl.

 

On Sunday (after our 85 mile bike ride) Bonnie and I went to the inaugural MLS game of Orlando City Soccer (err.. football).  It was the second largest attended MLS EVER!!  The stadium as 60K seats and 62K people attended the game.  2K people bought standing room only seats!!

 

The fans were wild.  I have never been to an MLS game but I have a feeling now that Orlando has hit the big time we will be attending many more.  We had a great time.

 

 

Our seats at the 50 yard line
(hey, it's football right)

 

 

The crazy people section

 

Cool banner

 

LED Score Board

IRONMAN HUNGRY!!

I don't know what it is about Ironman training that turns me into a bottomless pit but I am ALWAYS hungry.  I have turned my desk into a grocery store.  I bring enough fruit for a week but I eat it all in two days.  I eat my lunch for breakfast.  I can not seem to get enough food down my mouth.  What is it about Ironman training that makes me turn into a bottomless, crazy, bacon (hamburger, steak, ice cream....) craving, maniac?!



I smelled bacon on my run today and felt EXACTLY like this!!

 

 

80 Days Till Ironman TX

I have only 80 days till Ironman TX.  Even before IMTX I have the following let to accomplish:

• 03/14 - Ride to Remember Century
• 03/29 - Gran Fondo, FL Century
• 04/12 - IMFL 70.3
• 04/24 - Brake the Cycle Century
• 05/02 - Hurricane Man Marathon Swim
• 05/16 - IM TX 140.6

I have no clue how I am going to do it.  I SO TIRED!!  Bonnie yelled at me in the morning because I did not sleep all night.  I just tossed and turned and talked in my sleep.  At work I am a functional zombie.

 

 

 

 

Ironmann Texas 2015

(IMAGE SOURCE)

 

 

Guess where Bonnie and I will be this May?!  Anyone going to be there? 

 

Bonnie wants to finish the race in her boots and cowboy hat.  I just want to cross the finish line not requiring another surgery.

 

I've been training with two new coaches. 

 

My new master's swim coach seems to think I'm a swimmer (not a triathlete) and has proceeded to pound me into submission.  I keep telling here I AM NOT A SWIMMER but she does not listen.  I can not keep up with all the real swimmers.  Many of them swam in college (I just drank and struck out with girls in college).  One tried out for the Olympic team and another holds a breast stroke record.  I do not stand a chance!! But it does make me a faster and better triathlete "swimmer."

 

My new run coach seems to think I'm a slacker and am holding back.  On Thursday we did a tempo run with about seven people.  All but two (one was me) of these people are Boston qualifiers.  My warm up was at a 7:15 pace (which I held for a little then proceeded to dropped like a rock/bolder).  I think she will make me a much better runner.  This is one area I could really improve in.

 

Hope everyone is doing well.  Hopefully I will see some of you at Texas this year.

 

 

Goofy 2015

Unshaven Tired Self



!!! Squirrel !!!



Our bling



Bling Selfie



Half, Full & Goofy medals



Very cold Saturday Morning



The crew after the event

Feeling Goofy 2015

 

Guess who was crazy enough to sign up for Goofy 2015 and will be running it this weekend?  For those of you who don't know Goofy is where you race the Disney 13.1 on Saturday followed by the 26.2 on Sunday followed by hating life on Monday.  :-)

 

 

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

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.