Friday, October 29, 2010

Ironman Florida, One Week Out

Here we are, just about one week away from Ironman Florida (my first and maybe only Ironman race) and I'm struggling with the question; am I ready? The answer is really irrelevant since there is nothing that can be done between now and then to make me more prepared. The hay is in the barn as one of my old coaches used to say.

Training has been interesting as of late, had a good ride last weekend where my leg blew up at mile 95... you might think that would be discouraging, but I thought it was good. To push the body to the point where it breaks means I got what I needed out of the ride, and I learned what not to do next Saturday! Swimming has been surprisingly good. I've had several long swims where I felt remarkably fresh so I'm not near as worried about that as I should be. As for the run... that is a great unknown at Ironman races. Because it is the last thing I do and I will have been out swimming and running for 7 hours already, I have no idea how my body will feel and perform. I've had a handful of good runs. Not nearly enough and not nearly long enough.

The plan is slow and steady and hopefully I can maintain. Eat plenty, drink plenty, and try to take in the race and enjoy. If I'm having fun the pain should be more tolerable, right? Time goals are dangerous and I feel like I should say my goal is to just finish, but in reality, that is not my goal. I want to go under 12 hours and I think I can.

Aside from how the race will go, another big uncertainty is Ironman Tattoo or not? It is pretty common for people to get the M Dot tattoo. A lot of finishers get it and I've gone back and forth on the idea. My friend John got one on his calf, I think my friend Colin will get one when he finishes. I was sold on putting one on my back/shoulder blade, then I wasn't sure, now I think I will. I guess I'll see how I feel after the race and if the accomplishment means enough to me to get inked.

All in all I'm excited. This will be an experience and something that I know will be tough and teach me a lot about who I am and how tough I am. Also really looking forward to drinking on the beach the day after the race too!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Running, and It Feels so Good!

I have been a bit scared about the prospects of running a marathon as the final leg of an Ironman in just 3 weeks. My run training has been almost nonexistent so I was really nervous when I went and ran a 12 mile trail run last Sunday. Turns out I killed it, felt great the whole way and left feeling somewhat confident. I mixed in a little speedwork and some short runs this week, then hit a 10 mile run this morning. Again, I felt great and never felt any kind of pain or weakness despite that fact that the pace was just a touch under 8 minute miles. It has been difficult recovering from the stress fracture. Not that my leg isn't strong, but there is still some lingering pain and I don't really trust it 100%. These last few runs have been huge at building that trust back. I'm re energized about running again and really looking forward to this upcoming marathon and ultra season, who knows maybe I can be fast!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Tour de Cure 2011

2011 Tour de Cure

Some of you may have heard of the Tour de Cure bicycle rides that help raise money in the fight against diabetes. I've never actually participated in one of these rides, at least not yet. Today I signed up for the 2011 ride this coming May. One of the Gym's I teach classes at is Gold's Gym and their big philanthropy is the American Diabetes Association who as you may know puts on the Tour de Cure. I'm hopeful of putting together a huge group of people from the gym to help raise money and knock out some miles. If you would like to help out by either riding or donating click here.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Yoga and Christianity... Can They Coexixt?

A recent blog post by Southern Baptist Leader Albert Mohler has created a bit of a firestorm about yoga and Christianity. I don't fancy myself an expert on either topic, but I am a Christian and I do yoga so I definitely needed to investigate. Here is a link to the Mohler blog.

Apparently, the yoga I've been taking isn't as intense as some of what he read in Stephanie Syman's book. We talk about chi, we meditate, we reflect, we stretch, we relax. We don't chant or discuss Eastern religious philosophies. Bottom line is it never occurred to me that there was a religious agenda behind my yoga practices. I understand that yoga may have started with roots in India and Hinduism, but are we so closed minded to thing cultural practices can't evolve? Personally, I find that I think about God and my relationship with Christ quite often during a yoga class. It isn't part of the class, not the teachers doing, it is something I choose to do when I want to do it, and I like it.

Now, in full disclosure, I'm not a theologian. My basic religious philosophy centers on my personal relationship with God. I don't read the Bible as much as I should, I go to church probably about half the Sundays. I feel very comfortable about my relationship with Christ, I pray and reflect on the type of life I'm leading. I often take issue with organized religion for several reasons.

I do not like when religions are not accepting and judgmental of teachings that don't fall in lock step with their own. There is so much we don't know about God, how can we possibly make judgments on God's behalf? God's Grace is a wonderful thing.

I do not like preaching of intolerance. We do not all have to be the same to be saved by Christ. Are Catholics any better than Baptists, or Methodists or a little non denominational church in the middle of nowhere?

I do not like preaching of rules and practices that are simply not supported by scripture. (I struggle to support this last argument based on my own weak knowledge of the bible) I feel like the Catholics have made up some unique rules. Some denominations thinking drinking is the Devil's work. Jesus' first miracle was turning water to wine, that is good enough for me.

There seems to be this notion with some people that God doesn't want us to have any fun. To me Yoga, in addition to making me feel healthier, more relaxed, more at peace with myself, is fun. If you can go to a yoga class and represent Christ in your words and actions is that not being a good disciple? As Christians should we avoid all situations that are not filled with other Christians? That seems counterproductive to spreading the good news.

I say relax (which ironically yoga will help you do) and have some fun. Life and religion have plenty of gray areas; try and make them black and white and you'll go crazy. I can't help but think that when Jesus isn't crying over Jersey Shore, he's laughing at us. Leaders like Mohler think they have it all figured out. I know we are all in for a lot of surprises when that final day comes, until then I'll relax and chat with God every Monday night at 7:30. Namaste.

Friday, October 1, 2010

The New Ride, 2006 Honda Element

So I broke down before my old car did and decided to get a new vehicle. I went with something that should be much more practical for me and my lifestyle.

The Element isn't pretty but man is it functional and the gas mileage is pretty solid too. Found a smoking deal in Pensacola so I drove down took it for a spin and Blue and I drove back in the new ride. Good ole Blue wasn't so sure at first, but after about 10 minutes he was making himself at home. Hopefully it will be the first of many happy rides together in the Element.