Georgia Runs

I need you all to log on and VOTE!

2008-11-29T10:47:00.001-05:00

Big News!

My band buds from Drunks Don't Lie made the finals!

I need you all to log on and VOTE!

Please logon and vote, the whole process is only going to take you 5 minutes and heck it's the off season, so I know you guys have the time.

Voting ends on December 5^th so please do not delay.

Here are the instructions and a message from the band:

Hello Friends,

Little Steven's Underground Garage, Channel 25 on Sirius Satellite Radio, has selected Drunks Dont Lie as a Semifinalist in The Greatest Unsigned Band in the World contest. The top 3 bands with the most votes out of 12 Semifinalists will advance to the Finals, which takes place as a live show on January 17th at Piano's in New York City. A celebrity panel of judges will select the winner of the live show to be signed to a record deal with Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records!

Drunks Dont Lie needs your help to get into the Finals and play the live show in New York. We need you to vote.

Voting for the Semifinals has already begun at

www.goldiesgarage.us
and runs from Friday November 21st through December 5th. You are allowed to vote ONE TIME PER EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please refer to or print out the step-by-step instructions for voting as listed below. It is a very easy process and will only take a few minutes of your time.

For those of you who voted to get us this far, we thank you. Please spread the word to family and friends and help Drunks Dont Lie realize their dream. This is like the American Idol for garage bands! With your help we really have a chance to get into the Finals and win at the live show. All we need is that chance. Your vote will get us there. If you are already registered, just sign in and vote! If you are new to the process or just need a reminder:

1. Go to www.goldiesgarage.us.

2. At the upper right hand portion of your screen, see the REGISTER HERE box. Click on the little green circle with the + in it- this is where you REGISTER.

3. Now you are at the REGISTRATION page. All it will ask you for is your name, username, email, and password - then click on SEND REGISTRATION.

4. The screen will now say REGISTRATION COMPLETE: Your account has been created and an activation link has been sent to the e-mail address you entered. You must activate the account by clicking on the activation link when you get the e-mail before you can login.

5. Now go to your EMAIL ACCOUNT – open the email from 'Goldies Garage' and click on the first link to activate the account. Now you'll see a new window open up a Goldies Garage page that says ACTIVATION COMPLETE! Now close this page to go back to your email. Click on the second link to take you back to Goldiesgarage Home page.

6. At the upper right hand part of the screen, log in with your Username and password.

7. Now your name will appear on the home page showing that you are logged in- click on VOTE!

8. Now the names of all the bands will appear on the screen – scroll down to DRUNKS DONT LIE and click on the circle next to our name. Then scroll down and click on VOTE.

That's it. We appreciate your spending a few minutes to help us. Please spread the word!

If you haven't already, become a friend at: www.myspace.com/drunksdontlie.

Much Love,

DRUNKS DONT LIE

2008 Emerald Point Triathlon race report:

2008-10-08T18:06:00.003-04:00

What a long few days it been…

If you're short on time and don't want to read extended weekend report, then….

My race weekend started something like this.

Friday night the spousal unit informed me that we were having a yard sale Saturday with our neighbors and I needed to get in the garage attic and retrieve all of the kid stuff I have been packing away. I wasn't really thrilled with the idea of a yard sale, but I did want to get rid of the things the kids have out grown.

So I went to bed at approx 22:00, I didn't sleep well. We have been getting lots or rumors at the office that layoffs were coming and while I didn't think I would be one of the employees released it was on my mind. I had been keeping my thoughts to myself, no need to get everyone to def con 3 over rumors. So as I awoke during Friday night I kept thinking to myself, "it's the night before the night that counts for sleep", talk about pressure. Saturday morning came and I was allowed to sleep in to about 08:30ish when I was asked to get going and start prepping for the yard sale. I got going and started to unpack the old bikes, scooters and strollers that we have been collecting and all the while reminiscing about when the kids got that bike and that scooter from Santa and all the Band-Aids it took to patch them up. We got all of our past treasures out and price marked and off we went. As the day wore on the empty beer bottles started to collect and I ended up having a few too many, well not really, but the day before a race it's not really a good idea to have more than say 5. I was in the sun and on my feet all day and with a few beers I had I was tired and ready for a nap. I never got the nap, but I did get to clean my bike and pack all my gear and load the car. This is where it starts to get good.

With the day almost done and with all my gear packed in the car all I needed to do was get some sleep. My oldest daughter is a 4^th grade cheerleader and Sunday (also the day of my race) was the big Cheer-off competition. The girls had all be over the coach's house curling hair and all that type of girl stuff I have no idea about. The girls got back to the house sometime after dark but the spousal unit was looking for a shower cap so she could try to preserve the hairdo and needed to run to the store to buy one. Let me back up my story for just one second, my car is packed and my race is in the early AM, so I left my packed car in the driveway rather than in the garage, ok, I can continue. My wife, jumps in the family truckster and pops it in reverse, check the rear view and guns it. A few seconds later I hear screaming, not a good sign, I run over and I see her at garage door and she's crying. Now I know both kids are in the house and safe, but, but, but, my car wasn't so lucky. She took her car and deflowered my car in a bad way. My car took the brunt of the action and both port side doors have a good crease in them. So she's upset, I'm not thrilled, but I'm happy no one was hurt and most of all I'm glad it was her and not me smashing the cars together. So after looking at the wreckage, she ask "Do you think they can buff it out?" not unless they have some magic pixie dust.

Shortly after that I got off to bed, but I kept waking up, I just couldn't sleep. I woke before the alarm and snuck downstairs and got ready for the race. I ate my peanut butter oat bar and shot a GU and drank a large glass of water. Got into my wreck of a car and headed to the race.

I got to Lake Lanier Islands early enough to get a parking spot opposite the transition area, racers showing up later had to park a approx a mile away, so the early triathlete gets the good parking. I was able to get to packet pickup, get body marked and use the portlets without much trouble. My rack was seconds to last in the back by the run out, good spot and easy to find. I set up my gear in no time, not too much to it. My big question was whether to wear my wetsuit or not, I mean it's only 400m right. Not too many people were wearing them so I was starting to feel like a wimp, but in the end quite a few did. My thought process was, I've never wore one in a race and I bought one in the spring and only wore it twice, and I really wanted to race in it once to gain the experience and to justify the cost. So I pulled it on and I've glad I did because it was really cold out waiting for the swim.

So the race:

I was in the fourth waive (40-44 + 45-49 + Clydes in age group) , so it was a decent size waive, 100-110 give or take. It was a shore start and I found some ground on the left side of a counter clock wise swim. Funny, as I was waiting for our group to get into the corral I was standing and talking to a big guy, arms like my thighs. Anyway his woman came over and wished him good luck and said "Don't break anyone's nose this time". At that point I found a new place to start, I know wimpy right? So the horn goes off and here we go, everyone gets in the water and start swimming, but just as I think to myself "cool I can see feet" the pack got jammed up and everyone stopped, WFT, GO! It was tight quarters, it's a short swim, and I could not get outside and start passing. More than once, maybe twice I had to actually stop and kind of breast stroke / doggy paddle because we were stopped. Note to self and other, if you can swim get up front! After the initial cluster %$^#$ I was feeling pretty good and proceeded to jam myself between others to get ahead. I was cautious, I did not want to wreak anyone on the swim, I know how getting swum over can freak someone out. At the halfway point I found some real state and got going, I wasn't looking for any feet, I just wanted some space. Out of the water I went, feeling good, I unzipped the suit and pulled my arms off and ran up the mountain of a hill into T1, and actually I walked part of the steep section. The timing mat was just outside transition, so swim times include the run, I was thinking "hell they could make this thing into a duo easy".

T1, not too bad for me, I got out of my wetsuit and got my gear on, the hardest part was getting the arm warmers on my wet arms. I grabbed my bike and got out of T1.

The bike was fun, it had its hills, and for me once I pay that gravity bill, the down hills are fast. For a short course it was fun, it was up and down and full of lot of turns. I took the first few miles at a slightly less than race pace to get in my HR under control and see how I felt. At about mile 4 I was ready to go and I feeling good. I hit the up hills hard and got out of the saddle, and was able to stay aero most of the time. I got to pass many rides and I wished them all luck, not this is not to say I wasn't passed, because I was. I love the sound of a disk wheel coming up on me, it makes me give it just a little more. At about the halfway point the "bike law" came up on me and pack of riders. I knew what was about to happen, I had nothing to fear because I was down hill of the pack. The motorcycle was taking up the middle of the road and it wasn't exactly safe to pass, I mean I got to pass you guys on the left, right? After what seemed like two miles I got a node from the marshal and passed. At that point I figure it must of put me back a minute, but hey what can you do. I dropped the hammer and started to get jacked up on my speed and maybe hanging behind for awhile saved my legs for this stretch. The course turned back onto Peachtree Industrial, and we were riding in the fast lane which was coned off. The issue with this was that slower riders were riding on the far left side of the road, and I can understand why, it's safer. The issue was that they were blocking, and when I yelled "on your left!" they didn't know what to do. I didn't say much to anyone, I was just trying to get back to transition, I didn't want to be the guy who had to school them on the rules on the bike. Many of the 'Blockers' were on Mt. bikes and other non road/tri bikes, so I know they didn't understand, so no big deal. With a few miles to go you enter the park and then your almost home, the only thing in your way is a few rollers and a few turns. With about a mile to go it gets real fast, I was flying and making my last few passes. With about ¼ - ½ mile to go the crowds were out and hooting and hollering and it gave me a good boost, I had to be going 30 mph. I flew up to the crowd, cranked the breaks, took the hard left, out of the saddle, smiling, and ripped it up the large hill and into T2.

T2, not too much going on here, I racked my bike, drank what I had left in my aero bottle. The only thing that took any time as getting some socks on my feet, I need them or I'd get blisters, I need to get some Zoots!

The run was what I expected, well, I thought it was going to be dead flat and it wasn't, no big deal, I have not run on anything flat outside of the dreadmill. My legs were feeling fine, I didn't have heavy legs and I was going a good pace (for me). A little into it my chronic Achilles pain started and I needed to take a short walk break, but I was able to push past it and continue on. The course was nice, tree lined and shady, up and down and it just rolled all over the last island in the chain that makes up the park. Now don't think me a wimp for not letting it out as fast as I could, my tendon pain as been a factor this entire summer it's just now starting to ease up, no way I was going to blow something now. My legs felt fine, and I've been trying to run with my quads and hams more than my calves. By the midpoint everything was starting to loosen up and I was feeling good. I picked it up a little and headed for home. As I made the turn into to run up the massive hill and into the finish area, I heard someone yelling at me to pick it up and finish strong, it was Dan from my lap pool, cool I thought, I better run faster (thanks for the words), I cranked it up the hill and at the top my HR was 199! Wow I thought I'm going to die, well I didn't die and I finished my race strong.

I crossed the line, grabbed the tee shirt and a banana and headed down the hill to cheer on my fellow racers. I just love this sport.

I packed the car and headed for home.

I was proud of myself, I felt I gave it a good effort and I left it all on the course.

I got home, quickly showered and headed off to Emily's Cheer off competition, two hours of screaming 4th grade girls, I loved it. Her team, Grayson Rams won first place and the place when nuts. She and her team members have put a lot of hard work into what they love and it showed. The entire team went to the local sports pub for some good food, R&R and some more little girl giggling.

Whew, what a weekend!

So that's my EP tri weekend story, I know I rambled on, so thank you for indulging me.

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a great season.

-BMac

(I do not proof read, so please excuse my assault on the English language, I mean no harm)

Emerald Point Triathlon:

2008-10-06T10:16:00.003-04:00

My full race report is coming, but here are some quickies:

The swim start was nuts, too many in my wave (approx 100+).
I started about mid pack to the left and it was like swimming in a crowded mall at X-Mas time.
By the time I got some real estate it was about the halfway point.
The swim exit to timing mat was about ¼ mile away and all uphill, so swim times are way off.
The bike was great, I must of passes 50+ people, that felt good.
The bike had some good hill, and I got out of the saddle a few times.
The last 6 miles or so, I was hauling a$$ and screamed into t2, the crowds were great.
The run was slow, but I'm a slow runner.
I had to walk for a minute or two here and there, my right foot Achilles tendon and arch in bad shape.
At the half way point on the run everything started to feel much better and I finished strong.

I like this race.
Next time, I'm getting upfront on the swim.

-Brian

PLACE O'ALL NO. NAME
===== ======= ===== ================
52/67 604/749 412 Brian MacDonald

RANK SWIM TRANS
==== ======= =====
41 11:12 3:34

RANK BIKE MPH
==== ======= =====
28 43:27 18.0

RANK RUN PACE
==== ===== ====
63 40:41 13:08

TIME
=======
1:41:23

4th Grade Grayson Rams:

2008-10-05T14:33:00.001-04:00

I am very happy to announce the 4th Grade Grayson Rams Cheerleaders have won the 2008 Cheer off!

Think good thought

2008-10-04T19:54:00.000-04:00

It's the night before the Emerald Point tri and I'm trying to kick back after a long day. The gear is all packed and the car is loaded and parked in the driveway (as to be ready to sneak away in the early AM). Maria makes a run to the store, but doesn't see my car and grinds the two together.

Yup, lost virginity.

It's only a car, don't sweat the small things.

-Bmac

Free beer, does it taste better:

2008-09-23T00:32:00.001-04:00

Yes it does.

Morning run:

2008-09-22T17:07:00.001-04:00

I am in San Fran this week at Oracle World, what a show.

Anyway I had a great run this morning along the bay. It was cool and dry, somewhat different then the ATL weather.

Help calling all Bloggers:

2008-09-13T11:36:00.004-04:00

Guys and Gals,

It's time to pay it forward, and I need your help!

Friends of mine are in a band and play some of the best music I have ever heard and are in the midst of the "Greatest Unsigned Band in the World" contest sponsored by Sirius Satellite's radio show Little Stevie's Underground Garage.

These guys really have some fine tunes; you have to check them out. Really, check them out, they play with emotion and lay it all on the line, their songs are real.

Give them a listen, go to www.myspace.com/drunksdontlie

All of the songs hit home with me, and I can tell you if you listen to their songs you'll want to cast your vote.

During my long workouts, when I'm felling low, I crank up one peculiar song "Media Man", and when that song is playing it just gives me a boost and gets be back on track.

I just have to add, band member Eric and his wife just completed Ironman Lake Placid, so congrats to both of them!

Ok, here are the instructions on how to vote, please let me know that you voted and I'll send you a few of their tunes.

Thanks,

Brian

"We are all brothers under the sun" --DDL

Little Stevie's Underground Garage, Channel 25 on Sirius Satellite Radio, has selected Drunks Don't Lie as part of The Greatest Unsigned Band in the World contest. This is a monthly contest where only 12 bands worldwide are selected for competition. The band with the most votes advances to the Semifinals, putting prizes, a recording contract, fame and fortune within reach! Voting has already begun and runs until September 30^th. You are allowed to vote ONE TIME PER EMAIL ACCOUNT, so please help us as much as you can if you have more than one email account. Below are the step-by step instructions for voting for you to print out or refer to. It is a very easy process and will only take less than five minutes of your time. Please spread the word to family and friends and help 5 guys realize their dream. This is like the American Idol for garage bands and we really have a great chance to win with your help.

Go to www.goldiesgarage.us

At the upper right hand portion of your screen, see the REGISTER HERE box. Click on the little green circle with the + in it- this is where you REGISTER.

Now you are at the REGISTRATION page, or http://www.goldiesgarage.us/index.php?option=com_registration&task=register

All it will ask you for is your name, username, email, and password- That's all- no more personal information necessary! Then click on SEND REGISTRATION

4. The screen will now say REGISTRATION COMPLETE with this message : Your account has been created and activation link has been sent to the e-mail address you entered. Note that you must activate the account by clicking on the activation link when you get the e-mail before you can login.

Now go to your EMAIL ACCOUNT – open the email from 'Goldies Garage'

Click on the first link to activate the account

Now you'll see a new window open up a Goldies Garage page that says ACTIVATION COMPLETE! Now close this page to go back to your email.

Click on the second link to take you back to Goldiesgarage Home page.

At the upper right hand part of the screen, log in with your Username and password.

Now your name will appear on the home page showing that you are logged in- click on VOTE!

Now the names of all the bands will appear on the screen – scroll down to DRUNKS DON'T LIE and click on the circle next to our name

Then scroll down and click on VOTE

THANKS! YOU JUST VOTED FOR US! We are one step closer to realizing our goal- WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP!! Log in again to see the up-to-date results…

-MUCH LOVE,

DRUNKS DON'T LIE

www.myspace.com/drunksdontlie

Things to do if you have too much free time:

2008-09-08T21:25:00.003-04:00

Too much time, never. But I've taken on a new roll lately, one I freely accepted.

I'm not sure what to call it, but I am organizing my company's participation in the Kaiser Permanente (KP) 5K Corporate Challenge this year.

Long story short, part of our company split off and the folks that organized the race for us last year were part of the company that split off.

They did an awesome job in the past, remarkable really, and for many years it was a major highlight for runners in the company.

For those of you that don't know about the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Challenge, it's a 5K road race with approx 20,000 participants(not all from my company) and it runs Thursday September 25^th at 7pm.

It's a race and it's a party, the road course starts at the Braves stadium and runs north into downtown Atlanta and then loops back to stadium parking lot, where companies set up large tents for the post race party.

This has to be the best 5K I've ever run; you toe the line with a bunch of you colleagues, you run a closed course in some of the best parts of downtown Atlanta and then make it back to the tent for the party.

So, this is the year I became the guy.

I'm in charge of getting a budget (did I mention something about my company splitting), it's harder than it sounds. Asking for money nowadays or should I say getting it is harder than it sounds.

Working with the folks at KP and Active.com to set up accounts, teams and a registration process.

Getting the word out to the masses, email campaigns, kissing babies and shaking hands, and getting folks off the couch of doom.

Couch to 5K training plans, training sessions, lunch time, after work and everything in between.

Creating a tee shirt design, finding a screen printer, so we can all get the all important race shirt.

Trophy's, we got to have trophy's right, how about some real cool ones, yea, trophy's.

Food, what would the best 5K be without food, how about, chicken wings, ribs, pulled pork and pulled chicken with baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad followed up with cookies and brownies.

Beer, we have to have lots of beer, ice cold beer and plenty of it, we need to storm the castle, pillage the buffet and drink like Vikings.

Door prizes, timing, transportation and this, that, and the other thing.

Getting them all to the line on race day, priceless.

-Brian

I'm in mall hell.

2008-09-01T18:03:00.000-04:00

Somebody shoot me!

My wife and kids tricked me, they said how about lunch and a movie. Sucker, I need to put this one in the Book of Man under code for let's drag dad around so he can carry all the bags of shoes.

Payback for a two hour ride this morning (worth it).

-Brian

I want candy!

2008-08-31T17:45:00.000-04:00

Good fun at Stone Mt park

Saturday bike ride

2008-08-30T11:12:00.000-04:00

I'm about 1.5 hours into a ride when I passed this oasis of a park.

I love my bike:

2008-08-17T20:53:00.003-04:00

I finally got on my bike after almost two weeks.
I took off about 09:30 for what was going to be a one hour ride, just a shake out, but I was having so much fun just tooling around I stayed out for two hours.

One thing I got to today was explore some new roads, you know all those side streets you just fly by when you out on a training ride. I got to make it down quite a few and found some nice short steep hills, many farms, and in one neighborhood a young boy on a BMX bike that wanted to race.

When I pulled in the hood, I was about 6 minutes short of 2 hours so I made the hilly hood loop (HHL). The HHL is all down hill for about 3/4 mile then up hill for about 1/4 mile, That means that coming back is just about all up hill, so I found a gear and got out of the saddle for about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, yup a real butt kicker. I made it home, showered, then the wife and kids took me to Texas Road House for a steak and then it was home for some Olympic and a nap.

I just finished week one of the 100 pushup challenge, and all I can say is pushups are hard. I hope next week it gets easier LOL.

I got a funny foot thing going on, where my second longest toe metatarsal bone meets to the ball of my foot it kind of feels like I have a dime stuck to the bottom of my foot. It sore, but it's not killing me, but it's been two weeks, so I might have to spend to co-pay and see a doc. But being a guy I just might wait another week, I mean it's not oozing puss yet, you know what I'm saying.

Ok, thats it for now,

-Brian

The bike is back on the road:

2008-08-16T20:35:00.003-04:00

At long last I got up to see the mighty fine folks at Roswell Bike and swap out my two piece seat post clamp for a one piece. :).

The first thing you notice about the new part is that it's about 5 times the weight, then you notice it's not the same color, I guess this was the easiest to fix the issue. Either way I'm just happy to be able to ride:)

I got my fingers crosses, and if all goes well tomorrow, I get in a 2 hour ride.

Ha, I almost forgot to add, I start the 100 pushup thing, tomorrow is week1, day3, feels good.

-B

Good day at the pool:

2008-08-11T20:39:00.002-04:00

Good day, it was a good day all the way around.

It started off at 06:45, rise and shine; it's the first day of school for the kids. My youngest chicken nugget (borrowed term) started Kindergarten today and she was very excited. On top of starting real school today she got to finally ride that yellow school bus! After years of watching the older chicken nugget strap on the backpack and hop the roaring yellow beast it was her turn and she was all smiles. With the school bus was out of sight and my wife stopped crying I headed off to the office awaiting my post school report.

I was happy to learn that my baby found her way to class, met the teacher, made it to day end of the day and somehow made her way home without getting lost, or losing any of many things she had in that shiny new backpack.

It is a new dawn in my house!

While the kids battled the first day of school, I was battling Monday, you know, email, voice mail and a new long list of things to do.

At my midday break, the one that I used to lunch hour, I tore off to the pool. Still felling ripped off from missing my bike ride; I hit the pool with a vengeance!

I set of for a 300m warm up, followed by 3 x 500m, first 500 at race pace, second building and the third, well, with watching all that swimming over the weekend and all, I smoked it. I have to say I learned a few things over the weekend, watching all of the Olympians I could see that they really got a good glide and really reached. So today's mission was to work on technique, then speed, and I think it was working.

My first set was about 149 avg., second about a 145 avg. and my last was about 139 avg. for 100m, and for me that's damn fast.

Tomorrow, I might run my midday break or swim, either way it will be kinds of a recovery day.

-Brian

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure." Colin Powell

No bike ride today.

2008-08-09T15:17:00.001-04:00

I'm really sad today, I had planned to head out on a early morning bike ride, but it wasn't meant to be.

Last night I gathered up all my bike crap and aired up the tired and I was ready to go. So I got up and got dressed and grabbed my bike when I noticed my saddle looked a little low. Upon examination I could see that my seat post clap was broken, oh WTF! Felt has had a problem with this damn clam, and this my second one, my first broken clamp happened while on vacation and I was able to get it swapped out. But now this getting old.

I guess what makes me mad is that I registered my bike with Felt online and they must know they have a problem and they never contacted me. So now I missed my ride and I have to waste $10 bucks on gas and drive up to the only shop that has a replacement.

Maybe I should go run.

-b

That guy smells:

2008-08-06T16:34:00.003-04:00

So, it like 100 degrees here in Georgia so when it's this hot I head to the gym to run on the hamster wheel.

I get home from work and walk in the door and the spousal unit "said I need to go shopping", then I said I need to go to the gym. Being a true gentleman and wanting to keep peace in the house, I day "Sure, why don't you do your thing, I'll hang with the kids and you go off and shop and when you come back I'll head to the gym" or something like that. She is gone for 90 minutes or so, she comes back happy and with new shoes (yeah that's a topic for another day, woman and shoes) so head to the gym.

I feel good, and I look good because I got my new shirt and when I get to the gym it's a little past rush hour, perfect. I find a bunch of empty treads and hop on and do a walking warm-up. I like to walk for 5 minutes, do a little stretch and then have at it, but I decide I should use the restroom because I had been hydrating all day. I put my towel up on the display (international signal for I'm in the men's room) and when I'm walking to the men's room I get a whiff of what smells like 7 day old roadkill. You guys know the smell, your running down the road and the wind is blowing the right way and holy $h1t, yeah, that's what I smelt. Now I'm a big boy and things like that don't bother me too much, hey it's a gym (or a social hangout for some people, alas another story) and when you work out you, well, you can get a good funk going. But when I say 7 day old roadkill, I mean this person was ripe. So, where was I, oh the men's room, I do my business and when I am heading back I am hit in the face by the roadkill, damn I think! As I walking back to MY treadmill, I can see that most of the other empty treads are now full, but then it happened, the roadkill (I'm calling him skunky now) cuts me off, and jumps on the tread to my left. I'm from the Boston area now living in Georgia and I'm trying to be a Southern Gentleman, so I go about my business and start running, but I can't really get up to speed because all I can think about is how bad this guy smells. This person looked as if he might have been new to the country and in his last place they didn't bathe all the time, I know we have it pretty good here, lots of water and soap and etc… I'm not knocking where ever this person may have been from, but yeah Skunky was ripe and it wasn't anything new. As I hit the ten minute mark I remember thinking what the hell does this guys bed smell like, I was really not liking this guy much, but in the back of my mind I was hoping that he was just warming up so he could go lift. At the twenty minute mark I was getting agitated and I was thinking was I going to squirt him with my water bottle, tell him to get the %$#% away from me before I kick his A$$ (I did say I lived close to Boston), but I just bit my tongue and upped my speed. It was really all I could do not to kill this man, I couldn't move to a new tread they were all taken, and I had to get my workout in. I didn't know if I could finish my workout, I start thinking about stopping, maybe I should just leave and go home, I don't want to go to jail for killing this guy, do I? Hmmmmm, what jury could convict me, I wonder, temporary insanity brought on by the smell of death, yeah, that's it. Skunky's wife came over and started talking to him, not sure what she was saying, but I'm sure she was smelly too. I was pissed off because this guy was giving me heart burn and I was hoping that Mrs. Skunky would take him home, but that Skunky ran for 45 minutes, wearing a long sleeved shirt, shorts and some sort of slip on loafer like shoes. Once he left I thought for sure they are going to have to burn the tread where it stood.

I ran for another 15 minutes, and I have to say it was pure pleasure, free from negative thoughts and it smelt as good as rain.

Now I know I'm over reacting about this guy, but every once in awhile It's fun to bitch.

I'm going to bring Febreze and if I ever see him again I going to give him a couple shots.

-Brian

100 degrees out, this is not so good.

2008-08-06T15:29:00.002-04:00

I hit the indoor pool for a lunch time swim and when I got back to my car the temp said 100 degrees!

I’m still alive, just taking it easy:

2008-08-05T16:26:00.001-04:00

I've been a little burnt lately, like you couldn't tell, I'm still training, but I doing it on my terms.

My 'A' race was early and I started my base training back in January, raced in mid May and took a few weeks to unwind and get back in-touch with my family. I missed many things while I toiled away at my reclusive training plans and the strict schedule and I needed a break. Then came a somewhat extended family vacation, and many trips to Six flags and the water park, time well spent. We had some real fun, and while I love triathlon and training, it had to take a back seat to the demands of being a husband and father.

I haven't been a complete slacker, I've been training, I just haven't been worrying about time or heart rate or distance, the only thing I have been worried about is having some fun. It's a whole different world when you don't have a goal for every workout, and you're just out for the fun of it. I like to run or ride with no plan, just go get lost somewhere, find something new, and think about life, my plans for the future as well as review the past. After a long run or ride my body is tired buy my mind is so clear and this has been my training purpose these last two months.

Feeling refreshed I now need to put a few things on my calendar, I'd like to race a two more triathlons this year and at least on half marathon this fall. Tonight I'm going to discuss possible plans with my wife and see what our schedules look like and see if I can squeeze a few races.

Forgot to add, my daughters suggested that we do a family race, so I'm going to be looking for a one mile fun run 4-6 weeks out and get them involved in some training.

Be good to each other,

-Brian

Time stands still for no man or woman.

2008-07-22T20:56:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile to say the least, but the storm tonight knocked out the power so I've got some time.
Where to start, July is passing like a summer storm, just as it arrives its almost over. I've been in a little funk lately, I ended June and stretched into July with a vacation home to see my family and friends and spent two weeks having fun at the beach. I got to see a lot of old friends and some young ones, we broke bread and drank wine with many. My how time goes by, the kids all got bigger and smarter, wish I could stop time. My life is so good I don't want anything to change, my wife kids are wonderful and I can't imagine it any other way.
Sorry about the rambling. So I left the wife and kids at my in-laws for an extra two week of vacation and I've missed them dearly, what can I say underneath my rough exterior I'm just dad that misses his family. I pick them up at the airport tomorrow and I can't wait, 14 days is a long time without them.
My training has been a little poor after 70.3 Florida, I've been feeling a little burnt and my Thyroid has me up and down daily. The weekend I got back from vacation was the Chattanooga Waterfront triathlon, I had been looking forward to the race for weeks, but on race morning it was raining and the forecast was calling for rain all day so I pulled the plug on the race and just watched, in retrospect I wish I raced it, its been haunting me for two weeks. I wrote it off to two weeks of beer and BBQ and the fact that I didn't get many good training days in while on vacation, that coupled with the fact that I haven't been feeling too good. Deep down inside I know some of what I was feeling was race day jitters and they got the best of me. Not racing was bad, the event looked like a blast even with the rain and I know I'll be doing this race next year.
So enough crying in my beer, I'm still getting some key workouts in. The weekend was great, Saturday I got in a good swim and then rode 30 miles, Sunday was a 60 minute run, all my weekend workouts were unplugged, just enjoying the time. I'm feeling fresh and I know when I see the wife and kids tomorrow all will be as it should.

So if any of you know of a good race comming up let me know.

Ok, be good to each other and enjoy the ride.

-Brian

Home Sweet Home:

2008-07-10T21:22:00.001-04:00

After a wonderful vacation I am home and it feels good to be back. I missed my bike and my bed, although I was able to borrow a bed and a bike while I was traveling, there's nothing like your own.

I got home last night at about 1:00 am after a 4 hour delay because of the rain in Atlanta, I know it doesn't rain for a year and then the day I need to fly the sky opens up and backs up the airport. I had to drag my butt out of bed this morning for an all day off-site meeting, ouch.

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm going to get a swim in at lunch and then on the way home I need to stop off for a few tubes and some air and then get me transition kit packed up.

I haven't had to time to post much but I'll post something good soon, I'm still unwinding (code for recovering) from my vacation and I got a few bloggers I've got to check up on. I haven't been able to check on you peeps for awhile and I know you guys are kicking some butt and I miss reading your works, so I catch up with you guys tomorrow.

Le Tour is in full swing and I'm catching up on all the news now on VS, so it's stage six today.

I got the Chattanooga Olympic this Sunday so I got to get me mind wrapped around the race, I haven't been thinking about it too much and it's so close I get to get focused.

Be good to each other,

-Brian

Mondays

2008-07-07T15:33:00.000-04:00

Mondays are sweet when your on vacation.

Happy 4th of July everyone.

2008-07-04T22:51:00.000-04:00

Fireworks from the Plymouth waterfront.

Pictures from the road

2008-06-30T15:31:00.000-04:00

Sometimes lifes a beach!

2008-06-30T15:12:00.001-04:00

I've been on holiday for the last few days catching up with my family and some old friends.
I haven't had access to the internet so I haven't been blogging or reading my favorite blogs. Today we are just sitting on the beach watching the kids play and I'm playing with the crackberry, so please forgive any typos.

Ride to work:

2008-06-24T11:00:00.003-04:00

Rode into the office again today, this time I left from my house.
It was a real nice ride this morning, cool without much traffic.

My ride was just under 20 miles in and it took me 1:04 with a few traffic lights and 4-way stop signs. I expect it will take me a little longer on the way back with the extra climes and late day heat (90+).

Just an observation on my part, but I think motorists are slightly more aware of cyclists and can see the financial benefit of parking the car. During my ride in I felt that many motorists went out of their way to give me some extra room on the road. But WTF is it with big red pickup trucks, every time I have a close one on the road, it's some jackhole in a red pick up.

Anyway, I'm saving about 1.5-2 gallons of gas today, so if anyone needs it.

-Brian

UPDATE:
I had a good ride home.
It was hot and much of the first 6 miles is up hill, so my tongue was hanging out and I was panting like a dog.
I got back to the house and I could feel the heat in me and my skin felt the hot from the sun, it was awesome.

When I got home, my kids, some of their friends and their parents where home and they were all asking me questions about my ride and I could see they were impressed or they where thinking I was crazy, not sure which. I think I could see some pride in my kids eyes when their friends and parents were asking me questions about my ride, I mean come on, they know I'm a badass.

It was a good day.

New Blackberry

2008-06-22T21:54:00.001-04:00

I finally broke down and got a new phone.
If your in the market check out Best Buy they have the Blackberry Curve 8310 with GPS on sale for$49.99.

I hope everyone had a good weekend racing and training.

-Brian
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Bike it to work day:

2008-06-18T09:35:00.007-04:00

Well I finally did it, I rode my bike to the office.

What a nice way to start the day, the weather was great, sunny and 62 degrees.
I met up with a pal from the office and we rode in together, the route was calm traffic wise, it had some long grades and some nice hills to it.
We started from my friends house and rode down past farms and forest and we even got to ride over a covered wooden bridge.

I've showered up, had my large vat of coffee and now it's time to gloat about our epic ride. Well not so epic, but the office crew doesn't need to know that, hehe.

So today I'm saving 1 gallon of gas, that's $4 bucks in my pocket OPEC, take that!!!

Later today I hope to swimming at lunch, if I can get a ride I'll take it easy, I'm thinking a cool 1000m at a nice slow pace.

Then I'm riding back home, and then I got mow that damn lawn. :-D

Round trip on the bike should work out to 27 miles +/-.

I'm putting out the challenge to you guys, if you can, and if it's safe, then pick a day and ride it in.

Train smart, race strong,

Brian

P.S. the Celtics beat the Lakers and took the title!

Break time is over:

2008-06-17T16:55:00.002-04:00

In my post Ironman 70.3 recovery (extended) period I've been a little lax in my training.

Those days are over and I'm back on the wagon!

My next 'A' race is less than a month away and I got to get going.

Next up is the Chattanooga Waterfront tri on July 13, so I started tuning up for it. I'm really excited about this one; from everything I read it's a really nice race.

I've been kind of winging it with my training schedule but tonight I'm going to get on paper my training plan from now to race day.

I would like to really start to work on my run, my gosh is it bad, I've been having some real issues with my lower legs this year and it's been hard on my psyche.

Some of the issues are related to my low thyroid levels, everything I read speaks about muscle weakness and cramping when you real low and I can attest to it.

I've been working with my doctor to get me dosage right but I'm still too low and I know it's been effecting me all year, so Friday I'm going in for blood work.

So back to my training plan:
Swim, I would like to get 2 or 3 per week.
Monday, 1200 meters of short drills x 50s.
Wednesday, 1500 of longer x100s or x150s drills.
Friday, 2000 or longer straight swim for endurance.

Bike, I would like to get in 3.
I am also going to plan at least 3 rides, still working on days and times.
Saturday, long ride 40 + miles, followed by a run off the bike of 30 + min.

Run, I'm thinking I will run 4 times per week.
I would like to 2 runs off the bike, one short 15 min and one longer 30 min.
Tuesday, I can run at lunch, 40-60 min.
Thursday, I can run at lunch, 40-60 min.
Saturday, run off the bike 30 + minutes.
Sunday, longer run 90 + minutes.

On top of all that we're on vacation for some time, and I'm going to have to borrow a bike while I'm on vacation.

We're going to be visiting family and friends, two of our friends are training for Ironman Lake Placid so I know I can get in some training action with them.

I just have to watch out for the "Screw it I'm on vacation" thoughts.

P.s. I swam today at lunch, 2100m in 42 and change, felt pretty good.

Train smart, race strong,

Brian

Not so Mock TRI.

2008-06-16T10:29:00.005-04:00

Saturday was our Inaugural Phat B’s “Not so mock TRI” and I had a blast!
First, I have to say we had a great bunch of people come out to play, you guys were great.

An Athlete in Training... Chris (http://athleteintraining.blogspot.com/)
Kevin (http://triaflete.blogspot.com/)
Mary Ruth (http://snowgypsy.blogspot.com/)
Richard (http://beyond05.blogspot.com/)
Sam (http://slowsam.blogspot.com/)
Sarah (http://www.chasingiron.com/)
Wes and Dee Dee (http://www.codegeekstail.com/)

The Swim: We had 8 people doing the Inaugural event, which was really the perfect number because of the lanes in my neighborhood pool, any more I would have needed to set buoys and do laps. Anyway, we started the swim sometime around 10:00 and swam for 15 minutes; I think the swim went fine; the duration of the swim was perfect.
We all hopped out of the pool and walked back up to my house for a lazy T1. We decided that we should all stick together for the bike, at least the first loop. So we all got our bike stuff on, mounted up and headed out.

The bike: The route I mapped out is a relatively flat route with a few good hills mixed in, but nothing crazy. We had a couple of issues along the way, we had a chain bounce off and later we had a flat, and I actually did a small crash like thing. Ok, I admit it! I crashed, I jumped up and asked if any saw it and everyone said no (what pals), I was just about standing still and I was looking back to see where the group was and my wheel turned and I dumped. The bike didn’t get a scratch but I scuffed my arm and leg a little trying to catch the bike, I’d rather wreck myself then scratch the bike. A few times some of the faster riders would speed up and let it out a bit, but wait at the turns so everyone could regroup and keep together. For a group ride with riders of both sides of the spectrum I think everyone was having fun, after all this is a fun event and a fun sport.

We got back to the house for another lazy transition; I got a pitcher of Gatorade out and stated filling cups and bottles while everyone got their run stuff on. At this point a few peeps headed out for another loop.

The run: for me was a very flat 1 mile social event. My running has been miserable this season, I’ve been plagued with shin splits and I am just now starting to get over them. So I just wanted to run a short distance and take it easy. The short run also allowed me to be the first person back to the house so I could start playing host. We got back to the house got a drink and I stayed at the house while many of the others did more loops.

Post race: (my best discipline), we all got to sit back and have some snacks and drinks while we got to know each other better. We talked about which raced we had planned, which raced we had done. A bunch of us are going to race the Chattanooga Waterfront Tri next month so we talked about that a lot. I just had a great time, lots of laughter and smiles.

My next question is when can we do this again?

I think for the next event we might want to do an open water swim, so I was thinking maybe at one of the parks around Lake Lanier or Lake Altoona would make for a good starting point. I loved having it at my house, but I think we were at capacity on the pool swim, and OWS would be a better training session. I think we could have a post race BBQ and any non racing family member could spend some time at the lake.

Let’s pick a date and a place.

-Brian

Fat B & B Course Maps:

2008-06-12T11:33:00.005-04:00

Ok, so here is the long awaited course maps.

Bike, we can do 1, 2 or more laps, it's got some rolling hills but nothing too hard.

Fat B & B 13 mile loop
Find more Bike Rides in Grayson, Georgia

We have some options for the Run :
My 1 mile run off the bike:
1 mile run off the bike
Find more Runs in Grayson, Georgia

My flattish 5K option, mostly on sidewalks and very quite streets:
Graystone and back loop 3.3 mile
Find more Runs in Grayson, Georgia

The 5 Miler that's full of hills:
5 miler Bennett to Lakeview loop
Find more Runs in Grayson, Georgia

So, check out the maps, you should know your route and if you can print them out.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

-Brian

Inaugural "Fat B(astards or itches)'s tri club" triathlon:

2008-06-11T16:57:00.002-04:00

So it looks like we’re going to have a good bunch for the
Inaugural "Fat B(astards or itches)'s tri club" triathlon.

Wes and (I hope) Dee Dee
Sarah and her husband
Sam
Richard, his wife and Daughter
Kevin and his wife
And the mysterious “An Athlete In Training”
And myself
I hope I’m not forgetting anyone, but If I did let me know, everyone is welcome.

Everyone please make sure you know how to get to my house.
Email me, my address is in my profile, and I'll send you my address and phone numbers.
Let me know if you want to bring any food items, I'd hate it if you made the same thing as me and it was better than mine.

This is going to be a self supported race so pack a water bottle(s) for the bike and run.
I'll have some GU gels to share but I am sort supply on the water bottle thing.

Tonight I'm going to map out the bike and run, and I’ll post them up on my blog.
Swim: My neighborhood pool is a 4 lane no rope Jr Olympic pool and if we can start before 10:00 we should have it to ourselves. With the no rope layout if gives is 8 lanes if we stay on either side of the stripe so everyone should have plenty of room. in the event some other residents want to use the pool at the same time will have to circle swim. Either way it’s going to be fun. Almost forgot, I was thinking the swim should be like 15-20 minutes, but I’m open to suggestions.
Bike: I'm thinking the bike should be something like 15 - 20 miles of rolling hills, nothing too high, I don't want anyone to die, but I don’t want it to feel like your ridding on their trainer. It is also my plan to ride with everyone on the bike, I want to make sure everyone has a good day and no one gets lost or dropped.
Everyone has the option of ridding the loop more than once.
Run: I am going to have three options, a 1 mile flat run off the bike, a 5k flat mostly sidewalks out and back and a 5 mile hilly loop that will kick your butt.
My plan on the run is to run the 1 mile or maybe the 5k, I’m still nursing some weird shin splints and I want to be back before everyone else to I can play host.

Bring a towel because we can use the pool post race if you want.

Let me know if you questions or comments.

We need a logo, so if anyone can draw or has photo shop skills....

-Brian

Update, Mock TRI @ my house:

2008-06-09T15:29:00.001-04:00

All,

I have been playing with the schedule and I have decided on Saturday June 14 at 09:30 am.

Judging by some of the responses it looks like we'll have a good mix of abilities, so I wanted to come up with routes and distances that can done with killing anyone, or that can be done as two loops for those of you that want a good arse kicking.

I still have no exact routes mapped, but here is what I'm thinking.

Swim: We can swim (lap pool in my neighborhood) 15 minutes or more depending on everyone's mood.
Bike: I am setting up a 15 mile ish rolling bike course that some can ride once or twice depending on their mood, and if you want to add some hills then I can oblige.
Run: Again we have a few options, I have a nice flat 1 mile run off the bike, a flat 5k or a hilly 5 miler all depending upon your pain threshold.

My plan is to do a swim and bike and maybe the one mile run off the bike, this way I can get back in time to play host. For the bike and run I will have maps and I hope to paint a few arrows out on the turns, and so that everyone will be able to get in a good workout.

If needed we have a shower at the pool or you can shower at my house.

Post workout we can grill some meat and drink some beer and maybe hit the pool for the cool down.

So now it polling time, please post or email me what you're thinking.

I need to know if you coming so I can plan, so please don't be shy, let me know your plans.

Everyone is welcome!

-Brian

Chattanooga Waterfront Tri, I’m in:

2008-06-09T13:42:00.007-04:00

Well it's a done deal; I'm going to race the Chattanooga Waterfront Tri July 13. The "Chatt" is an Olympic distance event (1.5k swim / 42k bike /10k run) and takes place in beautiful downtown Chattanooga. I got a good look at the area last year when I ran the Chickamauga Marathon and the bike looks like it could have some hills.

Other bloggers I know have signed up, let me know if I missed someone:

Wes
Kevin
Sarah

Below is the bike course:
Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
Find more Bike Rides in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Click here for the website.

Train smart, race strong,

-Brian

Georgia gets a Ironman 70.3 race:

2008-06-02T15:44:00.004-04:00

The cat is out of the bag and Georgia is getting a Ironman 70.3 race in Augusta in September 2009.

Here is the official word:

June 2, 2008 -- Today, Ironman, in conjunction with Premier Event Management, announces a new Ironman 70.3 Event scheduled for 2009 in the southeastern United States. Ironman 70.3 Augusta will take place in the classic southern city of Augusta, Georgia on Sunday, September 27, 2009 with a field limit of 2,000 athletes.
Premier Event Management, producers of the several major triathlons across the United States including the Nautica New York City Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens and the Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, is excited to bring Ironman 70.3 to the city of Augusta. “The city of Augusta and its aggressive sports council has been simply fantastic to work with on the planning of this inaugural event,” said race director, Bill Burke of Premier Event Management.
Ironman 70.3 Augusta will offer athletes the unique opportunity to race in two states, as the cycling portion of this event will take athletes into the great state of South Carolina. Prior to the bike portion, athletes will swim a 1.2 mile point-to-point course in the Savannah River exiting at the Augusta Rowing Club Complex and the Augusta public boat launch. Athletes will then cycle a single-loop 56 mile bike course through the beautiful countryside of South Carolina before returning to the Georgia side of the Savannah River and the city of Augusta, Ga. Finally, athletes will run a two-loop course consisting of 13.1 miles, through the downtown community of Augusta finishing near the Augusta Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Athletes will be vying for 50 age group slots to the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 being held in Clearwater, Florida and a $25,000.00 professional prize purse.
To recognize the 4th of July, Premier Event Management is offering athletes a one-time discounted registration fee to the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Augusta. Register online anytime throughout the month of July at http://www.ironmanaugusta.com/ beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 until July 30, 2008 and receive a $10.00 discount on your 2009 Ironman 70.3 Augusta entry. Ironman 70.3 Augusta is limited to 2,000 athletes, so don’t be left out of this new event.
For further information on the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Augusta event or other events produced by Premier Event Management, check out http://www.pem-usa.com/ or call 866-454-6561. For more information on Ironman and the 70.3 Event Series, visit http://www.ironman.com/.
WWW.IRONMANAUGUSTA.COM

Mock Triathlon @ my house!

2008-05-29T17:11:00.002-04:00

I love triathlon, I love to swim, bike and run and if I could I would like to do it every weekend. "If I could", but I can't, I just don't have the time to travel to all of the locations and on top of that gas is $4 bucks a gallon and then many times hotels are involved and well it can get expensive. But the real underlying truth is I just can spare the time away from the family.

So what am I going to do…

I've decided to put on my own triathlon in my own backyard.

My neighborhood has a lap pool, so I got the swim thing covered and that always the hardest part. I've got endless rides and run courses, so I can pick all of the hills and complain about them during the race. Post race I can drink my own beer and eat my own hamburgers and float around the pool (quick shower before implied). And best of all I get some of my pals to come race it with me, some that have raced before, and better yet I might get a few newbie's.

Because of commitments to family plans I cannot attempt the first annual "Fat B(astards or itches)'s tri club" (borrowed from Wes, as he coined the phrase) triathlon until June 14 or 15.

If anyone would like to join me for a free backyard triathlon and beers in two weeks let me know. I am open to all suggested distances but I can tell you Iron might be out of the question this time.

Post a comment or email me at try2tri@gmail.com.

Train smart, race strong,

-Brian

Wave pool:

2008-05-27T15:00:00.001-04:00

Not too much going on here, I am still recovering from my race. LOL.

I took it easy this weekend, I got in two runs and some weight training and that's about it for active recovery.

This weekend was a bit crazy, we took it easy on Saturday, but Sunday we headed to the local water park for some big time waves in the ol' wave pool.

We always have fun at the water park. Last summer we went about 10 times, and Emily my 9 year (8 year old then) old and I would bring the swim goggles and float around in the deep end of the wave pool and dive for whatever we could find.

I know this year Emily is starting to discover life as a per-teen, I get a roll of the eyes from time to time, and when I can't find the phone I know who to see. This is the time in her life where she will discover new things for good and bad, she will learn about money, and how it's made and spent. She will learn about things that we've tried so hard to protect her from, (mostly from the boys and the mall), and she will start growing up, and this scares the heck out of me. Just the thought of my sweet little girl being turned into a teenager keeps me up at nights.

But the wave pool is a great place; it's a magical place where time stands still.

Emily is very much like me in so many ways and it's kind of funny to see myself in a 9 year old girl (you know what I'm trying to say), but I can and love it. We both love the wave pool, and for some reason, not too many people like to be in the very deep end of the wave pool, so it's just the two of us many times, performing ticks for the tourists. No tubes, no noodles, no vests and no flooties, but just us, swimming and diving and floating on our backs, floating on the big ones. I can see Emily feels some big time pride for swimming in the deep end with dear old dad, diving for quarters and being bounced around like cork while the crowd looks on. She grabs me around my neck and we dive below to grab a quarters and swim around making faces at each other. She will get older and discover those darn boys and the mall (I know she found the mall, thank her mother for that one), but for now we have the wave pool.

I cannot forget my little one Mary, she's 5 and she will swim with me in between the wave sets without a vest from the shallow end to the deep end and back giggling all the way. She too will be a terrific wave pool swimming doing tricks for the tourists in the years to come.

Watch out boys, because my pair of girls are pretty and tough.

Folks, it's not about the race, it's about the journey.

-Brian

Back to business:

2008-05-23T14:38:00.001-04:00

OK the 'A' race is over and I had a blast, but it's time to start picking out the rest of the season.

I've been trying to feel out the wife to see that her pain threshold might be for my race and training schedule to come. So for now I am going to pick one race per month and make a calendar where I can pin it up in the house so that there will be no surprises.

So what I do I think I want to do for distances and events? Well I think I would like to do some Olympics, I think that I might be suited to this distance for a number of reasons.

Training, I think for the next 6 weeks or so I can keep training hard and still have plenty of time for the family vacations and obligations.
Distance, I know I could race next weekend and not have to taper down or spend too much time recovering.
Day trips, The Olympic events are more popular that half iron races and I should be able to find a few that are close to home.
Cost, 70.3 Florida was an 'A' race on my wallet, and with summer here my wallet needed to recover.

Events that might work for me:

June 14, 2008 -Olympic- The West Point Lake Triathlon, LaGrange, Georgia
July 13, 2008 -Olympic- Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Aug 31, 2008 -1k/30k/8k- Callaway Gardens Triathlon, Callaway Gardens, Georgia
Sept 28, 2008 -Half Iron- South Carolina Half, Ninety Six, South Carolina

This is a quick list, and subject to change, pending the spousal approval. LOL.

I think I might be able to one more for some time in August, so if you know of any good races let me know.

So in my immediate plans, I would like to find a new HIM training plan, something with some longer bricks and maybe a little more run focused then most. I need to also be able to work in at least two full body workouts per week and a real stretching program. I also see a need to drop a few pounds, I've been pretty stable with my thyroid so I really have no more excuses, and so if someone wants to buddy up for the biggest looser contest let me know.

That's all for now, have a nice long weekend.

Train smart, race strong,

-Brian

Ironman 70.3 Florida Race Report Part 1:

2008-05-20T20:42:00.012-04:00

I'm going to write my race report in stages because I'm sure I'll forget something the first time and want to make an update.

It was Thursday May 15; I'm still a little sick and a little tired. I washed my bike and made a few final adjustments then packed the car. I went over my large check list to make sure I packed everything. I felt good about having everything so I headed off to bed.

It was Friday May 16 at 05:30 when my alarm went off, as I laid in my bed the fact that my race was just a few days away started to scare me. Not that I was afraid of it, but that it was so close and I'd have to put up or shut up. I've trained for 18 weeks and it was time to go, so I jumped out of bed and showered as quietly as I could. I tip toed into the kids room and gave them a kiss on the forehead, kissed my wife and left for my 500 mile drive. I was going to meet Eric at the Orlando Airport @ 02:00pm. Jumped in the car and started on my way, I had one small traffic issue, a car had knocked down a power pole and Rt. 78 was closed! The police had to divert us thru a parking lot, so I lost a few minutes but I was still on schedule. I made the dive in a good time and got to the airport as planned, I picked up Eric out front and we headed to the hotel so we could drop of all of our stuff. As we drove to the hotel we got to catch up a little, it had been a year since we got to hang out.

We unpacked the car and headed over to Disney to check in and pick up our race packets. Because it was Friday and the masses hadn't arrived yet check in was smooth and I we got to check out most of the tents. I picked up a new Zoot tri top and race belt and checked out the many Ironman branded nick knacks they had for sale. While we were looking at all of the tri crud I got Wes on the phone and got his location and made plans for dinner. We had a very nice dinner at Carrabba's with Wes, Dee Dee, Eric any myself. I think we were all excited about the race and a little spent because of all the travel. We said goodnight to Wes and Dee Dee and we headed back to the hotel to unpack and get some sleep.

Saturday May 17^th, We woke up and got some breakfast and just hung out and catching up on current events and reminiscing about the old times. I should also add that Eric and his wife Sara are both training for Ironman Lake Placid on July 20^th, so much of the time I was asking questions about training and was training going. After breakfast we drove the bike course to get a firsthand look at the route and see where these hills where. I did not see anything that look too tall just a from miles of rollers, so I felt much better, I have been training on much bigger hills. We finished up the drive and got to the Ironman village. Eric had shipped his bike so we went over to pick it up and get in a small 30 minute ride to work the legs a little and make sure the bikes where ready for the race. Once we got back into the village Wes had called and asked if we wanted to meet for lunch, we were both hungry so we checked out bikes into transition and we met Wes, Dee Dee and Kate for lunch at Davey Crockett's Tavern for a large lunch. After a nice lunch I looked at my watch and it was only like 3:00, but it felt like bed time, I think the long drive was getting too me. Soon we parted ways and Eric and I headed back to the hotel to drop our stuff off and get ready for a short run. We both got in a run, me 25 minutes and Eric ran 45 minutes, we headed to the hotel pool for some time to float around and just relax. After an hour or so at the pool we got cleaned up and went out for dinner and one beer (you know for good luck). We got back to the hotel and laid our transition bags, watched a little TV and just took it easy.

Sunday May 18^th, We woke got ready and drove to Disney parking lot and took the bus over to where the race was, the line for the busses about a 500 people deep, but it moved quickly. Once on site we headed to transition dropped our bags and got body marked. We got back to transition and set up all of our stuff and made our way to the beach. Once we got down to the beach we found Wes and Dee Dee, I was glad to see them, Wes and I have been training and looking forward for a longtime. So we all hung out on the beach and got to see the pros go and a few waves take off. With about 10 – 15 minutes to go I started getting butterflies in my stomach about the swim, I knew I could make it, but my head was starting to play tricks on me. I needed to clear my head and focus, so I stepped away from Wes and Eric to try to center myself and watch the swim. This is the point where I lost Wes (sorry bro I didn't mean to), but they were calling my wave (red caps) and I need to get into the staging area.

The Swim:
I looked ahead and the furthest buoy looked real far, the water was dark, it still was a little dark, fear was trying to get a grip. The poor person that didn't make it out of the water at last week's Gulf Coast was on my mind and I could feel myself tighten up. With a quick blast of the horn I decided to Hardened The F%^& Up and jumped in the water and swam my butt of. I swam in the back and off to the side for most of the first leg, it took 300 meters or so before I felt my rhythm. The more I swam the better I was feeling, so I pulled inside a little more and started to swim more with the other swimmer and not in the boonies. I bumped a few times but nothing that caused me to lose my focus so I just kept going. I swam freestyle 100% of the time and only had to stop once for 1 or 2 seconds so a traffic jam could clear, I was real proud of my swim, this was a huge improvement from last year. I got out of the water in 41:19ish (my watch time) and made my way to T1, with a big smile on my face.

T1:
I got into transition and dried myself off a bit, my feet were covered with filth from the run up, it would have been nice if they had some trays with water for dunk and go. I had remembered to bring a bottle of water in past races but I left this off my list. I sat down and while I was cleaning my feet I called home and left a message I was out of the water, I know Maria was worried about the swim, so I didn't care about the extra minute in T1 if it made her feel better. Everything else was fine, but I forgot put out my chest strap and I had to search my bag for it. I grabbed my bike and ran to the mount line.

The Bike:
I mounted up and started riding, having fun, thinking about the swim still, boy I thought I swam good. I made my way out on the course and started drinking and eating as much as I could. This was my first time riding with my aero bottle and I found it real easy to drink from and refill. At about 5 miles into the ride my pedal or bottom bracket was making some noise, everything felt tight but the sounds where not that calming, I had the thought that if the BB was toast I would be done. The noise continued for another 10 miles or so and just worked itself out; I thought that was nice of my bike not to toss its cookies. I hit the first mile maker, mile 15 and I had 15.2 on my computer, I thought that was close enough, and I found that at every 15 miles or so I was that same .2 miles off, so first I was off .2 then .4 and then .6. During the first 30 minutes life was pretty good on the bike, but after that my lower back muscles started to get real sore and I could not ride in the aero position. If I rode up right my back felt better, so much of the last 2 ½ hours where spent in a less than ideal position. It was getting warm I had some sweat dripping of my head but just about when it was hot the rain rolled in and boy I started smiling. I knew the rain would make things a little messy, but it would cool it down and that's what we all needed. Once I got past the hilly section the rain stopped and I felt like I was on the home stretch. I think the bike was about 1 to 1.5 miles long, my computer was accurate for the other mile markers but in the end I was over, I had it as 58+. Eric passed me on the bike, said he was doing good and took off, I got to see he once more on an out and back section. I missed Wes all together, I guess he got out of T1 before me.

T2:

Once I got to T2, I ditched the bike, changed my socks and shoes, I was happy to have my long packing list that said extra socks for the run, drank some and grabbed a GU flask, my visor and headed out. I wish I grabbed some sun screen because I got a little toasted.

The Run from hell:
I ran out of T2 and needed to stop for a quick bathroom break, after that I ran for about 5 minutes and my right calf started to act up. I knew the run was going to be bad, and I knew I was going to have to walk part of the run so I hit the aid station and started to fill up, water, Gatorade, gels and cold sponges and ice. After 2 or 3 miles of walking with a few short runs tosses in Eric ran past me, he was on his seconds loop and said he was doing great. I was glad for him I knew he was training hard and he would just rip this race, he chatted for a bit and I said GO! Don't waste any time. My calf started to relax and my back was started to feel a little better so I started to mix in a few 2-3 minute run in with my much longer walks. Most people like to run and walk the aid stations, but I guess I like to walk and run the aid stations. I was really starting to feel a little sad that I wasn't running, I was feeling like a bit of a failure. But that didn't last long, I trained pretty hard, I gave up a lot to train, I gave up soccer games, lunch with the family and the list goes on, so I wasn't going to walk if I didn't have to. It was hot and I spent all on the swim and bike so I was ok with letting myself walk. I got past my time on the grass and got to the last paved section and ran most of the way into the finishing area.

The finish: I dug down and found a little for the end, not much, but enough to motor to the end. Thank you Wes and Dee Dee to waiting for me, when I turned the corner and say you two it felt great, it's been a long road bro. I got to slap hands and as soon as I left Wes and Dee Dee I could hear Eric yelling BMAC, or that's what I thing he was yelling, got another hand slap from Eric and headed down the last few meters to the finish. Hands raises for Joy, for the hard work, for the suffering, for the misses time with the family and for knowing that I can do anything if I work towards it.

Final thoughts:
I had a fear of the open water swim, so I focused much of my training on swimming and running was last on the list. I think I've put to rest my fear of OWS and my bike may not be 100% but I feel like I can really start to work on my running.

Thank you Maria, Emily and Maryelizabeth, without you guys none of this would have been possible. Thanks Wes and Dee Dee, thanks Eric I had a great weekend, and a race of my life (up to this point). Thanks to everyone at the office for putting up with me making them swim and run at lunch and listen to me blather on about triathlon.

-Brian

70.3 Florida is in the books:

2008-05-19T19:40:00.002-04:00

I'm home (after a 7 hour drive).
I had a great weekend.
I'll write a post tomorrow and post up a few pictures tomorrow, but for now I need a shower and my pillow.

-Brian

70.3 Florida T-Minus 2 days:

2008-05-15T10:20:00.002-04:00

As I write this post I'm looking at my countdown timer for the race and it shows 2 days 20 hours.

WOW, the excitement of it all is starting to set in and I'm starting to get really wired and the double strength Starbucks might be helping.

I've been sick much of the last 8 days but today I feel like I'm starting to come out of my coma!

So much to do and so little time, I need to start making my lists.

I can tell you I was starting to have some real doubts of just how I was going to finish my race. I've missed so many of my workouts in the last two weeks because of the cold it started playing with my mind a bit, you know the mental games your head can play with you. Do I have enough training in, how am I going to make the swim with a head cold, the bike, hell I might not make the swim and all the crazy thought that run through your mind subconsciously.

Now that my cold is breaking up and I'm feeling better each day, my outlook on the race is improving. I know I've got my training in (17 weeks) and sure I might have a little rust because of the last week or so but I know I'll get in some light workouts to break it up. My body is feeling good, I do not have that over trained "I can taste blood" feeling, and by Sunday morning I hope to be close to 100%.

Last night I washed my bike, dried it with a nice clean towel, lubed it up, made a few small adjustments and took it for a quick spin. Once I got back from my spin around the block I start on laundry patrol and washed every bit of workout gear I own, I'm still not sure what's going to get packed.

So today I'm working on printing out all of my directions, making my packing list and creating my schedule.

My race plan, this is something of guess and it's been changing day by day, but here goes.

The swim:

I am going to start the swim in the back and off the main line. It's my plan to take it in thirds, 1/3 go out slow and warm up, 2/3 work up to race pace and keep clear of any trouble, building some speed, the field should be broken up by then, last 3rd go for it, take it up a notch and finish smart.

The bike:

On the bike I'm going to try and stick to the same thirds theme. 1/3 get into my rhythm and get my heart rate under control, eat drink and be merry. 2/3 more of the same but if I'm feeling good start to turn it up a little when I can. I know around mike 30ish I might have some hills but that's ok, hills have been in all my training rides. And the last 3^rd, eat and drink, turn up the speed and start to mentally prepare for T2 and the run. I think the last mile or two I will slow it down a little and work on getting the legs loose.

The run:

This is where the unknowns are, I can run off the bike, but this will be my first time running this distance off a 56 mile bike and a 1.2 mile swim. Will the weather be the projected 91 degrees and humid. My hopes for the run are to run what I can and do whatever I need to finish the race. I know the course is going to be hard because of the heat and running surface and the fatigue that I'm sure to have, but I love a challenge.

When I cross the line I want to do it with a smile, knowing that I I gave it my all and I left it all on the course.

Good luck to all my fellow triathletes, I hope we all have a good and safe race.

Wish me luck.

-Brian

Five more days!

2008-05-12T21:42:00.002-04:00

I've got FIVE more days until my race, oh how I've waited to this week to come, and now it's here.

I'm sick this week and I can't believe it, not just sick, but I need a pillow sick.

I when to see my doctor today and I have sinus infection, WTF doesn't my sinuses know I've got 5 days until my race.

So my Doc put me on Zithromax, Singulair and Claritin and an afternoon nap.

It's been a hard few days I missed my last three days of workouts and I feeling a little sad about it.

All this sickness came from my Brother in-law, dip shit, comes to my house for a week and tells me after I start with the runny nose he just kicked a cold.

I hope I've kept it contained, I do like to share but not this stuff.

Someone please say a prayer for me.

Ok, I'm off too bed.

Happy Mothers Day:

2008-05-09T16:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Mothers Day Mom (Moms),
Thank you for teaching me to walk and run.
Buying me my first bike, and letting go that first time.
Cleaning all of my bloodied knees, elbows, hands and chin and that one time when I hit the fire hydrant and hit the stem of the bike with my manhood.
For teaching me to swim.
For the smiles I still smile.
For giving me life.

So Mom, thank you.

I love you,

Brian

Taper Time::

2008-05-06T11:37:00.004-04:00

Monday was the official start to my taper and was to be a day off so I decided to run my hill 5 mile loop.

I know what you saying, I am a jackass, but this week I am having scheduling issues and I have to swap things around a little.

Life does not run on my training schedule I know this and I have had to swap something around each week, but I have made most of my workouts.

I'm still married, and my kids remember my name, so being flexible is the key to life, and I hope triathlon.LOL.

This week I'm working on the todo list:

Clean bike
Check out bike to stem to stern.
Purchase new tubs and air cartridges aero drink bottle.
Print out directions to Orlando and to the hotel, print out registration info and create an organized folder.
Create my packing check lists for everything and a transition list.
Relax

So my taper looks like this:

WK-17	Begin Taper	Begin Taper	Begin Taper
Mon			60 min p.m
Tue	(#15) 2500 yds a.m.
Wed		30 miles p.m.
Thur	(#9) 1500 yds a.m.		40 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		75 min p.m
Sun		50 miles a.m.
WK-18
Mon	(#7) 1500 yds a.m.		40 min p.m
Tue		40 miles p.m.
Wed	(choice) 1000 yds		30 min p.m.
Thur		20 miles p.m.
Fri	(Travel Day)	(Travel Day)	(Travel Day)
Sat	15 min. easy	15 min. spin	30 min walk
Sun	Race Day	Race Day	Race Day

The only thing that will be an issue is getting in a pre race swim it's not allowed.

But I think I might have found an answer to that issue and found a cult classic at the same time.

Check out: http://luckyslakeswim.com/

Train smart, finish strong,

-Brian

Sunday in Acworth:

2008-05-04T20:12:00.003-04:00

Today was a great day, I met Wes and Dee Dee at Dallas Landing, but the park closed today, not sure what was going on. Wes knew of another place we could swim, so we turned it around and headed over to Acworth Beach.

We pulled in and I was psyched to about 30 TNT (Team in Training) triathletes doing a mock tri.

While at the beach I saw someone wearing the Zoot/GU tri top, so I introduced myself as a Zoot/GU team member, so out of the blue I got to meet Brian R.

We got to talking and Brian said he is going to race Escape from Alcatraz and Chattanooga River front tri and a few others, I told him my plans for 70.3 FLA, and that I Chattanooga looked like a race I needed to do.

So Wes, Dee Dee and I got our wetsuits on and jumped and started swimming, what a good time.

We all had a good swim, I really enjoyed the new wetsuit, it fit great and I was faster in it.

We got out of the water; I pulled off the wetsuit without any issues, dried off a bit, and got ready.

Got the bike out of the trunk and put the front wheel on, I got to talk to Brian a little more about racing, it turns out Brian raced IM Florida so Wes and Brian started talking about the race.

Dee Dee had to take off, so Wes and I got started, we rode the 12.5 miles loop 3 times and headed back. I liked most of the loop, there is a long section that's on Cobb Parkway this road is a little too busy for me, but when in Rome.

I stayed in the aero position most of the time and had a good time on the bike as Wes proceeded to kick my A$$, that guy can swim, bike and run.

Jumped off the bike stowed the bike and swapped out shoes and a bike jersey for a tank and started a slow run / walk.

This was the end of a great workout, and a great build up to the race, 16 week punched and 2 weeks taper, as I write this its 13 days to race day.

So here are the number:
0:20:00 Swim

0:10:00 T1

2:02:00 Bike

0:10:00 T2

0:30:00 Run

3:12:00 Total

I'll sleep good tonight.

Train smart, race strong,

-Brian

April 08 is in the books:

2008-05-01T10:20:00.002-04:00

I started catching up on a few blogs, namely Wes and Kevin, and I saw that they were posting up number their number for April.

I like this, public record, keep me honest post, so here goes.

So my recap for April, the way I recollect it:

The big thing for me way my thyroid levels, I have had a little up and down with it, I was real low for awhile and it was hard to get going. Not that its 100% the fault of my low thyroid but I gained weight during March and the first half April. Add the increased volume of training and the fact that my thyroid was too low, I could add 3 lbs a week, and I just could not control it.

The last part of the Month we had out of town guests come for a week, good times. I did have to cut back on my training because I wanted to spend time with them and enjoy catching up. We spent much of the time dining out, and eating a little on the rich side, see my friends love steak (me too), and there on vacation so what the hell. With the cut back on the training and increased steak intake I've put on 2 lbs and it took me a week to get back to even.

I caught a cold, yup, didn't think I could at this late date, but I got one, and it knocked me down for a few days. It cost me a few key training sessions, but at the same time I was able to recover, so I like to look at it as a bye week.

I learnt a lot about stretching and what things I can do to speed recovery.

My Run, I finished my half mary on March 30, the Georgia ING, had a good race, but I was a little run spent afterwards. I've been fighting shin splints; so I've been stretching and trying to run on a treadmill when I can and keep things light. My running has been very lax, and I need to be a little more run focuses.

My bike was good, I had a couple of long rides and I feel like I'm starting the get some legs. Missing a long ride killed my numbers, but you got to do what you've got to do, and that's keeping balance in the house.

My swim, I can say I feel pretty good about the swim numbers. A few of my planned workouts got changed from drills to just straight swims; I did not have the energy to do a lot of the drills.

This month I got to swim 2.5k straight a few times and It really makes me feel good about myself and raises my confidence levels for the 1.2 mile OWS I've got coming.

So in recap, I need to thank the wife and kids, they have been very understanding of my quest to be a half ironman.

Bike: 13h 18m 26s - 255.5 Mi
Run: 11h 46m 21s - 54 Mi
Swim: 6h 32m 18s - 21300 M or 13.23 Miles

Train smart and finish strong,

-Brian

Good day:

2008-04-29T13:47:00.005-04:00

I've been concerned about my swim @ 70.3 Florida, and how I thought I was going to do.
I know I can do the distance, I've done it many times in the pool, but the open water still play mind tricks on me. So this weekend I am going to do an open water swim and try to workout any issues I have before the race.

Sleep, One of my little ones got into bed with us last night, and I just don't sleep as well. On top of that around 4am start coughing and started breaking up everything in my lungs and etc, so one little cough got me out of bed and hacking for about 30 minutes. So my sleep was disrupted and I'm a little cranky. LOL.

I had a good lunchtime swim at Johnson Park I swam 2600m straight , felt tired getting in, after 500 started feeling better, my time was 48:47 for 26:00, or somewhere around 1:53 / 100m.

Tonight's workout is a run, not sure how I'll feel but I would like to get in 90 minutes.

Train smart and finish strong,

-Brian

Back in the Saddle:

2008-04-28T22:32:00.002-04:00

I'm back from hell.
I was on the DL for a few days and not making my workouts was killing me.

Today was a better day, I got my 1500m swim in at lunch, and my ride in on the trainer tonight.
I did them both slow and steady, I'm feeling better but not 100%.

This is my last full on week, the next two following weeks are slight tapers, so this week has to be strong.

Next up, 2500m swim and a "Quality Day" running, might have to change the "Quality Day" to a distance day, I would like to run 90 minutes tomorrow, not sure I can handle the intensity of a QD.

I keep reminding myself, stay safe, show up to the line 100%, no need to blow it now.

-Brian

Sick:

2008-04-27T07:53:00.002-04:00

Another day and I'm still sick.
I came down with a cold Thursday and its been keeping me from working out.

Not much I can do, so I going to continue to rest and if I feel any better I'm going to ride the trainer latter.

-b

14 Down 4 to go:

2008-04-22T15:16:00.000-04:00

Well, it’s getting close to the end and I am having the normal mixed emotions.
On one hand I’m feeling the best I ever have, strong and skilled.
And on the other, I know I’ve missed a few workouts.
With all the issues I’ve had with my Thyroid and related weight gain, and now weight drop, hard work and God knows I’m lucky, I’m feeling like I’m going to be ok.

This week is a struggle, we have house guests from out of town and getting in a big week is going to be hard.
I know I’m not going to be able to get everything in, so my plan is to get quality over quantity.

Also this Friday I have my “Relay for Life” event so Saturday is going to be a long hard day and I know I’ll have to take it easy.

Sunday is going to have to be my big day, I have to check with the family and hope for good weather, but I’d like to do a 3+ hour bike with a 1+ hour run, then a 2+ hour nap :)

Next week is really my last big week and then I start a two week taper.
So next week has to be a strong week.

Train strong, train smart,

-Brian

Good swim:

2008-04-15T14:53:00.001-04:00

I swam 2600 in 50:00 without stopping.

That's a bit of a lie I had to stop once and clear my goggles, I had a little leakage. Felt good, I think it was a good pace and I was able to swim the second half faster then the first, and the last 1/4 the fastest of all.
Next time, if I have the time, would be to warm up, then hit the water fast and rip 500 meters real fast like a start, then settle in for 1000 and then finish with 500 strong.

Things to work on would be sighting, on breath just pop out and look.

Train strong, train smart,

-Brian

Week 14 of 18 of 70.3 training:

2008-04-15T09:40:00.001-04:00

I know I say it every week, but I just can't believe another week as past so quickly.

It wasn't all that long ago when I felt like this week would never come.

I've been posting here and on BT about shin splints and I have gotten so many emails and posts about it and thank you very much.

For me the shin splints are related to two factors:

My foot strike in the first mile(s) is a little off and it's only when I finally loosen up do I start to feel better.
My legs are not balanced, by that I mean my quads are out of proportion to the other muscles in my legs.

What that means to me.

I need to warm up better and work on my stretching routine, so many times I just start running and when I was done with a run I didn't always stretch.

That's all changed; I warm up, stretch then run or ride or swim.

I'm learning to stretch all of my muscles and I'm going at it at slow pace, I don't want to overdo it and snap something.

Because of all the running and cycling my quads and calves have been getting the brunt of the workouts and my alignment is off.

So to keep my legs in balance I have started a strengthening program to work my shins and quads.

I've found YouTube to be a great resource for finding video of exercises and proper technique.

One that I've found for calves is a simple toe raise, you just curl or lift your toes up and back and hold this for 5 minutes.

After about 2 minutes I can feel the burn and I know I'm getting a good workout just sitting down.

Also, I have taken to the treadmill, thinking that it's a much softer on my legs and I can control my warm up, run and cool down much better then on the road.

For the hams, I'm doing leg curls, nothing too heavy, I'm just looking to get a little stronger I don't want to get hurt now.

So, what's new?

We have out of state quests coming in this coming weekend, my Brother and Sister In-law are going to stay with us for a week.

We are all very happy to see them, it's been about 9 months and the kids are now starting to get excited.

This will be somewhat of a hard week, to balance my workouts, my diet and spending time with everyone will prove to be trying at best.

So this week really has to count

Speedwork/Quality Phase

WK-14	Swim	Bike	Run
Mon	(#9) 1500 yds. a.m	30 miles p.m.
Tue	(#14) 2500 yds. a.m		Quality Day
Wed		Quality Day
Thur	Quality Day a.m.		60 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		90 min a.m
Sun		50 miles a.m.	60 min. walk p.m

Train smart, train strong,

-Brian

Daily report:

2008-04-10T20:25:00.002-04:00

Good swim:
Pool was going nuts with kids, loads of them, spring break is here.
I had couple of pool noodles get in my lane as my lane was right up against the kids area. I thought I could talk all the kids into beating on my while I swam, might make for real life exp.

Not so good run:
Splints are back, I went out a little quick because we were running as a group and I think this was what triggered the splints.Kind of bad for the first two miles, then easing on the way back.I had to walk for a bit going out, and for about 30 seconds coming back, but once I got to the second half I was able to run pretty good.I think I need to stick to the treadmill for awhile so I can heal up 100%.

-b

Week 13, wow, time is ticking down.

2008-04-08T20:05:00.003-04:00

So it's week of my 70.3 Florida training program, and the base period is now over and now it's the quality phase.

I'm feeling burnt, and I am going to need a second wind to get this "quality phase" going.

Besides my workouts, I've been doing battle with the lawn and landscaping.

All bushes have been trimmed and planning beds have been raked out and I have mowed the grass down to about an inch of its life.

I have a lawn of Bermuda grass, in the fall most of what's above ground dies off, and you left with some nasty looking brown stuff.

The best thing to do is to cut the lawn as short as you can, this way all the dead stuff is gone and when the green grass comes it looks like carpet.

So the last few nights I've been just about roto-tilling the lawn, but now I'm ready to go.

I did my weekly long swim today at lunch 2650, sets of 5x500, plus 150 because I can't count.

Work has been busy and yesterday I didn't make it to the pool so today had to count, and it felt good, 2650 in 49:06, I felt good with the time, considering I felt like a 6 out of 10 in the AM.

Tonight is a run at the gym, I've been fighting the lower leg splints and Saturday running on the tread felt pretty good, so I am going to hit the tread and boost up the speed if I can.

Last Sunday I got to ride with Wes on the Silver Comet Trial and I had a blast, thanks Wes.

I had never ridden with Wes and I knew he was a good rider but this guy hammers! I think he stayed in aero 100% of the time and just rocked the tempo, a few times I thought we were going to hit light speed, but we just never did.

If Wes ever asks you out for a ride be fair warned J

I'm kidding Wes was the perfect host, never pushing it too hard without checking with me.

So thanks to the intro to the Silver Comet Wes and nice bike.

I almost forgot to add, I got me meet Dee Dee and do a little ride before Wes commenced the butt kicking, so Hey Dee Dee!

Ok, so here is my week, I took Monday as an off day, because my lawn and I both needed it.

Speedwork/Quality Phase

WK-13	Swim	Bike	Run
Mon	(#8) 1500 yds. a.m	30 miles p.m.	0
Tue	(#15) 2500 yds. a.m		Quality Day
Wed		Quality Day
Thur	Quality Day a.m.		60 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds. p.m		90 min a.m
Sun		50 miles a.m.	60 min. walk p.m

Train Smart Train Strong,

-Brian

Week 12 of 70.3 Florida training:

2008-03-31T21:00:00.002-04:00

Week 12 is a RECOVERERY week, just in time.

Everything looks good, the weather look like I'll have nice week so I hope to as much as possible outside.

I'm still a little sore from Sundays ING half marathon, so I'm going to do my workouts at a slightly lower intensity.

WK-12	Swim Recovery	Bike Recovery	Run Recovery
Mon	(#3) 1000 yds. a.m	20 miles p.m.
Tue	(#13) 2000 yds. a.m		50 min p.m
Wed		30 miles p.m.
Thur	(#4) 1250 yds. a.m		40 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		90 min a.m
Sun		50 miles a.m.	60 min walk p.m

I forgot to add to my last post some info about the ING expo.

Good show, it was at the Georgia Dome, you know that hallowed hall where the Falcons play.

The expo was on the field, and I got to walk the field and look up at the stands, life is good.

I got to meet Tommy from GU Sports and talk about the Team Zoot/GU project.

What a good guy, they were a very busy booth, but he was able to take some time and meet with me, talk sport and tell me all about the product.

Also, a good tip, if you at the expo on the last day and 10 minutes to close, you can score a lot of free stuff.

In 10 minutes I got 2 large bags to FREE stuff, so thank you to all.

OK, I need to stretch it out and get too bed.

Train smart train strong,

-Brian

ING Half Marathon my race report:

2008-03-30T16:30:00.009-04:00

ING Half Marathon today.

Cold run, but the rain stopped just in time.

My alarm went off at 04:30 and I could still hear the rain.

I got up, cleaned up and dressed. I wore two short sleeved tech shirts under a long sleeved tech shirt and a light windbreaker, and shorts under loose tights and my newish Mizuno's, not sure what I was going to run in, but at least it had it.

I use Body Glide on my longer runs on my feet, and I thought it would be a good idea to do the sides of my heels, wrong, while walking my socks where falling down and getting sucked into my shoes. After some playing around I was able to rub it off and get my socks to stay, but I was real worried, 13.1 without socks.

Out the door and to the train station, I got in without any issues, lots of other runners on the train.

Got to the start and it was dark, wet, cold and crazy.

I found the bag check station and it was a real long line, and it was cold to I kept it all.

I would suggest more lights, and better direction, it would of been nice if someone was telling people where the corals where. That kind of stuff, all in all they did a good job, 20k runners, its a big job.

We when off and I as soon as I crossed the starting line walkers were blocking 3,4,5 wide, not cool, please walkers, I am truly glad to have you out with me, but come on folks, please understand some of us are here to run (or what I call running), and make a whole.

Just like the last few weeks, I got some real lower leg splints and it hurt, real bad. I had to walk them off, or risk them all day. Slowly they were getting better, but I was feeling like a loser, walking 9 minutes into it. I had to walk them off, I would run for about 5 minutes and have to walk for about 5 minutes. This continued for almost 40 minutes.

Once I got past my issues I was able to run it out.

Quick comment about the people around me at 40 minutes, and about 2.5 miles into it. People were walking, and lots of them, and they were there for a reason, many of them walking for someone else.

I saw a woman with the pictures of two very your children on the back of her shirt, I wanted to ask, but I don't think I could of taken the answer.

Many with the same stories.

Lots of support, it was a special crowd.

At this point I got my legs and I had to go.

I'm calling this the middle section of my run.

I felt fine, I was finally running and I was smiling.
After about two miles if running I was feeling fine and started to make up a little time.
I was passing people left and right, granted a lot of these runners were slower them me, even if I didn't have to slow down for shin splints.

But it's fun to pass people.

I would get on a stretch where I could see 500 meters and say 'I'm going to pass 20 people' and I would and more, I did this much of my last 5 miles.

I ran everything, hills, come on, I was running hard up them, runners where dropping like flies. I took corners fast, leaning into them, and passing people.

At about mile 12, quite a few people were walking, I couldn't believe it, 1 mile to go, come on folks, dig deep.

I would say this was a pretty hilly course, lots of ups and downs, and some good size, and I know it was cold but 1 miles left ya got to turn it up.

I finished strong, and I would have to say, I finished about as strong as I ever had.

In the last 1/4 mile I passed 30 people that just didn't have it.

That's my story.

Run strong,

-Brian

Shameless plug, but I love GU, I was taking Espresso Love and Lemon Sublime.

I also got to meet up with a young old friend from Middleboro Ma, who ran the Full Marathon who just killed her goal time.

Thyroid results are in:

2008-03-27T19:32:00.002-04:00

Just opened the lab report from my last thyroid test, and just as I suspected I'm real low.

Thyroid can be measured from 3 chems T3 I'm 2.5 normal is 4.6-12, T4 I'm 56 normal is 59 – 174 and TSH I'm 11.56 normal is .34 to 5.6.

The TSH for me is the big indicator; your pituitary gland creates the TSH to call to your thyroid to create more T3 and T4.

Just about a week ago I called over to my doctors office begging for something, I felt real low, so low that training had become real work and all I wanted to do is sleep.

Not sure if one week is enough, but I'm still feel a little low, and I can feel it in my muscles, I've never gotten a Charlie horse but, but now I've had a few, and lots of shin splints. Who would of thought it was going to be so bad, not me.

My issue now is the ING half mary, I got to run this thing and I will, but I have to say my ambitions of running this thing as a bull has been set adrift and now I just want to complete it and stay strong.

I know thing are now going to in the right direction and just in time to finish my 70.3 Florida training.

I really haven't missed too much, I've just been tired and wow I gained about 10lbs in 3-4 week, crazy stuff.

Ok, enough, I hope this is my last downer of a post. It's not really a downer because the hard part is over, right? Yes it is, come on 70.3!

Train smart, train strong,

-Brian

Week 11 of 70.3 Florida training:

2008-03-24T16:03:00.001-04:00

Counting them down, it's week 11.

Looks like I've pulled a pretty big week out of my hat (or other part of my body).

I've been looking at this week for some time now, it, by far has been the biggest week I've seen in, well ever I think.

Got a couple of key swims, run and rides, but I'm not sure I can pick 'em all up. I have to all day meetings for Wednesday and Thursday, and I bailed on today's lunch time swim in favor of shoe shopping, I know that didn't come out right, shoe buying! The pair I've been running in has been killing me, they have too many miles on them, and they are failing me. Lately I feel like I'm mid foot striking too much and causing splints, and I need to find something with a heel ASAP. I liked the pair I have now, I ran Chickamauga in them, but it's time to move on, and I can't say I want another pair.

My show quest will continue post work where I will hunt for footwear.

I also have the Georgia ING half marathon this Sunday so I need new shoes and some time to wear them in.

WK-11
Mon	(#7) 1500 yds. a.m	25 miles p.m.
Tue	(#14) 2500 yds. a.m		60 min p.m
Wed		40 miles p.m.
Thur	(#10) 1750 yds. a.m		50 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		100 min a.m
Sun		60 miles a.m.	75 min walk p.m

I might swap this week with next or because of the run, I'm not sure I want to ride 60 the day before, still thinking about this one.

Either way, I hope everyone has a good week and a good run on Sunday.

Run long my friends,

-Brian

55 mile ride is in the books:

2008-03-21T16:30:00.003-04:00

Greetings all,

With it being Good Friday and Easter Weekend I needed to move a few things around to accommodate everything and everyone.

Sunday was to be my long ride, but I'm going to my Fathers for Easter so a 3 hour Sunday ride is out of the question. So my only other option was to get it done today, and my friends today was a great ride.

The hills felt smaller the sun was one my (sun screened) face and the wind at my back, the bike was tight and all I needed to do was ride 55 miles.

I set off at 10:00 am and was making great time; my goal was to negative split the ride and get back to the house feeling like I could run nothing more nothing less.

It was a little cool this morning about 50 degrees (I know it all relative) but sunny and not much wind, I set off on a route that I ridden before but a little shorter than my requited 55 miles, but I added a new loop to get my distance.

Things were going good until I got to a closed road, the road dipped down real low and had been closed due to flooding, so I turned it around, I knew where I was so no big deal, just funny.

I was going to link up with a pal from the office and do a partial ride from his house to the office and get a feel for the route, but scheduling issues arose so we missed, so I road it alone.

What a nice ride, I'm going to enjoy riding to the office, at about mile 2ish it's a good downhill into a covered bridge, real nice, then it's a bit of a long grade uphill, but the covered bridge is real cool.

After that I needed about 20 miles and I needed faster splits, so I got it in gear and went. The sun was getting a little higher in the sky and it was warming up nicely so the added speed didn't feel like work at all, it felt like spring.

I got back to the house feeling great, I didn't get to run off the bike, I was tight for time, and I owed it to the family not to keep them waiting.

So that's the story of my 55 miles ride.

Good Friday and happy Easter to all,

-Brian

Help us fight cancer by supporting Relay For Life!:

2008-03-19T15:47:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone,

I am going to do the "Relay For Life" to benefit the American Cancer Society, this is a overnight walking event from 7pm to 7am, then I am going to run the Grayson Day 5K road race at 7:30 that morning.

Besides being a little crazy, I am doing it to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and I need your help.

I want your money!

I've been spending some time thinking of the people I knew that died from Cancer, both my grandfathers for starters, and many others. But then I started to think of the people that I knew that HAD and SURIVED cancer, this was a longer list.

We are making great strides in stomping out cancer and this is how we pay for it.

Folks, this is how we pay for it, we do crazy things like walk all night, and then the real crazy ones run a 5k.

So, we need your money, plain and simple, it’s the money that makes it all work. No one else is going to do it for you. You are either going to have to come walk with us, and I wish you would OR you’re going to have to get out your checkbook and do what you can.

Please help me, I set a modest goal to raise $500.

Click here to visit my personal page.

Please visit my site and click the donate button, give what you can.

This way we can both pay if forward.

Good Karmas king.

-Brian J MacDonald

Can you believe that more than 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States this year? Those are staggering statistics, but there is hope. Each of us can do something to save lives and help those already fighting this disease. That's why I've decided to take action against cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® event in my community.

Relay For Life is an overnight event that brings our community together to help support the American Cancer Society and its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. The Society works hard every day to prevent cancer and save lives by supporting groundbreaking research, affecting public policies that protect us from cancer, and educating people on how to prevent or detect cancer early. The Society helps people with cancer right here in our own community, and our efforts at Relay For Life can help the American Cancer Society to keep working toward a cancer-free future.

I want to invite you to show your support in the ongoing fight against cancer by teaming up with us for this year's Relay. Please click on the link below for more information, including details on the inspirational Survivors' Lap and the moving Luminaria Ceremony. We hope to see you there! If you can't join us, will you please visit the site and make a donation to support our efforts? Either way, you will make a real difference in the lives of people facing cancer and in the lives of the people who love them. Thank you!

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Week 10 of 70.3 Training:

2008-03-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

This is it the biggest week yet, and I'm a little bummed because something has to go.

We are going to Spend Easter at my Dads house; we are going to my Dads in South Carolina on Saturday day after the kids play their soccer games.

Looks like I'm taking Sunday off, not really a big deal, I mean come on, its Easter.

That said I have Friday off, so I think I'm going to do my long ride on Friday, and my long run on Saturday morning before soccer, then I'll let the wife drive us out.

Next week is the Georgia ING Marathon, which I will be running the HALF, I'm not completely sure if I'm going to taper at all. It might be good training to have a big ride on Saturday and then race ING on Sunday. I have to really think it over, I would like the training, but I don't want to risk any injuries, going to have to sleep on that one.

So here's my week, Monday is in the books. I followed last night's 25 mile trainer ride with a fast one mile off the bike run. I could really feel that run, wow.

The swims are getting good, and I've got to hit all my runs, especially with the ING half next weekend.

WK-10
Mon	(#9) 1500 yds. a.m	25 miles p.m.
Tue	(#14) 2250 yds. a.m		60 min p.m
Wed		35 miles p.m.
Thur	(#11) 1750 yds. a.m		50 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		90 min a.m
Sun		55 miles a.m.	75 min walk p.m
WK-11

Wish me luck.

To you all, train smart, train strong,

-Brian

Week 9 midweek update:

2008-03-12T21:41:00.001-04:00

Oh it's Wednesday already, the weather is cooperating and I'm feeling fine.

Monday after my swim I thought I was coming down with the flu, I'm happy to say it wasn't my time, but I still caught something. So I headed home and tried to sleep it off, and needless to say I missed my 25 mile ride.

Tuesday, I swapped my swim workouts because I just wasn't feeling 100% and I didn't do the drills I just swam it straight out. The kids have Dance on Tuesdays one has it early and the other late, while I take care of one the other goes with my wife, and it went long so my run went sort. I blasted to the gym (closes at 10:00pm) ASAP at got on a tread just about 09:10 pm, feeling a little bummed about trying to squeeze a 50 minute run in 40 minutes. I got in the tread warmed up for 5 minutes, restarted it and got up to speed, feeling the pressure of -10 minutes I ramped up my speed about a full minute faster than my normal, after all in order to run faster you just have to run faster. I was able to hold my new speed for 2 miles and then had to back it down because I feared I would blow something up. Post workout I was feeling really good, but for all that's good in this world I could not get to sleep, and when I did I don't think it was that high quality stuff I like so much.

Wednesday, still a little sleepy I got to work and hit the coffee pot, (we brew Seattle's Best, Henrys) so a little goes a long way. I got to the pool at noon and swam my 2k, I did do the drills, I just swam it straight and felt pretty good about it. I broke it down to swimming 20 100m, so I would swim the 100 and click my watch, in the end I swim 2000m in 39 minutes, not too shabby for my standards. Post workout I got to the office, ate my turkey sandwich and a bag of Cape Cod cheddar jalapeño (this is a habit I can't seem to break) , I was tired but I my mind was real clear and I did some of my best work. I got home on time and grabbed my bike, the wife (good gal) had the kids at soccer practice, so I road for 28 miles and averaged 19.40 mph, (holy $hit) 19.40, this is new, where did this come from? Must be that bike, I was able to spend more time in the aero position, I would say I was aero about 20% of the time. I was monkeying around with the seat tilt and I think I'm off a little because riding aero was a little uncomfortable. Maybe that's how I found that new speed… Post ride my legs were a little toasty but I felt the need to run off the bike, so I ran inside and changed my sorts (sore from the seat tilt) chugged a little water and ran my one mile. I had posted earlier about how good I was feeling running off the bike, well today I didn't have that same feeling, my legs were a little too pumped and contraction was little limited. I got my mile in about the same time as usual so I felt ok, I felt like this was more like a race scenario and that's what's it all about.

Tomorrow, how knows, but I would like to run at lunchtime, and take the evening off and do something with the family, I've been asking a lot lately and I need to show my appreciation.

So that's my week so far.

My advice to you all get you're training in, but down forget to pay karma bills.

Week 9 of 70.3 training:

2008-03-10T10:41:00.001-04:00

Ok, here we go boys and girls, week 9. This is the week when I go from 9 workouts per week to 12 workouts per week.

WK-9
Mon	(#6) 1250 yds. a.m	25 miles p.m.
Tue	(#12) 2000 yds. a.m		60 min p.m
Wed		30 miles p.m.
Thur	(#8) 1500 yds. a.m		50 min p.m
Fri		20 miles p.m.
Sat	(choice) 1000 yds.		80 min p.m
Sun		50 miles a.m.	75 min walk p.m
WK-10

On top of this I need to run off the bike, I'm thinking I keep to 1 or 2 miles for my weekday rides and 30 minutes or more on the long weekend rides.

Timing is everything, the clocks got moved and my PM rides should be outside in the sun!

Ok, I'll update throughout the week.

-Brian

2.1 k in the pool:

2008-03-07T09:20:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post yesterday; I must have been a little dizzy sill from my pool workout.

I hit the pool for my longest straight out swim ever, 2100 meters. I had a run scheduled but as I was getting changed I noticed I didn't have my running shoes. I had packed my shoes the night before, but when I got of my bike that night, I pulled them from my car so I could run off the bike and forgot to repack them. So the best sounding option was to swim.

This is a good time of year for the pool, not too many swimmers, mostly people doing PT. So I had my own lane and the water was good and flat and I was feeling pretty good. I got in and started out, I wanted to swim this complete without stopping. So I started off slow and after my typical 300m warm up I started to feel loose, the first few 100 I'm tight and I don't reach my form. So I started out for my first 1000m, doing fine, clicking my watch on the 100m so I would have a record, 1k in 18:23, good I thought, then I clicked the wrong button on my watch and my workout was saved and I had to start another workout. See I got the new watch a Polar RS100, I will review sometime soon. I felt bad and I had to stop swimming for approx 20 seconds until I could reset my watch, dam you watch. So then I set off on my next 1000m, I was still feeling fine, I was swimming about 1:40 – 1:45 and real happy with my time. At points I would work less on mussels and more on technique and try to learn to maximize my speed and conserve energy. The rest of the workout when fine, I started to feel a little tired in the last 200m, but I finished the last 1100 strong and felt good about missing my run.

Next up, a 50 minute run today @ lunch if I can, 70 minute run Saturday and a 35 mile bike Sunday.

-Brian

Going strong:

2008-03-05T22:24:00.002-05:00

Wednesday update,

Today was a good day, I did a swim workout at lunch, 300 warm up, 16x50s (all out speed) 20 sec wall time and a 150 cool down for 1250m.

Tonight was a bike on the trainer for 01:12 for 25 miles, just a steady ride, working on breathing and keeping my HR low (131 avg.), followed up with a 1 mile off the bike run at tempo pace.

So I'm starting to feel real good about my training and need to get psyched up for next week I jump from 9 weekly workouts to 12!

Like most training programs you start out light and a little disjointed and start building and over time some of the dots start getting connected, for me this was the week. My body and mind are getting stronger, I'm getting good sleep and my food habit is now all about choosing good whole things.

Bike talk, for the last two days I've been running off the bike and my legs feel like a million bucks. Take this for what it is, I'm on a trainer ridding a steady but strong 20 mph speed, no hills and no wind, but when I jumped off and ran and I didn't have heavy legs WOW, I just felt great, and I owe it to my training and the Felt b12, I love this bike.

Train strong,

-Brian

Florida 70.3 training halfway point

2008-03-04T20:02:00.004-05:00

Update:
I needed so swap Monday for Tuesday, so tonight I rode the trainer.
What seemed like an effort 3 weeks ago now seemed like a rest, I rode for an hour averaging 20 miles per hour. The last two weekends had longer 45 mile rides with lots of hills, so heck ride only an hour on the flats, no problem. I felt so good, I hopped off the bike grabbed my running shoes and blasted for a 1 mile run and it felt so good.

Barring time constraints I’m going to brick of the bike every time.

-Brian

WK-8	Recovery	Recovery	Recovery
Mon	(#2) 1000 yds. a.m	20 miles p.m.
Tue	(#4) 1250 yds. a.m		50 min p.m
Wed		25 miles p.m.
Thur	(#5) 1250 yds. a.m		35 min p.m
Fri
Sat			70 min a.m
Sun		35 miles a.m.

This is the halfway point in my 70.3 FLA training, hard to believe it's here.

I've got a little over 2 months of training left and I am feeling good. The weather is starting get better so long runs and long rides are going to be a lot more fun.

I'm looking forward to getting my wetsuit and starting to get some open water swims in, the pool work is going fine, but it's the open water that need the help in. I want to rip that swim, I want to keep with the mid packers and cruise this swim, I want to have a good time, not the typical panic and exhaustion.

My bike is spot-on for my training Sunday was a 45 miler with lots of long grades and some rolling hills, and I managed to average 17.7 mph. Now my goals for 70.3 FLA are 19 MPH, but for only bike training for 2 months or so I am feeling good about my progress. I will be on the bike trainer tonight for about an hour J

Running is where I need to start getting faster; I have been running a real hilly 6 mile loop around my neighborhood and I've been averaging on 11:30-12:00. I think I've been so worried about the swim and bike that I have been neglecting the run, but that's all changing this week. I have the Georgia ING half mary at the end of the month and I would like to finish in 2:25 or less, that sounds so slow, I might have to revisit this goal as I get closer. So this weekend I am going to watch what I'm putting in my mouth, (going to be hard because the Girl Scout cookies just showed up), and I've going to run, run and run some more.

Train Strong,

-Brian

Hills, hills and more hills:

2008-02-23T20:38:00.004-05:00

I find it truly amazing what the body can do if your mind will let it, and today I had a good mind / body day. The day started a little on the cool side, and the streets were still a little wet from last night’s rain (hallelujah we got rain). I could see the trees out front swaying with the wind, and I knew it was going to be a hell of a ride, and I was right. I headed out and thing seemed real easy, on a couple of the hill I road many times seemed much smaller, and I was getting a little full of myself, BLAM. I have a real knack, no a gift for finding the hilliest routes and today’s was some of my best work. At about mile 6 I was feeling good, fully warmed up and ready for action, well, until I turned the corner and then I saw it, Mt Grayson, LOL. I knew in the back of my mind that I had to take the hill easy or risk explosions, and so early in the ride I took it as slow as I could. After paying the gravity bill I got my reward and flew like a bird, the roads we still a little wet so I had to hit the brakes (just a little) or risk death. For the next 20 miles it was big hill after big hill. I was getting my a$$ handed to me, by mile 30 I had to stop off for Rolaids, Liquid, I ate a banana and drank what I could hold and then I was off. Still plenty of hills but not as tall as the first set, and by mile 40 the grim reaper had descended upon me and I was toast. At this point my wife called and asked if I was ever coming home, the kids wanted to see a movie and then go to dinner. Wow did that sound good, get home, shower up sit in the dark movie theater for 2 hours and rest up for dinner (I feel the need for Steak). Oh did mention the strong headwinds and the hills really wore me down. I had seven mile left on my ride and I was in a bad way, I pulled out my trump card, a Espresso Love GU with 2x caffeine, and killed what was left in my bottle. And within 15 minutes I was feeling better, I was still toast, but I had a smile on my face, and the closer to home I got the bigger it got. I made it home and hugged the family, I was told I smelled bad (I’ve got girls) and I needed to shower. I popped to Advil had a tall glass of mike and the rest is history.

Would a flat course of been a better ride, sure, but I’m training, and it’s the hills that are going to make me a stronger cyclist. Do I recommend this route? Only if you have masochistic tendencies or you’re a triathlete (maybe one in the same). All kidding aside, if you’re training and want to get stronger ride hills.

What a ride, I cranked 47 miles in 2:55 for an average mpg of 16.13, and boy was I tired.

Ok, folks I’ve got to get to bed, tomorrow is another day, and I’m sure it has hills.

If I see ya on the road I’ll wave.

-Brian

Weekend ride:

2008-02-22T15:10:00.002-05:00

Weekend long ride, a 47 miler?
If a little is good, then a lot must be great.
47 miler
Find more Bike Rides in Grayson, Georgia

This work thing is really getting in the way of my training.

2008-02-21T18:56:00.001-05:00

Today is not my best day.
The pool was closed from noon to 2:00 pm, so I missed the pool at lunch.
So at about 4:30 I thought, you know I just might be able to get my swim in after work, HA!
Then when the thing blew up and I have to help fix it, I thought 30 minutes max, then I thought, I’m a little late for the pool but I bet I can get my run in, HA!

Right now I am clinching my buttocks, smiling, and happy that I can at least workout my a$$.

-b

Run the Reagan race report.

2008-02-18T21:49:00.006-05:00

First off I have to thank everyone who let it close off the Ronald Reagan, so, Thank you!
The race course is the Ronald Reagan Parkway a scenic 6.2 mile thoroughfare named after the late Mr. Ronald Reagan. Mister Pres must have liked hills, because this bad boy is chocked full of them and when I stay hills I mean long steady hills, the kind that kick your butt. That said, I had a wonderful time, I like hills, I like the way they test me, my mussel my mind.
The weather was great, I would say somewhere in the mid forties, and clear a bell. I start off with a sleeveless tech shirt under a long sleeve tech shirt and shorts, by mile 1; I peeled of my long sleeve and was feeling fine. I had my tunes going; a pretty eclectic mix, AD/DC, Jack Johnson, Dave Mathews, Blues Traveler and they kept me going. Normally I love to chat it up and have a good time running, but I purposely wore my tunes because I wanted to focus on running. I wasn’t really trained up to run a 10k fast, I am really in a base building stage and I ran this as a training run, plus I am a real slow runner or should I say jogger. The scenery is nothing to talk about it’s mostly trees and bushes, but the beauty I found was in the hills. The hills were up and down like all hills, but these swayed up high to the left and up to the right and when you thought you could see the top more of the hill would reveal itself as you got closer. The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention when I ran down a long grade, my feet flying behind me, my stride lengthening, my heart pumping hard, I was in a happy place, it’s a memory that I will have with me for the rest of my life. I hit the turnaround point and started up that wonderful hill, soon I snapped out of my trance and it was time to pay the gravity bill. I had been running at a steady pace looking to run negative splits, because of the hills my split times were all over the place, but on this long uphill I was gaining on my peers. I got to pass a lot of runner, many they went out too fast and they were paying the price. So from the turn around you head up a ¾ mile long grade and many of the back of packers like me we were slowing once at the top it was downhill for a half mile and then backup another ¾ mile hill and over the Web Gin House exit. This was the last big hill, and by now the carnage was great. I got to the top and had to take a 30 second walk break, I wanted to run the hill and I knew I could but I might have to walk off some once I crested. Once I got to the top of the last rise it was about a half mile or so to the finish. I picked off a few rabbits I had scoped miles back and it felt pretty good to cross the line.

I finished up and ran back up the course to cheer my fellow back of the pack runners.

I grabbed a water, headed home, cleaned up and took the family out to lunch.

The race organizers put on a great post race family festival where they have lots of blowup moonwalks and local restaurants are giving out samples and you can meet many of fellow runners and enjoy the day.

That’s my perfect day (run, family, steak).

I recommend the race; the hills weren’t really that bad and it was a lot of fun to run on a completely closed of highway.
The Run the Reagan offers a Half-Marathon, 10k, 5k and a 1 mile run run.

Run log,

-Brian

Run the Reagan:

2008-02-15T20:01:00.003-05:00

I’ve decided to race this weekend.
I am going to race the “Run the Reagan” 10k road race this Saturday. The Reagan us a must do race; they shutdown the Ronald Reagan highway so we can race. The race offers a 1 mile fun run, 5k, 10k and half marathon and a family day. Looks like the weather is going to be nice and it should be about 45 out at the start, so shorts it is. My plan is to stay in high zone 2 to low zone 3 and nothing more, this is a training run, that’s all it is, well, until the last half mile or so, and then it’s a race.

Good luck to all my fellow runners,

-Brian

What is hilly run!
Either up or down nothing in the middle.
01:13:39 (watch time, no chips)

Folks, life is good:

2008-02-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

OK I’m back.

My computer’s hard drive failed and it took some time to get it repaired.

Training has been going fine, I’ve resisted the urge to increase the do something crazy. That’s my MO I do crazy stuff all the time, the way I figure it, if a little is good a lot must be great.

With my years I am starting to get wiser or slower, not sure which one it is, but I am putting more thought into my actions, yeah it’s premeditated. Sometimes, and I mean sometimes I follow the advice of others and if it works out and I figure I’m getting wiser.

My riding is getting stronger, I went for an after work ride today (it was 65 degrees out) and I my average speed was up one full mile per hour. I did the quick math and that’s at least 9 or 10 minutes of an HIM bike split! In a few more weeks I will be attempting to ride into the office, it’s roughly 23 miles each way. I’ve been trying to work out the logistics of proper apparel (shorts and sweaty jersey doesn’t cut it), I think I can drive in with set of work clothes and leave my ditty bag and I should be good. My goal is to ride in twice a week for a quick 100 miles a week! I am thinking of the gasoline I am going to save, almost 4 gallons, this way Soccer Moms driving their Hummers can drive another 6 miles.

Swimming is coming along nicely, I’ve been swimming at lunch and I can see the results.

My running is also coming along, but I think I am not in complete zen like balance.

I get so freaked out on the swim that I am putting a lot of time in the pool and I think my running is suffering. I know I can push my bike and walk on my hands and knees but if I can swim I’m dead. That’s my quandary, what do I need to do to increase my fitness, and what do I have to do to satisfy my head.

Folks, life is good, please take advantage of it, because you only get one chance.

No regrets.

Leave nothing.

I know, that’s a little cliché, but I believe it.

See ya on the road,

-Brian

Warm and Sunny:

2008-02-05T20:55:00.001-05:00

This is week 4 of 18 and I have been able to make all but one of my scheduled workouts, so I'm feeling pretty good about it and a little tired.

My hard drive died and I am in the middle of getting it fixed, so I hope to post as soon as I am up and running.

-Brian

Georgia ING Half Marathon:

2008-02-01T16:46:00.000-05:00

I just pulled the trigger on the Georgia ING Half Marathon. I think the timing is just about right for my 70.3 Florida training. I am going to give it a good effort and test myself to see just where I am.

-See ya on the road.

-Brian

What Triathlon means to me:

2008-01-31T22:09:00.000-05:00

Like many, in my past I was a much different person.

I liked to smoke like it wasn’t going to kill me. I ate fast food all the time and piled up the pounds. Exercise consisted of mowing the lawn and drinking beer, I was in trouble.

I had two young kids and I wanted to be a father that could do things with them, you know someone that could move. A friend of mine was a runner turned triathelete, and I was inspired by him and thought it looked like fun, and this just be my reason to change. I picked a day and smoked my last smoke, laced up and got out and started run walk program. This was my new leaf and it felt like my last chance. I struggled and fell of the wagon a few times but I persevered, it was the hardest thing I have ever done.

I love things that are hard!

With that said, it must explain a lot about me. I like to fail and fail and fail because I grow from each attempt and learn things about myself, and each time I get stronger and eventually I kick it’s A$$. Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t like to fail, but when I do and I overcome it just tastes better.

Triathlon keeps me on the straight and narrow, (my wife would also kick my butt).

The gods have smiled down upon me.

See ya on the road,

-Brian

Training update:

2008-01-29T21:16:00.000-05:00

Hey Ya’ll

How you doing? I my friends I’m rocking it, at least by my standards.

I am training for Ironman 70.3 Florida, and this is week 3, and I finishing my workouts with gas in the tank.

The plan I choose “18 Week Half Ironman – Intermediate”, start off slow and builds up slowly. This plan is smart in so many ways, first it builds slowly as not to wear out anything so early, secondly is has lots of swim drills, thirdly it has balance, but that I mean so far I am not too tired. I looked at many plans and many start off much to fast, what good is a plan when in the early stages your dragging you butt around. I want to attack the workouts, I want quality.

So I’m felling pretty good, for only 2.5 weeks in and I’m feeling fine.

Next up, the biggies are 35 mile bike on Saturday and 60 minute run on Sunday. Look like the weather is going to be pretty nice this weekend, just about 60 degrees so I am off the trainer and outside!

So, my friends rock on!

See ya on the road,

-Brian

Midweek update:

2008-01-23T22:34:00.001-05:00

Humpday is here and I'm right on schedule with my training. Not that the miles or hours are too over the top, it's just that I'm just getting back into my groove, and, well I've gotten a little, how do I say, soft.
Post marathon I really needed a break I was falling out of love and my thyroid was going nuts. I took a break, maybe a little too long for comfort, but that was then, and now is now. I am glad to be back, well I have to say it, "Back in the saddle", I really have a new found love for my sport.
As we ramp back up and start tuning up, remember just how lucky we are.

See ya on the road,

-Brian

Team Zoot GU!

2008-01-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I learned that Zoot and GU where teaming up and they where going to put together a team of age-groupers as “brand ambassador”, Team Zoot GU. I found the website and completed the application form, this took a little soul searching, they wanted to know why they should choose me, what races I’ve completed, what challenges lie ahead and how I can give back to our community. This is where I had a hard time, what can I do to give back, I’ve taken a lot, maybe more than my share times. I have a bunch of ideas, and I will share them with you at a later time. But one I can let you in on, my daughter’s elementary school has a running club, and I want to volunteer my time and do all I can to help. How cool is that?

I am happy to accept their offer, I’ve been using GU for years and I find it to be the best product on the market (Espresso Love is my favorite). Zoot, I’ve known about the product for years but never owned anything before. I’ve drooled all over the keyboard many times, and now I get to own and even better review their products.

Snippet from their letter:
“We are eager to kick off the inaugural year of our co-sponsored triathlon team, and we are equally thrilled to extend an invitation to you to join the ranks of 300 specially selected men and women nationwide who will initiate this exciting venture. You have been chosen from a field of several hundred applicants due to your accomplishments, goals and enthusiasm in the sport of triathlon and in the multi-sport community as a whole. We welcome you as a brand ambassador and are proud to support you throughout your upcoming season!”

See ya on the road,

-Brian

Life is Good:

2008-01-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

I have to say, Life is Good.

My training that started off a little slow, is now full speed, and I seem to have hit my rhythm.
I’ve been riding on the Trainer in the evenings and although I miss the outside world, I am just happy and thankful to be riding. My swimming has improved over last years times, I am happy to say I have dropped 15 seconds off my 100m! I owe my newly found speed to better technique, strength training and all those laps(LOL). My running has been my weak link, but now that my medical issue is somewhat resolved I am sure that my running will quickly improve.

My week looks like this.

WK-2
Mon	(#1) 1000 yds. a.m	20 miles. p.m.
Tue	(#4) 1250 yds. a.m		45 min p.m.
Wed		25 miles. p.m.
Thur	(#2) 1000 yds. a.m		35 min p.m.
Fri
Sat			55 min a.m.
Sun		30 miles a.m.

I missed my swim yesterday because they were closed with the holiday, so I am going to make up a little of it today.

-Brian

Health Club Brick:

2008-01-20T11:28:00.001-05:00

Yup, I'm in the club doing a ride / run brick. I've got a 25 mile ride and a 40 minute run. Got about 10 more miles on the bike, then right to te run.

Then shower, then lunch then foolballl!

-Brian

Snowman ?

2008-01-19T13:03:00.000-05:00

-Brian

Snowing in Georgia?

2008-01-19T11:20:00.001-05:00

It's snowing in Georgia, we moved from the north to excape the snow, but it found us!
I have to say I've missed the snow and I am glad it's here.
Later, I'm going for a run!

-Brian

The official start to IronMan 70.3 Florida training!

2008-01-13T19:25:00.000-05:00

Monday starts my official start to my IronMan 70.3 Florida training, so tonight I’m going to bed early!

Tomorrow I have a lunchtime swim, 1000 meters, 300 warm, 5x100 and 200 cool down.
Later in the evening I have 60 minutes on the trainer, this is going to be hell for me.
Spinning on the trainer isn’t my favorite, after about 5 minutes I’m looking at my watch.
Admitting you have problem (Attention Deficit Disorder on the trainer) is the first step to recovery. LOL.

To does for the week:
Get out the board games and play with the kids.
Run a warm up with my kids.
Get more sleep.
Stretch out twice a day.
Drink more water.
Turn the TV off.
Everything in the list doable, I just need to hunker down and get it done.

See ya on the road.

-Brian

I got to watch where I'm going.

2008-01-11T14:41:00.000-05:00

Whooooooooops.

Florida IronMan 70.3 training

2008-01-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

Ok, here it is, next Monday is the official start to my Florida IronMan 70.3 training!
I had been searching for plans all off season and the one that fits me best can be found on Tri Newbies http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_HIM.asp.
It starts out like most plans, starting out slow, building endurance and over time ramping up to race mileage. The first few weeks are real easy and I thought I was way above the effort, but if I can take the early weeks and really focus on form I know I will be better for it. This plan has some room in that will allow me to strength train, last year I saw this as a place where I could improve. So that my plan, and I am going to stick to it!

Post holidays I have been swim focused and I’m having a blast. I’ve been taking it easy swimming 1000 meters at lunch doing drills, 300 warm, 5 100, 200 cool, nothing too hard, just really working on form. Much of my bike has been on the trainer, nothing too hard, just getting used to the new bike, and trying to keep my legs. I started lifting a few weeks back, just working on the basics taking it slow working up on the sets and reps. It’s too early in the year to wear something out, just trying to tune up a bit. Running has been my weakness and I need to get back out on the road, I really miss it. I got a few extra lbs left over from the holidays that I need to work off, lbs that I earned.
I’ve had fun this off season, I really got to spend some time with the family and just hangout.

Now my new season is starting, I am working on my goals, my race schedule and my family. I am excited about what lies ahead of me, I am going to race an half IronMan, who would have thought it. A few years ago I was a pack a day smoker who was as on a crash course, and now I’m going to race 70.3 miles.

I am going to share a few goals, in no particular order:
Race a Half Ironman.
Volunteer at an event.
Turn off the TV for me and the family.
Say thank you to all race volunteers.
Take walks with my wife and hold her hand.
Get two other people into our sport.
Volunteer on earth day.
Recycle more.
Take time off when I need it.
Use sunscreen more.
Open water swim more.
Learn Yoga.
Join a TRI club.
Sign up for IronMan ??? 2009? (Be brave now)

And number one is spend as much time with the family has I can.

-Brian

I’m back!

2008-01-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

Ok it’s time to get going.
I’ve had a few weeks off and I am feeling like it’s time to go.
This time has me feeling like a new man, this time off has recharged my batteries and allowed me to heal.

So, today I started my training program for IronMan 70.3 Florida!
I have been waiting this for many months now, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Holidays have taken there toll on me and I have indulged far too much in food and drink and now I have to do my penance.

I feel focused and ready for the long road ahead of me; I am up for the challenge.

My plan for the next few weeks is to have some fun with my early weeks; I am going to swim at lunch time. My swim drills will be 400m warmup, 8x25s 4x50s and 400 cool down this will give me a cool 1000 meters.

I’ve got a half marathon in mid February so I am going to run start ramping up in my running, I will run between 3 – 5 miles three times a week and a long run on the weekend. I’ve been a real slacker on the running over the last two months and I need to get back to it slowly, I have too much to do to get injured now so I got to go at it easy.

The bike, I’ve been on the trainer much of the last few weeks and it’s a bit to stay focused. Sunday is looking like a nice day so I think I can get out for ride.

On my Thyroid front, I have had a bunch of tests and I have Graves disease, I know it sounds bad and it is, but I was named after Dr. Graves (dodged the big one). So what does this mean, well it means my thyroid is over active, and that’s not to good. I meat with my doctor and I am going to take radio active iodine to kill my thyroid. This is a bit of a bummer for me, kill my what… I don’t want to kill anything but a Sam Adam’s six pack, but this is what I have to do. I’ve been feeling really poorly for the last two months and I don’t think I could really race in the condition I’m in, so it’s really for the best.

I hope you all (y’all) have had a wonderful holiday and that you are feeling the new energy within you.

Oh, btw I am going to join a TRI club this month!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

2007-12-18T22:24:00.000-05:00

My computer died, well the hard drive died. But now I'm back with a fresh install and I am working to get all of my stuff back in place.

I am going to take a few days and travel.
We packing up the family truckster and we are going to Wally World or something like that.
I'm bringing my running stuff, and I hope to find a few new runs.
Gona spend some time with the rug rats, hold my wife’s hand and tell them all that I love them.
And I just might eat some pie.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

-The MacDonalds

I am enjoying the Holidays:

2007-12-10T21:38:00.000-05:00

Like I’ve posted earlier, I’ve been kicking back, and just enjoying the Holidays.

Post marathon, my running has slowed down to about 10 miles per week, and I am feeling a little guilty.
My hiatus from pool has ended and I’ve been swimming 3-4 times per week.
The Felt has been getting some time on the road, the weather down here has been crazy warm, today was 77.

I figure I’ve got three weeks of half loafing half training left on my recharge.

I’m going spend some quality time with the family, eat a little pie, drink a few Sam Adams. I suggest you do the same.

Love each other people, you only get one shot at life so make it count.

If I see ya in the pie line I’ll wave.

-Brian

I'm back

2007-12-10T18:17:00.000-05:00

Google had locked my blog thinking it was SPAM.

More to come.

-B

Back in the pool:

2007-12-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

Dear friend where have you been? Or Where was I, oh that’s right, I was doing that marathon training thing.

Well, either way I’m back!

I really missed swimming these last few months and I’m glad to be back.
Walking back in the pool I got a lot of strange looks, I imagine the folks that run the pool must have thought I drowned or moved to the moon. I used to swim Monday thru Thursday and then all of a sudden I’m gone.

The worst thing about missing the pools was the guys I swim with got so much faster while I was away, LOL.

I swan Tuesday and Wednesday and I plan on swimming Thursday and Friday.
Today I swam 950 meters today and I felt pretty good, just a good steady pace swim with a few pickups at the end.

I am trying to work back up to and surpass my pre marathon training days; I would like to be swimming 1600 meters a day. I’ve got to be able to swim 2000+ meters at IM 70.3 FLA! Although I am still looking for a HIM training plan.

So, I’m pack in the pool, and I am on the bike training two nights a week and I’m doing a 1-2 hour ride outside on the weekends. So now I need to fit in running somewhere in my schedule. I think I might run Monday, Friday and Sunday. And I’ll take a day off whenever I need it.

I’m still looking at HIM (Half IronMan) training plans, I have found a few, but I really need to study them all and find one that I can live with.

On my very high heart rate, I’ve been to the doctors and had a thyroid scan and some blood work and yup my thyroid is over active. So I am going to meet with my doctor sometime next week and talk about treatment.

I’ve been doing some internet research on thyroid treatment and it looks like it wouldn’t affect my training.

Next up:I’ve been thinking I might need to do another long run. I can’t keep myself from looking at the race calendars and thinking I just might….

So, that’s all for now, if I see ya at the pool I’ll wave.

-Brian

Weekend run and ride:

2007-12-01T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well it’s the weekend and I am not training for anything so I am just fooling around, just getting in some junk miles.
I ran the Chickamauga marathon a few weeks ago and I have been feeling kind of burnt out, so I have been spending some time on my new bike. I figure the weathers been perfect for riding and hey I should take advantage of it while I can. Running has been second fiddle to riding for the last few weeks, and I’ve been a reenergized.

Today was a quick one hour ride, I would have gone longer but I promised the family I would take them to the North Point Mall to go to the American Girl store. Tomorrow is a six mile run, and then I’m taking the family to see the Nutcracker and the Fox Theater.

My plan is to take it easy (still swimming, riding and running) until early January, then it time to ramp up for 70.3 FLA. So for now its time to recharge the batteries and spend some time with the family that loves me.

The older I get the harder it is for me to slowdown and truly feel the sprit of Christmas.
So this year I am really making an effort to smell the roses and be there for my family.

Merry Christmas to all and please slow down a bit and really enjoy the season.

-Brian

Quick spin around the blocks...

2007-11-29T20:02:00.000-05:00

I've been in a training class all week and today we got out a little early!
I rushed home, the weather was just so nice, grabbed the bike and set of on one of my journeys. Well I’m not really sure of I can call it a journey because it didn’t take all day. So I going to change my mind and call it a leg and lung buster ride. I’ve spent much of the last 2 -3 months running and I have been neglecting the bike and I paid the price today.

My ride started with a quick look @ www.MapMyRide.com to find a route. I have knack to picking the route with the most and highest hills, either running or riding I am on the hills. I hope to race in the Mid-West someday…. So on the bike, the first 10 miles were a great, I was able to hold an average speed of 19+ and stay mostly in the aero position. Now this did have a bit of downhill so I have to credit part of it to gravity. During the second 10 miles I was able to hold an average speed of 17+, but I was starting to fade. The last 5 were painful, but I love pain and it felt good to ride again so I still had a smile from ear to ear.

If felt like it was 70+ degrees out, I just wore bike shorts and jersey and felt fine.

My new bike was great, I love ridding this thing. I need to adjust the max swing stop on the front derailleur because I was a little tough to get it into the big ring. Everything else was fine, smooth shifts and quite breaks, even the traffic was good.

I stopped off at a bike shop in Roswell, Ga. and they had my bike in stock for $250 more than I paid at www.GoTriSports.com. If you want a Felt B12 check out Go Tri Sports and ask for Alfred Olivetti, he will hook you up.

Next up: Swimming at lunch, I would like to get in about 30 minutes in the pool tomorrow.

Felt B12 Review:

2007-11-28T17:24:00.001-05:00

Ok, I got me new Felt B12 Triathlon bike two weeks ago and now that I have some miles on it, I feel like I can give an initial review.

I could not make it back to the shop where I purchased it so I had them ship it. Once I got my bike I had to take everything apart and see how it works. I know, but I am a little crazy, I worked in a shop in another life. I put the wrench to a few in my days so I felt it was not big deal to give it the once over.

First things first, unpack it. Luckily the wheels where in great shape, my method for checking the wheels is to grab pairs of spokes and give them a squeeze to stretch and seat them. After of spending a few minutes working them I felt the spoke tension and checked for trueness and they where fine. The wheels are laced 20 radial in the front and 24 cross 2 for the rear. Now that the wheels are set I mounted them and got the bike in my trainer to use it as a stand. So from here I got everything squared away I started the bike fitting process.
I got the saddle height worked out; I kept raising the height until my leg was straight while my shoe heal was on the pedal spindle, and then backed it down 5mm. For me this is the most efficient position and I do not get any hip rocking. Next up was front to back position of the saddle, for this I got on the bike, sat on saddle and then put the crank at 90 degrees, then I used a level on the outside of the crank arm and then plumbed the level, then move the saddle forward or backward until my kneecap is about 3cm in front of the plumb line. For me this works, and I do recommend you get fitted by a pro, well worth the money.
So now that I have my saddle height and front to back position it was time to get my cockpit worked out. For now, I went for comfort, I need to get used to the aero position and over the next few months I will work out the details, so more to come on that.
At this point all that was left to do was fine tuning of the breaks and derailleurs, and getting a wrench on everything and checking tightness.
Now the fun part, a nice 25 mile ride.

Now that I have 100 miles on it and I have been all over the bike with a wrench I can give you my opinion of the Felt B12 Triathlon bike.
Let me start with the frame, this thing is tight, everything about it impresses me. The engineers at felt thought of it all. This frame is very aero and super stiff at the BB, I could not get it to flex, yet the ride quality was super, after 25 miles I was ready to run.

Wheels, I could not really find any info on the wheelset other than they where a new product for Felt. The first thing I did was to take the front hub apart, I know crazy talk, but I need to know how it works, how to keep it in perfect condition and how to fix it.
The front hub uses two sealed NMB type bearings, I love this, no cones to adjust, sealed from the elements, and very easy to find replacements/upgraded bearings. I have not pulled apart the rear, but I will update this when I have. The rims are nice and stiff, I pulled the rubber and could not find any marking that would tell me who made them. They use Ritchy rim tape, so pretty light, but if you’re a WW(weight weenie) you could spend a few and shave a few. Sports are no name, meaning I could not see a moniker imposed anywhere, now that’s not to say they are not to notch, time will tell. The nipples are the standard chromed brass. As a whole they are a fine wheel set and should do fine.
Front and rear derailleurs are Shimano’s new Ultrega SL. This is a new product so only time will tell, but I can say they shifted fine, even under my crushing of the cranks. The breaks are another mystery OEM product so again time will tell, but I can say the adjusted very easily seamed to be good quality, but I am not too sure about the weight. The cranks a BB are the FSA Gossamer PRO MegaExo, and the cranks arms are hollow. I am sold on the cranks, the rings are real nice, I am still breaking them in but the shifting has been great. Not too sure on the cassette and freehub, I thought I felt the hub get goofy a few times but I think it just needs some miles to break it in.
The cockpit is the best, I really like the base bar, this bar is the tubular type with bar tape on the entire bar, this way you do have a few positions to keep you fresh. For me in the hilly side of Atlanta climbing is a fact of life and I need to be able to move around on the bars. Now I know most of the high end bike do not use this type of bar because of weight and drag, but I think for a everyday bike it is not a wise choice. The clip-ons are Profile T2, super adjustable and stiff. Break levers are Tektro RX4.1, what impressed me about them is they have minimal side to side movement. I demoed a few other bikes and the levers killed it, I hate slop. Shifters are the standard Shimano DA 10 speed, and very crisp. The only gripe I have in the sifters is the front has not adjuster barrel, but even this is not a big deal because it’s not an indexes shifter.
Felts used DA cables for the shifter and Felt’s own brand for the breaks. All cables are internal for better aerodynamics. I do have a problem with the about of cable housing they left in the cockpit, they are much too long, and to shorten them might be a project because of the internal routing. I would ask your shop to shorten them, this way it would be more aero and lighter to boot.

The fork is real nice, it’s a full carbon fork, meaning the 1 inch steering tube is carbon as apposed to many that use metal. The fork drop-outs are full carbon with a metal laminate to protect the carbon from the hub. The rear drop-outs are carbon with adjuster set screws so that you can move the rim in or out to get the tire as close to the seat tube as possible.

If I had to rate the Felt B12 I would have to give it a perfect 10 out of 10.

If you have any questions, drop me a line.

-See ya on the road.

Good luck to all the runners.

2007-11-21T20:42:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all I have.

Good luck during tomorrows run, then eat drink and be merry.

I am hosting dinner this year, so I have busy day ahead of me, but I will still get my run.

Tomorrow is the first ever “Tribble Mill Turkey Trot”, I am assured first place, as I am the only runner. LOL

I hold my glass hign to you and your PR’s

-Brian

Pictures of the 2008 Felt b12

2007-11-18T18:25:00.000-05:00

Today I got 25 miles, it was nice 65 and sunny. I have NOT ridden in about two months because of marathon training. This was my first 25 miles since summer and this bike was fast, I had an avg. speed of 16.5, while I wouldn't consider this fast, but 16.5 in some tall rollers isn't too bad
(I got to find somewhere flat to ride).
When I got home my legs where rubber and boy did that feel good, I love my new bike!

Here are a few pictures of my new ride, Felt B12.
When I was trying to research this bike I could only find stock photos, so I wanted to put up a few different angles. Crank shot, but the thing you can't see is that the rear brake is behind the cranks.
It looks like pad adjustments/replacement is a bit tricky.
Real nice cranks, the crank arms are hollow, nice touch.

Here is a another shot and you can just make out the brake.

Here is the brake from the other side.

Close up of the rear brake.

Standard shot.

If anyone is looking of any info let me know.

-Brian

Felt B12 maiden voyage:

2007-11-17T13:24:00.000-05:00

Here she is.

After a quick 15 miles, I can say this was the right choice.

More to come.

-Brian

New Felt B12

2007-11-17T08:56:00.001-05:00

I got my bike last night! This moring I am going over the entire thing and just checking it out.

Next up, test ride!

-b

Felt B12

2007-11-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

I love bikes, if there is one thing I can get all geeked up about, its bikes.
This year its my time to buy what a TRI bike and it’s taken me countless hours / days of research, may trips to the bike shops, and I am loving every minute of it. I don’t know about you, but give me some shiny metal or some black carbon and I get all types of crazy thought in my head. I want to ride cross country or ride to work or ride … it goes on and on.
I am currently riding a ‘05’ Schwinn road bike with some clip on aero bars, and it hasn’t been all bad, but I really want get stronger and faster on the bike and I need fresher legs for the run.
I have worked my up in price so that I could consider a carbon frame, and this where you can go nuts. For me this is a big chunk of change and I really want to make sure I spent of correctly. It would be so easy to make a mistake, I could get the wrong side and then it game over, or I could buy an over priced bike from one of the big brands company, nothing against them, but I want an bike from a best of breed tri company.
I had narrowed it down to a few, I like the Cervelo P2C, Orbea ORA, Kouta K-Factor and the Felt B12. Every one of these bikes is a real tri machine and worth every penny asked.
But the wife said I could only get one, and I was just happy that we could agree one.
Choosing one out of the four is just about impossible. The Cervelo, what a bike, this model won IM Kona, sleek slippery carbon and killer looks. The Orbea, wow what a frame and groupo package, Orbea is really a nice bike, Kouta, the K-Factor is sweet ride, but for me the bike the makes me want to ride around the world is the Felt B12. This bike is new for 08, it’s the same frame shape as their B2 but with different carbon and a different part mix. This brand FELT really rocks, I know many people that ride Felts and everyone of them say it’s the best bike. I chose the Felt B12 for many reasons but here are a few in no peculiar order:
1) I trust the brand.
2) I like the carbon.
3) I think Felt has the correct geometry.
4) I love the groupo.
5) Nice wheel set.
6) It rides nice.
7) It was the best bike for my budget
8) It a proven winner.
9) It looks like a mad rocket.
10) I think it will improve my riding.

I love bikes.
Thank you my wife for letting me be a kid in a candy shop!

I bought my new ride at Go Tri Sports, this place is just awsome, please give them a TRI.

You are not going to find a better shop and staff anywhere.

I know they have the new Felt B12 instock so go on down for a visit or call them at 843.842.4786, and when you do ask for Alfred Olivetti, this is the person I worked, Alfred had in-depth knowledge of all the product I wanted and he gave me the best price I could find.

So if you're on a budget like me this is the place to shop.

http://www.gotrisports.com

So what do I do now!?!?:

2007-11-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

My ‘A’ race is over and Holidays are fast approaching and I can feel myself getting fatter.

I need to find a goal, that dangling carrot to keep me on the straight and narrow. I need to find a race. That sounds familiar, I am such a nut, and I need to find some race to keep me honest. This last marathon didn’t kill me; maybe I could try another, wow that would be cool. If would need to find one soon and come up with a plan. Maybe if I could find one that would run over the winter, some time in January or February. I would need a new plan, one that would have me running 3 or 4 times per week. I still need to swim and bike, I have a half Ironman in May and I can not afford to neglect my triathlon training.

I really need to run this be the spousal unit, I might need to wait a week or two before I bring it up. I have been a little selfish with my training, 4 hour long runs and recovery kind of ruin most of a day. I have to weigh the effects on the family and make sure it’s fair to all involved. Now, I know what I am about to say is probably not correct, but I think at my current level I would not need to train as much as I did to Chickamauga. I think that if I could run 5 miles on Tuesday and Thursday, 7 on Saturday and maybe alternate between 10, 14 and 16 miles on Sundays, this might be enough. The Tuesday and Thursday runs could be done at lunch so they would not affect my family duties. The other weekday lunch hours would be spent in the pool working to improve my weakest of the three disciplines.

I loved running, walking and crawling my marathon. I am proud of myself, this was a challenge, one that I never in my live thought I could do, and it has made me a better man, husband and father. I set off on my journey some 18 weeks ago as a novice marathon runner. Since then I have run when it was 105 degrees out and when it was 35 degrees out, I’ve run through rain, I’ve been chased my dogs, I’ve been run off the road by divers talking of their cell phone, I’ve been yelled at by drivers on cell phones, I’ve run during the day and at night, I’ve run 10 miles in the dark and didn’t get home until 10PM, I’ve run a lot and learned so much about myself.

Now after my marathon, I stand a little taller knowing that I can do anything, it only takes work hard and mental toughness and well, it takes all that and your wife’s OK.

I hope that you will someday have the joy of training for and running a marathon, it will change your life it you let it.

-Brian

P.S. I just got of the phone with my endocrinologist and I am going to see her on the 21st.