Miami Man

So where have I been? I am way late on this but just seem to have gotten busy. The Miami Man Half Ironman was a blast, and turned out to be a better race than I had thought it would be. I ran a PR that day in 5:12:18, overall was 88/683, Gender 82/464 and Age Group 18/73. Much better then I thought I was going to pull off. The swim was great, clearest lake ever and was 2 laps. All was going good till L calf and hamstring both charlie horsed at the same time with under a hundred yards to go. Soon as I got to bike put down some Enduralytes and Anti Fatigue Caps and hit the bike. Fast was the bike on the way out, really till mile 30 then winds kicked up and started to slow the field a bit. Needed a faster bike split which came in at 2:39:10 after a 37:32 swim with 2:44 spent in T1. Run was also 2 laps , through the Miami Zoo. First 7 miles I was unstoppable then cramping came back, even with every hour taking what I needed. Reached in back pocket and ate the rest of the Anti Fatigue and Enduralytes I had and they put the craps at bay for the rest of the race. Temps was reaching 80* out on the run and it was getting close to be needing more but finish was right around the corner. In all it was a good day and a good effort , I think. Looking at the HITS Triathlon Series HIM on Jan 8 here in Naples. Followed the next week with the Naples Daily News Half Marathon , then its off to the ING Miami Marathon. 

Off to Miami Man Half Ironman

This race is gonna be a shot in the dark for sure. It came to me as I was still deployed in the desert, while talking to Chris about his marathon training. He asked if I was gonna run another IM or HIM before the years end. Being me I was like , what the hell lets find one. The plan did not work out the way it was planned, had it I would have already ran a few shorter triathlons. Just to much going on with everything else to make it to any races. Really going to be interesting to see what happens, only have gotten in one OWS this week. Strong winds been making the beach a mess to try and get out in and been off my bike for a few days now. Packing the bike today found 3 big pieces of glass in the front tire, with everything packed only one thing to do. Took it to Oscar and had him replace the tube and tire, was not flat or going low but thought better be safe then sorry. This will be Nadine's first ever live triathlon, she is excited a bit more then me I think. I am really , just the time off has me mind screwing myself im sure. Once the swim starts and clears up, its game on. Sunday 7am is the start, Im in the fist wave out the shoot. Race report to follow once Im back. This picture was the last big race I was in, tell you how long I been out of the loop. Sure there was shorter ones before the deployment came, but this was a good day.

Post Marine Corps Marathon 2011

Today was a good day ! Weather had the marathon kinda tricky from the start. 35* and windchill was 28*, by far the coldest we ever had to deal with. Great opening ceremonies, my boys always always do. At the start didnt even know I had feet till mile 10, everything was numb. Anyway after two pee stops by mile 12.4 and a dead Ipod by mile 13 things finally settled down. Things still felt like work, nothing felt good the whole time. Never relaxed or got into a grove, always watching the Garmin for distance and time check. Things couldnt go fast enough after mile 20, and about walked a few times but held it off till it was forced at mile 25. Legs started cramping so bad it was causing my legs to twitch and then lockup. In the last mile it cause me to walk 3 times, I had a time going for a sub 3:30 but soon realized it was going to be over it. All day had Nadine on my mind, wondering how she was doing and where she was. I just couldnt get to my phone fast enough to check the text messages from the race to see where she was. Her goal was 5 hours for the race but as always I guessed she would beat it weeks ago. I just had to get it through her head that she is way better than she was thinking, well today was that day !! I couldnt be happier for her, I am so proud of her, she has come so far in this training program . Raced ended with me running a 3:33:59 and Nadine ran a 4:37, my sister Sherry ran a 5:17. This is a picture of Nadine and I after the race, I love her and cant wait to see what the future hold for us together !!

Taper Week

Yesterday started the first day for taper week for the MCM. Oh how I hate the weeks, they just make me feel like crap. Although my legs are thanking me for the ease of how the week will be, mentally its tough. I am aware of this coming up to it but never want to see it get here. The Marine Corps Marathon is just 5 days away and so far weather is looking good for race day. Around a good 15 degrees warmer then past years I have run, 44-60's is the low and hi. Prime running weather , its just the wait for the race to start that will freeze my FL ass. Training has went well, with most of it done while deployed in the desert but a few great runs with Nadine since being back. She is ready as we could get her, its been a long program for her. I am ready for the race to get over for her, so she can get in some well needed rest weeks. Gonna pretty much take off from the MCM till after the Miami Man. Me on the other hand gotta train right through January, till I can see some time off. 

MCM coming soon

Weather has had much to do with training. This has been and looks like the rest will be a bad week. Taper for the Marine Corps Marathon starts Monday. We catch a flight out of here on Friday up to DC. Soon after that the Miami Half Ironman , that is the race im starting to think about. The MCM is more of a training run is how im thinking of it. Sure aint gonna set any PR this year, training just has not been up to the quality as normal. It was the few weeks I took off after getting back from the desert. They really hurt my performance and endurance, not so much right now but had to make up a lot of training and was rough on the body. Im feeling pretty good about it, just hope the weather is not to cold for Nadine's sake.  Picture is at the 15K checkpoint during the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Last few days have been pretty good to and for me, least it seems that way. Really missing Nadine a lot but heading up to her house for a few days tonight. This weeks training has been shorter but good. Runs have really cut back cause of the 20 miler we got this Sunday. Swim has been going well, did a 2000 meter in 36:08 , which puts me right on time for the Miami Man HIM. Got new wheels and bottle carrier for the bike yesterday. She really looks good now and cant wait to get out on her today but is gonna be short. I started a new project for my Gma , some classes like water aerobics and she wants me to take her today for her first one. Works cause i got to swim anyways but I see a goat rope coming on with all of this. 2 weeks till we leave for the Marine Corps Marathon ! cant wait to get back up there.

Gonna get this thing going

Been busy since last post and finally think I can Keep up with this. Back from the desert and back into training. Just got back from the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Had a good race place 6 outta 140 in the military. Now Nadine and I are getting the last touches in for the Marine Corps Marathon. Tomorrow is a 18 mile run, which made me have a easy day today and kinda feeling guilty. All the work is for the Miami Man Half Ironman and then for the first full Ironman Triathlon we are having in Naples. So i pretty much have around 9 weeks and 2 races before that race. So for now this is a pic of me and Nadine from Disney