Saturday I woke up with not enough sleep, but still eager to do my scheduled 80 mile bike ride. I had to get an early start, since I had plans with my parents around noon time. Unfortunately, I am never very good working out when I do have my requisite 8 hours sleep. As I started my ride, it was soon apparent that my body would not do what my mind was commanding.

From a clinical point of view, I find this mind/body disconnected fascinating as well as frustrating. I kept finding myself slowing down, almost unaware that this was happening. No matter how much I wanted, I just could not get my legs to spin faster or harder, nor raise my heart rate about 63 percent. Rather than go for a third loop of the Prospect Park, I just went home. As I started to climb the stairs to my bedroom, I was sort of stumbling and thought how I was going to ride 80 miles, when I can’t even make it back to bed for a nap.

I did get some riding in later in the day. It was with my children just before dinner time. We rode to a section of the park that we have yet to explore. The place is kind of hidden and had several circular ponds lined up over 200 yards. Each pool served as a perfect racing oval for my kids to have a running race around. I think they are starting to get the competitive spirit, as this was the first time they were eager to race on their own and did so several times. It was a delicate balancing act though, as each child would get upset if they lost to the other. I had to figure out how to handicap the race for my younger son, so that the race would almost always end in a tie. However, if I handicapped too much, then my daughter would get upset about how much of a head start my son got. We spent a few minutes going over good sportsmanship, but at their ages, such lessons don’t really sink in as of yet. Hopefully though, the foundation has been laid.

I’ve had occasion as of late to walk around Union Square early on Friday evenings. Each time I am amazed at the number of 20 somethings that are out and about headed to various parties, clubs, bars, etc.

I find it disconcerting to know that I am 20 years removed from this scene. Perhaps this realization is what drives late thirty/early 40 year olds to pursue endurance athletics. It’s a way of showing they still have the stamina to go out and party with the best of them, albeit in a much greater physical sense. It’s as if, yeah I can go out and party all night, but can you post an 11 hour Ironman?

Perhaps it takes more effort to party all night long. I do remember feeling more tired after a night of carousing, than I did after completing an Ironman. Let the 20 year olds go out and poison their bodies with bad food and cheap liquor. I’ll take my nutritionally balanced meal, go to bed and head for the hills on my bike at the same hour the 20 year olds are stumbling home.

I only wish I knew then what I know now. I am sure I would have found it infinitely more satisfying to think back to the races and places I’ve competed, rather than how sick I got after downing too much Tequila.

I ran this morning wearing shorts, which I believe is a first time this year. I noticed a tree outside my door starting to bloom with white flowers. All I had on top was a long sleeve shirt, which was even too much for today. It must mean that spring has finally arrived.

Prospect Park was once again quiet and peaceful and this time I noticed it had a lot more color. From trees and plants in bloom, colorful birds flittering around and knocked over garbage cans spewing forth all kinds of colorful bags, wrappers and bottles. Ah, springtime in NYC.

Today called for a 6 mile run with hills at half marathon pace. The pace wasn’t happening, but I did manage to throw in lots of hills. My legs were feeling a bit sluggish though, from the combination of the accumulated distance and new running form. However, I had the endurance, so I made sure to get the 6 miles in. I’ll just have to see how it goes this weekend.

Right now I am sitting in my office all depressed. It’s beautiful outside and this is the last place I feel like being. It’s the perfect weather for a long bike ride, but the only thing I will be riding for the next 8 hours is my chair.

I had my first good midweek workout this year; a 31 mile bike, followed by a 6 mile run. It felt great to feel good again while training. Originally the workout was to be separate by several hours. I was supposed to ride in the morning and then run sometime later in the day. However, I knew if I didn’t take the opportunity to get both in this morning, I stood a very good chance of blowing off the run.

The ride was supposed to alternate between AT efforts and IM pace. I definitely don’t have my cycling legs yet as all I could muster for any length of time was IM pace as measured by my HR. Speed-wise I rode at an average speed of 18.6 mph, which is about 1.5 mph off from my normal IM pace. Total time for the 31 miles was 1:41:00. Maybe I could have gone faster had I not rode home from work last night, but I did ride fast enough to get home in time to wake my kids up for school. This cost me some time for my transition to the run, but it was well worth it. I love seeing their smiling faces in the morning.

After rousing my children out of bed to get ready for school, I proceeded into my run. I felt really good and my running legs seemed fresh. I was able to keep a decent pace and I increased speed as the workout wore on. Prospect Park was very peaceful this morning and the lake so still that the sky and trees reflected off it like a mirror. I had to do a double take as I ran past it.

Hopefully, more good days like this are to come.

I should really get to bed. I’ve been up all night listening to cake.

Hear it for yourself.

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/03/cake_coversg.html

Cake
by Todd Colby

I’m so full of cake.
If I eat any more cake I’d have to vomit first.
Sometimes I’ll eat 2 or 3 cakes in a single day.
I love cake!
I can’t be any clearer than that.
I love cake!
I’ll eat every cake in New York City.
I can’t even go into bakeries anymore because I’ll eat all the cake.
I’ll say “Where’s the cake? Gimme the cake! Get the cake!”
And they say, “We know how very much you love cake, and we know you very rarely have the money for any of our cake, so get outta here, because you can’t afford our cake! But we know how much you love cake, so get outta here, you can’t afford the cake!”
I’ll punch somebody in the head for some cake.
Give me all your cake!
I love cake!
Gimme the cake!
Now!
I love it!
I love cake!
Gimme your cake!
[sinister laugh]

I realized today that as I get older I am unwilling to take certain risks that I wouldn’t have given a second thought to in the past. One in particular is playing “Frogger” while trying to cross a busy NYC street. Usually, I am fearless, darting between moving cars in an attempt to get to the other side as fast as possible. This morning however, it dawned on me how foolish I was being standing along side the parked cars on Madison Avenue while trucks and busses were whizzed past me only inches away. I suddenly had visions of a vehicle swerving towards me and splattering me all over the asphalt.

I guess you begin to realize that you no longer care to take risks with your life when you have your family waiting for you at home. How could it ever be explained to my children that Daddy was killed because he wanted to get to work 30 seconds faster.

I wonder though if this type of fear manifests itself in some people to such an extent that they can longer leave their homes. Hopefully, this won’t be me in a few years. I don’t think I would enjoy being a hermit.

I woke up today with Monday morning blues. Actually, it started last night with the Sunday evening blahs. I am not really sure of the reason of my down mood, as nothing bad happened and I had a pretty good weekend. The highlight of which was most definitely going bowling with my daughter, while my son was a few lanes away at a bowling birthday party. It warmed my heart to see them laughing and having a good time and I really enjoyed the couple of hours where I had my daughter all to myself.

My bowling outing yesterday came after I put in a 63.3 mile ride to nowhere. I could say it was a ride to better fitness, but distance wise, I never ventured more than two miles away from home. I rode with several friends at various times, the majority of which was with Larry. We rode at a leisurely pace as is Larry’s inclination and that suited me just fine. I figured on a long ride, it is better to start off slow and push the pace later on. I broke off from Larry around 36 miles. My goal was to try to come around and loop him. Calculating the pace I accelerated to and the pace that Larry was going, I figured I would do it within 10 laps. It would be difficult to catch, but definitely within the realms of possibility. He

Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my increased pace throughout. While I did ride faster during the second half of the ride, I slowly started to slow down from my initial second half pace. I rode another 9 laps/30 miles and I decided to bag it for the day. I was out of HEED, running low on water and I wanted to go home, eat breakfast and play with my children. After I ate, spaced out a few minutes, showered and played with the kids I took them bowling. Evidently, I still had some strength, because I bowled halfway decently; scoring a 145, 143 and 126 with my daughter taking my 10th frame in the final game. I even got out and did an easy 4 mile run this morning. Fortunately as the day wore on the blues disappeared. Unfortunately, I didn’t leave my office until after 7pm, which greatly limits the time I get to spend with the kids before bedtime. Such is a busy life.

My legs were tired this morning. I guess riding 20 miles on a bike weighing 75 pounds late last night didn’t help. Yesterday started with a bike commute to the pool and work. My plan for later in the day was to ride to the Union Square area for 7:45pm appointment, after which I would ride home.

I left work around 6:30pm, which gave me some time to kill before my appointment. I decided to do a lap or two around Central Park for some extra exercise and to burn off some time. I was just about to head into the Harlem Hills when Larry, a fellow member of the Asphalt Green Tri Club started to pass me. . I couldn’t hope to keep up with him on my fully loaded beater bike, while he was on his light weight tri-bike. However he heard me call out to him and he slowed down to keep me company for a loop of the park, figuring he would have plenty of time to ride fast for the remainder of his 34 miles. I was very glad for it and the time passed way too quickly.

I left him around the east side of the 72nd Street Transverse. I didn’t have time to complete another loop, so I cut back across to the West Side and then headed down 7th Avenue into Times Square and Broadway. As I headed in this direction I realized that I could be at the crossroads of my world. While this is commonly known as Times Square in NYC, I am really referring to a crossroads in the metaphorical sense. This thought occurred to me just as I approached Times Square on my bike. The night was crystal clear and filled with energy. I took a picture with my camera phone to capture the moment.

I have definitely taken a new road in my life, which so far seems to be taking me to a better place. I am feeling good and I am focused. However, whether or not this is a better place was questionable this morning. I could tell completing an 18 mile run was going to be difficult. Fortunately, like last night, I ran into a couple of friends to keep me company.

The first was Todd who passed me while riding his bike. He yelled out how I will never beat him. I suppose he has forgotten that I already have; in every race we ran together where we declared an outright competition. Todd, you will have to wait for Eagleman to see if you are now the better Athlete.

At first I planned to run my High Points loop. After running the first set of stairs, I could tell it was going to be difficult to do so another 5 times. The point was moot however, as I soon crossed roads with my friend Grace running in the opposite direction. I really wanted company during the run and we were running the same amount of distance. I hadn’t see her in a while and it would have been a wasted opportunity of a workout companion had I not joined her.

We quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm like we had when we ran regularly together a few years ago. We stopped meeting for a daily run when I began on my Triathlon career. I missed the company, but my training schedule no longer corresponded with hers. We caught each other up on what’s going on in our lives. Grace told me to make sure to get the May issue of Runners World magazine as she will be featured in a cooking column.

I am very glad we met. Grace was running a pace slightly faster than me. It served to keep my running honest and focused. My legs were a bit fatigued from the 41 miles I ran in the past week and the cycling I had done the night before. If it wasn’t for her company I wasn’t sure I would have completed my workout.

About halfway into our runs, my friend and fellow triathlete Robert crossed our path. Rob, turned around to run with us and we proceeded around the park in our own comfortable group. As we were talking we all expressed how grateful we were on this day to have company to run with. Perhaps it was the brisk winds and 40 degree chills that made it intolerable to be solo. Misery loves company, but in this case the company eliminated the misery.

At the last loop it was just Grace and I again. I was starting to lag and Grace was able to turn the tables on me by telling me to come on and push through it. On all of our previous runs, it was always me offering such encouragement. At one point she said her ass should be incentive to keep moving. I replied that if I caught it, would I be able to have it. It made for a humorous moment during the final hill of a long run.

I had a pretty good time while I was in San Antonio. The Prudential Real Estate conference that I attended was extremely well organized and had some fantastic speakers. The entertainment they provided before and after the plethora of award ceremonies was great and for the most part, the conference kept my attention throughout.

I also managed to run quite a bit while I was in San Antonio. I must have completely covered the Riverwalk about a half dozen times. My running appears to be coming around and I’ve put in 68 miles in the past 11 days with no ill effects. Each day I was really looking forward to running.

Perhaps it was the influence Ronan Tynan, one of the conferences keynote speakers. He is a very compelling individual who overcame a physical deformity at birth that eventually required him to have both legs amputated below the knees. Despite that, he went on to become a successful jockey, doctor, para-olympics gold medal winner and a world famous tenor. Listening to him tell the story of his life was deeply inspiring and motivating. If he can do all of that, I can manage to find someway to train for a shot at Kona.

Another keynote speaker was Jaime Clarke. Jaime has successfully climbed Mount Everest after two previous failures. He also crossed the Empty Quarter of Arabia on camel. This story was particularly compelling.

He described how during almost the entire crossing of the desert, all he wished for was for the journey to be over. He was hot, tired, thirsty and beaten down by the relentless sun and heat. He went into some detail about how painful and experience this was for him.

However, when he finally reached the end of the desert and could see the lights of the city ahead of him he realized that the journey was over and all he wanted to do was to go back into the desert (sound familiar Ironman racers?). He then made the realization that for most of his entire life, he was leaving in the past contemplating his previous journeys or planning for a new adventure for the future. He said he realized that he was never living in the moment to enjoy what he is currently experiencing.

I like to think that I have avoided this type of mistake. I make a conscience effort to stop, look around and take in my environment during my training and journey towards the Kona goal. Before I saw Jaime speak this morning, I set out for my run along the Riverwalk. I headed towards the direction a water falls and realized that I hadn’t taken a picture of it. This bothered me, so I ran back to my hotel room to get a picture, so I can appreciate in the future what I enjoyed about it at this current moment. It didn’t matter to me that I was going to lose some running time, since my life is not about how many minutes I put into training, but more about how much of it I can capture and keep with me as I progress on my journey. I found what Jaime said to be very resonating and vowed to always remind myself to savoir the moments of my life while I still planning for my future goals.

I am glad I went on this business trip. I had an opportunity to hear several speakers that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity had I not gone. I still missed my family very much, but then again distance makes the heart grow fond.

Also, if I hadn’t gone, I would have missed a performance by the Dallas Cowgirl Cheerleaders, an excellent keynote address by Ken Blanchard, a Texas Rodeo (sort of lame) and a standup comic routine by Jeff Foxworthy (excellent). I am coming home very inspired and anxious to begin training in full for this year’s IMLP.

So I finally made it to The Alamo. As soon as I checked into my hotel, I changed into my running clothes and ran to this must see San Antonio attraction. It’s a quaint building amounting to not much of anything. This is a picture of me at the entrance.

I said earlier, that possibly god wanted me to see it. This could have been, because standing out a short way from it was a religious fanatic handing out money. You didn’t realize what his mission was at first. When I happened upon him he was trying to get an audience by offering one dollar bills to anyone who could answer his questions. The first few were innocuous enough – What do you call a baby elephant (a calf which I answered and got a buck), what was the first word said on the moon (Houston) and various other trivia questions.

Eventually he started offering the big money in the form of a five dollar bill. This he would give to anyone if he could prove to the audience he was a good person. A young male among his posse of friends decided to take up the challenge. Little did he know that he would be peppered with sophistic questions that only a religious freak would ask. The first question was “Did you ever lie?” Of course the answer was yes, to which he asked the young man “And people who lie are called….” whereupon he got the man to answer “liars”.

He then got him to admit that he has used the lord’s name in vain and has had lascivious thoughts about women. After recounting these facts and calling into question his moral integrity there was no question that this was a man who was destined to burn in hell. The poor sap. He never saw this coming and you could just feel how much he wanted to get away. Perhaps he didn’t leave immediately, because he still held out hope he would get the 5 bucks.

After this little treat, I decided to go run the River Walk; something that JKRunning told me I should do. It was actually quite pleasant and just the ticket for an easy recovery run. I took it very easy and stopped plenty of times to take some pictures. I was in a pretty good mood, which I think was helped by the overcast skies and the smell of rain in the air. The fragrance of the river was also very pleasant. Hopefully, I’ll get to do this run a couple of more times while I am here. Perhaps I can even swim in it, since the pool in my hotel is completely unacceptable for swimming laps.