A little photo form the start of the kid's race at Tri for Joe. Working hard on swimming right now. I had hoped to have this skill down by now but no such luck. Making lots of progress though in th past two weeks.
All of this has me turning my attention to the Philadelphia Triathlon. Weeps and I are heading to the city of brotherly love come the end of this month.
A river swim----yea, that's the ticket---go with the current.

Sneak it in

Lots of activity this weekend. So I had to "sneak in" my workouts.

Friday--Swing by the pool before heading home to get in a mile and a half with mostly 100 yard repeats. Cannot go home first---No escape

Saturday---Big day at the pool---Kiddie variety.. After the kiddie pool, I did a brick workout where I alternated biking with running. Had to get that in late in the afternoon. Then off to see my hero, Gilbert Gottfried

Sunday---Up early but not as early as planned. Got in a two hour bike ride, including crossing the "Purple People Bridge" into Kentucky and touring by the Kahn's Hot Dog plant.

Monday--Technically a day off but back to the pool with the kids. When they turn their backs I practice 5 strokes of my new found swimming technique.

Stop Trying

A little picture of David and me at the Tri for Joe. David did not get an official time for the race since he knocked his "ChampionChip" timing chip off his ankle. Rumour has it he was about 15 minutes ahead of me ON LISA's OLD BIKE.

It is really bugging me that my times are so slow. This despite a fairly good work ethic and consistent workouts. So back to the drawing board. More swim lessons.

One of the big issues in swimming is keeping your head down. Basically, most people pull their head up which causes hips to fall and then you are swimming like a seahorse. Lots of drag. So I know this. The worse I do, the more I try to get my head down. So tonight I wanted to show the new Teach how hard I have been working. I start out with a nice low head position. "Surely she will be impressed".

Wrong!!!! Turns out I have been putting my head too low. Turns out if your head is too low you are far away from the air. Turns out air contains oxygen. Turns out you need oxygen to breathe. Turns out the harder I was trying the "worsester" I was doing.

A Race for Everyone

So much to report from the Tri for Joe. Let's start by saying that it was an unbelievable success. Lucinda Hurst tells me they got close to 500 participants. More than double what they projected. The weather was in question but even that held off and unveiled, "The Perfect Race Day".

Things started with the 5k run /stroller walk. I trained the kids to ride their strollers in hopes of a victory. Jody worked with Lisa and they each pushed one stroller. I think they could have won except for 1)Excessive chit-chat 2)Stopping to call Talbots and place a phone order 3)Checking out the guys in the Anderson High School jazz band (Chicks always love musicans). Darren Hurst pushed a double.

David ( of Jody and David) stopped by the night before and we hooked him up with Lisa's 15 year old, Bridgestone Hybrid. A classic quirky design but not Tour de France ready. So he and I did the Tri. The swim was this crazy thing in a large pool wih Buoys everywhere. Temp was 62 but it felt great with a wetsuit. A couple of problems: 1)I think I am developing a head case about swimming--I could commit to a full head down position (more about this later) 2)The pool is a circular deal at an amusement park. So the entire edge of the pool is only 1 foot deep. I went wide and at some point it became easier to walk the swim---Correct--WALK the swim.

Off on the bike and my legs were shot. David Rahner of Crossroads Health Center caught up to me and then violated USAT rules by riding side by side for a bit and then off he went. I pedaled but it was pretty ugly. We did ride down towards a Sunday morning flea market and past a number of confused people. Also got in one lap around Lunken airport. Including a tight turn where one error would have placed you on the 9th green.

Out of transition my legs were horrible but I did manage to pick up some speed and also high five the whole family. I was ablt to do a little dance at the finish. My one goal was to get done fast enough so I could make it to the kids race.

I was just fast enough. Andrew and Christopher both were in the kid's race making it their second event of the day. Christoper was off like a shot and never looked back. Andrew tired at mid race but as soon as he saw the finish line with cheering crowds on went the afterburners. Everyone got a medal. Jack Hurst was in the second phase of the kid's race and placed high on the podium.

Times have yet to be posted. Is it possible that I have finished last again? Yes, quite possible.

Wessel, Westside and Cash

What a great event. I am talking about last night's Relay for Life--Cincinnati Westside style. First of all, you need to understand that Cincinnati is on of those east/west kind of cities. In a nutshell: Eastside--Wine, German cars and vacations in Florida ; Westside--Beer, Buicks and vacations, well actually everyone from Cincinnati goes to Florida.
Bottom line the Westside always comes through and last night they were out in force.

I showed up around 4am and the first site was a giant tent city where all the teams were camped out. Jason Wessel organized the team and he was there to greet me. Jason was sporting the modified "Unabomber" look--sweatshirt, no shave, no sleep--everything but the multi-page manifesto. I expected a sedate kind of thing and planned to walk until 6 am. What I found was crazy. Bright lights, an excellent DJ and ongoing games. I had so much fun I ended up going an extra hour (This is how I am going to start and build a case to explain my poor performance in tomarrow's triathlon). Looks like they raised a high 5 figure amount. By the way, at 7am they served a westside breakfast---Doughnuts!!! What no cigarettes and Goetta?

Super job. I cannot wait to hear everyone's stories.

Now to bed---tommarrow we have the Tri for Joe. Sprint Tri for me and David, 5k for Lisa and Jody and kid's run for the two knuckleheads.

Let's Go

Lots of activity this weekend. Tonight we have the Relay for Life. A walk to cure cancer. As best I can tell it works this way: We are supposed to walk all night and keep our eyes out for a cure for cancer. If we see a cure for cancer we are to immediately report said "cure" to the authorities via cellphone. We will be reimbursed for the phone call. O also, there will be various activities but hopefully no Mimes. If you want to donate just click on the link. Ideally i would like to cure cancer by midnight so we can all get some sleep.

Sunday brings the Tri fo Joe. A race for Down's syndrome, I believe to help treat the medical problems and not to promote chromosomal abnormalities. Here's the big news--so far over 400 people of various types have signed up for this first time event--You Go, Girl!!! We are swimming in a pool. The plan was to start one at a time--but that got changed. We`are now going to do waves of mass starts. Another chance for me to finish last in my age group. Jody's husband David is still back and forth on whether or not he is going to race. He is recovering from the marathon but come on.... I mean you know you won't be last or will you (Cluck, cluck, cluck).

I'm Pro-Polygamy

Sunday is a big night. First we have The Sopranos. Too good to be true. Next we have, Big Love. I am not sure about the show but Lisa loves it. It basically is about a guy who is a polygamist with three wives. They live in three houses next to each other with a common back yard. He owns a Home Depot style store. The kicker is that he came from a commune style place that is still led by a creepy guy named Roman and played by Harry Dean Stanton. The Roman character is too scary for me and so I am not sure about the whole deal.
Now here is the genius part. The polygamy is the least weird part of the show. As a matter of fact it actually seems kind of normal. Now all of this got me thinking. Why is polygamy illegal? Other than imposing financial and social control over people I am not really sure I get it. Now frankly multiple wives are not really what I need but...
So I would like to come out on the Pro-Polygamy side.
To keep Lisa amused I have come up with a new Polygamy game. What you do is try and come up with sets of three spouses. Each set should be designed to create the least enjoyable situation possible. Realize that it is not enough to select the three most annoying people you know, but rather to select the three people who will TOGETHER create the least tolerable environment. Go ahead try it. You can use famous people, people you know, dead people or any combination.

Jason has outdone himself. He has assembled a Team for the Relay for Life. This team is going to walk all day and night starting on this Friday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Somepeople just don't know when to stop. You can check out his Team and even donate by clicking the Relay For Life link on the right. I will walk with them between 4am and 6am. Why 4am?---Well, the bars have to close sometime and I need a cover story before going home!!!!!

3 Things

One:

Lisa wanted to make one her favorite dinners tonight. She makes this specialty by calling Cumin, the upscale Indian place, and then sendng me to pick up the chow. So we eat. Only problem, Indian food pretty much means no working out. Do you know anyone who can workout after eating Indian? Which got me thinking. How do people workout in India?

Two:

Not to beat a drowned horse, but the link under "Swim" is well worth reading. It is a great piece on the St. Anthony's swim. Aside from my involvement, I think it is an excellent bit of journalism.

Three:

The Tri for Joe is next Sunday. The race includes a 5k run, a 5k walk/stroller walk, a sprint triathlon and a sprint duathlon. If you are in Cincinnati, come on down. Lucinda let me know that the bike course has been changed. Instead of a rural ride we are going to head downtown to the stadium and back--wicked cool. Also, check out the homepage under the "Tri for Joe"---for grins look at the crazy swim course.

Tripod

I forgot about an omen that should have told me my St. Anthony's race was doomed. You have heard the phrase, "He could not beat a three legged dog in a race".
Just before going to Florida Lisa and I were out with the kids and Lauren and her kids. Who comes bounding down Erie Avenue but a THREE LEGGED DOG. Right there in Hyde Park Square. Come to think of it, he was faster than me on that night.

Honey, I blew up the house

My sister's house was blown up tonight.

This actually occurred after the sword fight in the living room. Come to think of it, it happened right after Dr. Dre stopped by to check on the couple.

Tonight was the world premiere of the Busta Rhymes' video that was filmed at my sister's house. I know my family has arrived since our abodes are now the object of ghetto envy. Does this mean tha we are "The Man"?

And now, for something completely different

So my sister rents out her house in Pasadena for movies and other productions. Just recently she rented to Busta Rhymes for a video shoot. Three things have happened:
1)The song is climbing the chart
2)BET is doing a special on the making of the video
3)My brother-in-law, previously a resident of Indiana, was photgraphed with Mr. Rhymes. Proving that in America..........

Close! And Close Enough

Big news from the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.

I had my plan all set. I was going to ride my bike and hit all four legs of the marathon. That would give me a chance to see Jay Schloss, maybe catch David and also to see (in order) Kendahl, Rob, Andy and Gene, our relay team.

So the weather was perfect for racing, 40-55 and cloudy. An the night before Jay and I were lamenting the fact that we both sweat too much. How come they don't give out little towels for the sweaty guys? To remedy this Lisa and I put together 4 little white towels( with rubber bands to make them throwable). So I packed a bag witht he towels and water and Powerbars.

Come 5:30 and my lungs are still lagging behind with my pneumonia not completely cleared. No problem I will drive.

Mile 5 is downtown and I have never seen the race from this angle. I scoped out the perfect spot but missed Jay and Kendahl. Not sure how I did that, but I did. So scratch following the relay team. Let's try to meet up with Jay.

I decided to head for mile 14 around Hap's bar. But all the roads are closed so I have to hike in from Ault Park (Hill !!!). Now here is where it is all worth it. I see Jay coming down the street, running side by side with another runner. He shakes off the Powerbar and shakes off the water. But wants the towel. Now comes the pressure--- I need a 20 yard toss on the dead run. I launch the towel with just a little lead--Jay runs right into the towel and snags it on the dead run.

Now out to mile 18---way down on Columbia Parkway. All of the ambience of running along a federal highway. He still looks good. Jump in the car and head to mile 23. A bad band somehow seems great at this location. Jay heads by around 2:55 on the clock time (Which may not be his official time). He is gunning for Boston and needs 3:20 to make it. By my calculation it will be a real close call. So I head home.

Log on to the times. Jay goes 3:20:25--UGH!!! I cannot believe it. Missed by one second per mile. Did my stops slow him down? Would not have taken much.

So we head over to the after race party. Lisa and I are plotting how we will deal with a depressed Jay. On the way over I casually ask, "I wonder if they round down to the nearest minute".

We arrive. One look on Jay's face and I know they answer--"Yes, they do round down". He actually had 34 seconds to spare.

Jay is going to Boston 2007.

As for David (Jody's Husband), he knocked 20 minutes off last year's time. People are getting faster.

Give up when you feel like it

Above is a post race picture to prove that I was actually there and that I still had a sense of humour.

I am getting a little better but the lungs are pretty bad. Short of Breath on the stairs bad. I spoke to me friend Buddy tonight. He wants me to do a Century ride in July with him. He also thinks I have pneumonia.

I am re-reading Brad Kearn's book, "Breakthrough Triathlon Training". Actually it discusses very little about training and a lot about how to live life.

I was re-reading the book because I think I need to develop a more competitive attitude during training and on race day. I am not really comfortable pushing it.

So I made up my mind to change my outlook and then along comes a quote like the following:

"When I asked Lance Armstrong about his mental training and preparation for competition, he revealed that he gave them little thought! To Lance, the important thing is to do the physical work on the road and live a life that is congruent with his purpose of winning the Tour de France".

Now what do I do?

What's up with these lungs?

Back to work today. Most people seemed to enjoy hearing stories of my near death experience. But the lungs have continued to go down hill. Cough, cough, cough......
I originally thought that I may have developed a lung inflammation from ingesting seawater. But now the progression of symptoms raises the possibility of lung infection. Ouch..
I think I will survive.
Now our attention turns to our next event, the Tri For Joe. Lisa will be doing the 5 k with Andrew. Christopher will do the kid's run. I will do the sprint tri with a time trial swim in the world's largest circular pool. Training begins when my lungs clear.

I had a successful race and finished last (well actually seventh from last but why quibble)

To understand the meltdown at St. Anthony's, you first need to understand that I was successful before the race even started. The night before the race I went to the TNT dinner with Lisa and the rest of the Southern Ohio Team. Now exactly a year ago Lisa was not at a dinner party but rather sitting in a transplant unit with very few blood elements in her veins---Victory One. We also learned that well over a million dollars was raised from this event alone--Victory Two.

To understand the "Meltdown" I will begin in the middle. Around mile two on the run I was passed by a woman---Who had ONE LEG. At the same time a second woman was gaining on me--a woman with CEREBRAL PALSY. All of this was an improvement over my race start.

The weather was beautiful--unless one was planning to swim in Tampa Bay. In Tampa Bay there were decent winds and sea swells the size of Volkswagons. Really dangerous swim conditions. Still I felt great and we had actually practiced on Saturday without a wetsuit. Granted conditions then were bad and not awful but still.... Sunday I felt great again and was totally psyched to start. The horn goes off and into the water. A few hundred yards and something is very wrong. I cannot do this. The waves are too big and I am not strong enough. I spend the first leg of the race figuring out how I can get pulled from the water while making up new swim strokes. I am incapable of swimming freestyle.

But I never get pulled from the water. I think about how Lisa suffered and was scared and maybe I should be scared too and suffer a little--not the same thing, I know. But an attempt to understand. So I kind of just kept moving with various fake strokes and ultimately make it. Getting up the swim stairs is difficult by itself with the waves crashing in. I check my time and realize that my watch is gone---my really good watch--knocked off by the waves. Lisa tells me later that I just shook my head --NO NO NO and ran to the bike. 60 people are pulled from the water and 3 get mouth to mouth, or so I was told.

As an aside I should also mention that I do not approve of the above story. One man's story of heroic struggle is another man's story of being ill prepared. I have spent the last 8 months trying to be prepared. But I think I let myself down a little. But remember, I had a great race even before the horn started.

Coming out of the swim, I had a few thoughts. First was that my original race plan of going all out was not the right thing for today. Second, was to complete a respectable bike and run and to try to help others have a good time.

So my bike was a little slower than I planned, my heart rate was about 8 beats lower than I planned but I encouraged every rider and said hi to every cop. The run was in control and and I put all my paper cups in their proper trash container. I did notice the woman running in a bikini and cowboy hat. A sighting that was confirmed by several others. I asked a cop to arrest my for speeding. Most importantly, I took off my hat and sunglasses and smiled for the finish line picture.

At the finish line Lisa had to feed me and get my Gatorade and water. I was to tired to stay late at the party. Actually, it looked like a great place to pick up girls, If I were not a)Elderly b)Married c)Developing Cold Sweats.

Now one technical issue. My swim time in the official results section is wrong. By plugging my correct time in, I move from last up to seventh to last. In some ways, being last would actually make for a better story.

So I went home and had to jump under the covers. I then started to cough up nasty stuff. This means that I have one of two entities. Either a pneumonitis from swallowing too much seawater or pneumonia that would have explained my poor performance. I'm betting on the seawater but we wil see in a couple of days.

So what did you do Sunday?

It is about to go very wrong

Lisa took this picture just before the swim start at St. Anthony's. I look good and feel great. Little did I know that things were about to go downhill quickly.