Everything is set up. The bike is checked in. The nerves are high. Ironman Timberman 70.3 is finally here and tomorrow, my wave goes off at 8:10 am. My race BIB number is 258 and you can track my progress by going to this link and typing in either my name or race BIB number. Ironman does a really good job with this. It even updates my ranking in my age group as well as overall place. In the bike and run, it tracks my speed and pace.
It's always interesting gearing up for a race when some decent travel time is involved. You never know about traffic, gear hiccups, forgetting items, and anything else that may come up so it's always entertaining in a odd way. Here is how we got to this point in good ole New Hampshire.
Friday
Lindsay and I left right at the target time of 3:30 pm to try and avoid as much traffic as possible.
Theoretically, I thought once we got into New York and off the Garden State Parkway, it would be smooth sailing.
I was wrong...dead wrong.
Can people in Connecticut learn how to drive over the speed limit?
I am convinced that some mythical creature looms around the state and waits until a resident drives 1 MPH over the speed limit. Then, that individual gets thwarted with Helen Keller syndrome. I just don't get it. They all drive exactly speed limit as if their lives truly depend on it.
And my dear lord, merging, yielding, or changing lanes has miraculously turned into Quantum Physics in this state.
As you can probably tell by this fruitless rant, driving in Connecticut was terrible.
Stop and Go
Stop and Go
For a good thirty miles, that what it was.... stop and go.
Besides that, traffic was pretty good.
It also helped that I purchased some new CD's before the trip.
Here is the playlist (In Order Played):
Phantogram--"Voices"
Taking Back Sunday--"Louder Now"
Seiichi Daimo--"In the Between"
Grouplove--"Spreading Rumours"
Taking Back Sunday--"Where You Want to Be"
Foster the People--"Supermodel"
Lindsay hates half the bands played (1) so she just listened to her music on the IPhone when I played those bands.
(1) Don't worry Seiichi, she loves your music.
Nevertheless, after the incompetence of driving in The Constitution State, we ended making good time. It took us five hours and twenty five minutes. According to Google Maps, the trip was planned to last five hours exactly, so not bad considering.
We got to the hotel, ordered delicious nearby sushi and then fell asleep to Bruce Almighty on Comedy Central.
Saturday
I woke up at 6:00 am without the use of an alarm. I am so use to my work schedule that I can barely sleep in anymore. It's pretty frustrating when you're trying to sleep in and just can't, but I got 7 hours of sleep and can't really complain.
So to pass the time and to let Lindsay sleep in, I continued reading "Michael Jordan: The Life" (2).
(2) I am only 1/4 the way through the book and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Michael Jordan ripped my heart out continuously when I was a child as a Knicks fan and I always hated him for it. But as I have aged, I have come to greatly respect his competitive desire, determination, and discipline. Actually, Jordan and Lance Armstrong are eerily similar and I have read almost every Lance Armstrong (who am I kidding, I have read them all) piece, including documentaries and interviews, so it would be only fitting to start reading about Jordan.
Lindsay woke up a little past 8:00 and then went for a little run (I am so proud...2.2 miles baby).
When Lindsay got back, something from Dessert Ladies came up and she had to take care of it. It took nearly two hours but the matter was quarrelled.
We drove to the registration center to pick up the race packet at Gunstock Mountain (3) and window shop at the vendors' respective tents. Timberman is the most organized race I have ever done. Registration at a few past events have been a nightmare but the event planners for this race are top notch. It is refreshing to witness. It also helps the relaxation process so you can concentrate on the big task...the race. You are in and out. You get a bunch of free stuff. It is all gravy.
(3) Awesome Ski Resort and Adventure Park. People were literally zip lining over our head. It was intense.
Red Bull is a major sponsor this year, which is huge since that drink is a life saver in big endurance races like this one. I was actually going to buy a few for the race but they gave me ample supply so I am stoked. You have to celebrate the small victories in life.
I tried a new toy called the Computrainer. It's pretty much an advanced indoor bike training system that measures everything and can simulate any race/ride in the world by simply downloading the route to the program. It costs $1600 but is proven to improve your bike time and performance by at least 10%. If not, you can return it. No questions asked. I think Lindsay and I can push back our wedding another year so I can purchase it.
I can't even type that last sentence without laughing.
We left Gunstock and went to Elacoya State Park to check my bike in but first I had to swim for a few lengths, bike a few miles, and run part of the course to get the blood flowing and ready to go for tomorrow. Everything went smoothly and actually met a few people from around the US along the way, which is always a staple at these events since everyone is so nice and polite due to the constant dopamine and endorphin fix we get on a regular basis.
After checking in the bike, Lindsay and I ate in a nice restaurant called The Barley House, then went back to the hotel.
Now, I just have to set up the rest of my gear for tomorrow morning and get some sleep.
I am super excited and nervous in the same breath. It's weird but after 6 years of doing races, I still get the same feeling. Sometimes, it's really hard to get sleep but now I accept that. It's just part of the process. I will probably end up with only 4-5 hours tops but it doesn't matter. When the gun goes off, the adrenaline kicks in and I'm off.
Hopefully, when I write the race report, I have some good news.
I have a feeling I will.
Good night and thanks for reading.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Inspirational Center
We all find things to drive us. Too get through the day, get us to the gym, to stick on a diet, whatever helps us keep on track, we all find and use inspiration to create motivation and momentum to get things done, regardless of intention.
Over the past year, I have discussed the highs and lows of this factor numerous times. I struggle to stay on track sometimes. It sucks. I forget where I am and desperate for direction from time to time. So today, I am going to discuss the few things that consistently drive me.
Quotes
Doesn't matter who says them (1). The importance lies with the message spoken and how it relates to our lives. I find myself to be a bit of a romantic and find new quotes on a weekly basis to help drive me to be a better person, athlete (2), worker, and partner. I rely on them often.
(1) It does. I am being dramatic.
(2) I constantly watch Nike commercials, documentaries, and Youtube videos frequently before and after workouts to help as well
We all lose ourselves. Life catches us off guard and we lose touch to what's important. It's very easy to lose focus. However, The great quotes bring us back.
Here are some of my favorites
William James is one of the greatest American philosophers (3) and his quotes span from day-to-day tasks to pushing the limits of human endurance.
(3) Many historians believe that he was a major influence on Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy was a student of Professor James at Harvard University. If you look at James' quotes and Teddy's most famous line, "Walk softly and carry a big stick," one can see the inspiration from one to the other. Theodore just added his own personal wrinkle. History is fun.
Here are some of my favorites:
"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."
"There is but one cause of human failure. And that is man's lack of faith in his true self."
"The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as we keep our foot upon his neck."
And my all time favorite:
“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Those quotes often act as a reminder when things get tough but this is nothing to one of the best speeches ever. A speech so good that it was turned into a song. Everyone my age remembers the "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" song by Baz Luhrmann. It started as a speech given at a High School Graduation, then someone simply added a soothing melody to make it a song. Unexpectedly, the song became a hit. The song became so popular that it was on the "Now That's What I Call Music" album 2 (4).
(4) When the Now That's What I Call Music CD series first came out, it was released once a year, until Virgin Records realized they can make a lot more money if they released one every month ( They just released album 87 not to long ago. The first album was released in October of 1998). Again, history is fun.
Nevertheless, the entire speech gives unbelievable life advice I attempt to live by everyday. I have to listen to it every now and about to act as a constant reminder as it helps me to be the person I want to be. Not necessarily the person I am, but definitely the individual I want to become.
Let's break down the speech.
The lyrics will be in bold and my responses will be in parenthesis:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.
(When I first heard this lyric, I glossed over it. Didn't take it seriously. You believe you're invincible when your young. I find this to be a paradox. We can tell our youth over and over again from our own personal experiences that the gifts you have now will fade over time but no one under the age of 25 is going to take it seriously or even listen to you...right until Father Time takes care of business. The cycle will continually repeat itself like the ending of 12 Monkeys.)
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.
(Worrying about the future is human nature. It's what makes us different from every living thing on the planet. The frontal lobe gives us the ability to think about the future. No other animal has this ability so it is difficult to follow. However, worrying about the past can be as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. You can't control the past but you can control your future...until you get blindsided at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday (5).
(5) I recently got into an car accident where someone made a left turn when I was going straight. You know what day that happened on...yeah, you guessed it...some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
(I rather not...I suck and I am doing the public a favor when I don't sing)
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.
(Word)
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
(Envy is one of the seven deadly sins for a reason. It is a waste of energy and time. Instead, go with the complete opposite. Celebrate the success of others, even if you are not friends with them. Celebrate it. Life is way too short to be hung up on jealousy. Nothing good comes from the emotion. We all understand envy stems from inadequacy and insecurity, but the best way to get rid of those emotions is to enjoy the victories of others. And you are probably thinking I am coming from a karma angle as if you celebrate others' success, then in due time, good fortune will come your way.
No.
Actually, that is a dangerous way to think which will most likely lead to more anger and bitterness.
Instead, it's much simpler than that. It's just a positive outlook. Practice it. Trust me. It will help.)
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
(Lurhmann's weakest line. It's human nature to remember the negative over the positive, but like he said, if you can do it, please tell us all.)
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.
(I tell people this line weekly. Or at least, that what it feels like. I could write a whole post about this line but the message is clear.)
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
(Damnit)
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
(I still haven't decided whether I fully agree or disagree with the last line of the quote. There is no in between either.)
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
(I may do this too much and probably in places I shouldn't be doing it.)
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
(Please...I want Cosmopolitan Magazine to crumble)
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.
(I am blessed with my family and I'm including the family I am about to marry into. I am not sure if I needed to state this or if it's even relevant to the above two lines...but....I wanted to.)
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
(I struggle with this everyday. I am constantly thinking about people that have passed in and out of my life. They are still very important. It's just a hard thing to cope with that harsh truth. An understanding that some very important people in your life that help shape who you are will come and go seems illogical to me. But it's the truth. People pass your life like a sieve, the very important will stay and the rest will pass through. Wait. That sounds bad. Let me put it this way. I work extremely hard to keep in touch with friends but despite my efforts, it becomes fruitless overtime in certain cases. Just something we all have to deal with. I just don't like it.)
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
(Anyone who knows me, even through passing, will state that I shove traveling done their throats. It's something I strongly believe in. It's the very first conversation I shared with my future wife. It one of our biggest connections.)
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
(It depends if they're nice or not)
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.
(Boy, if half of the nation would follow this model, holy shit, would we be in a much better place as a society. Nothing but a bunch over privileged, self-entitled wienies walking the streets anymore. I just realized I sound like an elder...OK, fine...don't respect me.)
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
(Gospel)
But trust me on the sunscreen…
Hear, you listen to the song and come up with your own interpretation.
Thanks for reading!
Over the past year, I have discussed the highs and lows of this factor numerous times. I struggle to stay on track sometimes. It sucks. I forget where I am and desperate for direction from time to time. So today, I am going to discuss the few things that consistently drive me.
Quotes
Doesn't matter who says them (1). The importance lies with the message spoken and how it relates to our lives. I find myself to be a bit of a romantic and find new quotes on a weekly basis to help drive me to be a better person, athlete (2), worker, and partner. I rely on them often.
(1) It does. I am being dramatic.
(2) I constantly watch Nike commercials, documentaries, and Youtube videos frequently before and after workouts to help as well
We all lose ourselves. Life catches us off guard and we lose touch to what's important. It's very easy to lose focus. However, The great quotes bring us back.
Here are some of my favorites
William James is one of the greatest American philosophers (3) and his quotes span from day-to-day tasks to pushing the limits of human endurance.
(3) Many historians believe that he was a major influence on Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy was a student of Professor James at Harvard University. If you look at James' quotes and Teddy's most famous line, "Walk softly and carry a big stick," one can see the inspiration from one to the other. Theodore just added his own personal wrinkle. History is fun.
Here are some of my favorites:
"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."
"There is but one cause of human failure. And that is man's lack of faith in his true self."
"The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as we keep our foot upon his neck."
And my all time favorite:
“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Those quotes often act as a reminder when things get tough but this is nothing to one of the best speeches ever. A speech so good that it was turned into a song. Everyone my age remembers the "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" song by Baz Luhrmann. It started as a speech given at a High School Graduation, then someone simply added a soothing melody to make it a song. Unexpectedly, the song became a hit. The song became so popular that it was on the "Now That's What I Call Music" album 2 (4).
(4) When the Now That's What I Call Music CD series first came out, it was released once a year, until Virgin Records realized they can make a lot more money if they released one every month ( They just released album 87 not to long ago. The first album was released in October of 1998). Again, history is fun.
Nevertheless, the entire speech gives unbelievable life advice I attempt to live by everyday. I have to listen to it every now and about to act as a constant reminder as it helps me to be the person I want to be. Not necessarily the person I am, but definitely the individual I want to become.
Let's break down the speech.
The lyrics will be in bold and my responses will be in parenthesis:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.
(When I first heard this lyric, I glossed over it. Didn't take it seriously. You believe you're invincible when your young. I find this to be a paradox. We can tell our youth over and over again from our own personal experiences that the gifts you have now will fade over time but no one under the age of 25 is going to take it seriously or even listen to you...right until Father Time takes care of business. The cycle will continually repeat itself like the ending of 12 Monkeys.)
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.
(Worrying about the future is human nature. It's what makes us different from every living thing on the planet. The frontal lobe gives us the ability to think about the future. No other animal has this ability so it is difficult to follow. However, worrying about the past can be as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. You can't control the past but you can control your future...until you get blindsided at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday (5).
(5) I recently got into an car accident where someone made a left turn when I was going straight. You know what day that happened on...yeah, you guessed it...some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
(I rather not...I suck and I am doing the public a favor when I don't sing)
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.
(Word)
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
(Envy is one of the seven deadly sins for a reason. It is a waste of energy and time. Instead, go with the complete opposite. Celebrate the success of others, even if you are not friends with them. Celebrate it. Life is way too short to be hung up on jealousy. Nothing good comes from the emotion. We all understand envy stems from inadequacy and insecurity, but the best way to get rid of those emotions is to enjoy the victories of others. And you are probably thinking I am coming from a karma angle as if you celebrate others' success, then in due time, good fortune will come your way.
No.
Actually, that is a dangerous way to think which will most likely lead to more anger and bitterness.
Instead, it's much simpler than that. It's just a positive outlook. Practice it. Trust me. It will help.)
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
(Lurhmann's weakest line. It's human nature to remember the negative over the positive, but like he said, if you can do it, please tell us all.)
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.
(I tell people this line weekly. Or at least, that what it feels like. I could write a whole post about this line but the message is clear.)
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
(Damnit)
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
(I still haven't decided whether I fully agree or disagree with the last line of the quote. There is no in between either.)
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
(I may do this too much and probably in places I shouldn't be doing it.)
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
(Please...I want Cosmopolitan Magazine to crumble)
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.
(I am blessed with my family and I'm including the family I am about to marry into. I am not sure if I needed to state this or if it's even relevant to the above two lines...but....I wanted to.)
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
(I struggle with this everyday. I am constantly thinking about people that have passed in and out of my life. They are still very important. It's just a hard thing to cope with that harsh truth. An understanding that some very important people in your life that help shape who you are will come and go seems illogical to me. But it's the truth. People pass your life like a sieve, the very important will stay and the rest will pass through. Wait. That sounds bad. Let me put it this way. I work extremely hard to keep in touch with friends but despite my efforts, it becomes fruitless overtime in certain cases. Just something we all have to deal with. I just don't like it.)
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
(Anyone who knows me, even through passing, will state that I shove traveling done their throats. It's something I strongly believe in. It's the very first conversation I shared with my future wife. It one of our biggest connections.)
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
(It depends if they're nice or not)
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.
(Boy, if half of the nation would follow this model, holy shit, would we be in a much better place as a society. Nothing but a bunch over privileged, self-entitled wienies walking the streets anymore. I just realized I sound like an elder...OK, fine...don't respect me.)
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
(Gospel)
But trust me on the sunscreen…
Hear, you listen to the song and come up with your own interpretation.
Thanks for reading!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Countdown to Timberman
The work is done. The training is over. The only thing that is left is to taper down, relax, and wait until race day.
Race Day is Sunday, August 17, held at the beautiful Lake Winniepesaukee in Gilford, New Hampshire. This race has been in affect for over a decade and one of the first Half-Ironmans in the US Circuit. The whole town turns the area into a festival atmosphere and has local vendors come to the lake and Gunstock Mountain (An Awesome Ski Resort) making it fun for everyone who participates and spectates.
I have to be honest, I haven't felt this good in a long time. I have reached a new level of fitness and feel my body has never been in better shape. Just a few adjustments and it opened a whole new world in my training. Of course, a few outside factors helped.
My good friend Jason, finding his stride in running and becoming a better runner than he was in high school has pushed me to be a better runner. I have been stuck doing 8 minute miles the past 3 years and just this year, I am averaging closer to 7:00 miles. If I can attack this race intelligently, I may grasp that pace and have a race of a lifetime. It's not entirely inconceivable either. I feel confident, I will at least average better than a 7:45 pace which would lessen my time by 3 plus minutes from last year and that is being soft in a prediction. I expect to do a 7:30 pace which would bring me to 4:53 total time in the Timberman. A remarkable improvement from last year and all thanks to someone else pushing his own limits.
The failure of Ironman 70.3 Syracuse and Fiddler's Elbow humbled me so greatly, it re-focused my attention on my best discipline, the bike. I am already highly skilled with the 2nd portion of the triathlon but it is the longest distance covered and always contains the most time to make up. I feel I am in better shape than I was in last year and I averaged 21.9 MPH in last year's race (a personal best by a long shot) so I have a chance to break new grounds again. I just needed to fail a few times and get knocked down to push me to the next level. With the aid of finding new routes around the state of NJ and adding a few biking destinations around the globe with always pushing myself in the workouts, I have reached new speeds. I can't stress how thrilling it is to pass cars in 25 MPH zones.
So much fun.
The crazy thing is I still have room to improve.
The Fiddler's Elbow ride helped me reconsider my health, eating habits and discipline. Throughout the past 6 years, I have attempted a plethora of eating habits. Some good, some bad, and some extremely arduous and tedious but after getting my butt kicked, I finally landed on the right one and it is so simple.
Portion control will remarkably improve your weight, health, and performance. I am not just referring to athletic goals by the way. This can save you money, make you more efficient at work, save time, and improve your mood. It's obvious how it can save your money by if you aren't eating as much, you are not ordering as much, but that's not what I am talking about.
I really didn't need to state something that obvious but I digress.
When you eat the right amount, which is very little (It would shock you how little sustenance you really need), you obtain energy.
Have you ever come across anything that loses energy after you fuel it?
No.
Your car doesn't get slower after you put gas into it. Your phone doesn't stop working after you charge it. That would be counter productive. Your body responds the same way...when you fuel it right.
And at that point, you can start losing the need for caffeine.
Now, before I continue. Nothing is stronger than caffeine (Well except probably cocaine and PCP but let's keep it PG or PG-13...I curse sometimes). To me, that is a performance enhancing drug and no one can convince me otherwise. I drink coffee. I have a Red Bull after some tough workouts. It does the job.
However, the constant need of getting up in the morning and going to Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Rock n' Joes to get your daily caffeine kick is a convenience you can easily forgo. It won't be easy but trust me. You start eating less and being smart with each meal and you will see the difference. The so-called 2:00 feeling is a result we all fall victim too because we simply overeat (1).
(1) I am not going to get into the benefits of eating healthy because it is common knowledge if you add raw vegetables and fruit to your diet, you will lose weight, become healthier, and have more energy throughout the day.
I have lost 25 pounds since I started doing portion control and fasting before I go to bed and eating the next meal (2). I started about 6-7 weeks ago and I really felt the difference in my workouts about 3-4 weeks in. I feel lighter. I am faster in every discipline. I feel I have reach a new arena of my own fitness. A new pinnacle that wasn't present before. Last year, I really struggled because I felt like I was running in place or treading water. I thought I had reached my peak and wasn't meant to get any better without the aid of professional coaching or full time training partner.
(2) This is very simple but extremely difficult to follow: Don't eat 2 hours before you go to bed (If you have to, eat an apple or something that is not high in acidity), wait 12 hours until your next meal after your last meal the day prior (that's where the word breakfast comes fun 'breaking fast') and drink at least a liter of water before you ingest anything in the morning. I swear if you start doing this, you will lose weight, gain energy, become healthier, sleep better, and can start weening off coffee. WARNING: This takes a lot of discipline and something I struggle with everyday. You will get cravings and you will feel like you are starving at points but trust in the process and you will see the dividends.
Now with this adjustment, I am in the best shape of my life and have gotten here primarily by myself (3). I am ready for this race and enthralled to reap the benefits. Even if I don't qualify for the World Championship, I know I am going to set a personal record with my best yet to come. I could not be anymore excited.
(3) I have been inspired and influenced by others and still am. This is a big help. I am strictly talking about training because 95% of the time, I am training by myself.
Just nine days away...Let's Go!
Thanks for reading!
Race Day is Sunday, August 17, held at the beautiful Lake Winniepesaukee in Gilford, New Hampshire. This race has been in affect for over a decade and one of the first Half-Ironmans in the US Circuit. The whole town turns the area into a festival atmosphere and has local vendors come to the lake and Gunstock Mountain (An Awesome Ski Resort) making it fun for everyone who participates and spectates.
I have to be honest, I haven't felt this good in a long time. I have reached a new level of fitness and feel my body has never been in better shape. Just a few adjustments and it opened a whole new world in my training. Of course, a few outside factors helped.
My good friend Jason, finding his stride in running and becoming a better runner than he was in high school has pushed me to be a better runner. I have been stuck doing 8 minute miles the past 3 years and just this year, I am averaging closer to 7:00 miles. If I can attack this race intelligently, I may grasp that pace and have a race of a lifetime. It's not entirely inconceivable either. I feel confident, I will at least average better than a 7:45 pace which would lessen my time by 3 plus minutes from last year and that is being soft in a prediction. I expect to do a 7:30 pace which would bring me to 4:53 total time in the Timberman. A remarkable improvement from last year and all thanks to someone else pushing his own limits.
The failure of Ironman 70.3 Syracuse and Fiddler's Elbow humbled me so greatly, it re-focused my attention on my best discipline, the bike. I am already highly skilled with the 2nd portion of the triathlon but it is the longest distance covered and always contains the most time to make up. I feel I am in better shape than I was in last year and I averaged 21.9 MPH in last year's race (a personal best by a long shot) so I have a chance to break new grounds again. I just needed to fail a few times and get knocked down to push me to the next level. With the aid of finding new routes around the state of NJ and adding a few biking destinations around the globe with always pushing myself in the workouts, I have reached new speeds. I can't stress how thrilling it is to pass cars in 25 MPH zones.
So much fun.
The crazy thing is I still have room to improve.
The Fiddler's Elbow ride helped me reconsider my health, eating habits and discipline. Throughout the past 6 years, I have attempted a plethora of eating habits. Some good, some bad, and some extremely arduous and tedious but after getting my butt kicked, I finally landed on the right one and it is so simple.
Portion control will remarkably improve your weight, health, and performance. I am not just referring to athletic goals by the way. This can save you money, make you more efficient at work, save time, and improve your mood. It's obvious how it can save your money by if you aren't eating as much, you are not ordering as much, but that's not what I am talking about.
I really didn't need to state something that obvious but I digress.
When you eat the right amount, which is very little (It would shock you how little sustenance you really need), you obtain energy.
Have you ever come across anything that loses energy after you fuel it?
No.
Your car doesn't get slower after you put gas into it. Your phone doesn't stop working after you charge it. That would be counter productive. Your body responds the same way...when you fuel it right.
And at that point, you can start losing the need for caffeine.
Now, before I continue. Nothing is stronger than caffeine (Well except probably cocaine and PCP but let's keep it PG or PG-13...I curse sometimes). To me, that is a performance enhancing drug and no one can convince me otherwise. I drink coffee. I have a Red Bull after some tough workouts. It does the job.
However, the constant need of getting up in the morning and going to Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Rock n' Joes to get your daily caffeine kick is a convenience you can easily forgo. It won't be easy but trust me. You start eating less and being smart with each meal and you will see the difference. The so-called 2:00 feeling is a result we all fall victim too because we simply overeat (1).
(1) I am not going to get into the benefits of eating healthy because it is common knowledge if you add raw vegetables and fruit to your diet, you will lose weight, become healthier, and have more energy throughout the day.
I have lost 25 pounds since I started doing portion control and fasting before I go to bed and eating the next meal (2). I started about 6-7 weeks ago and I really felt the difference in my workouts about 3-4 weeks in. I feel lighter. I am faster in every discipline. I feel I have reach a new arena of my own fitness. A new pinnacle that wasn't present before. Last year, I really struggled because I felt like I was running in place or treading water. I thought I had reached my peak and wasn't meant to get any better without the aid of professional coaching or full time training partner.
(2) This is very simple but extremely difficult to follow: Don't eat 2 hours before you go to bed (If you have to, eat an apple or something that is not high in acidity), wait 12 hours until your next meal after your last meal the day prior (that's where the word breakfast comes fun 'breaking fast') and drink at least a liter of water before you ingest anything in the morning. I swear if you start doing this, you will lose weight, gain energy, become healthier, sleep better, and can start weening off coffee. WARNING: This takes a lot of discipline and something I struggle with everyday. You will get cravings and you will feel like you are starving at points but trust in the process and you will see the dividends.
Now with this adjustment, I am in the best shape of my life and have gotten here primarily by myself (3). I am ready for this race and enthralled to reap the benefits. Even if I don't qualify for the World Championship, I know I am going to set a personal record with my best yet to come. I could not be anymore excited.
(3) I have been inspired and influenced by others and still am. This is a big help. I am strictly talking about training because 95% of the time, I am training by myself.
Just nine days away...Let's Go!
Thanks for reading!
Monday, August 4, 2014
Fiddler's Revenge
A few weeks ago, I attempted to take on the toughest bike ride to date, yet, I didn't realize that until Fiddler's Elbow humbled me by chewing me up and spitting me out. I quit halfway up the last portion of the hill with my ego and confidence left on the asphalt. I greatly underestimated my opponent and it ended revealing some harsh truths about my training.
I am trying to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Those who make it to Mount Tremblant, Quebec are the very best in their respective age group and frustratingly, I am in arguably the hardest age group. To qualify, it is going to take everything I have and with a more limited schedule as my responsibilities rapidly grows, it's making this extremely more difficult than it has to be. And the day that Fiddler's Elbow took me down, it taught me I am not as good as I think I am and I desperately need to lose weight.
Since that day, I have gone on a diet. Not as extreme as "The Clean" diet I did during the offseason, but simple portion control, no bull crap diet. When I did the initial ride, I weighed 200 lbs., a respectable weight for my height (6'3") but I knew it wasn't enough.
Therefore, I started to cut my portions for every major meal nearly in half. I always overeat and if it is after a difficult workout, forget it, I become a mobile trash compactor eating from Rita's Misto's to Lindsay's delicious, over-sized oatmeal cookies. That stopped immediately. I cut all unnecessary food items and if I needed to snack, it had a to be raw fruits or vegetables.
Bedtime eating, had to be cutoff. I even started to follow the Gremlin rules by cutting off all eating after 10:00, sometimes 9:00 if I have to go to bed early.
After all of these adjustments, I saw results immediately. Within 2 weeks, I lost 10 pounds. It's not easy as I enjoy to indulge after workouts but it had to stop. My weight has been the same for a few years now and I need to get down to the 170-175 range. I know that if I get to that range, it would make a hell of difference in my training and race day.
During my training, I didn't feel a big difference, but after the Mega Bachelor Party blowout in Vegas, I got down to 185 and my training started to remarkably improve. Not only does portion control help you lose weight, it gives you more energy because during overeating, the body has to go into overdrive to digest and liquefy everything so your body can consume the nutrients and minerals from the food ingested. When overindulgent occurs, energy is wasted causing the body to break down and need rest. Prime example, when you feel tired after you eat something, either two things has happened: ingesting the bad stuff (candy, cookies, dessert treats, or pork) and/or overeating (except raw fruit and vegetables..it takes a lot to overeat raw vegetables and fruits). Therefore, the new diet consisted not to do either of those things.
I am not sure if that needed to be said but I digress.
So that simple adjustment gave me more energy in my workouts, which lead to improved times and quicker recovery. How could I be so stupid and not do this sooner? I know these things from reading multiple books, magazines, and blog posts but as the saying goes "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. (1)" I just wish I started this a little bit sooner.
(1) Morpheus said that in the Matrix by the way.
On the bright side, it's better late than ever because as I continually lose weight, my running pace drops, my swimming quickens, and my cadence rate and power output continually improves.
With all that being said, driving down to Milford, NJ to start the ride I failed, the negative thoughts were pouring in. I did my best to neglect them and pump myself up with a little tough love. I called myself apussy more times than I can recall. It wasn't working.
The first 20 miles, all I could think about is not making it up that stupid hill.
"Jesus Derek, it's just a hill. Why are you letting it get to you like this? You worked so hard. You will be fine. This is not going to be easy but you're ready for this. Destroy the hill and use the momentum to finish the ride. You finish this ride and your training and fitness will exponentially improve. And one more thing, stop being such afucking pussy."
That is an honest to God conversation I had with myself repeatedly before the hill.
And just like that, it began.
"Phew, I forgot how hard this hill is."
It's just relentless.
After struggling with the first portion of the hill, I got back where I left off. The part of the hill that looks like a wall. The part that humbled me. I get off my saddle and start climbing. The voices started creeping in immediately.
"Just quit Derek."
"You are never going to be forced to tackle anything like this in your races, so why are you doing this to yourself."
"This is overkill."
"What are you trying to prove anyway? This is pointless. Just give in."
Then something clicked. I didn't hear the voices anymore. I started to feel stronger. I started attacking the hill. Before I knew it, I passed the part where I had failed earlier. I was right there.
Then, I got passed the hard part of the hill. The slope started to level out. I was defeating the hill. I was getting my revenge.
As I was just getting to the point of the hill where I can start to build some speed, I sat back in the saddle since I thought I had enough momentum to finish the hill but I made a horrible miscalculation.
I lost control of the bike. I tried my best to gain it back. I was right there. No, no, no, no, I can't lose too this fucking hill again. I was violently weaving back and forth, jerking the front wheel all over the side of the road. I was running out of real estate quickly and I knew I was going to bail so I kicked out and had to walk the bike the rest of the way.
Man...Fuck you Fiddler
It was as if Fiddler's Elbow had some pride left and stopped me from getting my revenge.
Touche...Jackass
However, I know I defeated the toughest portion of the hill and redeemed myself.
Did I technically make it up the hill? No, I still have something to prove when I go back, but I know in my heart of hearts that I conquered the hardest hill in New Jersey and next time, I will finish the job.
It took sometime to recover from that hill because this ride is relentless and barely gives you a chance to regain your strength but by the end of the ride, I felt so good. I effin did it and my confidence is back.
It's now been two weeks since that ride and my training has never been better. Sometimes you need to defeat your demons to get to the next level. My fitness has reached new heights and I am getting stronger by the day. It's an incredible feeling to challenge yourself and reach new limits of yourself.
Qualifying for the World Championship is going to be tough but it's now in my grasp.
Let's Go!
I am trying to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Those who make it to Mount Tremblant, Quebec are the very best in their respective age group and frustratingly, I am in arguably the hardest age group. To qualify, it is going to take everything I have and with a more limited schedule as my responsibilities rapidly grows, it's making this extremely more difficult than it has to be. And the day that Fiddler's Elbow took me down, it taught me I am not as good as I think I am and I desperately need to lose weight.
Since that day, I have gone on a diet. Not as extreme as "The Clean" diet I did during the offseason, but simple portion control, no bull crap diet. When I did the initial ride, I weighed 200 lbs., a respectable weight for my height (6'3") but I knew it wasn't enough.
Therefore, I started to cut my portions for every major meal nearly in half. I always overeat and if it is after a difficult workout, forget it, I become a mobile trash compactor eating from Rita's Misto's to Lindsay's delicious, over-sized oatmeal cookies. That stopped immediately. I cut all unnecessary food items and if I needed to snack, it had a to be raw fruits or vegetables.
Bedtime eating, had to be cutoff. I even started to follow the Gremlin rules by cutting off all eating after 10:00, sometimes 9:00 if I have to go to bed early.
After all of these adjustments, I saw results immediately. Within 2 weeks, I lost 10 pounds. It's not easy as I enjoy to indulge after workouts but it had to stop. My weight has been the same for a few years now and I need to get down to the 170-175 range. I know that if I get to that range, it would make a hell of difference in my training and race day.
During my training, I didn't feel a big difference, but after the Mega Bachelor Party blowout in Vegas, I got down to 185 and my training started to remarkably improve. Not only does portion control help you lose weight, it gives you more energy because during overeating, the body has to go into overdrive to digest and liquefy everything so your body can consume the nutrients and minerals from the food ingested. When overindulgent occurs, energy is wasted causing the body to break down and need rest. Prime example, when you feel tired after you eat something, either two things has happened: ingesting the bad stuff (candy, cookies, dessert treats, or pork) and/or overeating (except raw fruit and vegetables..it takes a lot to overeat raw vegetables and fruits). Therefore, the new diet consisted not to do either of those things.
I am not sure if that needed to be said but I digress.
So that simple adjustment gave me more energy in my workouts, which lead to improved times and quicker recovery. How could I be so stupid and not do this sooner? I know these things from reading multiple books, magazines, and blog posts but as the saying goes "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. (1)" I just wish I started this a little bit sooner.
(1) Morpheus said that in the Matrix by the way.
On the bright side, it's better late than ever because as I continually lose weight, my running pace drops, my swimming quickens, and my cadence rate and power output continually improves.
With all that being said, driving down to Milford, NJ to start the ride I failed, the negative thoughts were pouring in. I did my best to neglect them and pump myself up with a little tough love. I called myself a
The first 20 miles, all I could think about is not making it up that stupid hill.
"Jesus Derek, it's just a hill. Why are you letting it get to you like this? You worked so hard. You will be fine. This is not going to be easy but you're ready for this. Destroy the hill and use the momentum to finish the ride. You finish this ride and your training and fitness will exponentially improve. And one more thing, stop being such a
That is an honest to God conversation I had with myself repeatedly before the hill.
And just like that, it began.
"Phew, I forgot how hard this hill is."
It's just relentless.
This is what the hill looks like.
After struggling with the first portion of the hill, I got back where I left off. The part of the hill that looks like a wall. The part that humbled me. I get off my saddle and start climbing. The voices started creeping in immediately.
"Just quit Derek."
"You are never going to be forced to tackle anything like this in your races, so why are you doing this to yourself."
"This is overkill."
"What are you trying to prove anyway? This is pointless. Just give in."
Then something clicked. I didn't hear the voices anymore. I started to feel stronger. I started attacking the hill. Before I knew it, I passed the part where I had failed earlier. I was right there.
Then, I got passed the hard part of the hill. The slope started to level out. I was defeating the hill. I was getting my revenge.
As I was just getting to the point of the hill where I can start to build some speed, I sat back in the saddle since I thought I had enough momentum to finish the hill but I made a horrible miscalculation.
I lost control of the bike. I tried my best to gain it back. I was right there. No, no, no, no, I can't lose too this fucking hill again. I was violently weaving back and forth, jerking the front wheel all over the side of the road. I was running out of real estate quickly and I knew I was going to bail so I kicked out and had to walk the bike the rest of the way.
Man...Fuck you Fiddler
It was as if Fiddler's Elbow had some pride left and stopped me from getting my revenge.
Touche...Jackass
However, I know I defeated the toughest portion of the hill and redeemed myself.
Did I technically make it up the hill? No, I still have something to prove when I go back, but I know in my heart of hearts that I conquered the hardest hill in New Jersey and next time, I will finish the job.
It took sometime to recover from that hill because this ride is relentless and barely gives you a chance to regain your strength but by the end of the ride, I felt so good. I effin did it and my confidence is back.
It's now been two weeks since that ride and my training has never been better. Sometimes you need to defeat your demons to get to the next level. My fitness has reached new heights and I am getting stronger by the day. It's an incredible feeling to challenge yourself and reach new limits of yourself.
Qualifying for the World Championship is going to be tough but it's now in my grasp.
Let's Go!
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