I hate the CAR!!!

This morning I HAD to commute by car, to get some important papers from my house to my office. Over 40 minutes later I actually got to my office. I'VE RAN FASTER THAN THAT!!!

Question:

190 lbs (me+bike) - 157 lbs (me)= ?

Answer:

A really HEAVY Bike

I've been calling around, doing the typical due dilligence for a new bike. Essentially, anything under 19 lbs would be great. So I wondered how much my current bike weighted. Man, I was surprised. And this weight is without my aerobars!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing my times on my new high speed, low-drag bike.

Here in East Tennessee one of the prettiest things around is the spectacular views when the leaves are changing colors. I love all of the undeveloped mountains in this area. Take a moment this weekend and plant a tree. As the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard said: "Plant a tree, only an optimist would do that"

It's a busy time of year at work so I haven't gotten much cycling in. However, I did enjoy a nice run in this morning.

I probably won't do this race next year, but at some point when I feel comfortable travelling for races, I would love to do the Pacific Crest Half Ironman. This is definitely one of the prettiest places I have ever seen for a race.

Calculate the Cost of Commuting

When I plugged my wife's numbers in (since I bike and my commuting costs is a big ZERO) I was surprised it wasn't higher. Still saving $40/month ($480/year) is a lot of money. And isn't it ironic than that is how much an Ironman entry fee is???

From IBIKE.ORG

More Than Forty Good Reasons For Bicycling

1. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Have Access To Motor Transport.
2. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Qualify To Drive A Car.
3. Bicycles Increase Mobility For Those Who Can't Afford Motor Transport.
4. Bikes Increase Mobility For Those Who Don't Want To Drive Motor Vehicles.
5. There Are 28 Miles Of Bike Trails In The City of Seattle.
6. Bicycling Is The Most Efficient Form Of Transportation Ever Invented.
7. You Get Exercise Form Bicycling
8. Save Travel Money By Biking
9. Reduce Stress
10. Biking Is Therapeutic For The Mind & Spirit
11. Cycling Is Therapeutic For The Body
12. Your Commute Will Be The Best Part Of Your Day Instead Of The Worst Part Of Your Day.
13. Cycling Improves Self-Esteem
14. Save On The Membership To A Health Club, Get Your Exercise Bicycling To Work
15. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Body
16. Cycling Is Low Impact On The Environment
17. Bicycling In Your Neighborhood Is A Great Way To Meet Your Neighbors
18. Camaraderie of Cyclists Makes It A Great Way To Meet A Nice Stranger With A Similar Interest
19. Bicyclist Can Ignore the Traffic Reports
20. Feel the Self-satisfaction Of Biking Past A Traffic Jam In The Bike Lane.
21. Predictable Commute Time
22. Easier Parking
23. Cheaper Parking
24. Leaving Your Car At Home Provide A Parking Space For Someone Less Fortunate
25. If You Are Lazy, Your Bicycle Provides Door-To-Door Transport (You Don't Have To Walk Across A Vast Parking Lot)
26. Reduce Demand For Parking Lots
27. Reduce Energy Consumption (see below)
28. Reduce Air Pollution -- Bicyclist Emit Few Gases
29. Reduce Water Pollution -- Bikes Don't Drip Brake Fluid, Anti-Freeze, Transmission Fluid, Etc.
30. Reduce Noise Pollution -- Even Without A Muffler Bikes Are Quiet
31. Reduces Road Wear -- Even If Cyclist Feel Like They Have The Weight Of The World On Their Shoulders.
32. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
33. 40% Of All Trips In The U.S. Are Within Two Miles Of Home.
34. Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of responsible citizens.
35. Bikes Small Profile Reduce Congestion
36. Motor Vehicle Emissions Cause More Than Half Of The Northwest's Air Pollution.
37. Reduce Need To Lay Additional Asphalt And Concrete
38. Easier to Vary Your Route By Bicycle
39. Bicycling Improves Cardio-Vascular Health
40. Better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
41. Healthier People Have Lower Health Care Expenses
42. New bicycle commuters can expect to lose 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting.
43. The Exercise Increase Your Productivity At Work
44. Increased Bike Uses Generates Bike Facilities Which Increase Property Values
45. Bicycling Gives You More Fresh Air Than A Sauna And You Can Still Sweat And Clean Your Pores
46. Bike Commuting Is A License To Dress Weird And Still Feel Smug
47. Urban Cycling Keeps You Humble
48. Biking Is Virtually Life Long Activity
49. Bicycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Topography
50. Cycling Can Be Enjoyed In A Wide Variety Of Climates
51. Bicycles Are A Great Means To See The World
52. Bicycling is cool.
53. Biking Is Fun.

I had an amazing ride Saturday going up 2 mountains (Suck Creek and Signal) for a grand total of 60 miles! This was my first long ride and I felt pretty good through the whole thing. The only time when I was in serious pain is going up the second mountain, but I finally figured out it was because I had been on a bike for 3 hours.

I was planning on being hard-core and not getting off for the sag in the three-state, three-mountain race. But that plan is definitely over!

The entire ride was gorgeous and I had a great time riding with my training buddy Kevin (who was fully prepared for "at least 15 miles").

While I felt bad that he did a lot more than he bargained for, he could have left anytime. PLUS, we both know, and hopefully everyone else out there, that this is what training for an IRONMAN and completing an IRONMAN is all about. Knowing your limits, and then finding out that you didn't know your limits!

May the God who gives ENDURANCE and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:5-6

A great Ironman story. Read it to the end!

PATIENCE AND PRAYER NEEDED...

Sorry, but the blog may get distorted over the next couple of days as I try to make a cool banner, instead of the normal blogger template stuff.

Please pray for me as in the next 24 hours I plan on doing a seriously long ride!

Yesterday was a great day. On my lunch break I made it down to the Tour de Georgia Health Expo, and got a ton of free goodies.

Then after the market closed, the pelaton came right by my office. Just in-time to inspire me for a long bike ride.

I did my usual Lookout Mountain loop, and then made my way to Suck Creek Mountain. When I started the pro riders from the Tour de Georgia were coming down and started cheering me on. This was really inspirational!

Attached are some pictures of Suck Creek. It was extremely beautiful, as the Tennessee River was on my left and once I started climbing there was nice stream and a couple of blue holes on my right, and this is on top of the majestic mountain views I had. Needless to say, after approximately 50 miles of cycling, I'm feeling it today.

Yesterday was a great day. On my lunch break I made it down to the Tour de Georgia Health Expo, and got a ton of free goodies.

Then after the market closed, the pelaton came right by my office. Just in-time to inspire me for a long bike ride.

I did my usual Lookout Mountain loop, and then made my way to Suck Creek Mountain. When I started the pro riders from the Tour de Georgia were coming down and started cheering me on. This was really inspirational!

Attached are some pictures of Suck Creek. It was extremely beautiful, as the Tennessee River was on my left and once I started climbing there was nice stream and a couple of blue holes on my right, and this is on top of the majestic mountain views I had. Needless to say, after approximately 50 miles of cycling, I'm feeling it today.

OK, here is the official list of potential Ironman's for 2008. Leave a comment or email me if anyone has any thoughts on the races. The best race calendar's can be found at trifind.com


Saturday August 11, 2007 ::: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada: Bigfoot Full Iron Triathlon
Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Location: Harrison Mills, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: 1-800-343-4466
email: Bigfoot@Triathlons.net
Course Info: Flat, fast course great for your first ironman distance event.
Directions To Race: The site is located 60 miles East of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at Harrison Mills. The closest city is Mission, B.C. about 15 miles.
2006 Results At: triathlons.net

Sunday, August 26, 2007 ::: Louisville, Kentucky: Ford Ironman Louisville
Swim 2.4 miles , Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:00am
Location: Great Lawn, Waterfront Park
Phone: (727) 942-4767 x221
email: mella@ironman.com
Printable Entry Form at:
Price: $450.00
# Course Info: The swim takes place in the Ohio River
# The bike heads east out River Road and US 42 to LaGrange
# The run takes athletes through downtown Louisville to Iroquois Park. The race features a spectacular finish at Fourth Street Live.


Saturday, October 20, 2007 ::: Clermont, Florida: 17th Annual Great Floridian Triathlon
Full Iron Distance ::: Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 miles
Start Time: 7:30 am
Location: Clermont Waterfront Park
Phone: (352) 394-1320
email: eventinfo@triamerica.com
Register On-Line At: GreatFloridian.com
# Course Info: Ironman distance triathlon The 2.4 mile swim takes place in Lake Minneola. The projected water temperature should be in the upper 70's.
# The gently rolling bike course travels along the scenic country roads of Lake County.
# The run course features a flat out and back section along the South Lake Trail followed by three laps around Lake Minneola.
More: The Great Floridian Triathlon is Florida's original ultra distance triathlon and is the nation's largest independent ultra-distance triathlon. Weekend activities also include the 23rd Annual Florida Challenge long course triathlon and the Great Floridian Festival of Fitness and Sports.
Directions To Race: Clermont is located just 20 minutes west of Orlando at the intersection of US 27 and SR 50 and is less than 30 minutes from all major Central Florida Tourist Attractions.
2006 Results At: sommersports.com

Thanks for the advice Eddie!!!

Big Day in cycling with the Tour de Georgia passing by my office all day!

I planned to tackle two mountains for the first time after work, even though there are a lot of cycling activities that would be fun to go to. Who knows, maybe I can do both.

Also, I was in the bike shop yesterday complaining about my back hurting, so they made two quick adjustments that took all of 30 seconds (that would have taken me about 30 minutes). Then I told them I was training for 3 State, 3 Mountain and asked for any training advice?

They said, heck there's pro-cyclist Eddie Hilger, just ask him.

Eddie was very nice and very helpful. The basic thing he recommended for me was a heart rate monitor to make sure I'm pushing myself the entire time.

CONGRATS! To Howard Curtis "Ducky"

Although I have no clue who you are, according to the elevators in the Krystal Building, and according to the Ironman Arizona Results Page YOU Qualified for KONA!!!

OVERALL PLACE TOTAL TIME LAST NAME FIRST NAME RACE DIVISION DIVISION PLACE

44 09:55:13 CURTIS HOWARD M35-39 10/426

Friday I got another ego blow. I went cycling with a coleague and he was a lot faster than me. However, he was on a $10k litespeed! He took me up a harder route of Lookout Mountain than I usually do, and it was extremely rewarding. Here are some of the views we had.

10 Ways to Stay Motivated from Ironman.com

1. Make sure your exercise plan has a purpose (i.e., to run a 5k, train for a triathlon or hike an 8,000-foot peak). Once you have a detailed training plan to follow you'll be much more likely to follow through with a regular routine, and your fitness will improve much more rapidly.

2. Talk to people! Telling friends, family and coworkers about your goal to follow through on a plan of action will hold you accountable to it. Without going overboard, mention your goal in conversation at least once a day to stay focused and keep your training on track.

3.Keep a training log. Whether you follow through with your complete workout that day or not, record your activity for the day as well as how you felt while doing it, how much sleep you had the night before, what you ate prior, etc. This is a great way to track outside factors that may be affecting your performance, and it will also help you to feel like you've really accomplished something that day

4. Make an early investment. If your goal involves something that requires an entry fee or registration, sign up early! Signing that check and choosing your T-shirt size is like signing a written agreement to follow through. When training gets tough you can tell yourself, "The check has cleared—there's no backing out now!"

5. Find training partners. Having others to train and exercise with will not only help hold you accountable to your plan, it will make following the plan much more fun. Group trips to the coffee house or your favorite breakfast restaurant post-workout are a great motivator to get you up early on those Saturday mornings.

6. View this as YOUR time. Avoid looking at workouts as another item to check off the list, and instead view them as time that's reserved just for you. Also, look at your active time as something that makes the rest of your day run more efficiently and that keeps you clear-headed.

7. Make an appointment with a sports nutritionist. Simply being active is only one part of the equation. By making healthy changes with regard to nutrition as well as fitness you'll be more likely to adopt "whole" lifestyle changes that will lead to ultimate success.

8. Involve the family. Family time is scarce to begin with, and when you add exercise into the mix it can sometimes be a limiting factor. Make a "date" with your spouse to go for a brisk walk once or twice a week, do a run or go hiking or kayaking. One idea is to arrange a weekly Friday night date night that begins with some type of sport and ends with dinner out. And, if you have kids, involve them in other ways. Nice long walks with your kids gives you quality time (i.e., time outside shuttling them to their practices and friends' houses) to relate to each other, and bike rides around your neighborhood are fun for the whole family.

9. Commit to learning. In addition to subscribing to Her Sports to stay informed and motivated, at least twice a year buy a book that will teach you more about the scientific aspects of being healthy and fit. Knowing the "whys" behind what you're doing will help you to make lasting changes that will enhance your health.

10. Reward yourself! While fitness is a huge reward in itself, there's nothing wrong with giving yourself an added incentive for finishing that 10k, conquering a new mountain or finally learning to surf. Whether it's indulging in your favorite treat or allowing yourself to buy that new pair of shoes you've been eyeing, little rewards work!