Testing day 1

Did the calorie and HR test on the bike:

Kind of funny looking don't you think.  I am even funnier without the mask. lol
These are 2 tests that allow you to train better.  The HR (Heart Rate) test determines certain training zones.  These zones have many names.  Lactic threshold etc.,  we refer to them as training pace and Race pace.  Training pace is a heart rate low enough to allow your body to do things other than your exercise, such as digest food.  At race pace your intensity is so high that your heart is continually pumping to remove lactic acid from your muscles.  There is no blood for anything else.  As you could gather you cannot exist at race pace for very long.  Your body can only store so much fuel.

So during an ironman or even a half ironman you need to know these rates to finish the race.  You need to take in food and you need to digest it so your body can use it.  I have trained with heart rate zones for 4 years now.  i have found it a very effective tool.

The calorie test is new to me.  It will let me know how good my body is a burning fats.  In long endurance races you need to burn fat.  You cannot store or replenish carbohydrates fast enough to fuel your self during an ironman event.

BTW I have officially sighned up for Ironman Louisville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Beginning

It is said:

                Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 120 miles, run 26.2 miles and brag for the rest of your life.


I cannot articulate the reason for this quest.  I can admit to a bit of good personal feelings at accomplishing something that few people have done.  I feel pride at having lost 100 pounds, and competing in sprint and olympic distance triathalons for 6 years.  In the last 2 years I have completed 3 70.3 tri's.  i will be competing in the Austin 70.3 in October.

I have decided to move up too the full ironman distance.  My choice is going to be the Ironman Louisville in 2012.  As I type fellow triathaletes are on the course.  Some finnishing the swim and some on the bike.  The pros should be finnishing the bike in the next couple of hours.  Fellow age groupers will follow.   One thing I have learned is that there is always someone behind you trying to catch you and there will always be someone ahead for me to catch.

I have decided to blog my year as a way of listening to my inner voice.  Of all things in this endeavor I am most worried about the mental and emotional strain it will place on me and my family.  I am using a coach from the tri club I belong to.  I have had a discussion with my wife regarding this journey.  It will take time and money.

Money is one of the biggest mental and emotional strains.  I am a very blessed person.  At this point I have the financial means to adequately approach this endeavor.  Having said that I still had a great deal of "buyers remorse" after writing the check for my coach.  My entire life has been a quest to provide for my family.  This will always be my focus.  I will never be able to put myself and my wants ahead of my wife and children.  I had a father that lived this and I learned from him. 

So how is someone supposed feel good about spending money even though his family is well taken care of?

This will probably be one of the toughest questions as I begin.

I hope to settle into a routine of posting regularly.  For now postings will be fast and furious as I get used to my new lifestyle.