24 Hour Solo

I thought Ironman was hard. Try mountain biking for 24hrs straight! I went to see the movie 24 Hour Solo at the Normal Theatre which was part of a fund raiser by Jeff Wells and the Livestrong Foundation, and all I can say is "AWESOME"! Check out the trailer. This movie was a documentary about Chris Eatough and his quest for a 7th straight World Championship title in the 24 Hours of Adrenaline series. This guy is an animal. Rides his bike every day, all year in preparation for one thing, the world title. Only problem is, everyone is gunning for him. And the 2006 race was one of the toughest ever. Incredible story and an incredible, surprising, finish. You have to see this!

OK I'll go ahead and give you the quick rundown on what happened. Australian Craig Gordon was a fierce competitor and kept the pressure on the whole race. Each lap was about 40 - 45 min or so. That meant they would be doing about 32 laps total. The course was incredibly hard terrain and lots of climbing. During the night, Chris stopped to change his battery packs for his lighting. Craig zoomed passed unnoticed. He ended up gaining time through the night and when morning came, he was more than a lap ahead. Chris never gave up and toward the end, Craig started complaining about his calf hurting. He was riding with one leg for parts of the lap. Near the end of the race, Craig stopped and said he couldn't feel his leg. He was basically beyond hitting the wall. His body was shutting down.

The camera man wasn't supposed to get involved but Craig's safety was more important. He decided to call back and report his status. Chris Eatough had already completed his last lap (you can't start another lap if it will take you beyond the 24 hours) so the camera man asked if Craig needed to complete his lap to secure the win.....nobody knew the answer! While they scrambled to get an answer, Craig was suffering more and more. He was trying his hardest to get back on the bike and race but was struggling. The official word was yes, he had to finish the lap. Craig miraculously rode to the finish. Think Julie Moss without the crawl. Once he crossed the finish line, I couldn't believe it, they sat him in a chair and wanted to do an interview. What!!! Get this guy to a hospital. They finally got the hint and wheeled him off.

Most of the movie you see Craig sitting in a hospital bed as he recounts the race. You really don't know what the deal is and why he's there in his gown. He finally reveals the result of his hospital stay. His leg was so stressed that his calf muscle had started to break down and the proteins started entering his blood stream. This made his blood toxic and this was why his body was shutting down. The guy could have died out there but he had the fortitude to get back on his bike and finish. Simply amazing. That's what it takes to be World Champion in the 24 hours of adrenaline series.

Where did October go?

And where did November go?!! To tell you the truth, I've not been motivated lately. This has to be the worst time of the year for me. Days are getting short, cold weather moving in, holidays, you know the drill. Keith came over today and we went for a nice five mile run. Met Nigel on the trail and he kept us honest (ran real fast) for a while. We had to break off so we could slow down for awhile. That was enough to realize we were getting out of shape and need to start hitting the gym, pool, trainer, whatever it takes to keep motivated.

So I guess that's it. My training season will now start December 1st. Well maybe Dec 2nd since we'll do another long run that Sunday. IM Hawaii is on NBC the 1st so another Trishark party at the Klien's house to close out a great season. I'll probably start scoping out the terrain instead of watching the action :)

For my weight training this time, I got sucked in to an infomercial and bought the P90X Extreme Home Fitness program. It's like 12 DVD's full of hardcore body pumping with dumbells, aerobics (polymetrics), yoga, stretching, and more dumbells. I figure I might like that better than lifting weights at the gym. Kind of hate lifting weights. I'll post my before/after photos (if their good).

And as for the previously posted schedule for next year, I'll probably not do Boston, and the Triple T, and just do a couple 1/2IM races instead. Gotta save some cash for Kona.

later, cd

My trusty steed and some pre-planning

Sitting around bored today. Thought I would post a picture of my bike, all blinged out with the Zipps. Cool wheels will make any bike look great. I'm contemplating a bike change for next year but not sure if I can afford it. Would like to get an all carbon bike like a Kuota or Scott. If I could find a new Felt DA on the curb that would be cool too. Guru is coming out with an all carbon (alum lug) too.


No long run on the training schedule today...matter of fact no nothing on the training schedule right now : ) I need to start doing something soon however. Gotta keep some sanity and some fitness. Starting to gain some of the weight back. Will probably start lifting weights soon. Think I'll try to put on some muscle for next year. I like being around 180, but an extra 5lbs of muscle would be nice.

Thinking about when to start my training for next year. Lots of options. Think I have to complete a 1/2 or full iron distance sometime in 2008 to fulfill the Kona requirement, but not sure. Would like to do the Boston Marathon since I qualified. Not really into running marathons so I probably wouldn't set out to qualify again. We'll see. I think I'll take Sep - Oct off and then get some structure back.
Some tentative race plans for next year
Boston Marathon or Madison, WI Marathon

• Desoto Triple T (4 tri's 3 days)
• Tri Shark
• Evergreen International
• Pigman 1/2 IM
• Oh.... and Kona

later, cd

IM Moo Race Report

OK, its finally done...click the logo below to navigate to my race report

the Triathlete Magazine article is comming soon....

Planning for success

In case you were wondering, here is the nutrition plan I executed for Ironman Wisconsin. I've been using Hammer Nutrition products for about 5 years now and have had nothing but success. I thought my water intake was low on the bike and I realized that during the run. I started feeling my legs cramp but was able push the fluids and hold them off. Luckily I packed extra Endurolytes in my special needs run bag.

Race morning
Baker’s Breakfast Cookie, Peanut butter, 330 cal
1 bottle Sustained Energy, 350cal
10oz Starbucks coffee

1hr before race start
1 Race Cap
3 Anti-Fatigue caps
1 Mito-R cap
2 Endurolytes
1 bottle water

Swim
Two loop swim with no water exit, so no water intake at halfway point

Bike
On board the bike: 1 water bottle with 2.5serv Perpetuem @650 cal, 2 Hammer Bars @ 250cal ea., and 1 - 5serv flask Vanilla + Raspberry Hammer Gel. No special needs bag
@ bike start - ½ Hammer Bar – 125cal
@15min – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@45min – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ 1hr – E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2-4 Endurolyte)
@ 1:15 - 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ 1:30 - ½ Hammer Bar – 125cal
@ 1:45 - ½ Hammer Bar – 125cal
@ 2:00 – E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2-4Endurolyte)
@ 2:15 – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ 2:45 – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ 3:00 – E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2-4 Endurolyte)
@ 3:15 – 1 serv Perpetuem, 110 cal
@ 3:45 – 1 serv Perpetuem, 110 cal
@ 4:00 – E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2-4 Endurolyte)
@ 4:15 – 1 serv Perpetuem, 110 cal
@ 4:45 – 1 serv Perpetuem, 110 cal
@ 5:00 – E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2-4 Endurolyte)
@ 5:15 – 1 serv Perpetuem, 110 cal
@ 5:30 – off the bike
Approx 4.5 bottles of water
1425 total cal, 260 cal/hr

Run
T2 bag packed with 1 - 5serv flask of Raspberry + Tropical Hammer Gel
@ mile 1 (8min) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ mile 4 (32min) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2 Endurolyte)
@ mile 7 (56min) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ mile 10 (1:20) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2 Endurolyte)
@ mile 13 (1:44) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal
@ mile 14 (1:52) – 2 Endurolytes
@ mile 16 (2:19) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 3 Endurolyte)
@ mile 19 (2:46) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, 2 Endurolytes
@ mile 22 (3:13) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, E-caps (1 RC, 1 AF, 1 Mito, 2 Endurolyte)
@ mile 25 (3:40) – 1 serv Hammer Gel – 100 cal, 2 Endurolytes
Water at every aid station (about every mile)
900 total cal, 250 cal/hr

Still working on that race report...

I'm goin' to Kona!

With an incredible amount of focus and a insane amount of loyalty and support from my family and friends, I was able to surpass my goals at Iroman Wisconsin. A complete race in all disciplines. Nailed my nutrition and made it hurt, in a good way. That's what it takes to get to Kona.
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"If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ironman World Championship. It is the race that defined our sport as it came of age, and continues to be the defining race in our sport for any avid triathlete.

To get to the starting line in Kona, you must be very talented and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world.

Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,700 succeeded.

That means 1,700 people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer ... 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain.

While there are thousands of triathlons around the world, it is this one that truly defines the sport. It is triathlon's Super Bowl, Wimbledon, World Series, World Cup, and Tour de France all rolled into one. What makes this event so unique is that "average" people get to compete alongside the best in the world."

Well, get a load of "average" me next to the "world class" Heather Fuhr as she signs me up for Kona. What a feeling.

I actually got to talk to Heather during registration on the Thursday before the race. I sheepishly asked for her to autograph my poster and she obliged. She was super nice, asked where I was from, how I was feeling, and was very genuine. We talked a little about the race, the difficult course, how she hadn't done the race before but would like to. Most elite pros never get a chance to do IM Wisconsin since its so close to the World Championship race in Kona....World Championship.....Hmm I'm actually racing there next year. No lottery spot. I'm racing.... YYYYEEEEESSSS!!! I'm so stoked!! I'll be out there with the best professional and age group triathletes in the world. It's really hard to wrap my head around that. I'm sure it will hit me like a ton o' bricks when I'm finally there.
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Come join me. It's gonna be a riot!

Race report coming soon :)

Is it hot in here?

Or is my body just on fire... Dang! Did I mention it's hot outside?! So I've been training my butt off this year and its been a good season. But I'm starting to get real nervous about how the weather's gonna turn out at Ironman Wisconsin. I was there in 05 when it was 100 degrees and witnessed the meltdown of many. I haven't felt real good running in the heat. Ugh!! I suppose most don't.

Maybe it's been over training but I haven't been feeling strong on the run and not until this past weekend have I ran over 2hrs. Sure it was a little cooler than the last two weeks but I think I found the answer. I self diagnosed myself with an iron deficiency and since taking some iron supplements I feel much better. I've read that endurance athletes suffer from iron deficiency but I always thought I got enough through my diet. However, most iron in foods do not get absorbed 100%. So the amount of iron listed on the label isn't the amount you end up getting. Better safe than sorry, keep supplementing.

My taper is starting so I'll get some rest in the next couple weeks. I really can't wait until it's time to race IM. Yes I think I can actually race, not just go for a PR. Actually my goal for Ironman is to 1st - finish; 2nd - PR; and 3rd - kick ass! We'll see...

I think I'm going to wear my new Boston Scientific gear I got from my good buddy Keith. It's the new Louis Garneau 'Shark' wear and it is super com-for-tob-lay. I like my Hammer Nutrition stuff but comfort has to be a priority. Hey, I'm still hardcore Hammer so who cares huh? There's a total of 12 Tri-Shark clubbies participating at IM Moo and a boat-load more spectating. Hope to see a bunch of those supporters out there. I know one should be focusing on racing but I always enjoy looking for people and drawing on their energy. Just got word my buddy Drew will be flying in from Boise to feed his jones at another IM. I'm stoked to see him out there.

Why "Get Fast Or Quit"?

I must tell you that I've pondered this question over and over again. How is it that you can look someone in the face and say "Get fast or quit". What do you expect their response to be? Does it offend you? Should it? Does it light a fire under your ass? Should it? Or is it one of those comments that you can use as a mantra, and not worry about what it really means.

The origin of GFOQ dates back to the early 80's when my good friend Mark Temple was competing as a pro triathlete in a little Texas triathlon alongside some stiff competition that included an unknown Lance Armstrong. Unknown to the world, but well known in Texas as a young (16), brash, cocky, but very talented cyclist and triathlete. Out on the run, Mark was passed by Lance and he offered your normal "nice job" as Lance went by. Expecting the normal "you too" response, Mark was countered with a memorable "Get Fast Or Quit" statement.

Now you might think that Lance had all the right in the world to offer that bit of "advice". By all means, he was Lance Armstrong. But he was the unknown Lance Armstrong. Who did he think he was? Well, I'm sure it was exactly that attitude which propelled him to 7 Tour victories and still drives him today. After the recent Evergreen Triathlon (our clubs premier international distance event) I was talking to pro triathlete Brian Rhoads and posed the question, "What makes you want to get fast and not quit"? I wasn't really expecting much of an answer since, who am I to question a pro about what makes him tick. His initial response (jokingly) "For the money!!!" Then he got real serious and answered my question with all the respect in the world. In summary, he said, pros have an internal drive to push themselves to the limit and balance that edge toward disintegrating. Their biggest fear is to fail and their biggest thrill is to perform at the highest level.

That being said, for me GFOQ is an internal driver. A personal mantra or self affirmation that can drive you to improved performance. It doesn't have to be a threat or a challenge. Have fun with it. Spread the word, create a movement. If someone says to you "get fast or quit", think about it, and decide for yourself, how do you want to use it?

Tell me, what makes you want to get fast and not quit?